Clinical teaching as part of continuing professional development: Does teaching enhance clinical performance?

INTRODUCTION: Physicians identify teaching as a factor that enhances performance, although existing data to support this relationship is limited. PURPOSE: To determine whether there were differences in clinical performance scores as assessed through multisource feedback (MSF) data based on clinical teaching. METHODS: MSF data for 1831 family physicians, 1510 medical specialists, and 542 surgeons were collected from physicians' medical colleagues, co-workers (e.g., nurses and pharmacists), and patients and examined in relation to information about physician teaching activities including percentage of time spent teaching during patient care and academic appointment. Multivariate analysis of variance, partial eta squared effect sizes, and Tukey's HSD post hoc comparisons were used to determine between group differences in total MSF mean and subscale mean performance scores by teaching and academic appointment data. RESULTS: Higher clinical performance scores were associated with holding any academic appointment and generally with any time teaching versus no teaching during patient care. This was most evident for data from medical colleagues, where these differences existed across all specialty groups. CONCLUSION: More involvement in teaching was associated with higher clinical performance ratings from medical colleagues and co-workers. These results may support promoting teaching as a method to enhance and maintain high-quality clinical performance.

Deletions in 16q24.2 are associated with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and congenital renal malformation.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of copy-number variation (CNV) to disease has been highlighted with the widespread adoption of array-based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) and microarray technology. Contiguous gene deletions involving ANKRD11 in 16q24.3 are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), while 16q24.1 deletions affecting FOXF1 are associated with congenital renal malformations, alveolar capillary dysplasia, and various other abnormalities. The disease associations of deletions in the intervening region, 16q24.2, have only been defined to a limited extent. AIM: To determine whether deletions affecting 16q24.2 are correlated with congenital anomalies. METHODS: 35 individuals, each having a deletion in 16q24.2, were characterised clinically and by aCGH and/or SNP-genotyping microarray. RESULTS: Several of the 35 16q24.2 deletions identified here closely abut or overlap the coding regions of FOXF1 and ANKRD11, two genes that have been previously associated with the disease. 25 patients were reported to have ASD/ID, and three were found to have bilateral hydronephrosis. 14 of the deletions associated with ASD/ID overlap the coding regions of FBXO31 and MAP1LC3B. These same genes and two others, C16orf95 and ZCCHC14, are also included in the area of minimal overlap of the three deletions associated with hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data highlight 16q24.2 as a region of interest for ASD, ID and congenital renal malformations. These conditions are associated, albeit without complete penetrance, with deletions affecting C16orf95, ZCCHC14, MAP1LC3B and FBXO31. The function of each gene in development and disease warrants further investigation.

Renal interstitial fibrosis in children treated with FK506 for nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Steroid-dependent, steroid-resistant or frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome carries a poor prognosis, including progression to renal failure. There are a number of studies confirming the efficacy of FK506 in steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome. Although the use of this medication is becoming more common, we know very little about the potential nephrotoxicity when used in nephrotic syndrome. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the characteristics and biopsy findings of 11 children with steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome treated with FK506. Two sequential biopsies were evaluated for the change in interstitial fibrosis, measured by a quantitative stereological method, and the change in arteriolar hyaline thickening, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis, graded according to Banff criteria. RESULTS: There was an increase in interstitial fibrosis (P = 0.005), with a median absolute change in the per cent volume density between initial and follow-up biopsies of 1.8% [interquartile range (IQR) 3.9%]. Median percentage change in volume density of interstitial fibrosis, relative to volume density of interstitial fibrosis prior to initiating FK506, was 93% (IQR 138%). Banff scores for interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy also increased following tacrolimus therapy (P = 0.04 for both). Average FK506 trough level over the treatment period was significantly associated with change in fibrosis (Spearman's rho = 0.67 and P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This is some of the first histological data concerning tacrolimus nephrotoxicity in childhood nephrotic syndrome. Although the role of the natural progression of the underlying disease in the observed change is not definitively clear, the changes seen are in keeping with the known nephrotoxic effects of FK506 demonstrated in renal transplant. This increase is small when presented as a median change. However, there were a number of children who had a larger change in fibrosis. The factors predictive of interstitial fibrosis while on FK506 are not well defined; the findings from this study suggest that FK506 level may be a factor. Given the observations and limitations of the few published studies, there is an obvious need for further study in a large multicenter prospective trial.

Value in Healthcare: Designing an Integrated Value-Based Healthcare System.

Value-based healthcare (VBHC) can be interpreted in many ways depending on one's jurisdiction. Often it is used synonymously with cost-effectiveness. In Alberta, VBHC might more appropriately be termed "values-based healthcare." This reflects our belief that a healthcare system should meet the needs and desires of its population and contribute to overall wellness. We therefore developed a framework based on the dimensions of quality, the Quadruple Aim and feasibility considerations, which enables us to assess and measure our system activities and initiatives to determine if they are in keeping with VBHC in the Alberta context.

Comparability of oscillometric to simultaneous auscultatory blood pressure measurement in children.

OBJECTIVE: Uncertainty exists regarding the accuracy of automated blood pressure (BP) measurement in children. We recorded oscillometric waveforms in children, derived oscillometric BPs using two standard algorithms, and compared the results to simultaneous auscultation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty children aged 2-12 years were recruited from a tertiary-care Pediatric Nephrology Clinic. Sex, height, weight, arm circumference, history of hypertension, and clinic BP were recorded. Two, simultaneously measured, oscillometric and auscultatory BP readings were obtained 30-60 s apart. The first reading was discarded and, the second, used for analyses. Fixed-ratio and slope-based algorithms were used for BP derivation. RESULTS: Mean age was 7.95±2.82 years, 40% were female, mean arm circumference was 21.86±4.06 cm, and 50% had hypertension or a history of hypertension. Mean auscultatory BP for all participants (systolic±SD/diastolic±SD) was 93.40±11.80/50.50±9.04 mmHg, oscillometric fixed-ratio BP was 99.20±11.90/57.35±7.15 mmHg and oscillometric slope-based algorithm was 91.60±13.94/60.65±7.71 mmHg. Compared to auscultation, the fixed-ratio method differed by 5.80±12.72/6.85±7.51 mmHg (P=0.06 and <0.01) and the slope-based method differed by -1.80±13.59/10.15±8.07 mmHg (P=0.56 and <0.01). Differences from auscultation were statistically significant for diastolic BP with both fixed-ratio and slope-based methods for all age categories but of greatest magnitude in the youngest children. CONCLUSION: Oscillometric BP derived using two commonly used algorithms differed by more than 5 mmHg in either systolic BP or diastolic BP from simultaneous auscultatory BP in children aged 2-11. These findings emphasize the need for greater understanding of the functionality and accuracy of oscillometry in children.

Exploring Mentorship as a Strategy to Build Capacity and Optimize the Embedded Scientist Workforce.

BACKGROUND: Mentorship plays a significant role in career development in academic and applied settings, but little is documented about its role in the experiential learning of academic trainees embedded in health system organizations. The experiences of the first cohort of Canada's Health System Impact (HSI) Fellowship program can provide insights into how mentorship in this innovative type of training can work. OBJECTIVES: To understand the mentorship strategies that were used and to explore fellows' and supervisors' perspectives and experiences on the effectiveness and value of those strategies. METHODS: Data from the surveys of fellows and their supervisors and a panel rooted in the lived experience of the first HSI Fellowship cohort were used. RESULTS: Health system and academic supervisors developed a range of innovative, individualized and effective approaches for guiding their fellows, such as providing the fellow with a committee of mentors within the organization, holding regular meetings with the fellow and both the health system and the academic supervisor and leveraging their own network to expand the network and resources available to the fellow. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that engaging senior leadership in health system settings has provided positive experiences for both fellows and their mentors.

Understanding how patients perceive physician wellness and its links to patient care: A qualitative study.

Despite increased interest in physician wellness, little is known about patients' views on the topic. We explore patients' perceptions of physician wellness and how it links to patient care. This exploratory, qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 20 patients from outpatient care settings in a western Canadian city. Using inductive thematic analysis, interview transcripts were independently coded by two authors and then discussed to ensure consensus and to abstract into higher-level themes. Three overarching premises were identified. First, patients notice cues that they interpret as signs of physician wellness. These include overt indicators, such as a physician's demeanor or physical appearance, along with a general impression about a physician's wellness. Second, patients form judgments based on what they notice, and these judgments affect patients' views about their care; feelings, such as trust, in their interactions with physicians; and actions, such as following care plans. Third, participants perceive a bi-directional link between physician wellness and patient care. Physician wellness impacts patient care, but physician wellness is also impacted by the care they provide and the challenges they face within the healthcare system. Patients' judgments regarding physician wellness may have important impacts on the doctor-patient relationship. Furthermore, patients appear to have a nuanced understanding about how physicians' work may put physicians at risk for being unwell. Patients may be powerful allies in supporting physician wellness initiatives focused on the shared responsibility of individual physicians, the medical profession, and healthcare organizations.

