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Clinical rotations are an essential part of Internal Medicine (IM) residency programmes, where curricular objectives are carried out. To our knowledge, there are no validated instruments to assess IM clinical rotations. Our objective was to develop an instrument for residents to assess the quality of clinical rotations in an IM residency programme, and to test the psychometric properties of the instrument. A mixed methodology was used, including qualitative and quantitative phases. Items were proposed by a group of experts based on previously identified residency needs, followed by a quantitative phase to generate consensus among educators and residents to define which items would be included in the instrument (Delphi panel). After generating the instrument, psychometric tests were performed to assess construct validity (factor analysis) and reliability (Raykov's reliability coefficient). We obtained a 15-item instrument after two Delphi rounds: Internal Medicine Program Instrument 15-items (IMPRINT-15). Sixty-two residents answered 428 surveys using a Likert scale during 7 months (response rate 98.9%). The median score was 4.3 (IQR 3.9-4.7) (scale from 1 to 5). The factor analysis showed two domains in the clinical rotation assessment: (1) teaching and care activities; (2) evaluation and feedback. The instrument is reliable with Raykov's reliability coefficient of 0.86. Also, Raykov's reliability coefficient for the domains were 0.89 and 0.83, respectively. The IMPRINT-15 instrument is a bi-dimensional, valid and reliable questionnaire to evaluate the perceived quality by residents of the IM clinical rotations. Also, it constitutes the first validated instrument in this field worldwide.

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The surgical process requires the coordination of a number of professionals who understand their own roles and responsibilities, as well as those of the team. In the perioperative setting, expectations are established around behaviors and competencies of every team member. These expectations are influenced by knowledge, training and experience, and may ultimately influence results and the ability to adapt and respond to work demands. In Chile, there exists an ambiguity and lack of definition in the role of the nurse. The objective of this study was to examine the healthcare team's perception of the current role of the perioperative nurse, as well as the expected and desired characteristics of the role from the team's perspective. A qualitative, descriptive case study was carried out, using semi-structured interviews conducted with a purposive sample of surgeons, anaesthesiologists, professional nurses and technical nurses from three hospitals in Santiago, Chile. The accounts were analysed using an inductive, thematic format. It was found that the current perioperative nursing role, with a predominance of administrative charting, recordkeeping and guidelines for the management of safety, quality control and human and material resources, restricts direct patient care. Expected characteristics of the role included comprehensive theoretical and practical training and the development of relational skills for teamwork, direct patient care and advocacy in the surgical context. These results provided initial steps towards redefining the role of the perioperative nurse, strengthening collaborative efforts and optimising patient care during a time of high vulnerability.

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BACKGROUND: Feedback is one of the most important tools to improve teaching in medical education. AIM: To develop an instrument to assess the performance of clinical postgraduate teachers in medical specialties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative methodology consisting in interviews and focus-groups followed by a quantitative methodology to generate consensus, was employed. After generating the instrument, psychometric tests were performed to assess the construct validity (factor analysis) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha). RESULTS: Experts in medical education, teachers and residents of a medical school participated in interviews and focus groups. With this information, 26 categories (79 items) were proposed and reduced to 14 items (Likert scale 1-5) by an expert’s Delphi panel, generating the MEDUC-PG14 survey, which was answered by 123 residents from different programs of medical specialties. Construct validity was carried out. Factor analysis showed three domains: Teaching and evaluation, respectful behavior towards patients and health care team, and providing feedback. The global score was 4.46 ± 0.94 (89% of the maximum). One teachers’ strength, as evaluated by their residents was “respectful behavior” with 4.85 ± 0.42 (97% of the maximum). “Providing feedback” obtained 4.09 ± 1.0 points (81.8% of the maximum). MEDUC-PG14 survey had a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.947. CONCLUSIONS: MEDUC-PG14 survey is a useful and reliable guide for teacher evaluation in medical specialty programs. Also provides feedback to improve educational skills of postgraduate clinical teachers.

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Background: Feedback is one of the most important tools to improve teaching in medical education. Aim: To develop an instrument to assess the performance of clinical postgraduate teachers in medical specialties. Material and Methods: A qualitative methodology consisting in interviews and focus-groups followed by a quantitative methodology to generate consensus, was employed. After generating the instrument, psychometric tests were performed to assess the construct validity (factor analysis) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha). Results: Experts in medical education, teachers and residents of a medical school participated in interviews and focus groups. With this information, 26 categories (79 items) were proposed and reduced to 14 items (Likert scale 1-5) by an expert’s Delphi panel, generating the MEDUC-PG14 survey, which was answered by 123 residents from different programs of medical specialties. Construct validity was carried out. Factor analysis showed three domains: Teaching and evaluation, respectful behavior towards patients and health care team, and providing feedback. The global score was 4.46 ± 0.94 (89% of the maximum). One teachers’ strength, as evaluated by their residents was “respectful behavior” with 4.85 ± 0.42 (97% of the maximum). “Providing feedback” obtained 4.09 ± 1.0 points (81.8% of the maximum). MEDUC-PG14 survey had a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.947. Conclusions: MEDUC-PG14 survey is a useful and reliable guide for teacher evaluation in medical specialty programs. Also provides feedback to improve educational skills of postgraduate clinical teachers.

