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1.
First, do no harm.
Thorley, J
The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology. 2021;(7):417
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2.
Interventions to Prevent and Treat Burnout in Obstetrics/Gynaecology: A Scoping Review.
Kirubarajan, A, Got, T, Park, B, Li, X, Sobel, M
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC. 2021;(4):490-496
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obstetricians and gynaecologists are among the highest risk specialties for burnout. There is growing evidence that physician burnout can be both prevented and reduced. We sought to characterize the evidence base for interventions related to the prevention and treatment of burnout in obstetrics and gynaecology DATA SOURCES We conducted a scoping review following PRISMA guidelines of 5 databases: (Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and PsycInfo) from inception to March 17, 2020. Citations of relevant articles were hand-searched to maximize sensitivity. STUDY SELECTION All interventional study designs were included. The target study population was obstetrics and gynaecology residents, learners, or staff. Published conference posters, papers, and abstracts were eligible for inclusion. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS All extraction and descriptive analysis was completed by two independent reviewers. Outcomes were summarized descriptively. Appraisal was completed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies. RESULTS Of the 1540 original database citations, 20 studies met our inclusion criteria. A total of 589 obstetrics/gynaecology participants were included. While there was an overall a lack of research in the field, there were several promising interventions that target residents. There were a combination of preventative interventions (e.g. yoga, nutritional programs, or narrative medicine initiatives) as well as treatments (e.g. counselling appointments or debrief sessions). The vast majority of these interventions focused on individual-specific interventions rather than structural changes. In addition, the majority of interventions appeared to be "proof of concept" and feasability-related studies, with many studies published as conference abstracts rather than peer-reviewed journal publications. CONCLUSIONS Institutions should continue to implement interventions that address burnout in obstetrics and gynaecology. Further research is required on long-term outcomes of interventions as well as structural strategies.
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3.
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, sitosterolemia, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and the seminal contributions of Gerald Salen, MD (1935-2020).
Schaefer, EJ, Tint, GS, Duell, PB, Steiner, RD
Journal of clinical lipidology. 2021;(4):540-544
Abstract
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), sitosterolemia, and Smith-Lemli Opitz syndrome (SLOS) are rare inborn errors of metabolism. The diagnoses of CTX and sitosterolemia are often delayed for many years because of lack of physician awareness, often resulting in significant and unnecessary progression of disease. CTX may present with chronic diarrhea, juvenile onset cataracts, strikingly large xanthomas, and neurologic disease in the setting of a normal serum cholesterol, but markedly elevated serum or plasma cholestanol levels. These patients have a defect in producing the bile acid chenodoxycholate, and oral chenodeoxycholate therapy is essential for these patients in order to prevent neurologic complications. Sitosterolemia can present with xanthomas, anemia, thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, very premature heart disease, and serum cholesterol levels that may be normal or elevated, along with marked elevations of plasma β-sitosterol. These patients have a defect causing overabsorption of β-sitosterol, and the treatment of choice is oral ezetimibe. SLOS presents with growth delay, intellectual disability, multiple structural anomalies, and low serum cholesterol levels, and the defect is reduced cholesterol production. Treatment consists of dietary cholesterol supplementation and oral bile acid therapy which raises serum cholesterol levels and may improve symptoms. The metabolic and genetic defects in these disorders have been defined. There is no one in our field that has contributed more to the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders than Gerald Salen, MD, who died in late 2020 at 85 years of age. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues from around the world.
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4.
Physician wellness in allergy and immunology: Personal resiliency.
Nanda, A
Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. 2021;(3):228-234
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Physician burnout and wellness are vital and current issues in medicine, including allergy and immunology. Resilience involves the ability to rebound from personal and professional adversities. Improving individual resilience can be used to combat many of these stresses. DATA SOURCES PubMed database and the worldwide web were searched for articles on physician wellness and resilience. STUDY SELECTIONS Peer-reviewed scholarly review articles, peer-reviewed scientific research articles, and articles from internet websites on wellness and resilience were utilized as study selections. RESULTS Physicians deal with many occupational stresses, including bureaucratic tasks, employment change, discrimination, difficult personalities, financial issues, and retirement. Personal stresses may include marital or relationship issues, loss of a family member, and mental and physical conditions. A variety of techniques can be used to improve personal resilience. These include addressing individual mental and physical health care issues; focusing on adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise; maintaining a positive and hopeful outlook; addressing spirituality; and adding daily humor. CONCLUSION As we address our own wellness and improve our resilience as physicians, the healthier we become and the better we can advocate for our patients and our specialty of allergy and immunology.
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5.
Hippocratic concepts of acute and urgent respiratory diseases still relevant to contemporary medical thinking and practice: a scoping review.
Stefanakis, G, Nyktari, V, Papaioannou, A, Askitopoulou, H
BMC pulmonary medicine. 2020;(1):165
Abstract
BACKGROUND The collected works of Hippocrates were searched for concepts on the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of acute and urgent respiratory diseases, with the objective to trace their origins in the Hippocratic Collection. METHODS A scoping review was performed to map out key concepts of acute and severe respiratory diseases in the entire Hippocratic Collection. The digital library Thesaurus Lingua Graeca (TLG) was researched for references in the entire Hippocratic Collection regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of acute respiratory diseases; then, the relevant texts were studied in their English translation by the Loeb Classical Library. RESULTS Hippocratic physicians followed principles of treatment for pneumonia and pleurisy, still relevant, such as hydration, expectoration, analgesia and prompt mobilisation. Other approaches, including the inhalation of "vapours through tubes" in angina, can be considered as forerunners of modern medical practice. Thoracic empyema was diagnosed by shaking the patient and direct chest auscultation after "applying your ear to his sides". In case of an emergency from upper airway obstruction, urgent insertion of primitive airway equipment, such as a small pharyngeal tube, was applied. CONCLUSIONS The main Hippocratic concepts on four still common acute and urgent respiratory diseases -pneumonia, pleurisy, thoracic empyema and upper airway obstruction- were identified and most of them were found to be in agreement with contemporary medical thinking and practice.
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6.
Physician Well-Being in Practice.
Khan, A, Vinson, AE
Anesthesia and analgesia. 2020;(5):1359-1369
Abstract
Despite a recent surge of interest in physician well-being, the discussion remains diffuse and often scattered. Lingering questions of what wellness entails, how it is personally applicable, and what can be done, remain pervasive. In this review, we focus on policy-level, institutional and personal factors that are both obstacles to wellness and interventions for potential remedy. We outline clear obstacles to physician wellness that include dehumanization in medicine, environments and cultures of negativity, barriers to wellness resources, and the effect of second victim syndrome. This is followed by proven and proposed interventions to support physicians in need and foster cultures of sustained well-being from policy, institutional, and personal levels. These include medical liability and licensure policy, peer support constructs, electronic health record optimization, and personal wellness strategies. Where sufficient data exists, we highlight areas specific to anesthesiology. Overall, we offer a pragmatic framework for addressing this critical concern at every level.
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7.
Could exercise improve mental health and cognitive skills for surgeons and other healthcare professionals?
Parry, DA, Oeppen, RS, Amin, MSA, Brennan, PA
The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery. 2018;(5):367-370
Abstract
Workplace-related illness is common in the UK, and in healthcare more than five million working days over 10years have been lost as a result. Occupational stress is well known and can affect clinicians at any stage, yet many healthcare professionals continue to work with this or other psychological problems (including anxiety, chronic fatigue, and burnout) as they do not wish to let their colleagues down. Mental health issues might be dismissed, particularly in surgery, because there is a misconception that surgeons can cope better with stress than those working in other specialties, and are better protected from clinical burnout. The benefit of exercise on physical health is clear, but its role in the maintenance of good mental health and well-being should not be underestimated. As society adopts an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, exercise for many has a lower priority than other activities. In this article we give an overview of the mental health issues that might affect doctors and surgeons, and explore how exercise can benefit our well-being and clinical performance.
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8.
Evidence, Guidelines, and Gut Checks: Musings on Entering the Post-Statin Era of Lipid Management.
Mancini, GB
The Canadian journal of cardiology. 2016;(3):271-4
Abstract
This viewpoint describes the results of a survey administered to 55 physicians who are key opinion leader experts in dyslipidemia management and thoroughly knowledgeable about current guidelines and emerging therapies. The purpose was to determine the level of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) achieved with maximally tolerated statin monotherapy that would trigger a preference by most for use of the soon to be available proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor as the next add-on agent. Because current guidelines suggest a uniform LDL-C goal when treating patients meeting guideline indications for therapy, it was expected that the size of the gap between LDL-C goal and LDL-C attained with maximally tolerated statins would uniformly dictate when proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors would be desired. This expectation, however, was not met. In particular, the results suggest that primary prevention patients and patients with chronic kidney disease do not appear to represent high priority circumstances for achieving even the current LDL-C goal despite existing guidelines. Implications for future guidelines in the post-statin era are discussed.
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9.
Combating stress and burnout in surgical practice: a review.
Balch, CM, Shanafelt, T
Advances in surgery. 2010;:29-47
Abstract
The practice of surgery offers the potential for tremendous personal and professional satisfaction. Few careers provide the opportunity to have such a profound effect on the lives of others and to derive meaning from work. Surgeons choose this arduous task to change the lives of individuals facing serious health problems, to experience the joy of facilitating healing, and to help support those patients for whom medicine does not yet have curative treatments. Despite its virtues, a career in surgery brings with it significant challenges, which can lead to substantial personal distress for the individual surgeons and their family. By identifying the priorities of their personal and professional life, surgeons can identify values, choose the optimal practice type, manage the stressors unique to that career path, determine the optimal personal work-life balance, and nurture their personal wellness. Being proactive is better than reacting to burnout after it has damaged one's professional life or personal wellness. Studies like the ACS survey can benefit surgeons going through a personal crisis by helping them to know that they are not alone and that many of their colleagues face similar issues. It is important that surgeons do not make the mistake of thinking: "I must not be tough enough," or "no one could possibly experience what I am going through." The available evidence suggests that those surgeons most dedicated to their profession and their patient may very well be most susceptible to burnout. Silence on career distress, as a strategy, simply does not work among professionals whose careers, well-being, and level of patient care may be in jeopardy. Additional research in these areas is needed to elucidate evidence-based interventions to address physician distress at both the individual and organizational level to benefit the individual surgeon and the patient they care for. Surgeons must also be able to recognize how and when their personal distress affects the quality of care they provide (both in the delivery of care and in the emotional support of patients and their families). There is no single formula for achieving a satisfying career in surgery. All surgeons deal with stressful times in their personal and professional life and must cultivate habits of personal renewal, emotional self-awareness, connection with colleagues, adequate support systems, and the ability to find meaning in work to combat these challenges. As surgeons, we also need to set an example of good health to our patients and future generations of surgeons. To provide the best care for our patients, we need to be alert, interested in our work, and ready to provide for our patient's needs. Maintaining these values and healthy habits is the work of a lifetime.
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10.
[Basic understanding of pharmacokinetics that every doctor should know].
Proost, JH, Moolenaar, F, de Graeff, PA
Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde. 2009;(4):148-52