Implementing a unique immersive near-peer-led clinical skills educational bootcamp for early-year clinical medical students
We establish the development of a unique immersive clinical skills bootcamp for third-year medical students, with formal teaching under five key themes: procedural skills day, examinations, imaging, data interpretation and prescribing. Lastly a simulation event was developed to allow the participants to bring the different themes together, in order to successfully manage an acutely unwell patient for their stage of learning using the newly learnt skills. A 4-week bootcamp was developed and delivered to students. A curriculum was developed based on student’s precourse answers to specific questions. Pre and post bootca...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - May 20, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Khan, U., Bakhiet, A. Tags: Education and learning Source Type: research
Surgical curriculum concordance: requiem for the educational dream
This study aimed to analyse the degree of relative variation in speciality-specific competencies required for Certification of Completion of Training (CCT) set by the UK Joint Committee for Surgical Training (JCST) 2021 curriculum. Regulatory body guidance related to operative and non-operative surgical skill competencies required for CCT were analysed and compared. Wide inter-speciality variation was demonstrated in the minimum number of logbook cases (median 815; range 54 to 2100), indexed operations (8; 5 to 24) and procedure-based assessments (35; 6 to 110). Academic competencies related to peer-reviewed publications, ...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - May 20, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Luton, O., James, O. P., Mellor, K., Powell, A., Hopkins, L., Robinson, D. B. T., Egan, R., Lewis, W. Tags: Editor's choice Education and learning Source Type: research
Inside the Ukraine war: health and humanity
Introduction The Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the most devastating crises in recent history. Data from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights shows that the war led to the displacement of over four million Ukrainian citizens as of 30 March, along with at least 3167 civilian casualties, including 1232 deaths.1 The material damages sustained by Ukraine cannot be immediately replaced, but the most affecting and irreparable loss has been that of life. The war has ushered in an era of challenges for Ukrainian residents; chief among them will be the limited access to healthcare. Nearly 1000 health faciliti...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - May 20, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Awuah, W. A., Mehta, A., Kalmanovich, J., Yarlagadda, R., Nasato, M., Kundu, M., Abdul-Rahman, T., Deborah Fosuah, A., Sikora, V. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Current challenges for researchers during the process of submission and publication
Introduction In the field of medicine, the process of disseminating knowledge and information is paramount to the advancement of our discipline. When new observations are made, researchers share their findings with their colleagues via publication in medical journals, which allows for other clinicians to discover and implement these findings in clinical practice. This process began in the 17th century, with the publication of the first English medical journal in 1684, titled Medicina Curiosa.1 Over the years, the number of journals and the way in which we access this information has changed, but the premise remains the sam...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - May 20, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Kichloo, A., Albosta, M., Koul, H., Aljadah, M., Wani, F., Qadir, R. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Denial, distress and hope: why we need to talk about nuclear war
Five years ago, when the world felt a safer place than it does at the moment, I wrote in this column about nuclear war and its prevention.1 I described some of the effects of nuclear weapons and discussed the possibility of a nuclear exchange as a result of a technological error or miscalculation – something that has been narrowly averted several times. I highlighted the work of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) in raising awareness of the risks of nuclear war, and its contribution to the ending of the last ‘cold war’ in the 1980s. My article attracted relatively few reade...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Launer, J. Tags: On reflection Source Type: research
Anticoagulation in COVID-19: current concepts and controversies
This article seeks to review the present guidelines and recommendations as well as the ongoing trials on use of anticoagulants in COVID-19, identify discrepancies between all these, and provide a comprehensive strategy regarding usage of these drugs in the current pandemic. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Chandra, A., Chakraborty, U., Ghosh, S., Dasgupta, S. Tags: COVID-19 Reviews Source Type: research
Review of COVID-19 vaccine subtypes, efficacy and geographical distributions
This study aims to discuss the most recent WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccine subtypes, their status and geographical scheduled updates as of 4 May 2021. The keywords "Covid-19, Vaccines, Pfizer, BNT162b2, AstraZeneca, AZD1222, Moderna, mRNA-1273, Janssen, Ad26.COV2.S" were typed into PubMed. Thirty Two relevant PubMed articles were included in the study. The vaccines discussed are Pfizer/BNT162b2, Moderna Vaccine/mRNA1273, AstraZeneca/AZD122/ChAdOx1 n-CoV-19 and the Janssen vaccines/Ad26.COV2.S, as well as their platforms, trials, limitations and geographical distributions. As of 16 May 2021, the number of countries that have ...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Francis, A. I., Ghany, S., Gilkes, T., Umakanthan, S. Tags: COVID-19 Reviews Source Type: research
Immediate consequences and solutions used to maintain medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic for residents and medical students: a restricted review
Conclusion
Medical education was highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic particularly in surgical specialties. Online courses were the most frequently attempted solution to cope with social distancing constraints. Medical students’ assessment of pedagogical tools was mostly positive, but the methodological quality of those studies was limited. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Chasset, F., Barral, M., Steichen, O., Legrand, A. Tags: COVID-19 Reviews Source Type: research
Scoping review of COVID-19-related systematic reviews and meta-analyses: can we really have confidence in their results?
