INTRODUCTION:In middle-income countries, the duration of medical consultations is a key determinant of care quality, particularly given the limited health literacy of part of the population. This study analyzes its impact in Morocco by exploring the perceptions of beneficiaries of Compulsory Health Insurance (AMO). METHODS:A mixed-methods design combined a literature review with a survey of 240 AMO beneficiaries. Data were collected through a questionnaire focusing on listening, clarity of explanations, consultation length, and patient expectations. RESULTS:Most patients reported feeling listened to and considered the explanations clear. However, a significant proportion expressed unmet needs, especially regarding consultation time and medical jargon. The average consultation duration (15-20 minutes) was considered sufficient by two-thirds of patients, while one-third desired more time. Overall satisfaction reached 80%. CONCLUSIONS:Consultation length is a major lever for enhancing doctor-patient communication and perceived quality of care. In resource-limited settings, interventions such as simplifying medical language, training healthcare providers in communication skills, and optimizing consultation time management are crucial. These findings, while grounded in the Moroccan context, provide valuable lessons for middle-income countries facing similar challenges.
INTRODUCTION:Toxoplasmosis is a major public health concern, especially in pregnant women, due to the risk of maternal-fetal transmission. Serodiagnosis, although essential, remains challenging for medical biology residents. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the impact of an educational video on knowledge acquisition and learner perception regarding the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. METHODS:An observational study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis (May-September 2025), including medical biology residents. Participants completed a pre-test, watched an educational video, and then completed a post-test and a qualitative evaluation. Pre- and post-test means were compared using a paired Student's t-test, and the correlation between knowledge gain and satisfaction was assessed with Pearson's coefficient. RESULTS:Sixty-four residents participated (mean age: 28.5 years; sex ratio = 0.08). Mean scores increased from 12.28 ± 4.0 (pre-test) to 15.41 ± 3.5 (post-test) (p < 0.001), reflecting a significant knowledge gain, with 52% scoring ≥16/20 post-intervention. Overall satisfaction was high: 91% found the video clear and relevant, and 97% would recommend it to colleagues. The correlation between score gain and satisfaction was weak and not significant (r = 0.16; p = 0.26). CONCLUSION:The educational video is an effective and highly appreciated tool for teaching the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis, facilitating the understanding and interpretation of complex serological profiles.
INTRODUCTION:Evidence from the literature suggests a link between social media addiction (SMA) and academic procrastination, both of which are negatively correlated with academic performance. OBJECTIVES:To assess the relationships between SMA, academic procrastination, and self- control strategies for social media use among medical students. METHODS:We conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire distributed to Tunisian medical students. The questionnaire included socio-demographic data, characteristics of social media use, and the Arabic versions of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale and the Academic Procrastination Scale. RESULTS:A total of 156 responses were collected. Sixteen percent of students had SMA. The median Academic Procrastination Scale score was 67.5. We found a moderate positive correlation (ρ = 0.514, p < 0.001) between the Academic Procrastination Scale score and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale score. The most commonly used self-control strategy among medical students to regulate social media use was "direct self-control" (23.7%). Students using self-control strategy 1 had significantly lower Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale scores compared with those using strategies 4 (p = 0.03), 5 (p = 0.036), or 7 (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION:Targeted interventions aimed at reducing problematic social media use and academic procrastination could improve students' well-being and academic performance.
INTRODUCTION:A psychometric analysis of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) is an important step in the assessment process. It makes sure that MCQ items are valid and reliable. The residency competition is an important part of medical training. It is how we choose future doctors who can meet the clinical and scientific requirements. Our aim is to find out what the medical residency competition's MCQs are like. METHODS:150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were analysed from the October 2025 medical residency exam. There were 760 candidates in the exams. This analysis looked at the difficulty index (DIF I), the discrimination index (DI), and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS:78 (52%) of the multiple-choice questions were at a recommended/acceptable level of difficulty, with an average DIF I of 43± 2,03. 45 (30%) were too difficult. 97 items (64%) had a DI between excellent and acceptable, and 40 (26%) were rejected, with an overall average DI of 0,325± 0,017. There was a relationship between DIF I and DI (r=0.36, p0.01). The reliability of the items was satisfactory at 0.84, as measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. CONCLUSION:Our study allowed us to find good MCQs to add to the question bank for future tests, as well as MCQs that needed to be changed. This thorough analysis makes sure that the assessments are valid and reliable. It makes sure that the selection process is tough and that it meets the necessary academic and practical standards.
BACKGROUND:Oncogeriatrics is a sensitive medical specialty dealing with malignant neoplastic diseases in elderly patients. Ethical challenges have emerged due to both the specific characteristics of the affected population and the severity of the disease. AIM:To report and analyze the ethical issues raised in oncogeriatrics. RESULTS:Oncogeriatrics is an emerging specialty that has developed in response to two major epidemiological observations: the aging population and the increasing number of cancer patients. Assessing these patients using specific scoring tools is essential to identify their particular needs. The unique characteristics of this population give rise to several ethical dilemmas, including end-of-life issues (such as therapeutic obstinacy and euthanasia) and those related to the patient's capacity for discernment and informed consent. The main ethical concerns discussed in this paper include access to care, research, consent and the right to information, and end-of-life issues. Addressing these challenges involves applying the four fundamental principles of medical ethics: respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. CONCLUSION:Adhering to the four principles of ethics provides a framework for managing ethical issues. However, in oncogeriatrics, applying these principles must be carefully evaluated due to the specific characteristics of the elderly population.
