Establishment and application of an ORTCC model-based training system for orthopedic subspecialty nurses in the operating room / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the construction and clinical practice of the training system for nurses in operating room subspecialty based on ORTCC model (including objectives, rules, training, assessment and culture), and to provide theoretical and practical guidance for the development of nursing subspecialty in operating room.Methods:This was a quasi-experimental study. The Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology was convenient to select 23 operating room nurses who rotated in orthopedic surgery rooms from January 2019 to June 2020 as the control group, and the traditional training model for specialized nurses in operating rooms was adopted. From July 2020 to December 2021, the 24 operating room nurses rotating orthopedic surgery rooms were selected as the experimental group, and ORTCC teaching mode was adopted. The degree of mastery of theoretical knowledge, standardization of operation skills, correct rate of standard preventive implementation and satisfaction rate of doctors of operating room nurses under two different training methods were compared.Results:The theoretical score of operating room nurses increased from (84.71 ± 5.70) points in the control group to (92.68 ± 3.64) points in the experimental group, and the skill score increased from (90.17 ± 4.69) points in the control group to (95.43 ± 2.61) points in the experimental group, with statistical significance ( t = 13.76, 5.64, both P<0.01). The satisfaction rate of surgeons to nurses′ surgical cooperation ability communication, cooperation ability and emergency treatment ability increased from 82.61%(19/23), 73.91%(17/23) and 78.26%(18/23) in the control group to 100.00%(24/24), 95.83% (24/24) and 100.00% (24/24) in the experimental group, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( t = 4.56, 4.45, 5.84, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The training system of operating room subspecialty nurses based on ORTCC model is conducive to improving the theoretical knowledge mastery, standard operation skills and doctor satisfaction rate of operating room nurses to the specialty and subspecialty, providing training basis for the development of operating room subspecialty, and worthy of clinical promotion.

Factors related to Japanese internal medicine doctors' retention or migration to rural areas: a nationwide retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND@#Internal medicine (IM) doctors in Japan play the role of primary care physicians; however, the shortage of rural physicians continues. This study aims to elucidate the association of age, sex, board certification, type of work, and main clinical work with the retention or migration of IM doctors to rural areas.@*METHODS@#This retrospective cohort study included 82,363 IM doctors in 2010, extracted from the national census data of medical doctors. The explanatory variables were age, sex, type of work, primary clinical work, and changes in board certification status. The outcome was retention or migration to rural areas. The first tertile of population density (PD) of municipalities defined as rural area. After stratifying the baseline ruralities as rural or non-rural areas, the odds ratios (ORs) of the explanatory variables were calculated using generalized estimation equations. The analyses were also performed after age stratification (<39, 40-59, ≥60 years old).@*RESULTS@#Among the rural areas, women had a significantly higher OR for retention, but obtaining board certification of IM subspecialties had a significantly lower OR. Among the non-rural areas, physicians who answered that their main work was IM without specific subspecialty and general had a significantly higher OR, but obtaining and maintaining board certification for IM subspecialties had a significantly lower OR for migration to rural areas. After age stratification, the higher OR of women for rural retention was significant only among those aged 40-59 years. Those aged under 40 and 40-59 years in the non-rural areas, who answered that their main work was IM without specific subspecialty had a significantly higher OR for migration to rural areas, and those aged 40-59 years in the rural areas who answered the same had a higher OR for rural retention.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Obtaining and maintaining board certification of IM subspecialties are possible inhibiting factors for rural work, and IM doctors whose main work involves subspecialties tend to work in non-rural areas. Once rural work begins, more middle-aged female IM doctors continued rural work compared to male doctors.

