INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to examine the clinical-sociodemographic characteristics of people who came to Ankara and applied to our hospital the earthquakes of Kahramanmaraþ on February 6, 2023, and to examine the factors affecting early psychopathology and treatment initiation.
METHODS: The data of earthquake victims who applied to Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Adult Psychiatry Clinic as outpatients within one month after the earthquake were retrospectively scanned, and the obtained data were examined with descriptive statistics.
RESULTS: Within a one-month period, 309 outpatients who were affected by the earthquake and applied to our hospital were identified, and the average age of the participants was 41.7±15. 69.3% of the participants were women, 69.3% were married. 55.3%(n=174) had their first psychiatric application, 37.5% had current psychiatric follow-up, 26.9% had other medical comorbidities, all with an acute stress reaction. When the groups in which treatment started and not started were evaluated in terms of sociodemographic clinical characteristics and earthquake damage, a difference was found between the two groups only in terms of psychiatric history, and those with a psychiatric history were found to have a lower rate of starting treatment(p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings of this study once again demonstrated the relationship between the magnitude of the trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms, and showed that treatment may be protective in terms of exacerbation of symptoms and acute stress symptoms in individuals with psychiatric diseases. Longitudinal follow-up studies are needed to examine the course of these early effects associated with the earthquake.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health is vital for individuals to effectively cope with stress, perform academically, and contribute to society. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the mental health and spiritual intelligence of medical students.

METHODS: The study was conducted on 226 medical students from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2022. Convenient sampling was used to select participants. Data collection involved the use of demographic, spiritual intelligence, and mental health questionnaires.


RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 24.87 ± 2.24. Regression test results indicated that spiritual intelligence could predict somatic symptoms (p=0.021), anxiety and insomnia (p=0.012), social dysfunction (p=0.018), and severe depression (p=0.022). There is a significant relationship between marital status and mental health (p=0.031), as well as between gender and spiritual intelligence (p=0.048). However, there was no significant relation observed between marital status and spiritual intelligence (p=0.839), and between gender and mental health (p=0.560). Pearson's correlation test demonstrated a direct and significant relationship between mental health and spiritual intelligence (R=0.211; p=0.012).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The discussion of the findings emphasizes the importance of spiritual intelligence as a determining factor for the mental health of medical students. Recognizing the significance of mental health in this group, interventions that aim to enhance their spiritual intelligence should be considered. It is recommended that educational institutions and healthcare professionals implement interventions and programs that foster the spiritual intelligence of medical students.

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed disaster awareness among 3rd and 6th-year medical students at Ankara University and explored factors influencing their awareness. Understanding this is crucial for preparing future healthcare professionals for emergencies. The study investigates how different stages of medical education and receiving disaster education affect disaster awareness.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine from August to October 2023 assessed disaster awareness among third and sixth-year students. Data were collected via Google Forms using a 20-item questionnaire covering demographics, disaster experiences, and medical school education and a 36-item 'Disaster Awareness Scale'.
RESULTS: A total of 352 participants, 210 in 3rd grade and 142 in 6th grade were included in the study. The mean disaster awareness score was 148.4. Disaster awareness was found to be higher in sixth-grade students who received disaster education at the medical faculty and those who participated in disaster drills. The scale scores of the participants who had experienced an earthquake and had a disaster experienced in their close circle were also higher.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the disaster awareness of the sixth-grade students those who received disaster education at the medical faculty, those who had experienced an earthquake, those whose close circle had experienced a disaster, and those who had participated in a disaster drill were significantly higher. These results emphasize the importance of formal education and drills in disaster preparedness. Therefore, it is recommended that disaster preparedness education should be disseminated and developed in all faculties.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess family planning (FP) method preferences in pregnant and postpartum women, identify influencing factors, and emphasize the role of family medicine in FP counseling.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 206 pregnant women in Antenatal Clinics and 206 postpartum women from the Newborn Clinic in Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. Data collection used a 52-item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were presented as numbers, percentages, means ± standard deviations, and medians. Comparative statistics employed Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-square tests, with p<0.05 considered significant.
RESULTS: Most participants had completed high school or university education. Most patients had a single pregnancy and were aware of at least one modern FP method. Many patients with multiple pregnancies had an interpregnancy interval of <2 years. Approximately 21.2% of patients experienced unplanned pregnancies, mainly despite contraception, often using withdrawal. A total of 66.7% knew about FP counseling in family medicine. As education levels increased, total pregnancies, unplanned pregnancies, and intervals of <2 years decreased. A significant relationship existed between the total number of pregnancies and postpartum FP method choice. Age was also statistically related to the usage rate of the prepregnancy contraceptive method.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Awareness and use of modern FP methods in the community were below the desired level. Factors contributing to this include low education levels and a lack of awareness about obtaining FP counseling from family physicians. Family physicians, as providers of preventive services, play a crucial role in providing accurate information regarding FP during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

