Physician experience is associated with greater underestimation of patient pain

ObjectiveProcedural pain is unique in that physicians simultaneously cause and assess it. Experienced male physicians are known to underestimate their female patients’ pain more than other physicians. However, it is unknown whether this also occurs in obstetrics/gynecology, where all patients are females. This study addresses the gap in literature on procedural pain assessment accuracy.MethodsThe present research compares paired pain evaluations from 20 obstetricians/gynecologists and their 92 female patients.ResultsOur data demonstrate that patients’ reported pain levels (M = 5.53, SD = 2.7) were significantly higher than their physicians’ pain estimates (M = 4.89, SD = 2.19), t = 2.64, p < 0.005. The gap between patients’ and physicians’ pain estimates was greatest among physicians with the greatest procedural experience (M = 1.49, SD = 2.24), f = 5.72, p < 0.005. Male physicians underestimated their patients’ pain significantly more than female physicians do, t = 2.27, p < 0.05.ConclusionOur results shed light on systematic underestimation of procedural pain and highlight the significance of experience and sex differences in pain evaluation.Practice implicationsPhysicians’ experience influences their perception of patient pain while performing procedures. Experienced male physicians, even those who exclusively treat female patients, need to be aware of this ubiquitous bias in assessing their female patients’ procedural pain.     

妇产科手术后疼痛的护理

目的：探究产科手术后的切口疼痛的临床护理措施。方法选择2013年4月~2014年3月在我院接受妇产科手术的226例患者作为研究对象,观察其手术后疼痛情况,并给予针对性的药物镇痛及心理护理进行有效的疼痛干预。结果减轻了患者手术后的疼痛感,缩短住院时间的同时,还避免了并发症的发生。结论对妇产科术后出现的疼痛进行综合性处理,可以有效促进患者渡过手术后的恢复期。     

氟哌利多穴位注射对妇科腹腔镜手术后恶心呕吐的影响

目的：观察氟哌利多穴位注射对妇科腹腔镜手术后恶心呕吐的影响。方法：将60例妇科腹腔镜手术患者以随机数字表法分为A组（n＝30）和I组（n＝30）。 A组患者在诱导前10 min于双侧内关穴注射氟哌利多1 mg,I组患者在诱导前10 min静脉注射氟哌利多2 mg。记录患者术毕至拔气管导管时间、术毕至听从指令时间、术后24 h内恶心呕吐发生率及严重程度。结果：A组患者术后0～1、1～2、2～4、4～12 h的恶心呕吐评分（ NVS评分）低于I组,麻醉后监测治疗室内给予止吐药的病例数少于I组（P均＜0．05）。2组患者术后12～24 h的NVS评分、拔管时间、听从指令时间的差异无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。结论：氟哌利多穴位注射预防妇科腹腔镜手术后恶心呕吐的效果优于静脉注射氟哌利多,且不影响麻醉恢复。     

手术室优化护理对预防妇产科开腹手术切口感染的影响

目的：探讨不同护理方式对预防妇产科开腹手术切口感染的影响。方法：选取204例患者随机分为常规护理组和优化护理组,各102例,常规护理组给予手术室常规护理,优化护理组在常规护理的基础上给予优化护理管理。结果：优化护理组患者手术切口的甲级愈合率明显优于常规护理组,优化护理组患者的丙级愈合率、切口感染率、住院天数和治疗总费用等均低于常规护理组,差异有统计学意义（ P＜0．05）。结论：手术室采取优化护理措施,可有效预防妇产科开腹手术患者的切口感染,缩短住院时间,和减轻患者负担。     

Is pelvic floor muscle strength and thickness associated with pelvic organ prolapse in Nepali women? – A cross-sectional study

