The butterfly effect in oral and maxillofacial surgery: Understanding and applying chaos theory and complex systems principles.

The present paper provides a historical context for chaos theory, originating in the 1960s with Edward Norton Lorenz's efforts to predict weather patterns. It introduces chaos theory, fractal geometry, nonlinear dynamics, and the butterfly effect, highlighting their exploration of complex systems. The authors aim to bridge the gap between chaos theory and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) through a literature review, exploring its applications and emphasizing the prevention of minor deviations in OMFS to avoid significant consequences. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The selection process adhered to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and Leiden Manifesto principles. Articles focusing on chaos theory principles in health sciences, published in the last two decades, were included. The review encompassed 37 articles after screening 386 works. It revealed applications in outcome variation, surgical planning, simulations, decision-making, and emerging technologies. Potential applications include predicting infections, malignancies, dental fractures, and improving decision-making through disease prediction systems. Emerging technologies, despite criticisms, indicate advancements in AI integration, contributing to enhanced diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment strategies. Chaos theory, a distinct scientific framework, holds potential to revolutionize OMFS. Its integration with advanced techniques promises personalized, less traumatic surgeries and improved patient care. The interdisciplinary synergy of chaos theory and emerging technologies presents a future in which OMFS practices become more efficient, less traumatic, and achieve a level of precision never seen before.

[What do we know and what should we know about the imbalances of doctors in Spain? Diagnosis and proposals. SESPAS Report 2024]. / ¿Qué sabemos y qué deberíamos saber sobre los desequilibrios de médicos en España? Diagnóstico y propuestas. Informe SESPAS 2024.

This article characterizes the main features of the supply, demand, and labor markets for physicians in Spain, with an international and territorial perspective. It also presents some of the results of the simulation model for specialist physicians with a 2035 horizon and proposes strategic and short-term lines of action in the planning, regulation, and management of health professionals in Spain, with a focus on specialist physicians. In Spain there are high rates of physicians and medical graduates, but low rates of nurses, compared to other developed countries. Approximately 30% of practicing physicians (not considering residents) practice only in the private network. In the last two decades, competition from the private sector for health professionals has intensified, competing with the public network, which is subject to an excessively rigid regulatory framework. There is currently a shortage of physicians in some specialties, particularly in family medicine, which urgently needs specific incentives to stimulate vocations. Numbers consider only part of the story. The imbalances in the educational and labor markets are not resolved by creating vacancies, but by reforming the regulatory framework, the incentive systems, and the slack in public management to compete with the private sector in attracting and retaining talent.

[Experiences in human resources planning for health: The case of physicians. Data and models. SESPAS Report 2024]. / Experiencias de planificación de recursos humanos para la salud. El caso de los médicos. Datos y modelos. Informe SESPAS 2024.

Virtually all developed countries conduct physician planning exercises. We can learn from successful experiences. The modeling and projection of supply is technically complex, but it is a technical matter, whereas the assessment of demand or need, and therefore the outcome in terms of deficit or surplus, requires standards, usually in population ratios, which are based on expert judgments and belong to the normative universe. One type of technical problem insufficiently solved is that of converting "heads" into full time equivalents. Fortunately, progress is being made in the right direction. We need more and better information, in particular the State Register of Health Professionals, but even with the limitations of the data, it is necessary to plan. The Ministry of Health, the Autonomous Regions and other professional and union organizations regularly carry out planning exercises. We have high rates of physicians and graduates, and low rates of nurses, a growing number of physicians in both public and private practice, and short-term deficits in some specialties, particularly family medicine, which urgently needs specific incentives to stimulate vocations. The numbers tell only part of the story. The imbalances in the educational and labor markets are not resolved by creating vacancies, but rather by reforming the regulatory framework, incentive systems and public management slack to compete with the private sector in attracting and retaining talent.

