Professionalism in residency training: A compilation of desirable behaviors and a case-based comparison between pathologists in training and practice

Professionalism is one of the most important competencies for physicians but is also the most difficult to teach, assess, and manage. To better understand professionalism in pathology, we surveyed practicing pathologists and pathology residents and fellows in training. We identified 12 key desirable attributes of professionalism. In addition, 8 case scenarios highlighting unprofessional behavior were presented, and results between pathologists in practice and in training were compared. No significant differences between attending pathologists and residents were identified in how these cases should be managed. Our study demonstrated remarkable concordance between practicing pathologists and residents as to what constitutes professionalism and how to manage unprofessional behavior. Our case-based approach can be a useful technique to teach professionalism to both pathologists in practice and in training

Characterizing urinary hCG beta cf patterns during pregnancy

Objective: Elevated concentrations of hCG beta core fragment (hCG beta cf) are known to cause false-negative results in qualitative urine pregnancy test devices, but the pattern of urinary hCG beta cf during normal pregnancy has not been well characterized. Here, we evaluate the relationship between urine hCG, hCG beta cf, and hCG free beta subunit (hCG beta) during pregnancy. Design and methods: Banked second trimester urine specimens from 100 pregnant women were screened for high concentrations of hCG beta cf using a qualitative point-of-care device known to demonstrate false-negative results in the presence of elevated hCG beta cf concentrations. Additional first and third trimester specimens from the same pregnancy were obtained from 10 women who generated negative/faint positive results, 5 women who generated intermediate positive results, and 10 women who generated strong positive results on the point-of care device. Intact hCG, hCG beta cf, hCG beta, and specific gravity were quantified in these 75 specimens. Results: Urinary hCG beta cf concentrations were greater than intact hCG concentrations at all times. A strong correlation (r(2) = 0.70) was observed between urine intact hCG and hCG beta cf concentrations. A poor correlation was observed between specific gravity and intact hCG (r(2) = 0.32), hCG beta (r(2) = 0.32), and hCG beta cf (r(2) = 0.32). The highest hCG beta cf concentrations were observed between 10 and 16 weeks gestation but individual women demonstrated very different patterns of hCG beta cf excretion. Conclusions: Urine specimens with elevated hCG beta cf are frequently encountered during pregnancy but hCG beta cf excretion patterns are unpredictable. Manufacturers and clinicians must appreciate that hCG beta cf is the major immunoreactive component in urine during pregnancy and must design and interpret qualitative urine hCG test results accordingly. (C) 2016 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Variability of ethics education in laboratory medicine training programs: Results of an international survey.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Files. This article is open access.Ethical considerations are increasingly important in medicine. We aimed to determine the mode and extent of teaching of ethics in training programs in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine.We developed an on-line survey of teaching in areas of ethics relevant to laboratory medicine. Reponses were invited from directors of training programs who were recruited via email to leaders of national organizations.The survey was completed by 80 directors from 24 countries who directed 113 programs. The largest numbers of respondents directed postdoctoral training of scientists (42%) or physicians (33%), post-masters degree programs (33%), and PhD programs (29%). Most programs (82%) were 2years or longer in duration. Formal training was offered in research ethics by 39%, medical ethics by 31%, professional ethics by 24% and business ethics by 9%. The number of reported hours of formal training varied widely, e.g., from 0 to >15h/year for research ethics and from 0 to >15h for medical ethics. Ethics training was required and/or tested in 75% of programs that offered training. A majority (54%) of respondents reported plans to add or enhance training in ethics; many indicated a desire for online resources related to ethics, especially resources with self-assessment tools.Formal teaching of ethics is absent from many training programs in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine, with heterogeneity in the extent and methods of ethics training among the programs that provide the training. A perceived need exists for online training tools, especially tools with self-assessment components

Progression of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in St. Louis, Missouri, through January 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seropositivity was assessed for 3,066 individuals visiting hospitals in St. Louis, Missouri, during July 2020, November 2020, or January 2021. Seropositivity in children increased from 5.22% in July to 21.16% in January. In the same time frame, seropositivity among adults increased from 4.52% to 19.03%, prior to initiation of mass vaccination