Daily Clinical Work Research Articles

Diverticula of the colon: Review of related entities

Diverticulosis, Diverticular Disease, and Diverticulitis, comprising different entities, pose increasing burdens for health care systems. The introduction of new scientific knowledge into daily clinical work is challenging for attending physicians. This review is related to case presentations and currently debated questions are discussed such as definitions: Which entities are meant by the term "Diverticular Disease", is "uncomplicated symptomatic Diverticular Disease"(SUDD) reality? To classify diverticula related diseases targeted diagnosis including imaging is necessary. The question is ultrasound or computed tomography, or the combination and in which order?Lastly, open questions of treatment have to be addressed: Outpatient care or hospitalisation, always antibiotics or only in defined situations, relapse prevention, indications to operate upon?The present review comes along with revised German guidelines, which will be published later this year on S3-level.

DENTAL HEALTH SERVICE DURING PANDEMIC COVID-19 : A LITERATURE REVIEW

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is a new challenge for dentist. Doctor-patients contact, aerosol formed during treatment, and contact with contaminated instruments are the transmission route for COVID-19 infection. Several guidelines and suggestion regarding infection control measures have been released, but the standard protective measures in daily clinical work are not effective enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Aim To provide an overview of the measures that can be made in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in dental health services Method: Systematic literature review used literature search methods in electronic databases: Google Scholar, Science Direct, and PubMed. The keywords were “COVID-19 and dental practice” and “dental practice during COVID-19”. The inclusion criteria for selection of scientific articles were years of publication from January 2020 to October 2020, published in English and full paper available. Out of 44 articles that have been screened, nine articles have been included in this review Result: The nine articles that were collected have already pointed out some necessary measures. Patients screening and triage are the first steps in selecting emergency cases, minimal invasive procedure are the principle in every dental treatment, and the use or personal protective equipment for dentist and team is an absolute requirement before performing any dental treatment. Conclusion: Protecting the oral environment through dental checks-up with preventive measure is important during the pandemic.

You can tell it works - Experiences from using the VIPS practice model in primary healthcare.

Person-centred care is a philosophy rather than a method ready for implementation and utilization in daily clinical work. Internationally, few methods for person-centred care have been widely adopted in clinical dementia care practice. In Norway, the VIPS practice model is one that is commonly used for the implementation and use of person-centred care in primary healthcare. Nursing home physicians, managers and leaders in the municipalities, care institutions and domestic nursing care services were eligible for inclusion if their workplace had implemented and used the VIPS practice model for a minimum of 12months. Individual interviews were conducted via Facetime, Skype or telephone and analysed with qualitative content analysis. In all, 20 respondents were included: one manager of health and care services in the municipality, six managers and leaders working in domestic care or daytime activity centres and 10 managers/leaders and three physicians working in nursing homes. Two global categories emerged: category 1: Change in staff's professional reasoning with two sub-categories: (a) an enhanced professional level in discussions and (b) a change in focus from task to person; and category 2: Changes in the clinical work, with three sub-categories: (a) effective interventions, (b) a person-centred work environment and (c) changes in cooperation between stakeholders. Regular use of the VIPS practice model appeared to change the work culture for the benefit of both service users and frontline staff. Increased cooperation between frontline staff, nurses, physicians and next of kin was described. Staff were more focused on the needs of the service users, which resulted in care interventions tailored to the needs of the individual with dementia, loyalty to care plans and fewer complaints from next of kin.

Physiotherapists\u2019 experiences of osteoarthritis guidelines in primary health care \u2013 an interview study

