Intravenous Immunoglobulins Alone for the Desensitization of Lung Transplant Recipients with Preformed Donor Specific Antibodies and Negative Flow Cytometry Crossmatch.

BACKGROUND: The lack of evidence regarding optimal desensitization strategies for lung transplant candidates with preformed donor specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (DSAs) has led to varying approaches among centers towards this patient group. Our institution's desensitization protocol for recipients with preformed DSAs and negative flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) consists of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as the sole therapy. The study aimed to determine outcomes using this approach. METHODS: This retrospective study included adults who underwent lung-only transplantation for the first time between January 2015 and March 2022 at a single center. We excluded patients with positive or missing FCXM results. Transplant recipients with any DSA ≥ 1000 MFI on latest testing within three months of transplant were considered DSA-positive, while recipients with DSAs <1000 MFI and those without DSAs were assigned to the low-level/negative group. Graft survival (time to death/retransplantation) and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)-free times were compared between groups using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Thirty-six out of 167 eligible patients (22%) were DSA-positive. At least 50% of preformed DSAs had documented clearance (decrease to <1000 MFI) within the first 6 months of transplant. Multivariable Cox regression analyses did not detect a significantly increased risk of graft failure (aHR 1.04 95%CI 0.55-1.97) or chronic lung allograft dysfunction (aHR 0.71 95%CI 0.34-1.52) in DSA-positive patients compared to patients with low-level/negative DSAs. Incidences of antibody-mediated rejection (p = 1.00) and serious thromboembolic events (p = 0.63) did not differ between study groups. CONCLUSION: We describe a single-center experience of administering IVIG alone to lung transplant recipients with preformed DSAs and negative FCXM. Further studies are required to confirm the efficacy of this strategy against other protocols.

Breastmilk calcium concentrations in Palestinian lactating women.

AIM: Breastmilk calcium concentrations can vary between lactating women and over the lactation period. This study assessed breastmilk calcium concentrations among Palestinian lactating women. METHODS: The demographic and dietary variables of the lactating women were collected using a questionnaire. The women provided a sample of about 5 mL of breastmilk using hand expression. Breastmilk calcium concentrations were quantified using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric method. RESULTS: Breastmilk samples were taken from 240 lactating women. The mean breastmilk calcium concentration was 285.4 ± 115.1 mg/L. Lower breastmilk calcium concentrations were associated with age, lactating period, unemployment, dissatisfaction with income and insufficient consumption of vitamins and minerals. CONCLUSION: Breastmilk calcium concentrations were affected by demographic variables of the lactating women and insufficient consumption of vitamins and minerals. The findings reported in this study are informative to healthcare providers and decision makers who might be interested in improving the health of lactating women and their infants.

Donor respiratory multidrug-resistant bacteria and lung transplantation outcomes.

RATIONALE: Respiratory culture screening is mandatory for all potential lung transplant donors. There is limited evidence on the significance of donor multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria on transplant outcomes. Establishing the safety of allografts colonized with MDR bacteria has implications for widening an already limited donor pool. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the prevalence of respiratory MDR bacteria among our donor population and to test for associations with posttransplant outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included all adult patients who underwent lung-only transplantation for the first time at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh from January 2015 through May 2022. The study evaluated donor bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial swab cultures. MAIN RESULTS: Sixty-seven of 181 donors (37%) had respiratory MDR bacteria, most commonly MDR Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 24), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 18), MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 8), MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 7), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 6). Donor respiratory MDR bacteria were not significantly associated with allograft survival or chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) in adjusted hazard models. Sensitivity analyses revealed an increased risk for 90-day mortality among recipients of allografts with MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 6 with strains resistant to a carbapenem and n = 2 resistant to a third-generation cephalosporin only) compared to those receiving culture-negative allografts (25.0% versus 11.1%, p = 0.04). MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae (aHR 3.31, 95%CI 0.95-11.56) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (aHR 5.35, 95%CI 1.26-22.77) were associated with an increased risk for CLAD compared to negative cultures. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the potential safety of using lung allografts with MDR bacteria in the setting of appropriate prophylaxis; however, caution should be exercised in the case of MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Donor blood cultures and outcomes after lung transplantation: a single-center report.