The Value of Computed Tomography Scan in Three-dimensional Planning and Intraoperative Navigation in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a frequently performed procedure; the objective is restoration of native hip biomechanics and achieving functional range of motion (ROM) through precise positioning of the prosthetic components. Advanced three-dimensional (3D) imaging and computed tomography (CT)-based navigation are valuable tools in both the preoperative planning and intraoperative execution. The aim of this study is to provide a thorough overview on the applications of CT scans in both the preoperative and intraoperative settings of primary THA. Preoperative planning using CT-based 3D imaging enables greater accuracy in prediction of implant sizes, leading to enhancement of surgical workflow with optimization of implant inventory. Surgeons can perform a more thorough assessment of posterior and anterior acetabular wall coverage, acetabular osteophytes, anatomical landmarks, and thus achieve more functional implant positioning. Intraoperative CT-based navigation can facilitate precise execution of the preoperative plan, to attain optimal positioning of the prosthetic components to avoid impingement. Medial reaming can be minimized preserving native bone stock, which can enable restoration of femoral, acetabular, and combined offsets. In addition, it is associated with greater accuracy in leg length adjustment, a critical factor in patients' postoperative satisfaction. Despite the higher costs and radiation exposure, which currently limits its widespread adoption, it offers many benefits, and the increasing interest in robotic surgery has facilitated its integration into routine practice. Conducting additional research on ultra-low-dose CT scans and examining the potential for translation of 3D imaging into improved clinical outcomes will be necessary to warrant its expanded application.

O uso do planejamento virtual na cirurgia ortognática / The use of virtual planning in orthognathic surgery

Introdução: A cirurgia ortognática envolve manipulação da arquitetura óssea facial, através de osteotomias, para restaurar a forma e a função, corrigindo a má oclusão, as desproporções maxilomandibulares e assimetrias faciais. O planejamento virtual em cirurgia ortognática é realizado com ajuda de softwares que utilizam as medidas reais do esqueleto craniofacial e registros da oclusão do paciente, através de uma análise 3D. Método: Foram avaliados 18 pacientes com deformidades dentofaciais, de acordo com a classificação de Angle submetidos a cirurgia ortognática com o uso do planejamento virtual, entre 2018 e 2019. Os critérios de inclusão foram pacientes entre 16 e 60 anos com desproporções maxilo-mandibulares nas quais o tratamento ortodôntico isolado não era suficiente. Os critérios de exclusão foram a presença de lesões císticas ou tumorais nos maxilares e comorbidades clínicas que contraindicavam a cirurgia. O planejamento virtual foi realizado em todos os pacientes, utilizando o software Dolphin® Imaging 11 e os guias cirúrgicos confeccionados em impressora 3D. Resultados: O guia cirúrgico intermediário apresentou adaptação perfeita nas faces oclusais promovendo grande estabilidade para o reposicionamento e fixação da maxila na oclusão intermediária. Os 18 pacientes operados responderam como "totalmente satisfeitos" em relação ao resultado estético-funcional nessa série estudada. Foi encontrada uma semelhança muito grande da posição do esqueleto maxilofacial no planejamento virtual préoperatório e o obtido no pós-operatório, através da avaliação das telerradiografias. Conclusão: O planejamento virtual em cirurgia craniomaxilofacial possui inúmeras vantagens, como diminuição do tempo laboratorial pré-operatório, maior precisão na confecção dos guias cirúrgicos e melhor reprodutibilidade dos resultados simulados.

