Abstract Background: Simulation-based learning (SBL) has been increasingly used in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical training curricula. The aim of Simulation via Instant Messaging-Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) is to create a simple virtual learning environment to improve trainees’ self-reported confidence in diabetes and Endocrinology. Methods: This study was done as part of the continuous professional development for Health Education England West Midlands specialty trainees in diabetes and Endocrinology. Standardized transcripts of anonymized real-life endocrinology (endocrine session) and diabetes cases (diabetes session) were used in the simulation model. Trainees interacted with moderators through WhatsApp® in this model. All cases were then discussed in detail by a consultant endocrinologist with reference to local, national and international guidelines. Trainee acceptance rate and improvement in their self-reported confidence levels post-simulation were assessed. Results: 70.8% (n=17/24) and 75% (n=18/24) strongly agreed the simulation session accommodated their personal learning style and the session was engaging. 66.7% (n=16/24) strongly felt that the simulation was worth their time. In endocrine session, there was a significant improvement in trainees’ confidence in the management of craniopharyngioma (p=0.0179) and acromegaly (p=0.0025). There was a trend towards improved confidence levels to manage Cushing’s disease and macroprolactinoma. In diabetes session, there was a significant improvement in trainees’ confidence to interpret continuous glucose monitor readings (p = 0.01). There was a trend towards improvement for managing monogenic diabetes, hypoglycaemic unawareness and interpreting Libre readings. Overall, there was a significant improvement in trainees’ confidence in managing cases that were discussed post-simulation. Conclusion: SIMBA is an effective learning model to improve trainees’ confidence to manage various diabetes and endocrine case scenarios. More sessions with a variety of other specialty case scenarios is needed to further assess SIMBA’s effectiveness and application in other areas of medical training.
Abstract BACKGROUND Pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are more likely to experience preterm birth and their neonates are more likely to be stillborn or admitted to a neonatal unit. The World Health Organization declared in May 2023 an end to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as a global health emergency. However, pregnant women are still becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 and there is limited information available regarding the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in early pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We conducted this systematic review to determine the prevalence of early pregnancy loss in women with SARS-Cov-2 infection and compare the risk to pregnant women without SARS-CoV-2 infection. SEARCH METHODS Our systematic review is based on a prospectively registered protocol. The search of PregCov19 consortium was supplemented with an extra electronic search specifically on pregnancy loss in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 up to 10 March 2023 in PubMed, Google Scholar, and LitCovid. We included retrospective and prospective studies of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection, provided that they contained information on pregnancy losses in the first and/or second trimester. Primary outcome was miscarriage defined as a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation, however, studies that reported loss up to 22 or 24 weeks were also included. Additionally, we report on studies that defined the pregnancy loss to occur at the first and/or second trimester of pregnancy without specifying gestational age, and for second trimester miscarriage only when the study presented stillbirths and/or foetal losses separately from miscarriages. Data were stratified into first and second trimester. Secondary outcomes were ectopic pregnancy (any extra-uterine pregnancy), and termination of pregnancy. At least three researchers independently extracted the data and assessed study quality. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and risk differences (RDs) with corresponding 95% CI and pooled the data using random effects meta-analysis. To estimate risk prevalence, we performed meta-analysis on proportions. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2. OUTCOMES We included 120 studies comprising a total of 168 444 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection; of which 18 233 women were in their first or second trimester of pregnancy. Evidence level was considered to be of low to moderate certainty, mostly owing to selection bias. We did not find evidence of an association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and miscarriage (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.81–1.48; I2 = 0.0%; RD 0.0012, 95% CI −0.0103 to 0.0127; I2 = 0%; 9 studies, 4439 women). Miscarriage occurred in 9.9% (95% CI 6.2–14.0%; I2 = 68%; 46 studies, 1797 women) of the women with SARS CoV-2 infection in their first trimester and in 1.2% (95% CI 0.3–2.4%; I2 = 34%; 33 studies; 3159 women) in the second