Clinical Training Research Articles

The Use of a Ward Round Teaching Tool in a Paediatric Oncology Department.

Despite ward rounds being fundamental to hospital-based clinical training, the reported educational value is low. Especially in busy environments, missed learning opportunities occur due to implicit learning, time barriers, and lack of ward round structure. The STIC framework (Set, Target, Inspect, Close) provides a learner-centred, structured approach to ward round teaching, aimed to enhance education within limited timeframes. We aimed to investigate how the introduction of the STIC framework impacts on learner-centred teaching within a tertiary Paediatric Oncology department. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate framework implementation, with two participant groups comprising 16 junior and senior doctors over 3 months. Surveys were used to document junior staff experience on rounds pre- and post-implementation, with focus groups and interviews used for all participants to explore satisfaction and attitudes to the tool. Learner satisfaction improved across all domains of the framework, specifically opportunities for leading clinical encounters and learning on consultant-led rounds. Despite consultants reporting lack of uptake, trainees reported improved teaching. Consultant beliefs and enthusiasm had a strong impact on trainee satisfaction. Trainees placed a high value on active participation and autonomy for their learning. Factors distinct to teaching were reported to affect learner satisfaction, such as planning, time management, and departmental culture. We demonstrate enhanced teaching despite poor perceived uptake, demonstrating the potential of the STIC framework with further implementation. Our study also highlights that in addition to a specific teaching focus, consultant engagement and a safe clinical learning environment are crucial for learning.

Sustainable Tunable Anisotropic Ultrasound Medical Phantoms for Skin, Skeletal Muscle, and Other Fibrous Biological Tissues Using Natural Fibers and a Bio-Elastomeric Matrix

Medical phantoms are essential to imaging calibration, clinician training, and the validation of therapeutic procedures. However, most ultrasound phantoms prioritize acoustic realism while neglecting the viscoelastic and anisotropic properties of fibrous soft tissues. This gap limits their effectiveness in modeling realistic biomechanical behavior, especially in wave-based diagnostics and therapeutic ultrasound. Current materials like gelatine and agarose fall short in reproducing the complex interplay between the solid and fluid components found in biological tissues. To address this, we developed a soft, anisotropic composite whose dynamic mechanical properties resemble fibrous biological tissues such as skin and skeletal muscle. This material enables wave propagation and vibration studies in controllably anisotropic media, which are rare and highly valuable. We demonstrate the tunability of damping and stiffness aligned with fiber orientation, providing a versatile platform for modeling soft-tissue dynamics and validating biomechanical simulations. The phantoms achieved Young’s moduli of 7.16–11.04 MPa for skin and 0.494–1.743 MPa for muscles, shear wave speeds of 1.51–5.93 m/s, longitudinal wave speeds of 1086–1127 m/s, and sound absorption coefficients of 0.13–0.76 dB/cm/MHz, with storage, loss, and complex moduli reaching 1.035–6.652 kPa, 0.1831–0.8546 kPa, and 2.138–10.82 kPa. These values reveal anisotropic response patterns analogous to native tissues. This novel natural fibrous composite system affords sustainable, low-cost ultrasound phantoms that support both mechanical fidelity and acoustic realism. Our approach offers a route to next-gen tissue-mimicking phantoms for elastography, wave propagation studies, and dynamic calibration across diverse clinical and research applications.

Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations on Mental Health in Trauma

ImportanceMany survivors of traumatic injuries are affected by mental disorders, which has recently led to the publication of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). However, there is no comprehensive synthesis of guideline recommendations to inform clinicians on those that should be prioritized for implementation and thus promote adherence to them.ObjectiveTo identify guideline recommendations for the prevention and management of mental disorders in patients with traumatic injuries, appraise their quality, and synthesize the quality of evidence and the strength of included recommendations.Evidence ReviewMEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and 61 websites of professional associations and guideline repositories were searched between January 2008 and September 2024. We included CPGs pertinent to the acute and early recovery phases (<3 months) of adult patients (≥18 years) with traumatic injuries with at least 1 recommendation on mental health. Pairs of reviewers independently extracted data and assessed guideline quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II tool. The quality of evidence on recommendations was synthesized using a matrix based on the categories of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Mental health recommendations had to target prevention, screening, evaluation, intervention, referral for follow-up or specialized services, and a patient- and family-centered care approach.FindingsForty-three CPGs were included, 25 of which (58%) were high quality. Rigor of development, applicability, lack of involvement from all interested parties, and editorial independence were the most common methodological weaknesses. High-quality CPGs included 200 recommendations; of these, 50 (25%) were supported by moderate- to high-quality evidence and 30 (60%) targeted patients with traumatic brain injury. They covered mainly nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions to treat acute stress disorder, substance use disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, or aggression. Fewer recommendations related to prevention, screening, evaluation, and referral were identified as having high empirical support.Conclusions and RelevanceFifty recommendations were identified that may be considered for implementation in clinical settings in patients with traumatic brain injury and other trauma populations. Our review underlines important areas for future research, including training for clinicians, a patient- and family-centered care approach, and health care equity.