BackgroundPelvic floor muscle function has been shown to be inversely associated with pelvic organ prolapse in Western women, however differences have been documented between ethnic groups.ObjectiveTo determine if pelvic floor muscle strength and thickness and hiatal area are associated with pelvic organ prolapse in Nepali women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included non-pregnant Nepali women ≥18 years attending an outpatient gynecology clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal. A clinical examination included the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q)- system examination and Modified Oxford Scale. Puborectalis muscle thickness and hiatal area were assessed using 3D/4D translabial ultrasound. Statistical analysis included Pearson's correlation and multiple regression (p < 0.05).ResultsOf the 123 women; 14 (11%) had POP-Q stage 0 prolapse, 29 (24%) stage I, 69 (56%) stage II, 8 (7%) stage III, and 3 (2%) stage IV. Mean ± SD Modified Oxford Scale was 3.37 ± 0.48 and muscle thickness was 1.14 ± 0.21 cm, hiatal area at rest was 14.67 ± 3.11 cm² and on contraction was 11.29 ± 2.51 cm². No associations were found between pelvic floor muscle strength or thickness and POP-Q stages 0–IV. There was a positive correlation found between hiatal area at rest and pelvic organ prolapse stage (r = 0.34, p < 0.001)and hiatal area on contraction and prolapse stage (r = 0.30, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation between pelvic floor muscle strength and hiatal area on contraction (r = ?0.36, p < 0.001).ConclusionIn contrast to previous findings, pelvic floor muscle strength and thickness are not associated with pelvic organ prolapse in this sample of Nepali women. It is important to consider these findings when developing pelvic organ prolapse treatment and management strategies in this population.     

4项凝血指标联合CA125检测对良恶性卵巢肿瘤辅助诊断的价值分析

目的探讨4项凝血指标凝血酶时间(TT)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)、D-二聚体(D-D)、血小板计数(PLT)联合糖类抗原(CA)125检测对良恶性卵巢肿瘤辅助诊断的价值。方法比较62例卵巢癌患者(卵巢癌组)与62例良性肿瘤患者(良性肿瘤组),以及不同国际妇产科协会(FIGO)分期卵巢癌患者,不同病理类型卵巢癌患者中CA125、4项凝血指标水平;采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析联合检测对良恶性卵巢肿瘤辅助诊断的价值。结果卵巢癌组CA125、TT、FIB、D-D、PLT水平均明显高于良性肿瘤组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);卵巢癌早期(FIGO分期Ⅰ~Ⅱ期)患者CA125、FIB水平低于卵巢癌晚期(FIGO分期Ⅲ~Ⅳ期)患者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而TT、D-D、PLT水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。不同病理类型患者之间CA125、D-D水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);CA125、TT、FIB、D-D、PLT单项指标对于良恶性卵巢肿瘤具有辅助诊断价值,5项指标联合检测对卵巢癌诊断的ROC曲线下面积为0.982,特异度为100.00%,诊断价值更高。结论CA125及4项凝血指标联合检测比单项指标检测对良恶性卵巢肿瘤具有更高的辅助诊断价值。     

《医宗金鉴·妇科心法要诀·崩漏门》组方用药特点分析

目的探讨《医宗金鉴·妇科心法要诀·崩漏门》组方用药规律与特点。方法运用统计学方法,统计《医宗金鉴·妇科心法要诀·崩漏门》中所用方剂及药物的四气、五味、归经以及方剂的功能、主治、归类等所出现的频次、频率;运用文献学方法分析其组方用药规律与特色。结果《医宗金鉴·妇科心法要诀·崩漏门》共用方15首,其中补益方使用频次最高,占73.33%。15首方剂共用药物49味,其四气五味应用频次前三为温寒平,甘苦辛,分别为61.24%、20.16%及14.73%和32.18%、29.21%及29.21%。归经上,归肝经药物应用最多,占22.14%,脾肺经次之为18.32%、12.21%;功效分类上,补益药应用频次最高,其次为风类药、祛湿药,占50.00%、16.66%、15.15%。结论《医宗金鉴·妇科心法要诀·崩漏门》认为虚、热、瘀是崩漏发生的主要病机,其治崩漏,不在固涩,而在治本,即补脾、调肝、清热、化瘀。其组方用药特点体现在崇古不泥,灵活务实;重视温补,慎用涩止;崇尚调肝,注重清热化瘀。     

Understanding the underutilization of cervical brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer

PurposeTo understand the reasons behind current low utilization of brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer in the United States.Methods and MaterialsA 17-item survey was e-mailed to the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) listserv of active members in 2018. Responses of attending physicians in the United States were included in the analysis.ResultsAmong a total of 135 respondents, 81 completed the survey. Eighty-four percent agree/strongly agree that cervical brachytherapy is underutilized, and 46.9% disagree/strongly disagree that residents are receiving adequate training for brachytherapy; 75.3% agree/strongly agree that inadequate maintenance of brachytherapy skills is a major obstacle to brachytherapy use; and 71.6% agree/strongly agree that increased time requirement constitutes a major obstacle. Over 97% will recommend brachytherapy for most patients with cervical cancer if given access/time; 72.8% always perform their own brachytherapy, whereas 29.6% reported some type of barrier exists in performing brachytherapy themselves, with time required to perform brachytherapy (9.9%) being a leading factor. A quarter (24.7%) routinely refer to other radiation oncologists for brachytherapy. Even among ABS members, 37.0% reported that they would perform an intensity-modulated radiation therapy or stereotactic body radiation therapy boost in specific scenarios in potentially curable patients. The most common scenario is inability to place a uterine tandem (56.7%).ConclusionsThe underutilization of brachytherapy in cervical cancer is widely recognized by ABS members with inadequate training during residency and inadequate maintenance of skills being possible major contributing factors. Even among ABS members, there are identifiable barriers. Continued advocacy and future initiatives in enhancing access to brachytherapy training and efficiency are needed.     

Does an Advanced Pelvic Simulation Curriculum Improve Resident Performance on a Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Focused Objective Structured Clinical Examination? A Cohort Study

Study ObjectiveTo determine the effect of an advanced pelvic simulation curriculum on resident performance on a pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) focused objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).DesignObstetrics and gynecology residents in a single academic Canadian center participated in a PAG simulation curriculum. An OSCE on prepubertal vaginal bleeding was administered at the biannual OSCE examination 2 months before the simulation curriculum and again 3 months after the simulation curriculum.SettingAcademic half-day at the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre.ParticipantsObstetrics and gynecology residents from the University of Ottawa.InterventionsParticipants completed 4 stations teaching PAG-appropriate history-taking, genital examination, Tanner staging, vaginal sampling and flushing, hymenectomy, vaginoscopy, laparoscopic adnexal detorsion, and approach to the child and/or adolescent. Advanced pelvic models were used for procedure-specific stations.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measure was change in mean score on a prepubertal vaginal bleeding OSCE station. Secondary outcome measures were changes in individual component scores.ResultsFourteen residents completed the simulation curriculum and the PAG OSCE at the 2 separate time points (before and after simulation curriculum). The mean OSCE score before the simulation curriculum was 54.6% (20.5 of 37) and mean score after the curriculum was 78.1% (28.9 of 37; P < .001). Significant score increases were found in history-taking, examination, differential diagnosis, identification of organism, surgical procedures, and identification of foreign body (P < .01 for all).ConclusionThis innovative PAG simulation curriculum significantly increased residents' knowledge in PAG history-taking, examination skills, operative procedures, and approach to the child and/or adolescent. Obstetrics and Gynecology Program Directors should consider incorporating PAG simulation training into their curriculum to ensure that residents meet their learning objectives and increase their knowledge and confidence, which will ultimately benefit patient care.     

Impact of a Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Curriculum on an Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency

Study ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of a new pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) curriculum for improving obstetrics/gynecology resident physician knowledge and comfort level in patient management and to describe the current deficiencies in resident physician knowledge and comfort level in PAG.DesignA PAG curriculum was implemented for the obstetrics/gynecology resident physicians (n = 20) at the University of South Florida in July 2013. Before and after the curriculum was introduced, resident physicians and recent graduates of the residency program completed a survey to assess their comfort level and a knowledge assessment consisting of 20 case-based questions.SettingUniversity-based residency program.ParticipantsResident physicians and recent resident physician graduates in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.InterventionsIntroduction of a PAG curriculum during the 2013-2014 academic year.Main Outcome MeasuresImprovement in resident physicians' comfort level and knowledge in PAG.ResultsAfter the curriculum was introduced, comfort increased in examining the genitals of a pediatric gynecology patient (median difference = 1.5; P = .003) and history-taking, physical examination skills, and management (median difference = 1; P = .002) compared with before the curriculum. There was no significant difference in overall quiz score (15.5 ± 1.87 vs 15.8 ± 1.3; P = .78).ConclusionA curriculum in PAG did improve resident comfort level in managing PAG patients, but did not significantly improve knowledge of this topic.