Medicine Professionals Research Articles

Thai Guideline for Nuclear Medicine Investigations of Neurocognitive Disorders: Nuclear Medicine Society of Thailand, the Neurological Society of Thailand, and Thai Medical Physicist Society Collaboration

Nuclear medicine investigations play a significant role in diagnosing dementia, mainly using imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). By providing functional and molecular data via brain imaging, nuclear medicine investigations offer valuable insights that complement clinical evaluations and structural imaging in the early detection, diagnosis, and differentiation of various types of dementia, leading to more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment planning. Therefore, the Nuclear Medicine Society of Thailand, the Neurological Society of Thailand, and the Thai Medical Physicist Society have collaborated to establish these practical nuclear medicine investigation guidelines aiming to (1) identify the role of nuclear medicine studies in patients with neurocognitive disorders; (2) assist referrers in requesting the most appropriate procedure for diagnosis of each type of neurocognitive disorders; and (3) identify scientific evidence that is useful to assisting nuclear medicine professionals in recommending, performing, interpreting, and reporting the results of nuclear medicine investigations in patients with neurocognitive disorders.

Análisis de una plataforma para apoyar en el diagnóstico del síndrome de ovario poliquístico

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition among women of reproductive age and its early diagnosis prevents long-term complications; however, this diagnosis presents difficulties due to the variability of symptoms, cultural taboos and the need for laboratory and imaging tests interpreted by specialists in Gynecology. On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques have shown great potential to help in the early detection of different diseases. Currently, women in rural and semi-rural areas have little access to specialists and studies, so it is considered useful to have a health platform, which includes AI techniques, in mobile and web environments, that supports the detection of PCOS. This article shows the result of the systems analysis for the aforementioned platform, presenting the functional and non-functional requirements compiled with the help of health professionals in General Medicine and Gynecology.

Aerospace Medical Association Proposed Research Priorities for Mental Health and Safety in Aviation

INTRODUCTION: Aviation safety sensitive personnel (SSP) function in highly complex environments. SSP mental health is thought to support safety, efficiency, and overall health. Research is needed to identify how to optimize and screen mental health across aviation SSP, but no consensus exists on the research priorities that need to be met. METHODS: The Aerospace Medical Association established the Mental Health Research Subgroup within the Mental Health Working Group comprising 53 aviation and aerospace medicine professionals representing 9 countries. A five-round Delphi method was employed to generate research priorities. RESULTS: Research priorities were identified under the following six topic areas: 1) Safety and Performance; 2) Mental Health Initiatives, Education, and Peer Support Programs; 3) Clinical Care, Pharmacology, and Return to Duty; 4) Epidemiology and Natural History; 5) Screening, Monitoring, and Emerging Technology; and 6) Special Considerations and Underrepresented Populations [Aerospace Medical Association Mental Health Research Subgroup Research Priorities Version 1.0 (current as of January 1, 2024)]. DISCUSSION: Research is needed to identify how to optimize and screen mental health across aviation SSP. This effort identified six key research priorities to achieve that aim. Hoffman WR, Tvaryanas A, Snyder Q, Spyropoulos BP, Garcia D, Schroeder D, Fahnenbruck G, Trottier K, Overbo S, Santilhano W, Brinks E, Ndoye A, Bongers H, O’Shaughnessy R, Miranda E; Aerospace Medical Association Mental Health Research Subgroup. Aerospace Medical Association proposed research priorities for mental health and safety in aviation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(11):845–850.

Exploring Korean Medicine professions' perspectives on the applicability of ChatGPT in facial palsy practice: A web-based survey

IntroductionSince November 2022, when Chat generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) was released, studies have been conducted to explore its potential use in various text-based areas. In the field of Korean Medicine (KM), studies evaluating the feasibility of ChatGPT are mainly focused on the educational domain. This study aimed to 1) identify the current level of ChatGPT-generated responses in answering questions from patients and KM practitioners, specifically exemplified by facial palsy and 2) explore the potential applicability of ChatGPT in KM practice through a perception survey of experts. MethodsThis study evaluates the applicability of ChatGPT concerning facial palsy through a survey of board-certified acupuncturists. The survey comprises two parts: assessing response quality for patients and for KM doctors in clinical practice. Ethical approval was obtained, and a 36-item questionnaire was administered online to 33 participants. Responses were analyzed for quality, relevance, and applicability using a combination of Likert scales and a standardized assessment tool. ResultsAmong 33 eligible participants, 30 board-certified acupuncturists agreed to participate (response rate: 90.9%). Survey results showed that the applicability of ChatGPT was lower for specialized KM practitioner inquiries than for general patient inquiries. Although the responses were considered useful to the readers (part 1: 96.7%, part 2: 63.3%) and understandable (part 1: 66.7%, part 2: 60%), the proportion of positive evaluations was relatively low in the domains assessing reliability and sufficiency. ConclusionsThough ChatGPT is generally viewed positively for its potential utility, its direct application in KM clinical practice treating facial palsy at its current level seems challenging. To improve reliability, the information generated by ChatGPT should be critically reviewed by qualified expert medical personnel. To enhance sufficiency, further training of the artificial intelligence model with additional KM information is required.

