Volume 2 | Issue 1
e s l u the P
September | 2011
WELCOME TO THE WORLD of MEDICAL SCIENCES !
A warm welcome to all members of the MB.BS Class of 2016, as well as Dentistry, Pharmacy and Veterinary students! The moment you take up medicine, you commit to being a student all your life. As you begin, consider the words of Sir William Osler,
Welcome from the Dean
practice of medicine is an art, “ notThea calling a trade; a calling, not a business; in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head. ”
“R”ush of Examinations
“P”hase studying
“Q”uick cram MBBS “R”ush exam finals “S”leep Complex
“T”repidation wave
“Q”uickly cramming “S”leep The Real Heartbeat of the Mt. Hope Medical Student you achieve that goal. Please feel free to come into any one of the Schools/Departments or the Dean’s Office to seek assistance if the need arises.
Remember that with your chosen career comes many responsibilities, as is embodied in the Mission Statement of the Faculty which states, “An attitude of lifelong learning, ethical conduct and excellence in service and research”. Dear Students Endeavour to live up to these ideals, now as students and take it It is with great pleasure that I welcome with you throughout as a practicyou to the Faculty of Medical Sciences ing professional. for the academic year 2011/2012. I trust that you will give your best You are on the way to becoming the and that you will enjoy the expeprofessional whom you all have said rience of University life. you want to be. The staff at the Faculty of Medical Sciences are here to help Study hard and Good luck!
In this
Issue...
1 WELCOME from the Dean 2 WELCOME from TTMSA 2 Know your TTMSA Exec! 3 Welcome- TTOPS/DSATT/ VSATT 4 Clubs @ Mt Hope : IVCF/ MEDS/MSEC 5 TTMSA Banquet 2011 5 Environmental Initiative 6 Med.Sci. News - CAAM Accreditation comes to Mt.Hope 7 Student Perspective 7 Image Challenge 8 Image Challenge Answer 8 Upcoming Events to look out for
1
“Welcome!” from
TTMSA
Exec! On behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Students Association (TTMSA), I extend warmest greetings to all students and be prepared for an exciting in Med. Sci.! academic year ahead!
Cherisse President
I would like to specially welcome our Year 1 colleagues to the Med-Sci family! I know you have worked very hard to reach here and I trust the program will live up to your hopes and fears. Truly it is a Faculty and Profession like no other. Over the next five years I hope you will grow as holistic individuals and mature into competent and compassionate medical practitioners.
The TTMSA is the representative Joel body for the medical students of Trinidad and Tobago. We are a VicePresident non-governmental organization and we primarily cater to the needs of the MB.BS students. Our executive comprises of students elected by their peers, to represent the views of the medical student body and ensure all issues affecting them are Erron sufficiently dealt with.
To those who were on vacationWelcome back ‘home’! I trust your vacation was a fun, safe and enjoyable one. I trust you return invigorated to the classrooms and wards. The corridors of our beloved Mt. Hope have been strangely silent without you.
For me, it has been a privilege to work alongside the members of the current executive thus far. They are a group of dynamic people who have shown a willingness to serve their peers without bias and with incredible enthusiasm.
While at Mt. Hope, I urge you to embrace Med-Sci in its entirety. Our faculty has much to offer in the fields of academia and nonacademia. You can be sure to find something which appeals to your interests, so don’t hesitate to get involved!
In closing I encourage all MB.BS students, to exercise the rights you have as TTMSA members by communicating your ideas, suggestions or concerns to us.
Lisa Secretary
Treasurer
We look forward to meeting and working with you over the 20112012 period.
TTMSA has a great deal planned for the upcoming year, from “cook Yours sincerely, outs” and “fun day” to medical clinics and blood drives. So make some room in your calendars TTMSA President 2011-2012
Cherisse Ratiram.
Shawn Asst. Sec.
Josh Yr 5 Rep Nalini Yr 4 Rep
Marissa Yr 3 Rep Usamah Yr 2 Rep
Pharm, Dent & Vet Student Bodies The Pulse3 Hello year one pharmacy students. Congratulations on your acceptance and welcome to UWI Faculty of Medical Sciences. I am pleased to be writing you this message. With dedication I've found my experience at the School of Pharmacy to be completely worthwhile especially since I took part in extracurricular activities. It may be hard to find out about activities going on since we are away from Main Campus and a bit disconnected from the different schools in FMS. There are things going under the radar so be on the lookout. Even though the population of pharmacy students isn't large you'll find there are advantages to this. Smaller classrooms allow greater learning potential and allow easier socialization. As you'll come to learn, pharmacy has many opportunities. Apart from working in or managing a pharmacy you can specialize in areas such as pharmacology, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry and many others. Don't be afraid to ask questions and stay informed! I wish you all a productive and fun experience for the entirety of your degree at the School of Pharmacy.
