scholarly journals US rheumatologists’ beliefs and knowledge about biosimilars: a survey

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Gibofsky ◽  
Dorothy McCabe

Abstract Objectives We sought to evaluate perceptions of biosimilar products among US rheumatologists who prescribe TNF-α inhibitors, given that 10 TNF-α inhibitor biosimilars and two rituximab biosimilars have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Methods A 19-question self-administered online survey was conducted from 6 May to 1 June 2019, and fielded by WebMD, LLC. Rheumatologists (n = 9050) who were members of Medscape.com and its partner panels were invited to participate. Likert and other rating scales were used to collect responses, which were summarized descriptively. Results Responses were obtained from 320 board-certified US rheumatologists, 85% of whom were fellows of the ACR. Nearly all respondents were familiar with the FDA definition of a biosimilar product and were aware that an infliximab biosimilar was FDA approved; fewer realized that adalimumab, etanercept and rituximab biosimilars were also FDA approved. Most respondents (84%) were aware that an approved biosimilar was not automatically deemed interchangeable by the FDA. Rheumatologists were more likely to initiate biosimilar treatment for a biologic treatment-naïve patient with RA (73%) than they were to switch to the biosimilar for a patient with RA doing well on the reference product (35%). Conclusions The results of this survey suggest that US rheumatologists have a good understanding and acceptance of biosimilar products, particularly for the initiation of treatment in biologic-naïve individuals. They were hesitant to switch from a reference product to a biosimilar for a patient doing well on the reference product. Additional education on biosimilars is required to help inform treatment decisions by rheumatologists. A plain language summary of this article has been uploaded as supplementary material, available at Rheumatology online.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihua Yang ◽  
Bo Zheng ◽  
Maonian Wu ◽  
Shaojun Zhu ◽  
Hongxia Zhou ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely applied in the medical field, especially in ophthalmology. In the development of ophthalmic artificial intelligence, some problems worthy of attention have gradually emerged, among which the ophthalmic AI-related recognition issues are particularly prominent. That is to say, currently, there is a lack of research into people's familiarity with and their attitudes toward ophthalmic AI. OBJECTIVE This survey aims to assess medical workers’ and other professional technicians’ familiarity with AI, as well as their attitudes toward and concerns of ophthalmic AI. METHODS An electronic questionnaire was designed through the Questionnaire Star APP, an online survey software and questionnaire tool, and was sent to relevant professional workers through Wechat, China’s version of Facebook or WhatsApp. The participation was based on a voluntary and anonymous principle. The questionnaire mainly consisted of four parts, namely the participant’s background, the participant's basic understanding of AI, the participant's attitude toward AI, and the participant's concerns about AI. A total of 562 participants were counted, with 562 valid questionnaires returned. The results of the questionnaires are displayed in an Excel 2003 form. RESULTS A total of 562 professional workers completed the questionnaire, of whom 291 were medical workers and 271 were other professional technicians. About 37.9% of the participants understood AI, and 31.67% understood ophthalmic AI. The percentages of people who understood ophthalmic AI among medical workers and other professional technicians were about 42.61% and 15.6%, respectively. About 66.01% of the participants thought that ophthalmic AI would partly replace doctors, with about 59.07% still having a relatively high acceptance level of ophthalmic AI. Meanwhile, among those with ophthalmic AI application experiences (30.6%), respectively about 84.25% of medical professionals and 73.33% of other professional technicians held a full acceptance attitude toward ophthalmic AI. The participants expressed concerns that ophthalmic AI might bring about issues such as the unclear definition of medical responsibilities, the difficulty of ensuring service quality, and the medical ethics risks. And among the medical workers and other professional technicians who understood ophthalmic AI, 98.39%, and 95.24%, respectively, said that there was a need to increase the study of medical ethics issues in the ophthalmic AI field. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of the questionnaire results shows that the medical workers have a higher understanding level of ophthalmic AI than other professional technicians, making it necessary to popularize ophthalmic AI education among other professional technicians. Most of the participants did not have any experience in ophthalmic AI, but generally had a relatively high acceptance level of ophthalmic AI, believing that doctors would partly be replaced by it and that there was a need to strengthen research into medical ethics issues of the field.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamima Yesmin ◽  
S.M. Zabed Ahmed

