Perceptions of the Cardiologists and Oncologists: Initial Step for Establishing Cardio-Oncology Service

Background: Over the last years, there was no established cardio-oncology service in Iraq and no firm data about the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with cancer. As an initial step, we decided to conduct a national cardio-oncology online survey for cardiologists, oncologists, and their residents which would help us to understand the expected prevalence, problems, and readiness for collaboration between the two specialties.Objectives: For evaluating the current national practice in the cardiology and oncology specialty fields and to identify the hidden gaps associated with the development or worsening of CVD among patients with cancer.Methods: An online survey including 19-question for cardiologists/cardiology residents (CCRs) and 30-question for oncologists/oncology residents (OORs) about cardio-oncology service was sent to them including all Iraqi cities using Google document form during December 2020.Results: The total number of responses was 164, mainly 62.2% from CCRs while 37.8% from OORs. Hypertension was the main baseline risk factor (71%). A 77.5% of CCRs prescribe cardiovascular drugs vs. 35.5% by OORs. About 76.5% of CCRs and 79% of OORs are facing difficulties in the management of patients with cancer with established CVD. CVD was the leading cause of both hospitalization (30.7%) and mortality (48.4%). About 62.8% of CCRs and 64.5% of OORs have an interest to work in cardio-oncology service.Conclusion: Based on the perception of cardiologists and oncologists, CVD is the main cause of hospitalization and mortality among patients with cancer. High interest among CCRs and OORs to work in cardio-oncology service. Positive initiatives are available to take the action plan in this emerging field.

Barriers to getting into postgraduate specialty training for junior Australian doctors: An interview-based study

Background Medical training is a long process that is not complete until doctors finish specialty training. Getting into specialty training is challenging because of strong competition for limited places, depending on doctors’ chosen field. This may have a negative impact on doctor well-being and reduce the efficiency of the medical training system. This study explored the barriers of pre-registrar (junior) doctors getting into specialty training programs to inform tailored support and re-design of speciality entry systems. Methods From March to October 2019, we conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with early-career doctors in Australia, who had chosen their specialty field, and were either seeking entry, currently undertaking or had recently completed various fields of specialty training. We sought reflections about barriers and major influences to getting into specialty training. In comparing and contrasting generated themes, different patterns emerged from doctors targeting traditionally non-competitive specialty fields like General Practice (GP) and other specialties (typically more competitive fields). As a result we explored the data in this dichotomy. Results Doctors targeting entry to GP specialties had relatively seamless training entry and few specific barriers. In contrast, those pursuing other specialties, regardless of which ones, relayed multiple barriers of: Navigating an unpredictable and complex system with informal support/guidance; Connecting to the right people/networks for relevant experience; Pro-actively planning and differentiating skills with recurrent failure of applications. Conclusions Our exploratory study suggests that doctors wanting to get into non-GP specialty training may experience strong barriers, potentially over multiple years, with the capacity to threaten their morale and resilience. These could be addressed by a clearinghouse of information about different speciality programs, broader selection criteria, feedback on applications and more formal guidance and professional supports. The absence of challenges identified for doctors seeking entry to GP could be used to promote increased uptake of GP careers.

Stable and Durable Conductive Superhydrophobic Coatings Prepared by Double-Layer Spray Coating Method

Herein, a low cost, durable, and stable conductive superhydrophobic composite coating (CSC coating) was fabricated on a Q345 steel surface by simple double-layer spray coating. The water contact angle (WCA) of the CSC coating was 160° and the sliding angle (SA) was 3°. In addition to its excellent conductivity (3.10 × 103 Ω), the fabricated composite coating had good durability and wear resistance. After 10 sand-washing cycles, the CSC coating surface still exhibited stable superhydrophobicity (149° WCA, 9.5° SA). At 200 g pressure, the surface of the optimized CSC coating still maintained fine superhydrophobicity (150° WCA, 9.2° SA) and conductivity (1.86 × 104 Ω) after 10 abrasion cycles. In addition, it also exhibited fine adhesion (0.307 MPa) between the composite coating and the substrate. This functional superhydrophobic surface can be applied in specialty fields with harsh conditions such as coal mining and petrochemical activities. This new coating may also expand the application fields of superhydrophobic surfaces and have broad practical application prospects.

