Examining The Objectivity of Scoring and Evaluation of Simulation Training

Abstract Objective: The increase in minimally invasive surgery and endovascular procedures has led to a decrease in surgical experience. This may adversely affect both surgical training and postoperative management. Since it poses no risk to a patient, simulation training may be a solution these problems. COVID-19 requires social distancing which has created a negative impact on the simulation educational environment. To date, there is only limited research examining whether skills are evaluated objectively and equally in simulation training, especially in microsurgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the objectivity and equality of simulation evaluation results conducted in a contest format.Methods: A nationwide recruitment process was conducted to select study participants. Participants were recruited from a pool of qualified physicians with less than 10 years’ experience. In this study, the simulation procedure consisted of incising a 1 mm thick artificial blood vessel and suturing it with a 10-0 thread using a surgical microscope. To evaluate the simulation procedures, a scoring chart was developed with a maximum of 5 points each for eight different evaluation criteria. Five neurosurgical supervisors from different hospitals were asked to use this scoring chart to grade the simulation proceduresResults: Initially, we planned to have the neurosurgical supervisors score the simulation procedure by direct observation. However, due to COVID-19 some study participants were unable to attend. Thus requiring some simulation procedures to be scored by video review. A total of 14 trainees participated in the study. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient among the scorers was 0.99, indicating a strong correlation. There was no statistically significant difference between the scores from the video review and direct observation judgments. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the scores for some criteria. For the eight criteria, individual scorers assigned scores in a consistent pattern. However, this pattern differed between scorers indicating that some scorers were more lenient than others.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that both video review and direct observation methods are useful and highly objective techniques evaluate simulation procedures. Despite differences in score assignment patterns between individual scorers.

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Comparison of Time spent between an electronic and a paper-based laboratory information system by laboratorians at a polyclinic in Greater Accra, Ghana: A time-motion study

10.31124/advance.12917756.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Philip Boakye

Keyword(s):

Information System ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Laboratory Information System ◽

Time Motion ◽

Accessible Information ◽

Motion Study ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Significant Negative Impact ◽

Key Issues ◽

Motion Studies

The acceptance of electronic laboratory information system (LIS) is gradually increasing in developing countries. However, the issue of time effectiveness due to computerization is less clear as there is fewer accessible information. One of the key issues for laboratorians is their indecision with LISs’ would-be effect of time on their work. A polyclinic in Ghana was in the process of implementing electronic LIS. Several of the laboratorians did not have knowledge and skill in computing and there were disagreeing views on the time effectiveness of the LIS after implementation. The management of the polyclinic laboratory was concerned to assess time advantageousness of recording data when using the electronic LIS compared with paper-based LIS. <div><br></div><div>Five randomly selected laboratorians were provided two sheets of paper with tables to document the time they spent for both paper-based and electronic LIS. Data were collected for a total of 230 records,115 electronic LIS and 115 paper-based LIS. The t-test (mean-comparison test) was computed to compare the means of both electronic and paperbased LIS times. </div><div><br></div><div>There was a statistical significant difference in the time spent between electronic and paper-based LIS. The time spent between paper-based and electronic LIS was 0.41 minutes (95% CI 0.15 to 0.66) longer than in electronic LIS. </div><div><br></div><div>LIS can be adopted in polyclinics without having significant negative impact on time spent between electronic and paper-based LIS. More time–motion studies that include laboratorians are however necessary in order to get a more complete picture of time spent between electronic and paper-based LIS. </div>

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Avoidance of Healthcare Utilization in South Korea during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084363 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4363

Author(s):

Minjung Lee ◽

Myoungsoon You

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

South Korea ◽

Healthcare Utilization ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽

Related Factors ◽

First Case ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Health Related

Avoidance of healthcare utilization among the general population during pandemic outbreaks has been observed and it can lead to a negative impact on population health. The object of this study is to examine the influence of socio-demographic and health-related factors on the avoidance of healthcare utilization during the global outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2020. Data were collected through an online survey four weeks after the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirmed the first case in South Korea; 1000 subjects were included in the analysis. The logit model for regression was used to analyze the associations between sociodemographic and health-related factors regarding the avoidance of healthcare utilization. Among the participants, 73.2% avoided healthcare utilization, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of healthcare avoidance between groups with (72.0%) and without (74.9%) an underlying disease. Sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., gender, age, income level, and residential area) were related to healthcare avoidance. Among the investigated influencing factors, residential areas highly affected by COVID-19 (i.e., Daegu/Gyeoungbuk region) had the most significant effect on healthcare avoidance. This study found a high prevalence of healthcare avoidance among the general population who under-utilized healthcare resources during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the results reveal that not all societal groups share the burden of healthcare avoidance equally, with it disproportionately affecting those with certain sociodemographic characteristics. This study can inform healthcare under-utilization patterns during emerging infectious disease outbreaks and provide information to public health emergency management for implementing strategies necessary to improve the preparedness of the healthcare system.