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BACKGROUND Hot flushes are common in women with a history of breast cancer. Hormonal therapies are known to reduce these symptoms but are not recommended in women with a history of breast cancer due to their potential adverse effects. The efficacy of non-hormonal therapies is still uncertain. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of non-hormonal therapies in reducing hot flushes in women with a history of breast cancer. METHODS Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library), Medline, Embase, Lilacs, CINAHL, PsycINFO (August 2008) and WHO ICTRP Search Portal. We handsearched reference lists of reviews and included articles, reviewed conference proceedings and contacted experts. Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing non-hormonal therapies with placebo or no therapy for reducing hot flushes in women with a history of breast cancer. Data collection and analysis: Two authors independently selected potentially relevant studies, decided upon their inclusion and extracted data on participant characteristics, interventions, outcomes and the risk of bias of included studies. MAIN RESULTS Sixteen RCTs met our inclusion criteria. We included six studies on selective serotonin (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine (SNRI) reuptake inhibitors, two on clonidine, one on gabapentin, two each on relaxation therapy and homeopathy, and one each on vitamin E, magnetic devices and acupuncture. The risk of bias of most studies was rated as low or moderate. Data on continuous outcomes were presented inconsistently among studies, which precluded the possibility of pooling the results. Three pharmacological treatments (SSRIs and SNRIs, clonidine and gabapentin) reduced the number and severity of hot flushes. One study assessing vitamin E did not show any beneficial effect. One ...

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Background: Collapsing glomerulopathy is a cause of nephrotic syndrome with massive proteinuria secondary to podocyte proliferation and glomerular collapse. It is characterized by an almost inevitable progression to end stage renal failure, poor response to treatment and high post-transplant recurrence. Its frequency has increased in recent years due to its common association with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and the growing recognition of new etiologic agents such as drugs and parvovirus B19. Therefore, it is a disease of growing interest for clinicians. The aim of this review is to update the clinical presentation, diagnosis, pathogenesis and therapeutic alternatives of this disease.

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La publicación de una revisión Cochrane evaluando los efectos de las estrategias para reducir el consumo de sodio en los outcomes cardiovasculares ha generado una enorme controversia a nivel mundial. Una limitación de la misma es el alto número de pérdidas en el seguimiento a largo plazo, pero el factor que hace que esta revisión constituya evidencia de baja o muy baja calidad, es el número limitado de estudios, pacientes y eventos, todo lo cual se traduce en un resultado impreciso. El artículo en cuestión se ha transformado en la revisión Cochrane que más notas de prensa ha generado desde que este indicador se mide, y esto se explica al leer la nota de prensa generada por la propia colaboración Cochrane, la cual titula “Reducir el consumo de sal no reduce tu riesgo de morir”. El resto de la nota es más moderada, sin embargo no logra contener el daño realizado por un titular sensacionalista y poco claro. Transmitir adecuadamente la evidencia a los distintos usuarios es sumamente complejo. Existen iniciativas a nivel global para realizar esto en forma adecuada, y la “transferencia del conocimiento” es considerada una pujante disciplina.

The publication of a Cochrane review that assesses the effects of strategies geared towards reducing sodium consumption on cardiovascular outcomes has spawned great world-wide controversy. A shortcoming of this study is the high number of patients lost to long-term follow-up. In addition, the limited number of included studies, patients and events, makes the evidence contained in this review of low, or very low quality, thus translating into inconclusive results. This review has become the most commented Cochrane publication in the press since this indicator is measured, which can also be explained by the press release issued by Cochrane entitled “Cutting Down on Salt Doesn't Reduce Your Chance of Dying”. While the rest of the press release is toned down, it does not reduce the harm made by an unclear and tabloid-like heading. Adequate communication of evidence to target audiences is highly complex. There are ongoing world-wide initiatives on this respect to get the job done right and “knowledge transfer” is considered to be an emerging discipline.

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BACKGROUND: Collapsing glomerulopathy is a cause of nephrotic syndrome with massive proteinuria secondary to podocyte proliferation and glomerular collapse. It is characterized by an almost inevitable progression to end stage renal failure, poor response to treatment and high post-transplant recurrence. Its frequency has increased in recent years due to its common association with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and the growing recognition of new etiologic agents such as drugs and parvovirus B19. Therefore, it is a disease of growing interest for clinicians. The aim of this review is to update the clinical presentation, diagnosis, pathogenesis and therapeutic alternatives of this disease.

