Examining medical students' experience of gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment from clinical teachers at a UK medical school.

PURPOSE OF THE ARTICLE: To quantify the prevalence and characterise the nature of gender-based discrimination (GBD) and sexual harassment (SH) arising from clinical teachers towards medical students at one UK medical school. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mixed quantitative and qualitative survey of medical students. Chi-squared analysis and logistic regression was performed on quantitative data, while an inductive thematic analysis of qualitative data was undertaken. These findings were compared to look for common patterns. RESULTS: Females were significantly more likely to report experiencing both GBD (χ2 = 38.61, p < 0.0001) and SH (χ2 = 19.53, p < 0.0001) than males (OR = 10.45 (CI 4.84 - 22.56, p < 0.0001)). These behaviours were more likely to be reported in specific surgical placements than medical placements (χ2 = 15.06, p < 0.001 and χ2 = 5.90, p < 0.05). Perpetrators were more commonly male, and more commonly consultants. Exposure to GBD or SH was significantly more likely to affect the choice of specialty in females compared to males (χ2 = 11.17, p < 0.001). Students noted a casual use of sexist language, inappropriate sexual advances, and gender-based microaggressions which create a pervasive discrepancy in educational opportunities between genders. Participants reported that concerns regarding anonymity, questioning the severity of the incident, and an ingrained medical hierarchy prevented students reporting these incidents. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of GBD and SH from clinical teachers to medical students remains high, affecting female students more than male students. This study highlights key areas that must be improved to achieve a more equitable teaching experience in UK medical schools. Developing robust reporting and support systems is an important step in eradicating these behaviours.

Aesthetic Surgery Practice Resumption in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The global COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted all aspects of healthcare, including the delivery of elective aesthetic surgery practice. A national, prospective data collection was carried out of the first aesthetic plastic surgery procedures performed during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the challenges aesthetic practice is facing and to identify if any problems or complications arose from carrying out aesthetic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Over a 6-week period from June 15 to August 2, 2020, data were collected by means of a proforma for aesthetic plastic surgery cases. All patients had outcomes recorded for an audit period of 14 days postsurgery. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that none of the 371 patients audited who underwent aesthetic surgical procedures developed any symptoms of COVID-19-related illness and none required treatment for any subsequent respiratory illness. CONCLUSIONS: No COVID-19-related cases or complications were found in a cohort of patients who underwent elective aesthetic procedures under strict screening and infection control protocols in the early resumption of elective service.

Impact of COVID-19 on Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Practice in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the delivery of medical and surgical services globally. Subsequently, all elective and aesthetic procedures have been cancelled or deferred in accordance with government-mandated quarantine measures. The Cosmetic Surgery Governance Forum (CSGF) is a network of aesthetic plastic surgery consultants which has enabled a sharing of expertise during challenging times. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aesthetic plastic surgeons and their practice in the UK. METHODS: On 15 June 2020, 131 respondents from the CSGF and wider aesthetic plastic surgeons in the UK were invited to respond to an online survey. An anonymised questionnaire was created using SmartSurveyTM and distributed at the end of the quarantine period. Questions regarding their current scope of practice, willingness to recommence face-to-face consultations, financial loss and psychological impact were asked. RESULTS: A total of 101 Consultant Plastic surgeons (76%) completed the questionnaire. If strict protocols and adequate personal protective equipment were available, 50-55% of respondents would consider offering non-surgical treatments as soon as the private clinic was open. Furthermore, 51% would consider procedures under general anaesthetic, whilst 89% of respondents would offer local anaesthetic only in the initial phase. Moreover, 66% reported experiencing a psychological impact and 100% of respondents reported a significant financial impact. CONCLUSIONS: This survey aims to give an account of the current state (May-July 2020) of aesthetic plastic surgery in the UK. There is ongoing uncertainty and deliberation regarding the timing and organisational changes required for aesthetic practice to restart.

Use of dCELL (Decellularized Human Dermis) in Repair of Urethrocutaneous Fistulas or Glans Dehiscence.

