Doppler US of the liver made simple.

Doppler ultrasonography (US) is usually the first-line modality for evaluating flow in native liver vessels and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS). Waveforms, which represent flow in each of the major vessels and in TIPS, have been well described. The appearance of these waveforms should be recognized, and the mechanisms behind their generation should be understood by those interpreting these examinations.

Educational effectiveness of a personal digital assistant-based geriatric assessment tool.

Background: Although personal digital assistant use among residents is common, few outcomes-based studies have examined the impact of this technology on medical education.

Aims: We evaluated the educational effectiveness of a personal digital assistant-based geriatric assessment tool.

Methods: Internal medicine residents were enrolled as subjects.

Management of inpatient hyperglycemia: assessing perceptions and barriers to care among resident physicians.

Objective: To develop insight into resident physician attitudes about inpatient hyperglycemia and determine perceived barriers to optimal management.

Methods: As part of a planned educational program, a questionnaire was designed and administered to determine the opinions of residents about the importance of inpatient glucose control, their perceptions about what glucose ranges were desirable, and the problems they encountered when trying to manage hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients.

Results: Of 70 resident physicians from various services, 52 completed the survey (mean age, 31 years; 48% men; 37% in first year of residency training).