Conclusion
The methodological and reporting quality of current COVID-19 SR is far from optimal. In addition, most of the current SRs fail to address relevant threats to their internal validity, including repeated patients and heterogeneity in the definition of severe COVID-19. Adherence to proper study design and peer-review practices must remain to mitigate current limitations. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Wurth, R., Hajdenberg, M., Barrera, F. J., Shekhar, S., Copacino, C. E., Moreno-Pena, P. J., Gharib, O. A. M., Porter, F., Hiremath, S., Hall, J. E., Schiffrin, E. L., Eisenhofer, G., Bornstein, S. R., Brito, J. P., Gonzalez-Gonzalez, J. G., Stratakis, C. Tags: COVID-19 Reviews Source Type: research
Proteinuria in hospitalised internal medicine adult patients
Conclusions
Dipstick proteinuria is common in hospitalised patients. Although weakly associated with eGFR, proteinuria is mainly associated with confounding factors that may result in false-positive test results. The need for follow-up of proteinuria after discharge has questionable clinical utility and its high frequency would entail a considerable cost. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Shimoni, Z., Froom, P., Benbassat, J. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Engaging in advocacy during medical training: assessing the impact of a virtual COVID-19-focused state advocacy day
Conclusions
Trainees recognise the importance of health policy and advocacy and value opportunities to gain the necessary skills/knowledge to effect tangible change. Virtual advocacy days can be replicated nationwide to help trainees learn about advocacy efforts and find their legislative voices during COVID-19 and beyond. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Yu, Z., Moustafa, D., Kwak, R., O'Connor, D. M., Cavanaugh-Hussey, M. W., Huang, J. T., LaChance, A. H. Tags: COVID-19 Original research Source Type: research
Effect of serial awake prone positioning on oxygenation in patients admitted to intensive care with COVID-19
Conclusions
Most patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care are not suitable for APP. Of those who are, many cannot tolerate more than two episodes. Improvements in SpO2/FiO2 secondary to APP are transient and most likely in the first episode. Our findings may explain why other studies have failed to show improvements in mortality from APP despite improvements in oxygenation. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Barker, J., Pan, D., Koeckerling, D., Baldwin, A. J., West, R. Tags: COVID-19 Original research Source Type: research
Statin use and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Conclusions
Statin use is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Individuals with multiple comorbidities on statin therapy should be encouraged to continue the drug amid the ongoing pandemic. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Pal, R., Banerjee, M., Yadav, U., Bhattacharjee, S. Tags: COVID-19 Original research Source Type: research
Health transition of the causes of mortality between 2005 and 2015 in Guangdong, China
Conclusions
We have documented a dramatic change in the overall mortality and age-specific, sex-specific and cause-specific mortality in Guangdong province between 2005 and 2015. The significant burden of NCDs remains a major healthcare issue despite the notable progress in reducing mortality in Guangdong, China. Our findings highlight important unmet needs to refine healthcare services by taking into account the inequity of age, sex and geographic regions. Identification of the ‘treatable’ risk factors and improved disease surveillance should be continuously improved to minimised the overall and cause-specific...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Zheng, X.-y., Yi, Q., Xu, Y.-j., Zeng, X.-y., Xu, X.-j., Chen, G., Ma, S.-l., Tang, S.-l., Lin, L.-f. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in adulthood and eligibility for novel CFTR modulator therapy
Conclusions
Adult patients with unexplained chronic bronchiectasis should be thoroughly investigated for CF. A low index of suspicion will help to identify adults with undiagnosed CF who are likely to benefit from CFTR modulator therapy. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 21, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Farley, H., Poole, S., Chapman, S., Flight, W. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
