An ophthalmology professionalism survey tool: Outcomes from a multi-center study in Central India

Purpose: To describe a professionalism survey tool and its use to assess knowledge of medical professionalism in ophthalmology training programs in Central India. Settings and Design: Multi?center survey study. Methods: A validated 33?question, scenario?based survey addressing professionalism attributes was administered at five centers in central India. The attributes tested included “personal characteristics,” “physician–patient relationships,” “workplace practice and relationships,” and “socially responsible behaviors.” A mean attribute score (%) was calculated and compared to “gold standard” responses by a group of expert senior ophthalmologists (100% agreement for responses). Results: A total of 225 participants completed the survey; 124 residents, 47 fellows, and 54 consultants (98.4% response rate). The total mean attribute score was 80.7 ± 9.1 (min 16.67, max 100). There was variation in the mean attribute score by professionalism attribute (P < 0.001), and a trend toward higher mean attribute scores for consultants compared to trainees across all attribute groups. The scores for “personal characteristics” (93 ± 9.7) and “physician?patient relationship” (82 ± 15.8) were the highest, whereas scores for “socially responsible behaviors” (73.9 ± 18.6) and “workplace practices” were low (72 ± 13). Conclusions: There is a generally high level of professionalism knowledge among ophthalmologists in central India. The results suggest that experience does impact knowledge of professionalism. Potential for improvement in professionalism exists in around "workplace practices", and around "socially responsible behaviors". These findings may serve as a valuable discussion starter and teaching tool to enhance professionalism in ophthalmology training programs.

Domestic burns that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract BACKGROUND: Due to "stay at home" restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, people spent more time at home leading to an increase in home accidents, including burns. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of burns that occurred within homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This was a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample. METHODS: Data were collected through the distribution of survey links on social networking sites and websites, and through email between December 2020 and February 2021. Participants were over 18 years of age, living in Brazil. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and dispersion statistics. RESULTS: A total of 939 adults (aged > 18 years) participated in this study. The mean age was 37.2 years (standard deviation [SD] = 12.5), 75.6% were female, 70.0% self-reported white skin color, 74% had completed higher education, and 28.1% had an income of 3 to 6 times the monthly minimum wage. A total of 21.6% suffered burns during the pandemic, 44.3% from a hot object. Approximately 49.3% never had access to a burn prevention campaign. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop burn prevention strategies that reach a wider population and to strengthen public policies to reduce the prevalence of domestic burns, especially during the pandemic.

Awareness and knowledge of congenital cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women and the general public: a web-based survey in Japan

BACKGROUND@#The best approach to reduce congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMVi) is to practice behaviors that reduce cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission during pregnancy. Expanding awareness and knowledge of CMV is expected to result in increased practice of preventative behaviors. To this end, it is necessary to understand current awareness and knowledge of CMV.@*METHODS@#This web-based cross-sectional survey assessed the awareness and knowledge of cCMVi among pregnant women and the general public in Japan. Participants aged 20-45 years (pregnant and non-pregnant women, and men) were identified from a consumer panel. Study outcomes (all participants) included awareness of cCMVi and other congenital conditions. Among those aware of cCMVi, outcomes included knowledge of CMV transmission routes, long-term outcomes of cCMVi, and behaviors to prevent CMV transmission during pregnancy. Outcomes limited to pregnant women included the practice of preventative behaviors and opinion on how easy it is to implement these behaviors. The data of the pregnant group (pregnant at the time of the survey) were compared with those of the general group (non-pregnant women and men).@*RESULTS@#There were 535 participants in the pregnant group and 571 in the general group. Awareness of cCMVi was generally low (pregnant, 16.1%; general, 10.2%). Pregnant participants were significantly more aware of most congenital conditions than those in the general group, including cCMVi (P = 0.004). Knowledge about CMV/cCMVi was limited; there were no significant differences between the two groups for 24 of the 26 knowledge questions. A small proportion (one third or less) of pregnant women practiced behaviors to prevent the transmission of CMV, though most (73.3-95.3%) pregnant women who were aware of cCMVi considered such behaviors easy to implement.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Awareness and knowledge of CMV/cCMVi is low among pregnant women in Japan; the level of knowledge is similar to that among the general public. This needs to be improved. Most pregnant women considered behaviors to prevent CMV transmission easy to perform, which indicates that effectively educating pregnant women regarding the long-term outcomes of cCMVi, CMV transmission routes, and preventative behaviors will contribute to a reduced incidence of cCMVi.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000041260 .

Clinical Perceptions and Practice Patterns for Amblyopia in Korea

PURPOSE: We used a questionnaire to explore perceptions and clinical practice patterns of Korean pediatric ophthalmologists in terms of amblyopia.METHODS: From September to November 2018, we conducted a web-based questionnaire survey of 99 specialists of the Korean Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus who operated ophthalmology clinics in Korea. We received 56 responses (56.57%) and retrospectively analyzed the data.RESULTS: The average specialist age was 44.0 ± 9.7 years. The mean age of treated amblyopia patients was 3 to 5 years (69.6%); the most common amblyopia was refractive anisometropic amblyopia (75.0%). On average, treatment commenced at 4 years of age (53.6%); child and parent co-operation most significantly influenced treatment success (46.4%). The preferred test was cycloplegic refraction (96.4%) and the preferred treatment occlusion therapy (100%) with glasses correction (98.2%). Occlusion therapy was most commonly performed for 2 hours/day (69.6%); the minimum age for eyeglasses prescription was 2.10 ± 1.18 years. Only three respondents (5.36%) prescribed contact lenses and only one (1.79%) performed refractive surgery.CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, amblyopia treatment is based on occlusion therapy and glasses correction. However, the time of treatment commencement, the duration of occlusion therapy, and the glasses used for correction varied. It is necessary to develop guidelines for amblyopia treatment; these should reflect current medical conditions.

Long-Term Galsulfase Treatment Associated With Improved Survival of Patients With Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome): 15-Year Follow-Up From the Survey Study

Abstract Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) is a progressive lysosomal storage disorder with multiorgan and multisystemic pathology. Currently, galsulfase enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the only approved treatment for MPS VI. A crosssectional survey study of 121 patients with MPS VI conducted in 2001 to 2002 and a 10-year follow-up study of the same patients (resurvey study; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01387854) found that those receiving galsulfase at any time showed physical improvements and a lower mortality rate (16.5%) versus treatment-naive patients (50%). After *15 years, galsulfasetreated patients (n » 104) continue to have a survival advantage over treatment-naive patients (n » 14), as demonstrated by a 24% versus 57% mortality rate. This survival advantage is further supported by data from the commercial use of galsulfase (2005-2016), which show a 5-year mortality rate for galsulfase-treated patients of 12.5%. Together, these findings suggest that galsulfase ERT can increase life expectancies for patients with MPS VI over a period of at least 15 years.

Survey study on the Preference of Dental Medical Personnel for Dental CAD/CAM Milling Machines / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: Recently, according to the development of digital technology, computer aided design/computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) system is widely used for fabrication of various dental prostheses in the field of dentistry. This study aims to survey the present state and awareness of CAD/CAM system on domestic dental field, and to supply the advice for the application of the new system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this questionnaire survey was conducted for a total of 298 dentists, dental hygienist and dental technicians of the whole country including the dental hospital of Seoul National University for two months from November to December, 2016 through mail. RESULTS: The most important purpose to consider when purchasing a dental CAD/CAM milling machine were the performance of the milling machine (64.43%) and the use of milling machine was the highest with 49.33% of manufacturing for dental prosthesis and customized implant abutment. In addition, more than 60% of respondents answered positively about the purchase of new milling machine if the CAD/CAM milling machine was improved to satisfactory performance. CONCLUSION: This survey results show that the improved CAD/CAM milling machine would be play an important role in the dental industry in preparation for digitization and the 4th industrial revolution.

La práctica de la evaluación del riesgo de violencia en España / The practice of violence risk assessment in Spain

Antecedentes. La valoración del riesgo de violencia es un requisito fundamental en la toma de decisiones profesionales que implican prevenir, intervenir o informar sobre la conducta de las personas. El uso de herramientas estructuradas de evaluación del riesgo de violencia ha mostrado mejoría en la precisión de las evaluaciones basadas exclusivamente en el juicio clínico o en la pericia de un experto en contextos psiquiátricos, penitenciarios y jurídicos. Objetivo. Este estudio presenta los resultados de la primera encuesta sobre las prácticas profesionales asociadas al uso de herramientas de evaluación del riesgo de violencia en España. Materiales y métodos. La información fue recogida mediante la administración de una encuesta en internet que fue distribuida por correo electrónico a los miembros de organizaciones profesionales. Resultados. De manera similar a los contextos profesionales del resto del mundo, las escalas de psicopatía de Robert Hare (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised y Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version) y el Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20 encabezaron la lista de las herramientas más usadas tanto por elección personal como por requisito institucional. Conclusiones. Se ofrecen datos novedosos sobre la prevalencia de uso y la utilidad percibida de las herramientas estructuradas, así como sobre otras cuestiones relacionadas a las prácticas profesionales de evaluación del riesgo de violencia en España que pueden orientar tanto a los profesionales de contextos sanitarios, correccionales y forenses, como a los responsables de las instituciones en la elección de las herramientas a implementar para asistirlos en la toma de decisiones.

Background. Violence risk assessment is a key requirement in professional decision making involving prevention, intervention or reporting on human behavior. The use of structured tools for violence risk assessment has shown to improve the accuracy of assessments based exclusively on clinical judgment or expertise in psychiatric, correctional and legal settings. Objectives. This study presents results of the first survey about professional practices associated with tools for violence risk assessment in Spain. Materials and methods. The information was collected by administering an online-based survey that was distributed by e-mail to members of professional organizations around the country. Results. As in professional contexts worldwide, the Robert Hare's psychopathy scales (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised and Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version) and the Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20 topped the list of the most used tools both by professional choice and institutional requirement. Conclusions. We provide novel data on the prevalence of use and the perceived utility of specific tools, as well as on other issues related to the professional practice of violence risk assessment in Spain, which can guide professional in the health care, correctional and forensic settings, as well as those responsible for decisions in institutions about choosing which tool to implement.

Survey for Musculoskeletal Pain of Korean Junior Tennis Players / 대한스포츠의학회지

The aim of this survey was to analyze the characteristics of musculoskeletal pain of Korean junior tennis players and its effect on games and psychology of players. Surveys were administered to 30 healthy male junior tennis players who took part in a 50th national junior tennis meet in 2015. We analyzed the incidence, location, cause and preferred prevention or treatment method of musculoskeletal pain, the correlation between training time and musculoskeletal pain as well as the effect of musculoskeletal pain on games and psychology of players. Overall, 22 out of 30 (73.3%) responded the experience of musculoskeletal pain. The incidence of lower extremity pain (16 out of 30, 53.3%) were higher than upper extremity pain (9 out of 30, 30%) and low back pain (8 out of 30, 26.7%). The long training hours per day (r=0.574, p=0.001) and old age (r=0.390, p=0.033) were correlated with intermittent back pain in univariate anlaysis. In multivariate ananlysis, the long training hours per day was a single risk factor of intermittent low back pain (p=0.038, odds ratio 10.01). 43.3% of players responded that the insufficent preventive conditioning program was thought to be the cause of musculoskeletal pain. The most preferred treatment or prevention method for musculoskeletal pain was rehabilitation (55.3%). Twelve players reported the negative affection of musculoskeletal pain to the performance in game. Six players experienced the frustration, 9 players experienced the loss of interest and 9 players experienced the emotional avoidance of games due to the musculoskeletal pain.

Re-survey study of environmental pollution in Khongor, Darkhan-Uul province / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Background Concentrations of lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and boron in waste water treatment sample and soil sample of Mich Company in Khongor, Darkhan-Uul province were detected with high concentration by WHO, UNEP and FAO study in 1998. Therefore, the conclusion was required to conduct environmental audit and to determine pollution frame and risks [1, 2]. According to recommendation of WHO, UNEP and FAO study, it is required to conduct re-survey study of environ¬mental pollution in Khongor, Darkhan-Uul province. Goal Study was aimed to conduct re-survey study of environmental pollution and human health exposure assessment in Khongor, Darkhan-Uul province. Objectives: 1. To determine environmental pollution by questionnaire study and chemical analysis for mercury, chromium, arsenic, lead, cadmium and boron in hair, blood, urine and environment. 2. To develop guidance for next actions. Results Average concentration of arsenic in soil sample of Mich Co, Ltd was 8.458 mg/kg or 1.4 fold higher (95%CI 5.472- 11.444) than reference value (6.0 mg/kg) in “MNS 5850:2008 -Soil quality. Reference value for soil pollutants and elements” standard and mercury and cadmium were not detected (Table 1). Chromium and boron were detected with acceptable level in water samples and average concentration of arsenic (0.0014 mg/l) was lower than reference value (0.01mg/l) in “MNS 900:2005 Drinking water, Hygiene requirements and control” standard. This result shows that there was not arsenic migration from soil to water. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, boron and mercury in soil and water samples were detected with acceptable level (Table 1). Conclusions: 1. Lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and boron levels in environmental samples of Khongor, Darkhan-Uul province were at subordinate level from reference values in national standards. 2. Arsenic concentrations in biological samples were determined as a higher level, but in environmental samples its amounts were corresponded with acceptable level. Thus there was not environmental pollution exposure to human health. Because of detoxication processes of contaminated moulds by mercury and cyanides in MICH company area, it is possible to this area polluted by arsenic or gold associated elements. Thus it is necessary to decrease arsenic pollution in soil. 3. Concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury in hair, urine and blood samples were less than refer¬ence value of Human biomonitoring commission of Germany (HBM), PHI of USA, Clinical chemist’s agency of Russia and Canadian medical research center. So, in Khongor soum had not those of toxic elements ex¬posure to human health. 4. The boron and chromium concentrations of hair, urine and blood samples exceeded the maximum admissible limits in half of all cases, while their amounts in environmental samples were at permissible level according to national standards. And there was no statistical significance correlation (p=0.735) between chromium and boron concentrations in biological and environmental samples.