scholarly journals Cross-sectional analysis of women in neurosurgery: a Canadian perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. E13
Author(s):  
Catherine Veilleux ◽  
Nardin Samuel ◽  
Han Yan ◽  
Victoria Bass ◽  
Rabab Al-Shahrani ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEAlthough the past decades have seen a steady increase of women in medicine in general, women continue to represent a minority of the physician-training staff and workforce in neurosurgery in Canada and worldwide. As such, the aim of this study was to analyze the experiences of women faculty practicing neurosurgery across Canada to better understand and address the factors contributing to this disparity.METHODSA historical, cross-sectional, and mixed-method analysis of survey responses was performed using survey results obtained from women attending neurosurgeons across Canada. A web-based survey platform was utilized to collect responses. Quantitative analyses were performed on the responses from the study questionnaire, including summary and comparative statistics. Qualitative analyses of free-text responses were performed using axial and open coding.RESULTSA total of 19 of 31 respondents (61.3%) completed the survey. Positive enabling factors for career success included supportive colleagues and work environment (52.6%); academic accomplishments, including publications and advanced degrees (36.8%); and advanced fellowship training (47.4%). Perceived barriers reported included inequalities with regard to career advancement opportunities (57.8%), conflicting professional and personal interests (57.8%), and lack of mentorship (36.8%). Quantitative analyses demonstrated emerging themes of an increased need for women mentors as well as support and recognition of the contributions to career advancement of personal and family-related factors.CONCLUSIONSThis study represents, to the authors’ knowledge, the first analysis of factors influencing career success and satisfaction in women neurosurgeons across Canada. This study highlights several key factors contributing to the low representation of women in neurosurgery and identifies specific actionable items that can be addressed by training programs and institutions. In particular, female mentorship, opportunities for career advancement, and increased recognition and integration of personal and professional roles were highlighted as areas for future intervention. These findings will provide a framework for addressing these factors and improving the recruitment and retention of females in this specialty.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Ridhwan Biosia Wiratama ◽  
Samsriyaningsih Handayani ◽  
Soetjipto Soetjipto

Background: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the diseases that cause death in the world caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Since it was first discovered in 1987 until December 2017, the number of person with AIDS was 102,667, and the number of person with HIV infections was 280,623. HIV/AIDS cases in East Java occupy the second highest position in Indonesia. Surabaya is the first city in East Java with 934 HIV cases in 2017. LGBTQ is one of the groups at risk of getting HIV/AIDS with prevalence was 24.82%. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influence LGBTQ related to the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Surabaya. Material and Method:  This study was an analytic research using a cross sectional approach. The subject was 80 LGBTQ respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires then analyzed using Chi-square test, with α = 0.05. Result:  The highest age group was 42-46 years (22.5%), the last level of education was dominated by high school (41.3%), and the most types of work were private employees (47.4%). There was no correlation between predisposing factors in the form of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and respondent's HIV status (p = 0.729), there was no correlation between enabling factors in the form of condoms and respondent's HIV status (p = 0.624), there was no correlation between the reinforcing factor in the form of family support with the HIV status of the respondent (p = 0.674) and there was no correlation between preventive behavior and the HIV status of the respondent (p = 0.540).  Conclusion: The need for support between LGBTQs for the dangers of HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ should be more aware of their own health and environment with their social patterns


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 295-301
Author(s):  
Alexandra Jocham ◽  
Pascal O. Berberat ◽  
Antonius Schneider ◽  
Klaus Linde

