Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on treatment outcomes in severe COVID-19 patients: a single-centre study / 中国天然药物

As the search for effective treatments for COVID-19 continues, the high mortality rate among critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) presents a profound challenge. This study explores the potential benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a supplementary treatment for severe COVID-19. A total of 110 critically ill COVID-19 patients at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Vulcan Hill Hospital between Feb., 2020, and April, 2020 (Wuhan, China) participated in this observational study. All patients received standard supportive care protocols, with a subset of 81 also receiving TCM as an adjunct treatment. Clinical characteristics during the treatment period and the clinical outcome of each patient were closely monitored and analysed. Our findings indicated that the TCM group exhibited a significantly lower mortality rate compared with the non-TCM group (16 of 81 vs 24 of 29; 0.3 vs 2.3 person/month). In the adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, TCM treatment was associated with improved survival odds (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis also revealed that TCM treatment could partially mitigate inflammatory responses, as evidenced by the reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and contribute to the recovery of multiple organic functions, thereby potentially increasing the survival rate of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Evaluation of homogenization effect of standardized residency training base of internal medicine in Beijing based on competency index / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To evaluate the homogenization effect of standardized residency training base of internal medicine and to provide reference for further improving the standardized residency training system.Methods:Taking all "unit residents" who took part in the standardized residency training test of Beijing resident physicians in 2015 and 2016 as the research objects, the self-assessment questionnaire survey of resident competency was carried out to analyze the training effect on competency. SPSS 21.0 was used to statistically analyze the collected data.Results:There are differences in self-assessment scores among the four system bases. From high to low, the overall self-assessment score are PUMCH, CCMU, the military, PUHSC. Among the eight abilities, the abilities of teaching and scientific research were the lowest.Conclusion:The training effect of Beijing internal medicine training base has not achieved homogenization. In order to improve the comprehensive ability of residents, it is suggested to strengthen the weak links in the standardized residency training from three aspects: teachers, training process and increasing support.