Preoperative anxiety and its association with patients' desire for support - an observational study in adults.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anxiety is prevalent and has harmful effects on postoperative outcomes. However, to date, it is still unclear (i) to what extent patients perceive preoperative anxiety as emotionally distressful, (ii) whether patients would welcome support from anesthesiologists in coping with their anxiety, and (iii) whether anxiety scores are useful for everyday clinical practice to determine patients' need for support. METHODS: 1082 patients scheduled to undergo elective procedures under general anesthesia were eligible for this cross-sectional study carried out at a university hospital. Preoperative anxiety, resulting in emotional distress, and patients' desire for anesthesiologists' support in coping with their anxiety were assessed dichotomously (no vs. yes) and analyzed descriptively. The intensity of anxiety was evaluated using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (range 4-20). Associations between the intensity of anxiety and the resulting desire for support were analyzed using logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to identify anxiety levels that best predict desire for support. RESULTS: Among the 1000 (537 female; M (SD) 57 (18) years) subjects evaluated, 493 (318 (65 %) female) reported anxiety. Anxiety was associated with emotional distress in 320 (65 %) and desire for support in 291 (59 %) patients. Increased preoperative anxiety levels were associated with higher rates of desire for support (B= 0.270; odds ratio 1.31 [95 % CI 1.22-1.41]). An anxiety score > 9 was best to predict a desire for support (sensitivity 0.861, specificity 0.724). However, desire for support was even present in some patients with lowest anxiety scores (5 or 6). CONCLUSIONS: All patients undergoing surgery should be screened for preoperative anxiety and the resulting desire for support to be able to determine who would welcome support. Anxiety scoring tools do not seem to be useful to identify these patients. By helping patients experience less preoperative anxiety, anesthesiologists may not only reduce patients' emotional distress but also have a positive impact on postoperative outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS 00013319, 23 November 2017).

Standing on the shoulders of giants: Mentorship advice from leaders in the field.

This commentary is presenting opinions and advice on mentorship in the field of gynecologic oncology. Eleven academic gynecologic oncologists from across the country were interviewed and their thoughts about mentorship were recorded with recurring themes and ideas described in this commentary. Trust, respect, and mutual agreement on expectations were all described as vital to a functioning mentor/mentee relationship. Mentorship is critical for fellows and junior faculty to expand and uphold the standards of the field.

Surgery in intractable epilepsy-physicians' recommendations and patients' decisions.

OBJECTIVES: To identify demographic and clinical variables independently associated with patients' decisions against their physicians' recommendations for resective epilepsy surgery or further scalp video-EEG monitoring (sca-VEM), semi-invasive (sem-)VEM with foramen ovale and/or peg electrodes, and invasive (in-)VEM. METHODS: Consecutive patients, who underwent presurgical assessment with at least one sca-VEM between 2010 and 2014, were included into this retrospective analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent variables associated with patients' decisions. RESULTS: Within the study period, 352 patients underwent 544 VEM sessions comprising 451 sca-, 36 sem-, and 57 in-VEMs. Eventually, 96 patients were recommended resective surgery, and 106 were ineligible candidates; 149 patients denied further necessary VEMs; thus, no decision could be made. After sca- or additional sem-VEM, nine out of 51 eligible patients (17.6%) rejected resection. One hundred and ten patients were recommended in-VEM, 52 of those (47.2%) declined. Variables independently associated with rejection of in-VEM comprised intellectual disability (OR 4.721, 95% CI 1.047-21.284), extratemporal focal aware non-motor seizures ("aura") vs. no "aura" (OR 0.338, 95% CI 0.124-0.923), and unilateral or bilateral vs. no MRI lesion (OR 0.248, 95% CI 0.100-0.614 and 0.149, 95% CI 0.027-0.829, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: During and after presurgical evaluation, patients with intractable focal epilepsy declined resections and intracranial EEGs, as recommended by their epileptologists, in almost 20% and 50% of cases. This calls for early and thorough counseling of patients on risks and benefits of epilepsy surgery. Future prospective studies should ask patients in depth for specific reasons why they decline their physicians' recommendations.

The cancer care observation: an empathy training experience.

OBJECTIVE: A 'cancer care observation' (CCO) empathy training is described. This study examined psychiatry trainees' experience of CCO and cancer patients' experience of being observed. METHOD: Trainees were paired with consenting patients undergoing cancer treatment; they observed a number of cancer treatment sessions and chronicled their experiences. The observations were discussed in supervision. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with trainees and observed patients. Observation journals and transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative description. RESULTS: Seven trainees participated. Three themes emerged: patients used trainees to support themselves while trainees struggled with role identities; CCO extends trainees' professional awareness and can benefit patients; and staff reactions were mixed. Trainees developed wide-ranging, empathic insights into cancer and hospital care experiences. No patient regarded CCO as intrusive. CONCLUSIONS: Trainees garnered insights from CCO as they generated clinical hypotheses, learnt about professional boundaries and gained first-hand experience of unconscious mental processes based on their empathic connections. CCO lends itself to psychiatry and, potentially, other medical trainees.

