Do All Roads Lead to Full Participation? Examining Trajectories of Clinical Educators in Graduate Medical Education through Situated Learning Theory.

Phenomenon: As new faculty members begin their careers in Graduate Medical Education, each begins a journey of Professional Identity Formation from the periphery of their educational communities. The trajectories traveled vary widely, and full participation in a given educational community is not assured. While some medical school and post-graduate training programs may nurture Professional Identity Formation, there is scant support for faculty. To date, the trajectories that Graduate Medical Education faculty travel, what may derail inbound trajectories, and what tools Graduate Medical Education faculty use to navigate these trajectories have not been explicitly described. We explore these three questions here. Approach: Communities of Practice, a component of Situated Learning Theory, serves as a helpful framework to explore trajectories of educator identity development among Graduate Medical Educators. We used a inductive and deductive approach to Thematic Analysis, with Situated Learning Theory as our interpretive frame. Semi-structured interviews of faculty members of GME programs matriculating into a Health Professions Education Program were conducted, focusing on participants' lived experiences in medical education and how these experiences shaped their Professional Identity Formation. Findings: Participants noted peripheral, inbound, boundary, and outbound trajectories, but not an insider trajectory. Trajectory derailment was attributed to competing demands, imposter syndrome and gendered marginality. Modes of belonging were critical tools participants used to shape PIF, not only engagement with educator roles but disengagement with other roles; imagination of future roles with the support of mentors; and fluid alignment with multiple mutually reinforcing identities. Participants identified boundary objects like resumes and formal roles that helped them negotiate across Community of Practice boundaries. Insights: Despite a desire for full participation, some clinical educators remain marginal, struggling along a peripheral trajectory. Further research exploring this struggle and potential interventions to strengthen modes of belonging and boundary objects is critical to create equitable access to the inbound trajectory for all of our colleagues, leaving the choice of trajectories up to them.

Assessing Mentorship Experiences of Faculty at a Military Academic Center: Challenge and Opportunity.

OBJECTIVES: Mentor relationships are a key component of professional development within academic medicine. To date, there are no investigations into the prevalence and effects of mentor relationships within military academic medicine. This quality improvement initiative aimed to establish the prevalence and effects of mentorship, including whether sex differences exist among faculty at a military academic center, the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, and identify opportunities to improve faculty development efforts for mentorship to benefit faculty at this institution. METHODS: A 17-item survey was developed using an iterative process. Using the SurveyMonkey platform, the survey was distributed to each faculty member within the 33 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs. RESULTS: A total of 104 responses (26%) were received from 393 total faculty members, including 48 Air Force, 45 Army, 3 Navy, and 8 Contractor/Government Service respondents. Thirty-four respondents were women (33%) and 70 were men (67%). Only 42% of faculty reported currently having a mentor. Thirty-nine respondents (38%; 44% men and 27% women) received formal mentorship at their first staff physician position after residency training. Mentorship helped respondents the most in the areas of clinical skills, understanding departmental/institutional culture, professionalism/officership, academic promotion/advancement, and clarification of priorities/goals. When asked whether more effective mentorship would affect their own decision to remain on active-duty military service, 14% responded "yes" and 28% responded "possibly." CONCLUSIONS: Increased mentorship has the potential to positively affect career development in military academic military medicine. Results from this study affirm previous reports that effective mentorship potentially represents a powerful tool for faculty retention. Future study should include other military medical academic centers to assess the generalizability of these results across US military medicine.

A Common Trajectory Toward a Professional Identity as a Faculty Developer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Professional identity formation is a complex construct that continually evolves in relation to an individual's experiences. The literature on educators identifying as faculty developers is limited and incompletely addresses how that identify affects other identities, careers, and influences on teaching. Twenty-six health professionals were trained to serve as faculty developers within our educational system. We sought to examine the factors that influence the professional identity of these faculty developers and to determine whether a common trajectory existed. METHODS: We employed a constructivist thematic analysis methodology using an inductive approach to understand the experiences of faculty developers. We conducted semistructured recorded interviews. Coding and thematic analysis were completed iteratively. RESULTS: We identified eight primary themes: (1) initial invitation, (2) discovery of faculty development as a professional activity, (3) discovery of educational theory, skills, and need for more education, (4) process of time and experience, (5) fostering relationships and community, (6) transfer of skills to professional and personal roles, (7) experiences that lead to credibility, and (8) sense of greater impact. CONCLUSIONS: An individual's journey to a faculty developer identity is variable, with several shared pivotal experiences that help foster the emergence of this identity. Consideration of specific programmatic elements to support the themes identified might allow for a strategic approach to faculty development efforts in health professions education.

