Optimising referral letters for the dental practitioner.

Referrals are defined as 'a process in which a health worker at one level of the health system, having insufficient resources (drugs, equipment, skills) to manage a clinical condition, seeks the help of a better or differently resourced facility at the same or higher level to assist in patient management'. Within the UK, the NHS dental service is divided into nationally defined levels of care, which provide treatment based upon complexity and patient modifying factors. Having a sound knowledge of these levels will help general dental practitioners (GDPs) make appropriate and efficient onward referrals to the correct service.This article aims to outline the key information required for all strong GDP referrals, as well as highlighting information that may be specific to each speciality. This is with the hope of creating a key list for GDPs to use on clinic when writing referrals to reduce the incidence of missed information and subsequent rejection. The article also aims to outline the levels of NHS dental care and what factors and treatments are suitable for each to aid GDPs during their referral decision-making process.

Sophie de Grouchy's Political Thought in the Letters on Sympathy (1798).

This article proposes a reading of Sophie de Grouchy's moral, political, and economic thought as embedded in the tradition of natural jurisprudence, adapted to the context of the French First Republic. A close reading of her French translation of Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiment and her eight Letters on Sympathy confirms that there are points to be made by reading her works in the context of the language of early modern natural law. This sheds light on the important question of how to read revolutionary republicanism emanating from multiple traditions other than the neo-Roman discourse of non-domination.

Caring Letters Sent by a Clinician or Peer to At-Risk Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Caring letters is an evidence-based suicide prevention intervention in acute care settings, but its outcomes among individuals who contact a national crisis line have not previously been evaluated. Objective: To examine the outcomes of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) caring letters intervention and determine whether there are differences in outcomes by signatory. Design, Setting, and Participants: This parallel randomized clinical trial compared signatories of caring letters and used an observational design to compare no receipt of caring letters with any caring letters receipt. Participants included veterans who contacted the VCL. Enrollment occurred between June 11, 2020, and June 10, 2021, with 1 year of follow-up. Analyses were completed between July 2022 and August 2023. Intervention: Veterans were randomized to receive 9 caring letters for 1 year from either a clinician or peer veteran signatory. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measure was suicide attempt incidence in the 12 months following the index VCL contact. Incidence of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) inpatient, outpatient, and emergency health care use were secondary outcomes. All-cause mortality was an exploratory outcome. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and χ2 tests were used to assess the differences in outcomes among the treatment and comparison groups. Results: A total of 102 709 veterans (86 942 males [84.65%]; 15 737 females [15.32%]; mean [SD] age, 53.82 [17.35] years) contacted the VCL and were randomized. No association was found among signatory and suicide attempts, secondary outcomes, or all-cause mortality. In the analysis of any receipt of caring letters, there was no evidence of an association between caring letters receipt and suicide attempt incidence. Caring letters receipt was associated with increased VHA health care use (any outpatient: hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.08-1.13; outpatient mental health: HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.17-1.22; any inpatient: HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.18; inpatient mental health: HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.21). Caring letters receipt was not associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusions and Relevance: Among VHA patients who contacted the VCL, caring letters were not associated with suicide attempts, but were associated with a higher probability of health care use. No differences in outcomes were identified by signatory. Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN27551361.

Informational letters or postcards to initiate remote monitoring among veterans with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Remote monitoring (RM) of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) is a Class 1, Level of Evidence A recommendation because of its multitude of clinical benefits. However, RM adherence rates are suboptimal, precluding patients from achieving these benefits. There is a need for direct-to-patient efforts to improve adherence. METHODS: In this national randomized, controlled trial conducted in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 2120 patients with a pacemaker or ICD who had not sent an RM transmission for ≥1 year (and usually ≥3 years) while under VHA care for their device were randomly assigned to be mailed a postcard (n = 1076) or a detailed letter (n = 1044). The postcard described what RM does and its key benefits (reduced mortality and fewer in-person visits). The letter provided a similar message but included more details about RM benefits and the process. The primary outcome was an RM transmission sent within 90 days of mailing, and a secondary outcome was an RM transmission sent within 365 days. RESULTS: The primary outcome was achieved in 121 (11.3%) in the postcard and 96 patients (9.2%) in the letter group (p = .12). The secondary outcome was achieved in 266 (24.7%) and 239 (22.9%), respectively (p = .32). CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial showed no significant difference in the proportion of chronically non-adherent patients who sent an RM transmission after receiving a low-cost postcard or a detailed, higher-cost letter encouraging their participation in RM. However, as only a minority of patients responded to either, further work is needed to engage patients in the life-saving benefits of RM.