BACKGROUND: Transplanting lungs from donors with positive blood cultures has not been shown to adversely affect survival. There is limited evidence for potential effects on other outcomes, such as hospital course, graft function, and transmission of infection. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent lung-only transplantation for the first time between March 2010 and December 2022. Outcomes of patients whose donors had positive blood cultures within 72 h of transplant were compared to patients whose donors had negative blood cultures. RESULTS: Twenty-five (10.8%) of 232 donors had positive blood cultures, including a single, unexpected case with candidemia. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Enterobacter cloacae (n = 5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 5), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 3), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 3), and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3). Eleven donors had identical bacteria in their respiratory cultures. All patients who were transplanted from donors with positive blood cultures survived beyond 90 days. Positive donor blood cultures were not associated with longer hospital stay, in-hospital complications, acute cellular rejection, or the achievement of 80% predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second. Probable transmission of donor bacteremia occurred in only two cases (both with S. aureus). These two donors had positive respiratory cultures with the same organism. CONCLUSION: The study did not find an increased risk of adverse events when transplanting lungs from donors with positive blood cultures. Allograft cultures may be more predictive of the risk of transmitting infections.

Acute neurological symptoms in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A case series.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection mostly involves pediatrics lesser than adults; however, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is shown to be the following condition in children infected with SARS-CoV-2, even asymptomatic ones. To date, there is few evidence of the association of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with acute neurological symptoms. Case presentations: This case series was recorded demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiographic and EEG data of patients with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children who diagnosed simultaneously with acute neurological symptoms. Children with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and evidence of central nervous system involvements participated in the study. Data are reported as median (interquartile ranges) for quantitative data without normal distributions. The present study was conducted at the children's referral hospital of Isfahan province, Iran between March 1, 2020, and December 28, 2021. Simultaneous diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and acute neurological symptoms was made in 12 children. The median age of patients was 4.5 years (10-144 months). The most common symptoms were seizures (58%). Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed that only one patient had pleocytosis. In addition, one patient had a low glucose level. Finally, 11 patients were discharged in good condition and one patient died after full recovery from acute neurological symptoms due to her underlying disease. Conclusion: According to our series and other studies, children with MIS-C may present signs and symptoms of acute neurological symptoms. Although its pathophysiology is unclear, studies showed that immunomodulatory agents, i.e., intravenous immunoglobulins and corticosteroids, provide a relatively good prognosis.

Breastmilk cadmium levels and estimated infant exposure: a multicenter study of associated factors in a resource-limited country.

BACKGROUND: Despite the undisputed benefits of breastfeeding, infants might become exposed to xenobiotics that could be excreted into breast milk following maternal exposure. This study was conducted to assess breastmilk cadmium levels among lactating women in Palestine, a resource-limited country. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of cadmium via breastmilk was also calculated and predictors of high breastmilk cadmium levels and high infant exposure via breastmilk were identified. METHODS: This multicenter study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical design. The lactating women were recruited from different maternity and public health clinics in all regions of Palestine. Demographic variables and exposure to sources of cadmium were collected in an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Foremilk samples (about 5 mL) were collected in polyethylene tubes using the hand-expression technique. The breast milk samples were collected in the period between December 2020 and March 2021. A pre-validated method using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify breastmilk cadmium levels. EDI values were calculated from the quantified breastmilk cadmium levels. RESULTS: Breastmilk samples were obtained from 256 lactating women. The mean breastmilk cadmium level was 0.34 (SD: 0.33) µg / L and the mean EDI of cadmium via breastmilk was 0.059 (SD: 0.058) µg / kg per body weight / day. Breastmilk cadmium levels were quantified in 92.6% of the breastmilk samples. Of the breastmilk samples, 13 (5.1%) had cadmium levels above those reported as "normal" by the World Health Organization (WHO). Multiple linear regression showed that higher breastmilk cadmium levels and higher EDI were predicted by being a smoker, living in a refugee camp, living close to an industrial area, living close to disposal of wastes, living close to paint shops, living in a house with peeling / chipping paint, frequent use of cosmetics, frequent use of hair dyes, and not using vitamins. CONCLUSION: The breastmilk cadmium levels and infant exposure were predicted by maternal exposure to sources of cadmium. The findings reported in this study are valuable to antenatal and postnatal healthcare service providers. More studies are needed to plan and implement measures to reduce breastmilk cadmium levels and infants' exposure to cadmium via breastmilk.

