Implementación de la reforma curricular de la Escuela de Medicina de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: analizando la experiencia / Implementation of curricular changes at a medical school

The accelerated scientific, technological, and social advances in recent years have posed new challenges for professional training institutions, where universities play a leading role. Medical schools have not been oblivious to this process. This is how Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile implemented in 2015 a curricular reform derived from the joint work of academics, students and graduates. For this purpose, a model consisting of stages was followed, including the identification of the problem, general assessment of needs, definition of purpose and learning objectives. We worked with surveys, focus groups and committees of academics and students to identify and map content within the mesh, review terminal learning objectives while creating and reviewing courses for the vertically and horizontally integrated delivery of content and competencies. The first cohort of the new curriculum entered in 2015, consisting of 126 students. The implementation required constant follow-up and monitoring, establishing changes and adjustments according to educational needs and unforeseen conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation process of the new curriculum has been positive, adjusting to the defined strategic planning and responding to unexpected events.

Reduced burnout and higher mindfulness in medical students after a self-care program during the COVID-19 pandemic / Reducción del agotamiento en estudiantes de medicina mediante auto-cuidado durante la pandemia COVID-19

ABSTRACT Background: Medical students experience high levels of psychological stress during clinical training. However, most medical curricula do not teach self-care skills. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted medical education causing increased distress among students. Aim: To report the implementation and impact of an eight-week multifaceted mindfulness-based self-care program on medical students' distress and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: One hundred twenty-three fourth-year medical students attended the program as part of a mandatory course from April to May 2020, during the rising phase of COVID-19 in Chile. They were evaluated using validated tests before and immediately after the program. The measures included burnout, dispositional mindfulness, perceived stress, traumatic stress reactions, general well-being, resilience, and stress coping strategies. Results: Burnout prevalence decreased from 48% to 24%, whereas students with high dispositional mindfulness increased from 25% to 44%. Burnout reduction was mostly due to decreased emotional exhaustion. Additionally, students reported lower levels of stress, self-blaming, and traumatic stress reactions alongside an increased use of active coping strategies and resilience levels after the program. Conclusions: A formal educational intervention, teaching self-awareness and self-regulation skills can help reduce medical students' distress and promote their well-being even amidst a pandemic.

Antecedentes: Los estudiantes de medicina experimentan altos niveles de estrés y burnout durante la formación clínica. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los planes de estudios médicos no enseñan habilidades de autocuidado. La pandemia de COVID-19 ha conmocionado la educación médica provocando mayor distrés entre los estudiantes. Objetivo: Informar sobre la implementación y el impacto de un programa multifacético de autocuidado -basado en mindfulness (atención consciente)-sobre el distrés y el bienestar de los estudiantes de medicina durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Material y Métodos: Ciento veintitrés estudiantes de medicina de cuarto año asistieron al programa como parte de un curso obligatorio de abril a mayo de 2020, durante la fase ascendente de COVID-19 en Chile. Fueron evaluados mediante pruebas validadas antes e inmediatamente después del programa. Las medidas incluyeron burnout, mindfulness disposicional, estrés percibido, reacciones de estrés traumático, bienestar general, resiliencia y estrategias de afrontamiento del estrés. Resultados: La prevalencia del burnout disminuyó del 48% al 24%, mientras que los estudiantes con alto mindfulness aumentaron del 25% al 44%. La reducción del burnout se debió principalmente a la disminución del agotamiento emocional. Además, los estudiantes informaron niveles más bajos de estrés, autoinculpación y reacciones de estrés traumático junto con un mayor uso de estrategias activas de afrontamiento y mayores niveles de resiliencia, después del programa de autocuidado. Conclusiones: Una intervención educativa formal que enseñe habilidades de autoconciencia y autorregulación puede ayudar a reducir el burnout de los estudiantes de medicina y promover su bienestar incluso en medio de una pandemia.

Vasculitis asociadas a anticuerpos anti-citoplasma de neutrófilos: avances en patogenia y tratamiento / Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis: advances in pathogenesis and treatment

ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) associated vasculitis or AAVare a group of diseases with predominant inflammation of small vessels and the presence of detectable ANCA in serum. Due to these common features, it is considered that AAV share pathogenic mechanisms. Consequently, a similar therapeutic approach has been developed. A new nomenclature has been recently proposed, with AAV including "granulomatosis with polyangiitis" (GPA, formerly Wegener's granulomatosis), "microscopic polyangiitis" (MPA), "eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis" (EGPA, formerly Churg-Strauss disease) and renal limited vasculitis. Research on AAV has shown significant advances in the last two decades, including advances in the knowledge of pathogenic mechanisms such as the pro-inflammatory role of ANCA, AAV murine models and genetic links. Evidence on previous immunosuppressive therapies has improved significantly and new, promissory drugs have been introduced, Rituximab being the most important. We review the advances of pathogenic mechanisms and treatment for these diseases.

Enfermedad de Erdheim-Chester. Una causa rara de derrame pericárdico: Caso clínico / Erdhei-Chester disease: Report of one case

We report a 76-year-old male who was admitted due to progressive congestive heart failure lasting several months. An echocardiogram showed a large pericardial effusion with early signs of pericardial tamponade and an irregular surface suggestive of cancer infiltration. The patient was operated, creating a pericardial window and draining 1,200 ml of a brownish yellow fluid with abundant cellularity. Pericardial biopsy showed infiltration by CD68 (+), CD1a (-) and S100 (-) cells. Twenty-eight months earlier, due to fatigue, dyspnea, and a non-specific inflammatory process, an enhanced-contrast-scan showed that aorta was coated with a hypodense tissue that began near the aortic valve and extended until the inferior mesenteric artery, with stenosis of the left subclavian, celiac axis, renal and upper mesenteric arteries. An angioplasty and stent placing was carried out in the last two arteries. Both kidneys had the appearance of "hairy kidneys". A bone scan showed increased uptake in femurs and tibiae and X-ray examination showed osteosclerosis in metaphysis and diaphysis. The diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester disease (non-Langerhans-cell histiocytosis) was made and the patient was treated with steroids and methotrexate.