Building Surgical Character: A Dynamic Simulation Curriculum for Nontechnical Skills.

Objective: Previous simulation curricula of nontechnical skills have focused on communication skills or empathy in isolation from technical skills, using feedback from one rater. We aimed to develop and pilot an expanded simulation curriculum focused on situational performance of select character attributes with the goal of determining curricular feasibility, use of a novel psychometric rating tool, and receptivity of curriculum by participants.

Design: The simulation consisted of 2 contiguous parts requiring demonstration of both technical and nontechnical skills.

Health state utilities associated with invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumonia, and recurrent acute otitis media in young children.

Purpose: Cost-utility analyses examining the value of new vaccines for pneumococcal disease will require health state utilities as inputs. Existing utilities for pneumococcal infections in young children are limited. The purpose of this study was to estimate health state utilities associated with pneumococcal infections in young children.

Quantum-State Renormalization in Semiconductor Nanoparticles.

A single photoexcited electron-hole pair within a polar semiconductor nanocrystal (SNC) alters the charge screening and shielding within it. Perturbations of the crystal lattice and of the valence and conduction bands result, and the quantum-confinement states in a SNC shift uniquely with a dependence on the states occupied by the carriers. This shifting is termed quantum-state renormalization (QSR).

Student and Attending Preceptor Perceptions of Longitudinal Clinic as a Surgical Education and Assessment Tool.

Introduction: As undergraduate medical education becomes increasingly longitudinal, particular attention is needed to maintain sufficient exposure to surgical disciplines. While traditional medical student clerkships are isolated 4 to 8-wk blocks on a single service, one unique adjunct to the traditional clerkship model is the continuity clinic (CC): a weekly longitudinal requirement that occurs either during the traditional clerkship or following clerkships while conducting independent research. This study compares attending surgeon and medical student perceptions of important characteristics in evaluating a student in CC and the perceived utility of this experience in assessment and preparation for subinternships.

How Attachment to Dogs and to Other Humans Relate to Mental Health.

It is unclear how pet ownership is related to mental health, with some previous research suggesting pet owners have better mental health, while other research suggests they have worse mental health. Some researchers have suggested that it may be more useful to investigate the bond people feel with their pets and how this may impact mental health; however, this too has led to mixed results. This study examined how owners' attachment to their dogs was associated with mental health and how this compared to their attachment relationships with other humans in a sample of 607 dog owners.

Association of Socioeconomic Status and Reasons for Companion Animal Relinquishment.

It is important to understand the reasons for companion animal relinquishment to help reduce the financial and ethical problems arising from too many dogs and cats in shelters. This study investigates the socioeconomic factors and reasons behind companion animal relinquishment in Australia, utilizing data from five animal shelters, over a five-year period (Financial Year 2018/19 to 2022/23). Descriptive statistics reveal that the median Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) decile of companion animal guardians who relinquished their companion animal was decile 4 out of 10, indicating that they live in areas of lower-than-average socioeconomic status.

Exploring the Benefits of Dog-Assisted Therapy for the Treatment of Complex Trauma in Children: A Systematic Review.

Background: The manifestation of complex trauma results from exposure to severe and repetitive stressors occurring within the caregiver system. Frequently associated with child maltreatment, complex trauma can lead to impairments in multiple domains, including attachment, affect and behavioural regulation, and cognition. Treatments, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, have been shown to be efficacious, but high attrition rates point to the need for complementary methods that boost client retention and treatment efficacy.

elution of amikacin, cefazolin, gentamicin, ampicillin/sulbactam, and meropenem from a commercially available calcium sulfate delivery kit.

Introduction: The use of implantable antibiotic beads has become a frequent treatment modality for the management of surgical site infections in human and veterinary medicine. The objective of this study is to describe the elution kinetics of five antibiotics from a commercially available calcium sulfate antibiotic delivery kit. A secondary goal was to compare elution concentrations with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for commonly encountered bacteria from the University of Florida's veterinary microbiology laboratory database.

The Surgical Clerkship in the COVID Era: A Natural Language Processing and Thematic Analysis.

Introduction: Responses to COVID-19 within medical education prompted significant changes to the surgical clerkship. We analyzed the changes in medical student end of course feedback before and after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: Postclerkship surveys from 2017 to 2022 were analyzed including both Likert scale data and free text, excluding the COVID outbreak year 2019-2020.

Contemporary trends and outcomes after liver transplantation and resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) has been shown to be superior to resection in highly selected patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), yet has traditionally been contraindicated for intrahepatic CCA (iCCA). Herein, we aimed to examine contemporary trends and outcomes for surgical resection and LT for iCCA.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients presenting with stage I-III iCCA between 2010 and 2018 who underwent resection or LT.

Australian families of deaf and hard of hearing children: Are they using sign?

Background: Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children may experience communication delays, irrespective of early intervention and technology. Australian Sign Language (Auslan) is one approach in early intervention to address language delays. Current prevalence of Auslan use among Australian families with DHH children is unknown.

Contemporary trends in choledochal cyst excision: An analysis of the pediatric national surgical quality improvement program.

Background: Choledochal cysts are rare congenital anomalies of the biliary tree that may lead to obstruction, chronic inflammation, infection, and malignancy. There is wide variation in the timing of resection, operative approach, and reconstructive techniques. Outcomes have rarely been compared on a national level.

Speech and language in DDX3X-neurodevelopmental disorder: A call for early augmentative and alternative communication intervention.

Pathogenic variants in DDX3X are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Communication impairments are commonly reported, yet specific speech and language diagnoses have not been delineated, preventing prognostic counseling and targeted therapies. Here, we characterized speech and language in 38 female individuals, aged 1.

Health state utilities associated with weight loss: preferences of people with type 2 diabetes and obesity in Japan.

Aims: Health state utilities associated with weight change are needed for cost-utility analyses (CUAs) examining the value of treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Previous studies have estimated the utility benefits associated with various amounts of weight reduction in the US and Europe, but preferences for weight change in Asian cultures may differ from these published values. The purpose of this study was to estimate utilities associated with reductions in body weight based on preferences of individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity in Japan.

Qualitative interviews to support development of a patient-reported companion measure to the Glucocorticoid Toxicity Index.

Introduction: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are associated with multiple toxicities that have substantial impact on patients. We conducted qualitative interviews with patients to identify the toxicities that are most relevant from their perspective, with the goal of creating a patient-reported companion measure to the Glucocorticoid Toxicity Index (GTI), a clinician-facing instrument.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with recent or current GC use participated in concept elicitation interviews.

An Investigation of Meat Eating in Samples from Australia and Germany: The Role of Justifications, Perceptions, and Empathy.

Despite concerns about animal welfare, and health and environmental issues associated with eating meat, meat consumption has continued to increase worldwide, including in Australia. One exception to this is Germany, with 2021 meat consumption levels being the lowest in the last 30 years. This pre-registered study investigated socio-cultural variables associated with meat consumption in Germany ( = 399) and Australia ( = 399) in a cross-sectional online survey.

Health State Utilities Associated with False-Positive Cancer Screening Results.

Introduction: Early cancer detection can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality rates. Novel cancer screening approaches, including multi-cancer early detection tests, have been developed. Cost-utility analyses will be needed to examine their value, and these models require health state utilities.

Sexual Health Behaviors and Knowledge Among Ugandan Adolescent Girls: Implications for Advancing Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Technology.

Background: Adolescent girls in Uganda have four-fold HIV infections than adolescent boys. Several barriers to accessing comprehensive sexual health education exist for adolescent girls in Uganda, including unequal, social, and economic statuses, limited access to education and health care services, discrimination, and violence.

Objective: This study qualitatively examines sexual health behaviors and literacy among Ugandan adolescent girls and explores how technology may be leveraged to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes in this population.

Surgical Residents as Clerkship Scholars May Improve Student Perception of the Surgery Clerkship.

Introduction: The surgical clerkship is a formative experience in the medical school curriculum and can leave a lasting impression on students' perception of surgery. Given the historical negative stereotypes of surgeons, the clerkship represents an opportunity to impact students in a meaningful way.

Methods: Our institution developed a program in which research residents can serve as junior clerkship coordinators and educators; working closely with medical students on their surgery clerkship.

Do Organizational Values and Leadership Impact Staff Engagement, Wellbeing, and Patient Satisfaction?

Purpose: Organizational culture has been shown to be an important characteristic that influences behaviors of groups and individuals within an organization. This study seeks to examine the relationships among various organizational values, staff engagement, staff wellbeing, and patient satisfaction in community hospitals.

Participants And Methods: Organizational values and engagement data were retrieved from all-staff survey results from 387 clinical units at Mayo Clinic Health Systems.

Evaluation of the Electronic Clinical Dementia Rating for Dementia Screening.

Importance: The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) is a well-validated instrument widely used to detect and stage dementia due to Alzheimer disease. The digital Electronic Clinical Dementia Rating (eCDR) can be remotely self-administered and automatically scored, with potential to facilitate efficient dementia screening and staging.

Objective: To evaluate the association of the eCDR with the CDR and other in-clinic assessments for screening older adults for cognitive impairment.