BackgroundOsteoarthritis is a common joint disease, globally. Guidelines recommend information, exercise and, if needed, weight reduction as core treatment. There is a gap between evidence-based recommended care for osteoarthritis and clinical practice. To increase compliance to guidelines, implementation was conducted. The aim of the study was to explore physiotherapists’ experiences of osteoarthritis guidelines and their experiences of implementation of the guidelines in primary health care in a region in southern Sweden.MethodsEighteen individual, semi-structured interviews with physiotherapists in primary health care were analysed with inductive qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe analysis resulted in two categories and four subcategories. The physiotherapists were confident in their role as primary assessors for patients with osteoarthritis and the guidelines were aligned with their professional beliefs. The Supported Osteoarthritis Self-Management Programme, that is part of the guidelines, was found to be efficient for the patients. Even though the physiotherapists followed the guidelines they saw room for improvement since all patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis did not receive treatment according to the guidelines. Furthermore, the physiotherapists emphasised the need for management’s support and that guidelines should be easy to follow.ConclusionThe physiotherapists believed in the guidelines and were confident in providing first line treatment to patients with osteoarthritis. However, information about the guidelines probably needs to be repeated to all health care providers and management. Data from a national quality register on osteoarthritis could be used to a greater extent in daily clinical work in primary health care to improve quality of care for patients with osteoarthritis.

Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of intraocular foreign bodies (2021)

Intraocular foreign body injury, as a special type of eye trauma, threatens visual function seriously via mechanical damage and a series of pathological changes to the eyeball due to the presence of a foreign body in the eye. Recently, the diagnosis of intraocular foreign body injury has been distinctly improved attributing to the advancement of medical imaging technology. Moreover, the ophthalmic microsurgery technology has been promoted and popularized, especially the technology of vitrectomy, which enhances the success rate of intraocular foreign body removal remarkably. In order to further standardize the principles and strategies for treatment of intraocular foreign body, China Ocular Trauma Society has reached a consensus based on serious discussions, which can be applied to ophthalmologists' daily clinical work as a reference. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 819-824).

Use of Patient-reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) by Orthopedic Surgeons in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: There is increasing literature on the usefulness of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), but far fewer studies to determine their use by orthopedic surgeons and the barriers they face in applying PROMs in their daily clinical activity.
 Methodology: Cross-sectional study using a questionnaire that was distributed in both soft and hard copy formats to a sample of 262 orthopedic surgeons. Participants included orthopedic surgeons who are employed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Riyadh and the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was distributed through on-site visitations to orthopedic departments in MOH hospitals as well as through online correspondence by email, WhatsApp, and social media.
 Result: The study sample included 262 orthopedic surgeons (13.7% females and 86.3% males). Surgeons aged < 34, 35-44, and 45-54 years old represented 28.66%, 38.9%, and 20.2% of the study sample, respectively. The majority of the included surgeons did not use PROMs (69.1%), and some (17.2%) used it for research purposes. Only 5% used it regularly in daily clinical work.
 Conclusion: The clinical use of PROMs among orthopedic surgeons was negligible, even though an overwhelming majority were interested in using PROMs. The reasons provided included a lack of knowledge on how to use PROMs and the perception that it is too time-consuming to add to regular clinical routine. There should be more efforts towards training surgeons on how to use PROMs, whereas increasing compatibility with existing software tools used by MOH hospitals may help offset time-related reservations.

Medical expert and machine learning analysis of lumbar disc herniation based on magnetic resonance imaging

ObjectiveObservation and statistical analysis was used to evaluate the ability of lumbar disc magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to obtain the smallest size of Al2O3 spots (calcified foci) and lumbar disc fiber signals. MethodsFirst, we perform image acquisition of the MRI, perform the statistical analysis using five different sizes of Al2O3 spots and lumbar disc fibers on the imaging plate (IP), use a molybdenum target MRI machine 26 kV, adjust the milliampere amount, select the appropriate image processing parameters, and obtain the experimental image of the density value (D=0.70±0.05), the 5-point judgment method is used to obtain the total score of 10 lines of signals composed of 5 signals and noise, and a group is computed using the statistical analysis that is built from human observation and machine prediction (based on machine learning), which are then compared. In particular, we implemented a convolutional neural network algorithm to evaluate the medical condition against human observers, so as to study the structure of the lumbar intervertebral disc. We compute the true positive probability P(S/s) and false positive probability P(S/n) values, draw ROC curve, and compute the judgment probability value of each signal Pdet. We then use SPSS 10.0 statistical single factor analysis of variance software to process the data, and obtain the smallest calcified focus and lumbar disc mass focus. ResultsUsing probability statistical methods to obtain the data of the ROC curve and the average value of the judgment probability Pdet, among 5 different sizes Al2O3 spots (calcifications), 0.20mm Pdet= 0.6250minimum, 0.55mm Pdet = 0.9000 the largest, but the difference between 0.20mm and 0.25mm Pdet is not statistically significant, and the difference is statistically significant; among the five types of lumbar disc fibers (tumor foci) of different sizes, 0.45mm Pdet= 0.5313minimum, 1.00mm Pdet =0.8813 is the largest, while the difference between 0.45mm and 0.60mm is not statistically significant, and the difference between 0.45mm and other is statistically significant. We note that the human observation and machine learning prediction is not significantly different (P<0.05). ConclusionsThe computation of the ROC curve and that of the probability of judgment using the statistical analysis based on a deep learning platform is simple and fast, and approximates that of human observation. It is suitable for the evaluation of image quality control carried out by daily clinical work.