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate Library and Information Science (LIS) students’ understanding of infodemic and related terminologies and their ability to categorize COVID-19-related problematic information types using examples from social media platforms. Design/methodology/approach The participants of this study were LIS students from a public-funded university located at the south coast of Bangladesh. An online survey was conducted which, in addition to demographic and study information, asked students to identify the correct definition of infodemic and related terminologies and to categorize the COVID-related problematic social media posts based on their inherent problem characteristics. The correct answer for each definition and task question was assigned a score of “1”, whereas the wrong answer was coded as “0”. The percentages of correctness score for total and each category of definition and task-specific questions were computed. The independent sample t-test and ANOVA were run to examine the differences in total and category-specific scores between student groups. Findings The findings revealed that students’ knowledge concerning the definition of infodemic and related terminologies and the categorization of COVID-19-related problematic social media posts was poor. There was no significant difference in correctness scores between student groups in terms of gender, age and study levels. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time an effort was made to understand LIS students’ recognition and classification of problematic information. The findings can assist LIS departments in revising and improving the existing information literacy curriculum for students.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Kannenberg ◽  
Arri R. Morris ◽  
Karl D. Hibler

IntroductionStudies with a powered prosthetic ankle-foot (PwrAF) found a reduction in sound knee loading compared to passive feet. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine whether anecdotal reports on reduced musculoskeletal pain and improved patient-reported mobility were isolated occurrences or reflect a common experience in PwrAF users.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty individuals with transtibial amputation (TTA) who had been fitted a PwrAF in the past were invited to an online survey on average sound knee, amputated side knee, and low-back pain assessed with numerical pain rating scales (NPRS), the PROMIS Pain Interference scale, and the PLUS-M for patient-reported mobility in the free-living environment. Subjects rated their current foot and recalled the ratings for their previous foot. Recalled scores were adjusted for recall bias by clinically meaningful amounts following published recommendations. Statistical comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon's signed rank test.ResultsForty-six subjects, all male, with unilateral TTA provided data suitable for analysis. Eighteen individuals (39%) were current PwrAF users, whereas 28 subjects (61%) had reverted to a passive foot. After adjustment for recall bias, current PwrAF users reported significantly less sound knee pain than they recalled for use of a passive foot (−0.5 NPRS, p = 0.036). Current PwrAF users who recalled sound knee pain ≥4 NPRS with a passive foot reported significant and clinically meaningful improvements in sound knee pain (−2.5 NPRS, p = 0.038) and amputated side knee pain (−3 NPRS, p = 0.042). Current PwrAF users also reported significant and clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported mobility (+4.6 points PLUS-M, p = 0.016). Individuals who had abandoned the PwrAF did not recall any differences between the feet.DiscussionCurrent PwrAF users reported significant and clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported prosthetic mobility as well as sound knee and amputated side knee pain compared to recalled mobility and pain with passive feet used previously. However, a substantial proportion of individuals who had been fitted such a foot in the past did not recall improvements and had reverted to passive feet. The identification of individuals with unilateral TTA who are likely to benefit from a PwrAF remains a clinical challenge and requires further research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-207
Author(s):  
Abhijit Trailokya ◽  
Amol Aiwale ◽  
Roshan Pawar ◽  
Suhas Erande

This study aimed to assess effectiveness and safety of Evogliptin 5 mg in patients with T2DM who were prescribed Evogliptin alone or with other oral hypoglycemic agents in real world scenario. Overall 20 patients who received Evogliptin as routine clinical practice in management of T2DM were analyzed retrospectively from single center. Data collected from past medical records. Primary endpoint was mean changes in HbA1c from baseline to weeks 24 and secondary endpoints were Change in HbA1c from baseline to weeks 12 Change from baseline in FPG & PPG at weeks 12 & 24.Significant reduction in HbA1c at the end of 12 and 24 weeks of Evogliptin therapy was - 0.9% and -1.45% respectively from the baseline of HbA1c 8.6% (p value <0.001). At the end of 12 and 24 weeks of addition of Evogliptin, significant reduction in FBG were seen i.e -49.5 mg/dl and -90.7mg/dl respectively from base line of 182 mg/dl and reduction in PPG was -79.4mg/dl and -116.6mg/dl respectively from base line 277 mg/dl (p value <0.001). Evogliptin was found to be effective when added to the patients who were uncontrolled on dual / triple oral anti-diabetic medications and even in treatment naïve patient. It effectively showed reduction in HbA1c, FBG and PPG and the end of 12 and 24 weeks when added to existing anti-diabetic medications & well tolerated in type 2 diabetes Indian patients.Small sample size and retrospective study


