Rural Midwestern Primary Care Nurse Practitioners’ Transition to Practice

Transition to practice experiences for new primary care nurse practitioners (NPs) is of interest, particularly considering the lack of requirements and options for formal training programs. The purpose of this article is to describe new primary care NPs’ experience and perceived needs of transitioning to practice. New Nebraska NPs were surveyed. The main findings include increased confidence and perceived preparedness after 3 months of practice, as well as challenges and helpful supportive services for transitioning to practice. Additional information on the transition to practice experience was provided and supports developing a formal program.     

A Mock Telephone Triage Experience for Nurse Practitioner Students

The ability to manage patient telephone calls competently and confidently is an important skill for nurse practitioners (NPs). A curriculum intervention was implemented in a pediatric NP program to promote this skill. Thirty-nine NP students participated in a mock telephone triage experience to determine whether triage, involving student/faculty mock parent telephone calls, would increase the student’s confidence and competence. A Likert scale pre/post questionnaire surveying perceived confidence, competence, and readiness to practice revealed an increase in students’ confidence in decision making, assessing the patient, and making a diagnosis over the phone.     

Managing the Breast Cancer Survivor in Primary Care

Early detection and improved treatments for breast cancer are increasing survival rates, thereby growing the number of survivors to almost 4 million in the United States. Continuing care after treatment is frequently provided in primary care. Evidence-based care includes a history review, physical examination, and imaging for recurrence and new cancers, along with health maintenance and health promotion. Additionally, survivors often experience long-term side effects from their disease and/or treatment, affecting health and quality of life. This article provides a synopsis of breast cancer treatment-related side effects and current evidence-based guidelines to assist the primary care provider caring for survivors.     

Phacoemulsification,Intraocular Lens Implantation,Goniosynechialysis, and Pseudo-Pupilloplasty for Refractory Acute Primary Angle Closure with Atonic Dilated Pupil

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of prompt phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, visco-goniosynechialysis, combined with pseudo-pupilloplasty for refractory acute primary angle closure (APAC) with atonic dilated pupil and to describe a feasible method of pupilloplasty.MethodsA consecutive series of refractory APAC patients who had atonic dilated pupil and undergone prompt phacoemulsification combined with pseudo-pupilloplasty at our center were retrospectively analyzed. Pseudo-pupilloplasty referred to a method of pupilloplasty which included 4.5-mm capsulorhexis, postoperative opacification of anterior capsule residue, and ultimate pseudo-pupil formation. Preoperative and postoperative measurements included intraocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and anterior chamber depth (ACD). Intraoperative and postoperative complications were documented. The process of pseudo-pupil formation was also observed.ResultsA total of 20 eyes of 19 APAC patients were followed up for 19.7 ± 9.8 months. IOP was lowered from preoperative 44.0 ± 9.8 mmHg to 15.5 ± 2.6 mmHg at final visit (t = 11.945, P < 0.001). ACD was deepened from preoperative 1.77 ± 0.21 mm to 3.40 ± 0.20 mm at final visit (t = –27.711, P < 0.001). Twelve of 20 eyes had residual angle synechiae, whereas only 3 eyes needed anti-glaucoma medications. No severe complication was observed. All eyes had pseudo-pupil gradually formed within 3 months, accompanied with the gradual improvement of BCVA from preoperative 1.18 ± 0.55 to 0.58 ± 0.22, 0.26 ± 0.09, 0.11 ± 0.09, and 0.11 ± 0.09 at postoperative day 1, month 1, month 3, and last visit.ConclusionsPrompt phacoemulsification-goniosynechialysis is effective and safe for refractory APAC with atonic dilated pupil. Pseudo-pupilloplasty is a feasible procedure for pupil reconstruction.     

基于标准化患者法评价四川农村基层医生两种慢性病诊断准确性及其影响因素

目的 运用标准化患者法评估四川农村地区基层医生不稳定型心绞痛和2型糖尿病两种慢性病诊断准确性现状,探讨基层医生两种慢性病诊断准确性的主要影响因素,为提升基层医生两种慢性病诊断准确性提供科学依据。方法 采用多阶段随机整群抽样方法,抽取四川省自贡市5个区/县50个乡镇100个村为研究现场,以调查当日在岗的全科及内科医生作为研究对象。共进行两轮数据采集,第1轮采集样本乡镇卫生院和村卫生室医生的基本信息;第1轮调查完成1个月后,运用标准化患者法开展第2轮调查,收集农村基层医生对不稳定型心绞痛和2型糖尿病诊断结果信息。运用Logistic回归分析农村基层医生不稳定型心绞痛和2型糖尿病诊断准确性的影响因素。结果 共纳入172名农村基层医生,完成186次标准化患者访问,正确诊断率为48.39%。其中不稳定型心绞痛的正确诊断率为18.68%(17/91),2型糖尿病的正确诊断率为76.84%(73/95)。Logistic回归分析显示,具有执业医师资质的农村基层医生更有可能做出正确诊断(OR=4.857,95%CI=1.076~21.933,P=0.040)。农村基层医生在诊断过程中涉及的必要问诊和检查条目越多,做出正确诊断的概率越高(OR=1.627,95%CI=1.065~2.485,P=0.024)。与不稳定型心绞痛相比,农村基层医生对2型糖尿病做出正确诊断的可能性更高(OR=6.306,95%CI=3.611~11.013,P<0.001)。结论 四川农村基层医生不稳定型心绞痛和2型糖尿病诊断准确性整体较差,建议以基层医生慢性病诊断过程质量改善为突破口,提升基层医生执业水平,进而提高慢性病诊断准确性。     

出生免疫错误相关的肝脾问题

目前已用出生免疫错误（IEI）来替代原发性免疫缺陷病这一概念。IEI是一类由单基因突变引起免疫功能异常的遗传性疾病，肝脏和脾脏作为人类重要的免疫器官，与IEI疾病过程中伴发感染、淋巴增殖及自身免疫现象等有重要关联。文章就与IEI相关的肝脾问题进行概述。