EP.TU.310Dancing in the rain: early experience of Enhanced Stress Resilience Training

Abstract Aim Core Surgical Training (CST) programs are associated with a 60% risk of burnout and failure to progress. This study aimed to assess the influence of a novel Enhanced Stress and Resilience Training (ESRT) course delivered alongside a focused induction at the start of CST in a single UK Statutory Education Body. Method All CST1s were invited to participate in a six-week ESRT course teaching mindfulness-based exercises to develop tools to deal with stress at work and burnout. Primary outcome measures were compliance with ESRT programme and degree of burnout measured using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scoring. Results Of 43 boot camp attendees, 38 trainees completed questionnaires, with 24 choosing to participate (63.2%; male 13, female 11, median age 28 yr.) Burnout was identified in 23 trainees (60.5%) with no evident difference in baseline MBI scores between participants or not (p = 0.77, median 4 [0-11] vs. 4 [1-11]). MBI scores were comparable before and after ESRT in the intervention cohort (p = 0.63, median 4 [0-11] vs. 4 [1-10]). Qualitative data reflected challenges delivering ESRT because of arduous and inflexible clinical on-call rotas and time pressures related to academic curriculum demands. Despite these challenges, 22 (91.6%) considered the course valuable, 14 (58.3%) continued to use the techniques in daily clinical work there was and unanimous support to continue the program in future. Conclusion ESRT was feasible and further research is warranted to determine its medium-term efficacy.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Spine Surgery in Central Europe: A Questionnaire-Based Study

ObjectiveThe severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) crisis led to many restrictions in daily life and protective health care actions in all hospitals to ensure basic medical supply. This questionnaire-based study among spinal surgeons in central Europe was generated to investigate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and consecutively the differences in restrictions in spinal surgery units.MethodsAn online survey consisting of 32 questions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related restrictions on spinal surgery units was created. Surgical fellows and consultants from neurosurgical, orthopedic, and trauma departments were included in our questionnaire-based study with the help of Austrian, German, and Swiss scientific societies.ResultsIn a total of 406 completed questionnaires, most participants reported increased preventive measurements at daily clinical work (split-team work schedule [44%], cancellation of elective and/or semielective surgeries [91%]), reduced occurrence of emergencies (91%), decreased outpatient work (45%) with increased telemedical care (73%) and a reduced availability of medical equipment (75%) as well as medical staff (30%). Although most physicians considered the political restrictive decisions to be not suitable, most considered the medical measures to be appropriate.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic resulted in comparable restrictive measures for spinal surgical departments in central Europe. Elective surgical interventions were reduced, providing additional resources reserved for severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2–positive patients. Although similar restrictions were introduced in most participants' departments, the supply of personal protective equipment and the outpatient care remained insufficient and should be re-evaluated intensively for future global health care crises.

Rheumatology and Autoimmunity—A new major development in Chinese rheumatology. Greetings from Norway!

<i>Rheumatology and Autoimmunity</i>—A new major development in Chinese rheumatology. Greetings from Norway!