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-186
Author(s):  
Shwan Adam Aivas ◽  
Mahabad Kamel Abdulla

This study is an attempt to evaluate the effects of media language misusing in comedian programs of Iraqi Kurdish televisions. To achieve this goal, the researchers have done an online survey with 145 TV viewers; as well as analyzing the thematic contents of 12 episodes of the BEZMÎ BEZM program on the KurdMax satellite channel.   Based on the research results; media language misusing in the BEZMÎ BEZM program has negative effects on viewers of this program, despite the fact that the majority of opinions agreed on the definition of this satellite as a Kurdish entertainment channel and the rates of views of its main programs "Great". However, they also agreed that this program on the KurdMax satellite channel has become a popular platform for insults, exchange of accusations, and defamation of certain personalities and groups in society, and a reason for sabotaging the Kurdish language and its methods, producing linguistic and psychological violence and highlighting gender discrimination. In addition to sabotaging the public taste of viewers, lack of respect for their needs, delinquency of adolescents, reducing the value of artistic work etiquette and educational foundations, and underestimating the family and Kurdish culture and its peculiarities. As for the topics presented in this program, the main goal is to make viewers laugh only and to achieve this; they do not hesitate to spread market language and archaic and patriarchal cultures, encourage gender differences of men and women, social and sexual taboos, defame personalities, neglect health guidelines, and violate professional media ethics. All of the above; represents the main identity of the BEZMÎ BEZM program on the KurdMax satellite channel. As a final point, this research has recommended the relevant people and bodies to subordinate such programs in order to review its content based on legal and ethical media standards, laws, and rules of the Kurdish language, along with abiding professional art principles.


2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie A. Henninger ◽  
Julie Lounds Taylor

Abstract When researchers evaluate adult outcomes for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), the perspective of families is not always considered. Parents of individuals with IDD (N  =  198) answered an online survey about their definition of a successful transition to adulthood. Content analysis was used to describe themes and ideas present in the responses. Rather than focusing only on developmental tasks of adulthood, such as living independently, being competitively employed, and maintaining friendships, responses reflected a more varied and dynamic view of success in adulthood, taking into account the fit between the person with IDD and his or her environment. As services are developed and implemented for adults with IDD, it is important to consider the full range of goals that families have for their son or daughter's successful transition to adulthood.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel M. Robbins ◽  
James L. Bernat

Brain death has been accepted as a legal definition of death in most countries, but practices for determining brain death vary widely. One source of variation is in the use of ancillary tests to assist in the diagnosis of brain death. Through case-based discussions with 3 experts from 3 continents, this article discusses selected aspects of brain death, with a focus on the use of ancillary tests. In particular, we explore the following questions: Are ancillary tests necessary, or is the clinical examination sufficient? What ancillary tests are preferred, and under which circumstances? Are ancillary tests required when the primary mechanism of injury is brainstem injury? Should the family's wishes play a role in the need for ancillary tests? The same case-based questions were posed to the rest of our readership in an online survey, the preliminary results of which are also presented.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155541202110618
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Burgess ◽  
Christian Jones

Video games such as the successful Assassin’s Creed series allow consumers to engage with various historical contexts and to explore them in engaging and influential ways. However, it is unclear what consumers understand as the difference between the historical authenticity and historical accuracy used by developers in these games. Therefore, this research explored players of Assassin’s Creed games’ understanding of these two concepts and how they expected developers to utilize them. The study used a qualitative analysis of 959 online forum comments and an online survey with 88 respondents. While it was found that players understood historical accuracy and valued it in video games, historical authenticity prompted confusion with 43% describing it as the same as historical accuracy. The results were used to develop a new player-centric definition of historical authenticity to clarify player understandings and present useful and practical implications for developers and publishers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 271-277
Author(s):  
G. A. Lavrichenko ◽  
◽  
A. V. Ekaterinushkina ◽  

The organization of the subject-spatial environment is one of the necessary elements for the successful formation of the educational process, including in institutions of additional education. Currently, researchers pay attention to the importance of the subject-spatial component of the educational environment. To develop a comfortable, creative interior, it is necessary to develop a system for assessing the compliance of this component with modern design requirements. Within the framework of the article, a possible variant of universal criteria for evaluating recreation areas in leisure and educational institutions is proposed, the results of which reveal the existing contradictions and shortcomings, as well as provide a choice of a conceptual solution for subsequent project development.


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