Lung transplantation outcomes in underweight recipients: A single center experience.

Background: Current guidelines recommend a body mass index (BMI) of 16 kg/m2 as the minimum threshold for lung transplantation, despite mixed evidence on outcomes in underweight patients. The current study aimed to describe survival outcomes of underweight patients who underwent lung transplantation at a single center. Methods: This retrospective observational study included adult lung transplant recipients who underwent transplantation for the first time between March 2010 and March 2022 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and excluded patients with obesity. We defined an underweight status as a BMI <17 kg/m2. Results: Forty-eight of the 202 lung transplant recipients were underweight at the time of surgery. The underweight patients had similar lengths of hospital (p = 0.53) and intensive care unit (p = 0.81) stays compared to other patients. Thirty-three percent of underweight patients had died within 5-year follow-up, compared to 34% of patients who were not underweight. There was no significant difference in mortality risk between underweight patients and patients with normal BMIs in our multivariable Cox regression model (adjusted HR 1.57, 95%CI: 0.77-3.20, p = 0.21). Exploratory analyses revealed that a pre-transplant BMI <13 kg/m2 was associated with a trend towards increased 5-year mortality (adjusted HR 4.00, 95%CI: 0.87-18.35, p = 0.07). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that patients with BMIs of 13-17 kg/m2 may be candidates for lung transplantation. Large multi-center cohort studies are needed to confirm the lower BMI limit for safely transplanting patients.

Viral aetiology of acute central nervous system infections in children, Iran.

Introduction. Viral infections are increasingly an important cause of central nervous system (CNS) complications.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. There is no comprehensive insight about CNS infections due to viral agents among Iranian children.Aim. This study aimed to investigate the viral aetiology, clinical and epidemiological profile of children with acute infections of the CNS.Methodology. A prospective study was conducted on children at the referral hospital in Isfahan, Iran, from June 2019 to June 2020. A multiplex PCR assay was used to detect the viral causative agent in cerebrospinal fluid and throat/rectal swab samples.Results. Among 103 patients with eligible criteria, a confirmed or probable viral aetiology was detected in 41 (39.8 %) patients, including enteroviruses - 56.1 %, herpes simplex virus 1/2 (HSV-1/2) - 31.7 %, Epstein-Barr virus - 17.1 %, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) - 9.7 %, influenza A virus (H1N1) -4.9 % and mumps - 2.4 %. There was a higher proportion of PCR-positive samples in infants than in other age groups. Encephalitis and meningoencephalitis were diagnosed in 68.3 % (28/41) and 22 % (9/41) PCR-positive cases, respectively.Conclusion. The findings of this research provide insights into the clinical and viral aetiological patterns of acute CNS infections in Iran, and the importance of molecular methods to identify CNS viruses. HSV and VZV were identified as important causes of encephalitis in young children.

Clinical, laboratory and imaging characteristics, and outcomes of hospitalized children with suspected COVID-19 infection: A report from Isfahan-Iran.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory and imaging characteristics, and outcomes of hospitalized children with suspected COVID-19 infection in Isfahan. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all children aged < 15 years, who hospitalized as suspected case of COVID-19 were enrolled. During this study, all demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics as well as follow-up data and outcomes of the hospitalized children were recorded by pediatric residents using a questionnaire. The findings of studied populations in the two groups of definite/or suspected and negative COVID-19 patients were compared. Results: During 6 months' period, 137 children with suspected COVID-19 infection were evaluated. Mean age of studied population was 4.3 (0.38) years. The most common symptoms in order were fever, cough, dyspnea and diarrhea. The most common computed tomography scan findings were bilateral ground glass and subpleural involvements. The rate of mortality was 7.3%. COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test was positive in 22% of the patients. Based on the specialist's diagnosis, 30/25 patients were definite/or suspected to COVID-19 and reminder (79) were negative. O2 saturation <90%, was significantly higher in children with definite/or suspected diagnosis for COVID-19 (46.7% vs. 22.4%, P < 0.05). Dyspnea and shivering were significantly higher in children with definite/or suspected diagnosis for COVID-19 than those negative for COVID-19(P < 0.05). Mean duration of hospitalization was significantly associated with level of lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of our studied population were similar to other studies, but outcome was not similar which may be due to our studied population (inpatients cases). It is suggested that a better understanding of the infection in children may give important insights into disease pathogenesis, health-care practices, and public health policies.

Assessment of an intensive education program for pharmacists on treatment of tobacco use disorder using an objective structured clinical examination: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is one of the major public health threats globally. Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to offer tobacco cessation services owing to their easy accessibility by the public. To prepare Qatar community pharmacists to develop the competencies and skills required to offer smoking cessation services, an intensive tobacco control education program was designed and implemented. The study aimed to assess the impact of the tobacco education program on the pharmacists' skills and competence. METHODS: A random sample of community pharmacists in Qatar was chosen for participation in the program. Consenting participants were randomly assigned to either intervention or control groups. The intervention group received an intensive education program on treatment of tobacco-use disorder, while a short didactic session on a non-tobacco-related topic was delivered to the control group. The pharmacists' tobacco cessation skills and competencies were assessed using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). RESULTS: A total of 54 and 32 community pharmacists in the intervention group and the control group, respectively, completed the OSCE. The intensive tobacco education group achieved significantly higher total scores than the control group in all the OSCE cases. Specifically, the mean total scores for the intervention group were 15.2, 15.3, 14.2, 14.6, 16.3, and 15.2 compared to 8.8, 6.2, 7.7, 9.2, 8.3, and 11.3 for the control group (p < 0.001) for cases one to six respectively. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that an intensive tobacco cessation education program can improve pharmacists' tobacco cessation skills and increase their tobacco cessation counseling abilities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT03518476 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03518476 ) Registration date: May 8, 2018.

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children With COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) involves multiple organs and shows increased inflammatory markers. Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, several studies have reported the association between severe COVID-19 and MIS-C. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) presents with thunderclap headaches and multifocal reversible vasoconstriction on imaging. RCVS is very rare in children. This article reports two cases of pediatric COVID-19 with severe MIS-C and clinical and imaging features indicative of RCVS. METHODS: Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data of the patients were reviewed. The diagnosis of RCVS was confirmed based on clinical symptomatology and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings. RESULTS: Two pediatric patients with clinical findings compatible with severe MIS-C and hemodynamic compromise presented to the hospital. During their hospitalization course, they developed thunderclap headaches and neurological deficits. Both were receiving vasoactive agents, intravenous immunoglobulin, and immunosuppressants. Imaging studies showed marked multifocal cerebral vasoconstriction in both cases and infarcts in one. The course and management of the patients will be presented. After controlling inflammation and elimination of triggers, both patients were ultimately symptom free upon discharge. Cerebral vasoconstriction had completely resolved on follow-up imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Although a variety of symptoms including headaches may be seen in pediatric COVID-19 patients with MIS-C, RCVS should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of thunderclap headache accompanied by neurological signs in these patients. Imaging findings and follow-up are also key in establishing the diagnosis.

Voluntary and non-voluntary blood donations among doctors.

BACKGROUND: Physicians may be an important source of blood donations as they are more likely to be familiar with the importance of donating and the donation process. The aim of this study is to report physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards voluntary and non-voluntary blood donations. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Saudi Arabia. One-hundred-and-sixteen physicians and dentists responded to an online structured questionnaire sent to their institutional emails. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of participants (79% of males and 43% of females) reported previously having donated blood. Eighty-six percent of donors had previously donated on a voluntary basis, whereas 31% of donors had previously donated for a specific person. A recent donation within 5 years was associated with the younger age group and knowledge of the minimum interval between donations. Fifty-six percent of participants agreed with using replacement donations. Compared to participants in the youngest age group (25-35 years), older participants in the age groups (46-55 years) and (>55 years) were less likely to express intention to donate in the next 6 months (OR 0.289, P = .022 and OR 0.083, P = .004, respectively). Participants reporting poor nutritional status or other medical reasons as a barrier to donating blood were less likely to intend to donate (OR 0.146, P < .001). Among previous donors, intention to donate was associated with a recent donation within 1 year (OR 27.13, P = .002) and having had a pleasant donation experience (OR 14.98, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Blood donation practices are strongly tied to physicians' gender and age and their knowledge of the donation process. The most significant barrier to blood donation was found to be nutritional and medical status.

