Assessment by mini clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX) in the intensive care unit.

INTRODUCTION: Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX) is one of the assessment tools in medical education. It includes three steps: overview of clinical situation, observation and feedback. AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of mini-CEX as a formative assessment tool for medical trainees in 5th year of medicine in a teaching intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Single-center qualitative research conducted in ICU during the 2nd semester of the academic year 2022-2023. Seven core clinical skill assessments were done, and the performance was rated on a 9-point scale. An assessment of the method was conducted with both trainees and clinical educators. RESULTS: We conducted six mini-CEX recorded sessions. All medical students had marks under the average of 4.5. In the first period, the highest mark was obtained for counselling skills (4.5). The best score was obtained for clinical judgement (4) in the second period and for management plan (4) in the third period. Most of medical trainees (11 sur 12) were satisfied with the method and feedback was according to them the most useful step. Ten students agreed fully to introduce this assessment tool in medical educational programs. Two medical educators out of three did not practice this method before. They agreed to include mini-CEX in the program of medical education of the faculty of medicine of Tunis. However, they did not agree to use it as a summative assessment tool. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that we can use the mini-CEX in medical teaching. Both trainees and educators were satisfied with the method.

Patient-management problem in the evaluation of intensive medicine.

INTRODUCTION: In intensive care medicine (ICM), the use of Patient-Management Problem (PMP) remains limited and no feedback from students is available. AIM: To compare the feasibility of employing PMP referring to clinical cases (CC) as assessment tools for appraising the knowledge and competencies in ICM students; and to gather the students' perception regarding this experience. METHODS: it was a cross-sectional randomized trial. Were included, external students in the 3rd year of the 2nd cycle of medical studies (3rd-SCMS) during their ICM externship. All the participants underwent two random draws (the 1st one for assessment tool to be started (PMP or CC) and the 2nd for the passage order for PMP. Two PMPs versus two grouped QCMs-CC were prepared and a satisfaction questionnaire was distributed. The main judgment criterion was the effect of each assessment tool on the students' decision-making process. This focused on the relevance of the elements provided by each technique, the implication and the difficulty felt. The secondary endpoint was the scores taken for each tool tested. RESULTS: 20 students were included. All participants had previous experience with PMPs and only nine were familiar with grouped MCQs-CC. PMP scores were 14.9 for the 1st theme and 15.8 for the 2nd theme. The median of the grouped MCQs-CC scores was 14 [12-16] for both. The scores didn't differ between the two techniques. For the 1st theme: the scores were negatively correlated (r=-0.58 and p=0.007). Students felt a better satisfaction for PMP evaluation (p<10-3), the elements provided by PMP were more relevant for decision-making process (p<10-3), the involvement was more felt with PMP (p<10-3) and difficulty was more felt with CCs (p<10-3). The effect of PMP was found to be significant on clinical reasoning (n=36), self-assessment (n=38), problem solving (n=40) and decision making (n=39). Students recommended strongly PMP as a tool of evaluation in ICM (p<10-3). CONCLUSION: scores were comparable between the two tested techniques. The positive perception of students regarding PMP encourages its generalization and teacher training must be strengthened.

Impact on survival of nuclear atypia in epithelioid malignant mesothelioma.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare tumour with a bad prognosis. The only consensual prognostic factors are represented by the stage and the histologic type. Concerning the histologic type, epithelioid mesothelioma is known to have better prognosis in comparison with the sarcomatoid and biphasic types. Epithelioid mesotheliomas have been reported to be a heterogeneous prognostic group. Our aim was to assess the impact on the survival of different characteristics of epithelioid mesothelioma, including nuclear atypia, mitotic count, MIB-1 index, inflammatory host response, stromal desmoplasia, necrosis, vascular emboli and invasion depth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a study of survival of 30 malignant pleural mesotheliomas according to the different parameters studied. RESULTS: The study included 26 women and 4 men. The mean age of the patients was 61 years. The microscopic exam concluded to an epithelioid mesothelioma in 17 cases, sarcomatoid mesothelioma in 4 cases and biphasic mesothelioma in 9 cases. The 17 cases of epithelioid mesothelioma developed severe nuclear atypia in 6 cases and mild nuclear atypia in 11 cases. The mitotic count and the MIB-1 score were respectively inferior to 5 mitoses/50 HPF and inferior to 10% in 11 cases and were superior to 5 mitoses/50 HPF and superior to 10% in 6 cases. No vascular emboli were recorded. Tumour necrosis was reported in 1 case. The inflammatory host response was severe in 4 cases and mild in 13 cases. The tumoral stroma was desmoplastic in 4 cases. The invasion depth was superior to 0.5mm in 16 cases. The median overall survival amounted to 180 days. Nuclear atypia was the only feature that had impact on survival in the group of epithelioid mesothelioma. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the correlation of nuclear atypia with survival.

From an urologist view: are we safe with endoscopic surgery? Overview of ergonomic problems encountered by the urologist during video endoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The importance of minimally invasive surgery in urology has constantly increased in the last 20 years. Endoscopic resection of prostate and bladder tumors is actually a gold standard with many advantages for patients. AIM: To analyze the problems related to the ergonomic conditions faced by urologist during video endoscopic surgery by review of the recent literature. METHODS: All evidence-based experimental ergonomic studies conducted in the fields of urology endoscopic surgery and applied ergonomics for other professions working with a display were identified by PubMed searches. Data from ergonomic studies were evaluated in terms of efficiency as well as comfort and safety aspects. Constraint postures for urologists are described and ergonomic requirements for optimal positions are discussed. RESULTS: The ergonomics of urological endoscopic surgery place urologists at risk for potential injury. The amount of neck flexion or extension, the amount of shoulder girdle adduction or abduction used, and stability of the upper extremities during surgery; which are maintained in a prolonged static posture; are the main risk factors. All these constraints may lead to muscle and joint fatigue, pain, and eventual musculoskeletal injury. Moreover, these issues may impact surgical accuracy. CONCLUSION: Urologist posture, operating period, training are important ergonomic factor during video surgery to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.