Update Sessions Research Articles

Voices of conference attendees: how should future hybrid conferences be designed?

BackgroundWith conference attendees having expressed preference for hybrid meeting formats (containing both in-person and virtual components), organisers are challenged to find the best combination of events for academic meetings. Better understanding what attendees prioritise in a hybrid conference should allow better planning and need fulfilment.MethodsAn online survey with closed and open-ended questions was distributed to registrants of an international virtual conference. Responses were then submitted to descriptive statistical analysis and directed content analysis.Results823 surveys (Response Rate = 4.9%) were received. Of the 813 who expressed a preference, 56.9% (N = 463) desired hybrid conference formats in the future, 32.0% (N = 260) preferred in-person conferences and 11.1% (N = 90) preferred virtual conferences. Presuming a hybrid meeting could be adopted, 67.4% (461/684) preferred that virtual sessions take place both during the in-person conference and be spread throughout the year. To optimise in-person components of hybrid conferences, recommendations received from 503 respondents included: prioritising clinical skills sessions (26.2%, N = 132), live international expert presentations and discussions (15.7%, N = 79) and interaction between delegates (13.5%, N = 68). To optimise virtual components, recommendations received from 486 respondents included: prioritising a live streaming platform with international experts’ presentations and discussions (24.3%, N = 118), clinical case discussions (19.8%, N = 96) and clinical update sessions (10.1%, N = 49).ConclusionsAttendees envision hybrid conferences in which organisers can enable the vital interaction between individuals during an in-person component (e.g., networking, viewing and improving clinical skills) while accessing virtual content at their convenience (e.g., online expert presentations with latest advancements, clinical case discussions and debates). Having accessible virtual sessions throughout the year, as well as live streaming during the in-person component of hybrid conferences, allows for opportunity to prolong learning beyond the conference days.

A quasi-experimental study to Effect of Educational Bundle on Pediatric Oncology Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes about the Implementation of Atraumatic Care

Background Atraumatic care plays a significant role in reducing the noxious effect of hospitalization on children and their families. Providing atraumatic care should be a basic premise in pediatric nursing care. Aim To evaluate the effect of an educational bundle on pediatric oncology nurses’ knowledge and attitudes about the implementation of atraumatic care. Method A quasi-experimental research design was used. The study was carried out at the Pediatric Oncology Department at Oncology Center Mansoura University. A convenient sample of 27 nurses was elected. A Structured Interview Questionnaire Sheet consisting of four parts was used for data collection. Results Preintervention, 26.0% of the nurses had good total knowledge while postintervention and at follow-up this percentage increased to 77.8 and 70.3%, respectively. Moreover, 44.4% of the studied nurses had an overall supportive attitude preintervention but the percentage improved to 81.5% postintervention and 77.8% at follow-up. Conclusion The educational bundle positively affected pediatric oncology nurses’ knowledge and attitude postimplementation with good retention of knowledge and sustained holding supportive attitudes three months later. Recommendations Scheduled regular update sessions and refreshment courses are strongly recommended to maintain and further improve the knowledge and attitudes of nurses over a longer period.

Multidisciplinary training activities for decreasing preanalytical mistakes in samples from primary care.

The presence of preanalytical mistakes (PM) in samples from primary care centres (PCC) is a widely studied topic. Different correcting strategies have been proposed, with variable success. We planned a series of multidisciplinary sessions for clinical update, with the aim to decrease PM rates in samples from PCC. The incidence of PM in samples from PCC processed at the laboratories of University Hospital Virgen de la Victoria (LAB1) and University Hospital Juan Ramon Jimenez (LAB2) was assessed during two time periods (October to November 2013 and January to May 2014). Clinical update sessions were conducted between periods (2014). Differences in PM rates between observation periods were evaluated. With respect to 2014, we observed a significant reduction of PM rates in blood samples processed at LAB1 during 2015, whereas those in LAB2 were slightly increased. The most common PMs were haemolysed sample at LAB1 and missed sample at LAB2. Although the presence of PM remains slightly high, there was a significant reduction after the clinical update sessions in LAB1, where the most frequent PM was haemolysed sample. In contrast, the PM rates were slightly increased at LAB2, and the main source was missed sample. This might be explained, at least in part, by different problems associated with sample transportation, and by the delay in transferring acquired knowledge into clinical practice. Implementation of regular programme of update sessions and improvements in sample transportation might help to reduce the PM presence in our area.

