Practical Assistance Research Articles

Navigating the passage of time: exploring social bonds and ambiguity in institutional older adults

Institutionalisation marks a significant transition for older adults, often accompanied by a multitude of challenges encompassing ageing, uncertainty and social dynamics. This qualitative study delves into the lived experiences of institutional older adults, focusing on the intricate interplay between ageing processes, the formation and maintenance of social bonds and the negotiation of ambiguity within institutional settings. Prior to moving into an old-age home, many older adults rely on long-established social networks. However, institutionalisation often disrupts these networks, creating a need for older adults to form new connections within the facility. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, the research elucidates the multifaceted nature of ageing experiences, revealing how older adults navigate the passage of time amid shifting social landscapes and ambiguous circumstances. Findings underscore the centrality of social capital in buffering the effects of uncertainty and fostering resilience among institutional older adults. The themes that emerge highlight the importance of social connections in providing emotional support, practical assistance and a sense of belonging, which serve as critical resources in adapting to institutional life. Moreover, the study illuminates the ways in which older adults actively engage in sense-making processes, renegotiating identities and priorities in light of institutionalisation. By examining these experiences, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of ageing in institutional contexts, emphasising the significance of social relationships in promoting wellbeing and adjustment. Insights gleaned from this study have implications for the development of interventions aimed at enhancing social support networks and fostering a supportive environment conducive to the holistic needs of institutional older adults.

Artificial intelligence virtual assistants in primary eye care practice.

To propose a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based virtual assistant trained on tabular clinical data that can provide decision-making support in primary eye care practice and optometry education programmes. Anonymised clinical data from 1125 complete optometric examinations (2250 eyes; 63% women, 37% men) were used to train different machine learning algorithm models to predict eye examination classification (refractive, binocular vision dysfunction, ocular disorder or any combination of these three options). After modelling, adjustment, mining and preprocessing (one-hot encoding and SMOTE techniques), 75 input (preliminary data, history, oculomotor test and ocular examinations) and three output (refractive, binocular vision status and eye disease) features were defined. The data were split into training (80%) and test (20%) sets. Five machine learning algorithms were trained, and the best algorithms were subjected to fivefold cross-validation. Model performance was evaluated for accuracy, precision, sensitivity, F1 score and specificity. The random forest algorithm was the best for classifying eye examination results with a performance >95.2% (based on 35 input features from preliminary data and history), to propose a subclassification of ocular disorders with a performance >98.1% (based on 65 features from preliminary data, history and ocular examinations) and to differentiate binocular vision dysfunctions with a performance >99.7% (based on 30 features from preliminary data and oculomotor tests). These models were integrated into a responsive web application, available in three languages, allowing intuitive access to the AI models via conventional clinical terms. An AI-based virtual assistant that performed well in predicting patient classification, eye disorders or binocular vision dysfunction has been developed with potential use in primary eye care practice and education programmes.

Practical solutions to resolve social barriers to hepatitis C treatment initiation among people who inject drugs: a qualitative study

BackgroundWe aimed to identify motivators for people who inject drugs to pursue treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and uncover opportunities that could make treatment more appealing.MethodsBetween November 2023 and January 2024, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 HCV RNA-positive individuals with a history of injecting drug use and self-reported as either untreated or treated but delayed treatment for more than 6 months. Thematic and framework data analysis was employed and interpreted using the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation (COM-B) framework of behaviour change.ResultsThe findings suggest that a combination of stability through secure housing, mental readiness and overcoming drug dependence supported by OAT (Capability), accessible and convenient healthcare like mobile outreach services coupled with financial incentives (Opportunity), and supportive relationships (Motivation) could serve to help people who inject drugs take up HCV treatment.ConclusionAlcohol and other drug and primary care services for people who use drugs should adopt person-centred approaches and recognise the gradual nature of behavioural change to foster empathy and supportive relationships to promote engagement in HCV care. Additionally, integrating HCV treatment with mobile outreach services and providing practical assistance, such as housing and financial incentives, are critical to ensuring that individuals remain engaged in HCV care.

Care risks: how concerns about looking after older family members increase support for government spending on the retired

ABSTRACT In an era of increased intergenerational inequality, why do working-age adults continue to support government spending on the retired? Previous explanations for the popularity of such programs include calculations of expected reciprocity and evaluations of deservingness. We introduce an additional consideration: perceived vulnerability to ‘care risks’. That is, the fear of having to provide substantial financial or practical assistance to a close older family member. We argue this leads voters to insure themselves by supporting government assistance to the old as a substitute. Combining novel evidence from a specially-commissioned national survey and survey experiment conducted in Great Britain, we show that prime working-age adults’ (aged 18–59) concerns about having to personally provide for older relatives helps explain their enthusiasm for greater state investment in the retired. Familial concerns are an understudied constraint on age-based political polarisation. Our study provides important insights into how elderly-oriented public policy proposals might be justified to younger voters, and how family ties and expectations can explain public spending preferences in other generations.

Promoting self-management in lymphoedema: the role of the community nurse.

Many of the approaches for managing lymphoedema are straightforward and easily accessible, allowing individuals to take considerable charge of their care. As a result, nurses can play a vital role in lymphoedema treatment by equipping patients with crucial knowledge and offering practical assistance to foster self-management. Francesca Ramadan elaborates upon the aspects of patient education that the community nurse must promote and support to enable individuals with lymphoedema to take back control.

A stop-smoking strategy after cervical cancer screening: Results of a cluster-randomised controlled trial in Dutch general practice.

This study aimed to assess whether brief stop-smoking advice given to women who smoke and visit their general practice for cervical cancer screening improves smoking cessation outcomes. This two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted in 75 Dutch general practices. Participants in the intervention group received brief stop-smoking advice based on the Ask-Advise-Connect method, delivered by a practice assistant. Patient-reported outcomes were measured at 6 months: undertaking a serious quit attempt of at least 24 hours during follow-up (primary outcome), 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at 6 months, reduction in number of cigarettes smoked, increase in motivation to quit smoking, exposure to advice or support, and other psychological and behavioural measurements. There was no significant difference in undertaking a serious quit attempt between the intervention (39.8% of n=266) and control group (36.0% of n = 214), OR 1.18 (95% CI: 0.80-1.72, P=0.41). Neither did the PPA significantly differ between groups: 21.1% vs. 16.3%, OR 1.38 (95% CI: 0.83-2.29, P=0.21). Although nonsignificant, the direction of effects for the aforementioned outcomes was in favour of the intervention group. The reduction in number of cigarettes smoked and increase in motivation to quit did not differ between groups. The uptake of cessation counselling was higher in the intervention (14.7%) than in the control group (2.8%). A brief stop-smoking strategy after the smear test for cervical screening might encourage women who smoke to attempt quitting and seek cessation counselling, but a significant effect could not be demonstrated in this trial. The results of this cluster randomised trial suggest that brief advice to stop-smoking delivered by a practice assistant after routine cervical screening in general practice might encourage women who smoke to attempt quitting, but a significant effect could not be proven. Also, women who receive advice show a higher uptake of professional cessation counselling compared to their controls. Providing brief advice after the cervical smear might therefore be an useful opportunistic approach to stimulate cessation in women who smoke.

A Description of The Psychological Well-Being of Parents Who Have Children With Special Needs at Slb Asuhan Kasih Kupang

This study explores the psychological well-being of parents with children who have special needs and physical disabilities at the Asuhan Kasih Kupang special school. Six participants, selected through purposive sampling, were involved based on predefined criteria. Using qualitative methods, data was collected through interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis, revealing three key themes: acceptance, caregiving, and social support. The findings indicate that parents' psychological well-being is shaped by their ability to accept their child's condition, develop effective parenting strategies—such as fostering independence and offering positive affirmations—and rely on social support, including emotional, practical, and moral assistance. The study highlights the importance of coping strategies, such as engaging in spiritual activities to enhance gratitude, spending quality time with children, and fostering communication between schools and parents to alleviate anxiety. These insights provide valuable recommendations for enhancing parental well-being and caregiving practices.

Improving personal continuity in general practice: a focus group study.