Welcome DDS Class of 2016!!!! Allow me to introduce the Dental Students’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago, (DSATT) formerly the University of the West Indies Dental Students’ Association (UWI DSA). DSATT is a non-profit organization that represents all enrolled dental students of the University of the West Indies’ School of Dentistry at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. We hope you all had a great vacation and are now ready to begin your journey of becoming a dynamic and successful dentist. We look forward to getting to know and working together with you, so that we can have an exciting and productive year. We hope that you benefit from the new challenges and approaches to learning that Year 1 Dentistry has to offer. DSATT has many activities planned for the upcoming academic year and we expect that you will be eager to get involved in the various events. We do look forward to your support in our current and future endeavours, during your entire school life here at Mt. Hope.
Sincerely,
Regards,
David Barclay,
Arianne Dhanukdharriesingh
President, TTOPS 2010/2011
DSATT President (2011-2012)
The Veterinary Student Asso ciation of Trini- dad and Tobago (V.S.A.T.T) aims to become an established group providing a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every student has the opportunity to develop hands-on experience, enhanced communication and leadership skills. Such attributes we believe will in turn foster selfconfidence and personal growth in the Veterinary profession. VSATT takes this opportunity to extend sincerere welcome to all new vet sstudents. Look out for our Open Day which will be later this year. You can contact us via Fb group: Veterinary Students Association Of Trinidad and Tobago (VSATT) or Email: vsatt2010@gmail.com .
ACTUAL QUOTES FROM MEDICAL RECORDS: She is numb from her toes down. While in the ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home. Patient was alert and unresponsive. When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room. Patient was released to outpatient department without dressing. The patient refused an autopsy. Patient has left his white blood cells at another hospital. The patient has no past history of suicides.
Clubs @ Mt Hope
I.V.C.F.
IVCF Concert 2011 ‘Unmasked’
The InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) at Mt. Hope says “WELCOME!!” to all year 1 students entering the Faculty of Medical Sciences. However long or short it may have been, we trust your vacation was relaxing. We hope that you enjoy your studies here as you strive to serve others in the noble field of medicine. We are very excited to meet and interact with you all. Our meetings are weekly; Thursdays in Amphi B at 1 PM. We would love for you to drop by! This year we examine ‘Inner Perfection, Outer Reflection, Radiating Impact’- focusing on us growing in our relationship with God, representing Him in our everyday life and positively impacting others. IVCF has had more to offer every yearincluding fun activities, interactive cell group sessions, Bible study, and great fellowship!!! We stage a grand Easter production involving dance, drama, choir and more. IVCF especially invites all to our first meetinga ‘Welcome Party’ on Thursday 22nd September at Amphitheatre A where we will get to know each other better. Prizes and refreshments will be given out- so come out and enjoy!
Rex-Anne Bobb,
President 2011-2012] Facebook: IVCF Mt Hope
Namaste! Sitaram! M.E.D.S, The Movement for the Encouragement of Dharmic Services, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of Hindu culture and traditions, at the FMS, Mt. Hope. M.E.D.S offers insight into Hindu philosophy and festivals that make up the Hindu calendar. Its membership consists of medical, dental, pharmacy and veterinary students. Our current Spiritual Advisor is Pt. Abhedanand Persad Sharma. We host a multitude of events such as weekly Satsangs (prayer sessions), poojas, the much anticipated Divali Play, and the Paeds Treat, where every year for Christmas, M.E.D.S together with other student groups, treat the children at the Paediatrics Ward EWMSC, Mt. Hope.This year, our theme is “SEVA SADHANA”. This is “the Practice of Selfless Service”. Since taking office in April 2011, the current M.E.D.S Executive has hosted a Medical Clinic, conducted a Food Drive and a massive Charity Drive, all of which were successfully achieved with the participation of not only the student membership of M.E.D.S, but the wider public as well. As the late Mohandas Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. Join our Facebook group to keep informed of our activities and to receive important updates. M.E.D.S welcomes you to the Faculty of Medical Sciences. We look forward to your active participation & support in all events! Asha Beharry, Vice-President 2011-2012
M.S.E.C.
The UWI Medical Sciences Equine Club- “The what club? Equine? What’s an Equine?” Basically, the word equine means anything relating to or affecting horses. So now you know that UWI has a “Horse Club.” While the club is physically located in Mt. Hope, (because that’s where the horses are), it’s open to all registered UWI Students. The club also attends many events, goes on field trips and does a little charity work. We assist with fundraising ventures at Equestrian Events. If you’ve ever wanted to do Horseback Riding or just get close to horses, then come check us out. The club meets every Thursday at 1:00 pm in the stables at the School of Veterinary Medicine. If you just want to come see what we do, then feel free to drop in and observe. Then you can decide if you want to join! Additional information: Membership Fee is $50 for the entire Academic Year! UWI MSEC Offers: • Grooming Classes – no additional fees. • Grooming & Riding Classes $50/session additional fee for the Instructor (Mr. Lewis) Contact the club via: PRO - Jevan Sieusankar (3rd Year DVM)-7053058 *President - Cassandra Ramkissoon (4th Year MBBS) -390-5530 or cassie.kr@gmail.