Complicaciones de la esofagectomía por cáncer de esófago / Complications of Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer

Introducción: La esofagectomía es uno de los procedimientos con más alta morbilidad posoperatoria en cirugía oncológica digestiva. Objetivo: Describir las complicaciones relacionadas con la esofagectomía subtotal programada según variables de interés. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal en los Servicios de Cirugía General de los hospitales "Saturnino Lora" y "Juan Bruno Zayas" de Santiago de Cuba, desde 2010 hasta 2019. La población estuvo conformada por 81 pacientes, de la cual se reclutó una muestra aleatoria de 68 enfermos sometidos a esofagectomía subtotal programada por cáncer de esófago. Fueron investigadas las siguientes variables: presencia de complicaciones posoperatorias y tipo de técnica quirúrgica utilizada. Además, se clasificaron en grados según Dindo Clavien. Resultados: Todos los enfermos fueron operados por técnica abierta mediante esofagectomía subtotal programada, donde la resección mediante la técnica de Ivor-Lewis se realizó en el 69,2 por ciento. Para todas las técnicas quirúrgicas empleadas predominó la atelectasia (39,7 por ciento) como complicación posquirúrgica, y entre las infecciosas la neumonía en 30 enfermos (44,1 por ciento), mientras que para las complicaciones quirúrgicas no infecciosas el neumotórax fue mayormente incidente, para el 25,0 por ciento. El mayor número de complicaciones se ubicó en el grado II de Dindo Clavien. Conclusiones: La presencia de complicaciones posquirúrgicas de la enfermedad es notable, en correspondencia a lo reflejado por la literatura médica. Existió relación significativa entre la presencia del hábito de fumar, de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y la de toracotomía con algunas de las complicaciones encontradas(AU)

Introduction: Esophagectomy is one of the procedures with the highest postoperative morbidity in digestive cancer surgery. Objective: To describe the complications related to scheduled subtotal esophagectomy according to variables of interest. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the General Surgery Services at Saturnino Lora and Juan Bruno Zayas hospitals in Santiago de Cuba, from 2010 to 2019. The population consisted of 81 patients, out of which a random sample of 68 patients undergoing elective subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer was selected. The variables investigated were presence of postoperative complications and type of surgical technique used. In addition, they were classified in grades according to Clavien-Dindo. Results: All the patients were operated by open technique by programmed subtotal esophagectomy, the resection by the Ivor-Lewis technique was performed in 69.2 percent. For all the surgical techniques used, atelectasis (39.7 percent) prevailed as a postsurgical complication, and among the infectious complications, pneumonia prevailed in 30 patients (44.1 percent), while for non-infectious surgical complications, pneumothorax was mostly incidental for 25.0 percent. The highest number of complications was in Clavien-Dindo grade II. Conclusions: The presence of post-surgical complications of the disease is notable, corresponding to what is reflected in the medical literature. There was significant relationship between the presence of smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and thoracotomy with some of the complications found(AU)

Ruptura de aguja dental con migración al espacio pterigomaxilar. Resolución mediante abordaje intrabucal laterofaríngeo / Rupture of dental needle with migration to the pterygomaxillary space. Resolution by intraoral lateropharyngeal approach

