Focus groups findings reveal barriers to teaching communication skills to medical students.

Background: In December 2002, 74 medical students in the second preclinical years at the American University of Beirut (AUB) attended a workshop on basic communication skills (CS). The students watched video clips which demonstrated different communication skills and stages of the consultation, and role-played to try out ways they could improve the consultation. Their familiarity with the skills taught was assessed at the beginning of the workshop, immediately afterwards, and again six months later.

Prevalence of hepatitis B in a presumably healthy Lebanese population.

Objective: Policy makers need data on the prevalence of infection with HBV in order to determine the cost effectiveness of universal immunization against hepatitis B. This study aims at determining the prevalence rate of infection with HBV in a basically healthy group of Lebanese adults.

Methods: Sera from 2634 presumably healthy Lebanese individuals, mean age 32.

Medical problems encountered among travelers in Bahrain International Airport clinic.

Background: The Middle East is one of the most rapidly growing destination for travelers. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the medical conditions affecting travelers needing medical assistance in Bahrain International Airport (BIA).

Intestinal parasites among presumably healthy individuals in Lebanon.

Objective: To determine the prevalence period of intestinal parasites among presumably healthy subjects in Lebanon.

Methods: One stool specimen from 2634 presumably healthy Lebanese subjects, mean age 32.1 years with a range of 14-71 years, resident of different areas in Lebanon was examined for the presence of parasites.