Personal continuity is an important dimension of continuity of care in general practice and is associated with many benefits including a higher quality of GP care and lower mortality rate. Over time, changes in society and health care have challenged the provision of personal continuity. Older patients in particular experience more negative consequences from receiving discontinuous care. To explore the perspectives of GPs, older patients, practice nurses, and assistants on improving personal continuity in general practice, and to identify barriers and facilitators that affect this improvement process. A qualitative study using focus groups was conducted from May to August 2019. We organised four focus groups: two with GPs (n = 17), one with patients (n = 7), and one with practice assistants (n = 4) and practice nurses (n = 2). Focus groups were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Personal continuity was viewed as being provided by the entire general practice team and not just by the patient's own GP. It was suggested that investing in team communication and stability (for example, by efficient use of the electronic health records) and retaining the availability and accessibility of the patient's own GP for patient care, especially for frail older persons, (for example, by delegating tasks) could improve personal continuity. Barriers and facilitators were perceived at the individual (for example, GPs' involvement in tasks), organisation (for example, staff shortages), and societal level (for example, payment system). As general practice moves towards a more team-based approach to ensure personal continuity, efforts to improve personal continuity should focus on supporting team-based provision of continuous care.

Experiences of Older Adults With HIV/AIDS Enrolled in Case Management Programs

In 2016, over half of those infected with HIV/AIDS were 50 years or older. This exploratory qualitative study, grounded in ecological systems theory, examined the experiences of older adults (50+) living with HIV/AIDS enrolled in case management programs in Northwest Indiana. Case management, defined as a collaborative process of assessing, planning, and coordinating services to meet clients’ health and social needs, was explored through semi-structured interviews (N = 13). Thematic comparative analysis revealed five key themes: assistance, education, support, availability, and experiences of isolation and grief. Participants viewed case management as essential for accessing healthcare and community resources. Education emerged as a central need, particularly regarding health literacy and medication management. Emotional support, extending beyond practical assistance, was crucial for coping with aging-related challenges, loneliness, grief, and HIV stigma. Availability highlighted concerns about receiving timely and consistent services. These findings suggest that while case management addresses physical and practical needs, its role in providing emotional support and navigating the complexities of aging is equally significant. Future research should explore the long-term impact of case management interventions, particularly in relation to comorbid conditions and mental health, to enhance the well-being of this aging population.

Weaving Community Intersecting Identities and Support Networks in Urban Immigrant Settings

This abstract uses Monica Ali's book “Brick Lane” to study how gender, class, and ethnicity interact to form social networks and support systems for immigrant women in urban settings. Using intersectional theory as a framework, the study looks at how different immigrant communities' development of solidarity, rivalry, and cooperation is impacted by intersecting identities. Putting social networks and support systems in context is the first step in the study, which aims to help immigrants adapt, integrate, and live successfully in urban environments. Next, it gives a synopsis of “Brick Lane,” emphasizing how the experiences of important people and the Bangladeshi immigrant community in East End, London, are portrayed. Investigating how common identities and experiences promote community cohesiveness, the study looks at examples of solidarity among immigrant women. It looks at how indispensable informal networks are for offering both practical and emotional assistance, such as friendships, family ties, and neighborhood associations. In addition, the examination reveals obstacles and conflicts among immigrant groups, including rivalry for assets, standing, and prospects. It takes into account how overlapping identities and power dynamics influence relationships between immigrant women, including disputes about resources, social norms, and hierarchies. The study presents instances of immigrant women working together and taking collective action despite these obstacles. It highlights moments in which they unite to speak out about shared issues and fight for their rights, offering tactics for building resilience and empowerment among immigrant populations. Finally, this research sheds light on the complex dynamics of overlapping identities and social networks among metropolitan immigrant women. It adds to a greater understanding of the complexities of immigrant social networks and their consequences for community building and empowerment by looking at the experiences of characters in “Brick Lane” and drawing on intersectional theory. The results provide implications for future studies, policies, and practices that seek to assist immigrant women in negotiating the opportunities and problems associated with urban migration.

