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The integration of technology into medical education has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with tools such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine gaining prominence. These tool in medical education, offering immersive, experiential learning experiences. We approached medical students currently enrolled in medical education programs and who are familiar with and actively use AI in medical education. Initially, we invited 21 random students to participate in the study; however, only 13 agreed to interviews. Some students cited their busy exam schedules as the reason for not participating. The participants were informed of the objective of the study before the commencement of the recorded interviews. Semi-structured interviews were used to guide the record interviews. Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed using Atlas.ti, a qualitative data analysis software. Participants exhibited a diverse range of perceptions and levels of awareness regarding VR, AI, and telemedicine technologies. Learning with virtual reality was considered to be fun, memorable, inclusive, and engaging by participants. The use of virtual reality technology is seen as complementing current teaching and learning approaches, helping to build learners' confidence, as well as providing medical students with a safe environment for problem-solving and trial-and-error learning. The students reported that AI was seen as a potential game-changer in the healthcare sector. Participants hoped that telemedicine would provide healthcare services to remote and underserved populations. The study conducted focus group discussions with medical students and residents in Saudi Arabia to explore their views on integrating VR, AI, and telemedicine in medical education and practice. Their insights highlight the need for informed decision-making and strategic development to optimize the benefits and address challenges like initial investments, technical issues, ethics, and regulations. These considerations are crucial for fully realizing the potential benefits of technology in medical education globally.

Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability and mortality worldwide, with a growing prevalence in Saudi Arabia. While rehabilitation plays a vital role in post-stroke recovery, improving awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs is essential for timely recognition and management. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding stroke warning signs and risk factors among rehabilitation students. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed to 203 rehabilitation students. The survey assessed demographic data and participants' knowledge regarding stroke risk factors, symptoms, and management awareness. The findings indicated a moderate level of knowledge about stroke, with an average score of 9.24 out of 13. Participants most frequently recognized hypertension and smoking as major risk factors and identified key symptoms such as motor and speech difficulties. However, significant gaps were observed in understanding that stroke is a brain disease affecting people of all ages, as well as in knowledge of extracranial clot formation, endovascular management, and post-stroke emotional and personality changes after a stroke. Although this study assessed knowledge rather than clinical practice or patient outcomes, the results highlight the importance of targeted educational initiatives, integrating comprehensive stroke education modules into rehabilitation curricula, and awareness campaigns to address misconceptions and enhance stroke literacy among future healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.

Background Previous studies have shown that there is a relationship between cognitive impairment (CI) and motor dysfunction (MD) in neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. However, there whether CI and MD are associated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. Here we studied the association between CI and MD in patients with MS and examined if muscle weakness or incoordination, balance impairment, gait abnormalities, and/or increased fall risk are indicators of CI in patients with MS. Methods Seventy patients with MS were included in this cross-sectional study. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), muscle strength using a hand-held dynamometer, and balance, gait, and fall risk assessment using the Tinetti scale. Motor coordination was assessed using the timed rapid alternating movement test for the upper extremity and the timed alternate heel-to-knee test for the lower extremity. Results There was a significant association between CI and motor coordination, balance, gait, and risk of fall ( p  < 0.005) but not muscle strength. Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that 22.7% of the variance in the MoCA was predicted by the fall risk and incoordination of the upper extremities in the MS population. Conclusions CI is significantly associated with motor incoordination, balance impairment, gait abnormality, and increased fall risk. Furthermore, the risk of fall and upper extremity incoordination appeared to be best indicators of CI in patients with MS.

Background: The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) is the most specific and widely used questionnaire for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic heart failure (CHF). This study aimed to examine reliability and validity of the KCCQ in Arabic patients with CHF. Material and Methods: Patients with CHF filled out the Arabic versions of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) and KCCQ questionnaire, and performed a six-minute walk test (6MWT) on their first visit. On the return, the patients filled out the KCCQ along with the global rating of change (GRC) scale. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and construct validity were examined. Results: A total of 101 Arabic patients with CHF, with a mean (SD) age of 55 (11) years old, completed the study. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.97, and the ICC2,1 = 0.95 (95%CI: 0.92 to 0.97, p < 0.001). The Arabic version of KCCQ was correlated with the MLHF (r = −0.57, p = 0.01) and with the 6MWT (r = 0.70, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The Arabic version of KCCQ is a reliable and valid measure of HRQoL, which could be utilized in routine clinical practice for Arabic-speaking patients with CHF.