Current approaches to diagnosis and management of rhinitis.

Rhinitis affects >20% of the population and is a common reason patients visit their primary care physician. Proper therapeutic intervention initially requires differentiating rhinitis from acute and chronic rhinosinusitis. After establishing rhinitis as the etiology of a patient's symptoms, a careful, thoughtful history and physical examination aids the cause. Rhinitis can be allergic, nonallergic, or mixed (having features of both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis). Therapeutic interventions vary, depending on the etiology of rhinitis. Symptoms that are refractory to avoidance and pharmacotherapy warrant referral to an allergist or otolaryngologist for consideration of immunotherapy or surgical intervention. In many cases, adhering to an evidence-based therapeutic treatment algorithm will allow physicians to effectively manage rhinitis.

Acute sinusitis.

Sinusitis is a common patient complaint that carries with it a large economic burden. It is one of the most common reasons patients visit their primary care physician. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) can be distinguished from other forms of rhinosinusitis based on symptom duration of <4 weeks in a patient with purulent rhinorrhea associated with facial pain or pressure. Native upper aerodigestive tract bacteria are the most common etiologic agents. Treatment of ABRS is targeted primarily at symptom improvement. Amoxicillin can be used based on the clinical scenario and patient comorbidities. Computed tomographic scans are reserved for complicated presentations or when there is concern for intracranial extension or other complications. A systematic approach to ABRS will allow for improved patient quality of life and a decreased overall economic burden of this common entity.

Approaching chronic sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis is a common disease that encompasses a number of syndromes that are characterized by sinonasal mucosal inflammation. Chronic sinusitis can be defined as two or more of the following symptoms lasting for more than 12 consecutive weeks: discolored rhinorrhea, postnasal drip, nasal obstruction, facial pressure or pain, or decreased sense of smell. Chronic sinusitis is further classified as chronic sinusitis with polyposis, chronic sinusitis without polyposis, or allergic fungal sinusitis using physical examination, and histologic and radiographic findings. Treatment methods for chronic sinusitis are based upon categorization of the disease and include oral and inhaled corticosteroids, nasal saline irrigations, and antibiotics in selected patients. Understanding the various forms of chronic sinusitis and managing and ruling out comorbidities are key to successful management of this common disorder.

The Making of an Educator: Professional Identity Formation Among Graduate Medical Education Faculty Through Situated Learning Theory.

INTRODUCTION: Professional identity formation (PIF) is a foundational element to professional medical education and training. Given the impact of faculty role models and mentors to student and trainee learning, mapping the landscape of PIF among faculty takes on increased importance. We conducted a scoping review of PIF through the lens of situated learning theory. Our scoping review question was: How is situated learning theory used to understand the process of PIF among graduate medical educators? METHODS: The scoping review methodology described by Levac et al served as the architecture for this review. Medline, Embase, PubMed, ERIC, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched (from inception) using a combination of terms that describe PIF among graduate medical educators. RESULTS: Of the 1434 unique abstracts screened, 129 articles underwent full-text review, with 14 meeting criteria for inclusion and full coding. Significant results organized into three main themes: importance of using common definitions; evolution of theory over time with untapped explanatory power; identity as a dynamic construct. DISCUSSION: The current body of knowledge leaves many gaps. These include lack of common definitions, need to apply ongoing theoretical insights to research, and exploration of professional identity as an evolving construct. As we come to understand PIF among medical faculty more fully, twin benefits accrue: (1) Community of practices can be designed deliberately to encourage full participation of all graduate medical education faculty who desire it, and (2) Faculty can more effectively lead trainees in negotiating the ongoing process of PIF across the landscape of professional identities.

Construct validity of a low-cost medium-fidelity endoscopic sinus surgery simulation model.

OBJECTIVE: Assess construct validity of a low-cost medium-fidelity silicone injection molded model task trainer for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) training. METHODS: Fellowship-trained rhinologists, otolaryngology attendings, and otolaryngology residents at various levels of training performed sinus endoscopy and seven procedures on the model. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing novice to various levels of experienced performance using a validated checklist. RESULTS: Thirty-two subjects participated in this study. Otolaryngology attendings and postgraduate year (PGY) 3 to 5 otolaryngology residents significantly outperformed PGY 1 to 2 otolaryngology residents on most tasks in the task-specific checklist. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the construct validity of the low-cost medium-fidelity ESS model. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 129:1505-1509, 2019.

