There is a severe shortage of anatomical pathologists, cytologists, and technologists in Africa compromising patient care, despite the practice of cytology being well-suited to resource-constrained settings. Digital diagnostics have been proposed as a solution to the lack of laboratory personnel. This study was undertaken to provide an overview of the current implementation and operational status of digital diagnostics in anatomical pathology and cytology in Africa and to assess African laboratory personnel's attitudes regarding these emerging technologies. A digitized anonymized survey was disseminated using several African pathology and cytology WhatsApp groups and on the Twitter/X social media platform. There were 87 completed surveys, mainly from respondents in southern Africa. One third of respondents were utilizing whole slide imaging mainly for primary histologic diagnosis and consultations. The use of whole slide imaging in cytology was less. Key challenges with whole slide imaging include high implementation and maintenance costs, suboptimal image quality, particularly for cytology, and slow scanning times. Telepathology and telecytology were employed by 20.7% of respondents, mainly for remote consultations and resident training with users generally expressing positive perceptions of its diagnostic value. However, insufficient infrastructure, particularly unreliable internet connectivity and unstable electricity supply, was identified as a major barrier. Respondents without access to digital technologies tended to hold more optimistic expectations regarding their potential benefits than those already using them. This highlights the need to foster more realistic expectations with respect to digital diagnostics and to improve the technical performance and implementation of existing systems.

An intervention addressing secondary traumatic stress during a child abuse pediatrics rotation for residents: A qualitative study.

Does Implicit Bias Influence Resident Evaluations? A Single-center Review of Intraoperative Evaluations.

A Year in (Re)View From the Association of Pediatric Program Directors: 2025 Edition.

Do Surgical Residents Speak Up About Patient Safety Concerns? A National Survey Assessing Factors Associated With Resident Comfort Level in Raising Concerns to Supervising Physicians.

Educational Impact of Parental Leave for the Nonchildbearing General Surgery Resident Parent: A Qualitative Analysis.

Using artificial intelligence for automated assessment of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) skills in emergency medicine.

Required psychiatry rotation in residency training enhances psychiatric competence: A nationwide study in Japan.

A Decade of Change: Resident Life Events and the Evolution of Surgical Training Flexibility.

Military surgical residency programs face unique challenges in preparing residents for the operational demands of combat casualty care. Over the past decade, significant educational innovations have been implemented to improve clinical competence and deployment readiness. To evaluate advancements in U.S. military surgical residency training between 2015 and 2025, focusing on educational interventions and their impact on resident preparedness across multiple domains of surgical education. A systematic review of literature from PubMed and Scopus was performed using defined MeSH and keyword criteria. Studies were included if they evaluated educational interventions involving surgical residents in U.S. military GME programs, reporting outcomes such as competency, readiness, or skill acquisition. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Key innovations included simulation-based training in trauma, OB/GYN, and urology; deployment readiness curricula; live tissue and cadaveric courses; mentorship frameworks; and the integration of research platforms for skill sustainment. These interventions led to measurable improvements in confidence, performance, and readiness indices across residency programs. The past decade has seen a paradigm shift in military surgical education. Evidence based innovations are helping to align training with future operational demands, but further standardization and longitudinal outcomes research are needed.