Background: We aimed to investigate why medical students in Germany participate in elective courses on acupuncture or homeopathy. Methods: The study was a nationwide, cross-sectional survey. Elective courses on acupuncture and homeopathy in the academic half-year 2013/14 were identified by inquiries directed to all 37 German medical schools, to student initiatives, and organizations supporting such courses. Participants of courses were asked to fill in a questionnaire consisting of a free-text question on their motives and closed questions regarding personal experiences, personal environment, evidence, role of the therapy as a complement to conventional medicine, and opportunistic aspects in relation to the therapy chosen. Results: Students participating in 16 of 18 identified acupuncture courses (n = 220) and 12 of 13 identified homeopathy courses (n = 113) filled in the questionnaire. Content analysis of the free text showed that personal experience, a feeling that conventional medicine is somehow incomplete, the belief that acupuncture or homeopathy could help to overcome this shortcoming, and positive characteristics attributed to the therapies were the main motives for participation. Quantitative analyses showed that own experiences and considering the therapy a useful complement to conventional medicine were similarly rated motives in both groups, while opportunistic aspects played almost no role. The influence of the personal environment was more important among homeopathy students, while acupuncture students considered their therapy better backed by evidence. Conclusion: In our survey, personal experiences and the belief that acupuncture or homeopathy allows grasping the patient more holistically were primary motives for participation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-51
Author(s):  
MA Hoque ◽  
A Afzal ◽  
T Nasrin ◽  
AI Mafiz

Child malnutrition coexists in households and communities in Bangladesh due to illiteracy, poverty and knowledge which leading to a risk of disease and mortality. This study is a descriptive cross sectional study, which assessed nutritional status and related factors among high school children. In this study only 52.5% of respondents had a healthy weight. While 45% were underweight and 2.5% were overweight. The relationship between nutritional status and some independent variables at 5% level of significance were birth order (P=0.003), snacking habit (P=0.000), taking care of respondents (P=0.007), fathers’ occupation (P=0.019), mothers’ education (P=0.007), earning person of the family (P=0.028) and money for snacking (P=0.020). Based on results, it’s suggested that periodical monitoring and evaluation of nutritional status of the students should focus on underweight students. Supplementary support from school is still needed, to assist daily intake of students still underweight especially. Health and nutrition education should be taught.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 9(1): 47-51 2016


2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1269-1279 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Beckerman ◽  
IE van Zee ◽  
V de Groot ◽  
GAM van den Bos ◽  
GJ Lankhorst ◽  
...  

Objective This cross-sectional study investigates healthcare utilization, and determines which predisposing, enabling, and health factors are associated with healthcare utilization among 121 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Data on patient-related predisposing, enabling, and health factors were collected by means of written questionnaires and a home visit from a well-trained physiotherapist. Results Of the 121 patients with MS (mean age 43 years, mean score on the Expanded Disability Status Scale 3.5, disease duration 6 years), 16% were hospitalized in the previous year; 62% consulted their general practitioner, and 69% consulted their neurologist in the previous 6 months. Other medical specialists were consulted in the 6-month period by 50% of the study population. In a 4-week period preceding the home visit, 41% of the patients were treated by an allied healthcare professional. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that consulting the general practitioner, the neurologist, other medical specialists, and allied healthcare professionals, and the use of equipment/aids by MS patients is primarily related to their health, either as perceived by the patients themselves or defined by the professional. Conclusions MS patients in the Netherlands make appropriate use of healthcare facilities, because their utilization can predominantly be explained by health-related factors, and not by predisposing or enabling factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101
Author(s):  
Ronnie E. Baticulon ◽  
Michael C. Dewan ◽  
Nunthasiri Wittayanakorn ◽  
Philipp R. Aldana ◽  
Wirginia J. Maixner

