scholarly journals The impact of The Royal College of Surgeons of England research fellowship scheme

2016 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 431-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Shalhoub ◽  
D Cromwell ◽  
M Coomer ◽  
D Alderson

Introduction The research fellowship scheme for surgeons in training run by The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) had its 20th anniversary in 2013. A survey was undertaken to assess outcomes of the scheme during those 20 years. Methods Fellowship recipients were invited to complete an online 20-item questionnaire about their fellowship research and research activities since its completion. The questionnaire covered type of research undertaken, higher research degree enrolment, publications resulting from the fellowship research and subsequent research career. Results Of the 502 RCS fellowship recipients, 361 responded (72%). Their research covered a broad array of topics, Almost two-thirds (62%) undertook laboratory-based research and most of the remainder conducted patient-based clinical research. The vast majority (96%) of respondents had enrolled for a higher degree, with a high completion rate: 91% of fellowship recipients in the first 15 years of the scheme obtained their degree. Of the fellowships from the first 15 years of the scheme, between a fifth and a third of recipients subsequently held an academic position. The median number of peer reviewed articles and presentations per recipient was 3 and 6 respectively. Almost two-thirds (60%) of respondents had obtained funding for further research, with over half of these receiving grants from national research funding bodies. Conclusions The RCS research fellowship scheme has helped trainee surgeons to undertake research towards the start of their career. Most trainees used RCS fellowships as part of their funding towards a higher degree and this was regularly achieved, along with a number of peer reviewed publications. A significant proportion of fellowship recipients progressed into academic positions in surgery.

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012867
Author(s):  
Jenna Brownrout ◽  
Gina Norato ◽  
Wyatt Bensken ◽  
Catherine Squirewell ◽  
Taylor Gordon ◽  
...  

Objective:To determine if maintaining continuity in research topic and method from early to late career yields a greater likelihood of physician-scientists’ research-career success i.e. achieving research independence and producing impactful publications.Methods:To explore the impact of maintaining continuity in research, 108 2000-2010 neurology residency graduates from former Medical Scientist Training Programs at the highest NINDS and NIH funded institutions were identified. Through comparison of Ph.D. dissertations with post-graduate work, research continuity was deemed present if there was evidence of continuity in research topic and method. With publicly available SCOPUS, PubMed, and NIH RePORT data, the correlation that degree of continuity had with h-indices, number of grants awarded, and R01 acquisition was examined.Results:Nearly half of the graduates were classified as non-continuous (45%), less than a quarter classified as somewhat continuous (22%), and roughly a third classified as very continuous (32%). The data demonstrated that research continuity increased the ability to acquire a R01, with 83% percent of R01 and/or R21 recipients having very continuous research. Very continuous graduates also had higher median number of grants received (2 [IQR: 1-3]) and a higher median h-index (17 [IQR: 10.5-20]) compared to the somewhat continuous and non-continuous groups.Conclusions:This study highlights research continuity as an important and modifiable variable during the training period of physician-scientists and one that may improve their career success and promote greater retention within the workforce.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1363-1368
Author(s):  
Krisztina B. Gecse ◽  
Christianne J. Buskens

Despite changing medical paradigm, still a significant proportion of patients with IBD require surgery. The patient's general condition, including nutritional status and the use of immunosuppressive medications is of great importance with regard to surgical complications, as well as the choice of optimal surgical strategy. The indication and the timing of surgery are key factors for the multidisciplinary management of IBD patients. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview on the impact of medical treatment on surgical strategies in IBD.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvira Perez Vallejos ◽  
Liz Dowthwaite ◽  
Helen Creswich ◽  
Virginia Portillo ◽  
Ansgar Koene ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Algorithms rule the online environments and are essential for performing data processing, filtering, personalisation and other tasks. Research has shown that children and young people make up a significant proportion of Internet users, however little attention has been given to their experiences of algorithmically-mediated online platforms, or the impact of them on their mental health and well-being. The algorithms that govern online platforms are often obfuscated by a lack of transparency in their online Terms and Conditions and user agreements. This lack of transparency speaks to the need for protecting the most vulnerable users from potential online harms. OBJECTIVE To capture young people's experiences when being online and perceived impact on their well-being. METHODS In this paper, we draw on qualitative and quantitative data from a total of 260 children and young people who took part in a ‘Youth Jury’ to bring their opinions to the forefront, elicit discussion of their experiences of using online platforms, and perceived psychosocial impact on users. RESULTS The results of the study revealed the young people’s positive as well as negative experiences of using online platforms. Benefits such as being convenient and providing entertainment and personalised search results were identified. However, the data also reveals participants’ concerns for their privacy, safety and trust when online, which can have a significant impact on their well-being. CONCLUSIONS We conclude by making recommendations that online platforms acknowledge and enact on their responsibility to protect the privacy of their young users, recognising the significant developmental milestones that this group experience during these early years, and the impact that technology may have on them. We argue that governments need to incorporate policies that require technologists and others to embed the safeguarding of users’ well-being within the core of the design of Internet products and services to improve the user experiences and psychological well-being of all, but especially those of children and young people. CLINICALTRIAL N/A


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna McCrory

UNSTRUCTURED Users of highly visual social media (HVSM), such as Snapchat and Instagram, share their messages through images, rather than relying on words. A significant proportion of people that use these platforms are adolescents. Previous research reveals mixed evidence regarding the impact of online social technologies on this age group’s mental wellbeing, but it is uncertain whether the psychological effects of visual content alone differ from text-driven social media. This scoping review maps existing literature that has published evidence about highly visual social media, specifically its psychological impact on young people. Nine electronic databases and grey literature from 2010 until March 2019 were reviewed for articles describing any aspect of visual social media, young people and their mental health. The screening process retrieved 239 articles. With the application of eligibility criteria, this figure was reduced to 25 articles for analysis. Results indicate a paucity of data that exclusively examines HVSM. The predominance of literature relies on quantitative methods to achieve its objectives. Many findings are inconsistent and lack the richness that qualitative data may provide to explore the reasons for theses mixed findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000755
Author(s):  
Matthew Moll ◽  
Sharon M. Lutz ◽  
Auyon J. Ghosh ◽  
Phuwanat Sakornsakolpat ◽  
Craig P. Hersh ◽  
...  

IntroductionFamily history is a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We previously developed a COPD risk score from genome-wide genetic markers (Polygenic Risk Score, PRS). Whether the PRS and family history provide complementary or redundant information for predicting COPD and related outcomes is unknown.MethodsWe assessed the predictive capacity of family history and PRS on COPD and COPD-related outcomes in non-Hispanic white (NHW) and African American (AA) subjects from COPDGene and ECLIPSE studies. We also performed interaction and mediation analyses.ResultsIn COPDGene, family history and PRS were significantly associated with COPD in a single model (PFamHx <0.0001; PPRS<0.0001). Similar trends were seen in ECLIPSE. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for a model containing family history and PRS was significantly higher than a model with PRS (p=0.00035) in NHWs and a model with family history (p<0.0001) alone in NHWs and AAs. Both family history and PRS were significantly associated with measures of quantitative emphysema and airway thickness. There was a weakly positive interaction between family history and the PRS under the additive, but not multiplicative scale in NHWs (relative excess risk due to interaction=0.48, p=0.04). Mediation analyses found that a significant proportion of the effect of family history on COPD was mediated through PRS in NHWs (16.5%, 95% CI 9.4% to 24.3%), but not AAs.ConclusionFamily history and the PRS provide complementary information for predicting COPD and related outcomes. Future studies can address the impact of obtaining both measures in clinical practice.


Author(s):  
N.M. Gamage ◽  
C. Darker ◽  
B.P. Smyth

Objectives: Adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) exhibit high rates of comorbid psychological problems. This study aimed to examine the impact of an outpatient substance use treatment programme upon the psychological wellbeing of adolescents. Methods: A prospective study was carried out examining psychological symptoms in a group of adolescents attending the Youth Drug and Alcohol (YoDA) Addiction Service in Dublin. Participants were treated with evidenced based psychological models such as cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and systemic family therapy. The Becks Youth Inventory was utilised to assess psychological symptoms at treatment entry and repeated three months later at follow up. Results: Among 36 adolescents who were included in this study, poly-substance misuse was the norm. Almost three-quarter had a cannabis use disorder (CUD). There were significant reductions in mean subscale scores of depression (56.0 to 50.8, p = 0.003), anger (55.2 to 49.5, p < 0.001) and disruptive behaviour (61.6 to 56.5, p = 0.002) at follow up. Although there wasn’t a statistically significant reduction in mean scores for anxiety, we observed a significant proportion of participants (p = 0.008) improving and moving out of a moderate to severe symptom range when examined by category. This was also the case for self-concept (p = 0.04). Furthermore this study revealed a positive correlation between the reduction in days of cannabis use and reduction in depressive scores (Pearson correlation 0.49, p = 0.01) among those with a CUD. Conclusion: The findings indicate that substance use treatment for adolescents is associated with important psychological and behavioural improvements.