Accessibility and challenges to ophthalmic instruments acquisition among optometry students in Ghana.

This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the acquisition of personal ophthalmic instruments (POIs) among optometry students in Ghana. Participant characteristics and patterns of ophthalmic instrument acquisition were collected using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between factors influencing POI acquisition. Overall, 60.2% of students did not have their own ophthalmic instruments. Slightly more than one third (39.8%) owned a POI that was primarily an ophthalmoscope. Multiple logistic regression showed that financial difficulty (AOR: 0.45, CI: 0.29-0.71, p = 0.001), and lack of access to reliable information on instrument quality (AOR: 0.26, CI: 0.10-0.66, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with lower odds of POI acquisition. About 63.3% of students cited financial difficulty as the main barrier to POI acquisition. The findings call for cost adjustments by stakeholders and increase awareness to optimize POIs acquisition among students. Taken together, the findings aim to improve clinical training and reduce disparities in optometry education among optometry students in Ghana.

INFLUENCE OF RUBBER DAM ISOLATION ON THE LONGEVITY OF THE DENTAL RESTORATIONS: DENTIST`S PERCEPTION WITH RESPECT TO GENDER

Background: Effective isolation during restorative dental procedures plays a vital role in the longevity of dental restorations. The rubber dam is widely accepted as the most reliable method for achieving a dry and contaminant-free operative field, enhancing the success of restorations by preventing saliva, blood, and moisture contamination. Despite its proven clinical benefits, the routine use of rubber dam varies, potentially influenced by practitioner-related factors such as gender, clinical training, and perceptions of efficacy. Objective: To determine the association between the gender of dental practitioners and the frequency of rubber dam usage, and to assess its perceived impact on the longevity of dental restorations. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Sharif Medical and Dental College, Lahore, from May 2024 to May 2025. A total of 150 dental practitioners were recruited using non-probability convenient sampling. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board (Ref No. SMDC/SMRC/201-21), and informed consent was secured. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire that captured demographics, frequency of rubber dam use, and perception of its effect on restoration longevity. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Chi-square test was applied to assess associations, and a p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the participants, 44 (29.3%) were males and 106 (70.7%) were females, with a mean age of 23.29 ± 1.245 years. Frequent rubber dam usage was reported by 63.6% of males and 59.0% of females. The association between gender and frequency of use was statistically non-significant (p = 0.817). Additionally, 88.6% of male and 83.6% of female dentists believed that rubber dam contributes to restoration longevity, with this perception also showing a non-significant gender-based association (p = 0.385). Conclusion: Both male and female dentists demonstrated commendable use of rubber dam and acknowledged its positive role in enhancing restoration longevity, regardless of gender differences.

Family Self-Care in the Context of Intellectual Disabilities: Insights from a Qualitative Study in Portugal

Background/Objectives: Family self-care (FSC) is increasingly recognized as a vital aspect of caregiving in pediatric chronic conditions. However, its development in families of children with intellectual disabilities (IDs) remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine how families construct and sustain FSC, and to identify factors that shape its development across four domains: physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using an abductive approach, combining inductive thematic analysis with a deductively applied theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine families of children with ID in southern Portugal. The children ranged in age from 4 to 15 years, and the parents were aged between 29 and 53 years. The data was analyzed using Bardin’s content analysis, supported by NVivo software, and organized according to the FSC framework. This study followed COREQ guidelines. Results: The families described a range of self-care strategies, including environmental adaptations, experiential learning, emotional regulation, and long-term planning. These practices were shaped by contextual factors such as access to healthcare, relationships with professionals, emotional support networks, and socioeconomic conditions. Four emergent conclusions illustrate how structural and relational dynamics influence FSC in daily caregiving. Conclusions: FSC is a dynamic, multidimensional process shaped by lived experience, family interactions, and systemic support. The findings support inclusive, family-centered care models and inform clinical practice, training, and policy in pediatric IDs.

Locally-tailored vs. centrally-administered strategies for implementation of primary human papillomavirus (HPV) screening in an integrated healthcare system: a qualitative research study

IntroductionPrimary human papillomavirus(HPV) testing is recommended for cervical cancer screening for women aged 30–65 years without a history of abnormal results. However, there is little clear guidance regarding effective strategies for implementing primary HPV screening. As part of an ongoing randomized trial comparing implementation strategies for primary HPV testing (a centrally administered + usual care strategy vs. centrally administered + locally tailored strategy), we evaluated clinician experiences and perceptions of large-scale implementation of primary HPV screening in an integrated healthcare system, Kaiser Permanente Southern California.Materials and methodsWe conducted qualitative interviews with internal medicine, family medicine and obstetrics/gynecology clinicians to gain insight into fidelity to the interventions and implementation strategies, barriers and facilitators to implementation, and recommendations. Participants from both arms of the trial were recruited. Interview guides were developed with the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We recruited physicians, licensed vocational nurses, and medical assistants after primary HPV screening had been implemented. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Using a team coding approach, we developed an initial coding structure refined during iterative analysis; data were subsequently organized thematically into domains, key themes, and sub-themes using thematic analysis, followed by framework analysis informed by CFIR.ResultsThirty-two interviews were conducted. Participants in both arms of the trial noted high awareness, preparedness, buy-in, and fidelity to the new screening process. Initial barriers concerned specimen collection, proper ordering, and lab delays. An unanticipated barrier was the length of time needed to return lab results for reflexive cytology tests after a positive HPV result which reportedly increased patient anxiety. Participants in both arms reported fidelity to the centralized strategy (e.g., attending webinars, leadership announcements). In the local-tailored arm, few participants recalled the local-tailored resources.DiscussionThe centralized strategy was perceived as highly acceptable and feasible, and fidelity to the associated interventions appear to be facilitators of practice change. Recommendations for improving implementation included patient education, outreach and ongoing clinician training. Findings can be applied to other health systems and settings considering primary HPV screening implementation, particularly those within the U.S. or with a similar health care model. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier #NCT04371887

Esthetic and Functional Restorative Management with Composite Resin Veneers in a Patient with Bruxism: A Case Report

A 40-year-old male patient presented with multiple fractures and failures in direct composite restorations on his maxillary anterior teeth, associated with nocturnal bruxism. He sought care at the clinical training facility of the Professional Master’s Program in Dentistry at the University of Fortaleza. Clinical examination, patient interview, and photographic documentation confirmed esthetic compromise and functional instability due to failed restorations. These were removed and replaced with direct composite resin veneers, following strict adhesive, insertion, polymerization, and polishing protocols. To manage the underlying parafunctional habit, a 2 mm-thick acrylic stabilizing occlusal splint was fabricated and delivered, along with occlusal adjustments on the teeth, restorations, and splint. In this case, nocturnal bruxism was considered the primary contributing factor to the repeated restorative failure, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach. Based on the treatment strategy applied and its outcomes, a clinical management suggestion is presented to support conservative esthetic and functional rehabilitation in similar cases.

Determinants of Patient Safety Competence Among Diploma-Level Nursing Students in Jakarta

Background: Ensuring patient safety is a core component of healthcare quality; however, the persistence of medical errors highlights an ongoing global challenge. In Indonesia, Diploma III nursing programs are instrumental in preparing novice nurses, yet variability in curriculum design and clinical experience may affect their ability to uphold safety standards. Objective: This study aimed to identify factors associated with patient safety competence among Diploma III nursing students in Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional design was applied, involving 200 students from accredited Diploma III nursing institutions in Jakarta. Participants were recruited through multistage cluster sampling. Data collection utilized a structured survey comprising the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS), the Quality of Clinical Learning Environment (QCLE) Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Multiple linear regression analysis identified key predictors of safety competence. Results: Patient safety competence demonstrated significant positive associations with self-efficacy (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), quality of training (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), and institutional culture (r = 0.34, p < 0.001). Regression results revealed that self-efficacy (β = 0.42, p < 0.001) and training quality (β = 0.26, p = 0.002) significantly predicted competence, jointly explaining 37.2% of the variance. Institutional culture, however, was not a significant predictor (β = 0.09, p = 0.118). Conclusion: Self-efficacy and clinical training quality are key contributors to patient safety competence in Jakarta’s Diploma III nursing students. Educational strategies targeting these domains may enhance safety outcomes. Future research should explore the long-term influence of institutional culture.

Implementing Lifestyle Medicine in Cancer Survivorship: A Narrative Review of Global Models.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of mortality in developed countries. Advances in screening and treatment have led to a growing population of cancer survivors who require long-term supportive care. Many experience persistent health challenges, including fatigue, functional decline, and cardiometabolic comorbidities. Lifestyle medicine, which includes nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, social connections, and risk reduction, provides a structured approach to optimizing survivorship outcomes.This narrative review examines the role of Lifestyle Medicine in oncology and highlights global implementation models. Programs analyzed include the Mass General Cancer Center's Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia's exercise oncology framework, the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Lifestyle Medicine Oncology Program, and Kansas City's community-based Cancer Wellness for Life initiative. Across diverse clinical settings, structured lifestyle interventions have been associated with improved treatment tolerance, quality of life, and the potential to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors. Hospital-based programs integrate multidisciplinary support, while community-driven initiatives expand access to lifestyle interventions. Despite strong evidence supporting these approaches, barriers to widespread adoption include gaps in clinician training, limited institutional support, and disparities in patient access. Global models show the feasibility and advantages of integrating Lifestyle Medicine into survivorship care. Increasing access, overcoming implementation challenges, and using technology can improve survivorship outcomes. Including Lifestyle Medicine in standard oncology care can improve long-term health and encourage survivors to manage their well-being actively.

Practicing Clinical Telesupervision During COVID-19: Chaos Into Competency.

The global pandemic, COVID-19, changed how clinical supervisors conducted supervision with their supervisees. Clinical supervisors, most with limited to no training in telesupervision, shifted from providing primarily in person clinical supervision, to telesupervision. The purpose of our study was to better understand supervisor experiences of telesupervision, as well as provide a historical record of the influence of the pandemic on clinical training in mental health focused professions. We used qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate clinical supervisors' experiences with telesupervision precipitated by the global pandemic. We also evaluated the relationship between the working alliance and attitudes towards telesupervision. Overall, supervisors reported both benefits and challenges of engaging in telesupervision. Data revealed categories of technology, organization & productivity, and communication & connection, as the top three challenges experienced by clinical supervisors. Supervisors reported flexibility & organization, and productivity & growth, as the top two benefits of engaging in telesupervision during the pandemic. Quantitative data suggested a small to moderate, positive, relationship between supervisor perception of the working alliance and attitudes towards telesupervision. Data suggested that supervisors with more positive attitudes about telesupervision also had more positive perceptions of the working alliance. Implications for research, practice, and theory are discussed.

Factors Improving the Effectiveness of Mentoring In ThePractical Training of the Midwifery Students

Mentoring in the practical training of midwifery students midwifery students is closely related to their professional development and improvement. The mentor is responsible for the practical activities of the trainees, monitors their professional formation, maintains the quality of training and the health care provided. Objective: This scientific report aims to identify the factors influencing the effectiveness of mentoring in the clinical practical training of students in the specialty "Midwifery". Material and methods: Between October 2024 and January 2025, the opinions of a total of 67 practicing midwives. An anonymous questionnaire was used via Google Forms. Conclusion and findings: Effective mentoring in the practical training of midwifery students requires well-planned training, including organization, mentoring support for students, and an appropriate level of control. The study identified the following leading factors for improving the supervision and practical training of midwifery students: the student being prepared and taking responsibility for his or her own learning; solid professional experience and skillful supportive guidance of the mentor; small number of trainees in a group; support from midwifery colleagues indirectly and informally involved in the practical training; regular communication and collaboration with responsible university lecturers. The analysis of the results obtained and our own long-term pedagogical experience allow us to differentiate the factors that strengthen mentoring in the practical training of students in the specialty "Midwifery" in four areas: cooperation with the training institution; conditions of the work environment; opportunity for professional and personal development and affirmation

Factors influencing medical students' decisions to remain at their alma mater for postgraduate clinical training: A cross-sectional study in Japan.

Despite structured postgraduate clinical training programs in Japan, a considerable number of medical graduates have recently preferred community hospitals to university hospitals for postgraduate clinical training. Understanding the factors influencing this preference is crucial for university hospitals to attract and retain top medical talent. To investigate how faculty and hospital characteristics influence medical graduates' decisions to apply to their alma mater for postgraduate clinical training in Japan. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 80 university-affiliated hospitals in Japan. Data were collected from publicly available sources, including hospital websites, the Japanese Residency Matching Program, and national databases. The variables included the proportion of medical students applying to their alma mater for postgraduate clinical training, hospital characteristics, and professors' publication records in the top five medical journals. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with the proportion of medical students applying to their alma mater hospitals. The average proportion of medical students applying to their alma mater for postgraduate clinical training was 62.9%. The multiple regression analysis revealed that a higher proportion of alumni professors was significantly associated with a decreased proportion of graduates choosing their alma mater for postgraduate clinical training (p = .001). University hospitals located in urban areas were less likely to retain graduates than those in rural areas (p = .005). Compared with community hospitals, university hospitals with greater heterogeneity in faculty members' institutional origins and those located in rural areas were more successful in retaining their graduates for postgraduate clinical training. Thus, recruiting faculty from a broader range of institutions and aligning training programs with modern medical graduate preferences may enhance university hospitals' attractiveness. Addressing these factors is essential for university hospitals in Japan to secure a well-trained physician workforce and improve healthcare outcomes.

Resident Doctor Training Gaps and Workload Inequities: A Reappraisal of the Time Allocation in Clinical Training Study.

Resident Doctor Training Gaps and Workload Inequities: A Reappraisal of the Time Allocation in Clinical Training Study.

STOP-Epilepsy clinical research training program: a customisable framework for sustainable health research capacity strengthening

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lack enough well-trained researchers to address existing and emerging health challenges. Effective management of the rising burden of non-communicable diseases including mental disorders in LMICs requires innovative approaches grounded in regional contexts. Limited local expertise in conducting clinical trials and implementation research is a roadblock to effectively translating evidence to practice. Bridging this gap requires investing in research capacity strengthening (RCS) of clinical and public health researchers (CPHRs) and a sustainable framework for facilitating the upskilling and career development of early career CPHRs. The DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (IA) focuses on training early career CPHRs through its Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) embedded within its Clinical Research Centre grants. Through the CRTP embedded within the IA-funded clinical research centre project " S caling-up T he c O mpetency of P rimary Care Workers to Manage Epilepsy by Task-Sharing" (STOP-Epilepsy) (2021-2026), we have developed and implemented a flexible, highly customisable, and sustainable RCS framework for early career CPHRs. The program design is based on andragogic principles, supporting fit-for-purpose and on-the-job training that addresses key challenges found in existing training programs. Furthermore, it includes a holistic monitoring and evaluation framework to measure and track program deliverables and key outputs. The STOP-Epilepsy CRTP allows easy adaptation in different settings and research projects. This CRTP framework can guide policy decisions on investing and building long-term RCS initiatives nationwide and in multiple institutions to address various health challenges. Widespread adoption of this framework can significantly enhance the cadre of well-trained CPHRs and contribute to impactful health research in India and other LMICs.

What changes does rural medical education need?——a qualitative study exploring the experiences of rural grassroots doctors

BackgroundThe Targeted Medical Education Program (TMEP) in China is designed to improve the primary healthcare quality in rural areas. However, the expected outcomes have not been achieved since its implementation. In this study, rural grassroots doctors were invited to reflect on their experiences and express their views on medical education.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 21 doctors from township hospitals in Jiangsu Province, including graduates of the TMEP. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data.ResultsRural grassroots doctors had different perceptions of basic medical knowledge. Some thought it had limited utility, while others emphasized its importance. Clinical training often failed to align with real-world grassroots practice, rendering much of the content impractical. Continuing education faced skepticism regarding its relevance, leading to low participation rates in certain regions. Despite recognizing humanistic care and patient communication as core values, young doctors exhibited inadequate work engagement. This reflects a critical gap in professionalism. Attitudes toward grassroots work varied significantly among rural doctors, ranging from reluctant acceptance to strong commitment.ConclusionsThe TMEP should strengthen the integration of theory and practice in curricula, optimize the top-level design of clinical training to meet the actual needs of grassroots work, increase medical humanities education, and enable students to be exposed to rural medical practices at an early stage. For township hospitals, differential continuing education programs should be implemented.

