Abstracts of the CYTER papers presented in the National Conference on Changing Trends in Health Professions Education (NC-CTHPE 2016) held at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry, India from 18-21 Aug 2016.

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Abstracts of free
paper session

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1. FREE PAPER SESSION
Author Name: Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
Designation : Deputy Director CYTER
Institute : Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry
Email : yoga@mgmcri.ac.in
Mobile : 9842311433
SecondAuthor: Madanmohan
Designation : Director CYTER and Head, Dept of Physiology, MGMCRI
Institute : Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry
Abstract Title: RESTORING HUMAN VALUES IN MEDICINE: ROLE OF YOGA
Recent developments showcased through social media highlight a lack of
human values in modern medical professionals. Compassion, empathy and a
sincere desire to relieve suffering are found lacking and this seemingly becomes
even rarer as qualifications increase. Exploitation of trust with kidney rackets,
unnecessary surgeries, lab referral commissions and inflated bills are
commonly bemoaned and even recently medical students in Chennai threw a
poor dog off their rooftop with glee. This paper suggests a view that introduction
of Yoga in medical education may help stem the rot and restore values.
Why yoga?
Yoga is an ancient cultural heritage of India spreading rapidly and being
practiced by millions across the globe. It offers a broader perspective of life and
refines the personality thus enabling practitioners to attain their inherent
potential in a holistic manner. Yoga is not just a system of exercise but is a way
of life. It stresses the importance of social and personal values through the
yama (restraints of subhuman tendencies such as violence, stealing and greed
etc) and the niyama (humane observances including cleanliness, contentment,
self-introspection and dispassionate discipline). The inculcation of these
universal values in medical students at the start of their professional career can
help them be more humane in their life and profession.
Suggested mechanisms
Numerous physical and mental techniques of Yoga such as asana, pranayama,
dharana and dhyana enable the attainment of physical, mental and emotional
fitness. This facilitates a skillful and efficient management of omnipresent
stressors. Inculcation of a broader ‗worldview‘ leads to the performance of one‘s
duty in a spirit of nishkama karma (non-attachment to results of actions) thus
preventing unhealthy ―Me first‖, ―Make the most money‖, ―Who cares as long as
I am safe‖ type of attitudes. Healthier connection with one‘s inner being creates
a cheerful, strong and compassionate countenance with empathy towards the
suffering.

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Conclusion
Introduction of Yoga as a holistic way of life with stress on its astha anga (eight
components) in the medical curriculum will inculcate a compassionate sense of
selfless service (karuna and seva) towards our human brethren. We need to
understand that illness becomes wellness when we consciously move from the
limited sense of ―I‖ to a broader inclusive ―WE". Such an understanding will
motivate young doctors to be vehicles of change thus restoring once again the
much extolled nobility of our medical profession.
2. FREE PAPER SESSION
Author Name: Carounanidy Usha
Designation : Principal
Institute : Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth
Email : principal@igids.ac.in
Mobile: 09843184039
Abstract Title: MULTISOURCE FEEDBACK IN DENTAL
POSTGRADUATION
Introduction
Workplace based assessments are effective tools to assess professionalism.
Multisource feedback is one of such assessment methods. It can also be used as
formative assessment in postgraduation. This study was done to assess the
intention-to-change towards better professionalism among dental postgraduates
of Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences after exposing them to MSF
process..
Methodology
Colleague assessment questionnaire was used to obtain feedback from 7
colleagues for each clinical postgraduate. Patient assessment questionnaire was
used to obtain feedback from 15 patients for each postgraduate. Self-
assessment questionnaire was designed with similar elements. The feedbacks
were shared with the postgraduates in a private session comparing with self-
assessment. After 24 hours reflection, feedback was obtained from them, on the
influence of MSF procedure on their attitude and behaviour as well on feasibility
of implementation.
Results
All the postgraduates agreed that MSF can improve upon their communication
skills and attitude, if used as a formative assessment tool. An intention-to-
change at Kirkpatrick‘s level 2a was evident from their feedback. Thus if MSF is
implemented in dental postgraduation, a definite improvement in professional
behaviour can be expected.

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3. FREE PAPER SESSION
Author Name: Daynidy G
Designation : Lecturer CYTER
Institute : Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry
Email : dayanidy@gmail.com
Mobile : 9789210593
SecondAuthor: Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
Designation : Deputy Director CYTER
Institute : Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry
ThirdAuthor: Madanmohan
Designation : Director CYTER and Head, Dept of Physiology
Institute : Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth
Abstract Title: PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF YOGA TRAINING
IN PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS AT PONDICHERRY
Introduction
Yoga is primarily a spiritual science and a healthy life and worldview is a by-
product of its practice. It is essential that paramedics are physically, mentally
and spiritually healthy and hence an invite to conduct 12-weeks of Yoga
training for undergraduate physiotherapy students of MTPG & RIHS was taken
up and also utilized to study various psycho-physiological parameters for the
purpose of scientifically validating such training.
Materials and methods
Integrated Yoga sessions comprising of a combination of jathis (loosening
practices), kriyas (breath-body coordination practices) along with asana,
pranayama, contemplation and relaxation were conducted for 12 female and 3
male students twice weekly for three months. Anthropometric, cardiovascular,
heart rate variability (HRV), reaction time and psychological parameters were
measured before and after training period and statistical analysis done using
Students t (paired) test.
Results
There was a significant reduction in weight and BMI, as well as hip and waist
circumference following training. All resting cardiovascular parameters reduced
significantly with significant shortening of auditory and visual reaction time.
Improvements were noted in all HRV parameters and there was enhancement of
quality of life index (QOL) scores and retrospective wellness scores.
Discussion
The above mentioned improvements in psychophysiological parameters suggest
normalization of cardiac autonomic function with improved central neuronal
processing. Improvements in anthropometric, cardiovascular and neurological

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parameters, coupled with positive changes in HRV and QOL indices signify a
healthier state of body and mind.
Conclusion
Our study gives preliminary evidence of positive psychophysiological benefits of
Yoga training in a graduate student population. We suggest the inclusion of
Yoga in paramedical collegiate education and recommend further controlled
studies to validate such training.
4. FREE PAPER SESSION
Author_Name: Dr Mahalakshmi VN
Designation : VP Curriculum
Institute : MGMCRI
Email : vp@mgmcri.ac.in
Mobile : 9244436037
Second Author: Dr Ravishankar M
Designation : Dean
Institute : MGMCRI
Third Author: Dr Partha Nandi
Designation : Vice Principal Students
Institute : MGMCRI
Abstract Title: CHALLENGES OF CLINICAL POSTING FOR 250
STUDENTS - A UNIQUE SOLUTION
The challenges before faculty when they handle a very large group of students
such as 250 of them are to ensure that students receive effective clinical skills
education through both teaching and assessment of clinical skills. However,
these numbers project a huge problem by themselves especially in semester 3,
wherein they have to be split into just 4 departments.
This paper elaborates on our experience of effective handling of 237 students
into semester 3 using a novel approach. An integrated approach to clinical
teaching was undertaken, the philosophy, process and outcome of which is
detailed in the presentation.
5. FREE PAPER SESSION
Author Name: Dr. Partha Nandi
Designation : Professor of Community Medicine
Institute : MGMCRI Pondicherry
Email : nandipartha13@gmail.com

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Results
The feedback form of students indicated that they were very satisfied/satisfied
with this format of examination(93.7%).The major contributory factors were
reduction in anxiety/stress level of facing the examiner, uniformity of time
allotted for all students, preparation time given and question similar difficulty
level asked to all students. The examiners were also satisfied with the uniform
coverage of topics and wider sampling made possible by this method.
Conclusion
Structured viva examination can serve as a good tool for summative
assessment. However, assigning clear system weightage, blueprinting of the
process and developing a robust question bank are pre-requisites to enhance
the quality of assessment.
Keywords
Structured viva, structured oral examination, assessment tool, medical
education.
12. FREE PAPER SESSION
Author Name: Meena Ramanathan
Designation : Cordinator-cum-Yoga therapist CYTER
Institute : Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry
Email : saineema@yahoo.com
Mobile : 9790582999
Second Author: Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
Designation : Deputy Director CYTER
Institute : Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry
Third Author: Renuka K
Designation : Dean, Faculty of Nursing Sciences
Institute : Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth
Abstract Title: YOGA FOR NURSING STUDENTS: RATIONALE AND
PSYCHOPHYSICAL BENEFITS
Introduction
Health professionals, especially of the nursing cadre, are constantly under
extreme pressure from patients, caregivers, doctors and hospital authorities.
They require high levels of professional competency, resilience, as well as ethical
and compassionate behavior. Yoga has the potential to facilitate all aspects of
human development and hence can help develop these attributes through
attainment of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

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Materials and Methods
In collaboration with KGNC, biweekly Yoga training (60 min /session) was
imparted to 60 students enrolled in BSc Nursing course for 6 months.
Introduction to theoretical aspects of Yoga, its philosophy and practices was
given along with practice sessions comprising of jathis (loosening practices),
kriyas (breath-body coordination practices), suryanamaskar (sun salutation),
asanas (postures), pranayamas (energy techniques) and relaxation. Selected
biochemical and hematological parameters were recorded along with Ferrans
and Powers QoL index before and after training period. Due to inability to have
separate control group, changes were correlated with subjects´ frequency of
attendance.
Results and discussion
Post-intervention statistical analysis (repeated measures of ANOVA) revealed
highly significant and beneficial changes in most hematological and biochemical
parameters. Major findings were enhanced bone marrow function, reduced
allergic tendency, alkalization of urine, metabolic reconditioning (with special
emphasis on liver function) and improvement in QoL indices. All changes
correlated positively with subjects´ frequency of attendance, as evidenced by
Pearson‘s linear correlation testing. Significant improvements that also
correlated positively with attendance were found in QoL index and subscales, at
mid and post training.
Conclusion
The present pilot study provides evidence of beneficial psychophysical effects of
Yoga training amongst nursing students. We suggest that Yoga be made an
integral part of nursing education as being done at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth.
13. FREE PAPER SESSION
Author_Name: Dr. N. Asha Rani
Designation : Assistant Professor
Institute : Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences
Email : ashanellore@gmail.com
Mobile : 9448957069
SecondAuthor: Dr Aliya Nusrath
Designation : Professor & Head
Institute : Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences
ThirdAuthor: Dr. Dhanalakshmi T A
Designation : Associate Professor
Institute : Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences

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