Construction and clinical effects of endocrinology nursing subspecialty group / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To construct endocrinology nursing subspecialty model and explore its clinical effect.Methods:In December 2018, the organization structure of endocrinology nursing subspecialty was constructed in the Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated of Nanjing University Medical School and applied in clinic. In this model, the data of 2018 were taken as the data before application and the data of 2020 were taken as the data after application. The comprehensive ability of nurses, nurse satisfaction, related nursing workload and scientific research ability of nurses were compared before and after the application of the model.Results:After the application of subspecialty nursing mode, nurses′ comprehensive ability score was (92.00 ± 2.36) points. Compared with (84.25 ± 3.24) points before implementation, the difference was statistically significant ( t=-9.46, P<0.01); nurses′ satisfaction evaluations including specialty development (7.92 ± 1.41), self-quality improvement (8.00 ± 1.69), work pressure (6.42 ± 2.67), salary and welfare (3.96 ± 0.85), compared with (5.79 ± 2.31), (6.17 ± 2.82), (8.33 ± 1.50), (2.88 ± 1.59) before implementation, the difference was statistically significant ( t values were -3.86--2.73, all P<0.05). The annual workload of related nursing increased and the scientific research ability of nurses was improved. Conclusions:The application of endocrinology nursing subspecialty mode is beneficial to improve nurses′ comprehensive ability of clinical work, improve the level of specialized nursing, improve the quality of nursing service and promote the improvement of economic benefits, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Analysis on the operation status of subspecialty of critical care medicine of hospital affiliated to Guizhou Medical University in the past 5 years / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:Through retrospective analysis of the admission and treatment of patients in the department of critical care medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University over the past 5 years, it provides a basis for the construction of the subspecialty of intensive care medicine.Methods:Collect clinical data of patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020, including gender, age, first consultation department, intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization time, ventilator use time, main diagnosis, acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) when transferred into and out of ICU, treatment results, whether to give mechanical ventilation, whether to use a non-invasive ventilator to assist breathing, whether to die in 24 hours, rescue times and success rate, etc. Changes in the above indicators during the 5 years were analyzed.Results:In the past 5 years, our hospital has treated 2 668 patients in the comprehensive ICU with severe neurological, severe circulation, and severe trauma as the main treatment area, including 1 648 males and 1 020 females; aged 6 months to 94 years old, the average age (53.49±19.03) years old. Neurosurgery (907 cases) was the most frequently diagnosed department, the top 3 diseases were cerebral hemorrhage (539 cases), septic shock (214 cases), and hypovolemic shock (200 cases); ICU hospitalization time was 126 (52, 253) hours, ventilator time was 65 (17, 145) hours, APACHE Ⅱ scores were 23.29±8.12 and 12.99±6.37 when transferred into and out of ICU. The proportion of receiving mechanical ventilation was 92.94% (2 147/2 310), and 314 cases used non-invasive ventilators. 84 cases died within 24 hours (mortality was 3.15%). A total of 2 585 rescues were performed, and the rescue success rate was 92.84% (2 400/2 585). From 2016 to 2020, the 5-year cure rates were 65.92%, 65.83%, 61.53%, 65.64%, 69.06%, respectively, and the 5-year mortality were 13.13%, 14.29%, 18.89%, 16.69%, 13.38%, respectively.Conclusions:With the continuous expansion of critical care medicine, the establishment of classified subspecialties can focus on the admission of patients, so that treatment can be professionalized and standardized, improve the cure rate, and reduce mortality. At the same time, medical staff can focus on management and learning related expertise to master the disease, it is also more in-depth, which is helpful for doctors to improve themselves, and is conducive to the proficiency of related sub-specialties, and lays a good foundation for the development of the department.

Inserción laboral del cirujano joven en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Necesidad de reestructuración del sistema de formación del cirujano general / Young surgeons entering the workforce in the City of Buenos Aires. Need for restructuring of the general surgery training system

RESUMEN Antecedentes: la formación en cirugía se mantuvo uniforme desde la instauración del modelo de re sidencias. El avance de la ciencia ha llevado a la superespecialización y un 70% de los cirujanos conti núan en formación con una especialidad posbásica. Objetivos: identificar la proporción de cirujanos que derivan horas a otra actividad y analizar la inser ción laboral del cirujano. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo, descriptivo, de corte transversal. 1) Encuesta, 2) Registros de la Dirección General de Docencia e Investigación, 3) Concursos y Perfiles profesionales de acceso público. Resultados: sobre 435 encuestados, al finalizar la residencia, un 73,3% continuó su formación en una posbásica. Solamente un 24,7% se insertó inmediatamente en el mercado como cirujano general. En cuanto a la inserción laboral actual de aquellos que finalizaron la formación como cirujano general, apenas un 17,4% se desempeña de manera exclusiva como cirujano general. Conclusiones: la falta de confianza para actuar de manera independiente y la necesidad de completar 4 años de formación para ingresar en el campo de interés aparecen como las problemáticas para resol ver. Se propone un programa de 5 años con formato 2+3. El período de formación básica abordará en 24 meses las generalidades de la práctica quirúrgica. El segundo, de formación avanzada, desarrollará en profundidad la subespecialidad elegida. El quinto año otorgará a todos la posibilidad de actuar a modo de cirujano independiente. Planteada como una subespecialidad, la Cirugía General volvería a ser un fin en sí misma y no un medio para llegar a una subespecialidad.

ABSTRACT Background: Training in surgery has remained relatively uniform since the residency programs were introduced. The continuous advances in science have led to the progressive super-specialization of surgeons; 70% of them continue their training with a subspecialty. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of surgeons who dedicate hours of their practice in another activity and to analyze how surgeons enter the workforce. Material and methods: We conducted a prospective and descriptive cross-sectional study with data from a survey, records of the General Directorate of Teaching and Research, and records of competitive selection processes and professional profiles available online. Results: Of 435 survey respondents, 73.3% of the resident graduates continued postresidency training in a surgical subspecialty. Only 24.7% immediately started working in general surgery. Among the graduate trainees in general surgery, only 17.4% were exclusively dedicated to general surgery. Conclusions: The lack of confidence to perform procedures independently and the need for completing 4 years of training in the residency program in general surgery to start training in the professional field of interest, appear as the issued to be solved. We propose a 5-year program with a 2+3 model. The initial period comprises 24 months of basic training covering the general aspects of surgical practice. The second period of advanced training will provide thorough training in the subspecialty chosen. In the last year of the 5-year program trainees will have the opportunity to act as attending surgeons. General surgery, conceived as a subspecialty, would regain its status as an objective and no longer a pathway to become a subspecialist.

Factors associated with clinical competence in the gynecologic oncology subspecialty rotation of obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) residents / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Objective@#This correlational study was conducted to determine whether factors of the Gynecologic Oncology subspecialty rotation – such as resident rotators’ sex, year level, training institution, academic aptitude, duration of rotation, learning activities, case load, extent of involvement of teachers, and level of involvement of the residents – are associated with clinical competence. @*Methodology@#Thirty-one residents rotating in subspecialty were given MCQ examination and skills evaluation pre- and postrotation. Logbooks were completed listing all learning activities and number of cases encountered. Difference in scores was determined using paired t-test. Association of factors with clinical competence was determined using chi square and Pearson correlation coefficient. @*Results@#There was a statistically significant increase in the overall and skills scores, but not in the knowledge. Training institution, academic aptitude, and duration of rotation were associated with clinical competence. Conference, outpatient duty, case load, fellows as teachers and active participation were strongly associated with clinical competence. Bedside teaching, inpatient duty, and consultants as teachers were moderately associated with clinical competence. Passive participation was weakly associated with clinical competence. @*Conclusion@#Overall, the residents did not achieve clinical competence in Gynecologic Oncology as a result of the rotation. Residents from a training institution with a Gynecologic Oncology fellowship training program and with academic aptitude > 60% are more likely to achieve clinical competence. Increasing rotation duration to > 2 weeks, time spent in the different activities, case load, fellows and consultants interaction with residents, and active participation may increase likelihood of achieving clinical competence.

