Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected every aspect of life worldwide. Contact restrictions and social distancing during the epidemic has led to the suspension of bedside teaching (BST) and shifting to online didactic teaching and other methods of active learning. We implemented peer role-play simulation (PRPS) during the pandemic to compensate for the suspended BST. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of PRPS in developing the students’ verbal communication, empathy and clinical reasoning skills compared to BST. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted in Jazan University faculty of medicine with the study sample including all medical students enrolled in 5th and 6th year during the academic year 2020– 21. Data collection involved using a web-based validated questionnaire. Results: Most of the students (84.1%) rated bedside teaching (BST) as extremely beneficial or beneficial in developing verbal communication skills compared to 73.3% for peer role-play simulation (PRPS). A similar pattern was found in empathy skills development with 84.1% for bedside compared to 72.2% for PRPS. The pattern is reversed with the development of clinical reasoning skills with 77.7% rating BST as beneficial or extremely beneficial compared to 81.2% for PRPS. Conclusion: Overall, peer role-play is generally a valuable and trustworthy method in the absence of bedside teaching for enhancing clinical reasoning skills of medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic from students’ perspective. It is less efficient than bedside teaching in enhancing communication skills. It cannot wholly replace bedside teaching, although it can be used reliably for that purpose in exceptional circumstances when bedside teaching cannot be implemented.

Background/Objectives: Obesity among university students is a growing concern, often influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Few studies in Saudi Arabia have addressed this issue using a comprehensive framework. This study aims to examine the prevalence of obesity and its biopsychosocial predictors among university students, as well as their perceptions, behaviors, and comorbidities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jazan University during the 2024–2025 academic year. A total of 819 undergraduate students completed a structured, self-administered Arabic questionnaire. The tool assessed sociodemographic variables, body mass index (BMI) (calculated from self-reported height and weight), biological and psychological factors, social influences, lifestyle behaviors, and comorbidities. Bivariate associations were tested using chi-square analyses, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of obesity. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 19.6%, and 22.6% of students were overweight. Obesity was significantly more prevalent among males (26.7%) than females (9.6%, p < 0.001) and among students aged 24 years and above (24.0%, p = 0.024). Independent predictors of obesity included being overweight in childhood (AOR = 5.23, 95% CI: 3.47–7.90), belief in a genetic predisposition (AOR = 4.66), emotional eating (AOR = 2.57), academic or personal stress (AOR = 5.36), and social pressures related to body image (AOR = 2.96). Comorbidities significantly associated with obesity included high cholesterol (AOR = 5.40), sleep disorders (AOR = 2.99), and joint pain (AOR = 1.96). More than 80% of students with obesity reported current or past weight loss attempts, and nearly 60% received medical advice to lose weight. Conclusions: Obesity among Jazan University students is significantly associated with male gender, early-life weight history, emotional and academic stress, and social pressures. Students with obesity also experience a higher burden of comorbid conditions, even at a young age. These findings highlight the need for integrated, student-centered interventions that address both the psychological and social dimensions of weight management in university settings.

Background: The role of interns during general surgical rotation is crucial in shaping their future careers as surgeons. Surgical rotation offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in fast -paced and challenging environments. However, interns often face significant challenges in obtaining the necessary practical training to develop proficiency in surgical techniques. This article aims to analyze some aspects of the accumulated competency of interns during their general surgery rotation, focusing on the range of skills and knowledge gained, in addition to the challenges faced. Subjects and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an anonymous web -based selfassessment questionnaire. The target population of the study included all Jazan University medical interns enrolled in the academic year 2022-2023. Results: Most participants showed low -to -average levels of proficiency in monitoring clinical evolution and treatment plans, ranging from fundamental awareness (n = 17, 17.5%) to working knowledge (n = 51, 52.6%), with only three participants (3.1%) reporting an expert level of proficiency. The same pattern was observed in the documentation of patient records (range: 7.2%, n = 7 for fundamental awareness to 42.3%, n = 41 for working knowledge). However, a significant proportion saw themselves as either proficient (n = 23, 23.7%) or experts (n = 15, 15.5%) in this aspect. Regarding bedside procedures, such as venipuncture, proctoscopy, nasogastric tube insertion, and urethral catheterization, the participants showed different proficiency levels, with the lowest in proctoscopy, where 66 (68.0%) of the participants reported only fundamental awareness. The results also revealed low perceived proficiency in performing surgical skin incisions, wound suturing, knot tying, application of surgical skin clips, and abscess drainage, with the lowest proficiency observed in the excision of superficial lumps as more than half of the participants reported only fundamental awareness (n = 51, 52.6%). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that documentation and monitoring of patient progress are the competencies mastered most by the majority of interns during their rotations in general surgery. However, the interns' overall level of proficiency in bedside procedures and basic surgical skills acquired during their rotation was low to average. Additionally, interns were dissatisfied with their training and the opportunities provided for them to actively engage in performing procedures in the operating room. This low proficiency is unrelated to pre -internship academic achievement, sex, or interest in future surgical careers. This suggests that efforts are needed to develop strategies to enhance interns' satisfaction and engagement, ultimately improving their overall experience during internships.

Thyroid tuberculosis is a rare disease. Diagnosis can be difficult because the clinical course is not very specificin most cases. Ziehl–Neelsen staining is frequently negative. Epithelioid granulomas and necrosis are the main biopsy findings.The diagnosis can be confirmed using polymerase chain reaction, detection of acid-fast bacilli, or bacteriological cultures.I report the case of a young patient who presented with anterior neck swelling. Primary thyroid tuberculosis was diagnosedbased on the clinical picture and fine-needle aspiration cytology findings. Treatment with a combination of anti-tuberculouschemotherapy was initiated using the WHO category I regimen, and the patient showed an excellent response to treatment. Tomy knowledge, this is only the second clinical case of primary thyroid tuberculosis to be reported in Saudi Arabia.In conclusion, tuberculosis of the thyroid gland should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of goiters, albeitbeing rare. The presence of cold abscesses and discharging sinuses in the midline of the neck raises suspicion of this disease,especially in endemic areas. The clinical presentation, in addition to strong evidence from fine-needle aspiration cytology, issufficient for the diagnosis of this condition.