Prediction of fracture toughness of concrete using the machine learning approach

In the process of structural design, it is useful to estimate the fracture toughness of concrete samples. This research showcases the effectiveness of utilizing machine learning methods to determine the fracture toughness of concrete. Taking into account variables such as mix design, machine learning techniques can accurately predict the mode I fracture toughness of concrete. Dimensionless stress intensity factor of concrete prediction using twelve different machine learning techniques namely, Linear regression (LR), Extreme Gradient-Boosting (XGboost), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Random Forest (RF), Category Boosting (CB), Decision Tree (DT), Extra Trees (ET), Light Gradient-Boosting (LightGB), Adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), Bagging (BA), Gaussian Process (GP), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The result of utilizing the training adaptive moment estimation algorithm has been developed to create an outstanding machine learning-based system. After carefully analyzing comparisons between the predictions produced by different models and experimental findings, it has been discovered that the models demonstrate an impressive accuracy rate of about 90 percent when it comes to forecasting concrete fracture toughness. The research findings emphasize that the ANN model exhibited superior accuracy in its predictions (R2 value of 0.90, RMSE of 0.1517, and MAE of 0.1238). Upon conducting a thorough examination of the ANN method’s sensitivity, the cement parameter holds utmost significance in accurately estimating concrete’s fracture toughness using the available dataset. So, the ANN model can be used as a valuable method to provide practical assistance in predicting the fracture toughness of concrete. When evaluating the effective parameters, the cement and metakaolin dosage and the notch height to specimen height ratio have the greatest effect on the fracture resistance, while the coarse aggregate content is minimal. This result is consistent with the experimental data.

Balancing life with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study of jordanian adolescents

ObjectivesTo explore the lived experiences of Jordanian adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and identify their specific needs. MethodsQualitative interviews were conducted with 10 Jordanian adolescents. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. ResultsThree main themes emerged: (1) Living with diabetes as a constant struggle, including emotional turbulence, social withdrawal, and difficulty with treatment regimens; (2) Restoring balance in life through social support, following treatment protocols, and accepting the disease; and (3) Adolescents' needs for a better environment, including improved knowledge, resources, and social integration. ConclusionsAdolescents with T1DM face significant challenges, including emotional distress, social isolation, and difficulties managing their disease. This study provides valuable insights into their experiences and highlights the importance of comprehensive support. Practice implicationsTo effectively support adolescents with T1DM, healthcare providers and educators should focus on providing emotional support, social support, and practical assistance. Additionally, improving knowledge and awareness about T1DM among adolescents and their families is crucial, as well as increasing access to resources that can help them manage their disease and live fulfilling lives.

A Study on the Development of University Liberal Arts Curriculum Convergence Standards

The purpose of this study was to develop standards for the convergence of liberal arts curriculum as a way to effectively operate liberal arts education in universities. To this end, through literature analysis and two rounds of Delphi surveys, convergence standards were developed according to the categories of university liberal arts curriculum organization.</br>As a result of the study, four categories—goals, contents, methods, and evaluation—were established as key components of the university liberal arts curriculum. The convergence types of the liberal arts curriculum were divided into two types: intra-curricular and inter-curricular convergence, with specific standards set for each type. A total of 14 judgment questions were developed, consisting of 3 to 4 judgment questions based on the standards for each type. These judgment questions were designed as comprehensive inquiries that could represent each standard.</br>Through these research processes and results, this study is significant in that it established specific standards for the more systematic operation of convergence education in university liberal arts curricula. In particular, it is meaningful as it provides guidelines that can be applied to the design and operation of liberal arts education by developing specific standards for both intra- and inter-disciplinary convergence. It is believed that this can contribute to cultivating convergent thinking in liberal arts education and offer practical assistance in designing curricula that integrate various academic perspectives. Furthermore, it is expected that such an approach will enhance the consistency of curriculum operation by specifically proposing ways to promote convergent thinking throughout processes such as goal setting, content organization, teaching methods, and evaluation.

Student Service Learning in Community-University Partnership Program to Learn Local Product in Renu Shop, Hatyai-Thailand

The role of MSMEs in Thailand's economic development tends to be significant because they are able to contribute to productivity, innovation and overall economic growth. MSMEs contribute 60%–80% of total employment and play an important role in driving the country's economy. So in this Community-University Partnership Program activity, researchers were assigned to study local products produced by MSMEs in Thailand, specifically the Renu Shop which is located in Hatyai, Thailand. Researchers applied qualitative and participatory methods, by holding hands-on practical activities at Renu Shop Thailand. The results of the research show that this program is successful in underscoring the importance of university-community collaboration in supporting local businesses and encouraging social change. Through their involvement, students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by small businesses in Thailand, especially related to product development, marketing, and preserving the culture of their products. Additionally, Renu Shop also benefit from the fresh insights and practical assistance provided by the students, which contributes to improved business practices, increased product visibility and expanded customer engagement.