Abstract Purpose of the study Charisma is a relational construct that may shape communication, leadership behavior, and team dynamics in healthcare settings. It remains unclear whether charisma profiles differ across residents’ intended medical specialties. Study design This study examined the association between intended specialty choice and charisma profiles among Japanese postgraduate residents using a cross-sectional, nationwide, web-based survey conducted between 18 January and 31 March 2024 after a national in-training examination. Of the 9179 postgraduate year one and two residents invited, 5808 (63.3%) were included in the analysis. Charisma was assessed using a modified General Charisma Inventory with binary items. The primary outcome was the total modified inventory score and its association with the intended specialty was estimated using multivariate linear regression adjusted for age, sex, and hospital type (including university hospital affiliation). Results Among participants, aspirations for surgical-oriented specialties were associated with higher total charisma scores compared with internal medicine (Surgery: β = 0.26, P < .001; Neurosurgery: β = 0.37, P = .001). In contrast, aspirations for diagnostic specialties were associated with lower total charisma scores (Radiology: β = −0.25, P = .022; Pathology: β = −0.48, P = .011). Male sex (β = 0.20, P < .001) and university hospital affiliation (β = 0.14, P = .008) were also independently associated with higher total charisma scores. Conclusions Charisma profiles among Japanese residents varied according to their intended specialty, consistent with a potential person–environment fit mechanism in early career preferences. Sex and institutional affiliation were also independently associated with charisma scores, suggesting socio-cultural and environmental influences. These findings can inform leadership development and career support strategies for residency training. Key messages • What is already known on this topic – charisma is a relational construct that can influence communication, leadership behavior, and team dynamics in healthcare settings. • What this study adds – in a nationwide cross-sectional web survey of 5808 residents, surgically oriented specialties were associated with higher total charisma scores, whereas diagnostic specialties were associated with lower scores (vs. internal medicine). Male sex and university hospital affiliations were independently associated with higher scores. • How this study might affect research, practice, or policy – charisma profiles may differ according to the intended specialty, person–environment fit, leadership development, and career support strategies in residency training.

Urinary tract obstruction, resulting from various etiologies, is a significant clinical condition associated with substantial morbidity, including life-threatening sepsis and acute kidney injury. Prompt intervention for decompression via ureteral stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy is paramount. This study aimed to assess the practice patterns of urologists in Türkiye concerning percutaneous nephrostomy and to highlight its integral role within urological clinical practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 7th May 2022 and 31st May 2023 following institutional ethics committee approval. A 13-item questionnaire was distributed to 131 urologists of various academic ranks. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test. Of the respondents, 71% (n=92) reported competency in performing percutaneous nephrostomy, while 29% (n=38) indicated they could not. Regarding the ideal provider for percutaneous nephrostomy, 31% (n=41) advocated for urologists, 11% (n=14) for interventional radiologists, and 58% (n=76) supported a collaborative approach between both specialties. When asked about institutional practice patterns, 11% (n=14) reported that percutaneous nephrostomy was not performed, 38% (n=50) noted it was performed by urologists, 24% (n=31) by interventional radiologists, and 28% (n=36) by both specialties. Notably, 55% of urologists who do not perform percutaneous nephrostomy, regardless of academic rank, cited malpractice concerns as the primary reason. Percutaneous nephrostomy remains a fundamental procedure in urological clinical practice. Our findings suggest that its inclusion in urology residency training curricula is vital to ensure urologists retain their competency in percutaneous nephrostomy management. Comprehensive training and proficiency in percutaneous nephrostomy should be a core component of urology residency programs.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults, with both genetic and modifiable risk factors contributing to disease progression. Robust prospective evidence demonstrates that dietary patterns rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids-particularly through green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, and Mediterranean diet adherence-reduce AMD progression risk by 20-56% across disease stages. Lifestyle factors including smoking cessation, weight management, and regular physical activity also confer protective benefits. Despite ample evidence, counseling about the benefits of these dietary and lifestyle behaviors remains underutilized in ophthalmic practice, largely due to inadequate medical education in preventive medicine and perceived barriers to implementation of such recommendations. This perspective examines the current evidence, highlights the gap between scientific evidence and clinical implementation, and proposes a framework for systematic reform. Recommendations include embedding nutrition education into medical school and residency training, establishing ocular nutrition as a continuing education requirement, and equipping clinicians with tools for incorporating these guidelines into routine AMD clinical care. Aligning ophthalmic practice with the recommended nutritional guidelines and other behavioral changes through the Macular Degeneration Preventive Diet and Lifestyle, represents a timely opportunity to translate evidence into interventions that preserve vision.