The TTMSA Banquet
2011 Environ
On June 3rd the TTMSA successfully hosted its 2nd annual Banquet and Awards ceremony! More than a hundred “Mt Hope-ians” got together as one MBBS family and had a great time- good food, fun, laughs and of course dancing the night away.
Selected student awards: Cat in the hat 2011 Ryon Cupidore Rudranath Ramsewak
Selected staff awards: Most Outstanding Lecturer In Pre-Clinical Sciences 2011 Dr. Suresh Rao
Most Outstanding Lecturer In Para-Clinical Sciences 2011 Most Outgoing Student 2011 Professor Michelle Monteil Vishi Beharry Most Outstanding Lecturer Humanitarian Award 2011 In Clinical Sciences 2011 Vishi Beharry Mr. Patrick Harnarayan
Most well rounded student Graduating class of 2011 Okera Baptiste
Most Outstanding Pre Clinical Ancillary Staff Member 2011 Mr. Gaston Francis
MENTAL Initiative 3
This issue of The Pulse has been printed on 100% RECYCLED PAPER, courtesy BRICHA Ltd based in Aranguez. As medical students, we are acutely sensitised to the importance of preserving, conserving and rehabilitating our environment. Environmental hazards are responsible for as much as a quarter of the total burden of disease world-wide, and more than one-third of the burden among children. Below, the President if the Guild, Mr Amilcar Sanatan ,discusses the UWI green campaign.
“At the UWI Guild of Students, we have embarked on an excitBest Sportsman ing, consciousness raising and fun Clinical Ancillary Staff Member 2011 Graduating Class of 2011 project called the Green Thing To Ms. Alisha “Tammy” Constantine Okera Baptiste Do (GTTD). Our academic year has begun with a Big Green Bang as Best Sportswoman we host the UWI Guild Fest 2011: TRIUS MEDICAL - Proud Graduating Class of 2011 The Green Edition. This year's Trishell Simon Sponsor Banquet ‘11 theme park is full of attractions, adventures and entertainment that Shoot for the Moon “Your partners in medical health reflect the Guild of Students' dedication to raising awareness on Food Graduating Class of 2011 care. With our two well stocked Security, Wildlife Preservation and Ryan Kunjal locations at #3 Palmiste Boulevard Energy Conservation. In doing so, San Fernando and #101 Long the park leads the way in the CaribProfessor Vijay Narayanbean to empower ordinary people singh Award for Leadership Circular Road Maraval carrying to do small extraordinary acts that Graduating Class of 2011 over 1600 different items, come build a better world while growing David Milne visit us and let us assist you with a culture of environmental care, our customer friendly staff and education and positive action. We Dean’s Award look forward to your continued parwealth of knowledge. We carry Graduating Class of 2011 ticipation with the Guild and always leading brands such as Welch David Milne remember that a friend of the Guild Allyn, Medison, Sklar, 3M and is a friend of the Environment.”
many more.”
Med. Sci. News
The Pulse 6
CAAM accreditation @ MT. HOPE
Q&A What does CAAM- HP stand for? Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions.
What do they do have to do with us? The Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM) was established in 2003 to ensure that medical, dental, veterinary and other health professional schools in participating countries are recognised to be of international standard both at the national, regional and international levels.
Why do we need to be accredited? The process of accreditation ensures that medical, dental, veterinary and other schools of health professions meet current national, regional and international standards of structure, function, and performance, so that students receive a valid educational experience, govern-
,
Let your voice be heard. DO THE SURVEY
8
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R3Y9B63 mental agencies have a reliable criterion for licensing graduates, and the public is provided with well-trained physicians, dentists and veterinarians who can deliver high quality medical, dental and veterinary care.
When is CAAM coming? The CAAM- HP team will be visiting our campus to examine our facilities and our programme in 2012.
What is my role as the student in this process? The CAAM- HP take the student role very seriously. They place high importance on the student body’s opinion and experience at our school and therefore we have been asked to do a SURVEY which is INDEPENDENT of the ADMINISTRATION. The creation, application and analysis of the survey are all to be done by students. You can also convey your opinions to your student reps so that they can be discussed with the survey team. It is vital that EVERY MBBS student participate in this survey
What are the possible outcomes of a CAAM- HP visit? 1. Accreditation for 6 years with a review visit after the allotted period. 2. “Provisional accreditation or Accreditation on probation” if the programme is not deemed fully up to CAAM standards. The programme is considered accredited but , but must achieve substantial compliance within two-years of the final decision to place it on probation. 3. Withdrawal of accreditation.
Can I play a more active role in this process? Students who wish to assist with the student survey may speak to any of their TTMSA reps for more information.
Who can I contact if I have any problems using the survey? Cherisse Ratiram ~ 782 3233 Joel De Gannes ~ 471 9341
IMAGE
I would definitely rank my first year of medical school as one of the best years of my life! Now, you might think I’m absolutely crazy, since medical school will be of the most challenging experiences of your life.
CHALLENGE
My philosophy for the past year has been – work hard, so you can play harder, and only then can you work hardest. A little fun in the sun or in some cases the moon light is very much needed- but yes, in moderation. Although I spent much of the year becoming intimate with Constanzo and Berne, drinking Espressos and Monsters until I nearly suffered caffeine intoxication, making dirty mnemonics just to remember the important stuff, laboring over PBL objectives and ‘bepping’ everywhere possible, I was able to find the time for FUN. From visits to the zoo to shark and bake runs during the day to spending fruitless hours looking for Trotters, these are some of my amazing memories. As a medical student living on my own, some days I did prefer to eat on napkins to avoid washing dishes and to live on a ramen, rituals diet just to survive. Life can get crazy, frustrating and may even become hazardous, however, I was not alone in my moments of sheer insanity. Thank God for amazing classmates and incredible friends, both old and new. Now don’t get carried away, university life is something rated only for the mature.School no longer means donning that generic uniform, sitting 8 to 3 in class and doing homework. Attending lectures, studying, assignments - all become your choice. You have to motivate yourself and manage your time. And by the end of year one you will be able to boast to the world, as I have, that you have sniffed and poked at cadavers and best of all you have given IM injections to prosthetic ‘bums’!!! So embrace your time here at Mt. Hope and treasure the experiences because one year goes by in the blink of an eye.
What is the likely diagnosis?
See back pg for answer.
IMAGE CHALLENGE D N P L A C E N T A S G G E
X I V C G E A E B K L V G L
W E F J B L O U R N I B A E
P V O F L L P R I U P M M C
L M O A U S P O C B E R E T
A E V T C S Y N E D M E T R
T F U S K I I S E I B P E O
E B M K Y C P O T O R S I L
L H T H O K T N N X Y R U Y
E N O T R C O E A Z O E Y T
T M X U G T Y Y W A D S F E
Q R I O A O A T D G I T B Q
C J N M N T Y R E T R A W M
ANSWER Acknowledgement: This rare case and picture was contributed by Mr. Michael James Ramdass FRCS, UWI Lecturer in Surgery and Consultant General & Vascular Surgeon at the General Hospital, Port-ofSpain. Small bowel gangrene secondary to thrombosis of the superior messenteric artery in a 45 year old male.
Mesenteric ischaemia is a rare disorder and is an important diagnosis to make because of its high mortality. Risk factors include atherosclerotic vascular disease, valvular heart disease and arrhythmias. The etiology of intestinal artery vein organ cells neurons ischaemia includes thrombotic or embolic disease. The electrolytes bone leukocyte platelet sperm ovum gamete placenta embryo hallmark of mesenteric ischaemia is abdominal pain that is out of proportion to the clinical findings related diffusion oedema mouth toxin fats to the the degree of rebound tenderness and guarding. With Embolic disease there is sudden onset of abdominal pain. Fever, guarding, and rebound tenderness are later signs and indicate progression to bowel infarction. Ischaemia may progress to the development of mucosal injury, tissue necrosis, and metabolic acidosis. There is usually an associated very high leucocytosis and meta12th to 16th Sept - TTMSA bolic acidosis. Patients with peritonitis clearly require Book Sale for Yr 1’s emergency surgery.
LOOK OUT! Upcoming Events at Mt Hope 22nd Sept -1 PM, IVCF Welcome Party @mphi A 17th Oct - MEDS Divali Program & Play T.B.A. - TTMSA Blood Drive
You blink every 2-10 seconds. As you focus on each word in this sentence, your eyes swing back and forth 100 times a second, and every second; the retina performs 10 billion computer-like calculations.
Vague and nonspecific clinical findings and limitations of diagnostic studies make the diagnosis challenging. Plain films are usually nonspecific, with CT scans having a sensitivity of only around 60%, as quoted in New England Journal of Medicine (Kumar et al NEJM 2001; 345:1683). Pneumatosis intestinalis is one of the few radiographic findings in patients with mesenteric ischaemia. Postoperative complications include sepsis, wound infection, and the short-bowel syndrome in patients who require extensive resection of small bowel. Despite recent advances, mortality rates continue to remain high and the management remains challenging in any setting.
Query or comment? e-mail ttmsa.exec@gmail.com wWhen in doubt, communicate.