Aims: To extend the BMS cut up role to include gastrointestinal category D colorectal cancer resection specimens and to address issues of quality and safety by presenting performance data from the first 50 BMS cut up specimens in comparison to national guidelines and pathologist performance over the same timeframe. Methods: Close mentoring and consultant supervision was carried out for every case with adherence to standard operating procedures and following colorectal cancer dataset guidelines as published by the RCPath. Performance targets were audited including anticipated spread of Duke’s stage, targets for mean lymph node harvest, percentage extramural vascular invasion and serosal involvement, and mean tumour blocks sampled. Histological pre-reporting of 20 cases was encouraged and time spent by BMS and consultant at all stages of specimen reporting was noted. Results: Performance targets were all exceeded by the BMS and compared favourably with pathologist performance. A measure of consultant cut up and histology reporting time saved was identified. Conclusions: Benefits of extending the BMS role to category D specimens may include BMS professional advancement, efficient use of consultant time, and development of a team approach to cancer reporting. Achievement of colorectal cancer performance targets and favourable comparison with pathologist performance implies there was no perceived detrimental effect on quality or safety and hence patient management.
Application of micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (μCT) to a suite of variably altered volcanic rocks allows quantification and 3D visualisation of the pore space down to a μm scale. This provides unprecedented insights into pore morphologies and when combined with traditional petrographic observations, becomes a powerful tool to analyse the interaction of secondary mineralisation with porosity. We determine porosity is controlled by the amount of vesiculation, the abundance of quench fractures and the original glass content. Permeability is often controlled by the degree of vesiculation, whereby samples with vesicle densities greater than 10% show significantly higher permeabilities due to the development of inter-vesicular micro-fractures. Total porosity is enhanced by the hydration of mesostasis and the alteration of phenocryst phases, however μCT visualisation show these micro-pores are not contributors to the volcanic rocks permeability, because they are isolated.
Paediatrics is an undersubscribed medical speciality and figures suggest that interest continues to decline. Competition ratios for 2015 and 2016 entry to the Paediatric training programme at ST1 level were 1.9 and 1.6 respectively. Averaged across both Tier 1 and 2 rotas there was an increase in the vacancy rate from 12.1% in January 2015 to 14.9% in January 2016. Undergraduate paediatric training is between 5–8 weeks and present in only a minority of Foundation Training Programmes. Our aim was to give undergraduates an opportunity to learn more about Paediatrics through development of a Child Health summer school. The secondary aim was for this to increase interest in paediatrics as a career. We designed a one week programme, delivered in a tertiary paediatric hospital for second year medical students. The programme comprised of educational sessions and experiential learning experiences including small group tutorials, parent and patient engagement session, paediatric outpatient clinics and simulation sessions. It concluded with a careers session and student presentations identifying what they had gained from the week. Students quantitatively scored each session and completed a pre and post course evaluation form.
Eight students attended the course
Students self-reported knowledge of Paediatrics increased from an average score of 1.5/5.0 pre course to 3.6/5.0 post course. Their interest in paediatrics as a career increased from an average score of 3.4/5.0 pre course to 4.5/5.0 post course. All sessions scored well with the simulation and patient engagement sessions most valued. Participants reported greater insight and understanding of a career in paediatrics. Comments included: 'Much greater understanding of the role of the paediatrician' 'I have discovered the opportunities that paediatrics can offer you' The Child Health Summer school gives medical students the opportunity to experience paediatrics earlier in their medical school training. The summer school increased the medical students knowledge and interest in paediatrics as a career, although it is unclear if this will translate into paediatric specialty training applications. The programme will be repeated in 2017 with enhanced numbers and respond to student's suggestions to run it for longer with increased ward exposure.
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