PTU-157 Reviewing The Standardised Approach – An Audit of 250 Barrett’s Surveillance Cases

Introduction Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) confers a relative risk of 11.3 over that of the general population for the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.(Hyid 2011) The endoscopic surveillance of BO remains the only modality for the detection of emergent dysplasia, which has been established as a premalignant development.(Flejou 2005) The 2013 BSG Guideline on BO explicitly suggests the use of a ‘minimum dataset’ in order to standardise BO reporting and for the audit of this practice in order to ensure high quality BO management.(Fitzgerald et al. 2013) Methods The advised minimum dataset includes the standardised ‘Prague classification’ and hiatus hernia reporting. We report the audit of standardised reporting in 250 patients – a volume that represents roughly forty percent of the annual Barrett’s surveillance load in between two large District General Hospitals in Lincolnshire(UK). Results Adherence to the ‘Prague Classification’ was demonstrated in 56% of reports (141 of 250). The Gastro-oesophageal-junction was only documented as being noted in 44% (109 of 250), with length of hiatus hernias being documented in 61% (105 of 173). Nurse endoscopists and doctors utilised the Prague classification equally – 48% and 52% respectively. Nurse endoscopists reported hiatus hernia length in only 38% of cases, with doctor (any grade) reporting at 62%. Interestingly overall only 32% of reports made any mention of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use or advised of PPI initiation. Of the total (n = 250) 7 cases of dysplasia and 4 cases of adenocarcinoma were detected. The single detected high-grade dysplasia was referred appropriately for UGI multidisciplinary team input. Two cases of indefinite dysplasia were noted, and repeat endoscopy planned within a 6 month period. The overall finding of 11 cases (4.4%) of dysplasia or malignancy was in keeping with expected detection rates as reported by recent meta-analyses.(Qiao 2015) Conclusion While dysplasia and adenocarcinoma detection rates are within acceptable ranges, improved adherence to the ‘minimum dataset’ is needed. We have recommended serial clinical update sessions for endoscopists and planned further re-audit. References 1 Pietro M, Ragunath K, et al. British society of gastroenterology guidelines on the diagnosis and management of Barrett’s Oesophagus. Gut. 2013;10:1136–40. 2 Flejou JF. Barrett’s oesophagus: from metaplasia to dysplasia and cancer. Gut. 2005;54:1–12. 3 Hvid-Jensen F, Pedersen L, Drewes A, et al. Incidence of adenocarcinoma among patients with Barrett’s oesophagus. N Engl J Medi. 2011. 365: 1375–83. 4 Qiao Y, Hyder A, et al. Surveillance in patients with Barrett’s Oesophagus for early detection of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A systematic review. Gastroenterology. 2015. 131:1038–1040. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Preceptors' views on their role in supporting newly qualified nurses.

Retention, stress and difficult transition are issues associated with new graduates entering the workforce. International literature has suggested there is a problem and preceptorship models have been introduced to assist new registrants. It is recognised that new registrants require support from a preceptor, however, the literature appears to focus attention on the preceptee's views, rather than the preceptor's. How do preceptors perceive their role in supporting newly qualified nurses/midwives? The aim of this article is to review the literature pertaining to preceptorship and explore the perceptions held by preceptors in relation to their role supporting newly qualified registrants. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using a purposive sample. Interviews were used to capture the data. The data analysis identified that overall preceptors do feel prepared for their role, however, they highlighted the benefits of preceptor updates and regular support. Preceptors identified rewards and challenges associated with this role. The first 6 months of being a registrant has challenges for both the preceptee and the preceptor. The implementation of preceptorship models that include preparation and support for preceptors is essential to alleviate issues of transition, retention and stress. Preceptors identified areas for improvement such as regular update sessions, formal peer support, and protected time to discuss and complete the documentation.

