The role of family and culture in the disclosure of bad news: A multicentre cross-sectional study in Pakistan.

Objectives: Disclosure of bad news is distressing for patients and family members. Our aim was to assess patients' perceptions and preferences regarding bad news in the health setting.

Methods: Cross-sectional, multi-centered study supported by an external grant in 15 Government and Private Hospitals across Pakistan.

Family cohesion and school belongingness: Protective factors for immigrant youth against bias-based bullying.

This study explores the protective effects of family cohesion and school belongingness against the negative consequences of bullying. 481 immigrant and nonimmigrant US middle-school students (Mage = 13.28(0.

Perceptions, knowledge and attitudes towards the concept and approach of palliative care amongst caregivers: a cross-sectional survey in Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Limited comprehension of the concept of palliative care and misconceptions about it are barriers to meaningful utilisation of palliative care programs. As caregivers play an integral role for patients with terminal illness, it is necessary to assess their perceptions and attitudes towards the palliative care approach.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted.

Frequency and features of nocturnal enuresis in Pakistani children aged 5 to 16 years based on ICCS criteria: a multi-center cross-sectional study from Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common symptom in children worldwide. International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) defines enuresis as either mono-symptomatic, NE with lower urinary tract symptoms and NE with co-morbid conditions. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequencies and types of NE and associated symptoms and conditions in children aged 5 to 16 years based on ICCS criteria.

Frequency and Factors Associated with Adult Immunization in Patients Visiting Family Medicine Clinics at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi.

Objective The goal of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with adult immunization in patients visiting family medicine clinics at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2014 to March 2015 in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Participants more than 18 years were invited to participate in the study.

Has the inclusion of a longitudinally integrated communication skills program improved consultation skills in medical students? A pilot study.

Background: Evidence highlights a lack of communication skills in doctors leading to dysfunctional consultations. To address this deficit, a private medical college instituted curricular reforms with inclusion of a longitudinal communication skills program. A pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of this program by comparing the consultation skills of medical students of this college with a medical college without a communication skills program.

Establishing Palliative Care across the AKDN Health Services: Opportunities and Challenges.

AKDN has one of the most comprehensive private not-for-profit health care systems in the developing world. It has state-of-the-art urban academic tertiary care centers, service hospitals and community based primary care centers spread across the most remote areas of Central and South Asia and East Africa. In response to a global initiative to make palliative care widely available, the AKDN is spearheading the integration of palliative care across its international health network.

Is Chaalia/Pan Masala harmful for health? practices and knowledge of children of schools in Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Karachi.

Objective: To determine the practices and knowledge of harmful effects regarding use of Chaalia and Pan Masala in three schools of Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Jamshed Town, Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: To achieve the objective a cross-sectional design was used in three government schools of Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Jamshed Town, Karachi. Students of either gender drawn from these schools fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were interviewed using a pre-coded structured questionnaire.

Practices and knowledge of schoolchildren regarding chhaalia/paan masala in Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Karachi.

Objective: To determine the practices and knowledge about chhaalia and paan masala chewing among school children in Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three government schools of Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Jamshed Town, Karachi. Students of either gender were interviewed using a pre-coded structured questionnaire.