Opinion and Special Articles: Stress when performing the first lumbar puncture may compromise patient safety.

Objective: To quantify physician stress levels when performing lumbar puncture (LP) and explore operator stress effect on patient outcomes.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study. Novices, intermediates, and experts in performing LP were recruited from 4 departments of neurology and emergency medicine.

Diagnostic flexible pharyngo-laryngoscopy: development of a procedure specific assessment tool using a Delphi methodology.

Purpose: Proper training and assessment of skill in flexible pharyngo-laryngoscopy are central in the education of otorhinolaryngologists. To facilitate an evidence-based approach to curriculum development in this field, a structured analysis of what constitutes flexible pharyngo-laryngoscopy is necessary. Our aim was to develop an assessment tool based on this analysis.

Optimizing Residents' Performance of Lumbar Puncture: An RCT Comparing the Effect of Preparatory Interventions on Performance and Self-Confidence.

Background: Lumbar puncture is often associated with uncertainty and limited experience on the part of residents; therefore, preparatory interventions can be essential. There is growing interest in the potential benefit of videos over written text. However, little attention has been given to whether the design of the videos impacts on subsequent performance.

Assessment of Residents Readiness to Perform Lumbar Puncture: A Validation Study.

Background: Lumbar puncture is a common procedure in many specialties. The procedure serves to diagnose life-threatening conditions, often requiring rapid performance. However, junior doctors possess uncertainties regarding performing the procedure and frequently perform below expectations.

Direct ophthalmoscopy on YouTube: analysis of instructional YouTube videos' content and approach to visualization.

Background: Direct ophthalmoscopy is well-suited for video-based instruction, particularly if the videos enable the student to see what the examiner sees when performing direct ophthalmoscopy. We evaluated the pedagogical effectiveness of instructional YouTube videos on direct ophthalmoscopy by evaluating their content and approach to visualization.

Methods: In order to synthesize main themes and points for direct ophthalmoscopy, we formed a broad panel consisting of a medical student, junior and senior physicians, and took into consideration book chapters targeting medical students and physicians in general.

Preconceptions influence women's perceptions of information on breast cancer screening: a qualitative study.

Background: Screening for breast cancer has been subject to intense debate in recent decades regarding benefits and risks. Participation in breast cancer screening should be based on informed choice, and most countries approach this by sending information leaflets with invitations to attend screening. However, very little attention has been paid to the decision-making process and how the information leaflets are used and understood by women.

Acquisition and retention of basic life support skills in an untrained population using a personal resuscitation manikin and video self-instruction (VSI).

Background: Video-based self-instruction (VSI) with a 24-min DVD and a personal resuscitation manikin solves some of the barriers associated with traditional basic life support (BLS) courses. No accurate assessment of the actual improvement in skills after attending a VSI course has been determined, and in this study we assess the skill improvement in laypersons undergoing VSI.

Methods: The BLS skills of 68 untrained laypersons (high school students, their teachers and persons excluded from mainstream society) were assessed using the Laerdal ResusciAnne and PC Skill Reporting System 2.