Navigating the challenges in radiology training expansion: costs and benefits.

Clinical and interventional radiology services play a vital role in the provision of modern healthcare, but there is a widening gap between the capacity of the imaging workforce and increasing demand. In recent years there has been a programme of training expansion in England supported by tariff level funding from NHS England (Workforce Training and Education Directorate), enhancing long-term radiology workforce sustainability and bringing quality benefits for patients, departments, and trusts. Expansion is a multifaceted and challenging process in the current NHS climate, involving coordination of funding, capacity, and sustained educational quality.

Efficacy of Arthroscopic Meniscal Surgery Versus Conservative Management on Knee Pain and Functional Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Knee pain is a prevalent issue among older adults, often resulting from degenerative joint changes, and significantly impacts functionality and quality of life. While arthroscopic meniscal surgery is a common intervention for managing knee pain, its effectiveness compared to conservative treatments remains debated. This meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy of arthroscopic meniscal surgery versus conservative management in alleviating knee pain and enhancing functional outcomes in patients with degenerative meniscal tears.

Psoriatic Arthritis Priority Setting Partnership: patient- and clinician-informed considerations for future UK health service delivery.

Objectives: Little is known about the ideal service delivery model and shortcomings in patient experiences in the NHS for patients with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). To identify unmet needs perceived within the current health service delivery model for PsA from the UK Psoriatic Arthritis Priority Setting Partnership (PsA PSP).

Methods: An online survey was conducted in 2020 and distributed to people with PsA, their carers and clinicians to identify research priorities in PsA.

Pulsed-field ablation of atrial fibrillation with a pentaspline catheter across National Health Service England centres.

Introduction: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a novel modality for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We describe the initial uptake and experience of PFA using a pentaspline catheter across selected National Health Service England (NHSE) centres.

Methods: Data collected by NHSE Specialised Services Development Programme regarding AF ablation procedures using a single-shot, pentaspline, multielectrode PFA catheter (FARAWAVE, Boston Scientific) between June 2022 and August 2024 were aggregated and analysed to examine procedural metrics, acute efficacy and safety outcomes over 3-month follow-up.

Biomechanical Evaluation and Comparative Analysis of Functional Scores in Suture Anchor Versus Transosseous Tunnel Patellar Tendon Repair Techniques in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Patellar tendon injuries, although less frequent than other knee injuries, can have a profound impact on knee function, often leading to significant disability. Among the various surgical techniques employed to repair these injuries, the suture anchor and transosseous tunnel methods are the most commonly used. This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the biomechanical properties and functional outcomes of these two repair techniques.

Compression ratio: a novel method to quantify compressibility as a diagnostic measurement in giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: Ultrasonographic assessment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) relies on the demonstration of a non-compressible halo. Several ultrasonographic methods have been developed to quantify arterial wall thickness, however arterial compressibility has not been quantified. This study presents a possible solution for quantifying compressibility to assist in diagnosing GCA.

Efficacy of Different Beta Blockers in Reducing Mortality in Heart-Failure Patients.

This study evaluated the comparative efficacy of different beta blockers bisoprolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol in reducing mortality and hospitalizations among 120 heart-failure (HF) patients. The sample had an equal gender distribution (50% male, 50% female) with a mean age of 69.28 years.

Changes in hip and knee arthroplasty practice post-COVID-19 in the English NHS: a retrospective analysis of hospital episode statistics data.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced hip and knee arthroplasty surgeries across the English NHS. With the resumption of regular operations postpandemic, efforts have been made to address the surgical backlog by maximising capacity. This study assesses the current activity rates of hip and knee arthroplasty in the NHS and their return to prepandemic levels.

Bridging the gap: enhancing orthopaedic outcomes through qualitative research integration.

Aims: The evidence base within trauma and orthopaedics has traditionally favoured quantitative research methodologies. Qualitative research can provide unique insights which illuminate patient experiences and perceptions of care. Qualitative methods reveal the subjective narratives of patients that are not captured by quantitative data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of patient-centred care.

Adjudication of Hospitalizations and Deaths in the IRONMAN Trial of Intravenous Iron for Heart Failure.

Background: Patients with heart failure and iron deficiency have diverse causes for hospitalization and death that might be affected by iron repletion.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore causes of hospitalizations and deaths in a randomized trial (IRONMAN) of heart failure comparing intravenous ferric derisomaltose (FDI) (n = 568) and usual care (n = 569).

Methods: Patients with heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45%, and either transferrin saturation <20% or serum ferritin <100 μg/L were enrolled.

National audit of patient reported experience of radical cystectomy for bladder cancer pathways.

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure and describe the national patient experience of radical cystectomy (RC) pathways in the UK using the validated Cystectomy-Pathway Assessment Tool (C-PAT).

Patients And Methods: A cohort of 1081 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer, between 1 January 2021 and 31 July 2022 at 33 UK cystectomy centres, returned completed C-PAT responses. SPSS was employed for data summary statistics, including median, interquartile range, Mann Whitney U test or Chi-square test with a 95% confidence interval to assess statistical significance between potentially associated variables.

"Real-world" performance of the Confirm Rx™ SharpSense AF detection algorithm: UK Confirm Rx study.

Introduction: The novel Confirm Rx™ implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) with SharpSense™ technology incorporates a new P-wave discriminator designed to improve AF detection. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Confirm Rx™ ICM in detecting AF episodes of varying durations.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis of consecutive patients implanted with a Confirm Rx™ ICM (v1.

Periodic health evaluation in Para athletes: a position statement based on expert consensus.

Para athletes present a broad range of sports-related injuries and illnesses, frequently encountering barriers when accessing healthcare services. The periodic health evaluation (PHE) is a valuable tool for continuously monitoring athletes' health, screening for health conditions, assisting in the surveillance of health problems by establishing baseline information and identifying barriers to athlete's performance. This position statement aims to guide sports healthcare providers in the PHE for Para athletes across key impairment categories: intellectual, musculoskeletal, neurological and vision.