The study was undertaken to evaluate various aspects of self-medication in medical students. A prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out among 488 medical students selected by simple random sampling from January 2013 to June 2013. Data was collected and analyzed for counts and percentage. Students reported self-medication in the preceding one year was 71.7 % and the prevalence was more in final year students. Fever and headache were the most frequently reported illnesses, commonly used drugs were antipyretics and analgesics, obtained information through reading material, and reasons quoted were minor ailments and quick relief. Majority students agreed that medical knowledge is necessary for administration of medicine by self. Self-medication is highly prevalent in medical students, which is quite alarming.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Forensic Medicine and Toxicology is an important subject in medical education, but Medical Council of India has reduced the syllabus at undergraduate level losing its importance and role in giving justice in criminal cases. The public is now conscious about their legal rights as a patient that is why medical profession has come under purview of consumer protection act. MATERIAL & METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted from January 2013 to January 2015 in 115 interns and 105 residents. The data was collected and analyzed statistically for number and percentage using EPI-Info statistical software version 6. RESULTS: Total 220 students were participated in the present study. We found that 103(89.6%) interns and 44(41.9%) residents had no experience of handling MLC, 17(14.8%) interns and 23(21.9%) residents were aware about preservatives to be used for chemical analysis of various articles like gastric lavage, blood, urine in poisoning cases, 37(32.2%) interns and 49(46.7%) residents were aware about medical indemnity insurance and 15 (13%) interns and 85(80%) residents were having idea of Consumer Protection Act. CONCLUSION: It was found that the knowledge about medicolegal aspects needs to boost up time to time particularly at internship and postgraduate levels.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES:Research plays a vital role in medical profession as far as patient care is concerned. Hence, this study was undertaken with objective of assessing awareness regarding research in medical students of Central India and their interest, involvement, and barriers in research activities with emphasis on need of research in medical curriculum. MATERIAL &METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study carried out on 475 MBBS students, selected by simple random sampling from January-June 2013. Data was collected and analyzed for percentage, mean and standard deviation. RESULTS: 94.7% students responded, 99.5% students were aware about research, and 94% students were interested in research, 99.3% thought that research is important in medical field and 91.3% were willing to contribute to research project. Barriers for research were no extra time for research (62.6%) and lack of guidance (21.5%). 84.4% students agreed that research should be included as a part of medical curriculum. CONCLUSION: The study showed that majority of students were aware of research and interested in research, but some significant barriers were deterring them from active participation in research. Barriers need to improve properly to promote research in medical students and research should be incorporated in medical curriculum.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES:Research plays a vital role in health sciences as an integral part of health education. Hence, this study was undertaken with objective of assessing awareness and attitude regarding research in dental students of Central India. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study carried out on 300 dental students (75 in each batch), selected by simple random sampling. Data was collected and analyzed for percentage, mean and standard deviation. RESULTS: 99.6% students responded; 99.3% students were aware about research, and 94% students were interested in research, 99.3% thought that research is important in medical field and 83% were willing to contribute to research project. Barriers for research were no extra time for research (57%) and lack of guidance (21