BackgroundMentorship is widely recognized as a critical element of surgical residency training and careers. As more general surgery residency programs look to implement program-wide mentorship interventions, best practices for fostering effective, enduring mentoring relationships remain poorly described.MethodsCurrent general surgery residents at an academic medical center participated in individual semi-structured interviews exploring perspectives on mentorship. Interviews were transcribed and de-identified prior to thematic coding using Dedoose.ResultsThere were 20 participants (8 interns, 7 mid-level residents, and 5 chief residents; representing 36% of the residency program), with a median age of 30 years and 50% of the cohort identifying as women. Four major themes emerged: (1) mentorship needs evolve throughout training, with an early emphasis on identifying research projects and later shifting toward career development; (2) mentorship needs are often met through multiple mentors including near peers and faculty who fulfill diverse roles; (3) informal relationships are perceived to be more meaningful than formal assignments but require residents to actively seek mentorship; and (4) responsiveness and investment are considered essential qualities of effective mentors.DiscussionGeneral surgery residents may benefit from programs which help facilitate the formation of mentorship teams comprised of both formal and informal relationships to meet the dynamic needs of residency. Near peer mentors may be particularly valuable in the composition of mentorship teams. Future work is needed to identify effective strategies for supporting residents through major transitions and cultivating behaviors that empower trainees to form the informal mentor-mentee relationships that best meet their needs.

Anesthesiology residents face high levels of occupational stress that can negatively impact their well-being and quality of life. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has emerged as a promising intervention to support mental health in healthcare professionals. To evaluate the effectiveness of a modified MBSR program on quality of life among anesthesiology residents. This prospective, single-group pre-post intervention study included 27 third-year anesthesiology residents (mean age 28.8 ± 1.9 years; 59.3% female) from a tertiary care hospital. Participants completed a 6-week modified MBSR program consisting of three 15- minute sessions per week. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey before and after the intervention. Pre-post comparisons were conducted using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests as appropriate. Significant improvements were observed in five of eight SF-36 domains: Physical Functioning (91.67 ± 11.43 vs. 97.96 ± 4.65, p = 0.001), Role-Physical (60.19 ± 33.44 vs. 81.48 ± 22.56, p = 0.006), Bodily Pain (74.81 ± 19.01 vs. 89.44 ± 15.60, p = 0.049), Vitality (48.33 ± 15.75 vs. 71.67 ± 17.26, p = 0.001), and Mental Health (59.89 ± 13.39 vs. 78.96 ± 14.73, p = 0.004). No significant sex-based differences in treatment response were observed. A brief, modified MBSR program significantly improved multiple dimensions of quality of life in anesthesiology residents. These findings support the integration of mindfulness-based interventions into residency training programs to enhance resident well-being.

A Nationwide Workforce Characterization of Neurosurgical Care in Postwar Vietnam.

In 2017, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) formalized the inclusion of quality improvement (QI) in residency training. We sought to characterize how ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency programs implement QI curricula, assess variation in curricular structure, and evaluate associations between curricula design and resident engagement. We conducted a national survey of all ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency programs in the United States. Program directors, associate program directors, or the department's quality and safety leader completed an anonymous survey assessing the structure, components, and resident engagement in QI curricula. Totally, 31/159 programs completed the survey, with 25 programs reporting formal QI curricula. Residents in programs with formal curricula were more likely to develop or lead their own projects (52% versus 0%, P =0.028). In addition, programs with formal curricula included more total components than informal programs (6 versus 3, P <0.001) and more components of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement than those without formal curricula (3.95 versus 1.75, P =0.048). Notably, 84% of respondents supported centralized resources to enhance QI training. Our results highlight the potential variability in how anesthesiology programs satisfy the 2017 ACGME QI requirements. Formal QI curricula were associated with higher reported levels of resident engagement and inclusion of more QI components in their curricula, including those from the IHI Model for Improvement, emphasizing the importance of structure and evidence-based strategies in QI education. The strong support for centralized resources underscores an opportunity to standardize QI education, ensuring improved access to a strong foundation of QI knowledge and skill. Due to the limited response rate and the nature of the study design, these results are best considered preliminary and intended to inform future inquiry.