The Potential Role of Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Medicine and Medical Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized for its transformative potential in healthcare, particularly in emergency medicine. The fast-paced, highstakes nature of emergency departments (EDs) demands rapid decision-making, often under significant time and resource constraints. AI-driven solutions have already demonstrated their ability to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve triage processes, and optimize resource allocation in emergency settings. However, AI’s potential extends beyond clinical practice into the realm of medical education, where large language models (LLMs) may offer novel opportunities for training future emergency medicine professionals.

The 1st World Congress of Nuclear Medicine and Biology held in Japan: a historical review with personal reminiscences.

The 1st World Congress of Nuclear Medicine and Biologywas held from September 30 to October 4 1974 in Japan. This was an epoch-making event in the history of Nuclear Medicine in Japan as well as in the World. The huge success of the meeting contributed a lot to the rapid and remarkable progress of nuclear medicine thereafter. The author served as a secretary of the local organizing committee for the Congress. The author would like to record the event summarizing the publications made by the local organization committee. The author would like to share with nuclear medicine professionals of younger generations the unforgettable experiences which he has kept in memory for the past half a century. The author believes this historical review will help to pave the future way of nuclear medicine by recalling how the World Federation and Congress was started with the great efforts of the excellent minds of predecessors.

Sports Medicine Protocols: Guide to Injury Management and Rehabilitation

Sports medicine protocols are crucial manuals that provide evidence-based methods for managing injuries, recovering from surgeries, and maximising performance for athletes of all skill levels. Sports medicine professionals can use these protocols as standardised frameworks to evaluate, diagnose, and treat sports-related injuries. They can also be used to help make safe and efficient return-to-play choices. This paper offers a thorough review of sports medicine practices, including important elements like injury evaluation, treatment options, physical therapy exercises, and criteria for returning to the game. This research tries to improve the understanding and application of sports.

Virtual Obstetric Emergency Simulations: Enhancing Knowledge, Skills, and Confidence of Emergency Medicine and Obstetric Professionals.

Between 2008 and 2016, 23% of pregnancy-related deaths in Ohio occurred in an emergency department (ED) or outpatient setting. Prior research showed that 98% of Ohio's delivery hospitals conduct obstetric (OB) emergency simulations, whereas only 30% include ED staff. The goal of the grant was to increase the knowledge, skill, and self-efficacy of emergency medicine (EM) professionals in managing OB emergencies. In addition to EM professionals, there was high interest by obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and other professionals in the course. Therefore, the goal of the project was to increase these elements for all professionals including EM and non-EM professionals in managing OB emergencies. Twelve virtual training courses using simulated patient encounters and video-based skills training were conducted across Ohio on the management of OB emergencies. Scenarios focused on common causes of pregnancy-related death using data from the Ohio Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Committee. Pre- and posttests assessed training effectiveness. Between August 1, 2020, and June 30, 2023, 258 learners completed the course. Most were female (76.76%), White (90.61%), and under 45 years old (69.40%). Most (66.49%) were from EM, followed by OB/GYN (18.09%), and other specialties (15.43%) including family medicine and pediatric EM. Most worked in hospital settings (89.19%). Learners reported a median 10.00 (interquartile range [IQR]: 15.00) years in clinical practice. Overall, mean knowledge scores increased by 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62, 1.01), after the course (p < 0.001). Mean knowledge scores increased by 0.90 (95% CI: 0.64, 1.16; p < 0.001), 0.67 (95% CI: 0.24, 1.09; p = 0.003), and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.16, 1.04; p = 0.01) for those from EM, OB/GYN, and other specialties, respectively. Median scores for reported self-efficacy increased by 24.00 (IQR: 22.33) and self-reported skills increased by 30.42 (IQR: 22.83) points (p < 0.001). Virtual simulations can be effective in improving EM, OB, and other professionals' knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-reported skills in managing OB emergencies. · Obstetric knowledge and skills can be taught effectively in a virtual environment.. · Educational interventions can use pregnancy-associated mortality data to target local patterns.. · Simulation can teach management of high-acuity, low-frequency obstetric emergencies to learners..

