Validation of the Patient Activation Measure in kidney stone disease patients.

Introduction: We aimed to validate the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) within a kidney stone disease (KSD) population, determine the variability of patient activation within this population, and characterize relationships between activation and variables such as health literacy, quality of life, and demographics.

Methods: This cross-sectional study includes individuals 18 years or older followed for KSD at University of Montreal Hospital Center. Demographic data and responses for the PAM, Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life scale, and health literacy questionnaire (HLQ) were acquired.

Call the experts: identifying stakeholders in the long-term care of youth with hypospadias.

Long-term follow-up for individuals with hypospadias remains a critical area of need, yet evidence-based guidelines for such follow-up are lacking, and the role of involvement of relevant experts is not yet established. Using our hypospadias-specific health-related quality of life conceptual framework and a subsequent qualitative study of prepubertal males and parents of males with hypospadias, we identified potential priorities for long-term follow-up of youth with hypospadias. Using thematic codes from our patient and parent interviews, we searched PubMed for relevant articles and identified the specialties represented by all the authors of these articles.

A Patient-Prioritized Research Agenda for Clinical Trials in Kidney Stone Disease.

Purpose: To ensure that research on kidney stones provides meaningful impact for the kidney stone community, patients and caregivers should be engaged as stakeholders in clinical trial design, starting at study inception. This project aimed to elicit, refine, and prioritize research ideas from kidney stone stakeholders to develop a patient-centered research agenda for clinical trials.

Materials And Methods: The Kidney Stone Engagement Core, a group of patients, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, and researchers, executed an iterative process of surveys and focus groups to elicit and refine research themes, which were then translated into research questions.

MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTATION INCREASES URINE MAGNESIUM AND CITRATE IN STONE FORMERS WITH HYPOMAGNESURIA.

Objectives: To compare the effects of magnesium repletion by a foods-alone approach or by magnesium supplementation on urinary magnesium and citrate excretion in patients with urine magnesium <70 mg/day.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients in our stone prevention practice who were advised to start a magnesium supplement (Sup), 250-500 mg/d, or increase dietary magnesium consumption. We included adults with 24h UMg <70 mg, those who received magnesium recommendations (corroborated by the dietitian's clinical notes), and those with a follow-up 24h urine collection ≤18 months.

Advancements in surgical education: exploring animal and simulation models in fetal and neonatal surgery training.

Introduction: Surgical education is undergoing a transformation, moving away from traditional models towards more modern approaches that integrate experiential and didactic methods. This shift is particularly pertinent in the realm of fetal and neonatal surgery, where specialized training is crucial. Historical training methods, such as cadaveric dissection, have been prevalent for centuries, but newer innovations, including animal and non-animal simulation models, are gaining prominence.