Engaging community members to ensure culturally specific language is used in research: should I use gay, queer, MSM, or this other new acronym?

Researchers often use terminology to define their participant groups that is rooted in a clinical understanding of the group's shared identity(ies). Such naming often ignores the ways that the individuals who comprise these populations identify themselves. One oft-cited benefit of patient-oriented or community-engaged research is that language is local and relevant to impacted communities.

Navigating imperfect policies to donate plasma: Survey on plasma donation and a pilot plasma donation program among men who have sex with men in Canada.

Background: In 2021, Canada implemented a pilot plasma program allowing some sexually active men who have sex with men (including but not limited to gay and bisexual men; gbMSM) to donate plasma. Changes to plasma donation policy could help address inequities in access to plasma donation and increase Canada's domestically collected plasma supply if more gbMSM donate as a result. We aimed to (1) examine views regarding plasma donation and the pilot program prior to implementation and (2) identify modifiable theory-informed predictors of gbMSM's intention to donate plasma.

Improved access yet inequitable experience: gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men's views of more inclusive criteria for source plasma donation.

Background: Canada has incrementally reduced restrictions to blood and plasma donation that impact men who have sex with men, gay, bisexual, and queer men, and some Two Spirit, transgender and non-binary individuals (MSM/2SGBTQ+). Prior to the launch of a pilot program in 2021 enabling some MSM/2SGBTQ + to donate source plasma, we explored the acceptability of the program among individuals who could become eligible to donate in the program.

Methods: We invited men identifying as MSM/2SGBTQ + to participate in two consecutive semi-structured interviews to explore their views on blood and plasma donation policy, plasma donation, and the proposed Canadian plasma donation program.

Understanding cultural and logistical contexts for urologists in low-income countries.

The provision of effective urological management in low- and middle-income countries requires the delivery of appropriate and effective care adapted to the needs, capability and resources of the host country. However, a deeper cognisance of the culture, the religious practices and the logistics of healthcare in that environment determines the ability to effectively to 'twin', that is, to provide a long-term healthcare partnership. Patient beliefs can have profound effects on the understanding of the aetiology of illness, its relevance to their long-term health and the stigmatization of their family's social status.

Barriers and enablers to source plasma donation by gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men under revised eligibility criteria: protocol for a multiple stakeholder feasibility study.

Background: Blood donation policy in Canada for gay, bisexual and other men who have had sex with men (gbMSM) has changed progressively in the last decade from indefinite deferral to 3-month deferral from last male-to-male sex. Driven by safety data and overseen by the national regulator, more inclusive policies continue to redress the disparity in donation for gbMSM. At the same time, the need for source plasma to prepare fractionated blood products is growing worldwide.

Development of a clinical prediction model to calculate patient life expectancy: the measure of actuarial life expectancy (MALE).

Objectives: To develop a clinical prediction model enabling the calculation of an individual patient's life expectancy (LE) and survival probability based on age, sex, and comorbidity for use in the joint decision-making process regarding medical treatment.

Methods: A computer software program was developed with a team of 3 clinicians, 2 professional actuaries, and 2 professional computer programmers. This incorporated statistical spreadsheet and database access design methods.

Discussing life expectancy with surgical patients: do patients want to know and how should this information be delivered?

Background: Predicted patient life expectancy (LE) and survival probability (SP), based on a patient's medical history, are important components of surgical decision-making and informed consent. The objective of this study was to assess patients' interpretation of and desire to know information relating to LE, in addition to establishing the most effective format for discussion.

Methods: A cross sectional survey of 120 patients (mean age = 68.

Proxy assessment of quality of life in patients with prostate cancer: how accurate are partners and urologists?

Objectives: To assess the ability of partners and clinicians to make proxy judgements on behalf of patients with prostate cancer relating to selection of life priorities and quality of life (QoL).

Design: 47 consecutive patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma, and their partners, were recruited. The partners were asked to assess, by proxy, the QoL of the patient by completion of a series of interview-led questionnaires assessing global QoL (SEIQoL-DW), health-related QoL (FACT-P) and overall QoL (visual analogue score [VAS]).

Analysis of consultant decision-making in the management of prostate cancer.

The purpose of this study was to assess the consistency of decision-making among consultant urologists in the management of early prostate cancer. Thirty-two UK urology consultants completed a questionnaire containing 70 paper scenarios representing patients with early prostate cancer. Within these were 13 repeat cases to allow assessment of reliability of decision-making.

Clinical judgment analysis of the parameters used by consultant urologists in the management of prostate cancer.

Purpose: We assessed which clinical parameters consultant urologists use to recommend treatment for early prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 30 consultant urologists reviewed 70 paper representations of patients with prostate cancer. Each contained 7 commonly available cues, including prostate specific antigen, Gleason grade, rectal examination, magnetic resonance imaging/laparoscopic stage, medical history, patient choice and age, in addition to 2 cues not yet routinely available, that is predicted life expectancy and 10-year survival probability, as calculated using actuarial formulas based on noncancer comorbidity.

The measurement of response shift in patients with advanced prostate cancer and their partners.

Background: There is increasing evidence to support the phenomenon of response shift (RS) in quality of life (QoL) studies, with many current QoL measures failing to allow for this. If significant response shift occurs amongst prostate cancer patients, it will be necessary to allow for this in the design of future clinical research and to reassess the conclusions of previous studies that have not allowed for this source of bias. This study therefore aimed to assess the presence of RS and psychosocial morbidity in patients with advanced prostate cancer and their partners.

The assessment of patient life-expectancy: how accurate are urologists and oncologists?

Objective: To assess the degree of accuracy, precision and consistency with which consultant urologists, oncologists and junior doctors predict a patient's 10-year life-expectancy.

Subjects And Methods: Eighteen doctors of varying seniority independently examined 70 patient case scenarios containing detailed medical histories; 13 of these cases were duplicate scenarios. Bland-Altman analyses were used to compare doctors' estimates of the probability of each hypothetical patient surviving 10 years with that calculated using actuarial methods.

Retroperitoneal seminoma with 'burned out' phenomenon in the testis.

The rare 'burned out' phenomenon in germ cell tumors is known as the presence of an extragonadal germ cell tumor without traces of neoplasm in the testis. This condition is different and less common from the primary extragonadal germ cell malignancies. These malignancies are treated surgically with or without adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy and their prognosis is better than that of other types of primary extragonadal tumors.