Construction of subspecialty of critical care medicine under centralized and fine management of hospital:subject construction experience of Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University / 中华危重病急救医学

With the rapid development of modern science and technology, the treatment level of all disciplines of modern medicine has been rapidly improved. The number of critically ill patients in large third-level first-class general hospitals is increasing day by day. Intensive care unit (ICU) has become an important embodiment of the comprehensive strength of a hospital, especially the affiliated hospital of medical university or a tertiary hospital. This paper aims to discuss the role, status and contribution of critical care medicine in the development and construction of modern medicine and general hospitals, the relationship between hospital management and critical care medicine management, and the future development and construction direction of critical care medicine from the perspective of the managers of third-level first-class general hospitals.

American neurology fellowship setup and its enlightenment to specialized training in China / 中华医院管理杂志

In view of the recent advancements in the standardized neurology residency training in China, standardized neurology fellowship training has become a crucial next step for China′s graduate medical education. The design of the fellowship and development of relevant norms and standards to ensure quality training constitute key areas in need of further consideration. The United States has established a standardized neurology fellowship training for nearly 30 years and has been successful in ensuring high quality physician training. Currently there are 9 accreditation council for graduate medical education (ACGME) accredited neurology fellowship programs in the USA, including clinical neurophysiology, pain medicine, neurodevelopmental disabilities, vascular neurology, neuromuscular medicine, sleep medicine, endovascular surgical neuroradiology, epilepsy and brain injury medicine. Among them, the number of fellowship training programs in vascular neurology, clinical neurophysiology, and epilepsy are relatively stable or show continuous growth, while neurodevelopmental disabilities and brain injury medicine remain stagnant or even retrogressive. It indicates that design of the neurology fellowship training calls for full weight of a wide array of factors, taking into account the number of subspecialty patients, clinical applications, prospects for future development of the subspecialties, and lessons learned from the United States. We can start with ACGME accredited steady growth fellowship programs and then add others in the future accordingly.

American neurology fellowship setup and its enlightenment to specialized training in China / 中华医院管理杂志

In view of the recent advancements in the standardized neurology residency training in China, standardized neurology fellowship training has become a crucial next step for China′s graduate medical education. The design of the fellowship and development of relevant norms and standards to ensure quality training constitute key areas in need of further consideration. The United States has established a standardized neurology fellowship training for nearly 30 years and has been successful in ensuring high quality physician training. Currently there are 9 accreditation council for graduate medical education (ACGME) accredited neurology fellowship programs in the USA, including clinical neurophysiology, pain medicine, neurodevelopmental disabilities, vascular neurology, neuromuscular medicine, sleep medicine, endovascular surgical neuroradiology, epilepsy and brain injury medicine. Among them, the number of fellowship training programs in vascular neurology, clinical neurophysiology, and epilepsy are relatively stable or show continuous growth, while neurodevelopmental disabilities and brain injury medicine remain stagnant or even retrogressive. It indicates that design of the neurology fellowship training calls for full weight of a wide array of factors, taking into account the number of subspecialty patients, clinical applications, prospects for future development of the subspecialties, and lessons learned from the United States. We can start with ACGME accredited steady growth fellowship programs and then add others in the future accordingly.

Current Korean Medical Specialty and Subspecialty System for Preparation of Privileging and Credentialing of ERCP Subspecialty / 대한췌담도학회지

A primary mission of the Korean pancreatobiliary association (KPBA) is to promote high quality patient care and safety in the field of pancreatobiliary diseases. Among these, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most important procedure among various endoscopic procedures. The purpose of this document is to provide a current Korean medical detailed and departmental specialty system that should be considered before preparing of privileging and credentialing for ERCP subspecialty and making suitable framework for determining the competency of practicing endoscopists and for the granting of privileges to perform ERCP. As such, this document provides current situation of Korean medical specialty and subspecialty system to assist KPBA in making credentialing organizations especially for ERCP subspecialty.

