Education and Didactics

Residency Match Outcomes of DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine's DO/MBA Dual-Degree Students Relative to DO-Only Students

Authors: David Horvath, Alex Sher
Comments: 7 Pages.

Introduction: Osteopathic students question whether a dual degree will help them distinguish themselves among their peers in the National Residency Match. This paper analyzes the impact that a DO/MBA dual degree has on matching into a competitive residency.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study design via email, fourth year osteopathic students and alumni of Lincoln Memorial University were queried on dual degree obtainment, elements of their residency application, residency match outcome, and opinion on why an osteopathic student would pursue an MBA degree.

Results: DO/MBA applicants did not differ from DO-only applicants. DO/MBA and DO-only students had similar board exam scores, leadership experiences, volunteer hours, memberships in honor societies, and research opportunities. A Fisher exact test showed that neither degree track was statistically associated with placement into a more competitive residency (p= 0.7301).

Conclusion: Despite the increase in dual-degree osteopathic programs, such programs alone do not afford a match into a more competitive residency.
Category: Education and Didactics

Improved, Extended, and Total Impact Factor of a Journal

Authors: Florentin Smarandache
Comments: 5 Pages.

In this short paper we recall the (Garfield) Impact Factor of a journal, we improve and extend it, and eventually present the Total Impact Factor that reflects the most accurate impact factor.
Category: Education and Didactics

A Review of the Evidences Showing that Certain Plant Medicines can be Useful for Novel Corona Virus Treatment

Authors: Victor Christianto; Florentin Smarandache
Comments: 6 Pages.

Considering growing concerns of the world’s authorities on the spreading of novel corona virus (Covid-19), in this paper we review the evidences showing that certain plant medicines can be useful for novel corona virus treatment. Our argument is based on research finding that corona virus has viral envelope glycoproteins. In this regard, Mannose-binding lectins have been shown to be able to break down the shells that surround this class of viruses - which includes COVID-19 virus. Therefore, it seems useful to consider medicinal plants which have Mannose-binding lectins in order to break the glycoproteins envelope of the virus. This is an initial review on this subject, further research in direction as outlined here is recommended.
Category: Education and Didactics