ABSTRACT
BackgroundMusculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is increasingly gaining importance as an imaging tool in rheumatology. Most training programs currently address resident doctors. However, several studies have demonstrated that teaching MSUS to medical students improves their palpation skills and understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy. With the development of portable ultrasound devices, MSUS education is lately getting more flexible and location-independent. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of telemedicine training as a powerful tool to ensure the teaching of practical skills under pandemic conditions.ObjectivesThe purpose of our study is to establish a telemedical MSUS course for medical students and to compare its effectiveness with a conventional on-campus course as a world-wide pilot study. In doing so, we aim to expand student educational opportunities in MSUS using innovative teaching options while ensuring quality maintenance of teaching.MethodsThirty medical students were randomized to either a virtual group being delivered only telemedicine instructions, or an on-campus cohort receiving the course in a conventional format. Each student was provided with a handheld ultrasound device. Prior to the start of the course, the students' skills were assessed with an Objective Clinical Structured Examination (OSCE). During the course, a DEGUM-III-certified course instructor taught the basic physics of ultrasound and standard sections of the MUDE ultrasound protocol[1]. In order to quantify the students' learning progress, a second OSCE was carried out after completion of the course. [1].ResultsAt the time of this analysis, data collection within the on-campus course has already been completed, whereas the virtual course is still ongoing. While the average score of the students in the PRE-course OSCE was 21,02% (SD ±6,78), the students were able to achieve an average of 90% (SD ±6,81) in the POST-course OSCE after the intervention.ConclusionWith the results obtained so far, it can be shown that an innovative course concept with hand-held ultrasound devices, originally developed for dermatologists to improve the detection of psoriatic arthritis, can be used very well in student teaching without major modifications and leads to a significant increase in MSUS skills among medical students. The TELMUS study thereby offers a successful example of extending an existing course concept to student teaching and thus promoting the next generation of rheumatologists.Reference[1]Grobelski J, Recker F, Wilsmann- Theis D, et al. Etablierung und Validierung eines didaktischen muskuloskelettalen Ultraschallkurses für Dermatologen unter Verwendung eines innovativen Hand-Ultraschallsystems – die MUDE-Studie (Muskuloskelettaler Ultraschall für Dermatologen). J Deutsche Derma Gesell 2021;19:1753–60. doi:10.1111/ddg.14614_gFigure 1.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundThe use of musculoskeletal ultrasound improves patient care by increasing diagnostic and therapeutic safety. With its growing application and increasing evidence of its value, the demand for standardized training in musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) rises rapidly.ObjectivesIn this systematic literature review, we aim to provide a general overview of the various aspects of musculoskeletal ultrasound education worldwide, including target groups, teaching staff, didactic methods, and course formats, as well as to reflect on existing problems and future opportunities. No restrictions were made regarding the educational level of the course recipients nor the specialization of the course instructors.MethodsIn our methodological approach, we followed the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies[1]. In January 2022, the databases Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar were considered with all publications to date and were filtered for relevant publications using previously defined keywords. Title and were then screened independently by two authors for inclusion using relevant study characteristics determined in advance according to the PICO scheme[1]. Finally relevant information was filtered from the full text version of the sixty-seven included publications.ResultsThe range of training programs has increased greatly in recent years, primarily aiming at residents in rheumatology, radiology and physical medicine and rehabilitation. However, MSUS is also receiving more attention as a training tool for medical students. Due to the COVID pandemic, didactic approaches using distance learning via simulators and handheld devices have gained additional importance. Given the existing lack of sufficient equipment and trained teaching staff, those approaches should continue to be explored post-pandemic. Another still existing problem is the low international comparability of MSUS training and competency assessment. Therefore, several international institutions, including the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) have proposed guidelines for training curricula to promote standardized ultrasound training.ConclusionThere is a broad consensus that the development of standardized curricula improves training and facilitates the implementation of new training centers. The development of alternative teaching methods incorporating e-learning, peer teaching, and distance learning on mobile ultrasound devices and the determination of international guidelines could facilitate overcoming the remaining major obstacles still to be passed.Reference[1]Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions: explanation and elaboration. BMJ 2009;339:b2700. doi:10.1136/bmj.b2700Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.
ABSTRACT
The City of Brownsville was made vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic due to high rates of obesity and diabetes, high rates of poverty, and adverse social determinants of health. To address the unique challenges faced by the community, Brownsville's COVID-19 response brought together the skills of academia with the local understanding and health expertise of the city's public health department to craft a pandemic response that addressed the specific needs and unique challenges of the residents. This article explores the response partnerships formed and the data-driven, community-oriented campaigns that were designed by the Brownsville Public Health Department. The collaborative partnership of the COVID-19 working group and the innovative dissemination strategies designed by the health department provided an effective method of disease mitigation among the city's most vulnerable residents. The article demonstrates the impact of the response campaigns by including a resident's perspective on the impact of the response, specifically how the health department tailored their efforts to meet the needs of the Brownsville community.
ABSTRACT
The sudden onset of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has resulted in tremendous loss of human life and economy in more than 210 countries and territories around the world. While self-protections such as wearing masks, sheltering in place, and quarantine policies and strategies are necessary for containing virus transmission, tens of millions of people in the U.S. have lost their jobs due to the shutdown of businesses. Therefore, how to reopen the economy safely while the virus is still circulating in population has become a problem of significant concern and importance to elected leaders and business executives. In this study, mathematical modeling is employed to quantify the profit generation and the infection risk simultaneously from a business entity's perspective. Specifically, an ordinary differential equation model was developed to characterize disease transmission and infection risk. An algebraic equation is proposed to determine the net profit that a business entity can generate after reopening and take into account the costs associated of several protection/quarantine guidelines. All model parameters were calibrated based on various data and information sources. Sensitivity analyses and case studies were performed to illustrate the use of the model in practice. The results show that with a combination of necessary infection protection measures implemented, a business entity may stand a good opportunity to generate a positive net profit while successfully controlling the within-business infection prevalence under that in the general population. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is also found of significant importance, especially at the early stage of business reopening. © Copyright © 2020 Miao, Gao, Feng, Zhong, Zhu, Wu, Swartz, Luo, DeSantis, Lai, Bauer, Pérez, Rong and Lairson.