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis as a sign of multisystem inflammatory syndrome following COVID-19 infection: A pediatric case report.

COVID-19 infection can cause inflammatory reactions that could involve several organs. In the pediatric population, Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) has been reported as one of the consequences of COVID-19. We report a unique pediatric COVID-19 patient with MIS-C, associated with paralysis of the extremities. MRI showed abnormal signal in the cervical spinal cord compatible with transverse myelitis. Methylprednisolone and IVIG were administered, without significant symptom improvement. As a next step, Infliximab was tried for her, and she responded remarkably well to this treatment. Infliximab may be considered as a treatment option in COVID-19 patients with transverse myelitis.

Successful treatment of plasmapheresis followed by interferon beta-1a in a child with severe COVID-19.

COVID-19 outbreak has become a global health concern due to challenges in treatment and high mortality rate; therefore, its therapeutic approaches play an important role in reducing the mortality rate and resolving this concern. Different therapies have been introduced, including interferon beta-1a and purification methods, for instance, plasmapheresis. In this article, we reported a child with severe COVID-19 who fully recovered after receiving plasmapheresis and interferon beta-1a.

Employment and occupational safety among patients with seizure disorders - findings from a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Observational studies suggest that persons with seizure disorders are socially disadvantaged compared to the general population. There are scarce reports in the literature on the prevalence of employment and occupational safety among patients with seizure disorders in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to describe the occupational statuses of patients with seizure disorders and determine factors associated with unemployment. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Five-hundred-and-forty patients with known seizure disorders or epilepsy who attended neurology and neurosurgery outpatient clinics between January and November 2018 completed a semi-structured questionnaire delivered by interview. RESULTS: Forty-four percent of participants were unemployed (27% of males and 64% of females). Fifteen percent of currently or previously employed participants reported that they had formerly resigned from their job due to their seizure disorder, most commonly as a result of their own fears or concerns. Almost half of the participants reported that their employer made arrangements in the workplace for their seizure disorder, while 18% reported that they did not disclose their diagnosis. Gender, age, and highest educational level were associated with employment status and reason for unemployment. Patients with seizures secondary to trauma were less than half as likely to be employed compared to other participants (aOR = 0.45 95%CI 0.21-0.97, p = 0.042). Holding a driving license increased the odds of being employed (aOR = 2.68 95%CI 1.32-5.46, p = 0.007). Participants on 4 or more antiepileptic medications were more likely to report not being well enough to work. SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with seizure disorders are at increased risk of unemployment, even though many desire work. Unemployment is linked to social factors rather than disease-specific characteristics. Employers in Saudi Arabia generally accommodate patients in the workplace; however, individuals should further be empowered with information on safety in the workplace and their rights to employment.

Voriconazole-Induced Hepatotoxicity Resolved after Switching to Amphotericin B in Fusarium dimerum Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection.

BACKGROUND Fusarium spp. is a rare cause of opportunistic life-threatening fungal infections. It has a remarkably high resistance profile with few effective antifungal agents, mostly limited to voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin B. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) by 1 of these 2 antifungal agents further complicates the management of these infections. CASE REPORT A 38-year-old woman with short bowel syndrome presented to the hospital with concerns of abdominal pain and loose stools. An abdominal CT was negative for inflammatory or ischemic bowel disease, and there was no evidence of liver disease. She tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and required transfer to the ICU due to hypotension requiring fluid resuscitation and vasopressors. On day 43 of her admission, the patient developed a low-grade fever, for which she underwent central-line and peripheral-blood cultures that were positive for Fusarium dimerum. The central line was removed and i.v. voriconazole started. After 3 days of treatment, the patient's liver enzymes rose abruptly. Voriconazole was discontinued and replaced with liposomal amphotericin B, and the liver enzymes improved significantly. The patient completed 14 days of therapy and was discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS This is a case of F. dimerum infection followed by DILI from voriconazole treatment. Her infection was resolved after switching to liposomal amphotericin B, with improvement in liver enzymes on day 1 after discontinuing voriconazole. This observation demonstrates that altering antifungal classes may be an appropriate strategy when confronted with DILI.

