HiTOP Is Not an Improvement Over the DSM

In their response to our article (both in this issue), DeYoung and colleagues did not sufficiently address three fundamental flaws with the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP). First, HiTOP was created using a simple-structure factor-analytic approach, which does not adequately represent the dimensional space of the symptoms of psychopathology. Consequently, HiTOP is not the empirical structure of psychopathology. Second, factor analysis and dimensional ratings do not fix the problems inherent to descriptive (folk) classification; self-reported symptoms are still the basis on which clinical judgments about people are made. Finally, HiTOP is not ready to use in real-world clinical settings. There is currently no empirical evidence demonstrating that clinicians who use HiTOP have better clinical outcomes than those who use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM). In sum, HiTOP is a factor-analytic variation of the DSM that does not get the field closer to a more valid and useful taxonomy.

Using the vignette methodology to measure access

Background A vignette is a short description of a person or situation designed to simulate key features of a real- world scenario. Usually this vignette is then presented to relevant professionals to solicit their hypothetical response or behaviour. In medical literature, vignettes are mostly used to study clinical judgments, compare hospital prices, self-assess health or examine how age, sex, socioeconomic or insurance status affects chosen treatment. Methods We aimed to develop a method to utilize case vignettes to gain a better understanding of health access challenges. To this end, we studied available access indicators and frameworks and vignette applications as well as possible ways to include internationally recommended care plans to increase comparability of results across countries. Results We developed a five-step approach consisting of (1) selection of vignettes, (2) drafting of vignettes and a questionnaire based on available access framework and best practice guidelines for treatment, (3) expert validation, (4) application of vignette in country context, and (5) systematic analysis of country feedback. Four detailed pilots were carried out for dental care, stroke, depression and palliative care, in up to 12 European countries. Conclusions The vignette approach has the potential to identify gaps in coverage and access as well as differences in treatment and quality. Four detailed pilots have provided valuable insights in the challenges and limitations of the method that can be addressed in future applications. These include suggestions to improve user friendliness, scope, expert selection and complementing the survey with more specific and quantitative questions.

P106 Evaluating the correlation between objective daytime sleepiness, daytime functioning and subjective sleepiness

Introduction Daytime sleepiness is typically assessed in clinical settings with the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT). However, these tests do not necessarily assess daytime functioning. This study aimed to assess the correlation between a 10-min Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT), as a measure of daytime functioning, and excessive daytime sleepiness as measured with the MSLT or MWT. Methods Patients attending the sleep clinic for assessments of daytime sleepiness underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) and completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The following day, patients completed four test sessions every 2h starting 1.5h after waking. Testing sessions included the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), PVT, MWT or MSLT. PVT lapses (reaction time >500ms), SSS score and sleep latencies (MSLT and MWT) were averaged within participants across sessions and regression analyses performed to assess the relationship between PVT lapses and sleepiness measures. Results A total of 41 patients (BMI: 33.7±8.7kg/m²; aged 44.8±17.8 years) completed the study. Of these, 22 (19 F) underwent the MSLT and 19 (2 F) underwent the MWT. PVT lapses correlated with MWT mean sleep latency (r²=0.62; p<0.001), ESS (r²= 0.19; p<0.01) and SSS (r²= 0.12; p<0.05) but not MSLT mean sleep latency (r²= 0.02; p = 0.50). Discussion In clinical practice, MWT and ESS are often used in conjunction to assess daytime functioning. Results suggest that the PVT could be used alongside MWT to aid clinical judgments around an individuals’ daytime functioning.

Norms and standardizations in neuropsychology via equivalent scores: software solutions and practical guides

Background Norming neuropsychological tests and standardizing their raw scores are needed to draw objective clinical judgments on clients’ neuropsychological profile. The Equivalent Score (ES) method is a regression-based normative/standardization technique that relies on the non-parametric identification of the observations corresponding to the outer and inner tolerance limits (oTL; iTL) — to derive a cut-off, as well as to between-ES thresholds — to mark the passage across different levels of ability. However, identifying these observations is still a time-consuming, “manual” procedure. This work aimed at providing practitioners with a user-friendly code that helps compute TLs and ES thresholds. Methods R language and RStudio environment were adopted. A function for identifying the observations corresponding to both TLs by exploiting Beta distribution features was implemented. A code for identifying the observations corresponding to ES thresholds according to a z-deviate-based approach is also provided. Results An exhaustive paradigm of usage of both the aforementioned function and script has been carried out. A user-friendly, online applet is provided for the calculation of both TLs and ESs thresholds. A brief summary of the regression-based procedure preceding the identification of TLs and ESs threshold is also given (along with an R script implementing these steps). Discussion The present work provides with a software solution to the calculation of TLs and ES thresholds for norming/standardizing neuropsychological tests. These software can help reduce both the subjectivity and the error rate when applying the ES method, as well as simplify and expedite its implementation.

