International trends in the implementation of assessment for learning : Implications for policy and practice in a post-COVID world.

This paper discusses the evolution of assessment for learning (AfL) across the globe with particular attention given to Western educational jurisdictions. Scholars from Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States discuss prominent assessment reforms within their respective countries over the last decade. Particular attention is given to the impact of the pandemic as well as technological developments for classroom assessment policies and practices.

Outcomes following resective and disconnective strategies in the treatment of epileptic spasms: a systematic review of the literature and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Epileptic spasms (ES) are a unique seizure type typically presenting in the form of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) with characteristic hypsarrhythmia on scalp EEG and a preponderance with developmental delay or regression. While pharmacotherapy is the mainstay of treatment, surgical options, including disconnective or resective procedures, are increasingly recognized as viable therapeutic options for recurrent or persistent ES. However, limited data on safety, effectiveness, and prognostic factors hinder informed decision-making regarding surgery indications, timing, and intervention type.

Real-time evaluation of an automated computer vision system to monitor pain behavior in older adults.

Regular use of standardized observational tools to assess nonverbal pain behaviors results in improved pain care for older adults with severe dementia. While frequent monitoring of pain behaviors in long-term care (LTC) is constrained by resource limitations, computer vision technology has the potential to mitigate these challenges. A computerized algorithm designed to assess pain behavior in older adults with and without dementia was recently developed and validated using video recordings.

Photo-curing hyaluronic acid-Janus antibacterial packs as O generator precisely modulate the infectious microenvironment for antibiotic-free periodontal therapy.

Periodontal disease stands the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. While scaling and root planning is considered the "gold standard" treatment, it is often insufficient in efficiently eliminating anaerobic bacteria from deep periodontal pockets. In this work, an antibiotic-free and photo-curing hyaluronic acid-Janus (H-Janus) antibacterial pack was developed to inhibit the growth and colonization of residual bacteria within the pockets for reducing the recurrence of periodontitis.

Assessment of inappropriate use of antibiotics and contributing factors in Awi Administrative Zone, Northwestern Amhara regional State, Ethiopia.

Objectives: Antibiotic misuse is regarded as the single most significant factor contributing to resistance. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk variables linked to the inappropriate use of antibiotics in urban and rural districts of the Awi administrative zone community.

Methods: A total of 1194 rural and urban families, including individuals of various ages and genders from the study area were selected by a multistage stratified random sampling method for a comparative cross-sectional study conducted between December 2022 and June 2023.

[Perceived effect of a training activity for medical students in community organizations].

Background: Community service-learning activities (CSL) have been integrated into medical schools for several years. However, little data exists to understand the impact of this type of activity on students and communities. The purpose of this research was to explore the effect of a mandatory community-based training activity offered to medical students.

Use the right words: evaluating the effect of word choice and word count on quality of narrative feedback in ophthalmology competency-based medical education assessments.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of word choice on the quality of narrative feedback in ophthalmology resident trainee assessments following the introduction of competency-based medical education at Queen's University.

Methods: Assessment data from July 2017-December 2020 were retrieved from Elentra (Integrated Teaching and Learning Platform) and anonymized. Written feedback was assigned a Quality of Assessment for Learning (QuAL) score out of five based on this previously validated rubric.

Trends in female applicants to Canadian ophthalmology residency programs from 1998-2020.

Background: Ophthalmology has historically been a male-dominated specialty. Despite there being a higher proportion of females in Canadian medical schools since the early 2000s, it is unknown if trends in female applicants and those accepted to ophthalmology have followed suit. This study aims to evaluate trends in gender representation of ophthalmology applicants to Canadian residency programs from 1998 to 2020 and to compare those trends to other surgical specialties.

Creating a national breastfeeding and lactation policy for Canadian surgical residents.

Background: Despite known benefits of breastfeeding and challenges medical trainees face lactating at work, research specific to Canadian surgical trainees is lacking. Our objectives were to examine existing breastfeeding and lactation policies, query experiences and opinions of surgical trainees and program directors, and propose a comprehensive policy for programs nation-wide.

Methods: A multi-disciplinary team developed this two-part study.

Virtual patients with substance use disorders in healthcare professional education: a scoping review.

Background And Objective: Virtual patient simulations are cost-effective methods for training health professionals. Yet, this teaching method is rarely used with clinicians who work or plan on working with people with substance use disorders. This scoping review summarizes the current state of the literature concerning virtual substance use disorder patient simulations in health professionals' training and provides suggestions for future directions.

A case study: exploring the impact of 3D printed models on cognitive integration during clinical skills training.

Background: Cognitive integration occurs when trainees make conceptual connections between relevant knowledges and is known to improve learning. While several experimental studies have demonstrated how text and audio-visual instruction can be designed to enhance cognitive integration, clinical skills training in real-world contexts may require alternative educational strategies. Introducing three-dimensional (3D) printed models during clinical skills instruction may offer unique learning opportunities to support cognitive integration.

Evaluating the Podcast as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resource: a cross-sectional survey analysis.

Background: Equity-deserving groups are communities marginalized from institutional power by oppressive forces (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism).

Resident perceptions of learning challenges in concussion care education.

Background: Resident-focused curricula that support competency acquisition in concussion care are currently lacking. We sought to fill this gap by developing and evaluating Spiral Integrated Curricula (SIC) using the cognitive constructivism paradigm and the Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE) framework. The evidence-based curricula consisted of academic half-days (AHDs) and clinics for first- and second-year family medicine residents.

Sport Participation Positively Associated with Balance Confidence and Well-being in Transtibial Amputees.

Transtibial amputation (TTA) is the removal of the lower leg often resulting in pain, mental health issues, and a more sedentary lifestyle that lacks physical activity (PA). Low balance confidence and other factors related to the physical and psychosocial adaptation to amputation could contribute to why people with TTA actively avoid PA. Studies have investigated lower extremity amputations and barriers to PA in general, but none have focused solely on transtibial amputation and its relationship with PA participation and avoidance habits.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Motivation in Police Cadets: A Self-Determination Study.

Several studies have highlighted the importance of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) for the health and performance of law enforcement officers. Nevertheless, a considerable proportion of officers still fail to engage in any LTPA. There is a clear need to identify correlates of physical activity among this specific occupational group to help the design of workplace physical activity interventions.

Long-term outcome in people who use drugs successfully treated for hepatitis C infection with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir.

Background: Several clinical trials, including the recently published the GRAND PLAN study from Vancouver Infectious Diseases Center (VIDC), have demonstrated the efficacy of hepatitis C (HCV) therapy among active drug users, including those facing significant addiction-related and social challenges. In the GRAND PLAN, we documented sustained virological response post-treatment Week12 (SVR12) in 108/117 (92.3 %) individuals (108/111 (mITT) or 97.