Feedback in an Entrustment-Based Objective Structured Clinical Examination: Analysis of Content and Scoring Methods.

Background The integration of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) within objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) has yielded a valuable avenue for delivering timely feedback to residents. However, concerns about feedback quality persist. Objective This study aimed to assess the quality and content alignment of verbal feedback provided by examiners during an entrustment-based OSCE. Methods We conducted a progress test OSCE for internal medicine residents in 2022, assessing 7 EPAs. The immediate 2-minute feedback provided by examiners was recorded and analyzed using the Quality of Assessment of Learning (QuAL) score. We also analyzed the degree of alignment with EPA learning objectives: competency milestones and task-specific abilities. In a randomized crossover experiment, we compared the impact of 2 scoring methods used to assess residents' clinical performance (3-point entrustability scales vs task-specific checklists) on feedback quality and alignment. Results Twenty-one examiners provided feedback to 67 residents. The feedback demonstrated high quality (mean QuAL score 4.3 of 5) and significant alignment with the learning objectives of the EPAs. On average, examiners addressed in their feedback 2.5 milestones (61%) and 1.2 task-specific abilities (46%). The scoring methods used had no significant impact on QuAL scores (95% CI -0.3, 0.1, P=.28), alignment with competency milestones (95% CI -0.4, 0.1, P=.13), or alignment with task-specific abilities (95% CI -0.3, 0.1, P=.29). Conclusions In our entrustment-based OSCE, examiners consistently offered valuable feedback aligned with intended learning outcomes. Notably, we explored high-quality feedback and alignment as separate dimensions, finding no significant impact from our 2 scoring methods on either aspect.

Thiazide Diuretics and Fracture Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Thiazide diuretics are commonly used antihypertensive agents. Until today, whether their use reduces fracture risk remains unclear. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of thiazide diuretics' effects on fractures and bone mineral density (BMD) in randomized clinical trials (RCT) of adults. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and the WHO's ICTRP registry were searched from inception to July 31, 2019. Two reviewers assessed studies for eligibility criteria: (i) RCTs; (ii) including adults; (iii) comparing thiazides, alone or in combination; (iv) to placebo or another medication; and (v) reporting fractures or BMD. Conference abstracts and studies comparing thiazides to antiresorptive or anabolic bone therapy were excluded. Bias was assessed using Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool-2. The primary outcome was fracture at any anatomical site. Secondary outcomes were osteoporotic fractures, hip fractures, and BMD at femoral neck, lumbar spine, and/or total hip. Fractures were pooled as risk ratios (RRs) using random-effect models. Prespecified subgroup analyses and post hoc sensitivity analyses were conducted. From 15,712 unique records screened, 32 trials (68,273 patients) met eligibility criteria. Thiazides were associated with decreased fractures at any site (RR = 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-0.98; I 2  = 0%) and osteoporotic fractures (RR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.69-0.94; I 2  = 0%). Results were consistent in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. Few studies reported hip fractures, and no association was found between thiazides and this outcome (RR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.67-1.04; I 2  = 0%). Only four studies reported BMD; a meta-analysis was not conducted because BMD reporting was inconsistent. Trials were deemed at low (3 studies, weight = 3%), some concerns (16 studies; 71%), or high (11 studies; 26%) risk of bias for the primary outcome. In conclusion, thiazide diuretics decreases the risk of fractures at any and at osteoporotic sites in a meta-analysis of RCTs. Additional studies are warranted in patients with high fracture risk. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Iliac crest bone biopsy by interventional radiologists to improve access to bone biopsy in chronic kidney disease populations: technical note and a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) leads to increased fracture risk. Iliac crest biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing bone disease in CKD. Unfortunately, bone biopsy is rarely performed which is mainly due to the inability of clinicians to perform the procedure. In this paper, we propose a fluoroscopy-guided procedure performed by interventional radiologists as a novel approach to iliac crest biopsy in adult population. We describe the implementation of the procedure and present the first 11 cases of CKD patients who underwent iliac crest biopsy with this new approach. METHODS: A nephrologist already trained in performing iliac crest biopsy initiated the creation of a fluoroscopy-based iliac crest biopsy program. Two interventional radiologists underwent a short training. Patients' demographical, clinical and biochemical data were collected on the day of the biopsy. Complications within the first three months after the procedure were collected from electronical records. RESULTS: IR rapidly mastered the procedure. The use of fluoroscopy allowed a precise localisation of the biopsy site and standardization of the intervention, which ensured specimen quality. The new approach allowed CKD patients to access iliac crest biopsy, which resulted in precise bone disease diagnosis (levels of bone turnover and mineralization) and targeted therapy for each case. There were no complications during, nor within 3 months after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: We believe this approach will increase the access to iliac crest biopsy for diagnosing bone disease in CKD population. Studies are now needed to evaluate whether CKD patients will benefit from anti-osteoporotic therapy based on the results of iliac crest biopsy.