OBJECTIVEThere are limited data on the pediatric neurosurgical workforce in Asia and Australasia. The training and clinical practice of pediatric neurosurgeons need to be characterized in order to identify gaps in knowledge and skills, thereby establishing a framework from which to elevate pediatric neurosurgical care in the region.METHODSAn online survey for pediatric neurosurgeons was created in REDCap (Research Electronic Database Capture), collecting demographic information and data on pediatric neurosurgical training and clinical practice. The link to answer the survey was sent to the mailing lists of the Asian Australasian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Japanese Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, disseminated during the 2019 Asian Australasian Pediatric Neurosurgery Congress, and spread through social media. The survey was open to neurosurgeons who operated on patients ≤ 18 years old in Asian Australasian countries, whether or not they had completed fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery. Descriptive statistics were computed and tabulated. Data were stratified and compared based on surgeon training and World Bank income group.RESULTSA total of 155 valid survey responses were analyzed, representing neurosurgeons from 21 countries. A total of 107 (69%) considered themselves pediatric neurosurgeons, of whom 66 (43%) had completed pediatric neurosurgery training. Neurosurgeons in East Asia commonly undergo a fellowship in their home countries, whereas the rest train mostly in North America, Europe, and Australia. A majority (89%) had operating privileges, and subspecialty pediatric training usually lasted from 6 months to 2 years. On average, trained pediatric neurosurgeons perform a higher number of pediatric neurosurgical operations per year compared with nonpediatric-trained respondents (131 ± 129 vs 56 ± 64 [mean ± SD], p = 0.0001). The mean number of total neurosurgical operations per year is similar for both groups (184 ± 129 vs 178 ± 142 [mean ± SD], p = 0.80). Respondents expressed the desire to train further in pediatric epilepsy, spasticity, vascular malformations, craniofacial disorders, and brain tumors.CONCLUSIONSBoth pediatric and general neurosurgeons provide neurosurgical care to children in Asia and Australasia. There is a need to increase pediatric neurosurgery fellowship programs in the region. Skill sets and training needs in pediatric neurosurgery vary depending on the country’s economic status and between pediatric-trained and nonpediatric-trained surgeons.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp20X711293
Author(s):  
Sarah Garnett ◽  
Hajira Dambha-Miller ◽  
Beth Stuart

BackgroundEmpathy is a key health care concept and refers to care that incorporates understanding of patient perspective’s, shared decision making, and consideration of the broader context in which illness is experience. Evidence suggests experiences of doctor empathy correlate with improved health outcomes and patient satisfaction. It has also been linked to job satisfaction, and mental wellbeing for doctors. To date, there is a paucity of evidence on empathy levels among medical students. This is critical to understand given that it is a key point at which perceptions and practices of empathy in the longer term might be formed.AimTo quantify the level of empathy among UK undergraduate medical studentsMethodAn anonymised cross-sectional online survey was distributed to medical students across three universities. The previously validated Davis’s Interpersonal Reactivity Index was used to quantify empathy. The survey also collected information on age, sex, ethnicity, year of medical school training and included a free-text box for ‘any other comments’.ResultsData analysis is currently underway with high response rates. Mean empathy scores by age, sex, year of study and ethnic group are presented. A correlation analysis will examine associations between age and year of study, and mean empathy sores.ConclusionThese data will help to provide a better understanding of empathy levels to inform the provision of future empathy training and medical school curriculum design. Given previous evidence linking experiences of empathy to better health outcomes, the findings may also be significant to future patient care


2015 ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Xuan Chuong Tran ◽  
Thi Thanh Hoa Le ◽  
Ngoc Van Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Nguyen

Background: HIV/AIDS is still a dangerous infection in Vietnam and in the world. Studying of HIV infection and related factors in high risk groups, including female massage therapists is therefore very important. Aims: 1. To study the HIV infection in female massage therapists in Quang Ngai province. 2. To fine some related factors to HIV infection. Patients and methods: Female massage therapists working in Quang Ngai province. Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Results: The rate of HIV infection was 0.99%. Group older than 22 years old had higher rate of infection than group under 22 years old (1.80% vs 0.69%). The girls from urban areas or not using condom had higher rate of infection than group from rural or not using condom (1.57% vs 0.47% and 7.32% vs. 0.57%). Most of HIV infected belong to single or divorce groups. Conclusions: The rate of HIV infection in female massage therapists in Quang Ngai province was 0.99%. The HIV infection related factor was not using condom in sexual contact. Keywords: HIV, female massage therapists, Quang Ngai


