Neuroimaging the pain network – Implications for treatment

In this chapter, we provide an overview of neuroimaging studies in chronic pain. We start with an introduction about the phenomenology of pain. In the following section, the application of functional and structural imaging techniques is shown in selected chronic pain syndromes (chronic back pain, fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), phantom limb pain, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)), and commonalities and peculiarities of imaging correlates across different types of chronic pain are discussed. We conclude this chapter with implications for treatments, with focus on behavioral interventions, sensory and motor trainings, and mirror and motor imagery trainings.     

Surgeons see anatomical structures faster and more accurately compared to novices: Development of a pattern recognition skill assessment platform

Background

This study aimed to identify differences in pattern recognition skill among individuals with varying surgical experience.

Exercise Intolerance in Patients With Heart Failure: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Exercise intolerance is the cardinal symptom of heart failure (HF) and is of crucial relevance, because it is associated with a poor quality of life and increased mortality. While impaired cardiac reserve is considered to be central in HF, reduced exercise and functional capacity are the result of key patient characteristics and multisystem dysfunction, including aging, impaired pulmonary reserve, as well as peripheral and respiratory skeletal muscle dysfunction. We herein review the different modalities to quantify exercise intolerance, the pathophysiology of HF, and comorbid conditions as they lead to reductions in exercise and functional capacity, highlighting the fact that distinct causes may coexist and variably contribute to exercise intolerance in patients with HF.     

力量支持协同护理模式在经口喂养不耐受<34孕周新生儿中的应用

目的:探讨力量支持协同护理模式在经口喂养不耐受<34孕周新生儿中的应用效果。方法:选取2019年1月—2020年8月收治的102例<34孕周经口喂养不耐受新生儿作为研究对象,将2019年1月—2019年10月接受常规护理的51例患儿作为对照组,将2019年11月—2020年8月接受力量支持协同护理模式的51例患儿作为观察组。比较两组经口喂养进程(留置胃管时间、过渡时间、住院时间)、喂养效率及患儿行为状态变化。结果:观察组患儿留置胃管时间、过渡时间、住院时间均短于对照组(P<0.05);观察组患儿干预第3天、实现全口喂养时吸吮效率和喂养效率均高于对照组(P<0.05);观察组患儿干预3 d、干预5 d后行为状态优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:力量支持协同护理模式能有效改善早产儿经口喂养表现,减轻经口喂养不耐受症状,进一步推进经口喂养进程,缩短经口喂养过渡时间。     

Transforming Direct Care Jobs,Reimagining Long-Term Services and Supports

The diverse array of individuals who receive long-term services and supports share one common experience, which is the need for assistance with personal care and/or other daily activities. The direct care workers (including nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care aides) who provide this assistance play a critical role in keeping individuals safe, supporting their health and well-being, and helping prevent adverse outcomes. Yet despite decades of research, advocacy, and incremental policy and practice reform, direct care workers remain inadequately compensated, supported, and respected. Long-standing direct care job quality concerns are linked to high turnover and job vacancy rates in this workforce, which in turn compromise the availability and quality of essential care for older adults and people with disabilities—which has never been more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. This special article makes the case for transforming direct care jobs and stabilizing this workforce as a centerpiece of efforts to reimagine long-term services and supports system in the United States, as a public health priority, and as a social justice imperative. Drawing on research evidence and examples from the field, the article demonstrates that a strong, stable direct care workforce requires: a competitive wage and adequate employment benefits for direct care workers; updated training standards and delivery systems that prepare these workers to meet increasingly complex care needs across settings, while also enhancing career mobility and workforce flexibility; investment in well-trained frontline supervisors and peer mentors to help direct care workers navigate their challenging roles; and an elevated position for direct care workers in relation to the interdisciplinary care team. The article concludes by highlighting federal and state policy opportunities to achieve direct care job transformation, as well as discussing research and practice implications.     

Hands-On Training in a Digital World: A Novel Simulation-Based Virtual Training Program for Placement and Removal of the Subdermal Contraceptive Implant

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift from traditional in-person instruction for learning new technical skills to virtual delivery of medical education training. The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate a virtual simulation-based training program for Canadian health care professionals (HCPs) on the insertion, localization, and removal of the etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant.MethodsA scientific committee of Canadian family planning experts developed a 2-part virtual training program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Core educational content (part 1) was provided in an asynchronous, self-directed, online format. Part 2 consisted of synchronous, simulation-based training using web conferencing. The HCPs were provided with model arms and placebo applicators; the trainers demonstrated implant insertion and removal techniques, and trainees received individual feedback. All trainees were asked to complete an online evaluation upon completion of the program.ResultsBetween September 22, 2020, and December 31, 2021, 83 trainers conducted 565 virtual training sessions. A total of 3162 HCPs completed part 1 of the training program, of whom 2740 had completed part 2 by December 31, 2021. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with virtual simulation-based training; 96.5% of respondents (1570/1627) agreed that the virtual format was effective. Additional training prior to inserting the implant in clinical practice was requested by 4.5% of respondents (75/1671).ConclusionVirtual simulation-based learning provides effective education and technique training for etonogestrel implant insertion and removal. Online training for implant use can be scaled, as needed, to reach professionals in remote or underserved locations. This virtual training approach may be appropriate for other technical or minor surgical procedures.     

系统性呼吸功能训练对哮喘-慢性阻塞性肺疾病重叠综合征患者肺功能及呼吸指标的影响

目的 探讨系统性呼吸功能训练对哮喘-慢性阻塞性肺疾病重叠综合征(asthma-COPD overlap syndrome,ACOS)患者肺功能和呼吸指标的影响。方法 选择笔者所在医院2019年5月-2020年10月收治的102例ACOS患者作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分为对照组和研究组,各51例。对照组行常规护理,研究组在对照组基础上融合系统性呼吸功能训练。比较2组干预前后的肺功能指标和呼吸指标。结果 干预后,研究组的肺功能各项指标均明显优于对照组(P<0.05);气道阻力各项指标显著优于对照组(P<0.05),呼吸困难程度轻于对照组(Z=-2.996,P=0.003)。结论 对ACOS患者在护理过程中融合系统性呼吸功能训练,可明显降低患者气道阻力指标,对改善肺功能、缓解患者呼吸困难具有明显效果。