Introduction: Orthognathic surgery involves the manipulation of facial bone architecture through osteotomies to restore form and function, correcting malocclusion, maxillomandibular disproportions, and facial asymmetries. Virtual planning in orthognathic surgery is carried out with the help of software that uses real measurements of the craniofacial skeleton and records of the patient's occlusion through 3D analysis. Method: 18 patients with dentofacial deformities were evaluated, according to Angle's classification, who underwent orthognathic surgery using virtual planning between 2018 and 2019. The inclusion criteria were patients between 16 and 60 years old with maxylo-mandibular disproportions in which orthodontic treatment alone was not sufficient. Exclusion criteria were the presence of cystic or tumoral lesions in the jaw and clinical comorbidities that contraindicated surgery. Virtual planning was carried out on all patients, using Dolphin® Imaging 11 software and surgical guides made with a 3D printer. Results: The intermediate surgical guide presented perfect adaptation on the occlusal surfaces, promoting great stability for the repositioning and fixation of the maxilla in intermediate occlusion. The 18 operated patients responded as "completely satisfied" in relation to the aesthetic-functional result in this series studied. A very great similarity was found between the position of the maxillofacial skeleton in the preoperative virtual planning and that obtained post-operatively through the evaluation of teleradiography. Conclusion: Virtual planning in craniomaxillofacial surgery has numerous advantages, such as reduced pre-operative laboratory time, greater precision in the creation of surgical guides, and better reproducibility of simulated results.

Metodologías utilizadas por los profesionales de enfermería en la producción de videos educativos: revisión integradora / Methodologies used by Nursing professionals in the production of educational videos: An integrative review / Metodologias utilizadas pelos profissionais de enfermagem na produção de vídeos educativos: revisão integrativa

Objetivo: evaluar la evidencia científica sobre las metodologías que utilizan los profesionales de enfermería para producir videos educativos. Método: revisión integradora. La búsqueda de estudios primarios se realizó en las bases de datos CINAHL, LILACS y MEDLINE/PubMed. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 19 investigaciones. La calidad metodológica de los estudios incluidos se evaluó usando una herramienta propuesta por la Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice y los resultados se analizaron de forma descriptiva. Resultados: las etapas metodológicas utilizadas para el proceso de elaboración y realización de los videos incluyen preproducción, producción y postproducción. Los estudios revelan que, en general, los autores aplicaron y/o describieron correctamente las etapas, además contemplaban el método adoptado. Sin embargo, en 14 estudios no se utilizó un marco metodológico para garantizar el rigor en su realización y en 11 presentaron validación por parte del público objetivo. Conclusión: la síntesis de conocimientos mostró que aún hay necesidad de atención en la construcción de videos educativos en cuanto al marco metodológico y la validación por la población objetivo. La ejecución rigurosa de los procedimientos metodológicos necesarios para el desarrollo de videos educativos, para fomentar la adquisición de habilidades esenciales para la creación de material didáctico de alta calidad.

Objective: to evaluate the diverse scientific evidence on the methodologies used by Nursing professionals in the production of educational videos. Method: an integrative review. The search for primary studies was carried out in the CINAHL, LILACS and MEDLINE/PubMed databases. The sample consisted of 19 research studies. The methodological quality of the studies included was assessed using a tool proposed by the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice and the results were analyzed in a descriptive form. Results: the methodological stages used for the process to elaborate and make the videos include pre-production, production and post-production. The studies reveal that, for the most part, the stages were properly applied and/or described by the authors, in addition to contemplating the method adopted. However, in 14 studies there was no use of a methodological framework to ensure rigor in their conduction and in 11 presented validation by the target audience. Conclusion: the synthesis of knowledge showed that there is still a need for attention for the construction of educational videos regarding the methodological framework and validation by the target population. The rigorous execution of the methodological procedures necessary for the development of educational videos, aiming to encourage the acquisition of essential skills for the creation of high-quality teaching materials.

