Nowcasting (Short-Term Forecasting) of COVID-19 Hospitalizations Using Syndromic Healthcare Data, Sweden, 2020.

We report on local nowcasting (short-term forecasting) of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hospitalizations based on syndromic (symptom) data recorded in regular healthcare routines in Östergötland County (population ≈465,000), Sweden, early in the pandemic, when broad laboratory testing was unavailable. Daily nowcasts were supplied to the local healthcare management based on analyses of the time lag between telenursing calls with the chief complaints (cough by adult or fever by adult) and COVID-19 hospitalization. The complaint cough by adult showed satisfactory performance (Pearson correlation coefficient r>0.80; mean absolute percentage error <20%) in nowcasting the incidence of daily COVID-19 hospitalizations 14 days in advance until the incidence decreased to <1.5/100,000 population, whereas the corresponding performance for fever by adult was unsatisfactory. Our results support local nowcasting of hospitalizations on the basis of symptom data recorded in routine healthcare during the initial stage of a pandemic.

A randomized controlled trial of guided Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for erectile dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Men with erectile dysfunction are often worried about their condition, have interpersonal difficulties, and have a reduced quality of life. Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) has been shown effective for a number of health problems but evidence is limited concerning the treatment of erectile dysfunction. AIM: The study investigated the effects of ICBT for erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Seventy-eight men were included in the study and randomized to either ICBT or to a control group, which was an online discussion group. Treatment consisted of a 7-week Web-based program with e-mail-based therapist support. Each therapist spent an average of 55 minutes per participant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The International Index of Erectile Functioning five-item version was administered via the telephone at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 6 months after receiving ICBT. RESULTS: At post-treatment, the treatment group had significantly greater improvements with regard to erectile performance compared with the control group. Between-group differences at post-treatment were small (d = 0.1), but increased at the 6-month follow-up (d = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support for the use of ICBT as a possible treatment format for erectile dysfunction.

Impact of virtual reality-simulated training on urology residents' performance of transurethral resection of the prostate.

PURPOSE: There are virtual reality simulators for practicing the transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) procedure, but only few data on its effect on surgical performance are available. The purpose of this study was to test if practicing the TURP procedure in a virtual reality simulator (PelvicVision) increases the skills and dexterity of urology residents when performing the procedure on patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four urology residents attended a 5-day course on diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic enlargement. Each of the residents performed three video-recorded TURP procedures. Between two of the procedures (on day 2 and 3, or 3 and 4) the residents underwent criterion-based practice using a simulator. The TURP procedure was evaluated using objective structured assessment of technical skills. Video-recordings of the procedures were analyzed on a minute-to-minute basis. RESULTS: Mean practice time in the simulator was 198 minutes before reaching the criterion level. Comparison of the first and last TURP procedures showed an increase in autonomous operation time and time spent on resection, and a tendency to decreased hemostasis time without increased blood loss. The proportion of residents believed to be able to perform a simple TURP procedure increased from 10% to about 75%. Objective structured assessment of technical skills scores and self-evaluations were significantly improved. The scores increased significantly more with than without simulator practice. The resident's self-evaluations showed increased knowledge about the procedure and the technical equipment used. Patient follow-up showed no increased risks. CONCLUSIONS: Practice in a simulator-based environment improves the skills and dexterity of urology residents when performing the procedure on patients, without increased risks for the patients.

Construct validity of a full procedure, virtual reality, real-time, simulation model for training in transurethral resection of the prostate.

PURPOSE: To examine the content and construct validity of a full procedure transurethral prostate resection simulation model (PelvicVision). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The full procedure simulator consisted of a modified resectoscope connected to a robotic arm with haptic feedback, foot pedals, and a standard desktop computer. The simulation calculated the flow of irrigation fluid, the amount of bleeding, the corresponding blood fog, the resectoscope movements, resection volumes, use of current, and blood loss. Eleven medical students and nine clinically experienced urologists filled in questionnaires regarding previous experiences, performance evaluation, and their opinion of the usefulness of the simulator after performing six (students) and three (urologists) full procedures with different levels of difficulty. Their performance was evaluated using a checklist. RESULTS: The urologists finished the procedures in half the time as the students with the same resection volume and blood loss but with fewer serious perforations of the prostatic capsule and/or sphincter area and less irrigation fluid uptake. The resectoscope tip movement was longer and the irrigation fluid uptake per resected volume was about 5 times higher for the students. The students showed a positive learning curve in most variables. CONCLUSION: There is proof of construct validity and good content validation for this full procedure simulator for training in transurethral resection of the prostate. The simulator could be used in the early training of urology residents without risk of negative outcome.

Use of a virtual reality, real-time, simulation model for the training of urologists in transurethral resection of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: There is a growing need to develop surgical skills outside the operating theatre. In this study we describe the development of a virtual reality training system for practising transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A face validity study was performed using a questionnaire sent to 28 experienced urologists to find out the ideal characteristics of a simulated TURP. Based on the comments a simulator was constructed and a content validity study was then performed in which nine experienced urologists tested the simulator and answered a second questionnaire. After corrections to the simulator, a basic construct validity test was performed. RESULTS: We have developed a computer-based simulator based on the requirements listed by 17 urologists. It consists of a modified resectoscope connected to a haptic device and supported by a frame. The software provides a virtual view of the prostatic lumen and resectoscope tip, a haptic rendering that generates force feedback and a simulation module that computes the information from the haptic device, resectoscope fluid tap and handle and the foot pedals. The software also simulates bleeding, absorption of irrigation fluid and pressure gradients. Variables are measured and presented in a result file after each "operation". Nine experienced urologists performed a content validity study and changes were made accordingly. A basic construct validity test performed by seven inexperienced students showed a significant improvement in performance after they each performed six simulated procedures. CONCLUSION: We have developed a simulator that may be used to practise TURP and which meets most of the demands raised in a face validity study. A basic construct validity test showed improved performance after repeated practice in the simulated environment.