Factors used in Applicant Ranking of Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Fellowships and the Availability of Online Information

Background: The Internet is often the first resource used by applicants to evaluate fellowship programs. However, information on these websites can be often incomplete, inaccessible, and/or inaccurate. The primary objective of this study was to examine key factors that orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship applicants use to rank programs. The secondary objective was to assess both the accessibility and availability of the information on orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship program websites. Methods: A Qualtrics survey was distributed via e-mail to those who matched into an orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship position from years 2008-2020. A comprehensive list of orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship programs was created. Program websites were evaluated for accessibility as well as the quality of recruitment and educational content. Results: There were a total of 114 survey responses out of 644 invites (17.7%). The most important factors for establishing a rank list were operative experience, current faculty, and program reputation. Eighty-five percent (41/48) of orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship websites were directly accessible using Google. On average, accessible orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship websites contained only 57% (11.5/20) of the content deemed desirable. Conclusion: Orthopedic foot and ankle websites are widely accessible and have higher recruitment and educational quality content scores compared with previously published data. The most important factors for establishing a rank list are consistent with previous literature. Those who ranked operative experience as one of the most important factors when establishing a rank list did not complete more operative cases than those who did not. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

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COVID-19 AND SURFING: PROBLEMS, STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS FOR SURFERS

Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte ◽

10.1590/1517-8692202127012020_0056 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 11-15

Author(s):

Guilherme Henrique Vieira Lima ◽

Pedro Luiz Guimarães ◽

Marcelo Baboghluian

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Literature Review ◽

Olympic Games ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

The World ◽

Secondary Objective ◽

Harmful Effects ◽

Practical Recommendations

ABSTRACT The pandemic caused by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has changed the routine of surfers, professionals and all those involved in surfing. This unusual global crisis has caused major organizational, financial and social disruption for surfers, coaches, federations and fans. The world of sports, including surfing, entered extreme and uncharted territory, in which all competitions were postponed and many beaches were closed, preventing any kind of surfing activity. The primary objective of this article is to identify potential harmful effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of surfers, while the secondary objective is to provide practical recommendations for coaches, professional and amateur surfers to reduce the undesirable consequences of forced quarantine and direct the resumption of surfing activities while protecting the health of those involved. The main problems indicated were: the effects on body composition due to calorie imbalance, possible cardiac and pulmonary alterations caused by COVID-19, musculoskeletal symptoms and the consequences of detraining. The article also suggests recommendations for new attitudes towards surfing. Surfing is a growing sport that has been included in the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo. As the sport grows and becomes more professional, measures to protect the health of surfers need to be put in place. The current pandemic situation is extremely delicate and the measures proposed in this study are intended to serve as a guide for surfers and professionals in order to minimize the harmful effects of this situation. Level of Evidence IV; Type of Study: Literature review.

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Research Productivity of Foot and Ankle Fellowship Faculty

Foot & Ankle Specialist ◽

10.1177/1938640020970101 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 193864002097010

Author(s):

Nathan Sherman ◽

Nathaniel Bridge ◽

Ansab Khwaja ◽

Peter Du ◽

Lisa Truchan

Keyword(s):

Research Productivity ◽

The United States ◽

Publication Productivity ◽

Foot And Ankle ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

H Index ◽

Ankle Surgery ◽

Fellowship Programs ◽

The Mean ◽

Number Of Publications

Background Contribution to literature is critical for progress in the field of orthopaedics. No previous study has yet examined the academic productivity of foot and ankle surgery fellowship faculty. Purpose To evaluate the publishing productivity of foot and ankle fellowship faculty. Methods Faculty and program characteristics of orthopaedic foot and ankle fellowship programs across the United States and Canada were collected from American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and program websites. Faculty publication productivity measures, including publications, number of publications in specific journals, number of citations, and Hirsch index (h-index) were gathered using the Scopus database. Results A total of 48 AOFAS foot and ankle surgery fellowship programs were identified with an associated 185 faculty members. The mean number of publications per faculty member was 44.9 (SD = 53.0; range = 0-323), with a mean h-index of 11.9 (SD = 10.6; range = 0-54). A total of 144 (77.8%) academic-affiliated faculty had a significantly greater number of publications ( P < .01), total citations ( P < .05), and publications in Foot and Ankle International ( P < .05), Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery ( P < .05), Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ( P < .05), and Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ( P < .05) compared to the 41 (22.2%) nonacademic faculty. There were no significant differences between measures of publication productivity between male and female faculty, except for maximum citations in a single article (67.1 vs 142.3; P < .05). Conclusions Academic-affiliated foot and ankle fellowship faculty have higher research productivity than nonacademic surgeons. The mean h-index of foot and ankle fellowship faculty was 11.9, which is lower than that reported in sports, joints, and spine fellowship faculty but higher than that reported for hand fellowship faculty. Level of Evidence: Level IV

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Opinions of Hospital Pharmacists in Canada Regarding Marijuana for Medical Purposes

The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy ◽

10.4212/cjhp.v69i2.1539 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Fiona Mitchell ◽

Odette Gould ◽

Michael LeBlanc ◽

Leslie Manuel

Keyword(s):

Personal Experience ◽

Online Survey ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Formal Training ◽

Hospital Pharmacists ◽

Regulatory Bodies ◽

Secondary Objective ◽

Société Canadienne ◽

Survey Responses ◽

Établissements De Santé

ABSTRACTBackground: Canada’s most recent Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations have changed the way in which patients access marijuana. Furthermore, if authorized by the person in charge of the hospital, a pharmacist practising in a hospital may now place orders with licensed producers for dried marijuana for in-hospital use by patients. As use of this product increases, hospital pharmacists may have an increased role in the care of patients who are using marijuana for medical purposes.Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine the opinions of hospital pharmacists in Canada regarding marijuana for medical purposes. The secondary objective was to assess the factors influencing these opinions.Methods: An online survey was made available in early 2015 to licensed hospital pharmacists in Canada through individual provincial and territorial pharmacy regulatory bodies, pharmacist associations, hospital pharmacy directors, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, and the Association des pharmaciens des établissements de santé du Québec. Responses were based on a 5-point Likert style scale, ranging from “completely agree” to “completely disagree”.Results: A total of 769 valid survey responses were received. Among the respondents, 44.6% (333/747) agreed that marijuana is safe, whereas 55.2% (411/745) agreed that it is effective. Only 17.2% (129/748) agreed that they were knowledgeable about marijuana for medical purposes, and about 65% of respondents reported no formal training in this area. Factors that influenced respondents’ opinions were age, education, area of clinical practice, province of work, and personal experience.Conclusion: Many Canadian hospital pharmacists agreed that marijuana for medical purposes is safe and effective, yet few considered themselves knowledgeable about this substance, with more than half reporting no formal training on the topic.RÉSUMÉContexte : Le Règlement sur la marihuana à des fins médicales récemment mis en vigueur au Canada a changé la façon dont les patients ont accès à ce produit. En outre, s’il est autorisé à le faire par la personne à qui est confiée la charge de l’hôpital, le pharmacien qui exerce dans un hôpital peut maintenant commander auprès de producteurs autorisés de la marihuana séchée destinée à une personne qui reçoit un traitement comme patient hospitalisé. Au fur et à mesure qu’augmente l’utilisation de cet agent, les pharmaciens d’hôpitaux pourraient avoir un rôle plus important à jouer dans les soins aux patients qui consomment de la marihuana à des fins médicales.Objectifs : L’objectif principal de la présente étude était de sonder l’opinion des pharmaciens d’hôpitaux du Canada sur la question de la marihuana à des fins médicales. Le second objectif était d’évaluer les facteurs qui influencent leur opinion.Méthodes : Un sondage en ligne a été mis à la disposition des pharmaciens d’hôpitaux du Canada avec la participation des organismes provinciaux et territoriaux de réglementation de la pharmacie, des associations de pharmaciens, des directeurs de pharmacie hospitalière, de la Société canadienne des pharmaciens d’hôpitaux et de l’Association des pharmaciens des établissements de santé du Québec. Inspirés de l’échelle de Likert à cinq points, les choix de réponse s’étendaient de « fortement en accord » à « fortement en désaccord ».Résultats : Au total, 769 réponses valides au sondage ont été obtenues. Parmi les répondants, 44,6 % (333/747) ont affirmé que la marihuana est sécuritaire et 55,2 % (411/745) ont déclaré qu’elle est efficace. Seuls17.2 % (129/748) ont affirmé être renseignés sur l’utilisation de la marihuana à des fins médicales et environ 65 % ont indiqué n’avoir aucune formation officielle sur le sujet. L’âge du pharmacien, sa formation, son domaine de pratique clinique, sa province d’exercice et son experience personnelle étaient des facteurs influençant son opinion.Conclusion : Bon nombre de pharmaciens hospitaliers canadiens ont affirmé que l’utilisation de la marihuana à des fins médicales est sécuritaire et efficace. Or, peu considéraient être renseignés à propos de ce produit et plus de la moitié ont indiqué n’avoir aucune formation officielle sur le sujet.

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Smartphone Application as an Education Platform in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery

Surgical Innovation ◽

10.1177/1553350619848210 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 613-620

Author(s):

Mayank Roy ◽

Fernando Dip ◽

Armando Rosales ◽

Matthew Roche ◽

Robert R. Hutchins

Keyword(s):

Generation X ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Educational Tool ◽

Teaching Techniques ◽

Biliary Surgery ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Fellowship Programs ◽

Secondary Objective ◽

Education Platform

Background. There are no data to assess the need for smartphone applications (SA) as an educational tool in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. The primary objective of this study was to assess if SA can be used as an educational tool in HPB surgery. The secondary objective was to assess if SA can help as a decision-making tool for fellowship applicants in HPB surgery. Methods. A preapproved questionnaire was e-mailed by International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association to all its 2350 members. Results. Two hundred seventy-one surgeons responded to the survey. Eight were excluded for incomplete data. A total of 48.7% of responders were between 28 and 43 years old (generation X) and 45.2% between 44 and 62 years old (baby boomers). A total of 37.6% of the responders considered SA as an effective method to teach future trainees, and there were slightly higher odds of choosing SA as a teaching tool if the responder considered themselves as an innovator (odds ratio: 2.24). A total of 87.8% of the responders believe that SA in HPB surgery can be directed toward surgical trainees’ education, and 91.6% believed SA can be directed toward a fellow. Ninety-five percent of the responders believed that SA in HPB surgery can possibly help a future applicant to choose an HPB fellowship program. Conclusion. SA can complement other teaching techniques and educational tools in HPB surgery. In addition, it can potentially be used as a platform for HPB surgery fellowship by helping in making a decision regarding appropriate fellowship programs.

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Results of a survey of practices in chronic ankle instability in France

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967120s00009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2_suppl) ◽

pp. 2325967120S0000

Author(s):

Ronny Lopes ◽

Ali Ghorbani ◽

Frederic Leiber Wackenheim ◽

Guillaume Cordier ◽

Thomas Amouyel

Keyword(s):

Open Surgery ◽

Ankle Instability ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Chronic Ankle Instability ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Accurate Assessment ◽

Foot And Ankle ◽

Associated Injuries ◽

Therapeutic Choice ◽

Secondary Objective

Background: After a failed conservative treatment, surgical techniques used to treat chronic ankle instability are being more and more evaluated and proficiency is increasing. Two main procedures are available: - Ligament repairs associated with tissue reinforcement - Ligament reconstructions more or less in anatomic position. Anatomic techniques have proven to be superior to non-anatomic techniques. These different surgical techniques performed arthroscopically have the main advantage to manage simultaneously associated injuries that are very common in chronic ankle instability. For some, it is the last and best diagnostic test through which a decision can be made between repair and reconstruction. Despite all this knowledge, the indications remain very heterogeneous and essentially depend on surgeons’ preference. The primary objective was of this study was make an accurate assessment of practices in France. The secondary objective was to identify situations in which the choice of surgical treatement appeared to be consensual or controversial and to try to identify the parameters that influence these choices. Methods: A survey of practices was conducted among foot and ankle surgeons in France from 3 different societies (SFA, AFCP, and GRECMIP). The survey consisted of 2 parts; the first part focused on the surgeon’s characteristics and the second part presented 3 clinical cases. A therapeutic choice was validated for each situation. Results: Two hundred and twenty-eight responses were recorded. The average age of surgeons was 46 years and they had been treating ankle instability for an average of 14 years. 67% performed this procedure less than 20 times a year and only 7% more than 50 times. More than half of them adapted to each situation (56%) while 44% always use the same technique. In 9% of cases because they are only proficient in one technique and in the other cases because they believe the technique always provides good results. 63% used the technique in open surgery, 21% under arthroscopy, 13% in minimally invasive surgery and in 7% of the cases an initial arthroscopy is performed before open surgery for stabilization. Conclusion: This survey reflected the heterogeneity of surgical practices in ankle instability and provided indications for areas of research in clinical situations with the least consensus.

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An Update on Foot and Ankle Fellowship Website Content and Accessibility

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011420912957 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 247301142091295

Author(s):

Ansab Khwaja ◽

Peter Du ◽

Nathan Sherman ◽

Lisa Truchan

Keyword(s):

Foot And Ankle ◽

Fellowship Program ◽

Educational Content ◽

Fellowship Programs ◽

Program Content ◽

Operative Experience ◽

American Orthopaedic ◽

Website Content ◽

Google Search

Background: The content and accessibility of foot and ankle fellowship websites impact applicants and fellowship programs. This study aimed to evaluate the accessibility provided via the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) websites and individual websites. Methods: The AOFAS website was used to identify existing foot and ankle fellowship programs. The database information was reviewed for links to fellowship program websites, which was corroborated through a Google search for accessibility. Information from fellowship program websites and the AOFAS was analyzed for the presence of recruitment and educational content, and this analysis was compared to previously reported metrics. Results: Forty-eight orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship programs were identified. The AOFAS database featured direct links to 19 (40%) fellowship websites with the Google search providing direct links to 35 (73%) websites. Foot and ankle fellowship information markedly improved in domains of Salary/Benefits (+233%), Rotations/Curriculum (+199%), and Faculty Listing (+67%), but there was a reduction in available content in the domains of Operative Experience (–79%), Office/Clinic information (–78%), and Didactics (–39%) compared with the lone existing study. Conclusion: There continues to be variability between foot and ankle fellowship websites and the AOFAS website regarding program content and descriptions. Some information is more readily available, but other domains have less information now than in previously reported research.

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Medium-term results of the HINTEGRA total ankle arthroplasty

Journal of the Foot & Ankle ◽

10.30795/jfootankle.2020.v14.1198 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 231-238

Author(s):

Mohammadali Khademi ◽

Paulo Ferrao ◽

Nikiforos Saragas

Keyword(s):

Case Series ◽

Ankle Arthrodesis ◽

Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Foot And Ankle ◽

Medium Term ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Ankle Arthroplasty ◽

Secondary Objective ◽

American Orthopaedic

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine patient satisfaction, survivorship, and revision rate of the HINTEGRA total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Our secondary objective was to assess hindfoot function. Methods: All patients who underwent a HINTEGRA TAA between 2007 and 2014 were evaluated. We included a total of 69 patients (69 ankles), who were subjected to clinical and radiological examination and completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle score, and the self-reported foot and ankle score (SEFAS). Hindfoot function was assessed using the AOFAS hindfoot score. Mean follow-up was 62 (57–101) months. Results: The mean VAS score was 2 (0–3) and the SEFAS was 37 (26–48) at the most recent follow-up, while the AOFAS ankle score improved from 57 (52–62) to 87 (82–93). The AOFAS hindfoot score improved from 82 to 92 postoperatively. Eight patients had periprosthetic osteolysis and 5 underwent bone grafting of cysts. We detected polyethylene and hydroxyapatite particles in specimens obtained from the cysts. Eight patients had their procedures converted to an ankle arthrodesis. Conclusion: In select patients, TAA improved quality of life. Our medium-term follow-up of the HINTEGRA TAA observed a survivorship of 89% at 5 years with an improvement in the AOFAS score and a mean SEFAS score of 37. We recommend that large periprosthetic cysts, which may be caused by the hydroxyapatite coating and polyethylene particles, be bone grafted prophylactically. We found hindfoot function to be preserved. Level of Evidence IV; Therapeutic Studies; Case Series.

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Defining abnormal cold sensitivity using the Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity questionnaire: a population study

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1177/1753193421996221 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175319342199622

Author(s):

Albin Stjernbrandt ◽

Ingrid Liljelind ◽

Tohr Nilsson ◽

Jens Wahlström

Keyword(s):

Symptom Severity ◽

Response Rate ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Cold Sensitivity ◽

Northern Sweden ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Cold Intolerance ◽

Healthy Working ◽

Working Age ◽

Secondary Objective

Cold sensitivity, a common and disabling sequela of hand injury, can be assessed using the Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS) questionnaire, rating symptoms on a scale from 4 to 100. The primary objective of this study was to define a clinical cut-off for abnormal cold sensitivity based on the CISS score in a healthy working-age population. The secondary objective was to investigate how age, gender and previous injuries and diseases influence CISS scoring. In this study, 1239 out of 1582 selected healthy subjects of working age living in northern Sweden completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 78%. The 95th percentile for the CISS score was 49.5 for men and 53.0 for women. The effects of age, gender and previous injuries and diseases were minor and not considered clinically relevant. The results support that a CISS score above 50 should be considered as abnormal cold sensitivity. Level of evidence: III

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The Student Room Survey: Changes in the Post Graduate Study for Cardiothoracic Surgery

Journal of Surgical Sciences ◽

10.3329/jss.v23i2.46113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 71-74

Author(s):

Md Faizus Sazzad ◽

Mohammed Moniruzzaman ◽

Dewan Iftakher Raza Choudhury ◽

Arif Ahmed Mohiuddin ◽

Raafi Rahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thoracic Surgery ◽

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Graduate Study ◽

Postgraduate Students ◽

Depth Interview ◽

Secondary Objective ◽

Cardio Vascular ◽

The University ◽

Day By Day

Background: The number of postgraduate students in Cardiac surgical discipline is increasing day by day with incremental proportion are measurably suffering from the unnecessary lingering of the present course curriculum. The primary objective of this study was to find out the last 5 years’ of results of Masters in Surgery course under the University of Dhaka from a student room survey. A secondary objective was to find out positive changes that could show us the way of a step toward up-gradation. Methods: It is a retrospective analysis of all examination results of Cardio-vascular & Thoracic Surgery published since January 2008 to January 2013 from the University of Dhaka with in depth interview of 11 participants. Results: 85.24% students failed to pass part-I of Masters in Surgery for Cardio-vascular & Thoracic Surgery course while, 82.18% in part-II and 71.28% failed to pass the final part. Average 2.51 attempts needed to complete each part of the designed course resulted into lingering of course duration for 42.18 months/student. In the thoracic surgery discipline the number of students alarmingly reduced up to 0% in the recent academic sessions. Conclusions: Masters in Surgery is resulting in unnecessary prolongation of the course. We should step forward to meet the next generation challenge. Journal of Surgical Sciences (2019) Vol. 23(2): 71-74

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Epidemiology of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: population-based cohort study

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-20-0628 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 184 (1) ◽

pp. 19-28

Author(s):

Alexander A Leung ◽

Janice L Pasieka ◽

Martin D Hyrcza ◽

Danièle Pacaud ◽

Yuan Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Administrative Data ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Population Based ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Administrative Databases ◽

Secondary Objective ◽

True Frequency ◽

Clinical Records

Objective Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, little is known about their epidemiology. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma in an ethnically diverse population. A secondary objective was to develop and validate algorithms for case detection using laboratory and administrative data. Design Population-based cohort study in Alberta, Canada from 2012 to 2019. Methods Patients with pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma were identified using linked administrative databases and clinical records. Annual incidence rates per 100 000 people were calculated and stratified according to age and sex. Algorithms to identify pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, based on laboratory and administrative data, were evaluated. Results A total of 239 patients with pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (collectively with 251 tumors) were identified from a population of 5 196 368 people over a period of 7 years. The overall incidence of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma was 0.66 cases per 100 000 people per year. The frequency of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma increased with age and was highest in individuals aged 60–79 years (8.85 and 14.68 cases per 100 000 people per year for males and females, respectively). An algorithm based on laboratory data (metanephrine >two-fold or normetanephrine >three-fold higher than the upper limit of normal) closely approximated the true frequency of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma with an estimated incidence of 0.54 cases per 100 000 people per year. Conslusion The incidence of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma in an unselected population of western Canada was unexpectedly higher than rates reported from other areas of the world.

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