trimester. The proportion of ectopic pregnancies in women with SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.4% (95% CI 0.02–4.2%; I2 = 66%; 14 studies, 950 women). Termination of pregnancy occurred in 0.6% of the women (95% CI 0.01–1.6%; I2 = 79%; 39 studies; 1166 women). WIDER IMPLICATIONS Our study found no indication that SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first or second trimester increases the risk of miscarriages. To provide better risk estimates, well-designed studies are needed that include pregnant women with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection at conception and early pregnancy and consider the association of clinical manifestation and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection with pregnancy loss, as well as potential confounding factors such as previous pregnancy loss. For clinical practice, pregnant women should still be advised to take precautions to avoid risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Abstract Aims The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess statistically the impact of patient-level, operative, and tumour characteristics on overall survival of patients undergoing curative resection for oesophageal cancer. Introduction Oesophageal cancer is staged using the American Joint Comission on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. Numerous other prognostically important histopathological and demographic characteristics have been reported. Methods This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines and eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane CENTRAL databases up to 31st December 2018. A meta-analysis was conducted with the use of random-effects modelling to determine pooled univariable hazard ratios (HRs) and prospectively registered with the PROSPERO database (Registration CRD42018130732). Results One-hundred and sixty-six articles including 70,299 patients were assessed quantitatively. Of the 122 factors associated with survival, 39 were significant on pooled analysis. Of these the strongly associated prognostic factors were T stage (HR: 2.07, CI95%: 1.77 - 2.43, p<0.001), N stage (HR: 2.24, CI95%: 1.95 - 2.59, p<0.001), perineural invasion (HR: 1.54, CI95%: 1.36 - 1.74, p<0.001), circumferential resection margin (HR: 2.17, CI95%: 1.82 - 2.59, p<0.001), poor tumour grade (HR: 1.53, CI95%: 1.34 - 1.74, p<0.001), and high neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (HR: 1.47, CI95%: 1.30 - 1.66, p<0.001). Conclusion Several tumour biological variables not included in the AJCC 8th edition classification can impact on overall survival. These require incorporation into prognostic models to ensure a personalised approach to prognostication and treatment.
Background Simulation via Instant Messaging - Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) aimed to improve clinicians’ confidence in managing various clinical scenarios during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Five SIMBA sessions were conducted between May and August 2020. Each session included simulation of scenarios and interactive discussion. Participants’ self-reported confidence, acceptance, and relevance of the simulated cases were measured. Results Significant improvement was observed in participants’ self-reported confidence (overall n = 204, p<0.001; adrenal n = 33, p<0.001; thyroid n = 37, p<0.001; pituitary n = 79, p<0.001; inflammatory bowel disease n = 17, p<0.001; acute medicine n = 38, p<0.001). Participants reported improvements in clinical competencies: patient care 52.0% (n = 106/204), professionalism 30.9% (n = 63/204), knowledge on patient management 84.8% (n = 173/204), systems-based practice 48.0% (n = 98/204), practice-based learning 69.6% (n = 142/204) and communication skills 25.5% (n = 52/204). Conclusion SIMBA is a novel pedagogical virtual simulation-based learning model that improves clinicians’ confidence in managing conditions across various specialties.
In response to COVID-19, the delivery of medical education has largely transitioned from face-to-face teaching to virtual platforms. Simulation-based learning is a useful teaching modality to develop clinicians' knowledge and skills, while protecting patients from harm.[1][1] While simulation has
Background: Promoting physical activity in the workplace, particularly in healthcare settings, is advocated both in the United Kingdom and internationally.Technologybased interventions have shown promise, but most studies comparing channels for health communication provide different messages via those channels.It is not known if the effects are due to the channel or the message.Methods: In a randomised controlled trial design, 296 healthcare employees from a hospital workplace in the United Kingdom (19-67 years; mean=38.78;SD=10.25)participated in a 12-week motivational messaging intervention designed to promote physical activity.Messages were tailored using Theory of Planned Behaviour and delivered twice per week via short-message service (SMS) (n=148) or email (n = 148).All messages were limited to 160 characters.Data were collected online at four time points (baseline, six weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks).Outcomes included physical activity behaviour and
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