How well does the virtual format of oncology multidisciplinary team meetings work? An assessment of participants' perspectives and limitations: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Virtual multidisciplinary team meetings (VMDTM) provide a standard of care that is not limited by physical distance or social restrictions. And so, when the COVID-19 pandemic imposed irrefutable social restrictions and made in-person meetings impossible, many hospitals switched to the VMDTMs. Although the pandemic might have highlighted the ease of VMDTMs, these virtual meetings have existed over the past decade, albeit less in importance. Despite their recent importance, no review has previously assessed the feasibility of VMDTMs through the eyes of the participants, the barriers participants face, nor their comparison with the in-person format. We undertook this scoping review to map existing literature and assess the perspectives of VMDTM participants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar from inception till July 1st, 2023 to select studies that evaluated the perspectives of participants of VMDTMs regarding the core components that make up a VMDMT. Four authors, independently, extracted data from all included studies. Two authors separated data into major themes and sub-themes. RESULTS: We identified six core, intrinsic aspects of a VMDTM that are essential to its structure: (1) organization, (2) case discussion and decision-making, (3) teamwork and communication, (4) training and education, (5) technology, and (6) patient-related aspect. VMDTMs have a high overall satisfaction rating amongst participants. The preference, however, is for a hybrid model of multidisciplinary teams. VMDTMs offer support to isolated physicians, help address complex cases, and offer information that may not be available elsewhere. The periodical nature of VMDTMs is appropriate for their consideration as CMEs. Adequate technology is paramount to the sustenance of the format. CONCLUSION: VMDTMs are efficient and offer a multidisciplinary consensus without geographical limitations. Despite certain technical and social limitations, VMDTM participants are highly satisfied with the format, although the preference lies with a hybrid model.

Empathy levels among undergraduate medical students in Karachi, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study.

Empathy is a concept native to the field of medicine. However, over the course of medical school, empathy levels are expected to decline. The aim of this study was to assess the empathy levels among medical students in relation to their year of study and specialties of choice in the future. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess empathy levels among students from medical colleges in Karachi, Pakistan, using an online survey. The total duration of the study was 2 months. The authors analyzed the data using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 463 undergraduate medical students participated in this survey. The overall mean empathy score was 101.9±16.3 with 104.6±14.1 for females, which was significantly higher than the male participants. The highest empathy levels were demonstrated in fourth-year medical students with a mean empathy score of 104.1±16.3, whereas, the lowest empathy levels were found in second-year medical students with a mean empathy score of 99.8±9.4. Study participants considering emergency medicine, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, and oncology as their specialty of choice demonstrated the highest empathy levels followed by pediatrics and internal medicine. Conclusion: On average, there was a female preponderance in empathy levels among undergraduate medical students. Empathy levels among fourth-year students involved in clinical practice were greater as compared to students in their initial years of study. Further investigations are required to validate the findings of this study.

Giant Cell Tumor of the Distal Fibula Managed by an Autologous Proximal Fibula Graft.

A giant cell tumor of the bone is among the most common bone tumors encountered by orthopedic surgeons. These benign and aggressive tumors are most commonly present around the knee joint; however, rare cases may involve the distal fibula. An 18-year-old man presented with a painless swelling of the lateral aspect of the left ankle. Clinical examination, radiologic evaluation, and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a giant cell tumor of the distal fibula. The patient was treated with resection of the distal fibula followed by reconstruction using an ipsilateral proximal fibula graft. The post-operative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was doing well on the last visit, one month after the intervention.