Core knowledge and skill-based approach to subspecialty construction in critical/intensive care medicine with distinct Chinese peculiarity / 中华危重病急救医学

With the rapid development of critical care medicine (CCM) in China, there are increases in the number of intensive care units (ICUs), the scale of one center ICU and the team. Subspecialty construction of CCM is of great concerns for personnel training as well as discipline development, and is currently one of the urgent problems that need to be resolved. Experience of CCM subspecialty construction from Europe and the United States is lacking and it is necessary to propose some opinions on innovation to construct CCM subspecialties with Chinese characteristics. We believe that CCM sub-specialties construction should be based on the core knowledge (pathophysiology) and skill (organ monitoring and support). The following 7 sub-specialties can be set up: ① acute lung injury and mechanical ventilation; ② shock, hemodynamic monitoring and treatment; ③ acute kidney injury and blood purification; ④ sepsis and anti-infective therapy; ⑤ stress, sedation and analgesia; ⑥ nutrition and metabolic support; ⑦ coagulation, immune and inflammation. The core knowledge and skills of critical care medicine will constantly be updated and enriched. Therefore, sub-specialty settings should be constantly updated as well.

Evaluación de la carga laboral en residentes Chilenos de especialidades y subespecialidades médicas / Workload assessment in Chilean residents of specialties and medical subspecialties

Introducción: La sobrecarga laboral horaria es un importante problema en los programas de especialización médica. Se asocia a mayor prevalencia de depresión, burnout, deserción, e impacta en la calidad de vida de los residentes. Nuestro objetivo fue cuantificar las horas semanales de carga laboral horaria en residentes de especialidad y subespecialidad de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC). Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta electrónica a los residentes de especialidad y subespecialidad de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2013). Esta incluyó autorreporte de horas semanales trabajadas (jornada habitual, turnos presenciales y turnos de llamada). Para el análisis se consideraron solo las horas presenciales (jornada habitual y turnos presenciales Resultados: se obtuvieron 415 respuestas (tasa de respuesta 86%). Los residentes de especialidad reportaron una jornada de 52,8 ± 20,3 horas semanales más un promedio de 22,6 ± 22,5 horas de turnos presenciales semanales. Los residentes de programas de subespecialidad reportaron una jornada de 55,9 ± 22,2 horas semanales más un promedio de 23 ± 3,9 horas de turnos presenciales semanales. De los 53 programas evaluados, el 22,6 por ciento sobrepasó el límite recomendado por la Dirección de Postgrado PUC (80 horas semanales). Cinco programas reportaron 90-100 horas semanales (todas especialidades o subespecialidades quirúrgicas) y 7 programas reportaron 80-90 horas semanales (3 subespecialidades médicas, 1 subespecialidad quirúrgica, 2 especialidades médicas y 1 especialidad quirúrgica). Conclusión: los residentes de especialidades y subespecialidades médicas en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile están sometidos a una carga horaria significativa. Los programas quirúrgicos presentaron la mayor sobrecarga horaria presencial, con un promedio mayor al recomendado a nivel internacional. (AU)

Introduction: Residents work hours' overload constitutes an important problem in medical postgraduate residency programs. It has been associated to an increased prevalence of depression, burnout, attrition and affects quality of life of residents. The aim of our study was to quantify the duty hours in residents of specialty and subspecialty at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC). Methods: An electronic survey was performed to residents of specialty and subspecialty at PUC (2013). It included an auto report of the duty hours worked in a week (regular working day, night shifts and on call shifts). We only included for analysis the face hours (regular working day and night shifts). Results: 415 surveys were answered (response rate 86percent). Specialty residents reported 52.8 ± 20.3 regular working hours per week plus an average of 22.6 ± 22.5 hours of night shifts. Subspecialty residents reported 55.9 ± 22.2 regular working hours per week plus an average of 23 ± 3.9 hours of night shifts. From the 53 evaluated programs, 22.6 percent exceeded the limit recommended in the PUC Postgraduate Office (80 hours per week). Five programs reported 90-100 hours per week (all were surgical specialties and subspecialties) and 7 programs reported 80-90 hours per week (3 medical subspecialties, 1 surgical subspecialty, 2 medical specialties and 1 surgical specialty). Conclusion: The residents of specialty and subspecialty from medical postgraduate programs at PUC are subject to a significant workload. The surgical programs present the highest time workload, with a greater average than the internationally recommended.(AU)

Iran’s Postgraduate Medical Education Achievements over Last 35 Years.