BACKGROUND: In hypospadias repairs, there is some evidence to suggest that a "waterproofing" layer can be helpful in reducing the risk of urethrocutaneous fistula formation. The most likely role of this layer is to prevent the creation of overlapping suture lines. Many hypospadias surgeons use a dartos fascia interposition flap for this purpose. However, raising a dartos fascia flap adds time to the procedure, can result in devascularization of the overlying skin, and can create unsightly torsion of the penis, which may be hard to correct. To avoid these problems, the senior author has started to use dCELL (decellularized human dermis) as an alternative to dartos fascia to separate the suture lines. METHODS: Between March and July 2018, a pilot study was performed in 8 patients undergoing closure of a urethrocutaneous fistula or glans dehiscence combined with dCELL. Data on infections, wound breakdown, length of stay and catheterization, surgical time, and hospital stay were collected. RESULTS: All patients had a successful reconstruction. One patient developed a urinary tract infection, possibly related to prolonged catheterization following his repair. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that dCELL may be useful in the repair of urethrocutaneous fistulas and glans dehiscence after hypospadias surgery.

Minimally invasive distal metaphyseal metatarsal osteotomy (DMMO) for symptomatic forefoot pathology - Short to medium term outcomes from a retrospective case series.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive distal metaphyseal metatarsal osteotomy (DMMO) may be used to treat metatarsalgia and forefoot pathology. Few large series report its results or examine the degree of metatarsal shortening with this technique. The clinical and radiographic results of a cohort of patients treated with DMMOs at our unit are reported. METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective study looking at the outcome of consecutive patients undergoing DMMOs. Demographics, radiological and clinical outcomes, complications and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) were analysed. RESULTS: DMMOs on 106 toes in 43 feet were included. Mean age was 60.2±10.2 years and median follow-up was 38 months. Concurrent procedures were performed in 26 cases (60%). DMMO was performed on multiple toes in 42 cases (97%). Mean shortening achieved was 3.6±2.2mm, 4.1±1.6mm, and 3.6±1.6mm for the second, third and fourth metatarsals respectively. Mean time to fusion was 11.4±7.8 weeks and union occurred in 105 toes (99%). The single non-union was asymptomatic at 12 months. Two patients required a subsequent additional DMMO for transfer metatarsalgia. Minor complications were seen in 11 patients (26%). At final follow-up PROMs data was available for 42 cases: mean MOxFQ was 28.8±27.6, mean EQ-5D was 0.789±0.225, mean EQ-VAS was 68.5±20.3, mean VAS-Pain score was 3.1±2.8, and patients were satisfied overall in 40 cases (95%). CONCLUSIONS: The authors demonstrate excellent radiological and clinical outcomes in the short to medium term with DMMOs and present data on metatarsal shortening achieved with this technique.

Evidence-based practice in Behçet's disease: identifying areas of unmet need for 2014.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's Disease (BD) is characterized by a relapsing-remitting course, with symptoms of varying severity across almost all organ systems. There is a diverse array of therapeutic options with no universally accepted treatment regime, and it is thus important that clinical practice is evidence-based. We reviewed all currently available literature describing management of BD, and investigated whether evidence-based practice is possible for all disease manifestations, and assessed the range of therapeutic options tested. METHODS: We conducted an internet search of all literature describing management of BD up to August 2013, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. We recorded treatment options investigated and disease manifestations reported as primary and secondary study outcomes. Quality of data was assessed according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) hierarchy of evidence. RESULTS: Whilst there is much literature describing treatment of ocular and mucocutaneous disease, there is little to guide management of rheumatoid, cardiovascular and neurological disease. This broadly reflects the prevalence of disease manifestations of BD, but not the severity. Biologic therapies are the most commonly investigated intervention. The proportion of SIGN-1 graded studies is declining, and there are no SIGN-1 graded studies investigating neurological or gastrointestinal manifestations of BD. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to investigate trends in published literature for management of BD over time. It identifies neurological, cardiovascular and gastro-intestinal disease as particular areas of unmet need and suggests that overall quality of evidence is declining. Future research should be designed to address these areas of insufficiency to facilitate evidence-based practice in BD.