The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on final year medical students in the United Kingdom: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic has resulted in unprecedented public health measures. This has impacted the UK education sector with many universities halting campus-based teaching and examinations. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of COVID-19 on final year medical students' examinations and placements in the United Kingdom (UK) and how it might impact their confidence and preparedness going into their first year of foundation training. METHODS: A 10-item online survey was distributed to final year medical students across 33 UK medical schools. The survey was designed by combining dichotomous, multiple choice and likert response scale questions. Participants were asked about the effect that the COVID-19 global pandemic had on final year medical written exams, electives, assistantships and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). The survey also explored the student's confidence and preparedness going into their first year of training under these new unprecedented circumstances. RESULTS: Four hundred forty students from 32 UK medical schools responded. 38.4% (n = 169) of respondents had their final OSCEs cancelled while 43.0% (n = 189) had already completed their final OSCEs before restrictions. 43.0% (n = 189) of assistantship placements were postponed while 77.3% (n = 340) had electives cancelled. The impact of COVID-19 on OSCEs, written examinations and student assistantships significantly affected students' preparedness (respectively p = 0.025, 0.008, 0.0005). In contrast, when measuring confidence, only changes to student assistantships had a significant effect (p = 0.0005). The majority of students feel that measures taken during this pandemic to amend their curricula was necessary. Respondents also agree that assisting in hospitals during the outbreak would be a valuable learning opportunity. CONCLUSIONS: The impact on medical student education has been significant, particularly affecting the transition from student to doctor. This study showed the disruptions to student assistantships had the biggest effect on students' confidence and preparedness. For those willing to assist in hospitals to join the front-line workforce, it is crucial to maintain their wellbeing with safeguards such as proper inductions, support and supervision.

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: Improving initial investigations with the implementation of a COVID-19 blood request panel.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust produced trust guidelines for the initial blood investigation of COVID-19 inpatients. However, insufficient education meant inconsistent adherence to this guidance. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the implementation of a COVID-19 blood request panel improves adherence to local trust guidelines. METHOD: Between March and April 2020, initial blood investigations performed for positive COVID-19 cases were compared to guidelines. Results were presented locally and a COVID-19 panel was added to the electronic system that provided prompts for appropriate investigations. A re-audit between May and June 2020 was conducted to assess adherence post-intervention. RESULTS: 383 patients were identified in the initial audit cohort and a sample of 20 patients were re-audited. Adherence to Full Blood Count, Urea and Electrolytes, C-reactive Protein and Liver Function Tests increased to 100% from 99.7% (p = 0.8), 99.2% (p = 0.69), 98.7% (p = 0.61), and 96.6% (p = 0.4) respectively. Coagulation screen adherence increased to 90% from 72.8% (p = 0.09). Appropriate requesting of D dimers increased to 50% from 19.9% (p = 0.001). Inappropriate troponin requesting decreased to 26.3% from 38.9% (p = 0.23). CONCLUSION: A user-friendly COVID-19 panel of investigations resulted in improved adherence to guidelines. Clear communication and education are essential to help alleviate uncertainty during a pandemic.

Aflibercept for treatment-naïve diabetic macula oedema in a multi-ethnic population: Real-world outcomes from North West London.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with treatment-naïve diabetic macula oedema (DMO) treated with Aflibercept in routine clinic settings in ethnically diverse North West London (NWL) and compare to outcomes reported in the VIVID and VISTA clinical trials. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentre interventional case series. Two hundred and seventy eyes of 221 treatment-naïve patients at three NWL hospitals initiated on Aflibercept and who had at least 12 months follow-up were included in the study. Visual acuity, central subfield thickness and macula volume were recorded at baseline, month 3, 6 and 12. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the NWL cohort and participants in the VIVID and VISTA trials at baseline including higher HbA1c and a higher proportion of eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the NWL cohort. The mean VA, mean CSFT and mean MV at baseline was 66.4 (± 14.6) letters, 417 (± 94) µm and 10.3 (± 1.9) mm3. The mean VA gain at 12 months was 4.0 (± 11.8) letters (p < 0.001); a total of 26% of eyes gained ≥ 10 letters, 15% of eyes gained ≥ 15 letters and 6% lost ≥15 letters. At 12-months, the mean reduction in CSFT was 108 (± 96) µm (p<0.001) and the mean reduction in MV was 1.05 (± 1.21) mm3 (p<0.001). An average of 6.2 (± 2.3) injections was given over 12 months. There was a significant association between functional and anatomical response category at 3 months and response category at 12 months (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of treatment with Aflibercept for patients in NWL was meaningfully lower than was reported in the VIVID and VISTA clinical trials. A high proportion of patients with good visual acuity at baseline, poorer glycaemic control, worse diabetic retinopathy and under-treatment likely contributed to lower functional and anatomical outcomes.