Case Report: Acute Intracardiac Thrombosis in Children With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

We herein describe a case series of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) complicated with acute intracardiac thrombosis. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed through the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Transthoracic echocardiography of patients revealed large intracardiac mobile masses resected successfully via cardiac surgery. The underlying mechanisms of this thrombus in the COVID-19 infection may be attributed to the hypercoagulation and inflammatory state of the disease incurred by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

A pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program in Qatar: an exploration of pharmacists' and patients' perspectives of the program.

Background Tobacco use is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. An intensive pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program was implemented in eight primary care pharmacies in Qatar. Objective This study aimed to qualitatively explore the perspectives of pharmacists and patients regarding their experiences in the program and their recommendations for improving it. Setting Primary care in Doha, Qatar. Method This study used a qualitative case study approach with semi-structured interviews of a sample of patients and pharmacists who participated in the program. Interviews were conducted between October 2016 and June 2017, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic approach for data analysis was used. Main outcome measures Perspectives of pharmacists and patients. Results Pharmacists who delivered the program (n = 17) and patients who completed the program's outcomes assessment (n = 68) were invited through telephone call or email. Eight pharmacists and 22 patients were interviewed. Seven themes emerged: (1) both pharmacists and patients had positive experiences and both considered pharmacists as among the most suitable healthcare providers to provide smoking cessation interventions (2) both pharmacist and patient participants indicated that the program provided successful services (3) pharmacists identified several challenges for implementing the program including difficulty in motivating and in following-up patients, workplace barriers, communication and cultural barriers, (4) both pharmacists and patients perceived several barriers for quitting including lack of motivation to quit or to commit to the plan, high nicotine dependence, stress and personal problems (5) both pharmacists and patients considered several patient-related facilitators for quitting including development of smoking related complications, religious beliefs and external support; (6) use of smoking cessation medications was considered a program-related facilitator for quitting by patients whereas behavioral therapy was perceived to be a facilitator by pharmacists (7) pharmacists and patients proposed strategies for program improvement including enhancing pharmacist training and patient recruitment. Conclusion The program was perceived to be beneficial in helping patients quit smoking, and it positively contributed to advancing pharmacist role. The study findings can guide future development of successful pharmacist' smoking cessation programs in Qatar.

Simulation-based curriculum development: lessons learnt in Global Health education.

BACKGROUND: Simulation based medical education (SBME) allows learners to acquire clinical skills without exposing patients to unnecessary risk. This is especially applicable to Emergency Medicine training programs where residents are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the management of time critical, low frequency, and highly-morbidity conditions. This study aims to describe the process through which a SBME curriculum was created, in a limited simulation resource setting at a 4-year Emergency Medicine (EM) residency program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. METHODS: A case-based pilot simulation curriculum was developed following Kern's 6 step approach to curriculum design. The curricular objectives were identified through an anonymous survey of the program's residents and faculty. Curriculum outcomes were assessed, and the curriculum was revised to address curricular barriers. Evaluations of the revised curriculum were collected during the simulation sessions and through a whole revised curriculum evaluation at the end of the first year of its implementation. RESULTS: 14/20 residents (70%) and 8/8 faculty (100%) completed the needs assessment from which objectives for the pilot curriculum were developed and implemented through 6 2-h sessions over a 1-year period. Objectives were not met and identified barriers included cost, scheduling, resources, and limited faculty time. The revised curriculum addressed these barriers and 24 40-min sessions were successfully conducted during the following year. The sessions took place 3 at a time, in 2-h slots, using the same scenario to meet the objectives of the different learners' levels. 91/91 evaluations were collected from participants with overall positive results. The main differences between the pilot and the revised curricula included: a better understanding of the simulation center resources and faculty's capabilities. CONCLUSION: Simulation-based education is feasible even with limited-resources. However, understanding the resources available, and advocating for protected educator time are essential to implementing a successful EM simulation curriculum.