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“Objectives  To describe the process and implementation check details of an oral exam in a large class with distance synchronous education technology and to evaluate the faculty’s perspective of the development, administration, and assessment of the oral exam. Methods  The Department of Pharmacy Practice at Nova Southeastern University, USA, created two patient cases for the oral exam per course over two semesters within the Therapeutics and Pathophysiology course sequence to be distributed across three campus sites. The faculty’s perspective was evaluated utilizing a questionnaire distributed

via an online survey. Key findings  The oral exam was administered simultaneously across three campuses to a total of 464 students over two semesters. A total of 42 faculty members assisted in the exam process. Four cases were developed for the two exams, with detailed answer keys to minimize subjectivity in grading. Twenty-eight faculty members (66%) completed the assessment questionnaire. Most faculty were in support of continuing to administer the oral exam in subsequent therapeutic selleck chemical courses. Conclusions  Implementation of an oral exam in a large class with synchronous education via distance campuses is feasible. However, exam coordinators must take into account logistics such

as time commitment from faculty, adequate facilities and detailed case and key development.

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“Objectives  Patient compliance with their medications and their ability for self-management in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing cause of concern to healthcare providers. Knowledge about diabetes, attitude towards the condition and time management with respect to the condition (practice), collectively known as KAP, are known to affect compliance and play an important part in diabetes management. We aimed to describe the knowledge, attitude, practice and psychological status of adult Qatari patients with T2DM, and to explore the interaction between these and other patient-related factors which could impact on the ability of the patients to manage their diabetes and to achieve desirable health outcomes. Methods  A questionnaire (the Diabetes Habits and Beliefs Questionnaire, P-type ATPase DHBQ) was used to investigate the level and relationship between knowledge, attitude, general practice and psychological status of patients with T2DM. The data was collected in face-to-face interviews with patients visiting the diabetic clinic at a tertiary hospital in Qatar during the period January 2008 to March 2009. Key findings  There were significant differences in attitude and knowledge between educational levels. Knowledge and attitude were highly correlated and the psychological status of the patient was positively associated with both knowledge and attitude.