Objetivo: avaliar as evidências científicas sobre as metodologias utilizadas pelos profissionais de enfermagem na produção de vídeos educativos. Método: revisão integrativa. A busca dos estudos primários foi realizada nas bases de dados CINAHL, LILACS e MEDLINE/PubMed. A amostra foi composta por 19 pesquisas. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos incluídos foi avaliada por meio ferramenta proposta por Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice e os resultados foram analisados de forma descritiva. Resultados: as etapas metodológicas utilizadas para o processo de elaboração e construção dos vídeos compreendem a pré-produção, produção e pós-produção. Os estudos revelaram que, majoritariamente, as etapas foram aplicadas e/ou descritas corretamente pelos autores, além de contemplar o método adotado. No entanto, em 14 estudos não houve a utilização de referencial metodológico para assegurar o rigor em sua condução e em 11 apresentaram a validação pelo público-alvo. Conclusão: a síntese de conhecimento mostrou que ainda há necessidade de atenção para a construção de vídeos educativos quanto ao referencial metodológico e validação pela população-alvo. A execução rigorosa dos procedimentos metodológicos para o desenvolvimento de vídeos educacionais, permitem fomentar a aquisição de habilidades essenciais para a criação de materiais didáticos de elevada qualidade.

Dosimetric assessment of the mono and dual-isocentric VMAT technique based on flattening filter-free beams for SBRT with non-contiguous spinal targets.

The study aimed to evaluate the planning characteristics of spinal stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using mono- and dual-isocentric volumetrically modulated arc therapy (VMAT) techniques. The dosimetric indices were compared between different beam arrangement techniques for spinal SBRT planning, including spinal cord avoidance, planning target volume (PTV) dose coverage, conformity, homogeneity, and gradient index. A total of 8 PTVs were contoured on RANDO phantom computed tomography (CT) images, with 4 PTVs per section of the spine (thoracic and lumbar). VMAT plans for each PTV were generated using 4 different beam arrangement techniques with a 6-MV FFF photon beam, two of which were mono-isocentric (MI) and 2 of which were dual-isocentric (DI). Dose calculations for all plans were performed using the Acuros XB algorithm. The study found that when non-contiguous spinal lesions are widely spaced, it may be more effective to use 4-Arcs DI to generate a better homogeneity index and gradient index, whereas 2-Arcs MI was beneficial for closely spaced lesions. Furthermore, the use of more arcs with a dual isocenter reduced the volume of partial cord receiving 10 Gy (V10Gy), maximum dose to 0.03 cc of partial cord (D0.03cc), and monitor units (MUs). The results showed that DI has a higher plan quality than MI for treating non-contiguous spine SBRT, with better homogeneity and a lower dose to the spinal cord, as well as comparable tumor coverage, delivery accuracy, and adequate tumour coverage. 4-Arcs DI had the sharpest dose falloff and achieved the lowest overall spinal cord doses at the expense of twice the treatment time as 2Arcs-MI. These results could help figure out which VMAT beam arrangements are best for treating non-contiguous spinal tumors.

Criteria for selection and classification of studies in medical events

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of study methodology and evaluation type on the selection of studies during the presentation of scientific events. METHODS: A prospective, observational, transversal approach was applied to a cohort of studies that were submitted for presentation at the 2021 Brazilian Breast Cancer Symposium. Three forms of criteria (CR) were presented. CR1 was based on six criteria (method, ethics, design, originality, promotion, and social contribution); CR2 graded the studies from 0 to 10 for each study, and CR3 was based on five criteria (presentation, method, originality, scientific knowledge, and social contribution). To evaluate the item correlation, Cronbach's alpha and factorial analysis were performed. For the evaluation of differences between the tests, we used the Kruskal-Wallis and post-hoc Dunn tests. To determine the differences in the study classifications, we used the Friedman test and Namenyi's all-pairs comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 122 studies were evaluated. There was also a good correlation with the items concerning criterion 1 (α=0.730) and 3 (α=0.937). Evaluating CR1 methodology, study design and social contribution (p=0.741) represents the main factor and CR3 methodology, and the scientific contribution (p=0.994) represents the main factor. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed differences in the results (p<0.001) for all the criteria that were used [CR1-CR2 (p<0.001), CR1-CR3 (p<0.001), and CR2-CR3 (p=0.004)]. The Friedman test showed differences in the ranking of the studies (p<0.001) for all studies (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Methodologies that use multiple criteria show good correlation and should be taken into account when ranking the best studies.

Dose Agreement Analysis of Treatment Planning System-Calculated Doses and Markus Chamber-Measured Doses in the Near-Surface Region for Breast Cancer Patients' Conformal Treatment Plans.

Background: Surface/skin dose measurement is one of the most challenging tasks for clinical dosimetry in radiotherapy and comparison with almost all the commercially available treatment planning systems (TPSs) brings a significant variation with the measured dose. Aims and Objectives: In the current study, doses calculated from the TPS in the near-surface region for conformal plans (both three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy [3DCRT] and intensity-modulated radiotherapy [IMRT]) of 35 breast cancer patients were evaluated and compared with the doses measured with Markus chamber. Materials and Methods: The computed tomography (CT) images of a solid water slab phantom with a Markus chamber (at different depths ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm from the surface) were taken and imported into the TPS. All the conformal treatment plans made in TPS were executed on a linear accelerator and dose agreements between TPS calculated and chamber measured doses were analysed. Results: Results showed that this TPS underestimated the calculated doses in the superficial region by up to 26% and 21%, respectively, with respect to mean and maximum dose values obtained within the effective volume of the chamber used. Conclusion: The uncertainty of doses in the superficial region should be kept in mind when evaluating treatment plans for superficial tumours in TPS.

Potential gains: Comparison of a mono-isocentric three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) planning technique to hybrid intensity-modulated radiotherapy (hIMRT) to the whole breast and supraclavicular fossa (SCF) region.

INTRODUCTION: Until late 2018, standard of practice at the Northern Sydney Cancer Centre (NSCC) for breast and nodal treatment was a conformal mono-isocentric technique. A planning study comparing an existing mono-isocentric three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) planning technique to a hybrid intensity-modulated radiotherapy (hIMRT) approach for the whole breast and supraclavicular fossa (SCF) region was undertaken with the aim to improve plan quality by improving dose conformity/homogeneity across target volumes and reducing hotspots outside the target. METHODS: A cohort of 17 patients was retrospectively planned using the proposed hIMRT technique, keeping the same planning constraints as the original treated breast and SCF 3D-CRT plan and normalising the 3D-CRT plans to achieve minimum breast/SCF target coverage to compare organs at risk (OARs). Normal tissue index (NTI) and homogeneity index (HI) were compared for plan quality as well as for evaluating OARs. RESULTS: The hIMRT technique showed statistically significant improvements in NTI and HI, as well as improvement in maximum brachial plexus and thyroid doses. There was a negligible increase in maximum oesophagus dose which could be improved if used in optimisation. Other OAR doses in the irradiated region were comparable to the 3D-CRT plans, however maximum doses were reduced overall. CONCLUSION: The hIMRT planning technique maintained clinically acceptable doses to OARs and reduced normal tissue dose while maintaining equivalent dose coverage to breast and SCF planning target volumes with improved conformity and homogeneity. The reduction in maximum doses promotes a favourable toxicity profile, with potential benefit of improved long-term cosmesis.

Dosimetric evaluation of different planning techniques based on flattening filter-free beams for central and peripheral lung stereotactic body radiotherapy.

This study aimed to dosimetrically compare and evaluate the flattening filter-free (FFF) photon beam-based three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). RANDO phantom computed tomography (CT) images were used for treatment planning. Gross tumor volumes (GTVs) were delineated in the central and peripheral lung locations. Planning target volumes (PTVs) was determined by adding a 5 mm margin to the GTV. 3DCRT, IMRT, and VMAT plans were generated using a 6-MV FFF photon beam. Dose calculations for all plans were performed using the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB algorithms. The accuracy of the algorithms was validated using the dose measured in a CIRS thorax phantom. The conformity index (CI), high dose volume (HDV), low dose location (D2cm), and homogeneity index (HI) improved with FFF-VMAT compared to FFF-IMRT and FFF-3DCRT, while low dose volume (R50%) and gradient index (GI) showed improvement with FFF-3DCRT. Compared with FFF-3DCRT, a drastic decrease in the mean treatment time (TT) value was observed with FFF-VMAT for different lung sites between 57.09% and 60.39%, while with FFF-IMRT it increased between 10.78% and 17.49%. The dose calculation with Acuros XB was found to be superior to that of AAA. Based on the comparison of dosimetric indices in this study, FFF-VMAT provides a superior treatment plan to FFF-IMRT and FFF-3DCRT in the treatment of peripheral and central lung PTVs. This study suggests that Acuros XB is a more accurate algorithm than AAA in the lung region.

Dynamic changes of mitral valve annulus geometry at preprocedural CT: relationship with functional classes of regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: We investigated mitral valve annular geometry changes during the cardiac cycle in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) who underwent cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) prior to percutaneous mitral valve replacement or annuloplasty. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with severe MR and high surgical risk (Carpentier classification: 3 type I, 16 type II, 16 type IIIa, 16 type IIIb) underwent multiphase electrocardiographically gated (0-90%) CCTA, using a second generation dual-source CT scanner, as pre-procedural planning. Twenty-one patients without MR served as controls. The mitral valve annulus was segmented every 10% step of the R-R interval, according to the D-shaped segmentation model, and differences among groups were analysed by t-test or ANOVA. RESULTS: Mitral annular area and diameters were larger in MR patients compared to controls, particularly in type II. Mitral annular area varied in MR patients throughout the cardiac cycle (mean ± standard deviation of maximum and minimum area 15.6 ± 3.9 cm2 versus 13.0 ± 3.5 cm2, respectively; p = 0.001), with greater difference between annular areas versus controls (2.59 ± 1.61 cm2 and 1.98 ± 0.6 cm2, p < 0.001). The largest dimension was found in systolic phases (20-40%) in most of MR patients (n = 27, 53%), independent of Carpentier type (I: n = 1, 33%; II: n = 10, 63%; IIIa: n = 8, 50%; IIIb: n = 8, 50%), and in protodiastolic phases (n = 14, 67%) for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In severe MR, mitral annular area varied significantly throughout the cardiac cycle, with a tendency towards larger dimensions in systole.

Developing a programme theory for a transdisciplinary research collaboration: Complex Urban Systems for Sustainability and Health.

Background: Environmental improvement is a priority for urban sustainability and health and achieving it requires transformative change in cities. An approach to achieving such change is to bring together researchers, decision-makers, and public groups in the creation of research and use of scientific evidence. Methods: This article describes the development of a programme theory for Complex Urban Systems for Sustainability and Health (CUSSH), a four-year Wellcome-funded research collaboration which aims to improve capacity to guide transformational health and environmental changes in cities. Results: Drawing on ideas about complex systems, programme evaluation, and transdisciplinary learning, we describe how the programme is understood to "work" in terms of its anticipated processes and resulting changes. The programme theory describes a chain of outputs that ultimately leads to improvement in city sustainability and health (described in an 'action model'), and the kinds of changes that we expect CUSSH should lead to in people, processes, policies, practices, and research (described in a 'change model'). Conclusions: Our paper adds to a growing body of research on the process of developing a comprehensive understanding of a transdisciplinary, multiagency, multi-context programme. The programme theory was developed collaboratively over two years. It involved a participatory process to ensure that a broad range of perspectives were included, to contribute to shared understanding across a multidisciplinary team. Examining our approach allowed an appreciation of the benefits and challenges of developing a programme theory for a complex, transdisciplinary research collaboration. Benefits included the development of teamworking and shared understanding and the use of programme theory in guiding evaluation. Challenges included changing membership within a large group, reaching agreement on what the theory would be 'about', and the inherent unpredictability of complex initiatives.

Action and coping plans related to the behavior of adherence to oral anti-diabetic medication / Planos de ação e de enfrentamento de obstáculos relacionados ao comportamento de adesão aos antidiabéticos orais

ABSTRACT: Study Design: This mixed-methods study. Objective: To describe action plans related to the behavior of adher-ence to oral antidiabetic medications produced by people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and identify the challenges and coping strategies for the establishment of this behavior. Methods: The study followed-up 44 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who used oral antidiabetic medications from southeast Brazil. Adults were invited to build action and coping plans based on the Implementation Intention Theory.The plans were quantitative and qualitatively ana-lyzed. Results: Action plans included three major themes: (1) binding oral antidiabetic medication to time markers or the sleep/wake cycle; (2) in specific environments; (3) associated with daily life activities. The motivation for coping with the perceived barriers focused on placing the pills in visible places, asking for help from family mem-bers, establishing a routine and feeding properly. Conclusions: The most effective way to manage satisfactory oral antidiabetic medication adherence seems to be recognizing the perceived barriers by patients. The implementation of specific and individualized action and coping plans to overcome perceived barriers was the stark difference. (AU)

RESUMO: Desenho do estudo: Estudo de método misto. Objetivo: Descrever planos de ação relacionados ao comportamento de adesão aos antidiabéticos orais elaborados por pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e identificar as barreiras percebidas e respectivas estratégias de enfrentamento para efetivação desse comportamento. Métodos: O estudo envolveu 44 pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que utilizavam antidiabéticos orais na região sudeste do Brasil. Adultos foram convidados a construir os planos de ação e de enfrentamento de obstáculos baseados sobre a Teoria da Ativação da Intenção. Os planos foram analisados quantitativa e qualitativamente. Resultados: Os planos de ação incluíram três temas principais: (1) Associar a tomada dos antidiabéticos orais aos marcadores de tempo ou ao ciclo de sono / vigília; (2) em ambientes específicos; (3) associados às atividades de vida diária. Os planos de enfrentamento das barreiras percebidas centraram-se em colocar os comprimidos em locais visíveis, pedir ajuda aos familiares para evitar esquecimento, estabelecer rotina e alimentar-se adequadamente. Conclusões: A forma mais eficaz de manejar a tomada de antidiabéticos orais de modo satisfatório parece ser o reconhecimento das barreiras percebidas pela própria pessoa. A implementação de ações específicas e individualizadas bem como de planos de enfrentamento para superar as barreiras percebidas foi o diferencial neste estudo. (AU)

The Process of Modeling Information System Architectures with IHE.

IHE has defined more than 200 integration profiles in order to improve the interoperability of application systems in healthcare. These profiles describe how standards should be used in particular use cases. These profiles are very helpful but their correct use is challenging, if the user is not familiar to the specifications. Therefore, inexperienced modelers of information systems quickly lose track of existing IHE profiles. In addition, the users of these profiles are often not aware of rules that are defined within these profiles and of dependencies that exist between the profiles. There are also modelers that do not notice the differences between the implemented actors, because they do not know the optional capabilities of some actors. The aim of this paper is therefore to describe a concept how modelers of information systems can be supported in the selection and use of IHE profiles and how this concept was prototypically implemented in the "Three-layer Graph-based meta model" modeling tool (3LGM2 Tool). The described modeling process consists of the following steps that can be looped: defining the use case, choosing suitable integration profiles, choosing actors and their options and assigning them to application systems, checking for required actor groupings and modeling transactions. Most of these steps were implemented in the 3LGM2 Tool. Further implementation effort and evaluation of our approach by inexperienced users is needed. But after that our tool should be a valuable tool for modelers planning healthcare information system architectures, in particular those based on IHE.

Single isocenter treatment planning techniques for stereotactic radiosurgery of multiple cranial metastases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whole brain radiation therapy use has decreased in favor of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of multiple brain metastases due to reduced neurotoxicity. Here we compare two single isocenter radiosurgery planning techniques, volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and dynamic conformal arcs (DCA) in terms of their dosimetric and delivery performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with 2- 18 brain metastases (total 103; median 4) previously treated with single fraction SRS were replanned for multiple lesion single isocenter treatments using VMAT and DCA using different treatment planning systems for each and three different plan geometries for DCA. Plans were evaluated using the Paddick conformity index, normal tissue V12Gy, the probability for symptomatic brain necrosis (S-NEC), maximum organ-at-risk (OAR) point doses, and total number of monitor units (MU). RESULTS: Conformity was not significantly different between VMAT and DCA plans. VMAT plans showed a trend towards higher MU with a median difference between 18% and 24% (p ≤ 0.09). Median V12Gy differences were 7.0 cm3-8.6 cm3 favoring DCA plans (p < 0.01). VMAT plans had median excess absolute and relative S-NEC risks compared to DCA plans of 8%-10% and 25%-31%, respectively (p < 0.01). Moreover for VMAT compared to DCA, maximum OAR doses were significantly higher for the brainstem (1.9 Gy; p < 0.01), chiasm (0.5 Gy; p ≤ 0.02), and optic nerves (0.5 Gy; p ≤ 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In most cases DCA plans were found to be dosimetrically superior to VMAT plans with reduced V12Gy and associated risk for S-NEC. Maximum doses to important OARs showed significant improvement, increasing the ability for subsequent salvage treatments involving radiation.

Efficient in-house 3D printing of an orthognathic splint for single-jaw cases.

The purpose of this paper is to outline a simple and effective digital protocol for in-house 3D-printing of orthognathic splints for use during single-jaw orthognathic surgery. Using this protocol, an intraoral scanner, and virtual planning software, computer-designed splints were fabricated by a rapid prototyping machine in-house. The protocol was utilized for 35 consecutive patients requiring single-jaw orthognathic surgery between January 2019 and March 2020. The total time from initial scan to splint fabrication for each case was between 5 and 9hours, including 3minutes for scanning of models, 4.5minutes for development of the splint, and 4-8hours for rapid prototyping and post-processing. This time varied based on the complexity of the design and the number of splints printed simultaneously. The average cost of raw materials for each splint was $0.73 Canadian dollars.

Methods to optimize conformal dynamic arcs in radiation therapy treatment planning.

Conformal Dynamic Arcs (CDA) can provide a useful alternative in certain clinical situations which require a higher level of 3-dimensional (3D) conformation than shaped static fields but for which modulated fields (fixed or arc) are inappropriate. Due to lack of modulation, the quality of the dose distribution produced by a CDA is highly dependent on the specific patient geometry. The ideal geometry for a CDA, in terms of achievable conformation and uniformity, is a spherical target perfectly centered in a cylindrical medium or body and utilizing a full 360 degree of rotation. This manuscript will provide or review several methods a treatment planner may employ to improve dose distributions produced by CDA as the patient and/or target geometry or degrees of arc rotation vary from the ideal. These include: 1. Weighting arc segments to improve homogeneity. 2. Defining asymmetric margins for fitting leaves. 3. Hybrid static/CDA compensating for CDA with limited degrees of rotations. 4. Improving conformation in irregular target via use of pseudo-PTV. 5. Creating concave features via the use of avoidance structures. 6. Editing CDA multi-leaf collimator (MLC) to remove irregular hot spots.

Ensuring intervention success: Assessing fit as an overlooked step of the implementation process.

Ensuring fit between a service and the implementing context is a critical but often overlooked precursor of implementation success. This commentary proposes five key considerations that should be evaluated when exploring fit: alignment with needs and metrics; alignment with organizational resources and capabilities; alignment with organizational priorities and culture; alignment with reimbursement mechanisms for long-term sustainability; and alignment with the regulatory environment. Successful uptake and implementation hinges on careful planning and, most importantly, appropriate fit between the service and the implementing environment.