Hotline update of clinical trials and registries presented at the American College of Cardiology Congress 2014

This article provides information and commentaries on trials which were presented at the Hotline and Clinical Trial Update Sessions during the Late Breaking Clinical Trial Sessions at the 63rd annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Washington, USA, from 29th to 31st March 2014. This article gives an overview on a number of novel clinical trials in the field of cardiovascular medicine, which were presented. Comprehensive summaries have been generated from the oral presentation and the webcasts of the American College of Cardiology, similar to as previously reported and should provide the readers with the most comprehensive information of relevant publications. The discussed studies are US CoreValve, Choice, Symplcity-HTN-3, GRS, ZEUS, GIPS-III, HEAT-PPCI, COPR-2, MSC-HF, POISE-2, SIRS. The data were presented by leading experts in the field.

Introducing the new CUAJ Editor-in-Chief!

With this issue, the CUAJ enters a new chapter with Dr. Robert Siemens assuming the Editor-In-Chief position. Dr. Siemens has been known as an excellent urologist widely respected by colleagues in the community and in academic circles, an accomplished cancer researcher, a dedicated teacher and an “all round nice guy.” We have every confidence Dr. Siemens will guide CUAJ wisely and capably as Editor-In Chief. Good Luck, Rob! The CUA is bustling with activities, under the capable and energetic leadership of our Executive Director, Tiffany Pizioli. Your Association is continuing to fulfill its broadened mandate of education initiatives for primary care physicians and for patients/“consumers.” A series of didactic update sessions for primary care physicians will be held in 2013 in 8 cities across the country. A urology handbook will be released in early 2013. The CUA is also spearheading a “Fostering the Partnership Forum” in January 2013, engaging survivors of all genitourinary cancers, their caregivers/family members, oncologists, as well as researchers from several disciplines involved in survivorship research. We have now confirmed Dr. James Orbinski as a Special Speaker. Dr. Orbinski is a physician and a humanitarian, formerly with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). In 1999, he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 on behalf of MSF. An extraordinary scientific and social program awaits you in Niagara Falls in June 2013.

Hotline update of clinical trials and registries presented at the at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Paris 2011

This article provides information and commentaries on trials which were presented at the Hotline and Clinical Trial Update Sessions during the Late Breaking Clinical Trial Sessions European Society of Cardiology Congress, held in Paris, France, from 27th to 31st August 2011. This article gives an overview on a number of novel clinical trials in the field of cardiovascular medicine, which were presented. The data have been presented by leading experts in the accordant field with relevant positions in the trials. Unpublished reports should be considered as preliminary data as the analysis may change in the final publications. The comprehensive summaries have been generated from the oral presentation and the webcasts of the European Society of Cardiology, similar as previously reported (Lenski et al. in Clin Res Cardiol Off J Ger Card Soc 99: 679-692, 2010) and should provide the readers with the most comprehensive information of relevant publications. The data were presented by leading experts in the field with relevant positions in the trials.

Hotline update of clinical trials and registries presented at the American College of Cardiology Congress 2011

This article provides information and commentaries on trials which were presented at the Hotline and Clinical Trial Update Sessions during the Late Breaking Clinical Trial Sessions at the 60th annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans, USA, from 2nd April to 5th April 2011. This article gives an overview on a number of novel clinical trials in the field of cardiovascular medicine, which were presented. The comprehensive summaries have been generated from the oral presentation and the webcasts of the American College of Cardiology, similar as previously reported (Gensch et al. Clin Res Cardiol 100:1-9, 2011; Lenski et al. Clin Res Cardiol 99:679-692, 2010) and should provide the readers with the most comprehensive information of relevant publications. The data were presented by leading experts in the field with relevant positions in the trials.

A framework for mentor support in community-based placements

This article explores the development and provision of a framework for supporting mentors working in community settings. A working group was set up to explore the provision of mentor support in community placements in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, which was restructured to meet the demands of Nursing and Midwifery Council standards and to demonstrate a commitment to supporting mentors. This was done by providing regular mentoring update sessions, a regular newsletter, visiting lecturer contact and practice-held mentor resource packs. Evaluation of the update sessions was generally positive; the main criticism was the lack of pre-course information, which has since been addressed.