Correction: Aflibercept for treatment-naïve diabetic macula oedema in a multi-ethnic population: Real-world outcomes from North West London.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246626.].

Factors Influencing Response to Aflibercept in Diabetic Macular Oedema Patients in a Diverse North West London Population: A Real-World Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is the leading cause of sight impairment in working age populations in developed countries. Current first line treatment for centre-involving DMO involves intravitreal anti-VEGF but treatment response can be variable. In this retrospective, real world, multi-centre cohort study, we aim to identify ocular and systemic characteristics that correlate with anatomical and functional outcomes for treatment-naive DMO patients treated with intravitreal aflibercept. METHODS: Retrospective multicentre cohort study of treatment-naive DMO patients initiated on aflibercept at three North West London hospitals between 2016 and 2018. Baseline systemic and ocular factors, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) at 12 months were determined and statistically analysed. RESULTS: A total of 270 eyes of 221 DMO patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 62.8 ± 12.1, mean baseline HbA1c was 67 ± 20 mmol/mol, and mean eGFR was 72 mL/min/1.7m2. Mean number of aflibercept injections at 12 months was 6.2. Better baseline BCVA, lower baseline CMT, and absence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) were associated with better BCVA at 12 months whilst lower baseline CMT and proliferative retinopathy status were associated with lower CMT at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Our study is the largest real-world dataset examining factors influencing functional and anatomical response to aflibercept in DMO in the UK. Older age, lower baseline BCVA, higher baseline CMT and more severe diabetic retinopathy were associated with poorer visual acuity at 12 months and prioritisation of these patients within a pressured healthcare setting is recommended.

The Differential Effect of Antibodies on Radiographic Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The presence of bony erosions in patients with RA is a marker of disease severity and once present they are largely irreversible. Previous studies have shown that the presence of both rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACPA) antibodies is associated with erosive burden. The aim of our study is to determine the strength of relationship between antibody status and the presence of radiographic erosions at diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with RA at a large university teaching hospital between January 1981 and December 2018. Clinical records were reviewed to determine antibody status, diagnosis date, duration of symptoms, DAS-28, age, ethnicity and whether the 1987 RA criteria was met. The presence of erosions at diagnosis were determined from plain film radiographs reports of hands and feet of patients. Statistical analysis was done using a Chi Square Model and Mann Whitney two-tailed U test. RESULTS: There were 774 patients diagnosed with RA in our cohort. 367 (47%) of them were RF+/ACPA+, 87 (11%) were RF+/ACPA-, 66 (9%) were RF-/ACPA+ and 254 (33%) were antibody negative. 127 patients had erosions at the time of diagnosis. Patients in the double positive group had a significantly higher (p=0.003) erosion burden compared to the double negative group i.e. 21.5% in RF+/ACPA+ versus 11.0% in RF-/ACPA- group. The erosion burdens in RF+/ACPA- and RF-/ACPA+ groups were 13.7% and 12.1% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that patients RF+/ACPA+ have nearly two-fold higher incidence of radiographic erosions than patients who are RF-/ACPA-.

Interventional radiology training: a comparison of 5 English-speaking countries.

OBJECTIVE: To compare key characteristics of interventional radiology (IR) training in the UK with four other English-speaking countries (USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) and summarise requirements for training. METHODS: Main features examined were career pathway and requirements, examinations required, specific competition for IR and the process of applying for training as an international medical graduate. Data were collected from official governing body publications, literature and personal experience. RESULTS: Several differences were highlighted, including length of training (ranging from 6 to 9 years after medical school), length of IR-specific training (ranging from 1 to 3 years) and examinations required (USA and Canada have additional IR-specific examinations). The level of competition is generally high, in all countries. CONCLUSIONS: With the demand for IR services set to increase over the next few years, it is crucial that more IR specialists are trained to meet this demand. Awareness of training structures in other countries can highlight opportunity and pitfalls, and help ensure the number of highly trained interventional radiologists in the UK continues to grow.