Exploring the Experiences and Impacts of Research Role-Emerging Placements in Physiotherapy.

Purpose: Research role-emerging placements (RREPs) have been integrated into placement offerings in Canadian physiotherapy programmes. The purpose of the present study is to describe the experiences and impacts of RREPs completed by graduates of Canadian physiotherapy programmes. Methods: Participants were recruited by purposive sampling and completed semi-structured interviews to explore their RREP experiences. Themes were identified using thematic analysis and collaboratively analyzed using the DEPICT model. Results: Eleven participants who completed RREPs during their Canadian physiotherapy programmes (three men, eight women; aged 26.9 [SD 2.7] years) took part in this study. The participants expressed the RREP was a valuable experience. Four themes emerged from the data: (1) Motivators for selecting an RREP included interest in research or a medical injury, (2) The RREP experience involved benefits and challenges, (3) Impacts of completing an RREP, and (4) RREP participant suggestions. Conclusions: RREPs are valuable placement opportunities for learners in Canadian physiotherapy programmes facilitating the development of essential competencies in a non-traditional setting. RREPs could be considered as a placement opportunity for other allied health programmes, as the skills gained are beneficial for all health care professionals.

Objectif: les stages de recherche dans un rôle émergent (SRRÉ) sont intégrés aux offres de stage des programmes de physiothérapie canadiens. La présente étude visait à décrire les expériences et les effets des SRRÉ effectués par les diplômés des programmes de physiothérapie canadiens. Méthodologie: les chercheurs ont recruté les participants par échantillonnage dirigé et ont effectué des entrevues semi-structurées pour explorer leurs expériences de SRRÉ. Ils ont extrait les thèmes au moyen d'une analyse thématique et en ont fait une analyse coopérative à l'aide du modèle DEPICT. Résultats: onze participants qui ont effectué des SRRÉ pendant leur programme de physiothérapie au Canada (trois hommes, huit femmes; 26,9 ± 2,7 ans) ont participé à l'étude. Ils ont trouvé que leur SRRÉ avait été une expérience précieuse. Ils ont tiré quatre thèmes des données : 1) les motivations pour sélectionner un SRRÉ incluaient l'intérêt pour la recherche ou une lésion médicale, 2) l'expérience du SRRÉ comportait des avantages et des difficultés, 3) les répercussions d'avoir effectué un SRRÉ et 4) les suggestions des participants aux SRRÉ. Conclusions: les SRRÉ sont de précieuses occasions de stage pour les apprenants des programmes de physiothérapie canadiens, ce qui a facilité l'acquisition de compétences essentielles dans un milieu non traditionnel. Les SRRÉ pourraient être considérés comme des occasions de stage dans des programmes de santé connexes, car les compétences acquises sont bénéfiques pour tous les professionnels de la santé.

Development and validation of a radiofrequency ablation treatment planning system for vertebral metastases.

PURPOSE: Bone-targeted radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used in the treatment of vertebral metastases. While radiation therapy utilizes established treatment planning systems (TPS) based on multimodal imaging to optimize treatment volumes, current RFA of vertebral metastases has been limited to qualitative image-based assessment of tumour location to direct probe selection and access. This study aimed to design, develop and evaluate a computational patient-specific RFA TPS for vertebral metastases. METHODS: A TPS was developed on the open-source 3D slicer platform, including procedural setup, dose calculation (based on finite element modelling), and analysis/visualization modules. Usability testing was carried out by 7 clinicians involved in the treatment of vertebral metastases on retrospective clinical imaging data using a simplified dose calculation engine. In vivo evaluation was performed in a preclinical porcine model (n = 6 vertebrae). RESULTS: Dose analysis was successfully performed, with generation and display of thermal dose volumes, thermal damage, dose volume histograms and isodose contours. Usability testing showed an overall positive response to the TPS as beneficial to safe and effective RFA. The in vivo porcine study showed good agreement between the manually segmented thermally damaged volumes vs. the damage volumes identified from the TPS (Dice Similarity Coefficient = 0.71 ± 0.03, Hausdorff distance = 1.2 ± 0.1 mm). CONCLUSION: A TPS specifically dedicated to RFA in the bony spine could help account for tissue heterogeneities in both thermal and electrical properties. A TPS would enable visualization of damage volumes in 2D and 3D, assisting clinicians in decisions about potential safety and effectiveness prior to performing RFA in the metastatic spine.

Draft Genome Sequences of Pseudomonas fluorescens Strains SF39a and SF4c, Potential Plant Growth Promotion and Biocontrol Agents.

Pseudomonas fluorescens SF4c and SF39a, strains isolated from wheat rhizosphere, have potential applications in plant growth promotion and biocontrol of fungal diseases of crop plants. We report the draft genome sequences of SF4c and SF39a with estimated sizes of 6.5 Mb and 5.9 Mb, respectively.