Clinical trial updates and hotline sessions presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2008

This article summarizes the results of a number of clinical trials in the field of cardiovascular medicine which were presented during the Hotline and Clinical Trial Update Sessions at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, held in Munich, Germany, from 30th August to 3rd September 2008. The data were presented by leading experts in the field with relevant positions in the trials. It is important to note that unpublished reports should be considered as preliminary data, as the analysis may change in the final publications. The comprehensive summaries have been generated from the oral presentation and the webcasts of the European Society of Cardiology and should provide the readers with the most comprehensive information on diagnostic and therapeutic developments in cardiovascular medicine.

Clinical Trials Update from the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Vienna, 2007: PROSPECT, EVEREST, ARISE, ALOFT, FINESSE, Prague-8, CARESS in MI and ACUITY

The Clinical Trials described in this article were presented at the Hotline and Clinical Trial Update Sessions of the European Society of Cardiology Congress held in September 2007 in Vienna, Austria. The sessions chosen for this article represent the scope of interest of Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy. The presentations should be considered preliminary, as further analyses could alter the final publication of the results of these studies. PROSPECT evaluated echocardiographic criteria for optimal selection of patients with moderate to severe heart failure who may benefit from cardiac resynchronisation therapy, however concluded that no single echocardiographic measure can be recommended. EVEREST found that tolvaptan, a vasopressin V(2) antagonist, resulted in early weight reduction and improvement of dyspnoea in patients with acute heart failure, but lacked long term improvement. In ARISE, the anti-oxidant succinobucal did not affect the primary outcome in high risk cardiovascular patients, but improved the combination of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke, and diabetic control in diabetics. ALOFT showed that the addition of the renin inhibitor aliskiren to an ACE inhibitor or ARB and a beta-blocker leads to favourable effects on neurohormonal actions in heart failure. FINESSE markedly improved coronary patency before PCI with half-dose reteplase/abciximab in STEMI patients, however without significantly improving short-term outcome. The Prague-8 Study evaluated whether routine clopidogrel administered >6 h pre-angiography would be a safe way to achieve therapeutic drug levels in case a follow-up intervention would be considered immediately, but appeared not justified because of bleeding complications. CARESS in MI showed that high risk patients with evolving STEMI who undergo thrombolytic therapy should undergo PCI early after the thrombolysis. Finally, the ACUITY trial found that in moderate or high risk Non ST elevation ACS patients triaged to PCI, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, or medical management, bivalirudin, with or without associated GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy, resulted in a marked reduction of bleeding at 30 days whilst preserving the ischemic and mortality benefit at 1 year follow up.

Clinical Trial Updates and Hotline Sessions presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2007

This article provides information and commentaries on trials which were presented at the Hotline and Clinical Trial Update Sessions at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2007 in Vienna. The key presentations were performed by leading experts in the field with relevant positions in the trials or registries. It is important to note that unpublished reports should be considered as preliminary data, as the analysis may change in the final publications. The comprehensive summaries have been generated from the oral presentation and the webcasts of the European Society of Cardiology and should provide the readers with the most comprehensive information of relevant publications.

Genetics Support to Primary Care Practitioners—A Demonstration Project

Primary care practitioners need to be supported by specialist genetics services to enable them to cope effectively with the expanding relevance of genetics to their patients. Genetic counselors could be effective in such a role. This exploratory project set out to improve the Primary-Tertiary interface through piloting such a service to general practice for 1 year. Tailored genetic educational outreach was delivered by a genetic counselor to ten randomly selected general practices in central England for 12 months. A range of services were provided to the practices these included facilitated genetic update sessions, a responsive advice service and referral guidelines. The service was evaluated through pre and post intervention questionnaires and via seven semi-structured interviews. This article presents a description of the development and delivery of this service and also reports on the experiences of a sample of the participants. Participants reported positive attitudes to the service and said that they had gained knowledge and confidence, as well as recognized limitations and gaps in their current knowledge. The consistent link with a specialist genetics service provided by a genetic counselor had a positive impact during the project and participants have continued to utilize the genetic counselor for advice and support with genetic patient issues since the project was completed. This is the first example of this model of service provision. Further research, utilizing a larger sample and other measures of behavioral change needs to be carried out to assess whether this model should be adopted on a wider basis.

AAPM is Moving Ahead

As I prepare to turn over the presidency to Scott Fishman, MD, in February, I wanted to take the opportunity to provide updates on several AAPM initiatives. The 2005 Program Committee has developed another outstanding, comprehensive educational program on Pain Medicine. Three distinctive preconference seminars will be offered covering topics such as practice management, opioids, and advanced neuromodulation. New this year, the review courses, for those new to Pain Medicine or those preparing for certification through a thorough review of key topics, will run concurrently with the Update Sessions. The Update Sessions will be designated for practicing pain specialists with more experience in the field. These sessions are planned to be interactive with point/counterpoint formats and case studies. This schedule allows attendees to customize the meeting to choose programs at their level of interest and experience. The meeting also will include an expanded …

Children with a tracheostomy: experience of their carers in school.

Tracheostomies in children are increasingly performed for chronic medical conditions. There are no published studies reporting the experience of children with a tracheostomy in school. Such information would be valuable in planning the care and education of these children. The aims of this study were to identify those children with a tracheostomy in Nottinghamshire schools and determine the support they were receiving. Questionnaire survey to families and school carers of 11 children with a tracheostomy. All children of school age were in full-time education (five mainstream, five special schools). One preschool child attended a Family Centre. Four had problems finding suitable carers, delaying return to school in three. Four parents were dissatisfied with aspects of the child's experience at school: two felt the teaching staff were unsupportive, one was unhappy with the care of the tracheostomy, and one had problems funding a carer. Ten out of 11 school carers were satisfied with their training; 10 would have liked regular update sessions. The amount of care required varied. Those with complex medical problems in a special school setting needed frequent care, and one had required admission to hospital from school. One child had time off school because of lack of carer availability. Those who were severely disabled had less time off school for ill health after the tracheostomy than before the tracheostomy. Children with tracheostomies can successfully and safely achieve full-time education in both mainstream and special schools. A dedicated multidisciplinary team, including input from the parents, is essential to achieve this goal. Regular revision of skills and information sessions for the teaching staff would be beneficial.

Time to Regrade the Terrain of Continuing Professional Education: Views From Practitioners

Chicago, Illinois is the home base for dozens of professional associations and other types of continuing professional education (CPE) provider organizations. This happy circumstance brings many of their program directors, administrators, educators, and senior executives to the graduate programs in Adult and Higher Education at Northern Illinois University In keeping with the mission o f the AAACE Futures Project (Knox, 2001), this column examines the diverse experiences, views, needs, and desires of practitioners engaged in CPE with whom I have had the pleasure of working in recent years. These folks are on the cutting-edge of practice, as they advise both volunteer and organizational leaders, respond to requests for expert testimony, and plan programs for their state and national constituencies. Their frustrations and triumphs bring rich discussions to our CPE courses, as they wrestle with environmental turbulence including: government regulation, changing demographics of their members (and those member's clients), increasing demands for distributed learning technologies, and economic uncertainties. Each fall as we work to become a learning community, we confront numerous occupational-silo mindsets. The prevailing view is that CPE practices and dilemmas within my field are so unique and contextually nuanced that sharing is of limited value. This view diminishes as we discover that diversity in its many forms, both confounds and informs. Learners are often surprised to find remarkably similar concerns across professional domains with regard to collaboration among providers, program planning, evaluating, financing and marketing CPE, editorial and research agendas, and increasing pressure for accountability and quality control. Nearly 5 years ago, Cervero (2000) framed three critical issues for the study and practice of CPE. These have been enormously useful in setting the stage for our scholar-practitioners, as they consider more permeable boundaries among practitioners of CPE in numerous professions. The remainder of this column focuses on consideration of these three issues plus one more: How has the CPE landscape changed since 2000, how are practitioners responding, and what counsel do they offer the readership of Adult Learning? Issue 1. Continuing education for what? The struggle between updating professionals' versus improving practice (Cervero, 2000, p. 8). Typically, this issue meets with consternation early in our discussions and it is viewed rather narrowly as a problem related to transfer-of-learning that is attributed to the lack of alignment between the formal instructional arena and the work site. As reading and reflection progresses, with much assistance from the research done by Daley (1999, 2001) and Cheetham and Chivers (2000, 2001) that examine learning in the context of practice across different professions, the issue gets fleshed out as: How can we create CPE programs that bring together specialized and reflective practice tools to enable professionals to build solid technical AND improvisational expertise? (Brick, Learning Log, October, 2004). Some innovative practices have emerged from these exchanges. With variations on the theme, a knowledge objects approach to instructional design is very much in the forefront of CPE offered through several medical specialties. Instead of selecting from the standard array of concurrent update sessions, participants enter a virtual learning environment at their annual meeting and peruse the conference program via 10-minute computer-based overview sessions. Once the participants select their interest areas, they have three options: (1) attend an update session at the conference, (2) procure self-directed study materials, or (3) enter a preceptor type arrangement for extended study in the particular area of expertise. These options are empowering to participants! However, there is a downside; only resource-rich professional associations are presenting these alternatives. …

