Measuring e-Professional Behavior of Doctors of Medicine and Dental Medicine on Social Networking Sites: Indexes Construction With Formative Indicators.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have predominantly measured e-professionalism through perceptions or attitudes, yet there exists no validated measure specifically targeting the actual behaviors of health care professionals (HCPs) in this realm. This study addresses this gap by constructing a normative framework, drawing from 3 primary sources to define e-professional behavior across 6 domains. Four domains pertain to the dangers of social networking sites (SNSs), encompassing confidentiality, privacy, patient interaction, and equitable resource allocation. Meanwhile, 2 domains focus on the opportunities of SNSs, namely, the proactive dissemination of public health information and maintaining scientific integrity. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop and validate 2 new measures assessing the e-professional behavior of doctors of medicine (MDs) and doctors of dental medicine (DMDs), focusing on both the dangers and opportunities associated with SNSs. METHODS: The study used a purposive sample of MDs and DMDs in Croatia who were users of at least one SNS. Data collection took place in 2021 through an online survey. Validation of both indexes used a formative approach, which involved a 5-step methodology: content specification, indicators definition with instructions for item coding and index construction, indicators collinearity check using the variance inflation factor (VIF), external validity test using multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model, and external validity test by checking the relationships of the indexes with the scale of attitude toward SNSs using Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: A total of 753 responses were included in the analysis. The first e-professionalism index, assessing the dangers associated with SNSs, comprises 14 items. During the indicators collinearity check, all indicators displayed acceptable VIF values below 2.5. The MIMIC model showed good fit (χ213=9.4, P=.742; χ2/df=0.723; root-mean-square error of approximation<.001; goodness-of-fit index=0.998; comparative fit index=1.000). The external validity of the index is supported by a statistically significant negative correlation with the scale measuring attitudes toward SNSs (r=-0.225, P<.001). Following the removal of 1 item, the second e-professionalism index, focusing on the opportunities associated with SNSs, comprises 5 items. During the indicators collinearity check, all indicators exhibited acceptable VIF values below 2.5. Additionally, the MIMIC model demonstrated a good fit (χ24=2.5, P=.718; χ2/df=0.637; root-mean-square error of approximation<0.001; goodness-of-fit index=0.999; comparative fit index=1.000). The external validity of the index is supported by a statistically significant positive correlation with the scale of attitude toward SNSs (r=0.338; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Following the validation process, the instrument designed for gauging the e-professional behavior of MDs and DMDs consists of 19 items, which contribute to the formation of 2 distinct indexes: the e-professionalism index, focusing on the dangers associated with SNSs, comprising 14 items, and the e-professionalism index, highlighting the opportunities offered by SNSs, consisting of 5 items. These indexes serve as valid measures of the e-professional behavior of MDs and DMDs, with the potential for further refinement to encompass emerging forms of unprofessional behavior that may arise over time.

Primary uterine cervical cancer: correlation of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and clinical staging (FIGO) with histopathology findings.

The most commonly used staging system for cervical cancer is based on the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been accepted as the optimal tool for evaluation of the main prognostic factors and selection of therapeutic strategy. The purpose of this study was to compare the preoperative clinical examination FIGO staging findings with MRI and postoperative pathology report in females with primary cancer of the cervix. The study prospectively included 46 females consecutively hospitalized at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the "Sestre milosrdnice" University Hospital Center in Zagreb. Interviews, clinical examination, transvaginal ultrasound and MRI were performed in all patients. In selected patients the surgical procedure was done and the correlation of clinical findings according to FIGO classifications, MRI and histopathological findings was completed. According to FIGO classification, positive clinical findings for stage IIA were found in 26/46 (55.5%) and stage IIB in 20/46 (44.5%)patients. FIGO MR modified classification confirmed stage IIA in 30/46 (66.6%) and stage IIB in 16/46 (33.4%) patients. Surgery (Wertheim radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic and selective para-aortic lymphadenectomy) was performed in 33/46 (71%) patients with clinically, MR, cytologically and pathohistologically confirmed findings of cervical cancer: 26 patients with IIA clinically FIGO stage and 7 with IIB stage. MRI examination proved better than clinical examination in staging of cervical carcinoma with 90.9% versus 79.0% accuracy rate. We suggest the application of the following MR protocol in all clinically staged FIGO IIA and IIB patients: T1W, T2WI and postcontrast dynamic T1WI after 3 and 60 seconds and after 5 minutes, performed on 1.5T MR machine.

Assessment of ultrasound for use in detecting lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients taking combination antiretroviral therapy.

The aim of this study was evaluation of ultrasound (US) as a tool for the assessment of lipoatrophy in a population of HIV-infected patients. We enrolled a convenience sample of 151 HIV-infected Caucasian participants (males, 79%) who were treated for at least 1 year with combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) in Zagreb, Croatia. US measurements of subcutaneous fat thickness were done over the malar, brachial, and crural region. We determined sensitivity and specificity of US as a diagnostic tool for lipoatrophy using receiver-operating curves and concordant patient and clinician assessment as our reference for the presence of lipoatrophy. HIV was acquired through heterosexual contact in 50% of participants and by sex between men in 42%. The mean current CD4 cell count was 503.1 cells=mm3 (standard deviation [SD] = 250.8). Seventy-seven (51%) participants were treated with stavudine and 91 (64%) with a protease inhibitor for at least 6 months. Nineteen (13%)participants had lipoatrophy in at least one anatomic site. Sensitivity of US ranged from 67%-71%, specificity from 65%-71%, positive and negative predictive values ranged from 11%-20% and 96-97%, respectively. US diagnosed lipoatrophy was more frequently found in patients with a history of stavudine treatment and in females. Patients with lipoatrophy had a longer duration of CART than those without lipoatrophy. US is a useful tool in ruling out the presence of clinical lipoatrophy in patients on CART. Using this objective measure of subcutaneous fat may be useful in helping clinicians make decisions about changing therapy.