The effect of repeated video-training session on metered doseinhaler skills among individuals with COPD: Prospective randomised controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the effect of repeated video-training sessions on the adequacy of metered-dose inhaler (MDI) among individuals with COPD. BACKGROUND: MDI devices facilitate the use of inhalation drugs in COPD patients and have become ever more important over the years. However, this device requires a certain level of hand-to-mouth coordination and cognitive ability. Since it has a high risk of application errors, training in its use is important to treatment success. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. METHODS: This study was carried out from 1 February to 1 July 2017 with the participation of 40 COPD patients. The data were collected using a 'Patient Information Request Form' and an 'MDI Skill Evaluation Form'. CONSORT checklist was used to report the current study. RESULTS: It was found that there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of the mean scores of the 1st measurement (p > .05), though the mean scores of the 5th measurement were significantly higher in the experimental group (p < .001). In the 5th measurement, it was identified that the control group had 'moderate' adequacy (3.20 ± 1.6), while the experimental group had 'satisfactory' adequacy (8.70 ± 1.17), indicating that the patients in the experimental group made fewer mistakes and showed improved adequacy. CONCLUSION: It was found that repeated video-training sessions materially improved MDI skills. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Supporting the training on inhaler drug therapy with visual technological tools and regular checking of drug use will contribute to COPD management.

Case studies of fifteen novel species successfully aided with the use of a veterinary teletriage service.

The veterinary medical field is constantly growing and evolving. Embracing the growth of readily available video conferencing, and potentially spurred by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic causing the public to seek alternatives to physical contact for medical advice at their local veterinary clinic, the use of long-distance advice or telehealth is a rapidly developing field in its own right. Here we present case studies using a teletriage service, VetTriage, to provide health care advice to clients with underserved species including presenting complications, actions taken during the session, medical advice given, and follow-up of the case when possible. In addition to the everyday difficulty of accessing rapid medical care in recent years, there are households with underserved animal groups such as exotics (small mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, etc.), found wildlife, and in some areas of the country, large animals (horses, cows, etc.). Teletriage services have the potential to reach these underserved animal groups providing a vital service where otherwise no help may be available.

Phonic and Motor Stereotypies in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Video Analysis and Neurological Characterization.

Stereotypies are among the core symptoms of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can cause significant clinical impairment. At present, phonic stereotypies in ASD have been scarcely explored. This study investigates the frequency, variability, and typologies of phonic and motor stereotypies in children with ASD and their association with clinical neurological variables. We examined 35 patients by recording standardized video sessions and administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2). Phonic stereotypies were present in 83.0% of the patients. The most prevalent subtypes were noncommunicative vocalizations (60.0%), single syllables (37.1%), and echolalic stereotypies (22.9%). Noncommunicative vocalizations were more frequent in nonverbal patients (OR = 4.629, p = 0.008), while echolalic stereotypies were more represented in verbal patients (OR = 0.279, p = 0.028). Patients with intellectual disability (ID) showed a higher number (F(1,26) = 9.406, p = 0.005) and variability (F(1,25) = 7.174, p = 0.013) of motor stereotypies, with a higher number (F(1,26) = 13.268, p = 0.005) and variability (F(1,26) = 9.490, p = 0.005) of stereotypies involving the head/trunk/shoulders category. Patients with guttural stereotypies showed a higher variability of total motor stereotypies (OR = 1.487, p = 0.032) and self-directed motor stereotypies (OR = 4.389, p = 0.042). These results, combined with a standardized video-analysis, document the frequency and variability of phonic stereotypies among children with ASD. Correlations between specific phonic stereotypies and verbal abilities should be investigated further.