Study habits and academic achievement among medical students: A comparison between male and female subjects.

Purpose: Study habits of medical students contribute to better understanding learner achievement and success. This study examines the relationship between study habits, including gender and nonacademic factors that affect learning, to investigate their relationship with performance outcomes.

Methods: This study was conducted in March 2015 at the College of Medicine and Applied Medical Science at Taif University.

Competency assessment in laboratory medicine: Standardization and utility for technical staff assessment and recertification in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: The assessment of technical staff members' competency has been a challenge for laboratory workers, to ensure patient safety and high quality services. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate awareness on best ways to assess lab competencies; (2) identify existing institutional methods of competency assessment and how staff perceptions; and (3) gather opinions of respondents about a proposed program for competency assessment in laboratory medicine.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, followed by an interview and discussion with laboratory stakeholders about a proposed competency assessment program that included all the six procedural elements of laboratory personnel competency assessment.

Preparing for practice: Nursing intern and faculty perceptions on clinical experiences.

Purpose: Clinical experience and exposure to real patients are required elements of nursing education. Trainees in nursing are expected to be prepared adequately for the hard-working environment, increasing patient complexity, and higher-level competencies. This study investigates differences between nursing interns and clinical faculty on actual and perceived importance of educational preparation and development of clinical competencies, focusing on the nursing curriculum and transition to practice.