Introducción: La ruptura de una aguja dental es una complicación infrecuente y sucede generalmente por el movimiento repentino y/o cierre bucal inesperado del paciente, por doblar la aguja en forma inadecuada, por insertarla completamente o moverla dentro del tejido blando, por elegir agujas de calibre y longitud inadecuados y al realizar técnicas anestésicas inapropiadas. Cuando la aguja no puede ser recuperada al instante, debe establecerse su ubicación imagenológica tridimensional y decidir el manejo. Ante tal situación, su eliminación quirúrgica es la propuesta más recomendable por la posibilidad de que migre y lesione estructuras anatómicas importantes. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión de la literatura y presentar un caso clínico de ruptura de aguja dental localizada en el espacio pterigomaxilar, resuelto con un abordaje intrabucal laterofaríngeo. Presentación de caso: Paciente masculino de 8 años de edad, que acude a consulta por presentar ruptura de una aguja dental. Para obtener su ubicación se utilizó una tomografía computarizada de haz cónico con reconstrucción tridimensional a boca cerrada y abierta. Esta prueba ofreció mayor precisión y correspondencia anatómica, considerando que la eliminación quirúrgica podría realizarse mediante un abordaje intrabucal. Así fue hecho y durante la intervención quirúrgica se advirtió que la aguja había migrado a una ubicación superior y posterior, al espacio pterigomaxilar. Ante tal situación, resultó de mayor complejidad su recuperación, que ya presentaba riesgos por el procedimiento complejo al que se sometió. Conclusiones: La anestesia local intrabucal no está exenta de complicaciones propias como la ruptura de la aguja dental. Cuando este evento se presenta, el resultado puede ser de muy difícil manejo(AU)

Introduction: The rupture of a dental needle is an uncommon complication and usually happens due to the sudden movement and / or unexpected oral closure of the patient, by bending the needle improperly, by inserting it completely or moving it into the soft tissue, by choosing needles of inadequate caliber and length and by performing inappropriate anesthetic techniques. When the needle cannot be recovered instantly, its three-dimensional imaging location must be established and handling decided. In such a situation, its surgical elimination is the most recommended proposal due to the possibility of migrating and injuring important anatomical structures. Objective: Conduct a literature review and present a clinical case of dental needle rupture located in the pterygomaxillary space, resolved with a lateropharyngeal intraoral approach. Case presentation: An 8-year-old male patient, who comes to the consultation for a ruptured dental needle. To obtain its location, a cone-beam computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction was used at closed and open mouth. This test offered greater precision and anatomical correspondence, considering that surgical removal could be performed by an intraoral approach. This was done and during the surgical intervention it was noticed that the needle had migrated to an upper and posterior location, to the pterygomaxillary space. Faced with this situation, his recovery was more complex, in addition to the one that this procedure represents by itself. Conclusions: Intraoral local anesthesia is not exempt from its own complications such as the rupture of the dental needle. When this event occurs, the result can be very difficult to manage(AU)

Validación por expertos del contenido del diagnóstico enfermero de NANDA-I Fatiga (00093) / Expert Validation of the Content for the NANDA-I Nursing Diagnosis of Fatigue

Introducción: La fatiga constituye un importante problema de salud que precisa de una adecuada valoración, diagnóstico y planificación de cuidados enfermeros centrados en quienes la sufren. Objetivo: Validar el contenido del diagnóstico enfermero NANDA-I Fatiga (00093) en la versión incluida en una base de datos clínica. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y exploratorio de validación de contenido diagnóstico mediante expertos siguiendo la propuesta de Fehring. El ámbito de estudio fue España. La recogida de datos se realizó entre los meses de junio 2019-marzo 2020. Los expertos participantes disponían de experiencia y formación en el uso de lenguajes estandarizados enfermeros. Resultados: De las 13 Características Definitorias con las que cuenta el diagnóstico incluido en la base de datos, siete fueron validadas como mayores, cinco como menores y una no fue validada. Los 16 Factores Relacionados del diagnóstico fueron validados. El Índice de Validez de Contenido del diagnóstico fue de 0,81. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico obtuvo un Índice de Validez de Contenido elevado. Los componentes del diagnóstico NANDA-I Fatiga (00093) en la versión de la base de datos clínica guardan correspondencia con los presentes en el diagnóstico NANDA-I Fatiga (00093) en la Clasificación NANDA-I 2018-2020. Se considera que la investigación actual contribuye a incrementar la precisión diagnóstica al identificar Características Definitorias claves de la presencia del diagnóstico. Al tiempo valida Factores Relacionados influyentes en el diagnóstico no incorporados en los componentes del diagnóstico NANDA-I Fatiga (00093) en la edición de la Clasificación NANDA-I 2018-2020(AU)