Unilateral nasal polyposis: clinical presentation and pathology.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the clinical presentation and pathology of unilateral nasal polyposis (UNP). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was completed on 301 consecutive patients with nasal polyposis that underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery from 1995 to 2004. Of the charts reviewed, 46 patients were identified with UNP. In this group, there were 28 males and 18 females with a mean age at presentation of 34.85 years. Pathologic diagnosis was not available for 2 patients, so there were 44 UNP patient records for analysis. Presenting symptoms, surgical findings, and pathology were analyzed. RESULTS: All 44 patients underwent surgical management for their symptoms, and specimens were sent for pathologic evaluation. There were 17 cases of chronic rhinosinusitis, 15 of allergic fungal sinusitis, 7 of inverting papilloma, 2 of squamous cell carcinoma, 1 of esthesioneuroblastoma, 1 of mucocele, and 1 of human papilloma virus polyp-type papilloma. The only presenting symptom that correlated with the presence of inverted papilloma or neoplastic process in our patients with UNP was epistaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, inverting papilloma, and other neoplasms account for most UNP cases and must be considered when a patient presents with symptoms of unilateral polyps. A careful history and endoscopic examination play a key role in identifying possible disease processes and proper management.

Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of Balloon Catheter Dilation on "Sinus Pressure" / Barometric Headaches.

Objective To determine if balloon catheter dilation of sinus ostia affects the severity or frequency of headache among patients who have barometric pressure-related "sinus" headache. Study Design Prospective single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting Tertiary care medical center. Subjects and Methods Subjects with a diagnosis of sinus pressure headache without evidence of mucosal thickening on computed tomography were recruited. Subjects were blinded and randomized to undergo balloon dilation of affected sinus ostia (active treatment) or balloon dilation in the nasal cavity (placebo). Two balloon devices were utilized (Acclarent and Entellus) and outcomes compared. Subjects were followed with pre- and postprocedure SNOT-22 scores (Sinonasal Outcome Test-22), HIT-6 scores (Headache Impact Test-6), and medication utilization logs for 6 months. Results There was no statistically significant difference in SNOT-22 or HIT-6 scores between the arms at any time point. However, both arms experienced statistically and clinically significant decreases in SNOT-22 and HIT-6 scores from preprocedure to 6 months postprocedure. There was no statistically significant difference in SNOT-22 or HIT-6 score reductions between the Entellus and Acclarent devices. There was no statistically significant difference in medication utilization between the groups at any time point. Conclusions Subjects with sinus pressure headache without evidence of mucosal thickening on computed tomography had no significant difference in outcomes between active treatment (balloon dilation of sinus ostia) and placebo (nasal dilation). Further study on the etiology and effective treatment of barometric pressure / "sinus" headache is needed.

The prevalence and effect of asthma on adults with chronic rhinosinusitis.

We conducted a retrospective review of 145 consecutively presenting adults treated for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in a tertiary care institution. Our goals were to determine (1) the prevalence of asthma in these patients, (2) the prevalence of specific CRS symptoms in both asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients, and (3) the frequency of surgical treatmentfor CRS in patients with and without asthma. We found that asthma was present in 23.4% of CRS patients, a much higher rate than the 5% prevalence of asthma in the general adult population. Patients with asthma had a significantly higher prevalence of nasal polyps (47 vs. 22%; p = 0.004), olfactory dysfunction (26 vs. 6%; p = 0.001), and nasal congestion (85 vs. 60%; p = 0.027) than did those without asthma. Patients without asthma had a significantly higher prevalence of headache (72 vs. 53%; p = 0.037) and rhinorrhea (58 vs. 38%; p = 0.047). The prevalence ofpostnasal drip and environmental allergies in the two groups was similar Although the difference between the proportions of patients with and without asthma who required primary sinus surgery was not statistically significant (76 vs. 64%; p = 0.175), patients with asthma did require significantly more revision sinus procedures overall (mean: 2.9 vs. 1.5; p = 0.003).

