Analysis of social media use by European plastic surgery societies: A missing link for #PlasticSurgery.

PURPOSE: The field of Plastic Surgery is prominent on social media around the world. Board certified plastic surgeons and societies of plastic surgery play a role in providing accurate, evidence-based information to the public, patients, and colleagues. The aim of this study was to explore the use of social media by European Plastic Surgery Societies. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective analysis of the presence and activity of European Plastic Surgery Societies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram was conducted between December 12th 2018 and December 12th 2019. The results have been compared to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. RESULTS: Twenty, eleven and nine European societies yielded an active account on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram respectively. Only seven European societies had an account on all three platforms and were therefore considered polypresent. The amount of followers of those seven societies was significantly higher than of the others (p-value = 0.02). Their activity yielded significantly more posts on Facebook (p-value = 0.02). The American Society of Plastic Surgeons had more followers on all three platforms than all European societies combined. CONCLUSION: Social media are still rather unexploited by European Plastic Surgery Societies. A tendency towards increased visibility can be observed, yet a higher penetration is required to further educate and engage through social media. The quantitative data provided serve as reasonable foundation for further studies and a guide for growth of #PlasticSurgery.

Assessment of the relationship between stress and performance in candidates for the Brazilian Bar Association examination.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated stress and performance levels in candidates for the Brazilian Bar Association examination (Exame da Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil) in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. METHODS: The following instruments were used: A sociodemographic data sheet, Lipp's Stress Symptom Inventory for Adults, the Ways of Coping Scale, the Adult Self-Report Scale, and the Self-Report Questionnaire. The final sample comprised 117 candidates, aged from 18 to 59 years (mean = 29.7, standard deviation = 7.8), 76 women (65%) and 41 men (35%). RESULTS: In the first phase of the examination, 67 candidates were approved (57.3%), but there was no significant difference in terms of stress: stress symptoms were present in 76.1% of the successful candidates and 62% of the unsuccessful candidates; (χ2 (1) = 2.09; p = 0.148). In terms of stress phases, 70.6% of the successful candidates (n = 36) were in the resistance phase and 78.4% of these had psychological symptoms. The mean age of successful candidates (28.2 years) was lower than that of unsuccessful candidates (31.7 years); (t (115) = -2.48; p = 0.015). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms were detected in 18 successful candidates (26.9%) and 6 unsuccessful candidates (12.2%); (χ2 (1) = 2.85; p = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS: Candidates who were successful in the first phase of the Brazilian Bar Association examination tended to be younger and scored higher for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, but their stress levels did not differ from those of unsuccessful candidates.

Assessment of the relationship between stress and performance in candidates for the Brazilian Bar Association examination

Abstract Objective: This study investigated stress and performance levels in candidates for the Brazilian Bar Association examination (Exame da Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil) in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Methods: The following instruments were used: A sociodemographic data sheet, Lipp's Stress Symptom Inventory for Adults, the Ways of Coping Scale, the Adult Self-Report Scale, and the Self-Report Questionnaire. The final sample comprised 117 candidates, aged from 18 to 59 years (mean = 29.7, standard deviation = 7.8), 76 women (65%) and 41 men (35%). Results: In the first phase of the examination, 67 candidates were approved (57.3%), but there was no significant difference in terms of stress: stress symptoms were present in 76.1% of the successful candidates and 62% of the unsuccessful candidates; (χ2 (1) = 2.09; p = 0.148). In terms of stress phases, 70.6% of the successful candidates (n = 36) were in the resistance phase and 78.4% of these had psychological symptoms. The mean age of successful candidates (28.2 years) was lower than that of unsuccessful candidates (31.7 years); (t (115) = −2.48; p = 0.015). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms were detected in 18 successful candidates (26.9%) and 6 unsuccessful candidates (12.2%); (χ2 (1) = 2.85; p = 0.091). Conclusions: Candidates who were successful in the first phase of the Brazilian Bar Association examination tended to be younger and scored higher for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, but their stress levels did not differ from those of unsuccessful candidates.

