Prioritising Competencies in Clinician Educator Training in Residency Programmes.

Introduction: Although Clinician Educator Tracks (CETs) have been developed for postgraduate trainees, more clarity is needed regarding which competencies are most relevant to resident and fellow physicians (housestaff) seeking to become Clinician Educators (CEs).

Methods: We used the Clinician Educator Milestones, an established framework for competencies at the faculty level, to perform a targeted needs assessment at a large academic institution from April-May 2023. Educational leaders in undergraduate (UME), graduate (GME) and senior medical education (SME) leadership roles were asked to prioritise the Clinician Educator Milestones subcompetencies for a 1-year track.

Reducing the harms of cannabis use in youth post-legalization: insights from Ontario youth, parents, and service providers.

Background: Canada has one of the highest prevalence of cannabis use globally, particularly among young adults aged 20-24 (50%) and youth aged 16-19 (37%). In 2018, Canada legalized recreational cannabis with the aim of protecting youth by restricting their access and raising public awareness of health risks. However, there has been limited qualitative research on the perceptions of harms associated with youth cannabis use since legalization, which is crucial for developing effective harm reduction strategies.

Sources and content of advice sought by parents/guardians prior to emergency department attendance.

Aim: To describe sources of advice and the recommendations given to parents/guardians prior to attending ED with their child.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of patients presenting to two EDs of a multi-centre Victorian Health service in June 2016. Data collection involved surveying all parents/guardians attending paediatric ED during a 1-week period by trained research assistants.

Assessing a safety climate tool adapted to address respiratory illnesses in Canadian hospitals.

Background: Studies have shown an association between workplace safety climate scores and patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate (1) performance of the hospital safety climate scale that was adapted to assess acute respiratory illness safety climate, (2) factors associated with safety climate scores, and (3) whether the safety scores were associated with following recommended droplet and contact precautions.

Methods: A survey of Canadian healthcare personnel participating in a cohort study of influenza during the 2010/2011-2013/2014 winter seasons.

Quantitative SPECT imaging of Tb and Tb for preclinical theranostic radiopharmaceutical development.

Background: Element-equivalent matched theranostic pairs facilitate quantitative in vivo imaging to establish pharmacokinetics and dosimetry estimates in the development of preclinical radiopharmaceuticals. Terbium radionuclides have significant potential as matched theranostic pairs for multipurpose applications in nuclear medicine. In particular, Tb (t = 5.

Canadian health care providers' and education workers' hesitance to receive original and bivalent COVID-19 vaccines.

Background: The demand for COVID-19 vaccines has diminished as the pandemic lingers. Understanding vaccine hesitancy among essential workers is important in reducing the impact of future pandemics by providing effective immunization programs delivered expeditiously.

Method: Two surveys exploring COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in 2021 and 2022 were conducted in cohorts of health care providers (HCP) and education workers participating in prospective studies of COVID-19 illnesses and vaccine uptake.

Preclinical evaluation of [Ac]Ac-crown-TATE - An alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical for neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) of somatostatin receptor-2 (SSTR2) positive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) involving Ac-225 ([Ac]Ac-DOTA-TATE) has previously demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy over conventional beta particle-emitting peptide receptor radionuclide therapy agents. DOTA-TATE requires harsh radiolabeling conditions for chelation of [Ac]Ac, which can limit the achievable molar activities and thus therapeutic efficacy of such TAT treatments. Macropa-TATE was recently highlighted as a potential alternative to DOTA-TATE, owing to the mild radiolabeling conditions and high affinity toward [Ac]Ac; however, elevated liver and kidney uptake were noted as a major limitation and a suitable imaging radionuclide is yet to be reported, which will be required for patient dosimetry studies and assessment of therapeutic benefit.

Predicting major clinical events among Canadian adults with laboratory-confirmed influenza infection using the influenza severity scale.

We developed and validated the Influenza Severity Scale (ISS), a standardized risk assessment for influenza, to estimate and predict the probability of major clinical events in patients with laboratory-confirmed infection. Data from the Canadian Immunization Research Network's Serious Outcomes Surveillance Network (2011/2012-2018/2019 influenza seasons) enabled the selecting of all laboratory-confirmed influenza patients. A machine learning-based approach then identified variables, generated weighted scores, and evaluated model performance.

The Role of Engineering Ethics in Mitigating Corruption in Infrastructure Systems Delivery.

Indications that corruption mitigation in infrastructure systems delivery can be effective are found in the literature. However, there is an untapped opportunity to further enhance the efficacy of existing corruption mitigation strategies by placing them explicitly within the larger context of engineering ethics, and relevant policy statements, guidelines, codes and manuals published by international organizations. An effective matching of these formal statements on ethics to infrastructure systems delivery facilitates the identification of potential corruption hotspots and thus help establish or strengthen institutional mechanisms that address corruption.

Preclinical evaluation of MC1R targeting theranostic pair [Tb]Tb-crown-αMSH and [Tb]Tb-crown-αMSH.

Background: Targeted radionuclide therapy is established as a highly effective strategy for the treatment of metastatic tumors; however, the co-development of suitable imaging companions to therapy remains significant challenge. Theranostic isotopes of terbium (Tb, Tb, Tb, Tb) have the potential to provide chemically identical radionuclidic pairs, which collectively encompass all modes of nuclear decay relevant to nuclear medicine. Herein, we report the first radiochemistry and preclinical studies involving Tb- and Tb-labeled crown-αMSH, a small peptide-based bioconjugate suitable for targeting melanoma.

Obesity medications: A narrative review of current and emerging agents.

The aim of this narrative review is to synthesize the available data describing the efficacy and safety of medications approved for obesity management and to provide an overview of upcoming agents in development. A literature search of PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases identified relevant articles describing medications approved in the U.S.

Strategic aspects for the commercialization of nanomedicines.

The projected growth of the nanomedicine market mirrors the increase in commercial interest and investment in the field. Yet, amidst this optimism, research efforts have often been geared towards developing innovative materials, and less on bringing these innovations to market. In this article, we present a strategic approach of 'commercialization by design' to overcome various challenges related to commercialization.

Poststroke Care Pathways and Spasticity Treatment: A Retrospective Study in Alberta.

Background: Limited evidence exists regarding care pathways for stroke survivors who do and do not receive poststroke spasticity (PSS) treatment.

Methods: Administrative data was used to identify adults who experienced a stroke and sought acute care between 2012 and 2017 in Alberta, Canada. Pathways of stroke care within the health care system were determined among those who initiated PSS treatment (PSS treatment group: outpatient pharmacy dispensation of an anti-spastic medication, focal chemo-denervation injection, or a spasticity tertiary clinic visit) and those who did not (non-PSS treatment group).

Strategic Approaches for the Health Science Educator: Understanding Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, and Continuous Process Improvement and Their Impact.

With continued demand for health science institutions to find solutions to deliver on heightened student expectations despite smaller budgets and fewer resources, the utilization of organizational improvement techniques is pervasive. Academic health care leaders are seeking effective modalities to overcome obstacles, modernize, and become more efficient. Three of the commonly used approaches for improvement are strategic planning, strategic thinking, and continuous process improvement (CPI), and these concepts have been used in a variety of forms throughout industry, higher education, and health care.

Attitudes, barriers, and facilitators to adherent completion of the recombinant zoster vaccine regimen in Canada: Qualitative interviews with healthcare providers and patients.

This qualitative, cross-sectional study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators related to the adherence and completion of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) two-dose series in Canada, as perceived by healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients. Data collection occurred via 60-minute concept elicitation interviews with 12 HCPs (4 physicians, 2 nurse practitioners, 6 pharmacists) who had prescribed and/or administered RZV in Canada, and 21 patients aged ≥50 years who had received ≥1 dose of RZV. Patients were categorized as adherent (received both doses within the recommended 2-to-6-month timeframe;  = 11) or non-adherent (received only one dose or second dose outside the recommended timeframe;  = 10).

Protocol for a scoping review to identify research reporting on eating disorders in minority ethnic populations in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Introduction: Eating disorders (EDs) are common, severe and often life-threatening psychiatric conditions. Notwithstanding stereotypes, EDs affect individuals from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. However, despite similar and in some cases increased prevalence of disordered eating and EDs among minority ethnic groups, there appear to be disparities when it comes to ED diagnosis and treatment.

Examining the Intersection of Strategic Thinking and Continuous Process Improvement Through the Lens of Military Medical Education to Build a Novel Model.

In 2020, the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine hired its first civilian dean since its founding in 1918, tasked with building the school's first strategic plan to modernize and improve the institution.

Clinical features and outcomes of influenza and RSV coinfections: a report from Canadian immunization research network serious outcomes surveillance network.

Background: Influenza and RSV coinfections are not commonly seen but are concerning as they can lead to serious illness and adverse clinical outcomes among vulnerable populations. Here we describe the clinical features and outcomes of influenza and RSV coinfections in hospitalized adults.

Methods: A cohort study was performed with pooled active surveillance in hospitalized adults ≥ 50 years from the Serious Outcomes Surveillance Network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN SOS) during the 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15 influenza seasons.

An enveloped virus-like particle alum-adjuvanted cytomegalovirus vaccine is safe and immunogenic: A first-in-humans Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) study.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection and affected children often have permanent neurodevelopmental sequelae, including hearing loss and intellectual disability. Vaccines to prevent transmission of CMV during pregnancy are a public health priority. This first-in-humans dose-ranging, randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of an enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) vaccine expressing a modified form of the CMV glycoprotein B (gB).

Real-world evaluation of the Lucira Check-It COVID-19 loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) test.

In hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, laboratory testing was important to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmissions, while facilitating patient flow in the emergency department and pre-operative settings, and allowing for the safe return to work of exposed healthcare workers. Delayed test results from laboratory nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) posed a barrier to maximizing efficient patient flow and minimizing staffing shortages. This quality improvement project sought to evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of the Lucira Check-It COVID-19 Test, a point-of-care test that used NAAT technology, in the perioperative setting, emergency department, and community testing sites.

Complex patch geometry promotes species coexistence through a reverse competition-colonization trade-off.

Explaining the maintenance of diverse species assemblages is a central goal of ecology and conservation. Recent coexistence mechanisms highlight the role of dispersal as a source of the differences that allow similar species to coexist. Here, we propose a new mechanism for species coexistence that is based on dispersal differences, and on the geometry of the habitat patch.

Infertility and Identity: A Closer Look Into Experiences of Emerging Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors.

While medical advances are enabling more children with cancer to live into adulthood, a large majority of them suffer from the late effects of treatment and about 30% experience infertility. Infertility impacts both male and female survivors complicating typical development for emerging young adults (EYAs) who typically spend this developmental period actively constructing their identities related to family and gender roles, attaining professional skills, and establishing social views. As literature is limited on identity formation and coping with infertility in young survivors, this study aimed to understand the experiences of childhood cancer survivors who are faced with infertility as a late treatment effect while reconstructing their identity.

Community-based organizations' perspectives on piloting health and social care integration in North Carolina.

Background: Community-based organizations (CBOs) are key players in health and social care integration initiatives, yet little is known about CBO perspectives and experiences in these pilot programs. Understanding CBO perspectives is vital to identifying best practices for successful medical and social care integration.

Methods: From February 2021 to March 2021, we conducted surveys with 12 CBOs that participated in the North Carolina COVID-19 Social Support Program, a pre-pilot for North Carolina's Medicaid Sect.