Introduction The integration of clinical proficiency and research literacy remains a critical challenge in postgraduate medical education globally. Traditional teaching models often fail to bridge the gap between hands-on clinical training and scientific inquiry, particularly in skill-intensive areas such as electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation. In China, medical postgraduate programs, which combine residency training with academic research, face additional barriers, including limited exposure to international academic standards and insufficient English proficiency for accessing high-impact literature. To address these gaps, we implemented an innovative pedagogical model integrating English-language, case-based discussions derived from top-tier journals with collaborative research projects. This approach aimed to synchronize the development of clinical competency, research skills, and global academic engagement among medical postgraduates. Methods A total of 98 clinical medical postgraduates rotating through the Cardiology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University between 2021 and 2023 were included. All participants underwent a 4-month rotation. The educational intervention consisted of weekly ECG-based case discussions using clinical challenges published in high-impact international journals (e.g., JAMA Internal Medicine, Circulation). Sessions involved case analysis, student presentations, guided literature reviews, and academic writing exercises, supported by expert feedback. Outcomes were evaluated via theoretical examinations, a validated satisfaction and self-assessment questionnaire, and tracking of academic achievements. Results The theoretical exam pass rate was 100%, with 79.6% of students scoring above 90 points (out of 100). Questionnaire results indicated that 98.0% of respondents were highly satisfied with the teaching model. All students reported improvements in self-directed learning and clinical problem-solving abilities, and 86.7% noted significant gains in research capabilities. Academically, participants published 24 papers, including two in SCI-indexed journals. Several students received awards such as the National Scholarship and Provincial Outstanding Graduate awards. Discussion The integration of English-language case discussions with literature review appears to be an effective approach for simultaneously enhancing clinical and research competencies among medical postgraduates. This model offers a replicable strategy for fostering integrated clinical and academic skill development, though further multi-institutional validation is needed.

Introduction The tools and processes used to select applicants to medical school and residency training play a critical role in determining the future of healthcare. As selection strategies evolve to keep up with the competencies expected of physicians and the social accountability mandates of medical education programs, it is increasingly imperative that we develop awareness of how equity is influenced by how admissions decisions are made. This study was, thus, conducted to explore the consistency with which sociodemographic variables are associated with scores on academic and non-academic medical school selection tools. Methods Retrospective cohort study of 6 successive application cycles (2016–2021) undertaken at the University of British Columbia’s Undergraduate MD Program. Six sociodemographic variables were gathered or constructed from data available in the program’s admissions database: Applicants’ age, gender, high school location, self-identified disability, Indigeneity, and an educational-occupational index that reflects socioeconomic status. Subgroup differences were assessed for each cohort on each sociodemographic variable for 5 admissions tools: Grade point average, Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Non-academic activity assessment, Multiple Mini-Interviews, and a Remote and Rural Suitability Score. Results N = 14,781 applicants were included. Although patterns emerged, variability across cohort was also prominent. Large and consistent differences were observed between age groups and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous applicants for both academic measures (GPA: d = 0.96 and 0.63 for age and Indigeneity, respectively; MCAT: d = 0.84 and 0.86, respectively). Other associations were less robust. Discussion These data demonstrate the importance of taking the entire admissions system into account when making policy decisions rather than simply debating the value of tools independent of one another. Further, the data reveal the need to treat quality assurance efforts in a longitudinal manner rather than risk being misled by assuming any given cohort year to be representative of more general patterns.

The United States spends more on health care than any other nation, yet hundreds of thousands of Americans die each year from conditions that could be prevented through basic lifestyle changes. Although about 80% of premature deaths are linked to unhealthy behaviors, Lifestyle Medicine (LM) receives little emphasis in most medical school and residency curricula. LM offers a low-cost, accessible approach to preventing and even reversing chronic disease through evidence-based lifestyle interventions (EBLI). Although LM fellowships exist, residency training is also important because it strongly shapes long-term clinical practice. However, most programs do not routinely teach LM principles or practical EBLI counseling skills. From October 2024 to June 2025, we delivered ten sessions introducing Family Medicine (FM) and Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (ONMM) residents to core EBLI concepts. To measure impact, we retrospectively reviewed clinical notes, using keyword searches to assess the frequency and quality of documented EBLI recommended 3months before and after the curriculum. Five independent reviewers scored notes using a standardized rubric. After training, mean scores increased from 0.9 to 1.9 for frequency (P = 0.023) and from 0.6 to 1.7 for alignment with EBLI (P = 0.011). These results indicate that integrating LM into routine resident didactics is feasible and improves EBLI integration into patient care.