Density of Peruvian anesthesiologists in 2020 / Densidad de médicos anestesiologos peruanos en 2020

It was with significant interest that I reviewed the Chapter entitled "Anesthesia and Analgesia in the Global Context," published in the last edition of the book Miller's Anesthesia. The article makes a practical review of the practice of anesthesiology in Colombia and Paraguay, under the South American section.1 However, the intro duction claims that Peru has the lowest density of anesthesia specialists in South America (1.7 per every 100,000 inhabitants). Such rate was estimated using a global survey conducted between 2015 and 2016. The survey was addressed to the National Societies of Anesthesiology in 150 countries (see third column, Table 1)

Con gran interés revisé el capítulo titulado "Anestesia y Analgesia en el Contexto Global", publicado en la última edición del libro Miller's Anesthesia. El artículo hace una revisión práctica de la práctica de la anestesiología en Colombia y Paraguay, en la sección de América del Sur.1 Sin embargo, la intro ducción afirma que Perú tiene la menor densidad de especialistas en anestesia en América del Sur (1,7 por cada 100.000 habitantes). Dicha tasa fue estimada mediante una encuesta global realizada entre 2015 y 2016. La encuesta fue dirigida a las Sociedades Nacionales de Anestesiología de 150 países (ver tercera columna, Tabla 1)

The impact of social capital on civil society organizations delivering voluntary counseling and testing HIV/AIDS service: a cross-sectional study in China.

In China, Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) services are mostly provided by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). This cross-sectional study investigated the association between CSOs' social capital and VCT service availability in eight Chinese provinces during July-December 2015. Data on CSOs' characteristics were collected through questionnaire-based interviews. Social capital was measured using a purpose-developed questionnaire. Logistic regression models tested the association between social capital and the scale of VCT services. A total of 103 CSOs that provided VCT to MSM (MSM-focused CSOs), and 109 CSOs that provided such service to non-MSM population (other CSOs) were included. Overall, 144 (67.9%) CSOs were not registered with local governments, while 106 (50%) received RMB 50,000 ($7,670) funding in 2014. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the CSOs with a higher level of shared vision were more likely to provide a large-scale of VCT service than those with a lower level of shared vision (AOR = 1.95). Moreover, intra-networks were positively associated with the VCT service (AOR = 2.87) among other CSOs, while the level of shared vision was positively associated with the VCT service (AOR = 3.08) among other-MSM-focused CSOs. There was no significant association between social capital and total service scale. Our findings suggest that increasing social capital can potentially enhance VCT service and play an important role in AIDS prevention.

The two types of society: Computationally revealing recurrent social formations and their evolutionary trajectories.

Comparative social science has a long history of attempts to classify societies and cultures in terms of shared characteristics. However, only recently has it become feasible to conduct quantitative analysis of large historical datasets to mathematically approach the study of social complexity and classify shared societal characteristics. Such methods have the potential to identify recurrent social formations in human societies and contribute to social evolutionary theory. However, in order to achieve this potential, repeated studies are needed to assess the robustness of results to changing methods and data sets. Using an improved derivative of the Seshat: Global History Databank, we perform a clustering analysis of 271 past societies from sampling points across the globe to study plausible categorizations inherent in the data. Analysis indicates that the best fit to Seshat data is five subclusters existing as part of two clearly delineated superclusters (that is, two broad "types" of society in terms of social-ecological configuration). Our results add weight to the idea that human societies form recurrent social formations by replicating previous studies with different methods and data. Our results also contribute nuance to previously established measures of social complexity, illustrate diverse trajectories of change, and shed further light on the finite bounds of human social diversity.

Student organization prevalence and structures in US schools of pharmacy.