Background The traditional face-to-face of medical education is gradually being replaced with online education. However, the rate of adoption of online continuing medical education (OCME) as a learning method among practicing clinical physiotherapists (PTs) is unclear. The objectives of this study were to measure the satisfaction with, attitudes towards, and impact of OCME among practicing clinical PTs in Saudi Arabia (SA) and to examine the factors that affect the findings for satisfaction, attitude, and impact towards OCME. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022. PTs employed at various medical facilities and specialties in Saudi Arabia completed an online survey to assess satisfaction with, attitudes towards, and impact of OCME. Results Of the 127 participants, 48 were female (37.8%), 44.1% were aged between 24 and 30 years. Overall, 57.5% of the respondents were satisfied with OCME compared with conventional face-to-face education, and 45.7% agreed and 18.1% strongly agreed that OCME was more flexible. Further, 52.8% of the respondents thought that OCME programs could supplement traditional face-to-face education. The majority of the participants (63.8%) agreed that participating in OCME programs increased their knowledge, and 55.1% and 51.2% agreed that attending these programs improved patient outcomes and increased their confidence in patient management, respectively. However, only 38.6% agreed that participating in OCME programs enhanced their clinical expertise. The mean satisfaction, attitude, and impact scores differed significantly according to age group, marital status, number of years of practice, and specialty ( p  < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis showed that older age was independently associated with better satisfaction and more positive attitudes and impact. Further, having a specialization also seemed to improve the impact of OCME. Conclusion The PTs were satisfied with and had positive attitudes towards OCME, and also found that it had a positive impact on their clinical practice. Thus, existing OCME programs are a good option for expanding the number of PTs proficient in clinical care.

Background: Postpartum women often experience musculoskeletal pain due to physiological and biomechanical changes during pregnancy and childbirth, which can result in disability. This study assessed the prevalence of neck and upper limb pain and disability in postpartum women, as well as the factors associated with these conditions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from postpartum women through an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included items on the demographic variables, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptoms Questionnaire, the Neck Disability Index, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scale, as well as the Pain Intensity Numeric Rating Scale. Results: Among a sample of 400 postpartum women aged 20–50 years, 82.5% reported experiencing pain in at least one part of their upper body. Neck pain was the most prevalent (65.5%), followed by pain in the shoulders (63.3%), arms (58.3%), and hands (57.0%). Cesarean section delivery and moderate-to-severe pain intensity were identified as significant risk factors for developing mild disability among women who reporting neck pain. Upper limb pain and being aged 41–50 years were significant risk factors for mild disabilities among postpartum women. Conclusions: Disability was prevalent among the sample of postpartum women, highlighting the importance of healthcare providers in addressing this issue.