AI Revolution in Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine: Transforming and Innovating the Radiological Sciences.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice, particularly within radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation oncology, is transforming diagnostic and therapeutic processes. AI-driven tools, especially in deep learning and machine learning, have shown remarkable potential in enhancing image recognition, analysis and decision-making. This technological advancement allows for the automation of routine tasks, improved diagnostic accuracy, and the reduction of human error, leading to more efficient workflows. Moreover, the successful implementation of AI in healthcare requires comprehensive education and training for young clinicians, with a pressing need to incorporate AI into residency programmes, ensuring that future specialists are equipped with traditional skills and a deep understanding of AI technologies and their clinical applications. This includes knowledge of software, data analysis, imaging informatics and ethical considerations surrounding AI use in medicine. By fostering interdisciplinary integration and emphasising AI education, healthcare professionals can fully harness AI's potential to improve patient outcomes and advance the field of medical imaging and therapy. This review aims to evaluate how AI influences radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation oncology, while highlighting the necessity for specialised AI training in medical education to ensure its successful clinical integration.

Course directors’ reflections on educational design choices for incorporating near-peer teaching into clinical skills teaching

Purpose Near-peer teaching (NPT) is widely used to substitute faculty in undergraduate clinical skills training. However, little is known about which educational design choices are made when incorporating NPT, prompting the following research questions: What were course directors’ design choices when incorporating near-peers into clinical skills courses? And, what were the reasons for these design choices? Materials and Methods This descriptive qualitative study carried out 25 semi-structured interviews with course directors from 12 countries who had recently published on NPT, complemented by other, recognized NPT experts. Reflexive thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews combined inductive and deductive approaches. Cognitive Apprenticeship informed the deductive analysis. Results Course directors appointed near-peers to teach standardisable skills to small groups of beginners in courses without patients – complemented by faculty supervision. Some directors involved near-peers in co-designing education, co-assessments, or co-facilitating transition to clinical practice. Course directors justified their choices based on near-peers’ limited content expertise, but also their adherence to teaching scripts, cognitive congruence with students, social proximity, digital/technical literacy and low costs. Conclusions Course directors’ design choices were mainly inspired by working around near-peers’ limitations. Some courses capitalised on near-peers’ unique perspectives, extending near-peer roles to co-designing education and co-facilitating transitions to practice.

Psychedelic assemblages

The medicalization of psychedelic drugs has gained significant momentum over the past two decades in the United States, ushering in new forms of scientific, medical, and clinical practice and training. As an increasing number of research programs and academic institutions focus on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs, it is important to recognize that the emphasis on medical import is a specific cultural reification. Since limited anthropological research exists on the medicalization of psychedelics, it is necessary to reassert that the nature of psychedelics, like all drugs, transforms both within and across cultural contexts. In combining interdisciplinary research, semi-structured interviews, and netnography, this article introduces the concept of psychedelic assemblages to argue that the nature of psychedelics drugs is not only contingent upon the forms of signification and assigned functions relative to each culture’s reification of them, but that each of the ways psychedelics become reified produces unique sociocultural and material forms and effects.

Enhancing medical students’ diagnostic accuracy of infectious keratitis with AI-generated images

BackgroundDeveloping students’ ability to accurately diagnose various types of keratitis is challenging. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of teaching methods—real cases, artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images, and real medical images—on improving medical students’ diagnostic accuracy of bacterial, fungal, and herpetic keratitis.Methods97 consecutive fourth-year medical students who had completed basic ophthalmology educational courses were included. The students were divided into three groups: 30 students in the group (G1) using the real cases for teaching, 37 students in the group (G2) using AI-generated images for teaching, and 30 students in the group (G3) using real medical images for teaching. The G1 group had a 1-hour study session using five real cases of each type of infectious keratitis. The G2 group and the G3 group each experienced a 1-hour image reading sessions using 50 AI-generated or real medical images of each type of infectious keratitis. Diagnostic accuracy for three types of infectious keratitis was assessed via a 30-question test using real patient images, compared before and after teaching interventions.ResultsAll teaching methods significantly improved mean overall diagnostic accuracy. The mean accuracy improved from 42.03 to 67.47% in the G1 group, from 42.68 to 71.27% in the G2 group, and from 46.50 to 74.23% in the G3 group, respectively. The mean accuracy improvement was highest in the G2 group (28.43%). There were no statistically significant differences in mean accuracy or accuracy improvement among the 3 groups.ConclusionsAI-generated images significantly enhance the diagnostic accuracy for infectious keratitis in medical students, performing comparably to traditional case-based teaching and real patient images. This method may standardize and improve clinical ophthalmology training, particularly for conditions with limited educational resources.