INTRODUCTION: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards 2016 emphasize co-curricular programming to complement formal curriculums. Programming engagement through student pharmacist organizations is foundational to many schools' co-curriculum. Adequate funding, membership engagement, and governance structures are vital factors that, in turn, help these groups thrive over time. However, minimal literature exists depicting financial support, governance, and membership engagement for benchmarking purposes. The current study's objective was to examine these parameters at a national level among schools of pharmacy. METHODS: Student affairs personnel identified through the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Student Services Special Interest Group received a link to an anonymous Qualtrics survey. Survey data comparing programs were analyzed descriptively and via t-test (continuous data) and Fisher's exact test (nominal data) using Graph Pad Prism 8. RESULTS: Seventy-three schools completed the survey. The majority (53%) were public institutions. Limiting the number of organizations allowed on campus occurred at 39.7% of schools. Regarding formation/funding policies, 75% published policies for organization formation, and 53% published policies for financial support. Use of an "umbrella" format for governance was present in 36% of responding schools. The average number of organizations per school was 11, conducting an average of 10.4 chapter meetings/month. The percent of enrolled students on average belonging to a given organization ranged from 2.2% to over 40%. Ninety-three percent reported that organizations assist in the inculcation of professionalism among student pharmacists. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacy schools are inconsistent in their approach to student organization formation, funding policies, and governance.

Awareness, Understanding and Treatment Practices when Managing Cachexia in End-Stage Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Cachexia is a wasting syndrome found within a range of chronic illnesses/life-limiting conditions, however awareness and understanding of cachexia amongst renal Health Care Professionals has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the awareness, understanding and treatment practices of Health Care Professionals who provide care for people with cachexia and end-stage renal disease. METHODS: Health Care Professionals were recruited via the European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association in September 2018. This was an exploratory study using a mixed-methods approach with those who provide care for patients with end-stage renal disease and cachexia. An online survey and two focus groups were conducted. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were used to explore current knowledge and practices in renal cachexia. RESULTS: A total of 93 participants from 30 countries completed the online survey. Twelve Health Care Professionals agreed to participate in the focus groups. Reduced appetite, weight loss and muscle loss in relation to cachexia were accurately described, but the percentage of weight loss was unknown. The importance of multi-professional collaboration was recognised, however, the current management of cachexia was wide-ranging. Quality of life, patient-clinician communication and specialist support for carers were regarded as vital. CONCLUSION: Timely identification and management of cachexia are needed to improve the quality of life for patients and appropriately support families. In order for these goals to be achieved, there is a need to increase awareness and understanding of cachexia amongst renal nurses.

Increasing Undergraduate Exposure to Oncology: the Role of Oncology Interest Groups.

This study describes a medical school oncology interest group (OIG) and assesses its influence on student perceptions of oncology, interest in pursuing oncology as a career, and comfort levels with oncology topics such as breaking bad news. From 2015 to 2017, the OIG annual event took place at a satellite campus of a larger Canadian undergraduate medical school. The event provided a question and answer period with a panel of physicians from multiple oncology specialties-discussions focused around lifestyle, training, clinical work, lifestyle, and career focus. Small physician-led groups taught breaking bad news using the SPIKES framework. The interest group also provided a mentoring and networking opportunity to interested students. Pre- and post-event surveys were distributed to students and physicians. For three consecutive years, the student-run, and physician-mentored OIG successfully recruited student and physician participants, providing a clinical skill teaching session as well as mentorship opportunities to students. Pre-event surveys found that only 20% of students believed their current curriculum was adequate as it relates to oncology education. In pre-session, 13% (6/45) of students indicated comfort with the skill of breaking bad news, compared with that in post-session with 81% (34/42) of students feeling comfortable. When asked "How likely are you to pursue a future elective opportunity in oncology?" 49% (20/41) of students indicated "likely" as their response in the pre-session. This response increased post-session to 70% (28/40). The event highlighted the potential for OIGs to increase student interest in pursuing oncology electives and student-perceived comfort with breaking bad news. OIGs are important in promoting interest in the field of oncology and in improving confidence in breaking bad news. This medical student-created, run and maintained oncology interest group supplemented standard curriculum by providing relevant educational and mentorship opportunities to students. This study highlights the feasibility of implementing a self-sustaining medical school oncology interest group and its potential to positively impact student learning and interest in oncology.