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BACKGROUND AND GOALS: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels are used for diagnosing tuberculosis in several locations and although many studies have evaluated ADA levels in ascitic fluid. These studies have defined arbitrary cut-off points creating difficulties in the clinical application of the results. The goals of this study are: to determine the usefulness of ADA levels in ascitic fluid as a diagnostic test for peritoneal tuberculosis (PTB) and define the best cut-off point. STUDY: A systematic review was done on the basis of 2 independent searches. We selected prospective studies that included consecutive patients. Diagnosis of PTB had to be confirmed by bacteriologic or histologic methods and ADA levels determined by the Giusti method. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied by 2 independent reviewers. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to establish the optimal cut-off point and the likelihood ratios (LRs) estimated using fixed-effect pooled method. RESULTS: Twelve prospective studies were found. Four of them met the inclusion criteria and were thus included in the meta-analysis. They included 264 patients, of which 50 (18.9%) had PTB. ADA levels showed high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (97%) using cut-off values from 36 to 40 IU/L. The included studies were homogeneous. Optimal cut-off point was determined at 39 IU/L, and LRs were 26.8 and 0.038 for values above and below this cut-off. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the proposition that ADA determination is a fast and discriminating test for diagnosing PTB with an optimal cut-off value of 39 IU/L.

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Pulmonary hypertension due to chronic pulmonary thromboembolism is frequently underdiagnosed and has a very poor prognosis if untreated. When the presence of central pulmonary artery thrombus is confirmed, thromboendarterectomy is the treatment of choice, with very good results. We report a 28 years old male with two previous episodes of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) who was admitted due to 8 months of progressive shortness of breath and a syncope. He underwent a CT pulmonary angiogram and an echocardiogram. Severe pulmonary hypertension was confirmed, secondary to a chronic pulmonary thromboembolism with an overlapped acute component. He received systemic thrombolysis with partial thrombus disappearance. Therefore a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy was performed and an inferior vena cava filter was placed. The patient was discharged with marked improvement in his functional capacity.

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OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and clinical outcomes of enteral and parenteral nutrition in patients with acute pancreatitis. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, Cochrane controlled trials register, and citation review of relevant primary and review articles. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled studies that compared enteral nutrition with parenteral nutrition in patients with acute pancreatitis. From 117 articles screened, six were identified as randomized controlled trials and were included for data extraction. DATA EXTRACTION: Six studies with 263 participants were analyzed. Descriptive and outcome data were extracted. Main outcome measures were infections, complications other than infections, operative interventions, length of hospital stay, and mortality. The metaanalysis was performed with the random effects model. DATA SYNTHESIS: Enteral nutrition was associated with a significantly lower incidence of infections (relative risk 0.45; 95% confidence interval 0.26 to 0.78, P= 0.004), reduced surgical interventions to control pancreatitis (0.48, 0.22 to 1.0, P= 0.05), and a reduced length of hospital stay (mean reduction 2.9 days, 1.6 days to 4.3 days, P <0.001). There were no significant differences in mortality (relative risk 0.66, 0.32 to 1.37, P = 0.3) or non-infectious complications (0.61, 0.31 to 1.22, P= 0.16) between the two groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral nutrition should be the preferred route of nutritional support in patients with acute pancreatitis.

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Evidence based medicine (EBM) appeared early in the 1990s and since then it has been developed and expanded worldwide. A decade later we summarize the history of EBM, the initial debates and the evolution to the current concept of evidence based health care (EBHC) as a tool for clinical decision making. We also describe the process of EBHC, some insights to current dilemmas and the situation of EBM in Chile.

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La lactancia materna es la forma más sana y saludable de alimentar a los niños durante los primeros seis meses de vida, ya que aporta a su organismo todos los nutrientes necesarios para su desarrollo. Además favorece la formación del vínculo madre-hijo, base de cualquier relación interpersonal futura. Esto motivó la investigación de este hecho a través de la perspectiva de la madre primípara precoz, de 18 años de edad o menos. Este estudio de tipo descriptivo, se realizó mediante una encuesta estructurada que fue aplicada a través de visitas domiciliarias a las mujeres que conforman la muestra, durante los meses de Junio y Julio de 1994. El principal objetivo fue conocer algunos factores sociales, económicos, biológicos y psicológicos que podrían influir en el tipo de lactancia que recibe el niño de cuatro meses de edad, hijo de primípara precoz. Algunas de las conclusiones encontradas fueron: la edad al momento del parto de éstas madres adolescentes, varía entre los 16 y 18 años, con un promedio de 17,4 años de edad. Más de la mitad de éstas se encontraban casadas al momento del nacimiento de su hijo. Con respecto al nivel socio-económico de la muestra, éste fue medido según el índice de estratificación social de FONASA y reveló que un 66,7 por ciento de la muestra tenía como previsión la tarjeta de indigente que entrega el consultorio. Del total de mujeres encuestadas (15), el 20 por ciento de ellas completó su educación escolar formal. Dedicándose al cuidado de su casa y de su hijo, se encontraron 14 mujeres lo que corresponde a un 93,3 por ciento de la muestra. Estas madres se informaron, en lo que a alimentación y cuidado de sus hijos se refiere, principalmente a través de las abuelas de los niños. Del análisis de las variables se encontró que el tipo de lactancia predominante fue Lactancia Mixta, incorporando precozmente (antes de los trece días de vida) a la alimentación de sus hijos los "patitos de agua". Se destaca que sólo cuatro de las 15 mujeres daba una lactancia Materna Exclusiva a sus niños de cuatro meses de edad. Los datos analizados muestran que existe un déficit de conocimientos de las primíparas precoces con respecto a la alimentación de sus hijos durante los primeros meses de vida

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