Using AI-based coding assistants in practice: State of affairs, perceptions, and ways forward

Context:The last several years saw the emergence of AI assistants for code — multi-purpose AI-based helpers in software engineering. As they become omnipresent in all aspects of software development, it becomes critical to understand their usage patterns. Objective:We aim to better understand how specifically developers are using AI assistants, why they are not using them in certain parts of their development workflow, and what needs to be improved in the future. Methods:In this work, we carried out a large-scale survey aimed at how AI assistants are used, focusing on specific software development activities and stages. We collected opinions of 481 programmers on five broad activities: (a) implementing new features, (b) writing tests, (c) bug triaging, (d) refactoring, and (e) writing natural-language artifacts, as well as their individual stages. Results:Our results provide a novel comparison of different stages where AI assistants are used that is both comprehensive and detailed. It highlights specific activities that developers find less enjoyable and want to delegate to an AI assistant, e.g., writing tests and natural-language artifacts. We also determine more granular stages where AI assistants are used, such as generating tests and generating docstrings, as well as less studied parts of the workflow, such as generating test data. Among the reasons for not using assistants, there are general aspects like trust and company policies, as well as more concrete issues like the lack of project-size context, which can be the focus of the future research. Conclusion:The provided analysis highlights stages of software development that developers want to delegate and that are already popular for using AI assistants, which can be a good focus for features aimed to help developers right now. The main reasons for not using AI assistants can serve as a guideline for future work.

Our clock is truly ticking—a qualitative study on patients’ experiences of tumor treating fields

Abstract Background TTFields is recommended internationally for the treatment of glioblastoma. In Sweden, TTFields requires a possibly challenging collaboration between the patient, next-of-kin, healthcare, and the private company providing the device, both from an ethical and practical perspective. Little is known about glioblastoma patients’ own experiences of TTFields treatment. Methods Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 31 patients with glioblastoma who had been offered TTFields by the healthcare. These were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Results Participants described there being multiple actors around them as TTFields users; (1) device prescription from physicians, sometimes providing insufficient information, (2) practical assistance from next-of-kin, necessary to access treatment, (3) home visits from the private company staff for device control, where close bonds between patients and TTFields staff occurred. TTFields treatment created hope and a feeling of control in an otherwise hopeless situation, sometimes evoking worries at the time of planned treatment stop. Some refrained from TTFields or discontinued early due to fear or experience of negative effects on quality of life. Others described finding practical and mental solutions for coping with the treatment in everyday life. Conclusions Our study identified a need for better support and information from healthcare providers for TTFields. A solution is necessary for assistance with TTFields for those without support from next-of-kin. The study raises the question of possible advantages of healthcare handling the technical support of the device instead of a private company, thereby avoiding a true or perceived influence on the patient’s decision to continue or stop treatment.

Further enhancement of cold tolerance in rice seedlings by Piriformospora indica collaborating with plant growth-promoting bacteria: Evidence from the antioxidant defense, osmoregulation, photosynthesis, and related genes

As the global population continues to grow, so does the demand for food. However, cold stress due to global climate change greatly threatens the safe production of rice. Piriformospora indica plays a pivotal role as a functional microbiota in improving cold tolerance in rice. However, the addition of P. indica alone has a limited effect. In this study, an attempt was made to select plant growth-promoting bacteria (Agrobacterium rhizogenes and Bacillus subtilis) as helper bacteria to help P. indica function better and further enhance rice cold tolerance. Under cold stress, the co-addition of the three beneficial microorganisms significantly increased the biomass, photosynthetic performance indicators, osmoregulatory substance contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities of rice. P. indica and helper bacteria significantly reduced the cold stress-induced increases in malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage rate in rice leaves and triggered a substantial upregulation of cold-tolerant genes in rice. This suggests that P. indica and helper bacteria can synergistically improve the cold resistance of rice. The findings of the research offer a conceptual foundation and practical assistance for enhancing rice's resilience to cold temperatures.

Sensing Sociality: Disruptions of Social Life When Living With Chemosensory Dysfunctions After COVID-19.