INTRODUCTION: Polypharmacy is an important condition that causes adverse outcomes such as drug-drug interactions, falls, increased hospitalizations and mortality. In our study, we aimed to evaluate polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use according to two different criteria in home care patients.
METHODS: Our observationel and cross-sectional, single-center study included all patients who receive home health care service from our unit and agree to participate. A face-to-face information form was carried out to measure the patients’ socio demographic characteristics, drug use and level of knowledge about the use of drugs. Inappropriate medication use was evaluated using Beers and STOPP criteria.
RESULTS: 179 individuals, most of whom were female (n=124; 69.2%), participated in this study. The mean age was 83,54 ± 7.53. The mean number of chronic diseases was 2.14. The average number of drugs was 5.80 ± 3.18. There was a relationship between polypharmacy and high education level and being married (p = 0.005; p=0.007). There was a statistically significant relationship between the number of chronic diseases and the number of drugs used (p > 0.001). Inappropriate medication use was present in 66 (36.8%) patients and the most frequently used inappropriate drugs were antipsychotics (n = 38; 21.2%) according to Beers criteria. According to the STOPP criteria, inappropriate medication use was present in 33 (18.4%) patients, and the most common inappropriate drug use was NSAIDs (n= 5; 2.7%).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Rates of polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use according to both criteria were found to be high. Physicians should plan the drugs used in this group carefully.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to examine the relationship between nutritional status, sarcopenia, and malnutrition in community-dwelling elderly.
METHODS: In the study conducted with 198 elderly, the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire 65+ (SNAQ65+) screening tools were used to determine the risk of malnutrition. The SARC-F screening tool was used to identify the risk of sarcopenia. The 24-hour dietary recalls of the individuals were taken by the researcher.
RESULTS: According to MNA 30.3% and according to SNAQ65+ 23.7 (%) of elderly individuals are at risk of malnutrition and 44.4% are at risk of sarcopenia. Females have lower MNA scores than males (p=0.036) and higher SARC-F scores (p<0.001). Elderly individuals who reported that dental problems prevent them from consuming solid foods are 2.881 times more likely to be at risk of malnutrition compared to those who did not report such problems (p=0.010). In addition, perceived appetite status didn’t affect malnutrition risk/malnutrition. Dietary folate and vitamin B1 intake of elderly at malnutrition risk/malnourished were lower than normal nutritional status (p=0.011, p=0.038, respectively).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals living in the community with dental health problems may be at risk of malnutrition. Dietary insufficient folate intake may be a risk factor for malnutrition. Therefore, strategies developed to address dental health and adequate nutrition in the elderly are important in reducing the risk of malnutrition.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer, a health problem with an increasing incidence, poses many financial and moral difficulties to the patient and his family. An individual diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy has increased care needs throughout the disease in many areas. It is important to consider it holistically to meet the needs of patients. This study was conducted to examine the effects of the cancer needs of patients receiving ambulatory chemotherapy on their health perceptions.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 384 outpatient chemotherapy patients. Data were collected with a sociodemographic information form, the Cancer Needs Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Perception of Health Status Scale.
RESULTS: The mean scores of the study group were 130±12.38 on the total “Cancer Needs Questionnaire" and 2.92±0.68 on the total "Perception of Health Status Scale". A high-level and very significant positive correlation was found between the total scores of both scales (p≤0.05). It was determined that the cancer needs of the study group highly significantly predicted their health perceptions (p=0.000).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that patients with cancer receiving ambulatory chemotherapy had a high level of cancer needs and poor health perceptions and that these two characteristics showed a high, positive, and very significant relationship.