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Emotional Bonding and Sexual Activity During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-National Pilot Study

Journal of Psychosexual Health ◽

10.1177/26318318211027482 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 263183182110274

Author(s):

Deblina Roy ◽

Sujita Kumar Kar ◽

SM Yasir Arafat ◽

Pawan Sharma ◽

Russell Kabir

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Sexual Relationships ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Emotional Bonding ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Study Participants

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures have affected the sexuality and emotional bonding among the couple across the world. Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the married people’s emotional bonding and sexual relationships in 3 south Asian counties (Bangladesh, India, and Nepal). Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Bangladesh, India, and Nepal residents from April 3 to April 15, 2020. The survey was designed in English. The participants were selected through convenience sampling technique, the link of the online questionnaire was shared with the participants. Only participants older than 18 years and above, married, and living with their spouses were included in the study. Results: A total number of 120 respondents were included finally for analysis from the participating countries (India, Nepal, and Bangladesh). The mean age of the participants was 35.42 (±5.73) years; the majority were males under the age of 40 years and had completed postgraduation as their qualification. Among the study participants, more than half (53.8%) of the women reported being sexually active during the lockdown, whereas 41% of the men reported being sexually active. Among the sexually active participants, most women (57.7%) reported that they perceived positive emotional bonding with their partners. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference observed when compared with men. There are variations in responses. However, no significant association was identified. Conclusion: There are a few insights from the study, that is, there was no significant difference found in almost 3 countries in emotional intimacy. There had been a trend that there is improved emotional bonding with their partners, although no significant difference was observed.

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Assessing Architecture-and-Landscape Integration as a Basis for Evaluating the Impact of Construction Projects on the Cultural Landscape of Tourist Seaside Resorts

Land ◽

10.3390/land10010017 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 17

Author(s):

Wojciech Bal ◽

Magdalena Czalczynska-Podolska

Keyword(s):

Construction Projects ◽

Cultural Landscape ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Residential Buildings ◽

Evaluation Criteria ◽

Development Project ◽

Clear Trend ◽

Original Culture ◽

Construction Plans ◽

The Impact

The coastline of Western Pomerania has natural and cultural assets that have promoted the development of tourism, but also require additional measures to ensure the traditional features and characteristics are protected. This is to ensure that new developments conform to a more uniform set of spatial structures which are in line with the original culture. Today, seaside resorts are characterized by a rapid increase in development with a clear trend towards non-physiognomic architectural forms which continually expand and encroach on land closer to the coastline. This results in a blurring of the original concepts that characterized the founding seaside resort. This study evaluates 11 development projects (including a range of hotels, luxury residential buildings and hotel suites) built in 2009–2020 in the coastal area of Western Pomerania. An assessment of architecture-and-landscape integration for each development project was made, using four groups of evaluation criteria: aesthetic, socio-cultural, functional and locational factors. The study methodology included a historical and interpretative study (iconology, iconography, historiography) and an examination of architecture-and-landscape integration using a pre-prepared evaluation form. Each criterion was first assessed using both field surveys and desk research (including the analysis of construction plans and developer materials), and then compared with the original, traditional qualities of the town. This study demonstrates that it is possible to clearly identify the potential negative impact of tourism development on the cultural landscape of seaside resorts, and provides recommendations for future shaping, management and conservation of the landscape.

