Evaluating the Effectiveness of Interactive Virtual Patients for Medical Education in Zambia: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Zambia is facing a severe shortage of health care workers, particularly in rural areas. Innovative educational programs and infrastructure have been established to bridge this gap; however, they encounter substantial challenges because of constraints in physical and human resources. In response to these shortcomings, strategies such as web-based and blended learning approaches have been implemented, using virtual patients (VPs) as a means to promote interactive learning at the Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU) in Zambia.

Electronic logbooks (e-logbooks) for the continuous assessment of medical licentiates and their medical skill development in the low-resource context of Zambia: A mixed-methods study.

Background: Countries in sub-Saharan Africa continue to face insufficient health education resources and facilities, as well as a severe shortage of health care professionals. In 2019, the Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU) in Lusaka was launched to address the shortage of healthcare professionals implementing a decentralized training model utilizing selected regional and district hospitals in Zambia as training sites for various cadres. Decentralization makes it more challenging to monitor the learning process as part of continuous assessment; consequently, adequate approaches are necessary to ensure the quality and quantity of medical skills training.

Real-life Evaluation of an Interactive Versus Noninteractive e-Learning Module on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease for Medical Licentiate Students in Zambia: Web-Based, Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: e-Learning for health professionals in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is still in its infancy, but with the advent of COVID-19, a significant expansion of digital learning has occurred. Asynchronous e-learning can be grouped into interactive (user-influenceable content) and noninteractive (static material) e-learning. Studies conducted in high-income countries suggest that interactive e-learning is more effective than noninteractive e-learning in increasing learner satisfaction and knowledge; however, there is a gap in our understanding of whether this also holds true in LMICs.

Comparative Effectiveness of Glucose-Lowering Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Background: Several pharmacologic options for type 2 diabetes are available.

Purpose: To compare benefits and harms of glucose-lowering drugs in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Data Sources: Several databases from inception through 18 December 2019 and ClinicalTrials.

Carvedilol for prevention of variceal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Beta-blockers are used for prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of carvedilol for primary or secondary prevention of variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, CENTRAL and gray literature sources for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing carvedilol with placebo or any active intervention.