An ergonomic assessment of operating table and surgical stool heights for seated otolaryngology procedures.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries, such as neck and back pain, during a surgeon's career are common. However, studies on ergonomics are limited with regard to seated otolaryngologic procedures. Key elements of an ergonomic operating environment include the height of operating tables and surgical chairs. Surgeons benefit from proper support and positioning to prevent musculoskeletal injuries and reduce occupational risk. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate operating table and surgical seat heights, and determine whether adjustments can be made for various surgeon physiques. METHODS: Operating tables and surgical seat dimensions were measured at local hospitals, and the information was complemented by an online search of other models. RESULTS: Five unique operating tables and five unique surgical stools were identified, both in the local hospital and in a search on the Internet. Of available tables, the greatest range was 63.5-124.5 cm, which reaches above the maximum suggested working height of 76.2 cm. The surgical stool with the widest range was adjustable from heights of 50.8-72.4 cm. This combination of operative table and surgical stool provided the greatest range of heights. CONCLUSION: Of the available tables and stools measured, the combination of surgical table with a range of 63.5-125.7 cm and surgical stool with a range of 50.8-72.4 cm provided the greatest versatility for diverse physician heights. In ergonomic terms, this combination may reduce physical fatigue and create a potentially safer working environment for seated surgeons.

Balloon dilation of sinus ostia in the Department of Defense: Diagnoses, actual indications, and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the primary diagnoses for which balloon catheter dilation (BCD) of sinus ostia is being employed in a profit-blind health care system, the Department of Defense. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: From January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, 319 consecutive patient charts were reviewed for International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition (ICD-9) diagnoses, presence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) defined by the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS), preoperative Lund-Mackay scores, nasal endoscopy findings, sinuses dilated, postoperative outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Of the 319 patients identified, 217 had sufficient documentation to be included. A CRS ICD-9 code was applied in 182 of 217 (83.9%) and recurrent acute rhinosinusitis in 12 of 217 (5.6%). Only 50.5% of CRS patient charts met criteria using EPOS guidelines. In contrast, 39.6% met the ICD-9 criteria for atypical facial pain. Patients with Lund-Mackay scores ≤ 4 were reviewed for number of sinuses dilated. Eighty-eight of 123 patients (71.5%) had sinuses dilated that were free from opacification/mucosal edema on preoperative imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon dilation of sinus ostia has an expanding role in treating sinus disease. In the studied population, BCD is often utilized for alternate indications for which there is currently no evidence of efficacy. Future studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this technology in treating these alternate indications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 127:544-549, 2017.

Fabrication and validation of a low-cost, medium-fidelity silicone injection molded endoscopic sinus surgery simulation model.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Develop a low-cost, medium-fidelity model for education in endoscopic sinus surgery techniques. Establish face and content validity of the model based on the feedback of otolaryngology faculty including fellowship-trained rhinologists. STUDY DESIGN: Survey. METHODS: A novel silicone injection molded sinus model was constructed. Three fellowship-trained rhinologists and four general otolaryngologists were recruited to perform seven tasks and provide feedback of the model's performance via a 22-question Likert survey. RESULTS: Those surveyed strongly agreed the sinus model is useful for basic endoscopic skill acquisition such as camera skills (86%), hand-eye coordination (100%), nasal endoscopy skills (100%). Ratings of the model for training the specific tasks were consistently high. Neutral or lower were received for inferior turbinoplasty (14%), frontal balloon task (14%), understanding the ethmoid bulla (29%), and advanced sinus techniques (57%). All faculty strongly agreed they would be interested in using the model to train residents. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation models have proven efficacy in endoscopic skill and procedural training. The group developed a novel low-cost, medium-fidelity sinus training model utilizing three-dimensional modeling and printing. Testing of this model revealed high ratings for both face and construct validity for a range of endoscopic procedures. Strong interest in using this model for resident training was unanimous among all survey participants. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 127:781-786, 2017.

Gluten sensitivity: fact or fashion statement?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, the concern over food sensitivities in general and gluten intolerance in particular has sharply increased. Patients and medical providers are awash in various claims about the potential implications of including or excluding gluten from the diet. RECENT FINDINGS: Three main conditions are described with respect to gluten: wheat allergy, celiac disease, and nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Wheat allergy is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction to nongluten proteins within wheat. Celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction to the gluten protein resulting in damage to the small intestine with genetic associations. NCGS is a diagnosis of exclusion and, to date, no biomarkers have been identified for this condition. SUMMARY: When evaluating and treating patients with potential reactions to gluten, it is important to distinguish among wheat allergy, celiac disease, and NCGS. Each condition has distinct dietary and treatment implications.

