Current level of training, experience and perceptions of emergency physicians as expert witnesses: A pilot study

Abstract Background Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training is used in popular and health sports to improve muscular performance. Little is known about the possible psychological effects of WB-EMS training. The aim of the study is therefore to investigate the possible psychological effects of WB-EMS training on subjective well-being, relaxation, mood, and perceived stress. Materials and Methods Twenty-five healthy subjects underwent conventional WB-EMS training and Sham training (without the application of electrical stimulation) as part of a randomized, controlled pilot study in a crossover design. Subjective well-being and subjective relaxation were assessed using visual analog scales, the current state of mood was assessed with Multidimensional Mood State Questionnaires (MDBF), and the current level of stress was assessed with Recovery–Stress Questionnaires/Erholungs-Belastungs-Fragebögen (RESTQEBF) before and after training. Results WB-EMS training has a statistically significant positive effect on subjective well-being and subjective relaxation, as well as on the awake subscale of the MDBF. No significant main effect of sequence and no interaction effects were found. Also, compared to a Sham training session, a single WB-EMS training session had no significant effect on mood, nervousness, or the current level of stress. Conclusion Besides physiological effects, WB-EMS might also have a strong psychological impact. WB-EMS could be beneficial for people who, due to their limitations, have problems training on a regular basis and with adequate training intensity. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00012583, 22 June 2017.

Download Full-text

Training Level Does Not Affect Auditory Perception of The Magnitude of Ball Spin in Table Tennis

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/hukin-2017-0003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

pp. 19-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel P. R. Santos ◽

Roberto N. Barbosa ◽

Luiz H. P. Vieira ◽

Paulo R. P. Santiago ◽

Alessandro M. Zagatto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Auditory Perception ◽

Auditory Information ◽

Training Level ◽

Table Tennis ◽

Training Experience ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Level Of Training ◽

Speed And Accuracy ◽

Fast Spin ◽

Different Levels

AbstractIdentifying the trajectory and spin of the ball with speed and accuracy is critical for good performance in table tennis. The aim of this study was to analyze the ability of table tennis players presenting different levels of training/experience to identify the magnitude of the ball spin from the sound produced when the racket hit the ball. Four types of “forehand” contact sounds were collected in the laboratory, defined as: Fast Spin (spinning ball forward at 140 r/s); Medium Spin (105 r/s); Slow Spin (84 r/s); and Flat Hit (less than 60 r/s). Thirty-four table tennis players of both sexes (24 men and 10 women) aged 18-40 years listened to the sounds and tried to identify the magnitude of the ball spin. The results revealed that in 50.9% of the cases the table tennis players were able to identify the ball spin and the observed number of correct answers (10.2) was significantly higher (χ2 = 270.4, p <0.05) than the number of correct answers that could occur by chance. On the other hand, the results did not show any relationship between the level of training/experience and auditory perception of the ball spin. This indicates that auditory information contributes to identification of the magnitude of the ball spin, however, it also reveals that, in table tennis, the level of training does not interfere with the auditory perception of the ball spin.

Download Full-text

Cognitive Biases in Emergency Physicians: A Pilot Study

Journal of Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.jemermed.2019.03.048 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 168-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jesse M. Pines ◽

Andrew Strong

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Cognitive Biases ◽

Emergency Physicians

Download Full-text

Description of the effect of patient flow, junior doctor supervision and pandemic preparation on the ability of emergency physicians to provide direct patient care

Australian Health Review ◽

10.1071/ah20180 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 741

Author(s):

Andy Lim ◽

Namankit Gupta ◽

Alvin Lim ◽

Wei Hong ◽

Katie Walker

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Patient Care ◽

Patient Flow ◽

High Volume ◽

Direct Patient Care ◽

Published Data ◽

Emergency Physicians ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Process Factors

ObjectiveA pilot study to: (1) describe the ability of emergency physicians to provide primary consults at an Australian, major metropolitan, adult emergency department (ED) during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared with historical performance; and (2) to identify the effect of system and process factors on productivity. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional description of shifts worked between 1 and 29 February 2020, while physicians were carrying out their usual supervision, flow and problem-solving duties, as well as undertaking additional COVID-19 preparation, was documented. Effect of supervisory load, years of Australian registration and departmental flow factors were evaluated. Descriptive statistical methods were used and regression analyses were performed. ResultsA total of 188 shifts were analysed. Productivity was 4.07 patients per 9.5-h shift (95% CI 3.56–4.58) or 0.43 patients per h, representing a 48.5% reduction from previously published data (P<0.0001). Working in a shift outside of the resuscitation area or working a day shift was associated with a reduction in individual patient load. There was a 2.2% (95% CI: 1.1–3.4, P<0.001) decrease in productivity with each year after obtaining Australian medical registration. There was a 10.6% (95% CI: 5.4–15.6, P<0.001) decrease in productivity for each junior physician supervised. Bed access had no statistically significant effect on productivity. ConclusionsEmergency physicians undertake multiple duties. Their ability to manage their own patients varies depending on multiple ED operational factors, particularly their supervisory load. COVID-19 preparations reduced their ability to see their own patients by half. What is known about the topic?An understanding of emergency physician productivity is essential in planning clinical operations. Medical productivity, however, is challenging to define, and is controversial to measure. Although baseline data exist, few studies examine the effect of patient flow and supervision requirements on the emergency physician’s ability to perform primary consults. No studies describe these metrics during COVID-19. What does this paper add?This pilot study provides a novel cross-sectional description of the effect of COVID-19 preparations on the ability of emergency physicians to provide direct patient care. It also examines the effect of selected system and process factors in a physician’s ability to complete primary consults. What are the implications for practitioners?When managing an emergency medical workforce, the contribution of emergency physicians to the number of patients requiring consults should take into account the high volume of alternative duties required. Increasing alternative duties can decrease primary provider tasks that can be completed. COVID-19 pandemic preparation has significantly reduced the ability of emergency physicians to manage their own patients.

Download Full-text

Effects of Performing Certain Set Tasks in the Lucid-Dream State

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1982.54.1.259 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 259-262 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Keith M. T. Hearne

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Substitution Effect ◽

Current Level ◽

Dream Interpretation ◽

Auditory Imagery ◽

Sleep Paralysis ◽

Crucial Point ◽

Apparent Lack ◽

Dream State ◽

Electrical Appliance

A group of 70 persons (16 males, 54 females) who experience lucid dreams (those in which the dreamer becomes aware of dreaming) were given set tasks to perform in the lucid state and asked to report what happened. A pilot study had indicated certain consistencies of effect between subjects. Evidence was obtained, based on the reports of 16 persons, to suggest that it is often difficult to ‘switch on an electric light’ in the lucid dream scenery. A varying ceiling-level of imagery ‘brightness’ is hypothesized. It is suggested that any attempt to violate the current level results in rationalized avoidance of the planned situation. Difficulties were also experienced by the 9 subjects who tried to ‘switch on an electrical appliance’ (other than a light). An apparent lack of co-ordination between the imagery modalities was noted. It is suggested that the modalities may be relatively independent in the dream and that priority of effect can shift between the imagery forms. A ‘substitution effect’ was observed in the 3 cases for whom auditory imagery was lacking at a crucial point. The persons reported singing or making a noise automatically as if to compensate. Four of the 6 persons instructed to ‘cover or “close” your eyes in a lucid dream’ stated that a scene-shift resulted. Another subject reported that the dream re-ran. A sixth person experienced sleep-paralysis. Such consistencies of effect in dreams have not been taken into account by the various schools of ‘dream interpretation’ and so could have led to erroneous ‘analyses.’