Background/Objectives: Children with Down Syndrome (DS) exhibit difficulties in maintaining balance and coordination in addition to limitations in functional mobility. The Cognitive–Motor Dual-Task Exercise Program (CMDT) has shown the ability to improve balance and functional mobility. This study aimed to compare the effect of CMDT versus exergaming on the balance and functional mobility of children with Down Syndrome aged 8–14 years. Methods: A randomized comparative trial was conducted, dividing participants’ children with DS into two intervention groups: CMDT group and exergaming group. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling methods from the Voice of Down Syndrome Association and the Down Syndrome Charitable Association in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both interventions were implemented over a period of six weeks. Outcome measures included the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Four Square Step Test (FSST), and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). Results: A total of 23 children with DS participated in the study. A mixed repeated measures ANCOVA shows a significant effect of time across the two groups (p < 0.001) for TUG, FSST, and PBS, indicating improvements in balance and functional mobility. There were no significant differences between the two group interventions. Conclusions: CMDT and exergaming were equally effective in improving balance and functional mobility in children with DS. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov with ID NCT06146907.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into healthcare, offering transformative potential across diagnostics, treatment, and clinical decision-making. As its adoption grows, understanding how medical doctors perceive and respond to AI, particularly in relation to their specialty, experience, and job security, is critical for effective implementation and acceptance. This study investigates the confidence of medical doctors in AI technologies and their role in healthcare, focusing on the impact of specialty, experience, and perceived job security. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 187 medical doctors across various specialties in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a final sample of 176 participants. The survey assessed awareness, confidence, and concerns regarding AI integration into clinical practice. The survey was conducted across multiple healthcare hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hospitals from both public and private sectors were included to ensure a diverse sample of healthcare professionals from different organizational structures. Results: A statistically significant association was found between specialty and confidence level (χ2 = 14.5, p = 0.001). Among specialists, the majority (80%) reported high confidence in AI use compared to 45% of general practitioners and 38% of surgeons. Conversely, moderate confidence was most common among surgeons (46%), followed by general practitioners (35%) and specialists (13%). Additionally, participants with 11–20 years of experience reported the highest confidence, whereas those aged 55+ years showed the lowest perceived impact of AI on patient outcomes. Multivariate regression analysis identified specialty as the strongest predictor of AI confidence, with specialists being four times more likely to express high confidence in AI use (β = 0.89, p = 0.001) compared to general practitioners. Job displacement concerns negatively influenced confidence in AI, while age and years of experience had less impactful effects. Conclusions: The study concludes that addressing barriers to AI adoption will be crucial for enhancing its integration into healthcare and improving patient care. These findings underscore the importance of specialty-specific training and highlight the need for targeted educational programs, particularly for lower confidence groups such as general practitioners and surgeons. Lower confidence levels in these groups may result in a hesitant or incorrect use of AI tools, potentially compromising patient safety. Therefore, equipping all healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and confidence is essential for the safe and effective use of AI in clinical practice.

Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout, determine burnout-related factors, investigate resilience levels, and assess the relationship between burnout and resilience among physical therapy (PT) students at King Saud University (KSU) in Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 153 PT students studying at KSU between January and March 2023. The participants completed an online questionnaire, a Maslach Burnout Inventory, and a Brief Resilience Scale. Results: Low-to-moderate levels of Emotional Exhaustion (EE) were observed in 85% of the participants and high Depersonalization (DP) levels were reported by 34.2%. Female participants reported higher levels of EE and DP, whereas males had a greater prevalence of low Personal Achievement (PA) levels. Approximately 6.5% of the study participants reported high burnout levels (a combination of high DP, high EE, and low PA). Academic stress, followed by sleeping difficulties and changes in the academic year structure, were the most important factors contributing to higher levels of burnout (75.2%, 56.9%, and 43.8%, respectively). Most study participants around (66.0%) reported normal resilience levels. A significant correlation was detected between resilience and 2 domains of burnout (DP and PA), with the correlation being negative and weak for DP and positive and moderate for PA. Conclusions: Overall, low-to-moderate levels of burnout were observed among the PT students who took part. Related factors that contributed to burnout were academic stress, sleeping difficulties, and academic year structure. A normal level of resilience was found to be significantly related to DP and PA but not to EE on the burnout subscales. Higher levels of resilience can be considered to play a protective role against burnout among PT students. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(4):343-354 Key words: resilience, burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal achievement, physical therapy students

Background/Objectives: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been used to improve the quality of life of patients with stroke. Rehabilitation programs focus on standing and walking, which are vital to functional independence and keystone ingredients in functional competency. To examine the effects of simultaneous continuous ongoing FES of gluteus medius (GMed) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles at isometric contraction during standing and walking in patients with stroke. Methods: Short- and long-term FES management programs of GMed and TA muscles during different conditions have been used in patients with stroke. FES was applied to hip abductors and dorsiflexor muscles of the affected limb during four different conditions: passive hip abduction and ankle dorsiflexion, respectively (condition 1), sit-to-stand (condition 2), 10 m walk test (condition 3), and walking on C-mill treadmill (condition 4). The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Five Times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), 10-m walk test (10-MWT), and C-mill treadmill were used to assess spasticity in the hip adductor and calf muscles, sit-to-stand performance, and temporal–spatial characteristics, respectively. Results: Short- and long-term FES management programs significantly reduced spasticity in the hip adductor and calf muscles and improved sit-to-stand performance, gait speed, and gait temporal–spatial characteristics. Conclusions: Short- and long-term FES management programs of GMed and TA muscles can quickly and effectively improve the spasticity and ambulation of patients with stroke. Further research incorporating gait analysis with randomized controlled samples is needed.