Evaluation of Publication Rate of Forensic Medicine Specialty Theses in Turkey

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the publication rate of Forensic Medicine specialty theses in national and international journals. Materials and Methods: The Thesis Center database of Council on Higher Education was searched for medical specialty theses written between 1983-2016. Another screening was done using the resident and mentor names as well as thesis title on Ulakbim, Türk Medline, Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed databases. The years in which the theses were done and the articles were published, database of the journal, resident’s order among the authors, type of research, thesis subjects were recorded. Results: It was found that 77 (32.6%) out of a total of 236 theses written between 1983-2016 were published. Fifteen-point two percent of these theses were published in Science Citation Index-Expanded/Social Sciences Citation Index, 11.9% were published in international, and 5.5% in national indexed journals. The mean publication time was 2.95±2.49 years. It was also found that the resident was the first author in 85.7% of the articles, and 53.2% of the published theses were prospective studies. Most frequently article subjects were in the fields of Forensic Pathology (26%) and Forensic Psychiatry (23.4%). Conclusion: Publishing rate of theses in Forensic Medicine was similar to the data regarding publication rates of theses in different medical specialty fields in our country and abroad; however, it is below the level desired. It is of utmost importance to generate solutions to facilitate the process including but not limited to mentors that are encouraging and instructive,...

Plastic and reconstructive surgical research in Australia and New Zealand: A bibliometric analysis

Background: Bibliometrics is the analysis of research produced by individuals and institutions. While previous analyses have assessed sub-specialty fields, as well as contributions of individual countries to the plastic surgical literature, no bibliometric analyses to date have measured the contribution of plastic surgeons from Australia and New Zealand.Methods: Plastic surgery journals with the 15 highest impact factors were identified. Total publications in a ten-year period from October 2007 to September 2017 by Australian and New Zealand Plastic Surgeons were recorded, as were h-indices for all surgeons.Results: 588 articles were published by 498 surgeons, with the largest numbers in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (142), Burns (133), and the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (112). Mean h-index for Associate Professors was 9.29, and for Professors was 17.17.Conclusion: Australian and New Zealand plastic surgeons continue to be actively involved in world-class research and innovation. The volume and quantity of research produced supports the development of an Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery.

Plastic and reconstructive surgical research in Australia and New Zealand: A bibliometric analysis

Background: Bibliometrics is the analysis of research produced by individuals and institutions. While previous analyses have assessed sub-specialty fields, as well as contributions of individual countries to the plastic surgical literature, no bibliometric analyses to date have measured the contribution of plastic surgeons from Australia and New Zealand.Methods: Plastic surgery journals with the 15 highest impact factors were identified. Total publications in a ten-year period from October 2007 to September 2017 by Australian and New Zealand Plastic Surgeons were recorded, as were h-indices for all surgeons.Results: 588 articles were published by 498 surgeons, with the largest numbers in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (142), Burns (133), and the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (112). Mean h-index for Associate Professors was 9.29, and for Professors was 17.17.Conclusion: Australian and New Zealand plastic surgeons continue to be actively involved in world-class research and innovation. The volume and quantity of research produced supports the development of an Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery.

Gastrointestinal Motility Online Educational Endeavor

Medical information has been traditionally maintained in books, journals, and specialty periodicals. A growing subset of patients and caregivers are now turning to diverse sources on the internet to retrieve healthcare related information. The next area of growth will be sites that serve specialty fields of medicine, characterized by high quality of data culled from scholarly publications and operated by eminent domain specialists. One such site being developed for the field of Gastrointestinal Motility provides authoritative and current information to a diverse user base that includes patients and student doctors. Gastrointestinal Motility Online leverages the strengths of online textbooks, which have a high degree of organization, in conjunction with the strengths of online journal collections, which are more comprehensive and focused. Gastrointestinal Motility Online also utilizes existing Web technologies such as Wiki-editing and Amazon-style commenting, to automatically assemble information from heterogeneous data sources.

Gastrointestinal Motility Online Educational Endeavor

Medical information has been traditionally maintained in books, journals, and specialty periodicals. A growing subset of patients and caregivers are now turning to diverse sources on the internet to retrieve healthcare related information. The next area of growth will be sites that serve specialty fields of medicine, characterized by high quality of data culled from scholarly publications and operated by eminent domain specialists. One such site being developed for the field of Gastrointestinal Motility provides authoritative and current information to a diverse user base that includes patients and student doctors. Gastrointestinal Motility Online leverages the strengths of online textbooks, which have a high degree of organization, in conjunction with the strengths of online journal collections, which are more comprehensive and focused. Gastrointestinal Motility Online also utilizes existing Web technologies such as Wiki-editing and Amazonstyle commenting, to automatically assemble information from heterogeneous data sources.