Introduction: Fatigue is an important health concern that requiring appropriate assessment, diagnosis and nursing care planning focused on those who suffer from it. Objective: To validate the content of NANDA-I nursing diagnosis of fatigue (00093) in the version included in a clinical database. Methods: Descriptive and exploratory study of diagnostic content validation by experts following Fehring's proposal. The setting of the study was Spain. Data collection was carried out between June 2019 and March 2020. The participating experts had experience and training in the use of standardized nursing languages. Results: Of the thirteen characteristics that define the diagnosis included in the database, seven were validated as major, five as minor and one was not validated. All sixteen related factors of the diagnosis were validated. The content validity index of the diagnosis was 0.81. Conclusions: The diagnosis obtained a high content validity index. The components of the NANDA-I diagnosis of fatigue (00093) in the clinical database version correspond with those present in the NANDA-I diagnosis of fatigue (00093) in the NANDA-I Classification 2018-2020. The current research is considered to contribute with an increase in diagnostic accuracy by identifying key defining characteristics for the diagnosis. At the same time, it validates related factors that have an influence on the diagnosis but are not incorporated among the components of the NANDA-I diagnosis of fatigue (00093) in the 2018-2020 edition of the NANDA-I Classification(AU)

A elaboração da experiência nos escritos e na correspondência do jesuíta Diego de Torres Bollo(1551-1638) / The elaboration of experience in the writings and correspondence of the Jesuit Diego de Torres Bollo(1551-1638)

O objetivo da pesquisa é evidenciar, nos escritos e na correspondência epistolar de Diego de Torres Bollo (1551-1638), missionário jesuíta espanhol no Paraguai nas primeiras décadas do século XVII, a elaboração da experiência acercados primeiros anos de vida missionária junto às populações indígenas, nos espaços territoriais chamados de Reduções. O método é abordar a tópica da experiência relatada nos documentos pelo autor e entendida conforme as categorias interpretativas próprias da cultura jesuítica da época. No âmbito da experiência narrada, serão evidenciados os saberes psicológicos elaborados na tradição cultural da Companhia de Jesus, especialmente os saberes referentes aos afetos.

The aim of this paperis to evidence, in the writings and epistolary correspondence of Diego de Torres Bollo (1551-1638), Spanish Jesuit missionary in Paraguay in the first decades of the 17th century, the elaboration of the experience of the first years of missionary life with the indigenous populations, in the territorial spaces called Reductions. The method is to approach the topic of the experience reported in the documents by the author and understood according to the interpretative categories of the Jesuit culture of the time. In the scope of the narrated experience, the psychological knowledge elaboratedin the cultural tradition of the Society of Jesus will be evidenced, especially the knowledge related to affections.

A elaboração da experiência nos escritos e na correspondência do jesuíta Diego de Torres Bollo(1551-1638) / The elaborationof experience in the writings and correspondence of the Jesuit Diego de Torres Bollo(1551-1638)

O objetivo da pesquisa é evidenciar, nos escritos e na correspondência epistolar de Diego de Torres Bollo (1551-1638), missionário jesuíta espanhol no Paraguai nas primeiras décadas do século XVII, a elaboração da experiência acerca dos primeiros anos de vida missionária junto às populações indígenas, nos espaços territoriais chamados de Reduções. O método é abordar a tópica da experiência relatada nos documentos pelo autor e entendida conforme as categorias interpretativas próprias da cultura jesuítica da época. No âmbito da experiência narrada, serão evidenciados os saberes psicológicos elaborados na tradição cultural da Companhia de Jesus, especialmente os saberes referentes aos afetos. (AU)