Treatment of Acne Vulgaris by Topical Spironolactone Solution Compared With Clindamycin Solution.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common skin problem that is encountered in daily clinical work, affecting mostly the adolescent and young adult age group. Many topical therapies have been used in the treatment of mild to moderate types of acne vulgaris. However, none of these modalities is uniformly effective; furthermore, acne vulgaris is also associated with relapse and many topical side effects.Objective: To compare the effectiveness and side effects of topical 2% spironolactone solution and 1.5% clindamycin solution in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.Material and methods: This was a single-blinded therapeutic clinical comparative study conducted at the Dermatology Center at Medical City in Baghdad, Iraq, from April 2019 to March 2020. Sixty-eight patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris on the face were included. All sociodemographic data related to the disease were recorded for each patient. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of therapy: group A (35 patients) used 2% spironolactone solution and group B(33 patients) used 1.5% clindamycin solution. All cases in both groups were instructed to use the solutions twice a day for 12 weeks in the same manner. Patients were seen every two weeks to evaluate the response to therapy and to report any topical side effects; then, follow-up was carried out for one month after cessation of therapy to evaluate relapse.Results: Spironolactone solution significantly decreased comedone count (p < 0.0001), while the clindamycin solution had no effect on comedones. Although spironolactone was slower than clindamycin solution in reaching the maximum therapeutic effect, the reduction in papules was comparable to that of clindamycin, but it exhibited a greater reduction of pustules (p > 0.05) and the Acne Severity Index (ASI; p > 0.05). Patients in the spironolactone group were more satisfied than those in the clindamycin group. Only minimal local side effects were reported in both groups that did not require cessation of therapy. Conclusion: Spironolactone solution is an effective and well-tolerated topical treatment for mild to moderate acne vulgaris and is superior to clindamycin solution.

P–645 Abnormal thyroid hormone levels are associated with biochemical primary ovarian insufficiency and low ovarian reserve: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Study question To address whether there was a correlation between thyroid parameters and primary ovarian insufficiency. Summary answer Thyroid dysfunction was related with bPOI and LOR. What is known already In our daily clinical work, there seems to be a link between thyroid disease and POI. A recent study reported that subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with lower ovarian reserve during later reproductive age. Animal studies demonstrated that thyroid hormones played important roles in ovarian functions, and both maternal hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were related with reduced primordial, primary and secondary follicle number in rats. However, others reported that thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) and hypothyroidism were not associated with DOR. In all, accumulative animal and epidemiological studies indicated the connection between thyroid function and ovarian reserve, but the results were still inconsistent. Study design, size, duration This is a cross-sectional study with consecutive women performed ovarian reserve assessment and thyroid test in the Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from April 2016 to March 2019. A total of 2109 women were included, with 111 with bPOI and 1771 without bPOI. To exclude the influence of age the participants were categorized into low ovarian reserve (LOR) and non-LOR groups based on age-specific AMH, including 78 LOR and 2031 non-LOR. Participants/materials, setting, methods At the outpatient, a doctor carried out an interview, recorded age, body mass index (BMI), past history, and current treatment, and made a diagnosis. Serum AMH, FSH, TPOAb, TgAb, Tg, TT3, FT3, TT4, FT4, and TSH levels were measured with electrochemiluminescence method. Main results and the role of chance TT3, FT3, FT4 was significantly positively correlated with serum AMH level. Further logistic regression analysis found that abnormal TT3, FT3 and TT4 levels were related to increased risks of bPOI and LOR. Chi-square analysis also proved that the incidence of abnormal TT3, FT3 and TT4 increased significantly in women with bPOI or LOR. The incidence of bPOI and LOR increased significantly in women with 2 or 3 abnormal thyroid hormones. The above analyses demonstrate in multiple aspects that thyroid dysfunction is related with decreased ovarian reserve. Limitations, reasons for caution Since this is a retrospective cross-sectional study, we only got the correlation between factors, and we could not achieve causal relationship. Further prospective cohort or randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies are required to make the results more robust. Wider implications of the findings: The present study demonstrated that thyroid dysfunction was related with bPOI and LOR. It might be thyroid hormones, not TSH or thyroid antibodies, played the major role in ovarian reserve impairment. The treatment of euthyroxine may improve the ovarian reserve function. Trial registration number Not applicable

Evaluating palliative care training in the oncology registrar programme in South Africa