Automated Injectors versus Manual Administration: A Comparative Analysis of Radiation Exposure Reduction in 18F-FDG Delivery

Abstract Background Despite the presence of safety protocols, the manual manipulation of radiopharmaceuticals continues to pose a significant occupational radiation risk. Health care professionals in nuclear medicine are at risk of radiation exposure, particularly to their hands and eyes. Despite existing protective measures, manual handling of radiopharmaceuticals remains a significant source of occupational radiation. Objective This study evaluates the effectiveness of automated injectors in reducing radiation exposure among health care workers during fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) administrations, compared with traditional manual injection methods. Methods We assessed radiation exposure levels associated with manual versus automated 18F-FDG injection techniques using specialized dosimeters. Measurements focused on whole-body, extremity, and eye-lens radiation doses to evaluate the potential benefits of automation in minimizing exposure. Results Findings reveal that automated injectors significantly reduce radiation exposure, with decreases of 97.97 and 98.96% in left- and right-hand extremity doses, respectively, 43.24% in eye-lens dose, and 91.66% in whole-body dose compared with manual methods. Conclusion Automated injection systems offer considerable advantages in reducing health care worker radiation exposure in nuclear medicine. The substantial reduction in staff doses underscores the necessity of transitioning to such technology to promote safer clinical environments. This study highlights the critical role of automation in enhancing occupational safety standards within diagnostic radiology settings.

Laboratory Science Workforce Pipeline Strategies

Abstract Introduction/Objective The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 24,000 openings for clinical laboratory jobs each year until 2031 (BLS, 2022). The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP, 2023) reported a 14.8% vacancy rate for medical laboratory scientists in the South-Central Atlantic region; this region includes South Carolina. There are not enough MLT or MLS certified laboratorians to keep up with current or future demands. On average, 3779 new certifications were awarded annually between 2019-2023. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina is taking short- and long-term approaches to address workforce challenges. Methods/Case Report Since 2018, Pathology and Lab Medicine has increased the number of clinical affiliates from 2 to 9 and have trained a total of 39 MLS students and 37 MLT students. In 2023, through collaboration with the MLT program at the local technical college, we began providing didactic education for 15 current lab team members with bachelor’s degrees but no clinical laboratory background. Employing youth apprentices is a long-term strategy being initiated in the 24-25 academic year. Juniors and seniors in high school are eligible for a two-year paid apprenticeship. Training includes medical lab assistant and phlebotomy certification. Through recruitment activities, we can increase awareness of the role of laboratory professionals in medicine. Long-term, the apprenticeship training provides an academic pathway to MLT and MLS certification. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) N/A Conclusion The short-term strategies have met with varying success and course corrections have been made. Successes and barriers will be discussed. Strategies for recruiting and selecting youth apprentices will be outlined. Training plans for youth apprentices will be presented.

The Influence of Climate Change on Vector-Borne Diseases in a Wilderness Medicine Context.

The imminent climate crisis has been labeled as the biggest health threat humanity must deal with. Vector-borne disease distribution and transmission as well as the population at risk are influenced to a great degree by environmental and climactic factors affecting both the vectors themselves and the causative pathogens. Paired with an increase in worldwide travel, urbanization, and globalization, along with population displacements and migration, elucidating the effects of anthropogenic climate change on these illnesses is therefore of the essence to stave off potential negative sequelae. Outcomes on different vector-borne diseases will be diverse, but for many of them, these developments will result in a distribution shift or expansion with the possibility of (re-)introduction of vector and pathogen species in previously nonendemic areas. The consequence will be a growing likelihood for novel human, vector, and pathogen interactions with an increased risk for infection, morbidity, and mortality. Wilderness medicine professionals commonly work in close relationship to the natural environment and therefore will experience these alterations most strongly in their practice. Hence, this article attempts to bring awareness to the subject at hand in a wilderness medicine context, with a focus on malaria, the most burdensome of arthropod-borne diseases. For prevention of the potentially dire consequences on human health induced by climate change, concerted and intensified efforts to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and thus greenhouse gas emissions will be imperative on a global scale.

Effect of Obstructive Sleep Disorder Treatment on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Literature Review.

