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2.
bioRxiv ; 2022 Jul 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35860227

ABSTRACT

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), binds via ACE2 receptors, highly expressed in ciliated cells of the nasal epithelium. Micro-optical coherence tomography (µOCT) is a minimally invasive intranasal imaging technique that can determine cellular and functional dynamics of respiratory epithelia at 1-µm resolution, enabling real time visualization and quantification of epithelial anatomy, ciliary motion, and mucus transport. We hypothesized that respiratory epithelial cell dysfunction in COVID-19 will manifest as reduced ciliated cell function and mucociliary abnormalities, features readily visualized by µOCT. Symptomatic outpatients with SARS-CoV-2 aged ≥ 18 years were recruited within 14 days of symptom onset. Data was interpreted for subjects with COVID-19 (n=13) in comparison to healthy controls (n=8). Significant reduction in functional cilia, diminished ciliary beat frequency, and abnormal ciliary activity were evident. Other abnormalities included denuded epithelium, presence of mucus rafts, and increased inflammatory cells. Our results indicate that subjects with mild but symptomatic COVID-19 exhibit functional abnormalities of the respiratory mucosa underscoring the importance of mucociliary health in viral illness and disease transmission. Ciliary imaging enables investigation of early pathogenic mechanisms of COVID-19 and may be useful for evaluating disease progression and therapeutic response.

3.
Acad Med ; 97(10): 1479-1483, 2022 10 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35320125

ABSTRACT

PROBLEM: Gun violence results in approximately 40,000 deaths in the United States each year, yet physicians rarely discuss gun access and firearm safety with patients. Lack of education about how to have these conversations is an important barrier, particularly among trainees. APPROACH: A 2-part training curriculum was developed for first-year residents. It included (1) a didactic presentation outlining a framework to understand types of firearm-related violence, describing institutional resources, and reviewing strategies for approaching discussions about firearms with patients, and (2) interactive case scenarios, adjusted for clinical disciplines, with standardized patients. Before and after the training, participants completed surveys on the training's relevance, efficacy, and benefit. Standardized patients provided real-time feedback to participants and completed assessments based on prespecified learning objectives. OUTCOMES: In June-August 2019, 148 first-year residents in internal medicine (n = 74), general surgery (n = 12), emergency medicine (n = 15), pediatrics (n = 22), psychiatry (n = 16), and OB/GYN (n = 9) completed the training. Most (70%, n = 104) reported having no prior exposure to gun violence prevention education. Knowledge about available resources increased among participants from 3% (n = 5) pretraining to 97% (n = 143) post-training. Awareness about relevant laws, such as Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and their appropriate use increased from 3% (n = 4) pretraining to 98% (n = 145) post-training. Comfort discussing access to guns and gun safety with patients increased from a median of 5 pretraining to 8 post-training (on a scale of 1-10, with higher scores indicating more comfort). NEXT STEPS: Delivery of a case-based gun violence prevention training program was effective and feasible in a single institution. Next steps include expanding the training to other learners (across undergraduate and graduate medical education) and institutions and assessing how the program changes practice over time.


Subject(s)
Firearms , Gun Violence , Internship and Residency , Physicians , Child , Gun Violence/prevention & control , Humans , United States , Violence/prevention & control
5.
J Patient Exp ; 8: 2374373520981486, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34179358

ABSTRACT

Proning awake patients with COVID-19 is associated with lower mortality and intubation rates. However, these studies also demonstrate low participation rates and tolerance of awake proning. In this study, we attempt to understand barriers to proning. Medical and dental students surveyed nonintubated patients to understand factors affecting adherence to a proning protocol. Only patients who discussed proning with their medical team attempted the practice. Eight of nine patients who were informed about benefits of proning attempted the maneuver. Discomfort was the primary reason patients stopped proning. Addressing discomfort and implementing systematic patient education may increase adherence to proning.