INTRODUCTION: Women's healthcare professionals' ethical values and attitudes regarding sexual-reproductive health are pivotal in guiding their ethical decision-making when confronted with moral issues and dilemmas in this field. This study investigated healthcare professionals’ inclination toward ethical values, their ethical attitudes toward sexual-reproductive health, and the effect of gender on those attitudes.
METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed between May 1, 2022, and October 30, 2022. The study sample comprised 106 doctors, 108 nurses, and 96 midwives from a maternity hospital (n=310). Participants were recruited using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a Personal and Professional Information Form, the Inclination to Ethical Values Scale, and the Ethical Attitudes Towards Sexual-Reproductive Health Behaviors and Practices Survey.
RESULTS: Participants had a mean inclination to ethical values score of 69.56±10.32. Most participants had ethical attitudes toward sexual life, family planning, HIV/AIDS, virginity testing, female genital mutilation, and domestic violence against women. Less than half of the participants had ethical attitudes toward abortion, assisted reproductive techniques, prenatal diagnosis and screening, and cesarean section. Participants' attitudes were in line with legal regulations. Gender significantly affected participants' ethical attitudes toward sexual-reproductive health behaviors and practices (p<0.05). Participants were protective of their gender.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Ethical issues in sexual-reproductive health affect women more than men. Women's autonomy takes on heightened significance. Healthcare professionals often encounter ethical problems in sexual-reproductive health. Governments should take ethical values into account when regulating laws in this field. Healthcare professionals’ awareness and knowledge about reproductive ethics should be increased.

Prescribing errors significantly threaten patient safety, incurring substantial costs and jeopardizing well-being. The emergence of electronic medical records (EMRs) and clinical decision support systems (CDSS) within them offers a potential solution.
This abstract explores the impact of this combined technology on prescribing errors. Studies suggest a positive influence, with some reporting reductions of up to 46%. EMRs, with features like e-prescribing and medication history integration, can improve legibility, reduce misinterpretations, and prevent duplicate prescriptions. CDSS further enhances safety by offering real-time alerts for drug interactions, allergies, dosage errors, and potential contraindications. These alerts promote informed decision-making at the point of care.
However, research also acknowledges limitations. While some studies show significant reductions, others report mixed results or even potential increases in reported errors, which might reflect improved detection rather than an actual increase in occurrences. Additionally, usability issues and alert fatigue may diminish the effectiveness of CDSS.
The bibliometric analysis acknowledges the undeniable benefits of technology in reducing medication errors, However, it emphasizes the need for ongoing optimization to minimize unintended consequences. Finally, the analysis paves the way for future research, suggesting the exploration of artificial intelligence and machine learning integration to personalize CDSS interventions and further enhance patient safety.
In conclusion, the integration of EMRs with CDSS holds significant promise for reducing prescribing errors. However, continuous research, system development, and user-centered design are crucial to maximize their effectiveness and ensure optimal patient safety.

Recently, the terms frailty and sarcopenia have been used frequently. Frailty, which occurs due to age-related physiological changes in multiple systems, is accepted as one of the geriatric syndromes. In frailty, negative energy balance, decreased strength, slowed walking speed, decreased grip strength, sarcopenia and involuntary weight loss can be seen. Frailty emerges as an indicator of biological age and correlates with the outcomes of biological age regardless of age, gender and comorbidities. Recent studies have begun to use the concept of frailty in children. Frailty in children is caused by a multi-system physiological impairment, including neurological, endocrine, immune and skeletal systems, which leads to a deterioration in quality of life. Frail children therefore require additional care and related services compared to children of the same age. Sarcopenia is defined as progressive loss in the musculoskeletal system. It has been determined that frailty and sarcopenia have many things in common in terms of their formation mechanisms, clinical consequences, treatment and prevention methods. Nutrition is closely related to both frailty and sarcopenia. Therefore, adequate energy and protein intake is extremely important in preventing malnutrition and loss of lean body mass.