The aim of this paper is to evidence, in the writings and epistolary correspondence of Diego de Torres Bollo (1551-1638), Spanish Jesuit missionary in Paraguay in the first decades of the 17th century, the elaboration of the experience of the first years of missionary life with the indigenous populations, in the territorial spaces called Reductions. The method is to approach the topic of the experience reported in the documents by the author and understood according to the interpretative categories of the Jesuit culture of the time. In the scope of the narrated experience, the psychological knowledge elaborated in the cultural tradition of the Society of Jesus will be evidenced, especially the knowledge related to affections. (AU)

Effect of Nudge-Based Intervention on Adherence to Physician Visit Recommendations and Early Health Outcomes among Individuals Identified with Chronic Kidney Disease in Screens.

BACKGROUND: Although CKD screening programs have been provided in many settings, little is known as to how we can effectively translate those screening programs into improved health. METHODS: We conducted a randomized clinical trial on national health screening for CKD in Japan between April 2018 and March 2019. A total of 4011 participants in CKD screening programs aged 40-63 years were randomly assigned to two interventions or the control, with a ratio of 2:2:1, respectively: (1) the nudge-based letter that contained a message on the basis of behavioral economics, (2) the clinical letter including general information about CKD risks, and (3) the control (informed only of the screening results). The main outcome was adherence to a recommended physician visit within 6 months of the intervention. The secondary outcomes were eGFR, proteinuria, and BP 1 year after the intervention. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the probability of undergoing a recommended physician visit was higher among participants who received the nudge-based letter (19.7% for the intervention group versus 15.8% for the control; difference, +3.9 percentage points [pp]; 95% CI, +0.8 to +7.0; P=0.02) and the clinical letter (19.7% versus 15.8%; difference, +3.9 pp; 95% CI, +0.8 to +7.0; P=0.02). We found no evidence that interventions were associated with improved early health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The behavioral economics intervention tested in this large RCT had limited effect on changing behavior or improving health outcomes. Although the approach has promise, this study demonstrates the challenge of developing behavioral interventions that improve the effectiveness of CKD screening programs.Clinical Trial registry name and registration number: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry, UMIN000035230.

Respondências: análises (online) em confinamento / Responses: (online) analysis during social distancing / Correspondencias: análisis (en línea) durante el confinamiento / Réponses: analyse (en ligne) pendant la distanciation sociale

Resumo Este artigo compreende oito cartas trocadas entre as autoras ao longo do mês de abril de 2020, tendo por eixo norteador o tema das análises online. Em uma retomada metodológica da produção teórica pela via das correspondências, amplamente utilizada entre Freud e seus interlocutores, propõe uma tessitura em ato de conceitos-acontecimentos em torno do atendimento mediado pelas tecnologias da informação e da comunicação, bem como dos deslocamentos no estatuto da escuta clínica, que reverberam especialmente sobre o inconsciente, a presença do analista e a questão do registro. A escrita epistolar possibilitou uma elaboração afetuosa e desinstitucionalizada, rompendo com a lógica academicista, sem perder o rigor conceitual do campo freudo-lacaniano na interlocução com outros autores. As discussões apresentadas refletem sobre quais vidas são passíveis de escuta nas análises, online ou não, em variados desdobramentos que circunscrevem uma clínica do contemporâneo.

Abstract This essay consists of eight letters exchanged between the authors over the course of April 2020, on the topic of online analysis. Resuming the methodological approach of theoretical production via correspondence, widely used by Freud and his interlocutors, the article weaves concepts-events regarding psychological care mediated by information and communication technologies, as well as shifts in the status of clinical listening, which reverberate especially on the unconscious, the presence of the analyst and issue of recording. The epistolary writing enabled an affectionate and deinstitutionalized elaboration, breaking with academic logic, without losing the conceptual rigor of the Freudian-Lacanian field in dialogue with other authors. The discussions presented reflect on which lives can be heard in analysis, online or otherwise, in varying unfoldings that circumscribe a contemporary clinic.

