ABSTRACT
Introduction: The World Health Organization's (WHO) Basic Emergency Care Course (BEC) is a five day, inperson course covering basic assessment and life-saving interventions. We developed two novel adjuncts for the WHO BEC: a suite of clinical cases (BEC-Cases) to simulate patient care and a mobile phone application (BECApp) for reference. The purpose was to determine whether the use of these educational adjuncts in a flipped classroom approach improves knowledge acquisition and retention among healthcare workers in a low-resource setting. Methods: We conducted a prospective, cohort study from October 2017 through February 2018 at two district hospitals in the Pwani Region of Tanzania. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact t-tests, and Wilcoxon ranked-sum tests were used to examine whether the use of these adjuncts resulted in improved learner knowledge. Participants were enrolled based on location into two arms; Arm 1 received the BEC course and Arm 2 received the BEC-Cases and BEC-App in addition to the BEC course. Both Arms were tested before and after the BEC course, as well as a 7-month follow-up exam. All participants were invited to focus groups on the course and adjuncts. Results: A total of 24 participants were included, 12 (50%) of whom were followed to completion. Mean pre-test scores in Arm 1 (50%) were similar to Arm 2 (53%) (p=0.52). Both arms had improved test scores after the BEC Course Arm 1 (74%) and Arm 2 (87%), (p=0.03). At 7-month follow-up, though with significant participant loss to follow up, Arm 1 had a mean follow-up exam score of 66%, and Arm 2, 74%. Discussion: Implementation of flipped classroom educational adjuncts for the WHO BEC course is feasible and may improve healthcare worker learning in low resource settings. Our focus- group feedback suggest that the course and adjuncts are user friendly and culturally appropriate
Subject(s)
Educational Status , Emergency Medical Services/education , Point-of-Care Testing , Tanzania , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
Objective Abusive head trauma (AHT) is defined as a severe, non-accidental traumatic brain injury. Early recognition and treatment are instrumental in limiting the immediate complications and long-term disabilities. The goal of this study was to describe our experience with traumatic head injuries in children younger than 2 years of age. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 195 children aged under 2 years with suspected AHTwho presented with a head injury without witnessed accidental trauma, between January 2008 and June 2013. Results AHT was considered in 145 children. Familial problems (ρ » 0.008), cutaneous hematoma/bruising (ρ < 0.001), retinal hemorrhages (ρ < 0.001), and bone fractures (ρ » 0.04), were significantly more frequent in the AHT group. Conclusions The association between the subdural hematoma and retinal hemorrhage, resulting from an unwitnessed and incoherent history of trauma, is a strong argument for AHT, particularly when associated lesions and socioeconomic risk factors are evident.
Objetivo O traumatismo craniano por abuso (AHT) é definido como uma grave lesão cerebral traumática não acidental. O reconhecimento e tratamento precoce são fundamentais para limitar as complicações imediatas e sequelas tardias. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a nossa experiência em crianças menores de 2 anos de idade, vítimas de trauma craniano. Métodos Foram revisados os prontuários de 195 crianças com idade inferior a 2 anos com suspeita de AHT, sem trauma acidental testemunhado e com diagnostico de hematoma subdural, entre janeiro de 2008 e junho de 2013. Resultados AHT foi considerado em 145 crianças. Problemas socioeconômicos familiares (ρ » 0,008), hematomas e lesões cutâneas (ρ <0,001), hemorragias retinianas (ρ <0,001), e fraturas em ossos longos (ρ » 0,04), foram significativamente mais frequentes no grupo de crianças com suspeita de AHT. Conclusões A associação entre hematomas subdurais e hemorragia retiniana, resultante de uma história incoerente de trauma sem testemunhas, é um forte argumento para a AHT, particularmente quando lesões cutâneas e fatores de risco socioeconômicos forem identificados.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Shaken Baby Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Craniocerebral Trauma/complications , Craniocerebral Trauma/epidemiology , Hematoma, Subdural/diagnostic imaging , Socioeconomic Factors , Accidental Falls , Chi-Square Distribution , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Craniocerebral Trauma/diagnostic imaging , InfantABSTRACT
A partir de los últimos 30 años el tratamiento de la hidrocefalia ha sido el uso de un sistema válvular. la utilización de un sistema derivativo se asocia significativamente a la presencia de numerosas complicaciones, entre las cuales destacan la infección y las constantes y reiteradas disfunciones. Progresivamente y debido a la mejoría de los equipos ópticos, de iluminación y diámetro del instrumental se ha implementado la tercer ventrículo cisternostomía (TVC) endoscópia. Esta técnica descrita en los comienzos de la neurocirugía moderna, actualmente es una alternativa de primera elección y válida en solucionar definitivamente el problema en el 20 porciento de los pacientes portadores de hidrocefalia. Las complicaciones de este procedimiento superan discretamente los riesgos de los procedimientos derivativos. Nosotros presentamos una serie de 20 pacientes sometidos a TVC, en el curso de un cuadro de disfunción valvular. Se logró eliminar completamente la dependencia de la válvula al 80 porciento de los enfermos. Nuestro tiempo de seguimiento es superior a un año. No se presentaron complicaciones importantes y no hubo mortalidad asociada al procedimiento en la serie. Nosotros sugerimos realizar una TVC en todos los pacientes portadores de estenosis del acueducto, tratados con derivaciones ventriculares, durante el curso de una disfunción válvular. Creemos que nuestros resultados descartan el concepto de "dependencia válvular", al permitir eliminar definitivamente el sistema derivativo a pacientes portadores de válvulas por más de 2 años