Online patient simulation training to improve clinical reasoning: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Background Online patient simulations (OPS) are a novel method for teaching clinical reasoning skills to students and could contribute to reducing diagnostic errors. However, little is known about how best to implement and evaluate OPS in medical curricula. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential effects of eCREST — the electronic Clinical Reasoning Educational Simulation Tool. Methods A feasibility randomised controlled trial was conducted with final year undergraduate students from three UK medical schools in academic year 2016/2017 (cohort one) and 2017/2018 (cohort two). Student volunteers were recruited in cohort one via email and on teaching days, and in cohort two eCREST was also integrated into a relevant module in the curriculum. The intervention group received three patient cases and the control group received teaching as usual; allocation ratio was 1:1. Researchers were blind to allocation. Clinical reasoning skills were measured using a survey after 1 week and a patient case after 1 month. Results Across schools, 264 students participated (18.2% of all eligible). Cohort two had greater uptake (183/833, 22%) than cohort one (81/621, 13%). After 1 week, 99/137 (72%) of the intervention and 86/127 (68%) of the control group remained in the study. eCREST improved students’ ability to gather essential information from patients over controls (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.1–1.7, n = 148). Of the intervention group, most (80/98, 82%) agreed eCREST helped them to learn clinical reasoning skills. Conclusions eCREST was highly acceptable and improved data gathering skills that could reduce diagnostic errors. Uptake was low but improved when integrated into course delivery. A summative trial is needed to estimate effectiveness

Postoperative outcomes in oesophagectomy with trainee involvement

BACKGROUND: The complexity of oesophageal surgery and the significant risk of morbidity necessitates that oesophagectomy is predominantly performed by a consultant surgeon, or a senior trainee under their supervision. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of trainee involvement in oesophagectomy on postoperative outcomes in an international multicentre setting. METHODS: Data from the multicentre Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Study Group (OGAA) cohort study were analysed, which comprised prospectively collected data from patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer between April 2018 and December 2018. Procedures were grouped by the level of trainee involvement, and univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to compare patient outcomes across groups. RESULTS: Of 2232 oesophagectomies from 137 centres in 41 countries, trainees were involved in 29.1 per cent of them (n = 650), performing only the abdominal phase in 230, only the chest and/or neck phases in 130, and all phases in 315 procedures. For procedures with a chest anastomosis, those with trainee involvement had similar 90-day mortality, complication and reoperation rates to consultant-performed oesophagectomies (P = 0.451, P = 0.318, and P = 0.382, respectively), while anastomotic leak rates were significantly lower in the trainee groups (P = 0.030). Procedures with a neck anastomosis had equivalent complication, anastomotic leak, and reoperation rates (P = 0.150, P = 0.430, and P = 0.632, respectively) in trainee-involved versus consultant-performed oesophagectomies, with significantly lower 90-day mortality in the trainee groups (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Trainee involvement was not found to be associated with significantly inferior postoperative outcomes for selected patients undergoing oesophagectomy. The results support continued supervised trainee involvement in oesophageal cancer surgery

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Curriculum Co-design for Cultural Safety Training of Medical Students in Colombia: Protocol for a Qualitative Study

Cultural safety in medical training encourages practitioners, in a culturally congruent way, to acknowledge the validity of their patients’ worldviews. Lack of cultural safety is linked to ethnic health disparities and ineffective health services. Colombian medical schools currently provide no training in cultural safety. The aim of this qualitative study is to: (i) document the opinions of stakeholders on what a curriculum in cultural safety should teach to medical students; and (ii) use this understanding to co-design a curriculum for cultural safety training of Colombian medical students. Focus groups will explore opinions of traditional medicine users, medical students, and cultural safety experts regarding the content of the curriculum; deliberative dialogue between key cultural safety experts will settle the academic content of the curriculum. The research develops participatory methods in medical education that might be of relevance in other subjects. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Contexto escolar : escenario de adaptación escolar y desarrollo de habilidades sociales.

La presente investigación se centró en estudiar el contexto escolar como escenario posibilitador de desarrollo social; es la respuesta al fenómeno escolar identificado en una institución educativa privada de la Ciudad de Medellín, donde el paso de los estudiantes del grado quinto al grado sexto, genera cambios de tipo social y académico; el propósito de este estudio consistió en describir las habilidades sociales de 143 preadolescentes escolarizados y el papel que cumplen estas habilidades en la adaptación escolar. Se evaluó el desempeñó social mediante los repertorios estudiados por Monjas (2000). La investigación fue de tipo no experimental, transversal, descriptiva. Los resultados describen las habilidades sociales de los estudiantes, puntuando alto, las habilidades básicas de interacción para hacer amigos y amigas y para relacionarse con los adultos, y puntuando bajo, las habilidades conversacionales, relacionadas con las emociones, sentimientos y opiniones, y resolución de problemas interpersonales. Lo anterior permite concluir que estas habilidades, tiene un papel esencial en la adaptación escolar, y que pueden explicar la dificultad presente en los estudiantes para adaptarse en la transición del grado quinto de primaria a sexto de bachillerato. Estos resultados son base para la generación de futuros proyectos orientados a los de procesos de adaptación escolar

EVOLUTION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF FRANKFURTER SAUSAGE MODEL SYSTEMS WITH ADDED CHERRY EXTRACT (Prunus avium L.) DURING REFRIGERATED STORAGE EVOLUCIÓN DE LA CAPACIDAD ANTIOXIDANTE DURANTE ALMACENAMIENTO REFRIGERADO DE SISTEMAS MODELO DE SALCHICHAS TIPO FRANKFURT ADICIONADAS CON EXTRACTO DE CEREZA (Prunus avium L.)

The aim of this work was to establish the antioxidant capacity evolution in a model system of Frankfurter type sausages with added cherry extract through the Folin Ciocalteu, pH differential, FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH methods. Therefore, the total phenol and total anthocyanin contents, the reducing power, and the radical scavenger activity were monitored during a two-month period of storage time in refrigerated conditions (4 ± 1°C). A factorial experimental design was applied with two factors (cherry extract and storage time), and comparative evaluations were made with respect to a product similarly formulated and elaborated without cherry extract but with added sodium ascorbate (0.05%). Results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) with respect to the total anthocyanin content for any sausage with added cherry extract; while total phenols, reducing capacity and radical captive activity were significantly higher (p Con el objetivo de determinar la evolución de la capacidad antioxidante de sistemas modelo de salchichas Tipo Frankfurt adicionadas con extracto de cereza, se monitoreó el contenido de fenoles totales, antocianinas totales, el poder reductor y la actividad captadora de radicales, empleando los métodos de Folin Ciocalteu, pH diferencial, FRAP, ABTS y DPPH, respectivamente, durante dos meses de almacenamiento a 4 ± 1ºC. Se aplicó un diseño factorial con dos factores (extracto de cereza y tiempo de almacenamiento) y se realizaron evaluaciones comparativas respecto a un producto testigo de igual formulación y proceso, pero sin inclusión del extracto y con presencia de ascorbato de sodio (0,05%). Los resultados mostraron que no existe diferencia significativa (p > 0,05) en el contenido de antocianinas totales para ninguna de las dosis de extracto en las salchichas; mientras que los fenoles totales, el poder reductor y la actividad captadora de radicales fueron significativamente mayores (p < 0,05) en las salchichas con extracto de cereza (para las tres dosis), respecto a las salchichas testigo; además, el tiempo de almacenamiento fue significativo en todos los casos, mostrándose una disminución de todas las variables con el tiempo de almacenamiento

Vigilancia mundial de las lesiones infantiles no intencionales en cuatro ciudades de países en desarrollo : estudio piloto