To explore whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence among adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects the PTSD Checklist (PCL), a validated tool that measures severity of PTSD symptoms. Studies focusing on PTSD and OSA were searched in PubMed and CINAHL databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, decreasing the article yield to nine. All articles chosen focused on the adult population and were conducted in North America. The literature review yielded eight observational cohort studies and one descriptive study. Seven studies were conducted with Veterans and all studies used the PCL tool. Three themes were identified: (a) Trauma and OSA, (b) OSA and PTSD Symptoms, and (c) CPAP Therapy and PTSD Symptoms. An area of further study is assessing how CPAP adherence might affect improvement in PTSD symptoms and how adherence can be improved. OSA is correlated with more severe PTSD symptoms, but CPAP use is associated with improvement in PTSD symptoms. The literature reviewed found PCL scores improved up to 10 points within 3 months of CPAP use. These findings highlight the importance of collaboration between mental health and sleep medicine professionals and opportunity for further study in this area. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Italian Cardiological Guidelines (COCIS) for Competitive Sport Eligibility in athletes with heart disease: update 2024.

Nearly 35 years after its initial publication in 1989, the Italian Society of Sports Cardiology and the Italian Federation of Sports Medicine (FMSI), in collaboration with other leading Italian Cardiological Scientific Associations (ANCE - National Association of Outpatient Cardiology, ANMCO - National Association of Inpatient Cardiology, SIC - Italian Society of Cardiology), proudly present the 2023 version of the Cardiological Guidelines for Competitive Sports Eligibility. This publication is an update of the previous guidelines, offering a comprehensive and detailed guide for the participation of athletes with heart disease in sports. This edition incorporates the latest advances in cardiology and sports medicine, providing current information and recommendations. It addresses various topics, including the details of the pre-participation screening in Italy and recommendations for sports eligibility and disqualification in competitive athletes with various heart conditions. This revised version of the Cardiological Guidelines for Competitive Sports Eligibility, recorded in the Italian Guidelines Registry of the Italian Minister of Health, stands as a crucial resource for sports medicine professionals, cardiologists, and healthcare providers, marked by its completeness, reliability, and scientific thoroughness. It is an indispensable tool for those involved in the care, management and eligibility process of competitive athletes with heart conditions.

SoccHealth: a health status examination of former professional football (soccer) players within the German National Cohort

The long-term health effects of football (soccer) have received significant attention in recent years. While brain health is currently the focus of this interest, potential long-term risks or benefits related...

Perceptions of Evidence in the Veterinary Medicine of Pets

Veterinary medicine for small domestic animals (SDA) in Russia began its development in the 1990s and is currently undergoing professional formation, engaging in a dialogue with traditional agricultural veterinary medicine. Over the last decade, the evidence-based approach has been actively developing as a foundation for making informed decisions in various aspects of professional practice. SDA veterinary medicine, as a relatively young and emerging professional field within the conservative profession of veterinary medicine, is facing a legitimacy crisis. This crisis is related to the lack of specialized education in the pathology of dogs and cats, as well as the absence of treatment protocols for SDA approved by the professional community and the state. The evidence-based approach is the foundation of modern medicine and serves as a method of legitimizing SDA veterinary practice. It addresses the needs of the primary stakeholders: colleagues, government regulators in case of disputes, and animal owners as service consumers.

Provider Perspectives on Techniques for Healthy Eating Promotion and Dietary Behavior Change in Caregiver-Child Dyads.

Child lifestyle behaviors are influenced by their caregivers. Targeting the caregiver-child relationship can establish healthy habits, especially healthful eating patterns, in both the caregiver and child.The purpose of this study was to identify the context for addressing strategies used to establish nutritious eating for the caregiver and child taken together as a unit (e.g., the caregiver-child dyad), through the perspectives of nutrition-promoting professionals.We performed purposive sampling of professionals who address healthful nutrition. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to elicit perspectives on caregiver-child eating dynamics and techniques to produce dietary behavior change. Data were coded through the constant comparative method, and subthemes and themes were identified by grouping similar codes and excerpts.We identified four themes relevant to dyadic dietary behavior change: (1) factors to consider when approaching nutrition such as family dynamics, (2) dyad-specific strategies for dietary behavior change, (3) patient-centered approaches professionals implement in interactions with the dyad, and (4) time as a barrier to dietary behavior change.In conclusion, study is novel in eliciting the perspectives of professionals across multiple settings to provide a context for dyadic dietary behavior change. Future studies can focus on developing training for lifestyle medicine professionals to approach dyad-specific behavior modification.

