Technical competence in surgeons.

In this paper, we review the literature to date on technical competence in surgeons; how it can be defined, taught to trainees and assessed. We also examine how we can predict which candidates for surgical training will most likely develop technical competence. While technical competency is just one aspect of what makes a good surgeon, we have recognized a need to review the literature in this area and to combine this with broader definitions of competency.

Perspectives of Somali Bantu refugee women living with circumcision in the United States: a focus group approach.

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore healthcare perspectives of Somali Bantu refugees in relation to their status as women who have been circumcised and recently resettled in the United States. These women and their families were already uprooted from Somalia to Kenya for over 10 years, increasing their vulnerability and marginal status beyond that of women who have been circumcised.

Methods And Participants: A purposive, inclusive sample of 23 resettled Somali women in southwestern Pennsylvania of the United States participated in focus group sessions for data collection.

Pathologic characterization of human prostate tissue with proton MR spectroscopy.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in documenting the chemical features of human prostate tissue and to ascertain if there are chemical criteria of diagnostic importance.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-seven prostate tissue specimens (peripheral zone, n = 61; transitional zone, n = 16) from 43 patients were analyzed with MR spectroscopy. Histologic features were compared with MR spectroscopic data.

Challenges to rural medical education: a student perspective.

The key feature of the Greater Murray Clinical School model is the attachment of students to patients. Students follow their patients through the health care system, in contrast to the standard approach where students are attached to doctors or specialty based clinical units. The patient/student coupling occurs at the primary care level, which mostly but not exclusively will occur in the GP's office.