Active learning in head and neck trauma: outcomes after an innovative educational course

Excellence in teaching and learning is fundamental to the provision of quality training for doctors and for this a sound knowledge of the principles of adult learning theory is important. We present an educational course in head and neck trauma skills for emergency medicine (EM) registrars, using the pedagogical principle of active learning. Our aim was to provide trainees with skills in the evaluation and management of hard and soft tissue injuries to the head, neck, and mouth. Active learning has been shown to provide a superior experience in classrooms, creating a ‘deep’ understanding of the material. To maximise learning, we used these principles to develop small group seminars led by a diverse range of teachers that allowed trainees to acquire hands-on skills. Questionnaires that were completed before and after the course showed an appreciable educational impact. We conclude that innovative teaching methods facilitate the sharing of knowledge that will benefit patient care.     

协同式早期运动干预在腹腔镜结直肠癌手术患者中的应用

目的 探讨协同式早期运动干预在腹腔镜结直肠癌手术患者中的应用效果。方法 使用随机数字表法将2020年5月-2021年5月于笔者所在医院进行腹腔镜结直肠癌手术的84例患者分为对照组和干预组,各42例。对照组术后采用常规运动干预,干预组术后采用协同式早期运动干预。比较2组术后恢复情况、身体状况、术后并发症发生情况。结果 干预组首次下床活动时间、术后排气时间、术后排便时间均早于对照组(χ²=11.823,P=0.001;χ²=4.687,P=0.001;χ²=7.611,P=0.001),术后7d干预组的多维度疲劳量表评分低于对照组(t=2.000,P=0.049),杜克活动指数高于对照组(t=2.256,P=0.027),2组术后并发症发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.343,P=0.558)。结论 协同式早期运动干预能够促进腹腔镜结直肠癌手术患者术后恢复,改善身体状况,值得推广应用。     

Error rates in proficiency testing in Australia

ABSTRACT

Recent criticism of forensic science has focused on the fundamental aspects of the science, including the lack of supporting empirical studies, validation, accreditation, limitations and error rates. Proficiency tests are an essential component of accreditation and can be used to evaluate laboratory performance and identify systematic issues within components of the service provision. In 2016 we reported on the results of an analysis of 3176 CTS proficiency tests undertaken between 2005 and 2015 by Australian government service providers. The data analysed represented 43 unique CTS test types and covered 21 disciplines. Here we present further data from 2016 to 2017 and compare these results with those obtained from the previous study. These combined results further demonstrate that errors exist even though practitioners know they are examining proficiency tests and the tests undergo a review process. This study illustrates the need to continue to monitor trends in proficiency test results and also further highlights the need for well-designed, relevant, blind error rate studies to determine the approximate error rates for casework.     

协同模式对ICU清醒患者情绪状态的影响

目的探讨协同护理模式对ICU清醒患者情绪状态的影响。方法选择患者120例,采用随机数字表法分为观察组60例和对照组60例。观察组实施协同护理模式,对照组实施常规护理。干预后,使用焦虑自评量表(SAS)和抑郁自评量表(SDS)来比较二组干预效果。结果干预后,观察组心理焦虑和抑郁程度降低,与对照组相比,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论采用协同护理模式能够很好地改善患者的心理状况,促进患者的早日康复,提高其生活质量,值得在临床推广使用。     

Clinical outcome of adjuvant radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the breast; a multicenter retrospective cohort study

BackgroundBecause primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is a rare disease, the standard therapy has not been established. We examined the clinical outcomes of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy for breast SCC.Material and methodsWe conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Patients diagnosed with primary breast SCC who received adjuvant radiotherapy as part of their primary definitive treatment were included. Overall survival (OS), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), and recurrence-free interval (RFi) were evaluated.ResultsBetween January 2002 and December 2017, 25 breast SCC patients received adjuvant radiotherapy as a primary treatment were included. Median follow-up time was 43.5 months. Three (12%), fifteen (60%) and seven (28%) patients had clinical stage I, II and III disease, respectively. Fourteen patients underwent breast-conserving surgery and subsequent adjuvant radiotherapy. Eleven patients underwent mastectomy and post-mastectomy radiotherapy. Ten patients received regional lymph node irradiation. Nine (36%) patients had disease recurrence. The first site of recurrence was locoregional in five, but distant metastasis arose in one. Concurrent local and distant metastasis were seen in two. Six cases of local recurrence occurred within the irradiated site. Seven patients died, and six of the deaths were due to breast cancer. Five-year OS, BCSS, and Rfi were 69%, 70%, and 63%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age and lymphatic invasion were associated with increased risk of recurrence.ConclusionBreast SCC has a high incidence of locoregional recurrence and poor prognosis. Age and lymphatic invasion are significant risk factors for recurrence.