Developments in Transfusion Medicine: Pulmonary Transfusion Reactions and Novel Blood Cell Labeling Techniques.

Staying updated on advancements in transfusion medicine is crucial, especially in critical care and perioperative setting, where timely and accurate transfusions can be lifesaving therapeutic interventions. This narrative review explores the landscape of transfusion-related adverse events, focusing on pulmonary transfusion reactions such as transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). TACO and TRALI are the leading causes of transfusion-related morbidity and mortality; however, specific treatments are lacking. Understanding the current incidence, diagnostic criteria, pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention strategies can equip clinicians to help reduce the incidence of these life-threatening complications. The review discusses emerging pathogenic mechanisms, including the possible role of inflammation in TACO and the mechanisms of reverse TRALI and therapeutic targets for TACO and TRALI, emphasizing the need for further research to uncover preventive and treatment modalities. Despite advancements, significant gaps remain in our understanding of what occurs during transfusions, highlighting the necessity for improved monitoring methods. To address this, the review also presents novel blood cell labeling techniques in transfusion medicine used for improving monitoring, quality assessment, and as a consequence, potentially reducing transfusion-related complications. This article aims to provide an update for anesthesiologists, critical care specialists, and transfusion medicine professionals regarding recent advancements and developments in the field of transfusion medicine.

"Microbiology can be . . . " Student Competition to Develop Resources about Infectious Diseases that Improve Health Literacy.

The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education emphasizes the importance of communication skills and teamwork for student success in clinical practice. Traditionally, many veterinary curricula lacked standardized formal training in acquiring these essential skills.Effective communication and collaborative teamwork are not only crucial for fulfilling the clinical responsibilities of the veterinary profession but also play a pivotal role in the broader societal context. Veterinarians, in their social role, serve as scientific communicators for the community. This role involves conveying scientific concepts, even complex ones, with a particular emphasis on their significance for public health, reaching a diverse audience. Currently, there is a growing public health necessity to improve health literacy, which refers to the ability to access, understand, appraise, and use information to support healthy choices by society, especially for topics like infectious diseases and vaccination. This became more evident during the global COVID-19 pandemic. This teaching tip describes the development, organization, and broad outcomes of a student competition introduced during a standard veterinary medicine course to design novel resources on microbiology and infectious disease-enhancing health literacy. Three separate events were organized during the academic years 2020-2023. The third-year veterinary medicine students attending the 3-month course on infectious diseases of small animals participated in a student competition aimed at promoting creativity and innovation. Their task was to develop novel resources that delivered informative content to the public concerning microbiology and infectious diseases. Participation was voluntary and students participated in groups of 5-6. Overall, 125 students created 22 projects on microbiology and infectious diseases that were able to enhance health literacy. This approach allowed students to engage with the content and convey foundational knowledge to others in an easily accessible way. This skill of communicating with the public using easy-to-understand language is essential for success in the veterinary medicine profession. The resources produced, such as drawings, comics, games, and videos, constitute informative sources. Thus, they were published online on a scientific journal to disseminate knowledge of infectious diseases to a broader audience.

Limitations of Separating Athletes into High or Low-Risk Groups based on a Cut-Off. A Clinical Commentary.

Athlete injury risk assessment and management is an important, yet challenging task for sport and exercise medicine professionals. A common approach to injury risk screening is to stratify athletes into risk groups based on their performance on a test relative to a cut-off threshold. However, one potential reason for ineffective injury prevention efforts is the over-reliance on identifying these 'at-risk' groups using arbitrary cut-offs for these tests and measures. The purpose of this commentary is to discuss the conceptual and technical issues related to the use of a cut-off in both research and clinical practice. How can we better assess and interpret clinical tests or measures to enable a more effective injury risk assessment in athletes? Cut-offs typically lack strong biologic plausibility to support them; and are typically derived in a data-driven manner and thus not generalizable to other samples. When a cut-off is used in analyses, information is lost, leading to potentially misleading results and less accurate injury risk prediction. Dichotomizing a continuous variable using a cut-off should be avoided. Using continuous variables on its original scale is advantageous because information is not discarded, outcome prediction accuracy is not lost, and personalized medicine can be facilitated. Researchers and clinicians are encouraged to analyze and interpret the results of tests and measures using continuous variables and avoid relying on singular cut-offs to guide decisions. Injury risk can be predicted more accurately when using continuous variables in their natural form. A more accurate risk prediction will facilitate personalized approaches to injury risk mitigation and may lead to a decline in injury rates. 5.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Emergency Medicine Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Emergency Medicine Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia