Equatorial sub-Tenon blocks: Animal model training

Background and objectiveSub-Tenon's blocks (STB) provide effective operating conditions for ophthalmic surgery. Originally performed by surgeons STB are now increasingly administered by anaesthetists in the UK. STB requires expertise in handling surgical instruments. The traditional way of gaining expertise used to be by practicing on the patients, this is no longer advisable, or desirable.Materials and methodsThis article describes an animal eye model, equipment and teaching process for STB that the author has set up in a wet lab setting at Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre. Advantages and disadvantages of other methods of animal and non animal simulation are discussed.ResultsThe trainees acquire bi-manual dexterity and develop confidence through hands-on practice on the animal eye before proceeding to perform the procedure on the patients.ConclusionThe isolated pig eye animal model is a practical, inexpensive and reproducible method of teaching novice trainees in performing sub-Tenon blocks. The training is the first of its kind in the UK, and is highly successful.     

Active Relearning for Robust Supervised Training of Emphysema Patterns

Radiologists are adept at recognizing the character and extent of lung parenchymal abnormalities in computed tomography (CT) scans. However, the inconsistent differential diagnosis due to subjective aggregation necessitates the exploration of automated classification based on supervised or unsupervised learning. The robustness of supervised learning depends on the training samples. Towards optimizing emphysema classification, we introduce a physician-in-the-loop feedback approach to minimize ambiguity in the selected training samples. An experienced thoracic radiologist selected 412 regions of interest (ROIs) across 15 datasets to represent 124, 129, 139 and 20 training samples of mild, moderate, severe emphysema and normal appearance, respectively. Using multi-view (multiple metrics to capture complementary features) inductive learning, an ensemble of seven un-optimized support vector models (SVM) each based on a specific metric was constructed in less than 6 s. The training samples were classified using seven SVM models and consensus labels were created using majority voting. In the active relearning phase, the ensemble-expert label conflicts were resolved by the expert. The efficacy and generality of active relearning feedback was assessed in the optimized parameter space of six general purpose classifiers across the seven dissimilarity metrics. The proposed just-in-time active relearning feedback with un-optimized SVMs yielded 15 % increase in classification accuracy and 25 % reduction in the number of support vectors. The average improvement in accuracy of six classifiers in their optimized parameter space was 21 %. The proposed cooperative feedback method enhances the quality of training samples used to construct automated classification of emphysematous CT scans. Such an approach could lead to substantial improvement in quantification of emphysema.     

关于小儿外科基层医师腹腔镜培训的几点思考

目的探讨小儿外科基层医师的腹腔镜规范化培训的方式、内容和出路。方法 2009年至今,哈尔滨医科大学附属第二医院小儿外科对15名基层医师进行小儿腹腔镜技术培训,采取定期理论学习、长期模拟训练、部分临床实践等规范化操作体系。结果培训医师能够掌握小儿外科腹腔镜手术操作技术,回到基层单位可以开展小儿腹腔镜手术。结论规范化的小儿腹腔镜培训体系可以提高基层医师腹腔镜理论水平和手术技能,推动小儿外科腹腔镜技术在基层单位的应用发展。     

La educación médica como necesidad para la formación de los futuros médicos

This work highlights the need to establish Medical Education Units in Spain in response an increasingly demanding global society. As in Netherlands, England and the United States of America, we suggest establishing unified quality criteria and use them to promote changes in the Faculties of Medicine all along the country. Medical Education Units would assume a role in curricular evaluation and updating to ensure quality standards and academic excellence. Moreover, it would be essential to offer training in Medical Education for both teachers and students, including development of dedicated Master and PhD programs and associated research projects. Furthermore, Medical Education Units would work in favor of continuous training through the creation of the Chairs of Medical Education reinforcing the role of education in health sciences.     

Impact and implementation of active case finding for tuberculosis in homeless populations: a systematic review

BackgroundIdentifying tuberculosis in homeless populations through active case finding (ACF) is recommended to address health inequalities and contribute to wider control strategies for tuberculosis. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of ACF.MethodsThis systematic review assessed studies on ACF done in countries with low or medium burden of tuberculosis across Europe, the USA, and Australia. We systematically searched EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, ASSIA, Pro-Quest, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library and grey literature for English language publications up to Jan 5, 2019 (no earlier date limit). We used concepts of “ACF”, “tuberculosis”, and “homeless person”. We identified studies that analysed ACF and reported on our outcome measures, in homeless populations, in low-burden and medium-burden countries. ACF screening included testing for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or active tuberculosis affecting any site. Studies into outbreak control or other populations were excluded. Primary study outcomes were the effectiveness of ACF (using population measures of tuberculosis prevalence or incidence) and interventions to improve ACF uptake and completion of the diagnostic pathway. Secondary outcomes were yield of ACF, cost-effectiveness, and characteristics of participants.Findings21 studies met the inclusion criteria. Study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Three time-trend analyses produced some evidence that ACF was effective, because it was associated with reductions in tuberculosis incidence, prevalence, or clustering. A modelling study also showed that ACF was more effective than passive case finding in reducing population tuberculosis burden. Material incentives have the strongest evidence for improving uptake of ACF, with mixed evidence for peer educators. Observational evidence shows professional support and mandatory screening might also enhance uptake, and additional community-based support improves completion of the diagnostic pathway. Across all studies, the yield of screening (defined as the proportion of screened individuals who test positive) ranged from 1·5% to 57% for LTBI (total 41 684 individuals screened), and 0–3·1% for active tuberculosis (total 91 771 individuals screened). ACF can be cost-effective; population prevalence and screening modalities are determinants of cost-effectiveness. Considering ACF participants, subgroups most likely to be diagnosed with tuberculosis appeared less likely to accept screening.InterpretationACF should be considered in both tuberculosis and homelessness strategies, with evidence-based interventions to improve implementation. Outcomes varied widely, meaning programmes must be tailored to local populations. Strengths of our study include generalisable results to homeless populations from diverse settings. Limitations include restriction to the English language, the fairly low grade of the evidence identified, and the low number of studies screening for LTBI or using newer screening tests.FundingThe South West Public Health Training Programme.     

Can runners maintain a newly learned gait pattern outside a laboratory environment following gait retraining?

BackgroundPrevious peak tibial shock gait retraining programs, which were usually conducted on a treadmill, were reported to be effective on impact loading reduction in runners. However, whether the trained runners can translate the training effect at different running modes (treadmill/overground), or running slopes (uphill/downhill), remains unknown.Research questionIs the training effect from a treadmill-based gait retraining translatable to unconstrained running conditions, including overground and uphill/downhill running?MethodsThe peak tibial shock was measured during treadmill/overground running, as well as level/uphill/downhill running before and after a course of treadmill-based gait retraining. The 8-session training aimed to soften footfalls using real-time biofeedback of tibial shock data. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to examine the effect of training, running mode, and running slope, on a group level. Reliable change index of each participant was used to assess the individual response to the training protocol used in this study.ResultsEighty percent of the participants were responsive to the gait retraining and managed to reduce their peak tibial shock following training. They managed to translate the training effect to treadmill slope running (Level: p < 0.05, Cohen’s d = 1.65; Uphill: p = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.91; Downhill: p < 0.05; Cohen’s d = 1.29) and overground level running (p = 0.014, Cohen’s d = 0.85). However, their peak tibial shock were not reduced during overground slope running (Uphill: p = 0.054; Cohen’s d = 0.62; Downhill p = 0.12; Cohen’s d = 0.48).SignificanceOur findings indicated that a newly learned gait pattern may not fully translate to running outside of the laboratory environment.     

Future ophthalmology practice pattern: A survey of Saudi Board of Ophthalmology residents

Purpose

The main purpose of the study was to examine and identify factors that influence the future practice pattern of Saudi Board of Ophthalmology residents as well as their academic goals. This study also aimed to compare the plans and career goals of the current Saudi ophthalmology residents with a former cohort of Saudi ophthalmology residents.