Aims: This article provides important information on Iran clinical postgraduate education progresses over the last 35 years. This historical study focus is on post graduate education quantitative achievements and growth of admitted residents and graduated specialist and subspecialists and fellowships by gender since 1979 after the revolution in Iran. Study Design: This is a comprehensive national historical study. Place and Duration of Study: This national study was performed in Iranian Academy of medical science, between Apr. 2011 and may 2014. Methodology: The first hand data gathered from Iran health ministry of and also from Medical Council of IR Iran. Results: There are 28 specialty and 24 subspecialties disciplines in Iran’s postgraduate medical education programs. The numbers of resident’s admission in specialties increased from 385 in 1979 to 2500 in 2014, and respectively from zero to 269 in subspecialty fields. 55 percent of admitted residents in specialty programs and 30 percent of admitted specialists in subspecialty programs were female in last year. During the period of 1979-2013, number of Iranians medical specialists’ has more than 300 percentage increases, and the ratio of specialist per 100,000 Iranian Population has more than 110 percentage increases. Research is another important field in our medical education system. Iran has published more than 20,000 medical and health research articles last year and 0.44% of its studies are considered as the 1% best articles of the world. The country has also gained the first place in the Middle East regarding science production. Conclusion: Along with expansion Iran’s P.G.M.E. over the last 35 years, the number of Iranian female physicians significantly increased. Iran’s medical education system with great achievement in specialty/subspecialty training and related research is comparable with those of the most progressed countries in the world.

Neuro-ophthalmology as a career.

This essay was written to discuss the reasoning behind the personal decisions made by 2 current neuroophthalmology fellows to pursue neuro-ophthalmology as a career. It is meant to enlighten the reader about what role neuro-ophthalmologists play in clinical practice, what makes neuro-ophthalmology unique to all other sub-specialties, and how this contributes to making neuro-ophthalmology not only one of the most medically interesting, yet rewarding sub-specialties in ophthalmology.

The joint teaching of subspecialty teachers in the application of diagnostics probation / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective To analyze and evaluate the joint teaching of subspeciahy teachers in the application of diagnostics probation.Methods 293 clinical medical undergraduates of Grade 2009 were randomly divided into experimental group(the joint subspeciahies teaching group,n=153) and control group(traditional teaching group,n=140).The two groups of students were divided into the 14-16 study group.The diagnostics probation teaching content(all general physical examination and ECG examination)was decomposed in the experiment group and students were taught by different subspecialties teachers while the students of the control group were taught by a teacher of internal medicine.The final examination grades and operative performance of the two groups were compared,evaluated and U tested.At the same time the questionnaire smvey was conducted to the students in the experimental group.Results The experimental group's theory examination score was (75.2 ± 8.9) and the operative assessment score was (88.5 ± 6.2),higher than that in the control group(70.9 ± 10.7 and 84.6 ± 5.5),the difference was statistically significant(P=0.001).The questionnaire results showed 92.8％(142/153)medical students improved their clinical skill,86.9％(133/153) medical students were satisfied with the joint teaching of subspecialty teachers.Conclusions The subspecialty teachers' joint teaching can improve students' clinical practice ability.It is a valuable teaching method in diagnostics teaching.

Consensus and Different Perspectives on Treatment of Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children