Factors influencing nurse practitioners' decisions to join nurse practitioner associations.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The benefits of professional association membership to individual health care providers are well established. However, not all nurse practitioners (NPs) are members of professional associations. Research is available on factors that influence registered nurses' decisions to join professional associations, but little is known regarding factors influencing the decisions of NPs. The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting NPs' decisions to join NP associations. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of NPs (N = 537) was conducted electronically in accordance with the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys guidelines. The Professional Association Membership Questionnaire was used to develop the survey. Three hundred twenty-eight respondents (61.1%) had a current membership in a professional association and 209 (38.9%) were nonmembers. Although both members and nonmembers expressed a desire for professional programs, improvement in the profession, and personal development, current members scored significantly higher in each of these factors (p < .001 to p = .015). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that factors influencing NPs' decisions to join professional associations include the desire for professional programs, improvement of the profession, and personal development. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Professional associations seeking to improve health outcomes by creating more competent, safe NPs and keeping the public's trust should consider focusing on efforts that foster education, professional networking and new ideas, and self-improvement.

Knowledge production on sport economics: a systematic review / Produção do conhecimento sobre economia do esporte: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT The study analyzes the scientific production that deals with the economic activity of the sport. This is a systematic review that evaluates scientific papers published in the last Olympic cycle (2012-2016) in national and international journals, in English, Spanish and Portuguese, indexed to the Portal of Journals of Capes (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel). From the content analysis, 355 studies were examined that, despite their diversity, were grouped into 16 categories. The considerations suggest an ample process of commercialization of the sport as a cultural commodity and, also, vehicle of sale and propagation of other products.

RESUMO O estudo analisa a produção científica que versa sobre a atividade econômica do esporte. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática que avalia artigos científicos publicados no último ciclo olímpico (2012-2016) em periódicos nacionais e internacionais, em língua inglesa, espanhola e portuguesa, indexados ao Portal de Periódicos da Capes (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior). Foram analisados, a partir da análise de conteúdo, 355 estudos que, a despeito de sua diversidade, foram agrupados em 15 categorias. As considerações sugerem um amplo processo de comercialização do esporte enquanto uma mercadoria cultural e, também, veículo de venda e propagação de outros produtos.

Identifying and Mapping Skill Development Opportunities Through Pharmacy Student Organization Involvement.

Objective. To describe a process for identifying skills that students can gain through co-curricular involvement and to map these skills to curricular outcomes. Methods. This pilot study used a mixed-methods approach involving document reviews, student involvement surveys, and focus groups/interviews to evaluate skill development opportunities in three pharmacy student organizations. Investigators reviewed key documents (eg, student organization websites, annual review forms) to identify skills emphasized by the organization. Student participants completed modified Extracurricular Involvement Inventory surveys to measure the intensity of their student organization involvement. Two student focus groups, one student leader focus group and one general student member focus group, were held for each student organization. Interviews were conducted with each student organization's faculty advisor. Data sources were triangulated to identify and map skill development opportunities to program core competencies. Results. Six of nine core competencies were identified as skills pharmacy students can develop through involvement in the pilot student organizations. All three organizations provided opportunities for members to develop communication skills and in-depth knowledge and proficient skills of the discipline of pharmacy. Two organizations provided opportunities for students to develop collaboration skills. Conclusion. A mixed-methods approach can be used to identify and map skills that students can develop through co-curricular involvement. This approach provides several advantages: objective evaluation and triangulation of skill development opportunities, evaluation of students' involvement, and identification of linkages between the co-curriculum and curriculum in the context of curricular outcomes.

Choosing Wisely, the reasons for its success.

The philosophy and the history of the International Choosing Wisely movement, launched in the U.S. in 2012, are described. It grew and spread beyond what it was anticipated at the beginning because there is a rising concern of the medical community regarding the appropriate use of procedures and treatments placed into the market before an adequate evaluation of risks and benefits. Not only healthcare providers, but also patients, citizens and politicians, are becoming aware of the consequences of inappropriate decisions and behaviors since inappropriateness has economic (waste of resources), clinical (risks), but also ethical implications. In Italy the movement was launched and still is coordinated by the Slow Medicine organization, that created the campaign Doing more does not mean doing better - Choosing Wisely Italy, which aimed to improve clinical appropriateness through the reduction of unnecessary tests and treatments and the dialogue between physicians and patients. Currently, 44 societies of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists identified 230 recommendations about tests, treatments and procedures commonly used in Italy's clinical practice that do not provide any benefit to most patients but may cause harm.

