Gender-based analysis of the academic paediatric radiation oncology workforce
While the proportion of women in medicine has increased over the past two decades, unfortunately, this increase has not been commensurately reflected in the gender composition of subspecialty fields such as neurosurgery and radiation oncology.1 2 Paediatric radiation oncology, in conjunction with medical oncology and surgical oncology, comprises an indispensable aspect of optimal multidisciplinary paediatric oncology care and represents an essential aspect of radiation oncology. The demographic composition of the paediatric academic radiation oncology workforce has not been previously investigated. In September 2019, every...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: McClelland, S., Huang, C. C., Zellars, R. C., Jaboin, J. J. Tags: Letter Source Type: research
Impaired ketone body utilisation as a cause of life-threatening ketoacidosis
We read with great interest the review article by Bashir et al, which aimed to increase awareness of enhanced ketogenesis as a cause of potentially fatal ketoacidosis.1 While the authors presented diabetic ketoacidosis as the most common cause of this metabolic disturbance, they highlighted alcoholic ketoacidosis and starvation ketoacidosis as differential diagnoses which require a different treatment approach, for example, not to drive patients into hypoglycaemia by administration of insulin. In contrast, rare inborn errors of metabolism and endocrine disorders other than diabetes mellitus received only little attention i...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Sass, J. O., Grünert, S. C. Tags: Letter Source Type: research
Use of deep learning for detection, characterisation and prediction of metastatic disease from computerised tomography: a systematic review
In conclusion, DL in CT image analysis could have a potential role in evaluating metastatic disease; however, prospective clinical trials investigating its clinical value are required. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Shivakumar, N., Chandrashekar, A., Handa, A. I., Lee, R. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Performance at medical school selection correlates with success in Part A of the intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination
Medical schools in the UK typically use prior academic attainment and an admissions test (University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) or the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)) to help select applicants for interview. To justify their use, more information is needed about the predictive validity of these tests. Thus, we investigated the relationship between performance in admissions tests and the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination.
The UKMED database (https://www.ukmed.ac.uk) was used to access medical school selection data for all UK graduates who a...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Ellis, R., Brennan, P., Scrimgeour, D. S., Lee, A. J., Cleland, J. Tags: Education and learning Source Type: research
Role and educational implications of cognitive surgical skills
Surgical skills have traditionally been classified as technical and non-technical skills. Technical skills—also called psychomotor skills—constitute a core component of surgical skills. They have been the focus of surgical skill training for several decades. However, the cognitive component has not been evaluated as applied in surgical practice and training. The integration of cognitive and motor components and the resulting sequence of steps involved in the psychomotor skills have not been adequately explained. Bloom and colleagues described the psychomotor skill domain of learning in 1956. In 1972, Simpson pr...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Tuma, F. Tags: Education and learning Source Type: research
Unexpected bradycardia after a first dose of doxazosin
An 89-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension, prostate cancer and postural hypotension presented to the emergency department with worsening headache and fatigue. His general practitioner had recently stopped his daily 10 mg of amlodipine due to symptoms of postural hypotension. On initial assessment, his heart rate was 67 beats per minute, blood pressure 219/104 mm Hg, respiratory rate 16 breaths per minute and oxygen saturations 98% on room air. He did not have any chest pain, signs of heart failure, acute kidney injury or new confusion. An ECG showed first-degree atrioventricular block. The patient was given...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Pigot, J. E., Szeto, M. C. H. Tags: Open access Adverse drug reactions Source Type: research
Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus significantly impacts on quality of life of patients on haemodialysis and associates with increased levels of serum calcium and phosphorus
Conclusions
Pruritus significantly aggravates the quality of life of HD patients. Irregularity in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus may partially explain the mechanism of CKD-aP. More effective treatment of CKD-MBD may help to prevent pruritus and improve patients’ mental and physical health conditions. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Xie, Q., Hu, N., Chen, Y. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Body mass index linked to short-term and long-term all-cause mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Conclusions
Overweight and obesity were protective factors for the short-term and long-term risks of death in patients with AMI. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Yang, R., Ma, W., Wang, Z.-C., Huang, T., Xu, F.-S., Li, C., Dai, Z., Lyu, J. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Cross-sectional analysis of hospital tasks handed over to general practitioners: workload delegation or dumping?
Conclusion
The majority of outstanding tasks in the hospital setting were followed up by hospital clinicians. A considerable volume of tasks were delegated to GPs, of which a significant proportion were inappropriate. An increase in awareness and understanding among hospital clinicians of their responsibility to follow up hospital-initiated investigations is needed. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Mughal, Z., Maharjan, R. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Analysis of driving simulator performance for post-call orthopaedic surgery residents
Conclusions
These data suggest that for orthopaedic residents, driving simulator performance does not appear to be worse after a single night of call compared with baseline. Future collaborative, multicentre investigations on post-call driving safety that incorporate different call types and frequencies are necessary to better define the impact of post-call fatigue on driving performance. Recognising that motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death for people under the age of 30 years, these continued areas of study are necessary to truly establish a culture of resident safety. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Grandizio, L. C., Barreto Rocha, D. F., Holbert, J. A., Pavis, E. J., Hopkins, D., Volarich, K., Klena, J. C. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Residency match interview scheduling: quantifying the applicant experience
Conclusions
About one in five respondents missed the opportunity to interview at a programme because they did not respond to an invitation in time. Most respondents scheduled interviews knowing that they were likely to cancel them in the future. Standardisation of the interview invitation timeline would address these concerns. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Mullen, M., Barnard, A., Gavard, J. A., Miller, C., Thomure, M. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Sexual intercourse before exercise has a detrimental effect on lower extremity muscle strength in men
Conclusion
Results demonstrate that sexual intercourse within 24 hours before exercise have detrimental effect on lower extremity muscle force, which suggests that restricting sexual activity before a short-term activity may be necessary. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Kirecci, S. L., Albayrak, A. T., Yavuzsan, A. H., Yesildal, C., Ilgi, M., Kutsal, C. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
How junior doctors perceive personalised yoga and group exercise in the management of occupational and traumatic stressors
Conclusion
Junior doctors found both interventions useful for stress management adjunctive to other organisational programmes though for different and complementary reasons, possibly related to delivery mode. Personalised, trauma-informed yoga provided a confidential therapeutic alliance whereas group exercise offered social connection. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Taylor, J., Stratton, E., McLean, L., Richards, B., Glozier, N. Tags: Education and learning Source Type: research
Trends and outcomes of ruptured ovarian cysts
Conclusion
Ruptured ovarian cysts of both functional and non-functional types remained a common clinical presentation of acute pain for women to the emergency department. Majority of women were managed conservatively in our cohort, and indications for surgery were large ovarian cysts and large free fluid seen on imaging findings. Surgery was largely feasible with minimal complications. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Lim, W. H., Woods, N., Lamaro, V. P. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Combined lifestyle factors are associated with the risk of ischaemic stroke in a Chinese population
Conclusions
Our results showed that combined lifestyle factors including dietary pattern and life satisfaction are independently associated with the risk of IS. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - June 22, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: You, T., Li, Y., Wu, X., Wu, S., Zhang, Y., Zhou, X. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