Author(s):  
Naomi Morka ◽  
Joseph M. Norris ◽  
Mark Emberton ◽  
Daniel Kelly

AbstractProstate cancer affects a significant proportion of men worldwide. Evidence from genetic and clinical studies suggests that there may be a causal association between prostate cancer and the human papilloma virus (HPV). As HPV is a vaccine-preventable pathogen, the possibility of a role in prostate cancer causation may reinforce the importance of effective HPV vaccination campaigns. This is of particular relevance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have considerable effects on HPV vaccine uptake and distribution.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Young ◽  
Marie Kotzur ◽  
Lauren Gatting ◽  
Carissa Bonner ◽  
Julie Ayre ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Uptake of vaccination against COVID-19 is key to controlling the pandemic. However, a significant proportion of people report that they do not intend to have a vaccine, often because of concerns they have about vaccine side effects or safety. This study will assess the impact of theory-based messages on COVID-19 vaccination intention, drawing on the Necessity-Concerns framework to address previously reported beliefs and concerns about COVID-19 vaccination, and assess whether hypothesised variables (illness coherence, perceived necessity and concerns) mediate change in vaccination intention. Trial design Prospective, parallel two-arm, individually randomised (1:1) trial. Participants Adults aged over 18 years, living in Scotland and not vaccinated for COVID-19. A quota sampling approach will be used with the aim of achieving a nationally representative sample on gender, region and ethnic group, with oversampling of individuals with no educational qualifications or with only school-level qualifications. Intervention and comparator Intervention: Brief exposure to online text and image-based messages addressing necessity beliefs and concerns about COVID-19 vaccination. Comparator: Brief exposure to online text and image-based messages containing general information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. Main outcomes Primary outcome: Self-reported intention to receive a vaccine for COVID-19 if invited, immediately post-intervention. Secondary outcomes: Self-reported COVID-19 illness coherence, perceived necessity of a COVID-19 vaccine and concerns about a COVID-19 vaccine, immediately post-intervention. Randomisation Quasi-randomisation performed automatically by online survey software, by creating a variable derived from the number of seconds in the minute that the participant initiates the survey. Participants starting the survey at 0-14 or 30-44 seconds in the minute are allocated to the intervention and 15-29 or 45-59 seconds to the comparator. Blinding (masking) Participants will not be blinded to group assignment but will not be informed of the purpose of the study until they have completed the follow-up survey. Investigators will be blinded to allocation as all procedures will be undertaken digitally and remotely without any investigator contact with participants. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) A total of 1,094 will be randomised 1:1 into two groups with 547 individuals in each. Trial Status Protocol version number 1.0, 26th February 2021. Recruitment status: Not yet recruiting, set to start April 2021 and end April 2021. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04813770, 24th March 2021. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S253-S254
Author(s):  
Amy Nham ◽  
Ryan M Close

Abstract Background American Indians have an increased risk of serious complications from COVID-19 due to the high prevalence of comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and asthma. To date, there has been limited analysis of COVID-19 in the AI population. This study describes the characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from a well-defined AI population in eastern Arizona. Additionally, we explored the impact of early referral via contact tracing versus those who self-presented. Methods Retrospective chart reviews were completed for patients hospitalized for COVID from March 29 to May 16, 2020. Summary statistics were used to describe demographics, symptoms, pre-existing conditions, and hospitalization data. Results We observed 447 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in 71 (15.9%) hospitalizations over a 7-week period and a hospitalization rate of 159 per 1,000 persons. Of the 50 hospitalizations reviewed sequentially, 56% were female, median age of 55 (IQR 44–65). Median number of days hospitalized was 4 (2–6), with 16% requiring intensive care unit support, 15% intubated, 12% readmitted, and 10% deceased. 67% had an epidemiological link, and 32% had an emergency department or outpatient clinic visit within 7 days of hospitalization. All patients were symptomatic; the most common symptoms were cough (90%), shortness of breath (78%), and subjective fever (66%). 86% of patients had a pre-existing condition; the most common pre-existing conditions were diabetes (66%), obesity (58%), and hypertension (52%, Figure 1). All patients had elevated LDH, 94% had elevated CRP, 86% had elevated d-dimer, and 40% had lymphopenia; only 10% had an elevated WBC count and 26% had thrombocytopenia (Table 1). 26% of the patients were referred in by the tracing team (Table 2). Analysis of 500 hospitalizations will be available in October 2020. Conclusion Most AI patients hospitalized had a pre-existing condition, symptoms of cough or shortness of breath, and elevated LDH, CRP, and d-dimer. More research is needed to understand the patterns of COVID-19 related disease in vulnerable populations, like AI/AN, and to examine the utility of early referral by contact tracing teams in rural settings which may guide future tracing strategies. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


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