Distress and self-care among chaplains working in palliative care.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of burnout and distress among palliative care professionals has received much attention since research suggests it negatively impacts the quality of care. Although limited, research suggests low levels of burnout or distress among healthcare chaplains; however, there has been no research among chaplains working in specific clinical contexts, including palliative care. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the distress, self-care, and debriefing practices of chaplains working in palliative care. METHOD: Exploratory, cross-sectional survey of professional chaplains. Electronic surveys were sent to members of four professional chaplaincy organizations between February and April 2015. Primary measures of interest included Professional Distress, Distress from Theodicy, Informal Self-care, Formal Self-care, and debriefing practices. RESULT: More than 60% of chaplains working in palliative care reported feeling worn out in the past 3 months because of their work as a helper; at least 33% practice Informal Self-care weekly. Bivariate analysis suggested significant associations between Informal Self-care and both Professional Distress and Distress from Theodicy. Multivariate analysis also identified that distress decreased as Informal and Formal Self-care increased. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Chaplains working in palliative care appear moderately distressed, possibly more so than chaplains working in other clinical areas. These chaplains also use debriefing, with non-chaplain palliative colleagues, to process clinical experiences. Further research is needed about the role of religious or spiritual beliefs and practices in protecting against stress associated with care for people at the end of life.

Shifting the Tide: Innovative Strategies to Develop an American Indian/Alaska Native Physician Workforce.

Despite extensive efforts to diversify the US physician workforce and increases in both the number of US medical schools and number of students enrolled, there has been no difference in the matriculation and graduation of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Furthermore, advancement remains elusive for AI/AN US medical school faculty, which currently constitutes approximately 0.1% of all US medical school faculty and remains disproportionately underrepresented at the Associate and Full Professor ranks. The Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE) aims to address these worrisome trends by implementing innovative programs to support a meaningful journey toward recruiting, training, and supporting AI/AN youth, medical students and faculty. NNACoE has piloted three innovations: 1) Tribal Health Scholars, a 14-week clinical shadowing experience for AI/AN youth in their tribal clinic; 2) Wy'East Post-baccalaureate Pathway, a 9-month structured curriculum with conditional acceptance into Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine; and 3) Indigenous Faculty Forum, a longitudinal professional development conference for AI/AN medical school faculty to foster career advancement. NNACoE piloted all three programs in 2017 and is actively expanding efforts, while systematically evaluating all programs. Pilot results demonstrate that all Tribal Health Scholars are pursuing college and health science majors, 10 AI/AN Wy'East Post-Baccalaureate Scholars are enrolled to date, and 63 Indigenous medical school faculty are participating in professional development. More systematic evaluation of AI/AN-specific programming is needed to better illuminate how to successfully recruit, train and retain AI/ANs in the US physician workforce.

Evaluation of Orthopaedic Interest Groups in American Medical Schools.

BACKGROUND: Orthopaedic interest groups (OIGs) are student-run organizations that can provide medical students with early exposure to orthopaedic surgery. OIGs can serve as venues for musculoskeletal education, clinical experiences, and mentorship to students with otherwise limited access to orthopaedics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and opportunities offered by OIGs. METHODS: The websites of all allopathic medical schools in the United States were evaluated. Each website was examined for an established OIG and any pertinent information regarding shadowing, research opportunities, lectures, workshops, or opportunities to interact with residents. OIGs were categorized based on the number and type of offerings provided to their members. RESULTS: Of the 141 allopathic medical school websites evaluated, 108 (108/141, 76%) had evidence of an orthopaedic interest group. Sixty-nine (69/108, 64%) of these schools described the opportunities provided. The most common opportunities were clinical skills workshops (41/69, 59%), lectures (32/69, 46%), and opportunities to interact with current residents (30/69, 43%). The majority of OIGs (39/69, 57%) offered fewer than half of the possible opportunities and only 6 groups (9%) offered all five opportunities. CONCLUSION: The majority of allopathic medical schools in the United States have an OIG; however, the opportunities provided to orthopaedic interest group members vary widely from institution to institution.