6.
Med Sci Educ ; 30(2): 905-910, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34457748

ABSTRACT

PROBLEM: Minimal formal training exists in teaching invasive bedside procedures during Internal Medicine (IM) residency despite the large role trainees have in instructing junior colleagues. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We investigated if using a Procedural Objective Structured Teaching Encounter (PrOSTE) to disseminate a novel method for teaching procedures would improve supervising residents' (n = 7) ability to teach ultrasound-guided peripheral IV's (USGIV) to incoming interns (n = 67) at a single, large academic IM residency. Supervising residents were assigned to receive the PrOSTE training versus standard procedure training, and then, both groups instructed incoming interns. The impact of the PrOSTE was measured by participant surveys, observed changes in teacher behavior, and performance of incoming interns on a USGIV blinded assessment station. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: PrOSTE-trained residents reported high levels of satisfaction with the session and demonstrated increased desirable behaviors when teaching procedures. There was no statistical difference in incoming intern performance when placing USGIVs between intervention and standard groups (81.0% vs 74.8% items correct; difference 6.2; SD = 12.4; p = 0.22). CONCLUSION: The PrOSTE is a feasible, well-received tool for training supervising residents in our novel teaching framework, as demonstrated in this pilot study. Despite not showing a difference in learner performance, qualitative data suggests the impact of the PrOSTE would be even greater in a more controlled teaching environment. Using a PrOSTE to deliver this teaching framework has broad applicability to any IM residency, and the tenets can be used with any bedside invasive procedure with an effective task trainer.

7.
J Hosp Med ; 14(4): 218-223, 2019 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30933672

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Internal Medicine (IM) residency graduates should be able to manage hospital emergencies, but the rare and critical nature of such events poses an educational challenge. IM residents' exposure to inpatient acute clinical events is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: We developed an instrument to assess IM residents' exposure to and confidence in managing hospital acute clinical events. METHODS: We administered a survey to all IM residents at our institution assessing their exposure to and confidence in managing 50 inpatient acute clinical events. Exposures assessed included mannequin-based simulation or management of hospital-based events as a part of a team or independently in a leadership role. Confidence was rated on a five-point scale and dichotomized to "confident" versus "not confident." Results were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression to assess the relationship between exposure and confidence accounting for year in training. RESULTS: A total of 140 of 170 IM residents (82%) responded. Postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) residents had managed 31.3% of acute events independently vs 71.7% of events for PGY-3/4 residents (P < .0001). In multivariable analysis, residents' confidence increased with level of training (PGY-1 residents were confident to manage 24.9% of events vs 72.5% of events for PGY-3/4 residents, P < .0001) and level of exposure, independent of training year (P = .001). Events with the lowest levels of exposure and confidence for graduating residents were identified. CONCLUSIONS: IM residents' confidence in managing inpatient acute events correlated with level of training and clinical exposure. We identified events with low levels of resident exposure and confidence that can serve as targets for future curriculum development.


Subject(s)
Clinical Competence/standards , Internal Medicine/education , Internship and Residency , Simulation Training , Surveys and Questionnaires/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Manikins
8.
Psychosomatics ; 60(5): 458-467, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30876654

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepine-based protocols offer a standard of care for management of alcohol withdrawal, though they may not be safe or appropriate for all patients. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, presents an alternative to conventional benzodiazepine treatment, though existing research offers only modest guidance to the safety and effectiveness of phenobarbital in managing alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in general hospital settings. METHODS: To compare clinical effectiveness of phenobarbital versus benzodiazepines in managing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 562 patients admitted over a 2-year period to a general hospital and treated for AWS. The development of AWS-related complications (seizures, alcoholic hallucinosis, and alcohol withdrawal delirium) post-treatment initiation was the primary outcome examined in both treatment groups. Additional outcomes measured included hospital length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates/length of stay, medication-related adverse events, and discharge against medical advice. RESULTS: Despite being significantly more likely to have a history of prior complications related to AWS (including seizures and delirium), patients initiated on phenobarbital (n = 143) had overall similar primary and secondary treatment outcomes to those in the benzodiazepine treatment protocol (n = 419). Additionally, a subset of patients (n = 16) initially treated with benzodiazepines displayed signs of treatment nonresponse, including significantly higher rates of AWS-related delirium and ICU admission rates, but were well-managed following transition to the phenobarbital protocol. CONCLUSION: The data from this retrospective chart review lend further support to effectiveness and safety of phenobarbital for the treatment and management of AWS. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium/drug therapy , Benzodiazepines/therapeutic use , Hypnotics and Sedatives/therapeutic use , Phenobarbital/therapeutic use , Acute Disease , Female , Humans , Length of Stay , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
9.
Crit Care Med ; 47(5): 677-684, 2019 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30720540

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease could safely receive noninvasive ventilation outside of the ICU. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Twelve states with ICU utilization flag from the State Inpatient Database from 2014. PATIENTS: Patients greater than or equal to 18 years old with primary diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and secondary diagnosis of respiratory failure who received noninvasive ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Multilevel logistic regression models were used to obtain hospital-level ICU utilization rates. We risk-adjusted using both patient/hospital characteristics. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality; secondary outcomes were invasive monitoring (arterial/central catheters), hospital length of stay, and cost. We examined 5,081 hospitalizations from 424 hospitals with ICU utilization ranging from 0.05 to 0.98. The overall median in-hospital mortality was 2.62% (interquartile range, 1.72-3.88%). ICU utilization was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (ß = 0.01; p = 0.05) or length of stay (ß = 0.18; p = 0.41), which was confirmed by Spearman correlation (ρ = 0.06; p = 0.20 and ρ = 0.02; p = 0.64, respectively). However, lower ICU utilization was associated with lower rates of invasive monitor placement by linear regression (ß = 0.05; p < 0.001) and Spearman correlation (ρ = 0.28; p < 0.001). Lower ICU utilization was also associated with significantly lower cost by linear regression (ß = 14.91; p = 0.02) but not by Spearman correlation (ρ = 0.09; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variability in the rate of ICU utilization for noninvasive ventilation across hospitals. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients receiving noninvasive ventilation had similar in-hospital mortality across the ICU utilization spectrum but a lower rate of receiving invasive monitors and probably lower cost when treated in lower ICU-utilizing hospitals. Although the results suggest that noninvasive ventilation can be delivered safely outside of the ICU, we advocate for hospital-specific risk assessment if a hospital were considering changing its noninvasive ventilation delivery policy.


Subject(s)
Critical Illness/therapy , Intensive Care Units/organization & administration , Noninvasive Ventilation/statistics & numerical data , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Respiration, Artificial/statistics & numerical data , Retrospective Studies
10.
Crit Care Res Pract ; 2018: 9496241, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29692932

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The United States (US) is experiencing a growing shortage of critical care medicine (CCM) trained physicians. Little is known about the exposures to CCM experienced by internal medicine (IM) residents or factors that may influence their decision to pursue a career in pulmonary/critical care medicine (PCCM). METHODS: We conducted a survey of US IM residency program directors (PDs) and then used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors that were predictive of residency programs with a higher percentage of graduates pursuing careers in PCCM. RESULTS: Of the 249 PDs contacted, 107 (43%) completed our survey. University-sponsored programs more commonly had large ICUs (62.3% versus 42.2%, p=0.05), primary medical ICUs (63.9% versus 41.3%, p=0.03), and closed staffing models (88.5% versus 41.3%, p < 0.001). Residents from university-sponsored programs were more likely to pursue specialty fellowship training (p < 0.001) overall but equally likely to pursue careers in PCCM as those from community-sponsored programs. Factors predictive of residencies with a higher percentage of graduates pursuing training in PCCM included larger ICUs (>20 beds), residents serving as code leaders, and greater proportion of graduates pursuing specialization. CONCLUSIONS: While numerous differences exist between the ICU rotations at community- and university-sponsored IM residencies, the percentage of graduates specializing in PCCM was similar. Exposure to larger ICUs, serving as code leaders, and higher rates of specialization were predictive of a career choice in PCCM.

11.
Resuscitation ; 114: 133-140, 2017 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28285032

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: The July Effect refers to adverse outcomes that occur as a result of turnover of the physician workforce in teaching hospitals during the month of June. OBJECTIVE: As a surrogate for physician turnover, we used a multivariable difference-in-difference approach to determine if there was a difference in outcomes between May and July in teaching versus non-teaching hospitals. DESIGN: We used prospectively collected observational data from United States hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines®-Resuscitation registry. Participants were adults with index in-hospital cardiac arrest between 2005-2014. They were a priori divided by location of arrest (general medical/surgical ward, intensive care unit, emergency department). The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included neurological outcome at discharge, return of spontaneous circulation, and several process measures. RESULTS: We analyzed 16,328 patients in intensive care units, 11,275 in general medical/surgical wards and 3790 in emergency departments. Patient characteristics were similar between May and July in both teaching and non-teaching hospitals. The models for intensive care unit patients indicated the presence of a July Effect with the difference-in-difference ranging between 1.9-3.1%, which reached statistical significance (p<0.05) in all but one model (p=0.07). Visual inspection of monthly survival curves did not show a discernible trend, and no July Effect was observed for return of spontaneous circulation, neurological outcome or process measures except for airway confirmation in the intensive care unit. We found no July Effect for survival in emergency departments or general medical/surgical wards (p>0.20 for all models). CONCLUSIONS: There may be a July Effect in the intensive care unit but the results were mixed. Most survival models showed a statistically significant difference but this was not supported by the secondary analyses of return of spontaneous circulation and neurological outcome. We found no July Effect in the emergency department or the medical/surgical ward for patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest.


Subject(s)
Heart Arrest/mortality , Hospital Mortality , Hospitals, Teaching/statistics & numerical data , Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data , Personnel Turnover , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Databases, Factual , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Internship and Residency , Male , Middle Aged , Physicians/statistics & numerical data , Prospective Studies , Surgery Department, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Survival Analysis
13.
J Hosp Med ; 10(12): 767-72, 2015 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26173641

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Residency training is charged with improving resident teaching skills. Utilizing simulation in teacher training has unique advantages such as providing a controlled learning environment and opportunities for deliberate practice. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the impact of a simulation-based resident-as-teacher (RaT) program. DESIGN: A RaT program was embedded in an existing 8-case simulation curriculum for 52 internal medicine (IM) interns. Residents participated in a workshop, then served as facilitators in the curriculum and received feedback from faculty. METHODS: Residents' teaching and feed back skills were measured using a pre- and post-program self-assessment and post-session and post-curriculum evaluations by intern learners. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one second- and third-year residents participated in the study August 2013 to October 2013 at a single center. RESULTS: Pre- and post-program teaching skills were assessed for 34 of 41 resident facilitators (83%) participating in 3.9 sessions on average. Partaking in the program led to improvements in resident facilitators' self-reported teaching and feedback skills across all domains. The most significant improvement was in teaching in a simulated environment (2.81 to 4.16, P < 0.001). Interns rated the curriculum highly (81% "excellent," 19% "good") and reported that resident facilitators frequently utilized debriefing techniques covered in the RaT program. CONCLUSIONS: Our simulation-based RaT program offered a unique opportunity for deliberate practice of teaching skills in a controlled environment and led to improvements in resident facilitators' teaching and feed back skills. The simulation curriculum, facilitated by residents, was well received by the intern learners. Our program design may serve as a model for the development of simulation curricula and RaT programs within IM residencies.


Subject(s)
Internal Medicine/education , Internal Medicine/methods , Internship and Residency/methods , Learning , Teaching/methods , Clinical Competence/standards , Educational Measurement/methods , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires
14.
Simul Healthc ; 10(5): 270-6, 2015 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26154250

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Simulation training may improve proficiency at and reduce complications from central venous catheter (CVC) placement, but the scope of simulation's effect remains unclear. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a pragmatic CVC simulation program on procedural protocol adherence, technical skill, and patient outcomes. METHODS: Internal medicine interns were randomized to standard training for CVC insertion or standard training plus simulation-based mastery training. Standard training involved a lecture, a video-based online module, and instruction by the supervising physician during actual CVC insertions. Intervention-group subjects additionally underwent supervised training on a venous access simulator until they demonstrated procedural competence. Raters evaluated interns' performance during internal jugular CVC placement on actual patients in the medical intensive care unit. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for outcome clustering within trainees. RESULTS: We observed 52 interns placing 87 CVCs. Simulation-trained interns exhibited better adherence to prescribed procedural technique than interns who received only standard training (P = 0.024). There were no significant differences detected in first-attempt or overall cannulation success rates, mean needle passes, global assessment scores, or complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation training added to standard training improved protocol adherence during CVC insertion by novice practitioners. This study may have been too small to detect meaningful differences in venous cannulation proficiency and other clinical outcomes, highlighting the difficulty of patient-centered simulation research in settings where poor outcomes are rare. For high-performing systems, where protocol deviations may provide an important proxy for rare procedural complications, simulation may improve CVC insertion quality and safety.


Subject(s)
Catheterization, Central Venous/methods , Clinical Competence , Internal Medicine/education , Internship and Residency/methods , Simulation Training/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Female , Guideline Adherence , Humans , Male , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Practice Guidelines as Topic
15.
J Neurosci Nurs ; 46(2): 106-16, 2014 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24556658

ABSTRACT

Many prior nursing studies regarding family members specifically of neuroscience intensive care unit (neuro-ICU) patients have focused on identifying their primary needs. A concept related to identifying these needs and assessing whether they have been met is determining whether families explicitly report satisfaction with the care that both they and their loved ones have received. The objective of this study was to explore family satisfaction with care in an academic neuro-ICU and compare results with concurrent data from the same hospital's medical ICU (MICU). Over 38 days, we administered the Family Satisfaction-ICU instrument to neuro-ICU and MICU patients' families at the time of ICU discharge. Those whose loved ones passed away during ICU admission were excluded. When asked about the respect and compassion that they received from staff, 76.3% (95% CI [66.5, 86.1]) of neuro-ICU families were completely satisfied, as opposed to 92.7% in the MICU (95% CI [84.4, 101.0], p = .04). Respondents were less likely to be completely satisfied with the courtesy of staff if they reported participation in zero formal family meeting. Less than 60% of neuro-ICU families were completely satisfied by (1) frequency of physician communication, (2) inclusion and (3) support during decision making, and (4) control over the care of their loved ones. Parents of patients were more likely than other relatives to feel very included and supported in the decision-making process. Future studies may focus on evaluating strategies for neuro-ICU nurses and physicians to provide better decision-making support and to implement more frequent family meetings even for those patients who may not seem medically or socially complicated to the team. Determining satisfaction with care for those families whose loved ones passed away during their neuro-ICU admission is another potential avenue for future investigation.


Subject(s)
Brain Injuries/nursing , Critical Care Nursing , Family/psychology , Personal Satisfaction , Professional-Family Relations , Quality of Health Care , Aged , Brain Injuries/psychology , Critical Illness/nursing , Critical Illness/psychology , Data Collection/standards , Decision Making , Female , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Interdisciplinary Communication , Male , Middle Aged , Survivors/psychology
16.
Med Teach ; 36(4): 279-83, 2014 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24495251

ABSTRACT

Mannequin-based simulation in graduate medical education has gained widespread acceptance. Its use in non-procedural training within internal medicine (IM) remains scant, possibly due to the logistical barriers to implementation of simulation curricula in large residency programs. We report the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Medicine's scale-up of a voluntary pilot program to a mandatory longitudinal simulation curriculum in a large IM residency program (n = 54). We utilized an eight-case curriculum implemented over the first four months of the academic year. An intensive care unit curriculum was piloted in the spring. In order to administer a comprehensive curriculum in a large residency program where faculty resources are limited, thirty second-year and third-year residents served as session facilitators and two senior residents served as chairpersons of the program. Post-session anonymous survey revealed high learner satisfaction scores for the mandatory program, similar to those of the voluntary pilot program. Most interns believed the sessions should continue to be mandatory. Utilizing residents as volunteer facilitators and program leaders allowed the implementation of a well-received mandatory simulation program in a large IM residency program and facilitated program sustainability.


Subject(s)
Internal Medicine/education , Internship and Residency/organization & administration , Manikins , Clinical Competence , Curriculum , Educational Measurement , Humans , Leadership , Massachusetts , Program Development , Program Evaluation
17.
J Crit Care ; 29(1): 134-8, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24475496

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We hypothesize that intensive care unit (ICU) families frequently perceive that they have received inconsistent information from staff about their relatives and that these inconsistencies influence abilities to make medical decisions, as well as satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study in the neurosciences and medical ICU at a university hospital. One hundred twenty-four family members of adult patients surviving to ICU discharge completed a questionnaire regarding perceptions of inconsistent information. RESULTS: Of 193 eligible patients, 64.2% had family complete the survey. Thirty-one respondents (25.0%; 95% confidence interval, 7.7) reported at least 1 instance of inconsistent information during their family member's admission, with no difference between the neurosciences ICU (21.5%; 9.3) and the medical ICU (31.1%; 14.1; P = .28). Of those who did receive inconsistent information, 38.7% (95% confidence interval, 18.2) reported multiple episodes and 74.2% (16.3) indicated that episodes occurred within the first 48 hours of admission. These episodes had an adverse effect, with 19.4% (14.7) indicating that they affected satisfaction and 9.7% (11.0) indicating that they made decision making difficult. CONCLUSIONS: Episodes involving inconsistent information from staff as perceived by families may be quite prevalent and may influence decision-making abilities and satisfaction.


Subject(s)
Communication , Consumer Behavior , Family , Intensive Care Units/organization & administration , Adult , Aged , Female , Hospitals, University/organization & administration , Humans , Length of Stay , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Discharge , Perception , Professional-Family Relations , Prospective Studies
18.
J Crit Care ; 29(2): 278-82, 2014 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24411107

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Prior studies of anxiety and depression among families of intensive care unit patients excluded those admitted for less than 2 days. We hypothesized that families of surviving patients with length of stay less than 2 days would have similar prevalence of anxiety and depression compared with those admitted for longer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred six family members in the neurosciences and medical intensive care units at a university hospital completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at discharge. RESULTS: The 106 participants represented a response rate of 63.9% among those who received surveys. Fifty-eight surveys (54.7%) were from relatives of patients who were discharged within 2 days of admission, whereas 48 (45.3%) were from those admitted for longer. No difference in anxiety was detected; prevalence was 20.7% (95% confidence interval, 10.4) among shorter stay families and 8.3% (7.8) among longer stay families (P = .10). No difference was also seen with depression; prevalence was 8.6% (7.2) among shorter stay families and 4.2% (5.7) among longer stay families (P = .45). CONCLUSIONS: Families of surviving patients with brief length of stay may have similar prevalence of anxiety and depression at discharge to those with longer length of stay.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/epidemiology , Depression/epidemiology , Family/psychology , Intensive Care Units , Length of Stay , Survivors , Adult , Aged , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Discharge , Prevalence , Time Factors
19.
Med Educ ; 47(11): 1099-108, 2013 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24117556

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasonography is of growing importance within internal medicine (IM), but the optimal method of training doctors to use it is uncertain. In this study, the authors provide the first objective comparison of two approaches to training IM residents in ultrasonography. METHODS: In this randomised trial, a simulation-based ultrasound training curriculum was implemented during IM intern orientation at a tertiary care teaching hospital. All 72 incoming interns attended a lecture and were given access to online modules. Interns were then randomly assigned to a 4-hour faculty-guided (FG) or self-guided (SG) ultrasound training session in a simulation laboratory with both human and manikin models. Interns were asked to self-assess their competence in ultrasonography and underwent an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to assess their competence in basic and procedurally oriented ultrasound tasks. The primary outcome was the score on the OSCE. RESULTS: Faculty-guided training was superior to self-guided training based on the OSCE scores. Subjects in the FG training group achieved significantly higher OSCE scores on the two subsets of task completion (0.9-point difference, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-1.54; p = 0.008) and ultrasound image quality (2.43-point difference, 95% CI 1.5-3.36; p < 0.001). Both training groups demonstrated an increase in self-assessed competence after their respective training sessions and there was little difference between the groups. Subjects rated the FG training group much more favourably than the SG training group. CONCLUSIONS: Both FG and SG ultrasound training curricula can improve the self-reported competence of IM interns in ultrasonography. However, FG training was superior to SG training in both skills acquisition and intern preference. Incorporating mandatory ultrasound training into IM residencies can address the perceived need for ultrasound training, improve confidence and procedural skills, and may enhance patient safety. However, the optimal training method may require significant faculty input.


Subject(s)
Computer Simulation , Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods , Faculty, Medical , Internship and Residency/methods , Ultrasonography , Adult , Clinical Competence , Female , Hospitals, Teaching , Humans , Internal Medicine , Male
20.
J Palliat Med ; 15(12): 1382-7, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23098632

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Effective communication between intensive care unit (ICU) providers and families is crucial given the complexity of decisions made regarding goals of therapy. Using video images to supplement medical discussions is an innovative process to standardize and improve communication. In this six-month, quasi-experimental, pre-post intervention study we investigated the impact of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) video decision support tool upon knowledge about CPR among surrogate decision makers for critically ill adults. METHODS: We interviewed surrogate decision makers for patients aged 50 and over, using a structured questionnaire that included a four-question CPR knowledge assessment similar to those used in previous studies. Surrogates in the post-intervention arm viewed a three-minute video decision support tool about CPR before completing the knowledge assessment and completed questions about perceived value of the video. RESULTS: We recruited 23 surrogates during the first three months (pre-intervention arm) and 27 surrogates during the latter three months of the study (post-intervention arm). Surrogates viewing the video had more knowledge about CPR (p=0.008); average scores were 2.0 (SD 1.1) and 2.9 (SD 1.2) (out of a total of 4) in pre-intervention and post-intervention arms. Surrogates who viewed the video were comfortable with its content (81% very) and 81% would recommend the video. CPR preferences for patients at the time of ICU discharge/death were distributed as follows: pre-intervention: full code 78%, DNR 22%; post-intervention: full code 59%, DNR 41% (p=0.23).


Subject(s)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation , Communication , Decision Making , Decision Support Systems, Clinical , Intensive Care Units , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Confidence Intervals , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Proxy/psychology , Qualitative Research
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