Acquisition of competence in colonoscopy: the learning curve of trainees

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Most official training programs in colonoscopy recommend that trainees should carry out a minimum of 100 procedures, but limited data exist on the technical progress of trainees. The aim of our study was to estimate the number of supervised procedures required for obtaining competence in colonoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 1997 we have prospectively evaluated the performance of eight consecutive trainees in colonoscopy. The extent of intubated colon was recorded after each endoscopic procedure. Regression analysis was used to study the effect on the trainees' success rates on the number of colonoscopies which they had done. RESULTS: Out of 2,255 colonoscopies carried out over an 8-year period 1,408 were suitable for evaluation, fulfilling the training criteria for diagnostic colonoscopy. Senior staff (n=2) did 430 colonoscopies with a success rate of 91%, which was significantly reduced to 79% (344/434 colonoscopies; X2=20.67, df=l, P<0.001), when taking over colonoscopies which trainees had failed to complete. Regression analysis of trainees' data (y=88.97-(2185/x), r=0.74, F1,21=23.43, P<0.001) showed success rates of 67 % (95 % CI, 59 to 75 %) and 77 % (95 % CI, 66 to 88 %), when 100 and 180 procedures, respectively, had been done. These figures had been attained by the end of the second and third year of training in colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Our regression analysis model shows the technical progress of trainees over a 3-year period as they learned how to carry out colonoscopy. Depending on individual skill, between 100-180 procedures, done over a 2-3-year period, are required before trainees can be considered competent in colonoscopy.     

Physical Therapy and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Educational Tool for Enhancing Integration

In an outpatient rehabilitation setting, both patients’ use and therapists’ knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) varies widely. Based on this observation and a recognition of CAM as an emerging practice area for rehabilitation professionals, it was felt that a thorough and consistent approach to the education and orientation of physical therapists to the world of CAM and integrative care was needed. This special interest paper will describe one center’s approach, development, and use of a unique and comprehensive training manual designed to provide both a structured and standardized approach for educating physical therapists about CAM and related therapeutic modalities. This innovative teaching tool allows for multiple methods of content delivery within a multidisciplinary format and can be used for those who practice currently or desire to practice in an integrative care environment.     

Blood loss and replacement in total hip arthroplasty: a multicenter study. The Preoperative Autologous Blood Donation Study Group

To determine blood loss, the number of transfusions, and the hemoglobin levels achieved in patients via transfusion in the course of total hip arthroplasty, 324 patient records from 1987 through 1989 were reviewed at three university and three community hospitals. Calculated blood loss was 3.2 +/- 1.3 units in primary procedures and 4.0 +/- 2.1 units in revision procedures (mean +/- SD). Of 777 red cell units transfused, 455 (59%) were autologous units. Transfused patients received 2.0 +/- 1.8 units for primary procedures and 2.9 +/- 2.3 units for revision procedures (mean +/- SD). The maximum number of units given to 95 percent of the transfused patients was 4 for primary procedures and 6 for revision procedures. The mean postoperative hemoglobin level after all transfusions was 103 to 110 g per L, regardless of patient age group of physical status, autologous donor status, or hospital. No difference in length of hospital stay was observed for patients less than 65 years old with hemoglobin concentrations of 80 to 139 g per L at discharge.     

Self-Reported Musculoskeletal Pain in Latino Vineyard Workers

ABSTRACT

The agricultural economy in the United States is dependent on millions of Latino migratory workers. Despite the health risks associated with this line of work, many agricultural workers lack health insurance or access to health care services. The purpose of this study was to collect demographic data and investigate the musculoskeletal health of Latino migratory vineyard workers. A physical therapy team collected demographic data at health clinics held at vineyards in Oregon. Nearly half (48.4%) of all vineyard workers reported experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) in at least one region of the body. The primary region of reported MSS was the back (32% of all men and 43.7% of all women). In most cases, those who reported MSS were significantly older than those who did not report MSS. Future research is necessary to identify personal and work related injury risk factors in order to develop prevention programs.     