Are Mentors Ready to make a Difference? A survey of mentors' attitudes towards nurse education

This paper reports on a survey of practitioners who act as mentors to student nurses from a Higher Education Institution in Northern England. The aims of the survey were to gain a profile of mentors, and to seek their views regarding their degree of support in undertaking the mentoring role, and their experience of mentors' update sessions. Respondents were experienced as mentors. As a group, they felt supported by their work colleagues, but fewer felt that they had adequate support from the HEI or their managers. Respondents wanted more time for mentoring activities, closer links with the HEI before, during and after practice placements, and more user friendly assessment documentation. Respondents did not report difficulty in spending enough time working with students, although this is a frequent complaint of students. Mentors update sessions were often not attended, either through staff shortages, or through lack of information.

Teaching pharmacology within a multidisciplinary organ system-based medical curriculum.

We have described how the pharmacology of agents that act on the central nervous system (CNS) and endocrine system were incorporated into a case-based, multidisciplinary, integrated sophomore medical curriculum at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIUSM). Faculty members from the Departments of Pharmacology, Pathology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neurology were major participants in the CNS block, and faculty with primary expertise in radiology, epidemiology, and immunology also participated. Integrated sessions involving the entire class were organized around brief patient cases, which were given to the students in advance of the session. During the sessions, each patient case was presented by a physician or pathologist who briefly described symptoms, history, physical findings, differential diagnosis, and the classification of the subtypes of the particular class of disorder. The pathophysiology of the disease was discussed, and the pharmacology of agents to be considered for therapy was presented in the context of the Pharmacology Mental Algorithm, a systematic and rational approach to drug therapy. The session was completed by a clinician who added further clinically relevant information, which was followed by a question-and-answer period involving all faculty participants. The CNS block was presented over a 1-month period and included standardized patients and real patients who consistently exhibited specific disease findings, and these patient-oriented sessions were followed with small group tutorial sessions. Single discipline large-group sessions were also used to present material that is introductory or unique to a particular discipline. Student knowledge was assessed, using integrated evaluations based on case vignettes with multiple-choice questions provided by each discipline. The goal of the examination was to evaluate knowledge base in the discipline areas and its application to clinical problem-solving. A practical evaluation of each student's patient examination skills in CNS was also performed by clinicians. Feedback from the students on the organ system activities was obtained using a questionnaire. Development of these sessions required leadership and a considerable amount of time to organize, improve, and update sessions. The integrated approach largely eliminated the use of conflicting terminology and redundancy of material common with separate presentations on the same subject by different disciplines. The multidisciplinary, case-based sessions were perceived to be instructive, valuable learning experiences, based on formal and informal student and faculty feedback.