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Microfracture for the Treatment of Symptomatic Cartilage Lesions of the Knee: A Survey of International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society

Cartilage ◽

10.1177/1947603520954503 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 194760352095450

Author(s):

Jesus Medina ◽

Ignacio Garcia-Mansilla ◽

Peter D. Fabricant ◽

Thomas J. Kremen ◽

Seth L. Sherman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surgical Technique ◽

Regional Differences ◽

Current Practice ◽

Cartilage Regeneration ◽

Postoperative Management ◽

Cartilage Lesions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Rehabilitation Protocols ◽

Joint Repair ◽

Vertical Walls

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the current practice trends for managing symptomatic cartilage lesions of the knee with microfracture among ICRS (International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Repair Society) members. Design A 42-item electronic questionnaire was sent to all ICRS members, which explored indications, surgical technique, postoperative management, and outcomes of the microfracture procedure for the treatment of symptomatic, full thickness chondral and osteochondral defects of the knee. Responses were compared between surgeons from different regions and years of practice. Results A total of 385 surgeons answered the questionnaire. There was a significant difference noted in the use of microfracture among surgeons by region ( P < 0.001). There was no association between the number of years in practice and the self-reported proportion of microfracture cases performed ( P = 0.37). Fifty-eight subjects (15%) indicated that they do not perform microfracture at all. Regarding indication for surgery, 56% of surgeons would limit their indication of microfracture to lesions measuring 2 cm2 or less. Half of the surgeons reported no upper age or body mass index limit. Regarding surgical technique, 90% of surgeons would recommend a formal debridement of the calcified layer and 91% believe it is important to create stable vertical walls. Overall, 47% of surgeons use biologic augmentation, with no significant difference between regions ( P = 0.35) or years of practice ( P = 0.67). Rehabilitation protocols varied widely among surgeons. Conclusions Indications, operative technique, and rehabilitation protocols utilized for patients undergoing microfracture procedures vary widely among ICRS members. Regional differences and resources likely contribute to these practice pattern variations.

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Efeitos da crioterapia e da diatermia por micro-ondas sobre a capacidade de produção de força de flexores de cotovelo de homens saudáveis

Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance ◽

10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n3p332 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 332

Author(s):

Juliana Carvalho Schleder ◽

Andrelize Müller ◽

Walkyria Vilas Boas Fernandes ◽

Andrielle Elaine Capote

Keyword(s):

Production Capacity ◽

Peak Strength ◽

Isometric Strength ◽

The Other ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Thermal Changes ◽

Study Participants ◽

Sedentary Subjects ◽

Isometric Muscle ◽

Microwave Diathermy

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n3p332 Physiological effects of thermal changes in tissues might influence some physical properties of muscle fibers, such as strength. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cryotherapy and microwave diathermy application on the strength production capacity of the elbow flexor muscles. Thirty male, healthy and sedentary subjects, with average age of 22.40 (±3.42) years, participated in this prospective study. Participants were submitted to assessment of isometric strength production capability by an adapted load cell. Half of volunteers received cryotherapy on the first day of application and microwave diathermy (MD) 48 hours later, whereas the other half was treated the other way around. Cryotherapy was applied up to the temperature of the biceps region reached 25ºC, and MD was applied up to 42ºC. Six peak strength reevaluations were made over 2 hours. There was significant increase in peak strength (PS) up to 15 minutes after cryotherapy, then there was a decrease in maximum isometric strength, however, statistically significant difference remained up to 1 hour and 30 minutes after cryotherapy. In MD, PS decreased significantly after application until 15 min. From this moment, PS returned close to the initial value, and in the last assessment, PS reduced again. Cryotherapy and MD differently interfered in isometric muscle strength production capacity of elbow flexors, while cooling generated increment, heating caused decline.

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Prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity among Tibetan adolescents aged 12-17 years

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021000215 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Yunfei Zhang ◽

Jiahong Sun ◽

Min Zhao ◽

Costan G. Magnussen ◽

Xi Bo

Keyword(s):

Sampling Method ◽

Total Sample ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Clear Trend ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Study Participants

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity among Tibetan adolescents aged 12-17 years. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Shigatse city of Tibet municipality, with an average altitude of more than 4000 m. Subjects: Study participants included 2,642 adolescents aged 12-17 years selected from 6 schools using a convenient cluster sampling method. Results: The prevalence of thinness/overweight/obesity among Tibetan adolescents was 9.4%/5.4%/1.4% (China definition), 14.7%/4.4%/0.7% (IOTF definition), and 2.8%/5.7%/0.9% (WHO definition). The prevalence of thinness and overweight was significantly different between both sexes based on each of three BMI classification criteria (P <0.001). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of obesity between both sexes according to each of three BMI criteria. There was no clear trend in the prevalence of thinness across ages according to the China or IOTF definition (both P >0.05), whereas an upward trend was observed for thinness in boys according to the IOTF definition (P for trend <0.05). In contrast, the prevalence of thinness tended to decrease with increasing age in girls according to the IOTF definition, and in total sample according to the WHO definition (P for trend <0.05). Conclusions: Among Tibetan adolescents, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is relatively low, while the prevalence of thinness is high, especially in boys. These data suggest urgent attention is needed to control adolescent thinness in Tibet.