Who cares for the carer? Codesigning a carer health and wellbeing clinic for older care partners of older people in Australia

Introduction

Older carers or ‘care partners’ of older people experiencing care needs often provide essential support, at times while neglecting their own health and well-being. This is an increasingly frequent scenario due to both demographic changes and policy shifts towards ageing in place. Multiple community stakeholders within the care and support ecosystem hold valuable expertise about the needs of older care partners, and the programme and policy responses that may better support their health and well-being. The aim of this study was to identify the perspectives of stakeholders obtained through the codesign phase of a multicomponent research project investigating new models of care and support for older care partners suitable for the Australian context.

Methods

Principles of codesign were used to engage a purposeful sample of older care partners, health professionals, researchers, policy makers and health service administrators. Participants took part in a series of three codesign workshops conducted remotely via video conferencing. The workshops were supported with briefing material and generated consensus-based summaries, arriving at a preferred service model.

Findings

This paper reports the research design and structure of the codesign panels, the range of findings identified as important to support the health and well-being of older carers of older people, and the resulting service model principles. The codesigned and preferred model of care is currently being prepared for implementation and evaluation in Australia.

Public Contribution

This study was conducted using codesign methodology, whereby stakeholders including older care partners and others involved in supporting older carers, were integrally involved with design, development, results and conclusions.     

Is patient involvement during hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction associated with post‐discharge treatment outcome? An exploratory study

Objective To investigate whether patient involvement during hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (MI) was associated with health and behavioural outcomes 6–10 weeks after hospital discharge. Background Patient involvement has been associated with improved health outcomes in chronic disease, but less research has focused on the effects of patient involvement in acute conditions, such as MI. Design Self‐administered questionnaire study. Questionnaire results were run against medical outcome data in a national database of cardiac patients. Setting and participants Cardiac patients (n = 591) on their first follow‐up visit after hospitalization for MI at 11 Swedish hospitals. Main outcome measures Patient ratings of three questionnaire scales related to involvement; cardiovascular symptoms, medication compliance, participation in cardiac rehabilitation, and achievement of secondary preventive goals. Results More positive patient ratings of involvement were significantly associated with fewer cardiovascular symptoms 6–10 weeks after hospital discharge. In contrast, patients who attended cardiac rehabilitation and achieved the goals for smoking cessation and systolic blood pressure were significantly less satisfied with their involvement. No association was found between involvement ratings and medication compliance. Conclusion This study represents a first attempt to examine associations between patient involvement in the acute phase of illness and short‐term health outcomes. Some significant associations between involvement and health and behavioural outcomes after acute MI were found. However, higher involvement ratings were not consistently associated with more desirable outcomes, and involvement during hospitalization was not associated with MI patient health and behaviour 6–10 weeks after hospital discharge to the extent hypothesized.     

Effect of Methadone Maintenance Treatment on Heroin Craving,a Literature Review

ABSTRACT

Despite agreement that methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is an effective and safe option for treatment of heroin dependence, there have been controversies about its effect on heroin craving. A systematic literature review of the PubMed database was used to find studies eligible for inclusion in the study. The authors present the results of 16 articles that met all inclusion criteria. Overall, 7 studies reported that methadone could reduce heroin craving, 4 studies reported that patients in MMT are still at risk of having heroin craving, 1 study reported that methadone could increase heroin craving, and 4 studies reported that methadone has a neutral effect on heroin craving. One may speculate from these data that methadone may help with heroin craving, but patients in MMT may still be at risk of cue-induced heroin cravings. Methadone provides a helpful tool for reducing some components of craving and risk of relapse for patient receiving MMT.     

Deep venous thrombosis of the leg: US findings

In a prospective study, 121 consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis of the leg were examined with real-time ultrasonography. The findings were correlated with the results of venography. The common femoral vein and the popliteal vein were evaluated for intraluminal echoes and compressibility, and the common femoral vein was also evaluated for an increase in diameter in response to the Valsalva maneuver. The superficial femoral vein and the calf veins were not evaluated. The results indicate that compressibility of the common femoral and popliteal veins is the best indication of deep venous thrombosis, with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 97%. The accuracy of detection was not improved by including data from thrombus visualization or the response of the common femoral vein to the Valsalva maneuver.