Taste and smell are of direct importance in most social interactions. Radical disruptions in these senses can, therefore, substantially disrupt sociality. This paper focuses on the experiences of a particular type of disruption: persistent chemosensory dysfunctions after COVID-19. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 patients undergoing treatment for chemosensory dysfunctions and analyzed the ways in which their experiences have influenced social relations and activities, particularly regarding food and eating. The findings reveal that these dysfunctions have made the participants markedly aware that food and eating are pivotal to full participation in social life. As is smell, both surrounding smells and the perception of one's own smell, with dysfunctions leading to several social consequences. Such problems are handled through both avoidance behavior and adaptations. While adaptations facilitate interactions, they come at the cost of feeling a burden to others or not fully appreciating an event (e.g., a shared meal). Social support is of great importance, ranging from minor practical assistance, such as a friend checking if the milk is sour, to the profound emotional relief felt from empathic treatment and recognition that the problems are real. Here, healthcare professionals can play a vital role, even in the (perceived) absence of clinical effectiveness of the treatment. The experiences expressed are partially in line with other manifestations of Long COVID and with chemosensory dysfunctions due to other illnesses, but only partially, since this is a patient group with needs and experiences that are unique, in that sociality is so strongly affected solely by disruptions in sensory abilities.

Effects of foundation pit excavation on adjacent metro stations and shield tunnel structures: a study on horizontal displacement

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the horizontal displacement effects of foundation pit excavation on adjacent metro stations and shield tunnel composite structures. It seeks to develop a theoretical calculation method capable of accurately assessing these engineering impacts, aiming to provide practical assistance for engineering applications.Design/methodology/approachThis study introduces a model for shield tunnel segments incorporating rotation and misalignment, considering the constraints of metro stations. It establishes a displacement model for tunnel-station combinations during foundation pit excavation, deriving a formula for calculating station-proximal tunnel horizontal displacements. The method's accuracy is validated against field data from three engineering cases. The research also explores variations in tunnel displacement, inter-ring shear force, misalignment and rotation angle under different spatial relationships between pits, tunnels and stations.FindingsThis study models uneven deformation between stations and tunnels due to bending stiffness and shear constraints. It enhances the misalignment model with station-induced shear effects and introduces coefficients for their mutual interaction. Results show varied responses based on pit-station-tunnel positioning: minimal displacement near pit edges (coefficients around 0.1) and significant effects near pit centers (coefficients from 0.4 to 0.5). “Whip effect” from station constraints affects tunnel displacement, shear force, misalignment and rotation, with fluctuations decreasing with distance from excavation areas.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates significant originality and value. It introduces a novel displacement model for tunnel-station combinations considering station constraints, addressing theoretical calculations of horizontal displacement effects from foundation pit excavation on metro stations and shield tunnel structures. Through validation with field data and parameter studies, the concept of influence coefficients is proposed, offering insights into variations in structural responses under different spatial relationships. This research provides crucial technical support and decision-making guidance for optimizing designs and facilitating practical construction in similar engineering projects.

Assessing the impact of trained Radiologist Assistants in a busy emergency teleradiology practice: a comprehensive evaluation.

This study aims to study the feasibility and usefulness of trained Radiologist Assistants in a busy emergency teleradiology practice. This is a retrospective study over a 21-month period (January 2021 to September 2022). The study analysed archived data from 247118 peer review studies performed by Radiologist Assistants (RAs) out of a total case volume of 828526 and evaluated the rate of discrepancies, the study types commonly noted to have discrepancies, and the severity of errors. These missed findings were brought to the attention of the radiologists for approval and further decision-making. Peer review by RAs was performed on 30% (n = 247118) of the total volume 828526 studies reported, and yielded additional findings including but not limited to fractures (218; 23%), hemorrhage,(94; 10%) pulmonary thromboembolism, (n = 104; 11%), Calculus (n = 75; 8%) lesion (n = 66; 5%), appendicitis(n = 50; 4%) and others. These were brought to the attention of the radiologist, who agreed in 97% (1279 out of 1318) of cases, and communicated the same to the referring facility, with an addended report. Trained RAs can provide value to the peer review program of a busy teleradiology practice and decrease errors. This may be useful to meet the ongoing radiologist shortages.