Working status of Spanish pediatric surgeons. / Situación de los profesionales de cirugía pediátrica en España.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze work, demographic, and social parameters in order to learn about the working status of pediatric surgeons in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey inspired in job satisfaction models and designed by the authors was performed. It was an observational, descriptive, cross-border online survey intended for pediatric surgeons from the Spanish Society of Pediatric Surgery (SECIPE). RESULTS: Of the 290 SECIPE pediatric surgeons, 133 responded to the survey (45.8% response rate), of whom 49.6% were 30-39 years old. The number of male and female respondents was virtually the same. 69% of respondents devoted 75-100% of their working hours to healthcare, 89.4% devoted 0-25% to research, and 80% devoted 0-25% to teaching. The survey demonstrated job satisfaction in terms of colleagues, healthcare role, professional development expectations, and social consideration. However, respondents showed disconformity with their pay, the time devoted to research and teaching, and their relationship with the executive board. CONCLUSION: This study sheds light on the Spanish professionals' working status, which can help identify measures for improvement. The survey shows widespread disconformity with the short time devoted to research, and little satisfaction with teaching. Most of the working hours are devoted to clinical practice, with poor pay satisfaction, which can contribute to dissatisfaction in the development of healthcare activity.

OBJETIVO: Analizar parámetros sociolaborales y sociodemográficos para conocer la situación de los cirujanos pediátricos en España. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Se realizó una encuesta de elaboración propia inspirada en modelos de satisfacción laboral. Es un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal, realizado online a los cirujanos pediátricos pertenecientes a la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Pediátrica (SECIPE). RESULTADOS: De los 290 cirujanos pediátricos de la SECIPE, 133 contestaron a la encuesta (tasa de respuesta de 45,8%). De estos, el 49,6% tienen entre 30-39 años, habiendo casi igualdad entre hombres y mujeres. El 69% de los encuestados dedican entre el 75 y el 100% de su tiempo de trabajo a la asistencia, el 89,4% dedica entre 0-25% a la investigación y el 80% entre 0 y 25 % a la docencia. Los resultados mostraron satisfacción laboral tanto en relación con el equipo de trabajo como con la calidad asistencial, las posibilidades de desarrollo profesional o la consideración social. Sin embargo los encuestados mostraron su disconformidad con respecto al sueldo, al tiempo dedicado a la investigación y a la docencia, y a la relación con la dirección. CONCLUSION: Este estudio permite conocer la situación laboral de los profesionales en España, lo que puede ayudar a identificar medidas de mejora. La encuesta señala un descontento generalizado con el escaso tiempo dedicado a la investigación y poca satisfacción en el trabajo docente. La mayor parte del tiempo se dedica a la práctica clínica, existiendo baja satisfacción salarial, circunstancias que pueden contribuir a la insatisfacción en el desarrollo de la actividad asistencial.

Trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en adolescentes: rol del pediatra: recomendaciones de la Rama de Adolescencia de la Sociedad Chilena de Pediatría / Eating disorders in adolescents: role of the pediatrician: recommendations of the Adolescence Branch of the Chilean Society of Pediatrics

Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) han adquirido relevancia en la pediatría chilena. Su tratamiento debe ser realizado, de preferencia, por equipos multidisciplinarios especializados o con alto grado de capacitación en la problemática. Sin embargo, los pediatras generales tienen un rol fundamental tanto en la prevención como en la pesquisa temprana de estas patologías. El objetivo de esta publicación es proporcionarles recomendaciones prácticas sobre las intervenciones que pueden llevar a cabo durante la atención de adolescentes, para la prevención de los TCA, la pesquisa precoz y evaluación de quienes ya los presentan, y su derivación oportuna a tratamiento especializado.

Eating disorders (ED) have become relevant in Chilean pediatrics. Their treatment must be prefe rably carried out by multidisciplinary teams with specialty or a high degree of training in the pro blem. However, general pediatricians have a fundamental role both in the prevention and in the early detection of these pathologies. The purpose of this publication is to provide them with practical recommendations on interventions that can be carried out during adolescent care for the prevention of ED, the early detection and evaluation of those who already have them, and their timely referral to specialized treatment.

Public Attitudes Regarding Hospitals and Physicians Encouraging Donations From Grateful Patients.

