Publications by authors named "S Nicholas Mason"

Article Synopsis
  • - This study aimed to explore metabolic markers associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of South African children suffering from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) using advanced metabolomics techniques.
  • - Four key metabolites were found to distinguish TBM patients from controls: lower levels of mannose and arabinose, and higher levels of nonanoic acid and propanoic acid in the TBM group.
  • - The research suggests that nonanoic acid may be a novel M. tb-linked marker in TBM, while propanoic acid could indicate brain energy disruptions and inflammation; however, mannose and arabinose were not effective markers for M.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Outcome measurement is essential to progress clinical practice and improve patient care.

Aim: To develop a Core Outcome Set for best care for the dying person.

Design: We followed the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Initiative guidelines, which involved identifying potential outcomes via a systematic literature review (n = 619 papers) and from participants in the "iLIVE" project (10 countries: 101 patients, 37 family members, 63 clinicians), followed by a two-round Delphi study, and a consensus meeting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Emergency doctors experience high levels of uncertainty due to limited patient information and time constraints, prompting a study on how 'uncertainty tolerance' (UT) affects their work.
  • A questionnaire was distributed among emergency doctors to develop a UT measure and analyze its impact on doctors' experience, patient outcomes, and resource utilization during encounters with specific medical issues.
  • Findings showed that higher UT is associated with better psychological well-being among doctors, such as increased resilience and lower burnout, but it did not significantly influence patient outcomes or resource usage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Mentoring is essential for professional identity formation (PIF), as it fosters personalized relationships and integrates program values, though its mechanisms remain unclear.
  • A systematic scoping review examined existing literature on mentoring support from 2000 to mid-2023, using rigorous methodology to analyze themes and categories.
  • Key findings highlight four domains vital to effective mentoring support: definitions and roles, personalisation, shepherding, and PIF, showcasing the importance of adapting mentoring approaches to meet individual mentee needs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF