Continuous professional development for physicians / Desarrollo profesional continuo para médicos

Maintenance of professional competence remains an exercise of permament learning and an essential requirement for evidence–based medical practice. Physicians attend continuing professional development (CPD) programs to acquire new knowledge. Often CPD programs remain the main source for updates of information. CPD organizers have a considerable responsibility in determining appropriate curriculum for their conferences. Organizing an effective CPD activity often requires understanding of the principles of adult education. Prior to deciding on the curriculum for a CPD, course organizers should conduct needs assessment of physicians. CPD planners should create activities that would consistently improve physician competence. CPD sessions that are interactive, using multiple methods of instructions for small groups of physicians from a single specialty are more likely to change physician knowledge and behavior. The effectiveness of a CPD program should be evaluated at a level beyond measuring physician satisfaction. CPD planners should incorporate methods to determine the course attendees' improvement of knowledge, skills and attitudes during the CPD activities. Pre and post conference evaluations of physicians using multiple choice questions may form a useful method of assessment. [Ghosh, AK. Continuous professional development for physicians.

Mantener la competencia profesional sigue siendo un ejercicio de aprendizaje permanente y un requisito esencial para la práctica de la medicina basada en la evidencia. Los médicos asisten a programas de educación médica continua o desarrollo profesional continuo continuing profesional development (CPD) para la adquisición de nuevos conocimientos. Amenudo los programas CPD siguen siendo la principal fuente de actualización. Los organizadores de la educación médica continua (CPD) tienen una gran responsabilidad en la determinación de contenidos apropiados para sus conferencias. Organizar una actividad de educación continua (CPD) efectiva requiere a menudo la comprensión de los principios de la educación de adultos. Antes de decidir sobre los contenidos de la (CPD) los organizadores del curso deben llevar a cabo la evaluación de las necesidades de los médicos. Los planificadores de (CPD) deben crear actividades que mejoren constantemente la competencia médica. Sesiones de (CPD) interactivas y el uso de múltiples métodos de instrucción para pequeños grupos de médicos de una sola especialidad son más propensos a cambiar el conocimiento y la conducta de los médicos. La eficacia de un (CPD) debe ser evaluada en un nivel más allá de la medición de la satisfacción del médico. Planificadores de (CPD) deben incorporar métodos para determinar la mejora de los asistentes al curso de conocimientos, habilidades y actitudes en las actividades de (CPD). Las evaluaciones pre y post conferencia con preguntas de opción múltiple puede formar un método útil para la evaluación. [Ghosh, AK. Desarrollo profesional continuo para los médicos.

Disorders of potassium homeostasis: pathophysiology and management.

Disorders of potassium homeostasis are common electrolyte abnormalities encountered in hospitalized patients. Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia have been estimated to occur in about 21% and 3% of hospitalized patients, respectively; though the morbidity and mortality associated with the latter is significantly higher. Potassium is a predominantly intracellular ion and the understanding of its dynamics between intra- and extracellular fluid milieus, along with its handling by the kidneys, is important in the diagnosis and treatment of potassium disorders. This article aims to provide a clinically relevant update on management of potassium disorders for internists.

Disorders of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium metabolism.

Abnormalities of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are common in hospitalized patients. Infrequently patients might present in the outpatient settings with non-specific symptoms that might be due to abnormalities of divalent cation (magnesium, calcium) or phosphorous metabolism. Several inherited disorders have been identified that result in renal or intestinal wasting of these elements. Physicians need to have a thorough understanding of the mechanism of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous metabolism and diagnoses disorders due to excess or deficiency of these elements. Prompt identification and treatment of the underlying disorders result in prevention of serious morbidity and mortality.