Accuracy of diagnosis of pterygium by optometrists and general practitioners in Australia

Background: It was the author's (LWH) observation that pterygium was frequently misdiagnosed by general practitioners that led to this study. The aim was to identify the rate of misdiagnosis of pterygium by optometrists and general practitioners based upon assessing referral accuracy to a single ophthalmologist (LWH). Methods: This study involved a prospective case series from 25 March 2015 to 18 December 2018 in a tertiary referral practice specialising in pterygium. The accuracy of diagnosis of pterygium, based upon the content of the clinical referral, was undertaken for optometrists and general practitioners. The benchmark for diagnostic accuracy was the diagnosis made by the author (LWH) during a consultation in person by the author (LWH) using a hand-light examination and confirmed by slitlamp examination. Results: A total of 1,511 consecutive patients were included in the study with 90/549 incorrectly diagnosed (16 per cent) by general practitioners and 14/962 (1.4 per cent) by optometrists. General practitioners were 13.28 times more likely to incorrectly diagnose a pterygium than optometrists (95% CI 7.48–23.57). Almost exclusively, the incorrect diagnosis made by general practitioners was naming a pinguecula, a pterygium. The same misdiagnosis was made by optometrists but far less frequently. Conclusion: General practitioners misdiagnosed pterygium far more often than optometrists which may reflect a reduction in training in eye health

Enhancing research quality and reporting: why the Journal of Comorbidity is now publishing study protocols

The Journal of Comorbidity was launched in 2011 and has since become established as a high-quality journal that publishes open-access, peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on advancing the clinical management of patients with comorbidity/multimorbidity. To further enhance research quality and reporting of studies in this field, the journal is now offering authors the opportunity to publish a summary of their study protocols – a move designed to generate interest and raise awareness in ongoing clinical research and to enable researchers to detail their methodologies in order that replication by scientific peers is possible

Histological techniques for marine bivalve mollusks and crustaceans, 2nd edition

Investigators at the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory (COL) diagnose and study crustaceans, mollusks, finfish, and a variety of other marine and estuarine invertebrates to assess animal health. This edition updates the Histological Techniques for Marine Bivalve Mollusks manual by Howard and Smith (1983) with additional chapters on molluscan and crustacean techniques. The new edition is intended to serve as a guide for histological processing of shellfish, principally bivalve mollusks and crustaceans. Basically, the techniques included are applicable for histopathological preparation of all marine animals, recognizing however that initial necropsy is unique to each species. Photographs and illustrations are provided for instruction on necropsy of different species to simplify the processing of tissues. Several of the procedures described are adaptations developed by the COL staff. They represent techniques based on principles established for the histopathologic study of mammalian and other vertebrate tissues, but modified for marine and aquatic invertebrates. Although the manual attempts to provide adequate information on techniques, it is also intended to serve as a useful reference source to those interested in the pathology of marine animals. General references and recommended reading listed in the back of the manual will provide histological information on species not addressed in the text

The Journal of Comorbidity affiliates with the Society for Academic Primary Care

No abstract available

Preparing potential teachers for the transition from employment to teacher training: an evaluative case study of a Maths Enhancement Course

In response to a UK government drive to improve maths teaching in schools, the South West London Maths Enhancement Course (MEC) has been set up though collaboration between three Higher Education institutions (HEIs) to provide an efficient route for non maths graduates in employment to upgrade their subject knowledge and give a smooth transition into teacher training (PGCE). An evaluation of the scheme, measured against Teacher Development Agency (TDA) objectives and success criteria agreed by university staff, involved thematic analysis of focus group discussions and interviews with students and staff during both the MEC and PGCE courses. This has revealed a high level of satisfaction and success related to a number of underlying issues, particularly around student recruitment, curriculum design, peer support and staff collaboration. The model offers an example of practice transferable to a range of programmes aimed at supporting students in the transition between levels and institutions