Background. Following a World Health Assembly call in 2014 to strengthen palliative care, the South African (SA) Department of Health approved this strategy as part of the SA National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care. In 2016, the University of Cape Town, together with the College of Radiation Oncology of SA, identified the need to integrate palliative care (PC) into the oncology curriculum. In collaboration with the Cancer Association of SA, a research project was developed to introduce a 12-module curriculum at five teaching hospitals. The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of a 1-year PC course within the training programme for specialist oncologists in SA. Objective. To determine the reaction of oncology registrars and their supervisors to the course to determine changes in knowledge and skills, and to determine the application in oncology practice. Methods. This study was a mixed-method prospective evaluation of an educational intervention. The educational programme used a blended learning method to train and support registrars ( n =32) and facilitators ( n =5) across five universities from August 2017 to September 2018. Evaluation feedback was electronically collected to determine the registrars’ reactions to the course materials. Pre and post multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were used to review their knowledge. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to explore reactions, change in knowledge and skills and how registrars integrated PC into their daily work. Results. There was an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the PC course by the oncology registrars and their supervisors. The training was found to be feasible, and the topics addressed appropriate. Concerns previously raised by the College of Radiation Oncology of SA regarding the feasibility and appropriateness of the course and material were found to be unsubstantiated. The poor MCQ results can be ascribed to poor sequencing of the execution of the question. However, the MCQs in modules 7 and 8 (symptom management) demonstrated the most significant change in knowledge and skills (symptom management). The FGDs demonstrated a perceived change in knowledge and skills, especially for communication skills and pain and symptom management. The FGDs also indicated that the registrars’ approach to PC changed in that they were able to integrate the principles of PC into practice, and now saw PC as an essential component of oncology. Lastly, registrars and their supervisors felt that the course addressed topics that formed part of their daily clinical work. Conclusion. This research supports the view that PC training is an essential component of oncology training in the SA setting. PC forms part of the daily practice of oncologists, and a structured curriculum prepares clinicians to be able to integrate evidence-based PC into the practice of oncology if they receive appropriate training. Supervisors of the oncology training programme and registrars are confident that the training of 12 modules across 1 year is feasible and appropriate.

Enhanced stress-resilience training for surgical trainees.

IntroductionCore surgical training programmes are associated with a high risk of burnout. This study aimed to assess the influence of a novel enhanced stress-resilience training (ESRT) course delivered at the start of core surgical training in a single UK statutory education body.MethodAll newly appointed core surgical trainees (CSTs) were invited to participate in a 5-week ESRT course teaching mindfulness-based exercises to develop tools to deal with stress at work and burnout. The primary aim was to assess the feasibility of this course; secondary outcomes were to assess degree of burnout measured using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scoring.ResultsOf 43 boot camp attendees, 38 trainees completed questionnaires, with 24 choosing to participate in ESRT (63.2 per cent; male 13, female 11, median age 28 years). Qualitative data reflected challenges delivering ESRT because of arduous and inflexible clinical on-call rotas, time pressures related to academic curriculum demands and the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic (10 of 24 drop-out). Despite these challenges, 22 (91.7 per cent) considered the course valuable and there was unanimous support for programme development. Of the 14 trainees who completed the ESRT course, nine (64.3 per cent) continued to use the techniques in daily clinical work. Burnout was identified in 23 trainees (60.5 per cent) with no evident difference in baseline MBI scores between participants (median 4 (range 0–11) versus 5 (1–11), P = 0.770). High stress states were significantly less likely, and mindfulness significantly higher in the intervention group (P < 0.010); MBI scores were comparable before and after ESRT in the intervention cohort (P = 0.630, median 4 (range 0–11) versus 4 (1–10)).DiscussionDespite arduous emergency COVID rotas ESRT was feasible and, combined with protected time for trainees to engage, deserves further research to determine medium-term efficacy.

Benign lymphoproliferative disorders in the immunosuppressed patient: an update.