Clinical practice guidelines for pediatric peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) continues to be an important modality of treatment for children with end-stage renal disease. The Canadian Association of Pediatric Nephrologists recognized the need nationally to review the literature on the delivery of PD in children to provide optimal standardized care. This resulted in the development of the Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for pediatric PD. Clinical practice guidelines are a useful adjunct to clinical care. The present review includes recommendations for catheter placement and types, requirement for prophylactic omentectomy, initiation and adequacy of dialysis, PD prescription, and solute clearance. It provides physicians with updated evidence-based recommendations that include consideration towards practicality with the major goal of improved and standardized patient care.

Stature in children with chronic kidney disease: analysis of NAPRTCS database.

Despite recent advances in the management of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), growth remains suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with short stature in children with CKD. We evaluated the chronic renal failure registry of the North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Studies (NAPRTCS) to determine the relations among primary diagnosis, age, race, residual renal function, acidosis, anemia, serum phosphorous, calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin, and height at entry into the registry in children with CKD. A total of 5,615 patients were entered into the registry between January 1994 and January 2004. We found that older patients, those with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >50 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2), black patients and patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) were at lower risk of being short at entry. Anemia (hematocrit below 33%) was an independent risk factor for short stature. Acidosis, serum phosphorous, calcium, albumin and PTH at registration were poor predictors of short stature. Age, race, primary diagnosis, and residual renal function were associated with short stature in children with CKD.

Tacrolimus therapy in pediatric patients with treatment-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

This is a retrospective analysis of 16 children started on tacrolimus with various types of treatment-resistant nephrotic syndrome. There are 13 patients with focal glomerulosclerosis, 1 minimal change disease, and 2 IgA nephropathy with nephrosis. The mean age of the children was 11.4 years (range 3.5-18.1 years) with a mean age at diagnosis of 5.6 years (range 1.6-13.3 years). All patients initially received prednisone 2 mg/kg per day. Other therapies for 15 of 16 included cyclosporine (n=15), chlorambucil (n=5), mycophenolate mofetil (n=5), levamisole (n=3), i.v. methylprednisolone (n=3), and cyclophosphamide (n=2). The major indication for the initiation of tacrolimus included treatment resistance/dependence (n=15) and intolerable side effects from other therapies (n=1). The average time from the diagnosis to initiation of tacrolimus was 5.3 years (range 0.3-13.3 years, median 6 years). The initial dosage of tacrolimus utilized was 0.1 mg/kg per day divided into two doses. The mean follow-up period was 6.5 months (range 2.5-18 months). Thirteen patients (81%) went into a complete remission within an average of 2 months (range 0.5-5.5 months), with 3 patients relapsing while on treatment. Three patients did not respond. Of these, 2 had partial remissions (13%) and 1 failed to respond. Adverse events included anemia (n=1), seizure (n=1), worsening or new-onset hypertension (n=5), and sepsis (n=1). All patients remain on tacrolimus. Tacrolimus is an effective, well-tolerated medication for treatment-resistant forms of nephrotic syndrome in children, with a complete remission rate of 81% and a partial remission rate of 13% (totaling 94%).

The safety and use of short-acting nifedipine in hospitalized hypertensive children.

Recent reports suggest that calcium channel blockers are harmful in the treatment of acute hypertension in adults. However, short-acting nifedipine is an effective and useful medication in pediatric hypertension and is currently utilized for hypertensive emergencies. This study will address these safety concerns in hypertensive children. Medical records (from five Canadian pediatric hospitals) of all pediatric hypertensive hospitalized children who were treated with short-acting nifedipine from January 1995 to December 1998 were retrospectively reviewed for patient demographics, dosing regimen, use of concomitant medications, co-morbid conditions, and presence/absence of minor and serious adverse events. Final data were extracted from 182 patients. Each patient had an average of 2.6 episodes of hypertension in hospital that required treatment, totaling 477 episodes. Within the 477 episodes, 1,162 doses of short-acting nifedipine were administered. The mean dose was 0.22 mg/kg (range 0.043-0.67 mg/kg, median 0.19 mg/kg) with 55.6% (260/468 episodes) receiving the drug via the sublingual route. Hypertension resolved in 85.5% (408/477) of the episodes. There were only 29 of 574 (5.1%) minor adverse events that were definitely or probably related to short-acting nifedipine administration. Two patients experienced a serious adverse event that involved of a reduction in blood pressure of more than 40%, but neither had any symptomatology from the serious adverse event and recovered spontaneously within 2 h. Short-acting nifedipine in hypertensive, hospitalized children appears to be a safe and efficacious medication with minimal side effects.