Comparison of Point-of-Care versus Central Laboratory Testing of Electrolytes, Hemoglobin, and Bilirubin in Neonates

Objective Electrolyte, hemoglobin, and bilirubin values are routinely reported with point-of-care (POC) testing for blood gases. Results are rapidly available and require a small blood volume. Yet, these results are underutilized due to noted discrepancies between central laboratory (CL) and POC testing. The study aimed to determine the correlation between POC and CL measurement of electrolytes, hemoglobin, and bilirubin in neonates. Study Design Electrolyte, hemoglobin, and bilirubin results obtained from capillary blood over a 4-month period were analyzed. Each CL value was matched with a POC value from the same sample or another sample less than 1-hour apart. Agreement was determined by measuring the mean difference (MD) between paired samples with 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and Lin's concordance correlation (LCC). Results There were 355-paired sodium/potassium, 139 paired hemoglobin, and 197 paired bilirubin values analyzed. POC sodium values were lower (133.5 ± 5.8 mmol/L) than CL (140.2 ± 5.8 mmol/L), p <0.00001 with poor agreement (LCC = 0.49; MD = 6.7; 95% LOA: −13.6 to 0.14). POC potassium values were lower (4.6 ± 0.98 mmol/L) than CL (4.98 ± 1.24mEq/L), p < 0.0001, but with better concordance and agreement. (LCC = 0.6; MD = 0.4; 95% LOA: −2.3 to 1.4). There were no differences in hemoglobin between POC (14.3 ± 3.2 g/dL) and CL (14.4 ± 3.1 g/dL), p = 0.2 with good LCC (0.93) and in bilirubin values between POC (6.0 ± 3.2 mg/dL) and CL (5.8 ± 3.0 mg/dL), MD = 0.18, and p = 0.07. Conclusion POC Sodium values are lower than CL. POC potassium levels are also lower, but the differences may not be clinically important while hemoglobin and bilirubin levels are similar between POC and CL. As POC potassium, hemoglobin, and bilirubin levels closely reflect CL values, these results can be relied upon to make clinical judgments in neonates. Key Points

Engaging Multiple Medical Epistemologies: Medical Professionals’ Distance Running Advice and Treatment

Distance running is a popular form of physical activity within the United States and the world. Many distance runners experience some form of injury, causing them to seek treatment and advice from a variety of medical professionals. The authors explored how a small group of medical professionals advised and treated patients in regard to engaging in distance running. The authors found that with diverse personal experiences in running, medical professionals are clearly impacted by their own embodied experiences of, and personal beliefs about, distance running in how they treat and advise patients. Therefore, they draw from diverse medical epistemologies in their clinical judgments, including their own embodied experiences, clinical observations, evidenced-based research, narrative medicine, and intersectionality.

Ethicists, doctors and triage decisions: who should decide? And on what basis?

We report here an emerging dispute in Italy concerning triage criteria for critically ill covid-19 patients, and how best to support doctors having to make difficult decisions in a context of insufficient life saving resources. The dispute we present is particularly significant as it juxtaposes two opposite views of who should make triage decisions, and how doctors should best be supported. There are both empirical and normative questions at stake here. The empirical questions pertain to the available level of evidence that healthcare professionals would rather not be left alone with their ‘clinical judgments’ to make triage decisions, and to the accounts of distributive justice that doctors and healthcare professionals rely on, when making triage decisions. The normative questions pertain to how this empirical evidence should inform guidelines on how prioritisation decisions are made in a context of emergency, and who gets to have the authority to do so. This debate goes beyond the discussion of the care of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and has broader implications beyond the national context for the discussion of how to relieve moral distress in contexts of imbalances between healthcare resources and clinical needs of a population.