Browsing by Author "Nanayakkara, C."

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The autopsy in medical education
(South East Asia Regional Association for Medical Education (SEARAME), 2021) Edussuriya, D.H.; Paranitharan, P.; Perera, W.N.S.; Thilakarathne, M.G.N.I.; Wijesiriwardena, W.M.S.Y.; Nanayakkara, C.
No Abstract Available
Comparison of BMI, Physical Activity Level, Sugar and Animal Protein Intake in Healthy People and People with Lower Back Pain
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Rathnayake, K.M.C.P.; Semasinghe, S.N.M.W.L.; Rathnapala, K.A.M.C.; Nanayakkara, C.
Introduction: Lower back pain (LBP) is a pain below the costal margin and above the gluteal folds and it may or may not be present with leg pain. It is mentioned that it interferes with the quality of life. Several factors such as individual and activity related factors are identified to associated with LBP. Objectives: To compare BMI, physical activity level (PAL), Sugar and Animal protein intake in LBP patients and in healthy people. Methods: An analytical observational study was conducted at Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Kotelawala Defence University. Based on an inclusion criterion 50 LBP patients and 50 healthy people were recruited. BMI was calculated using standard method. PAL was evaluated using, IPAQ-SF. Sugar and Animal Protein intake were assessed using a self-made questionnaire. All the information on the questionnaires was gathered using interviewer-administered method. Results: BMI of LBP patients was significantly greater than that in healthy people (P<0.05). Most of the patients with LBP had high IPAQ scores while healthy people had moderate IPAQ scores (P< 0.05). Animal protein intake in LBP patients was significantly lower with compared to that in healthy people (P< 0.05). Sugar consumption in LBP patients was significantly high with compared to that in healthy people (P<0.05). Conclusions: Except Animal Protein intake all the other variables were significantly high in LBP patients. Therefore, it is recommended to consider above factors when assessing and treating LBP patients.
Perceptions of medical students on autopsy and its significance as a teaching-learning method
(The Kandy Society of Medicine, 2021) Edussuriya, D.H.; Paranitharan, P.; Perera, W.N.S.; Thilakarathne, M.G.N.I.; Wijesiriwardena, W.M.S.Y.; Nanayakkara, C.
BACKGROUND: Performance of autopsies as a learning experience for undergraduate medical students is declining in most developed countries. Sri Lankan universities continue to employ autopsies for teaching purposes. Perceptions of medical students towards this exercise has not been explored in the recent past. OBJECTIVES: To determine perceptions of medical students towards autopsy and its significance as a learning experience. METHODS: An online questionnaire to determine the perceptions of 4th year medical students who had completed the clerkship in Forensic Medicine on autopsy and its significance as a teaching-learning method was administered to students of two faculties of medicine in Sri Lanka. RESULTS: Medical students considered the autopsy as a positive learning experience in terms of learning anatomy and pathology. They felt that they should witness more autopsies and assist in dissections during autopsy. However, a significant proportion was not sensitive to the emotional nature of the experience and a majority were not comfortable in the autopsy environment and process and stated that they would not consent to an autopsy of someone close to them if the need arose. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to make the best use of the undergraduate autopsy experience by increasing exposure to autopsy, allowing students to assist at autopsy and drawing the attention of students to the emotional aspect during the experience and promoting the specialty while highlighting the role of the Forensic Pathologist in ensuring justice.