Resumen Este artículo consta de ocho cartas intercambiadas entre las autoras durante el mes de abril de 2020, teniendo como eje central el tema de los análisis en línea. En una retomada metodológica de la producción teórica a través de las correspondencias, ampliamente utilizadas entre Freud y sus interlocutores, se propone una costura en acto de conceptos acontecimientos sobre la atención mediada por las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, así como de los desplazamientos en el estatuto de la escucha clínica, que repercute especialmente en el inconsciente, la presencia del analista y la cuestión del registro. La escritura epistolar posibilitó una elaboración afectuosa y no institucional, rompiendo con la lógica academicista, sin perder el rigor conceptual con el campo freudo-lacaniano en la interlocución con otros autores. Las discusiones que se presentan aquí reflexionan sobre cuáles vidas son susceptibles de escucha en los análisis, en línea o no, en diversos desplazamientos en materia de una clínica de la contemporaneidad.

Résumé Cet essai comprend huit lettres échangées entre les autrices au cours du mois d'avril 2020, sur le thème de l'analyse en ligne. Reprenant l'approche méthodologique de la production théorique par correspondance, largement utilisée par Freud et ses interlocuteurs, l'article tisse des concepts-événements concernant le soin psychologique médiatisé par les technologies de l'information et de la communication, ainsi que des déplacements du statut de l'écoute clinique, qui se répercutent notamment sur l'inconscient, la présence de l'analyste et la question de l'enregistrement. L'écriture épistolaire a permis une élaboration affectueuse et désinstitutionnalisée, en rupture avec la logique académique, sans perdre la rigueur conceptuelle du champ freudo-lacanien en dialogue avec d'autres auteurs. Les discussions présentées réfléchissent sur les vies qui peuvent être entendues en analyse, en ligne ou non, dans des déroulements divers qui circonscrivent une clinique du contemporain.

Use of artificial intelligence for gender bias analysis in letters of recommendation for general surgery residency candidates.

BACKGROUND: Letters of recommendation (LoRs) play an important role in resident selection. Author language varies implicitly toward male and female applicants. We examined gender bias in LoRs written for surgical residency candidates across three decades at one institution. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of LoRs written for general surgery residency candidates between 1980 and 2011 using artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct natural language processing (NLP) and sentiment analysis, and computer-based algorithms to detect gender bias. Applicants were grouped by scaled clerkship grades and USMLE scores. Data were analyzed among groups with t-tests, ANOVA, and non-parametric tests, as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 611 LoRs were analyzed for 171 applicants (16.4% female), and 95.3% of letter authors were male. Scaled USMLE scores and clerkship grades (SCG) were similar for both genders (p > 0.05 for both). Average word count for all letters was 290 words and was not significantly different between genders (p = 0.18). LoRs written before 2000 were significantly shorter than those written after, among applicants of both genders (female p = 0.004; male p < 0.001). Gender bias analysis of female LoRs revealed more gendered wording compared to male LoRs (p = 0.04) and was most prominent among females with lower SCG (9.5 vs 5.1, p = 0.01). Sentiment analysis revealed male LoRs with female authors had significantly more positive sentiment compared to female LoRs (p = 0.02), and males with higher SCG had more positive sentiment compared to those with lower SCG (9.4 vs 8.2, p = 0.03). NLP detected more "fear" in male LoRs with lower SCGs (0.11 vs 0.09, p = 0.02). Female LoRs with higher SCGs had more positive sentiment (0.78 vs 0.83, p = 0.03) and "joy" (0.60 vs 0.63, p = 0.02), although those written before 2000 had less "joy" (0.5 vs 0.63, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: AI and computer-based algorithms detected linguistic differences and gender bias in LoRs written for general surgery residency applicants, even following stratification by clerkship grades and when analyzed by decade.