Development of the knowledge test of medical instruments and materials for cancer chemotherapy

Background: Focusing on medical instruments and materials used for high-risk medicines for cancer treatments, a test on knowledge of medical instruments requiring acquisition of basic knowledge and materials was developed for students in pharmacy school. The aim of the study is to investigate the reliability and validity of the test (medical instruments and materials for cancer treatment-Questionnaire 45; MIMCT-Q45) we developed.Patients and Methods: Focus group discussion was performed by participants consisting of medical staff considered to have abundant experience of cancer chemotherapy. Content analysis was performed and a list of extracted medical instruments and materials was prepared. A questionnaire survey was performed twice in pharmacy students to confirm reliability employing the retest method. Responses were also collected from nurses and pharmacists to investigate discriminative validity on comparison with the students. Furthermore, difficulty and discrimination were estimated using the item response theory (IRT).Results: Thirteen types of medical instruments and materials were extracted and listed in the knowledge test. In the questionnaire survey, the overall Cronbach’s α and interclass correlation coefficient were high, but Cronbach’s α was slightly low (0.56-0.58) in some categories. The range of discrimination estimated based on IRT was 0.98-3.09, and that of difficulty was -0.91-3.00.Conclusions: A knowledge test on cancer chemotherapy-related medical instruments and materials including palliative care at home (MIMCT-Q45) was prepared, and its reliability and validity were confirmed. MIMCT-Q45 might serve as a guidance on basic knowledge to be acquired by students and resident pharmacists and be useful to confirm the level of acquired knowledge.

Development of the knowledge test of medical instruments and materials for cancer chemotherapy

Background Focusing on medical instruments and materials used for high-risk medicines for cancer treatments, a test on knowledge of medical instruments requiring acquisition of basic knowledge and materials was developed for students in pharmacy school. The aim of the study is to investigate the reliability and validity of the test (medical instruments and materials for cancer treatment-Questionnaire 45; MIMCT-Q45) we developed. Methods Focus group discussion was performed by participants consisting of medical staff considered to have abundant experience of cancer chemotherapy. Content analysis was performed and a list of extracted medical instruments and materials was prepared. A questionnaire survey was performed twice in pharmacy students to confirm reliability employing the retest method. Responses were also collected from nurses and pharmacists to investigate discriminative validity on comparison with the students. Furthermore, difficulty and discrimination were estimated using the item response theory (IRT). Results Thirteen types of medical instruments and materials were extracted and listed in the knowledge test. In the questionnaire survey, the overall Cronbach’s α and interclass correlation coefficient were high, but Cronbach’s α was slightly low (0.56-0.58) in some categories. The range of discrimination estimated based on IRT was 0.98-3.09, and that of difficulty was -0.91-3.00. Conclusions A knowledge test on cancer chemotherapy-related medical instruments and materials including palliative care at home (MIMCT-Q45) was prepared, and its reliability and validity were confirmed. MIMCT-Q45 might serve as a guidance on basic knowledge to be acquired by students and resident pharmacists and be useful to confirm the level of acquired knowledge.

Recent Advances in Biomedical Photonic Sensors: A Focus on Optical-Fibre-Based Sensing

In this invited review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in biomedical photonic sensors within the last five years. This review is focused on works using optical-fibre technology, employing diverse optical fibres, sensing techniques, and configurations applied in several medical fields. We identified technical innovations and advancements with increased implementations of optical-fibre sensors, multiparameter sensors, and control systems in real applications. Examples of outstanding optical-fibre sensor performances for physical and biochemical parameters are covered, including diverse sensing strategies and fibre-optical probes for integration into medical instruments such as catheters, needles, or endoscopes.

Resuming Elective Ophthalmic Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has become a global health problem. Purpose: This paper aims to describe the practical experience of resuming elective ophthalmic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in a specialized eye hospital. Methods: A descriptive design was conducted in Middle East Eye Hospital, Ammann, Jordan. The current practices were observed to be conducted according to many evidence-based measures, including mainly the American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines to safely resume ophthalmology service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The main strategies that were adopted were related to patient and employee awareness and education, infection control measures, medical instruments, clinical environment, administrative control, patient screening and workflow, and quality control. Conclusion: We expect that these strategies could help ophthalmologists globally to resume elective ophthalmic surgery.

Artefakty interpretované jako „lékařské nástroje“ z doby železné nebo římské na území dnešní ČR, SR a naddunajské části Dolního Rakouska

The article presents a catalogue of artefacts identified as “medical instruments” of the Iron Age, or the Roman Age, from what is known today as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Lower Austria – North of the Danube. A brief overview of the types and the variety of shapes of the artefacts, interpreted as “medical instruments” in the European environment, was presented and a catalogue of artefacts of the Iron Age or the Roman Age, from the territory under examination was compiled. The individual artefacts were critically reviewed, and it was decided whether they could have been used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Forensic Engineering Analysis of Video Screens for a Dispute Over Requirements and Specifications

This case was about LCD video screens intended to become components of medical equipment requiring an ultra-wide viewing angle. The seller was a wholesaler of various types of video screens from multiple manufacturers. The buyer was a distributor of multiple electrical components for various industries. The OEM, not involved in the case, was a manufacturer of medical instruments and equipment. Claiming that multiple units did not meet the requirements specified in the purchase agreement, the OEM refused a shipment of 1,000 LCD video screens. The buyer had already paid the seller, who refused to take back the shipment and issue a refund or credit. As a result, the buyer sued seller, and the author investigated and submitted expert opinions regarding the following questions: Did performance differ between examined samples? Did each sample meet data sheet specification for viewing angle? And was each sample adequate for its intended application as advertised in the datasheet (that is, for industrial settings requiring ultra-wide viewing angle)?