BACKGROUND: Although closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is accepted as the treatment of choice for displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus, there are some debates on the pinning techniques, period of immobilization, elbow range of motion (ROM) exercise, and perceptions on the restoration of elbow ROM. This study was to investigate the consensus and different perspectives on the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed for this study, which included the choice of pinning technique, methods of elbow motion, and perception on the restoration of elbow ROM. Seventy-six orthopedic surgeons agreed to participate in the study and survey was performed by a direct interview manner in the annual meetings of Korean Pediatric Orthopedic Association and Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand. There were 17 pediatric orthopedic surgeons, 48 hand surgeons, and 11 general orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of the orthopedic surgeons agreed that closed reduction and percutaneous pinning was the treatment of choice for the displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. They showed significant difference in the choice of pin entry (lateral vs. crossed pinning, p = 0.017) between the three groups of orthopedic surgeons, but no significant difference was found in the number of pins, all favoring 2 pins over 3 pins. Most of the orthopedic surgeons used a removable splint during the ROM exercise period. Hand surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons tended to be more concerned about elbow stiffness after supracondylar fracture than pediatric orthopedic surgeons, and favored gentle passive ROM exercise as elbow motion. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons most frequently adopted active ROM exercise as the elbow motion method. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons acknowledged that the patient's age was the most contributing factor to the restoration of elbow motion, whereas hand surgeons acknowledged the amount of injury to be the most contributing factor. CONCLUSIONS: More investigation and communication will be needed to reach a consensus in treating pediatric supracondylar fractures of the humerus between the different subspecialties of orthopedic surgeons, which can minimize malpractice and avoid medicolegal issues.

Consensus and Different Perspectives on Treatment of Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children

BACKGROUND: Although closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is accepted as the treatment of choice for displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus, there are some debates on the pinning techniques, period of immobilization, elbow range of motion (ROM) exercise, and perceptions on the restoration of elbow ROM. This study was to investigate the consensus and different perspectives on the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed for this study, which included the choice of pinning technique, methods of elbow motion, and perception on the restoration of elbow ROM. Seventy-six orthopedic surgeons agreed to participate in the study and survey was performed by a direct interview manner in the annual meetings of Korean Pediatric Orthopedic Association and Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand. There were 17 pediatric orthopedic surgeons, 48 hand surgeons, and 11 general orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of the orthopedic surgeons agreed that closed reduction and percutaneous pinning was the treatment of choice for the displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. They showed significant difference in the choice of pin entry (lateral vs. crossed pinning, p = 0.017) between the three groups of orthopedic surgeons, but no significant difference was found in the number of pins, all favoring 2 pins over 3 pins. Most of the orthopedic surgeons used a removable splint during the ROM exercise period. Hand surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons tended to be more concerned about elbow stiffness after supracondylar fracture than pediatric orthopedic surgeons, and favored gentle passive ROM exercise as elbow motion. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons most frequently adopted active ROM exercise as the elbow motion method. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons acknowledged that the patient's age was the most contributing factor to the restoration of elbow motion, whereas hand surgeons acknowledged the amount of injury to be the most contributing factor. CONCLUSIONS: More investigation and communication will be needed to reach a consensus in treating pediatric supracondylar fractures of the humerus between the different subspecialties of orthopedic surgeons, which can minimize malpractice and avoid medicolegal issues.

The Subspecialty Certification for Critical Care Medicine in Korea / 대한구급학회지

The Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine (KSCCM) has introduced the Subspecialty System for Critical Care Medicine in Korea under the auspices of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS) in March 2008. Nine medical societies that included the Korean Association of Internal Medicine, the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, the Korean Society of Anesthesiology, the Korean Neurological Association, the Korean Neurosurgical Society, the Korean Surgical Society, the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine, the Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and the Korean Pediatric Society participated to the new critical care subspecialty. The Board of Critical Care should be certified again every 5 year after achieving the required qualification by the KSCCM. This paper summarizes the Subspecialty Certification System for Critical Care Medicine in Korea.

An overview and the future of pediatric subspecialty board certification of the Korean Pediatric Society / 소아과

Committee for pediatric subspecialty board certification of the Korean Pediatric Society (KPA) was established for the subspecialty certification and formal training programs in 2005. Pediatric allergy and pulmonology was the first pediatric subspecialty among 9 subdivisions of KPA to petition for the certification in 2006, and 7 additional subdivisions of KPA, pediatric cardiology, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, pediatric infectious diseases, neonatology, pediatric nephrology, pediatric neurology, respectively, were followed in 2007. Finally, pediatric hemato-oncology joined this program in 2008. An overview and the future of Korean pediatric subspecialties are described.