2015 ◽  
pp. 153-161
Author(s):  
Thi Bach Yen Hoang ◽  
Thi Hai Pham ◽  
Dinh Tuyen Hoang ◽  
Thi Huong Le ◽  
Van Thang Vo

Food consumption survey is an essential parts of nutrition surveys. It helps to determine the type and quantity of food consumed, assessing the balance of the diet, the relationship between nutrient intake and health, diseases, and economic status, culture society... There are many methods to investigate food consumption. 24-hour food record is a method that record all food consumed by the subject during previous 24 hours. Using this method in chidren helps to assess the their diet to see if it responses the demand in order to have proper nutrition. Objectives: 1. Calculating the number of each food groups consumed within 24 hours of children 1 to 5 years in Phuoc Vinh ward, Hue City; 2. Assessing the quality of their diet and some related factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was implemented on 200 pairs of children aged 1 to 5 and parents or caregivers living in Phuoc Vinh ward, Hue city and some related factors. Results: 82% of the children’s diets covered 4 food groups. Prevalence of glucide, protein, lipide out of the total energy intake were 44.1%, 19.5%, 36.3% respectively within group of 12-<48 months and 50%, 19.5%, 30.6% respectively within group of 48-<72 months. Total energy and protein intake were higher than demanded (p <0.05) while glucide and lipide were lower than demanded (p <0.05). Economical status of family was significant associated with variety of food (all 4 food groups) in the diet of children (p <0.05) and total energy consumed (p <0.05). Conclusion: The children did not have proper nutrition so further research need to be implemented to have suitable interventions. Key words: 24 hours food records, children aged 1 to 5, Hue city.


2012 ◽  
pp. 129-134
Author(s):  
Thi Lan Tran ◽  
Thi Huong Le ◽  
Xuan Ninh Nguyen

Objectives: Assess the nutritional status, worm infection status and some related factors among children aged 12-36 months of Dakrong district, Quang Tri province. Subject and method: A cross sectional study was carried out in 2010, in 680 children aged 12-36 months in 4 communes of Dakrong district, Quang Tri province. Results: The malnutrition rate was 55.0% for underweight, 66.5% for stunting and 16.2% for wasting. The prevalence of malnutrition increases by age group. The prevalence of worm infection was 31.6%, the highest prevalence was belong to Ascaris infection (24.6%), followed by Hookworm and Trichuris (6.5% and 6.2%, respectively). The prevalence of worm infection among children under two is very high (27.0%). The prevalence of worm infection was distributed quite equally between the malnutrition children group and normal children group. Recommendation: Early deworming forchildren from 12 months should be considered as important strategy against the malnutrition of children in Dakrong district, Quang Tri province


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e029931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiko Narisada ◽  
Kohta Suzuki

ObjectiveTo investigate the associations among procrastination (time inconsistency), work environment and obesity-related factors in Japanese male workers.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingData were collected at two work sites of Japanese electronics manufacturing company in 2015.Participants795 full-time male workers in a Japanese electric company, aged 35–64 years, who underwent health checkups in 2015.Main outcome measuresBody mass index (BMI), adult weight change, obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2), adult weight gain over 10 kg (AWG10) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations of procrastination assessed by using a one-item questionnaire and white-collar and blue-collar work with obesity-related factors.ResultsWhite-collar workers with high procrastination levels showed positive associations with BMI (B: 0.75, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.44) and adult weight change (B: 1.77, 95% CI 0.26 to 3.29), and had increased odds of AWG10 (OR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.29) and MetS (OR: 2.29 95% CI 1.18 to 4.44) after adjustment for age, education, work-related factors and lifestyle factors. However, such positive associations were not observed among blue-collar workers.ConclusionsProcrastination and white-collar work might have a joint effect on weight gain during adulthood and consequential obesity.


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