Meeting report: ‘How do I incorporate research into my family practice?’: Reflections on experiences of and solutions for young family doctors

Background: Family doctors (FDs) focus on biopsychosocial components of health during consultations. However, much of the evidence employed by these doctors is produced by researchers who are not routinely involved in family practice. Family doctors competent in both clinical practice and research are essential to addressing this gap. With the growing recognition of family medicine as the specialty of choice for many young doctors, there is a scarcity of literature that describes their experiences in combining research and daily family practice. Aim: Members from Young Doctor Movements (YDMs) under the auspices of the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) sought to address this knowledge gap by reflecting on their experiences towards becoming researchers. With the assistance of senior doctors, they explored solutions that can help young FDs incorporate research into their family practice. Methods: Following an online YDM meeting, a summary of the experiences of young FDs as well as strategies useful for incorporating research into their everyday practice as FDs was prepared. Result: Nine thematic areas were derived, including experiences and motivation towards regular research, culture and environment of practice, relevance and gains of research, teamwork and mentorship. Conclusion: Family practices can incorporate research by promoting a personal and organisational research culture, highlighting gains and relevance of making it part of the profession and fostering teamwork, supportive networks and mentorship while making it enjoyable

Case Report: An incidentaloma that catches your eye - adrenal myelolipoma

Background:: Adrenal incidentaloma refers to the incidental finding of a tumor in the adrenal gland, where nonfunctional forms are the most common variant. Myelolipoma is a rare (0.08-0.4%) occurrence characterized by adipose and hematopoietic tissue. The aim of this case report is to describe the diagnosis and appropriate management of a myelolipoma in an asymptomatic patient, which was originally considered an incidental hepatic hemangioma prior to being identified as a giant adrenal adenoma. Case description: The patient was a 54 year old obese female with a recent diagnosis of diabetes type II and dyslipidemia with recent ultrasound imaging suggestive of a hepatic hemangioma. An MRI was performed revealing a 7x6cm lesion in the right adrenal area indicating a giant adrenal adenoma. An adrenalectomy was performed without complications. The pathology report identified a myelolipoma. Discussion: The incidence of myelolipoma has recently increased due to advances in radiological techniques. Its etiology is unclear and the most accepted theories support a myeloid cell metaplasia in the embryonic stage as a result of stress, infections, or adrenocorticotropic hormone or erythropoietin stimulus. Contributing components may include bone morphogenetic protein 2 and β-catenin, as well as the presence of the chromosomal translocation (3, 21) (q25; p11). Despite its benign nature, the association with other adrenal lipomas must be ruled out. A biochemical evaluation is essential for detecting subclinical states, such as Cushing syndrome and pheochromocytoma. Conclusion: Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumors that are generally asymptomatic. Uncertainty still exists surrounding their etiology. Surgical management depends on hormone production, tumor size, high risk features on imaging and patient consent. Additional information is needed to better understand myelolipomas, their etiology, and clinical management. Incidentalomas may confuse the physician and patient. Ensuring proper multidisciplinary management based on the clinical guidelines of endocrinology allowed a satisfactory resolution of this case

Association between +45T>G adiponectin polymorphism gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome in a Venezuelan population [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Background: Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) is a hormone primarily synthesized by adipocytes and encoded by the ADIPOQ gene, which exerts anti-inflammatory, antiatheratogenic and insulin sensitizing functions. It has been shown that its plasma concentrations are decreased in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), which could be due to variations in the gene coding for this protein. The aim of this study was to detect the +45 T>G polymorphism of the ADIPOQ gene in subjects with DM2 and MS in Maracaibo municipality, Zulia state, Venezuela. Methods: A total of 90 subjects who attended the Center for Metabolic Endocrine Research "Dr. Félix Gómez" were enrolled for this study, 46 of which had MS-DM2 and 44 of which were healthy control individuals. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was carried out for the promoter region of the ADIPOQ gene. Likewise, the +45 T> G polymorphism was identified and correlated with MS and DM2 in the studied population. Results: The most frequent allele in both groups was the T allele, and the predominant genotype was homozygous T/T (79%). Genotypes with heterozygous T/G and G/G homozygous polymorphism were more frequent in the control group than in the MS-DM2 group. Regarding the individuals with T/G and G/G genotypes, statistically significant lower mean values ​​were found for fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerides, abdominal circumference, and for the medians of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Odds ratio were calculated for the presence or absence of MS and DM2. Conclusions: The results suggested that the presence of the G allele exerts a protective effect on the carrier individuals, thus avoiding the appearance of the aforementioned metabolic alterations

Dyslipidemia: Genetics, lipoprotein lipase and HindIII polymorphism [version 2; referees: 2 approved]

The direct link between lipid metabolism alterations and the increase of cardiovascular risk are well documented. Dyslipidemias, including isolated high LDL-c or mixed dyslipidemia, such as those seen in diabetes (hypertriglyceridemia, high LDL-c or low HDL-c), correlate with a significant risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease worldwide.  This review analyzes the current knowledge concerning the genetic basis of lipid metabolism alterations, emphasizing lipoprotein lipase gene mutations and the HindIII polymorphism, which are associated with decreased levels of triglycerides and LDL-c, as well as higher levels of HDL-c. These patterns would be associated with decreased global morbidity and mortality, providing protection against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

General practitioners’ perceptions of using virtual primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international cross-sectional survey study

With the onset of COVID-19, general practitioners (GPs) and patients worldwide swiftly transitioned from face-to-face to digital remote consultations. There is a need to evaluate how this global shift has impacted patient care, healthcare providers, patient and carer experience, and health systems. We explored GPs’ perspectives on the main benefits and challenges of using digital virtual care. GPs across 20 countries completed an online questionnaire between June–September 2020. GPs’ perceptions of main barriers and challenges were explored using free-text questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. A total of 1,605 respondents participated in our survey. The benefits identified included reducing COVID-19 transmission risks, guaranteeing access and continuity of care, improved efficiency, faster access to care, improved convenience and communication with patients, greater work flexibility for providers, and hastening the digital transformation of primary care and accompanying legal frameworks. Main challenges included patients’ preference for face-to-face consultations, digital exclusion, lack of physical examinations, clinical uncertainty, delays in diagnosis and treatment, overuse and misuse of digital virtual care, and unsuitability for certain types of consultations. Other challenges include the lack of formal guidance, higher workloads, remuneration issues, organisational culture, technical difficulties, implementation and financial issues, and regulatory weaknesses. At the frontline of care delivery, GPs can provide important insights on what worked well, why, and how during the pandemic. Lessons learned can be used to inform the adoption of improved virtual care solutions and support the long-term development of platforms that are more technologically robust and secure

Kyle Hoedebecke's Quick Files

The Quick Files feature was discontinued and it’s files were migrated into this Project on March 11, 2022. The file URL’s will still resolve properly, and the Quick Files logs are available in the Project’s Recent Activity

Military-specific application of nutritional supplements: a brief overview [v1; ref status: indexed, http://f1000r.es/548]

The Soldiers of America's military endure numerous physical and mental challenges that demand strict physical fitness regimens, extreme mental agility, and a perpetual readiness to deploy at a moment's notice. The chronicity of these stressors has the potential to dramatically reduce performance - both directly and indirectly.  Because of this risk, many Soldiers turn to nutritional supplements with hopes of optimizing performance. Increasing amounts of research have demonstrated that various supplements may enhance overall physical prowess, health, and offer quicker recovery in the face of corporal or psychological extremes. Most individuals, including many medical and nutrition professionals, possess only an elementary comprehension of nutritional supplements and their effect on Soldiers in training or combat environments. Nevertheless, a grasp of these details is required for safety and optimal benefits. Various compounds have been evaluated - to include evidence within the military setting - and found to augment endurance, increase cognitive function, decrease knee pain, or offer hearing or lung protection in the face of high-energy impulses. These efficacious outcomes may serve to augment the health and longevity of these Soldiers; however, continued research is needed for efficacy and long-term safety within specific environments

Young Doctor Movements: motives for membership among aspiring and young family physicians

Background: Over the past decade, young doctor movements (YDMs) have gained recognition for their efforts in promoting the discipline of family medicine. With growth and expansion comes the need for an inquiry into the membership motives of current/intending members. Aim and Objectives: This study was aimed at determining the main reasons why young and aspiring family physicians (FPs) joined their regional YDM. It was also concerned with determining the main factors that will make non-members want to join a YDM as well as assessing for differences in the responses within YDM members on the one hand, and between YDM members and non-members on the other. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional web-based study. Using a list of 11 items generated following a series of discussions and feedback among selected FPs and FP trainees, respondents annotated levels of agreement on reasons for current or desired YDM membership. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the distribution and differences in the mean of rank scores of the responses from YDM and non-YDM members while the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to describe same for the various YDMs. Results: The total number of respondents was 200, out of which 102 (51.0%) were current YDM members, 97 (48.5%) were non-members and 1 (0.5%) respondent did not state his/her membership status. Non-YDM members indicated a predominantly academic/professional motive for membership while YDM members indicated the opportunity to socialise with FPs abroad and in their country as their foremost reasons for membership. A mixture of academic, professional and social motives was observed for respondents from Vasco da Gama; predominantly academic and professional motives for respondents from Spice route. Conclusions: While gaining recognition and improving one′s practice may be the ultimate goal of an aspiring FP, socialising within a network of like-minded professionals maybe the young FP′s way of coping with demands of the discipline