Importance: Philanthropy is an increasingly important source of support for health care institutions. There is little empirical evidence to inform ethical guidelines. Objective: To assess public attitudes regarding specific practices used by health care institutions to encourage philanthropic donations from grateful patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: Using the Ipsos KnowledgePanel, a probability-based sample representative of the US population, a survey solicited opinions from a primary cohort representing the general population and 3 supplemental cohorts (with high income, cancer, and with heart disease, respectively). Exposures: Web-based questionnaire. Main Outcomes and Measures: Descriptive analyses (with percentages weighted to make the sample demographically representative of the US population) evaluated respondents' attitudes regarding the acceptability of strategies hospitals may use to identify, solicit, and thank donors; perceptions of the effect of physicians discussing donations with their patients; and opinions regarding gift use and stewardship. Results: Of 831 individuals targeted for the general population sample, 513 (62%) completed surveys, of whom 246 (48.0%) were women and 345 (67.3%) non-Hispanic white. In the weighted sample, 47.0% (95% CI, 42.3%-51.7%) responded that physicians giving patient names to hospital fundraising staff after asking patients' permission was definitely or probably acceptable; 8.5% (95% CI, 5.7%-11.2%) endorsed referring without asking permission. Of the participants, 79.5% (95% CI, 75.6%-83.4%) reported it acceptable for physicians to talk to patients about donating if patients have brought it up; 14.2% (95% CI, 10.9%-17.6%) reported it acceptable when patients have not brought it up; 9.9% (95% CI, 7.1%-12.8%) accepted hospital development staff performing wealth screening using publicly available data to identify patients capable of large donations. Of the participants, 83.2% (95% CI, 79.5%-86.9%) agreed that physicians talking with their patients about donating may interfere with the patient-physician relationship. For a hypothetical patient who donated $1 million, 50.1% (95% CI, 45.4%-54.7%) indicated it would be acceptable for the hospital to show thanks by providing nicer hospital rooms, 26.0% (95% CI, 21.9%-30.1%) by providing expedited appointments, and 19.8% (95% CI, 16.1%-23.5%) by providing physicians' cell phone numbers. Conclusions and Relevance: In this survey study of participants drawn from the general US population, a substantial proportion did not endorse legally allowable approaches for identifying, engaging, and thanking patient-donors.

Surgeon as Double Agent: Perception of Conflicting Expectations of Patient Care and Stewardship of Resources.

BACKGROUND: Physicians must satisfy 2 competing expectations: advocate for patients and serve as stewards of resources. No guidelines exist for surgeons on resolving this conflict. We surveyed surgeons' perceptions about these dual obligations. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted our study at 2 large university hospitals in 3 distinct steps, each built on the previous one. First, we surveyed 40 surgery residents and medical students using a 10-question assessment tool as the quantitative portion of our analysis. Next, a focus group of attending surgeons was surveyed to identify themes for the qualitative part of our study. Based on these, 5 attending surgeons from varying specialties were interviewed in a semi-structured format. We used the Wilcoxon signed rank test for quantitative analysis and content analysis to report our qualitative findings. RESULTS: Students and residents did not think that they faced resource allocation decisions; however, they observed attending surgeons face them regularly (p = 0.0003). Attending surgeons from various specialties agreed that they thought they were obligated to both provide excellent care and serve as a steward of resources. All surgeons agreed these obligations can conflict. Individual practices varied with all erring on the side of patient care. Concern about being an outlier in one's section was a greater motivator to alter practice than was fear of litigation. No surgeon thought that patients had an adequate understanding of surgeons' dual agency. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons balance the responsibilities of patient care and stewardship of resources with great variability. Diverse practices likely add to inequalities in healthcare delivery and increase mistrust. Surgeons' social contract with patients calls for transparent strategies to address their dual agency.

Cancer Survivorship Care Roles for Primary Care Physicians.

PURPOSE: Despite a burgeoning population of cancer survivors and pending shortages of oncology services, clear definitions and systematic approaches for engaging primary care in cancer survivorship are lacking. We sought to understand how primary care clinicians perceive their role in delivering care to cancer survivors. METHODS: We conducted digitally recorded interviews with 38 clinicians in 14 primary care practices that had national reputations as workforce innovators. Interviews took place during intense case study data collection and explored clinicians' perspectives regarding their role in cancer survivorship care. We analyzed verbatim transcripts using an inductive and iterative immersion-crystallization process. RESULTS: Divergent views exist regarding primary care's role in cancer survivor care with a lack of coherence about the concept of survivorship. A few clinicians believed any follow-up care after acute cancer treatment was oncology's responsibility; however, most felt cancer survivor care was within their purview. Some primary care clinicians considered cancer survivors as a distinct population; others felt cancer survivors were like any other patient with a chronic disease. In further interpretative analysis, we discovered a deeply ingrained philosophy of whole-person care that creates a professional identity dilemma for primary care clinicians when faced with rapidly changing specialized knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: This study exposes an emerging identity crisis for primary care that goes beyond cancer survivorship care. Facilitated national conversations might help specialists and primary care develop knowledge translation platforms to support the prioritizing, integrating, and personalizing functions of primary care for patients with highly complicated issues requiring specialized knowledge.

Myasthenia gravis patient and physician opinions about immunosuppressant reduction.

INTRODUCTION: To reduce myasthenia gravis (MG) patient risk of immunosuppressant (IS) exposure adverse events (AEs), such as infections and malignancies, and to reduce treatment burden, international guidelines recommend decreasing IS dose in stable MG patients. METHODS: Online surveys were conducted of self-identified MG patients and MG physician experts about the importance of IS dose reduction for MG patients who achieve prolonged periods of disease stability. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of MG patients (n = 283) and 100% of physicians (n = 45) were concerned about long-term IS-associated AEs. Although both groups favored attempting IS reduction, they raised concerns including MG relapse, hospitalization, and uncertainty about the future. Presented with an estimated 12% significant relapse rate with IS dose reduction, 76% of patients would be willing to enroll in a randomized IS dose reduction trial. DISCUSSION: Patients and physicians favor considering IS dose reduction but are also concerned about potential negative sequelae.

Ten tips for foundation doctors when making inpatient referrals to surgical specialties.

Making referrals to another specialty is an underemphasised skill in the undergraduate medical curriculum. As a result, many new foundation doctors find themselves ill-equipped to make effective referrals to other specialties as part of their day-to-day responsibilities. This can often be frustrating to the foundation doctor, the specialist and contribute to critical delays in patient care. Surgical registrars are required to triage patients (for urgent review or even to take to theatre) often under time and high patient volume pressures. As such, it is imperative for foundation doctors to make referrals as efficiently as possible to facilitate surgical specialty decision making and, ultimately, to expedite medical care to patients. In this article, we describe 10 tips for the foundation doctor in making inpatient referrals to surgical specialties.

The Physician's Role in Responding to Existential Suffering: What Does It Mean to Comfort Always?

Existential suffering is commonly experienced by patients with serious medical illnesses despite the advances in the treatment of physical and psychological symptoms that often accompany incurable diseases. Palliative care (PC) clinicians wishing to help these patients are faced with many barriers including the inability to identify existential suffering, lack of training in how to address it, and time constraints. Although mental health and spiritual care providers play an instrumental role in addressing the existential needs of patients, PC clinicians are uniquely positioned to coordinate the necessary resources for addressing existential suffering in their patients. With this article, we present a case of a patient in existential distress and a framework to equip PC clinicians to assess and address existential suffering.

GPs and paediatric oncology palliative care: a Q methodological study.

OBJECTIVE: This mixed-methods study set in the West Midlands region of the UK demonstrates the effectiveness of Q methodology in examining general practitioners' (GPs') perception of their role in children's oncology palliative care. METHODS: Using data obtained from the analysis of semistructured interviews with GPs who had cared for a child receiving palliative care at home and bereaved parents, 50 statements were identified as representative of the analysis findings. 32 GPs with a non-palliative child with cancer on their caseload were asked to rank the statements according to their level of agreement/disagreement on a grid. They were then asked to reflect and comment on the statements they most and least agreed with. The data were analysed using a dedicated statistical software package for Q analysis PQMethod V.2.20 (Schmolck 2012). A centroid factor analysis was undertaken initially with 7 factors then repeated for factors 1-6. Varimax and manual flagging was then completed. RESULTS: 4 shared viewpoints were identified denoting different GP roles: the GP, the compassionate practitioner, the team player practitioner and the pragmatic practitioner. In addition consensus (time pressures, knowledge deficits, emotional toll) and disagreement (psychological support, role, experiential learning, prior relationships) between the viewpoints were identified and examined. CONCLUSIONS: Q methodology, used for the first time in this arena, identified 4 novel and distinct viewpoints reflecting a diverse range of GP perspectives. Appropriately timed and targeted GP education, training, support, in conjunction with collaborative multiprofessional working, have the potential to inform their role and practice across specialities.

Is surgery more about doing than thinking?

Detailed thought, knowledge, complex analysis, reasoned judgment and professionalism all fundamentally underpin a surgeon's work and training, yet there is a popularly held view that accomplished surgeons are primarily concerned with performing procedures. A review of pedagogical, social and medical literature, together with personal reflections from the authors, shows that a surgeon's work is multi-faceted. This article discusses the technical skills of operating as a reflection of the 'tip of the iceberg' of a surgeon's cognition, the increasingly multidisciplinary strategic approach of surgeons today, the importance of surgical decision making, the influence of robotics, the role of non-medically trained staff, surgeons' role in postoperative care, adaptive expertise and the formation of professional identity. In so doing, a much wider view of a surgeon than simply 'doing' or 'thinking' is presented with implications for surgical training.