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Sibling Visiting in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.71.5.835 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 71 (5) ◽

pp. 835-838

Author(s):

Fred Schwab ◽

Brenda Tolbert ◽

Stephen Bagnato ◽

M. Jeffrey Maisels

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Direct Observation ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Behavioral Patterns ◽

Control Intervention ◽

Significant Difference

The effect of sibling visiting in a neonatal intensive care unit was studied. Sixteen siblings of 13 infants were randomly assigned to a visiting or nonvisiting group. Behavioral patterns were measured by questionnaires administered to the parents and by direct observation and interviews with the children. There were no significant changes in the behavior of the children following the birth of their sibling, and there was no significant difference between the behavior scores of the two groups 1 week after the experimental (or control) intervention. The visiting children did not show signs of fear or anxiety during the visit. These data suggest that sibling visiting to a neonatal intensive care unit is not likely to be harmful and might be beneficial to the siblings and their families.

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Association of blood pressure with diabetic retinopathy and its severity in patients of type-II diabetics.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2021.28.03.6322 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (03) ◽

pp. 422-427

Author(s):

Kanwal Ijaz ◽

Muhammad Luqman Ali Bahoo ◽

Beenish Karamat ◽

Asia Aziz

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Study Results ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Qualitative Variables ◽

Type Ii Diabetics ◽

Study Participants ◽

Study Setting

Objective: To identify the association of blood pressure with DR and its severity in type two diabetics. Study Design: Descriptive, Correlational study. Setting: Outpatient Department of Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust Eye Hospital, Lahore. Period: 1st July, 2016 to 30th August, 2016. Materials & Method: After recording of demographic data, 80 type two diabetics of age 45-65 years of both genders were evaluated by consultant ophthalmologist for status and grading of diabetic retinopathy. Blood pressure was recorded with the help of mercury sphygmomanometer. Data were entered and analyzed on SPSS version 22. Qualitative variables were mentioned as percentages. For comparison of quantitative variables, student ”t” test or mann whiten U test as per distribution of data, were applied. For exploring the association between blood pressure and diabetic retinopathy, spearman rho correlation test was employed. Results: Out of total 80 patients, 42 had DR of varying grade. Most of the study participants were females (62.5 %). On comparison between two groups, systolic blood pressure was not significantly different however, diastolic blood pressure had significant difference. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure had significant association with severity of DR in both eyes of the patients with only exception of diastolic blood pressure with severity in left eye, which had non-significant correlation. Conclusion: The study results suggest that, blood pressure should be considered as a contributing factor for development and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

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Association between sex differences on foot health related to the quality of life in a sample of sedentary people

Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1806-9282.65.2.149 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 149-155

Author(s):

Daniel López-López ◽

Jose María Cancela-Carral ◽

Romeu Araujo ◽

Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias ◽

Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Metabolic Energy ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Foot Health ◽

Sedentary Population ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Reported Data

SUMMARY Sedentary (sitting) time may produce many anatomical and physiological consequences which are supposedly associated with a decreased quality of life (QoL) related to foot health. Accordingly, this study aimed to analyze the QoL impact on the overall health and the foot health among male and female sedentary people. A total of 312 participants with an age mean of 39.81 ± 15.40 years completed all phases of the study. In addition, self-reported data were registered. The participants' sedentary lifestyle was determined using the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) physical activity questionnaire. Furthermore, the scores obtained from the Portuguese version of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire were registered. Sedentary people in the equivalent metabolic energy had 301.09 ± 72.22 (min/week). In the first section, values were higher for foot pain and foot function and lower for general foot health and footwear. In the second section, values were higher for general health and vigor and lower for physical activity and social capacity. The differences between the sex groups of the study were statistically significant for footwear (P = 0.008), physical activity (P= 0.002), social capacity (P = 0.001) and vigor (P = 0.001) showing a worst QoL related to foot health in favor of male subjects in comparison with females. The rest of the domains did not show any statistically significant difference (P ≥ .01). The sedentary population evidenced a negative impact on the QoL related to foot health. This problem may be associated with this lifestyle, especially for males.

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