A scoping review of international virtual knowledge exchanges for healthcare professionals.

International knowledge exchanges within healthcare have historically been a popular method to provide exposure to practice in other national and international healthcare settings. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced many countries into lockdowns, knowledge exchanges in healthcare were forced into a period of suspension. This provided an opportunity to consider alternative methods of delivery. This scoping review explores virtual knowledge exchanges in healthcare professional education, including their format and related outcomes. Thirty-four virtual knowledge exchanges were identified. These demonstrated viability and subjective participant satisfaction. Virtual methods removed barriers of time, distance and finance associated with traditional exchanges, while still facilitating engagement with other international healthcare colleagues. However these exchanges were heterogeneous in their aims, structure and theoretical underpinnings. An understanding of educational outcomes and their measurement was not always obvious. Applying an overlay of robust pedagogical theory would strengthen and provide structure to the clearly well valued activity of international exchange.

What competencies do European general practice trainees value the most? A prioritisation exercise using a Delphi-informed approach.

General Practice has changed over the past decade. Expansion of clinicians' roles may create uncertainty, stress, and overload - particular for those at the start of their career. The WONCA Europe network for medical education, EURACT, has published competency-based aims and requirements for speciality training in general practice. Greater understanding of the trainee perspective would support planning and delivery of postgraduate training curricula. This two-step study aims to provide a competency priority list, created by European early career general practitioners, to highlight skills that this generation considers highly essential in future speciality training. A competency list was drafted with trainee- and early career general practitioners from across Europe at the Vasco da Gama Movement Forum (Edinburgh, January 2022). Participants identified competencies that they regarded as most relevant for future speciality training in their respective national contexts. Competencies were coded into categories and ranked in two consecutive rounds, the first taking place online and the second at WONCA Europe (London, June 2022). After two rounds, a consensual list of three main competencies for each category was drafted. The top three competencies for each category remained the same throughout both rounds and may be considered competencies that early career general practitioners in Europe consider important for training. Prioritisation of these competencies by institutions and educators within general practice training programmes may support trainees' satisfaction and perceived preparedness for practice.

The perceptions of general practice among Central and Eastern Europeans in the United Kingdom: A systematic scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Around 2 million people have migrated from Central and Eastern Europe to the UK since 2004. The UK Central and Eastern European Community (UK-CEE) are disproportionately exposed to the social determinants of poor physical and mental health. Their health and healthcare beliefs remain under-researched, particularly regarding primary care. OBJECTIVE: This review explores UK-CEE community members' use and perceptions of UK general practice. METHODS: A systematic search of nine bibliographic databases identified 2094 publications that fulfilled the search criteria. Grey literature searches identified 16 additional relevant publications. Screening by title and abstract identified 201 publications of relevance, decreasing to 65 after full-text screening. Publications were critically appraised, with data extracted and coded. Thematic analysis using constant comparison allowed generation of higher-order thematic constructs. RESULTS: Full UK-CEE national representation was achieved. Comparatively low levels of GP registration were described, with ability, desire and need to engage with GP services shaped by the interconnected nature of individual community members' cultural and sociodemographic factors. Difficulties overcoming access and in-consultation barriers are common, with health expectations frequently unmet. Distrust and dissatisfaction with general practice often persist, promoting alternative health-seeking approaches including transnational healthcare. Marginalized UK-CEE community subgroups including Roma, trafficked and homeless individuals have particularly poor GP engagement and outcomes. Limited data on the impact of Brexit and COVID-19 could be identified. CONCLUSIONS: Review findings demonstrate the need for codesigned approaches to remove barriers to engagement, culturally adapt and develop trust in GP care for UK-CEE individuals. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Community members and stakeholders shaped the conceptualisation of the review question and validation of emergent themes.

Patient safety in marginalised groups: a narrative scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Marginalised groups ('populations outside of mainstream society') experience severe health inequities, as well as increased risk of experiencing patient safety incidents. To date however no review exists to identify, map and analyse the literature in this area in order to understand 1) which marginalised groups have been studied in terms of patient safety research, 2) what the particular patient safety issues are for such groups and 3) what contributes to or is associated with these safety issues arising. METHODS: Scoping review. Systematic searches were performed across six electronic databases in September 2019. The time frame for searches of the respective databases was from the year 2000 until present day. RESULTS: The searches yielded 3346 articles, and 67 articles were included. Patient safety issues were identified for fourteen different marginalised patient groups across all studies, with 69% (n = 46) of the studies focused on four patient groups: ethnic minority groups, frail elderly populations, care home residents and low socio-economic status. Twelve separate patient safety issues were classified. Just over half of the studies focused on three issues represented in the patient safety literature, and in order of frequency were: medication safety, adverse outcomes and near misses. In total, 157 individual contributing or associated factors were identified and mapped to one of seven different factor types from the Framework of Contributory Factors Influencing Clinical Practice within the London Protocol. Patient safety issues were mostly multifactorial in origin including patient factors, health provider factors and health care system factors. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights that marginalised patient groups are vulnerable to experiencing a variety patient safety issues and points to a number of gaps. The findings indicate the need for further research to understand the intersectional nature of marginalisation and the multi-dimensional nature of patient safety issues, for groups that have been under-researched, including those with mental health problems, communication and cognitive impairments. Such understanding provides a basis for working collaboratively to co-design training, services and/or interventions designed to remove or at the very least minimise these increased risks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable for a scoping review.

GP educators' understanding, experience and attitudes to teaching global health.

Global health is becoming increasingly relevant to GPs in the UK. A gap analysis revealed many global health capabilities are not currently in the GP curriculum. We undertook a survey of 240 GP educators to understand their views on global health and capacity to deliver global health teaching to GP trainees. This revealed a wide variation of experience, training, and confidence in global health teaching. It is important that the needs of GP trainers are taken into account when considering how global health training will be delivered.

A single preoperative FGF23 measurement is a strong predictor of outcome in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Several scoring systems have been developed to predict postoperative mortality and complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, these computer-based calculations are time- and cost-intensive. A simple but highly predictive test for postoperative risk would be of clinical benefit with respect to increasingly scarce hospital resources. We therefore assessed the predictive power of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) measurement compared with an established scoring system. METHODS: We conducted a prospective interdisciplinary observational study at the Saarland University Medical Centre that included 859 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery between January 2010 and March 2011 with a median follow-up after discharge of 822 days. We compared a single preoperative measurement of FGF23 as a prognostic tool with the 18 parameters comprising EuroSCORE II with respect to postoperative mortality, acute kidney injury, non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia, clinical course and long-term outcome. RESULTS: Preoperative FGF23 levels were highly predictive of postoperative outcome and complications. The predictive value of FGF23 for mortality in the receiver operating characteristic curve was greater than the EuroSCORE II (area under the curve: 0.800 versus 0.725). Moreover, preoperative FGF23 independently predicted postoperative acute kidney injury and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia comparably to the EuroSCORE II. Finally, FGF23 was found to be an independent predictor of clinical course parameters, including duration of surgery, ventilation time and length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery, a simple preoperative FGF23 measurement is a powerful indicator of surgical mortality, postoperative complications and long-term outcome. Its utility compares to the widely used EuroSCORE II.

A novel adaptation of laparoscopic Tenckhoff catheter insertion technique to enhance catheter stability and function in automated peritoneal dialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) normally takes place overnight. Maintaining a stable PD catheter position, independent of body position, omental wrapping or catheter displacement secondary to bowel movements is essential in maintaining effective catheter function. METHODS: We developed a new procedure of catheter placement through combining and adapting several previously described operative techniques including laparoscopic placement of a curled double cuff Tenckhoff catheter with subcutaneous tunneling superior to the rectus sheet, an oblique course through the abdominal wall, deep entry into the pelvic peritoneum and directed placement of the curled tip within the pouch of Douglas. Retrospective analysis of catheter function was conducted, evaluating catheter position, function, complication rate and catheter survival against findings for current insertion techniques described within literature. RESULTS: Between March 2009 and November 2011, 54 patients underwent PD catheter insertion. The observation period was an average of 343 ± 273 days. All patients received abdominal plain film showing optimal catheter position in 89 %. Reported catheter function was very good in 85.2 %, with no or few alarms per week during APD, moderate in 9.3 % with occasional minor dysfunctions (≤ 2 alarms per night), and poor in 5.6 %, with regular alarm disturbance. In one case, primary dysfunction led to catheter replacement. At completion, stable catheter function with occasional minor dysfunction was achieved in 52 of 54 cases. Catheter-related complications (leakage, hydrocele formation, infection and need for replacement) were observed in 14.8 %. At the end of the observation period, 55.6 % of catheters remained in use. Patient dropout occurred through death (18.5 %), renal transplantation (7.4 %), renal recovery (1.9 %), removal secondary to infection or dysfunction (9.3 %) and conversion to HD due to poor dialysis quality (7.4 %). CONCLUSION: The above technique combines and optimises previously described laparoscopic catheter implantation techniques, allowing increased catheter stability resulting in an undisturbed catheter function suitable for APD.

The gap between calculated and actual calcium substitution during citrate anticoagulation in an immobilised patient on renal replacement therapy reflects the extent of bone loss - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Demineralisation and bone density loss during immobilisation are known phenomena. However information concerning the extent of calcium loss during immobilisation remains inconsistent within literature. This may explain why treatment of bone loss and prevention of further demineralisation is often initiated only when spontaneous bone fracture occurred.Continuous renal replacement therapy is commonly utilised in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury requiring RRT. Regional anticoagulation with citrate for CRRT is well-established within the intensive care setting. Due to calcium free dialysate, calcium is eliminated directly as well as indirectly via citrate binding necessitating calcium substitution. In anuric patients declining calcium requirements over time reflect bone calcium liberation secondary to immobilisation. The difference between the expected and actual need for calcium infusion corresponds to calcium release from bone which is particularly impressive in patients exposed to long-term immobilisation and CRRT. We report a dialysis period in excess of 250 days with continuous renal replacement therapy and anticoagulation with citrate. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 30-year old male with prolonged multisystem organ failure after bilateral lung transplantation, in whom during a period of 254 days the cumulative difference between expected and actual need for calcium infusion was 14.25 mol, representing an estimated calcium loss of about 571 g. Comparison of computed tomographic imaging of the lower thoracic vertebrae over this period depicts a radiographically discernible decrease in bone density from 238 to 52 Hounsfield Units. The first spontaneous fracture occurred after 6 months of immobilisation. Despite subsequent treatment with bisphosphonates and androgen therapy resulting in an increase in bone density to 90 HU a further fracture occurred. CONCLUSION: In immobilised patients receiving CRRT and anticoagulation with citrate, decreasing need for calcium substitution reflects the degree of bone demineralisation corresponding with radiographic assessment of declining bone mineral density. Such a declining need for calcium substitution could be useful in clinical practice highlighting relevant bone loss which results in spontaneous fractures in immobilised critically ill patients.

How can competencies in minor surgery in general practice be increased? Assessing the effect of a compact intervention in postgraduate training: a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess general practice (GP) trainees' self-perception of surgical competencies and to explore longitudinal effects of a compact intervention. DESIGN: We performed a mixed-methods study including a before and after comparison in the intervention group (IG), a comparison of attendees and non-attendees (control group (CG)) and a qualitative evaluation of the intervention. Competencies were self-assessed through surveys. Semi-structured interviews were performed after 9 months. SETTING: In 2019, a 2-day voluntary seminar focussing on minor surgery/injuries was offered on 13 occasions by educators from KWBW Verbundweiterbildungplus (Competence Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education Baden-Württemberg). PARTICIPANTS: All enrolled GP trainees were offered participation. GP trainees who did not attend a seminar (non-attendees) were recruited for CG after the 13th intervention. INTERVENTION: Attendees took part in an interactive, GP-oriented short course incorporating 270 min of focused minor surgery/injuries training (compact intervention) on the second day of the 2-day seminar. RESULTS: 326 GP trainees (IG: n=257; CG: n=69) participated in the study. 17 attendees were interviewed. CG had more often experienced a surgical rotation (p=0.03) and reported higher interest in performing minor surgery in future practice (p=0.03). GP trainees self-rated their all-round competency in minor surgery as average (IG: 3.0±1.0, CG: 3.2±0.9, IG:CG p=0.06). After the intervention, attendees felt that surgical skills should be a core component of GP vocational training (p=0.05). After 9 months, attendees remembered a variety of content and valued the interactive, case-oriented, peer-to-peer approach in a mixed learning group. Some attendees reported they had started to overcome competency gaps in minor surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A compact intervention in minor surgery provides an 'intense' stimulus which could foster positive attitudes towards minor surgery and promote longitudinal personal development of related competencies in GP trainees, including those with little interest in surgery. Such measures appear crucial to support individual progress of GP trainees to provide comprehensive primary care.

Youth Culturally adapted Manual Assisted Problem Solving Training (YCMAP) in Pakistani adolescent with a history of self-harm: protocol for multicentre clinical and cost-effectiveness randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is a global health concern. Sociocultural factors have an impact on self-harm and suicide rates. In Pakistan, both self-harm and suicide are considered as criminal offence's and are condemned on both religious and social grounds. The proposed intervention 'Youth Culturally Adapted Manual Assisted Problem Solving Training (YCMAP)' is based on principles of problem-solving and cognitive-behavioural therapy. YCMAP is a brief, culturally relevant, scalable intervention that can be implemented in routine clinical practice if found to be effective. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: A multicentre rater blind randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of YCMAP including a sample of 652 participants, aged 12-18 years, presenting to general physicians/clinicians, emergency room after self harm or self referrals. We will test the effectiveness of 8-10 individual sessions of YCMAP delivered over 3 months compared with treatment as usual. Primary outcome measure is repetition of self-harm at 12 months. The seconday outcomes include reduction in suicidal ideation, hopelessness and distress and improvement in health related quality of life. Assessments will be completed at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postrandomisation. The nested qualitative component will explore perceptions about management of self-harm and suicide prevention among adolescents and investigate participants' experiences with YCMAP. The study will be guided by the theory of change approach to ensure that the whole trial is centred around needs of the end beneficiaries as key stakeholders in the process. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of University of Manchester, the National Bioethics Committee in Pakistan. The findings of this study will be disseminated through community workshops, social media, conference presentations and peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04131179.

Elevated procalcitonin in patients after cardiac surgery: a hint to nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) can occur after cardiac surgery, commonly in conjunction with use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Some evidence suggests that serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels are increased in patients with mesenteric ischemia; however, an association between PCT and NOMI has not yet been studied. The current study investigates whether elevated serum PCT levels are found in patients exhibiting NOMI. METHODS: In an observational cohort study of 865 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery, 78 experienced NOMI. Preoperative and postoperative PCT levels were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by logistic regression analyses to predict accuracy of PCT in identifying patients with NOMI. Additional models were calculated, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Patients with NOMI had higher postoperative PCT levels than control patients (20.8 ± 3.2 ng/mL versus 2.3 ± 1.1 ng/mL; p < 0.001). Likelihood of experiencing NOMI increased with each nanogram per milliliter rise in postoperative PCT level (odds ratio, 2.61; 95% confidence interval, 2.05 to 3.32). Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed elevated serum PCT levels to accurately predict occurrence of NOMI (optimal cutoff value, 6.6 ng/mL; area under the curve, 0.94; sensitivity, 71%; specificity, 94%). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative measurement of PCT seems useful to improve the clinical and noninvasive identification of patients with NOMI after cardiac surgery.