Objetivo Determinar la frecuencia y naturaleza de las lesiones infantiles y explorar sus factores de riesgo en países de bajos ingresos, utilizando para ello los datos de vigilancia de los departamentos de urgencias (DU). Métodos Este estudio piloto representa la fase inicial de un proyecto plurinacional de vigilancia mundial de las lesiones infantiles no intencionales y se basó en una muestra secuencial de menores de 11 años, de ambos sexos, que se presentaron en 2007 en DU seleccionados de Bangladesh, Colombia, Egipto y Pakistán a lo largo de un periodo de 3 a 4 meses, variable según el centro. Resultados De 1559 niños lesionados observados en todos los centros, 1010 (65%) eran varones; 941 (60%) tenían ³ 5 años, y 32 (2%) < 1 año. Las lesiones fueron especialmente frecuentes (34%) por la mañana. En el 56% de los casos se produjeron dentro de casa o en sus alrededores, en el 63% fuera, mientras jugaban, y en el 11% en viaje. De todas las lesiones observadas, 913 (56%) consistieron en caídas; 350 (22%) en lesiones causadas por el tráfico; 210 (13%) en quemaduras; 66 (4%) en intoxicaciones, y 20 (1%) en ahogamiento o casi ahogamiento. Las caídas más frecuentes se produjeron en escaleras; en el caso de las lesiones causadas por el tráfico, la mayoría de las víctimas fueron peatones; la mayoría de las quemaduras se produjeron con líquidos calientes; las intoxicaciones más frecuentes se debieron a medicamentos, y la mayoría de los ahogamientos se produjeron en casa. Las lesiones con mayores puntuaciones de gravedad fueron los ahogamientos o casi ahogamientos (11), seguidos de cerca por las lesiones causadas por el tráfico (10). Hubo 6 casos mortales: 2 por ahogamiento, 2 por caídas y 2 por lesiones causadas por el tráfico. Conclusión Los hospitales de los países de bajos ingresos tienen una carga considerable de lesiones infantiles. Es necesaria una vigilancia sistemática para identificar la distribución epidemiológica de esas lesiones y comprender sus factores de riesgo. La normalización metodológica de la vigilancia en los diferentes países permite establecer comparaciones internacionales e identificar problemas comunes.Objective To determine the frequency and nature of childhood injuries and to explore the risk factors for such injuries in low-income countries by using emergency department (ED) surveillance data. Methods This pilot study represents the initial phase of a multi-country global childhood unintentional injury surveillance (GCUIS) project and was based on a sequential sample of children < 11 years of age of either gender who presented to selected EDs in Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt and Pakistan over a 3–4 month period, which varied for each site, in 2007. Findings Of 1559 injured children across all sites, 1010 (65%) were male; 941 (60%) were aged ³ 5 years, 32 (2%) were < 1 year old. Injuries were especially frequent (34%) during the morning hours. They occurred in and around the home in 56% of the cases, outside while children played in 63% and during trips in 11%. Of all the injuries observed, 913 (56%) involved falls; 350 (22%), road traffic injuries; 210 (13%), burns; 66 (4%), poisoning; and 20 (1%), near drowning or drowning. Falls occurred most often from stairs or ladders; road traffic injuries most often involved pedestrians; the majority of burns were from hot liquids; poisonings typically involved medicines, and most drowning occurred in the home. The mean injury severity score was highest for near drowning or drowning (11), followed closely by road traffic injuries (10). There were 6 deaths, of which 2 resulted from drowning, 2 from falls and 2 from road traffic injuries. Conclusion Hospitals in low-income countries bear a substantial burden of childhood injuries, and systematic surveillance is required to identify the epidemiological distribution of such injuries and understand their risk factors. Methodological standardization for surveillance across countries makes it possible to draw international comparisons and identify common issues

Bacterial translocation in abdominal trauma and postoperative infections

Background: Bacterial translocation (BT) describes the passage of bacteria residing into the gastrointestinal tract, through the intestinal mucosa barrier to sterile tissues such as mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and other organs. This phenomenon has not been thoroughly studied in patients with trauma to date, and an association between BT and postoperative infection has not been well established so far. Methods: MLNs from 36 patients with abdominal trauma were removed during laparotomy and cultured to detect BT. Postoperative infectious complications in these patients were registered, and both phenotypical and molecular typings (through multilocus sequencing) were carried out for microorganisms isolated from MLN and postoperative infection sites. Associations between clinical variables, BT presence, and postoperative infection development were established. Results: BT was detected in 33% of the patients (n = 12). Postoperative infections were present in 22.2% of the patients (n = 8). A significant statistical difference was found between postoperative infections in patients with BT evidence (41.6%), when compared with patients without BT (12.5%; p = 0.047). Bacteria isolated from infection sites were the same as those cultured in MLN in 40% of the cases (n = 2 of 5), allowing us to establish causality between BT and postoperative infection. Conclusions: There is higher risk of BT in trauma patients, and it is associated with a significant increase of postoperative infections. An abdominal trauma index ?10 was found to be associated with the development of BT. This is the first study describing BT among patients with abdominal trauma, where causality is confirmed at molecular level. Copyright © 2011 by Lippincott Williams and Wilkins