Download Full-text

Housestaff perspectives on end-of-life training during medical school and residency.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2015.33.29_suppl.27 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (29_suppl) ◽

pp. 27-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jessica Marie Schmit ◽

Lynne Meyer ◽

Jennifer Michelle Duff ◽

Julia Lee Close

Keyword(s):

Medical School ◽

End Of Life ◽

Disease Process ◽

Fellowship Training ◽

Bad News ◽

Training Experience ◽

Classroom Training ◽

Level Of Training ◽

Oncology Practice ◽

Delivering Bad News

27 Background: Participating in end-of-life discussions and delivering bad news is integral to oncology practice. Poor communication skills can negatively impact a patient’s understanding and acceptance of their disease process, increase their anxiety, and lead to anger and depression. Hematology/Oncology fellowship training (HOFT) programs may assume incoming fellows are capable of doing this well. A study by Hebert et al. revealed 37% of HOFT programs provide little to no formal training in this area. Our study sought to assess housestaff preparedness and comfort with end-of-life (EOL) discussions. Methods: An email survey was sent to 787 residents and fellows at a single institution in February 2015. Housestaff were queried as to extent of training, experience, supervision and comfort with EOL communication in both medical school and residency. Results: 176 surveys (22.4 %) were returned.During Medical School: Many housestaff (55.1%) reported “little” to “no” classroom training on EOL discussions. Most, 85.1%, reported having five or fewer EOL discussions. Most encounters (78.6%) were supervised by an attending or resident. Only 45.5% felt “somewhat” to “fully prepared” to have EOL discussions when graduating medical school. During Residency: Housestaff reported even less classroom training on EOL discussions: 88.2% reported “little” to “no training”. EOL discussions were more common: 51% reported more than 10 EOL conversations with patients. The level of supervision decreased: only 38.6% reported encounters were mostly supervised. Most housestaff (75%) feel comfortable with having EOL discussions at their current level of training. Conclusions: Despite increased awareness regarding the importance of EOL discussion education, it remains an area that a significant number of medical students and housestaff receive little to no training. EOL discussions by housestaff are frequently unsupervised, reducing opportunities for improvement via feedback. Competence in delivering bad news is an important skill for hematologists/oncologists. Our findings support the previously published perception of HOFT program directors that additional training and resources in delivering bad news is needed.

Download Full-text

Can Emergency Physicians Perform Carotid Artery Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Detect Stenosis in Patients with TIA and Stroke? A Pilot Study

Western Journal of Emergency Medicine ◽

10.5811/westjem.2020.2.45137 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Robert Suttie ◽

Michael Woo ◽

Lily Park ◽

Marie-Joe Nemnom ◽

Grant Stotts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Carotid Artery ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽

Emergency Physicians

Download Full-text

The removal of coins from the upper esophageal tract of children by emergency physicians: a pilot study

CJEM ◽

10.1017/s1481803500009453 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 6 (06) ◽

pp. 434-440 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Edward J. Vargas ◽

Ameer P. Mody ◽

Tommy Y. Kim ◽

T. Kent Denmark ◽

James A. Moynihan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Emergency Physician ◽

Foley Catheter ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Pediatric Emergency ◽

Rapid Sequence Intubation ◽

Emergency Physicians ◽

Common Procedure ◽

Data Set

ABSTRACT:Objective:There are few reports in the medical literature describing removal of a coin from the upper esophageal tract of a child by an emergency physician. However, given the nature of their training and practice, emergency physicians are well suited to perform this common procedure. We describe our experience with this procedure.Methods:This was a retrospective review of a continuous quality improvement data set from a university-based tertiary care pediatric emergency department between Nov. 1, 2003, and Mar. 31, 2004.Results:Thirteen children, with a median age of 20 months, underwent rapid sequence intubation and had coins successfully removed from their upper esophageal tract by emergency physicians. In 10 cases, the coin was visible at laryngoscopy and removed with Magill forceps. In 3 cases this approach failed and a Foley catheter was used to remove the coin. One child suffered a tonsillar abrasion and two sustained minor lip trauma, but all were extubated and discharged home from the emergency department with no significant complications. Eleven of the 13 patients were successfully followed up, and the parents reported no problems.Conclusions:This pilot study suggests that the removal of a coin from the upper esophageal tract by an emergency physician can be both safe and effective. A larger study is needed before this procedure can be generally recommended.

Download Full-text