Immunosuppressed patients may be affected by a wide range of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) ranging from self-limiting disorders to malignant lymphoid proliferations. These LPDs may be associated with systemic immune disorders, develop following organ transplantation or occur in the background of other forms of iatrogenic immunosuppression. Lymphotropic viruses, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus-8 (HHV8), have been associated with the pathogenesis of distinct LPDs. The resulting classification of this group of disorders is very complex and inconsistent, with several new and emerging entities. Consequently, the diagnosis of an LPD, especially in an immunosuppressed patient, and its subsequent clinical management usually represent an important pitfall in daily clinical and pathology work. Therefore, the aim of this review was to use the available literature to describe the clinicopathological features of the most important benign LPDs that may be diagnosed in the head and neck region of immunosuppressed patients. Original clinical and microscopic images were used to illustrate some of these entities.

Perceived impact of the characteristics of the Indigenous Queensland B.strong brief intervention training program on uptake and implementation.

Brief interventions (BIs) in primary health care (PHC) settings can be effective in addressing behavioural risk factors of chronic conditions. However, the impact of the characteristics of BI training programs on the uptake of the program and implementation of BIs in Indigenous PHC settings is not fully understood. The B.strong Program was an Indigenous health worker BI training program delivered in Queensland from 2017 to 2020. This study examines the impact of the characteristics of the B.strong Program on its uptake and implementation in PHC settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2019 and 2020 with 20 B.strong Program trainees and four health service managers from eight purposively sampled Queensland PHC services, and one Queensland Department of Health manager, to collect their perceptions of the implementation of the B.strong Program. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided data collection. Key program characteristics that facilitated both the program uptake and the implementation of BIs were: ensuring the cultural appropriateness of the program from development, to engagement with health services and through to delivery, the applicability of the program to trainees' daily clinical work, program credibility, and its ease of access and availability. Participants preferred face-to-face workshop training for online module training. Relevance to practice, easy access, program credibility and measures taken to ensure cultural appropriateness of the B.strong Program in development, in engagement stages with health services, and in program delivery facilitated program uptake and implementation of BIs. Online BI training may be of limited value compared to face-to-face training in this setting. SO WHAT?: To enhance participation by Indigenous PHC services in health worker BI training programs and implementation of BIs posttraining by health staff, it is important to ensure the cultural appropriateness of the program's characteristics, and its development, engagement and delivery processes.

Cultural dynamics and tensions when applying design thinking for improving health-care quality

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute knowledge concerning the dynamics and potential cultural tensions that occur when applying user involvement and design thinking (DT) for improving quality in a health-care setting. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a case study following a quality improvement (QI) project in a medium-sized Swedish county council in the field of somatic care. The project involved eight health-care professionals, one designer, four patients and two relatives. A multiple data collection method over a period of ten months was used. It included individual interviews, e-mail correspondence and observations of workshops that covered the QI project. Findings The result shows tensions between QI work and the daily clinical work of the participants. These tensions primarily concern the conflict between fast and slow processes, the problem of moving between different fields of knowledge, being a resource for the individual clinic and the system and the participants’ expectations and assumptions about roles and responsibilities in a QI project. Furthermore, these findings could be interpreted as signs of a development culture in the health-care context. Practical implications There are several practical implications. Among others, the insights can inspire how to approach and contextualize the current concepts, roles and methods of DT and user involvement so that they can be more easily understood and integrated into the existing culture and way of working in the health-care sector. Originality/value This study provides a unique insight into a case, trying to uncover what actually is going on and perhaps, why certain things are not happening at all, when user involvement and design practices are applied for improving health-care quality.

Transition to postgraduate practice: perceptions of preparedness and experience of the daily work of junior residents.

The transition from undergraduate to postgraduate training is a crucial career step for physicians. Several international studies have shown that graduates feel insufficiently prepared to perform various aspects of clinical practice. The publication of a national framework for undergraduate medical education triggered major curricular reforms at our institution. Through this study, we explored the perceptions of preparedness for practice of junior residents who graduated from the new curriculum. This was a cross-sectional, triangulation mixed-methods quantitative and qualitative study among junior residents and senior physicians of 13 hospitals in western Switzerland. We administered two online questionnaires aimed at exploring perceptions in five areas of clinical competence (knowledge, clinical skills, clinical reasoning, communication and collaboration), as well in self-confidence and coping with the daily work. The qualitative part consisted of six semi-structured focus groups with junior residents, aimed at further clarifying the perceptions and circumstances of their preparedness. Verbatim transcriptions were analysed through thematic analysis. Fifty-nine (43.3%) junior residents and 68 (26.5%) senior physicians completed the questionnaire. Among residents, 54.2% considered the curriculum to have adequately prepared them for practice. However, residents felt they were underperforming particularly in developing therapeutic strategies, in communicating with patients&rsquo; relatives, and in writing discharge letters. 50.8% (95% confidence interval 37.5-64.1) of them felt overwhelmed by the workload and 39% felt unfulfilled at work. Perceptions of senior physicians about residents&rsquo; clinical competences most often agreed with those of their young colleagues. Nineteen residents volunteered to participate in six focus groups. Thematic analysis allowed us to highlight six areas associated with perceptions of underpreparedness: (1) the adequacy of undergraduate instruction; (2) the ability to work efficiently within an interprofessional team; (3) the ability to communicate with patients and colleagues; (4) the effect of the curriculum on the development of critical inquiry and their approach to learning; (5) difficulties in managing their daily clinical work; (6) the negative emotions experienced at the beginning of postgraduate training. Several important aspects of daily clinical practice appear to be insufficiently mastered in the first few months of residency. The resulting stress and anxiety negatively affect job satisfaction. This study provides concrete examples and guidance for program directors and educators on how to better prepare students for postgraduate training.

How difficult it is to think about uncertainty and perplexity

ABSTRACT The author has covered a range of issues to define concepts in psychoanalytic terms that are missing from psychoanalytic theory: the social, social subjectivity, the pain of the social, unpredictability, and uncertainty. First, she reconsiders social pain and social suffering from the perspective proposed by Freud in 1921 in terms of three psychic spaces – intersubjective, intrasubjective and transsubjective – which she considers to be different from one another, and she proposes that pain is manifested in different modes in each of these spaces. Second, she defines the concept of the social, separating it from the mass and proposing the concept of the collective as truly social. She emphasizes that the collective takes on its subjectivating potential when being together builds a “bond” (vínculo). Third, she considers that belonging to a “social” collective creates the illusion of being protected from uncertainty and unpredictability. She identifies uncertainty as a vínculo-regulating psychoanalytic principle that is manifested as perplexity. Finally, at the end of the paper, a section titled “A few situations” includes examples of daily clinical work with patients who have been tortured or who experience political threats or a threat to their lives due to losing their jobs and, as a result, their livelihoods. The final case, which describes an entire session, shows the dynamics of transference–countertransference in working with these situations.

Perceived facilitators and barriers among physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons to pre-operative home-based exercise with one exercise-only in patients eligible for knee replacement: A qualitative interview study nested in the QUADX-1 trial.

Clinical guidelines recommend non-surgical treatment before surgery is considered in patients eligible for knee replacement. Surgical treatment is provided by orthopedic surgeons and exercise therapy is provided by physical therapists. The aim of this study was to identify perceived facilitators and barriers-among orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists-towards coordinated non-surgical and surgical treatment of patients eligible for knee replacement using pre-operative home-based exercise therapy with one exercise. This qualitative study is embedded within the QUADX-1 randomized trial that investigates a model of coordinated non-surgical and surgical treatment for patients eligible for knee replacement. Physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons working with patients with knee osteoarthritis in their daily clinical work were interviewed (one focus group and four single interviews) to explore their perceived facilitators and barriers related to pre-operative home-based exercise therapy with one exercise-only in patients eligible for knee replacement. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. From the thematic analysis three main themes emerged: 1) Physical therapists' dilemma with one home-based exercise, 2) Orthopedic surgeons' dilemma with exercise, and 3) Coordinated non-surgical and surgical care. We found that the pre-operative exercise intervention created ambivalence in the professional role of both the physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons. The physical therapists were skeptical towards over-simplified exercise therapy. The orthopedic surgeons were skeptical towards the potential lack of (long-term) effect of exercise therapy in patients eligible for knee replacement. The consequence of these barriers and ambivalence in the professional role is important to consider when planning implementation of the model of coordinated non-surgical and surgical treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02931058.