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: The body of knowledge regarding rhinosinusitis(RS) continues to expand, with rapid growth in number of publications, yet substantial variability in the quality of those presentations. In an effort to both consolidate and critically appraise this information, rhinologic experts from around the world have produced the International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR:RS). METHODS: Evidence-based reviews with recommendations(EBRRs) were developed for scores of topics, using previously reported methodology. Where existing evidence was insufficient for an EBRR, an evidence-based review (EBR)was produced. The sections were then synthesized and the entire manuscript was then reviewed by all authors for consensus. RESULTS: The resulting ICAR:RS document addresses multiple topics in RS, including acute RS (ARS), chronic RS (CRS)with and without nasal polyps (CRSwNP and CRSsNP), recurrent acute RS (RARS), acute exacerbation of CRS (AECRS), and pediatric RS. CONCLUSION: As a critical review of the RS literature, ICAR:RS provides a thorough review of pathophysiology and evidence-based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment. It also demonstrates the significant gaps in our understanding of the pathophysiology and optimal management of RS. Too often the foundation upon which these recommendations are based is comprised of lower level evidence. It is our hope that this summary of the evidence in RS will point out where additional research efforts may be directed.

Effect of environmental factors on Internet searches related to sinusitis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Sinusitis significantly affects the population of the United States, exacting direct cost and lost productivity. Patients are likely to search the Internet for information related to their health before seeking care by a healthcare professional. Utilizing data generated from these searches may serve as an epidemiologic surrogate. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective time series analysis was performed. METHODS: Google search trend data from the Dallas-Fort Worth metro region for the years 2012 and 2013 were collected from www.google.com/trends for terms related to sinusitis based on literature outlining the most important symptoms for diagnosis. Additional terms were selected based on common English language terms used to describe the disease. Twelve months of data from the same time period and location for common pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and particulates), pollen and mold counts, and influenza-like illness were also collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficients, and potential search activity predictors were assessed using autoregressive integrated moving average. RESULTS: Pearson correlation was strongest between the terms congestion and influenza-like illness (r=0.615), and sinus and influenza-like illness (r=0.534) and nitrogen dioxide (r=0.487). Autoregressive integrated moving average analysis revealed ozone, influenza-like illness, and nitrogen dioxide levels to be potential predictors for sinus pressure searches, with estimates of 0.118, 0.349, and 0.438, respectively. Nitrogen dioxide was also a potential predictor for the terms congestion and sinus, with estimates of 0.191 and 0.272, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Google search activity for related terms follow the pattern of seasonal influenza-like illness and nitrogen dioxide. These data highlight the epidemiologic potential of this novel surveillance method. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Sinus penetration of saline solution irrigation and atomizer in a cadaveric polyp and allergic fungal sinusitis model.

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a stubborn disease requiring surgical and medical management. Delivery of topical medication is paramount in these patients, but the most difficult to accomplish. We investigated heavy irrigation (nasal douche) and atomized medication delivery potential in a cadaveric sinus model of polypoid AFS disease. Three disease models were created: a control that involved unoperated sinuses and no simulated disease; an unoperated AFS with type II polyposis mode; and an operated model with recurrent allergic fungal sinusitis with type II polyposis. The maxillary sinus showed the best irrigation and overall the heavy irrigator was more efficient than the atomizer.

Monitor height ergonomics: A comparison of operating room video display terminals.

A surgeon's eyes should be positioned 1 meter (m) distant and no more than 15° below the top of an operating monitor (0.27 m). We sought to determine which operating room video display terminal can best accommodate ergonomically optimized gaze during surgery. Floor to eye height was measured for surgeons in seated, perched, and standing positions. These ranges were then compared to vertical displacement ranges for monitors measured from floor to top of the screen. Eye height was measured for standing (1.56-1.80 m), perched (1.40-1.65 m), and seated (1.10-1.32 m) positions. The minimum distance (min) between the floor and the top of the monitor and the vertical mobility range (VR) of the monitor were measured throughout a tertiary medical center including towers with boom arms (TcB) (min: 1.58 m, VR: 0.37 m), towers without booms (TsB) (min: 1.82 m, VR: 0.025 m), ceiling mounted booms (CMB) (min: 1.34 m:, VR: 1.04 m), and portable monitors (PM) (min: 1.73 m, VR: 0.04 m). The tangent of 15° declination was used to calculate a correction factor to determine the minimum optimal ergonomic display height. The correction factor was subtracted from the eye height at each position to determine the lowest target height and the highest target floor to eye distance for each position. Analysis of variance with least significant difference post hoc testing identified all minimum distances and vertical ranges to be statistically different (p < 0.001). Monitor vertical displacement varied between styles of carts. CMB video display terminal systems can accommodate standing, perched and the tallest seated surgeons. TcB, TsB and PM systems cannot adequately accommodate all standing, perched or seated surgeons.