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Background: Systematic reviews (SRs) worldwide suffer from methodological deficiencies, potentially biasing intervention decisions, and Peruvian SRs are no exception. Evaluating SRs led by Peruvian researchers is a crucial step to enhance quality and transparency in decision-making and to identify topics where SRs are either scarce or prioritized for research. Objective: To describe the characteristics and assess the methodological quality of SRs with Peruvian first authors. Methods: We conducted a scoping review within the Scopus database on January 5, 2023. We aimed to identify published SRs of interventions in which the first author had a Peruvian affiliation, published between 2013 and 2022. We evaluated the methodological quality of these SRs using the AMSTAR 2 tool. We assessed the factors associated with the AMSTAR 2 score using adjusted mean differences (aMD), including their 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI). Results: We identified 95 eligible SRs, with a clear upward trend. SRs were primarily published in Q1 (43.2 %) and Q2 (23.2 %) journals, predominantly affiliated with institutions in Lima (90.5 %). Areas like infectious diseases (20.0 %) and dentistry (18.9 %) were most frequent. AMSTAR 2 assessments highlighted deficiencies, with few SRs reporting prior protocols (37.9 %), comprehensive search strategies (23.2 %), explanations for excluded studies (20.0 %), adequate descriptions of included studies (38.3 %), or funding sources (19.1 %). Notably, SRs in Q4 journals (aMD: -19.7, 95 % CI: -33.8 to -5.5) and those on surgical interventions (aMD: -22.6, 95 % CI: -34.7 to -10.4) had lower AMSTAR 2 scores. Conclusions: Although Peruvian-led SRs are increasingly being published, critical deficiencies are common, especially in reporting protocols, search strategies, study descriptions, and funding sources. Addressing these gaps is pivotal for enhancing the credibility and utility of these SRs in informing decision-making.

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We present a historical account of autism in Peru. Currently, the term "autism spectrum conditions", from the neurodiversity paradigm, is used to describe neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by persistent difficulties in communication, social interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. In Peru, the scientific study of nervous and mental diseases began around 1920 and although the diagnosis of "childhood autism" was proposed in 1959, it only began to spread in the 1980s. Although significant advances were made in the 21st century, Peru still faces many challenges in addressing autism.

Presentamos un recuento histórico del autismo en el Perú. Actualmente, desde el paradigma de la neurodiversidad, se utiliza el término «condiciones del espectro autista¼ para describir alteraciones del neurodesarrollo caracterizadas por dificultades persistentes en la comunicación, la interacción social y comportamientos e intereses restringidos y repetitivos. En Perú, el estudio científico de las enfermedades nerviosas y mentales comenzó alrededor de 1920, y aunque el diagnóstico de «autismo infantil¼ se planteó en 1959, comenzó a extenderse recién en la década de 1980. Si bien en el siglo XXI se presentaron avances significativos, Perú todavía enfrenta muchos retos en el abordaje del autismo.

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BACKGROUND: Engaging diverse stakeholders in developing core outcome sets (COSs) can produce more meaningful metrics as well as research responsive to patient needs. The most common COS prioritisation method, Delphi surveys, has limitations related to selection bias and participant understanding, while qualitative methods like group discussions are less frequently used. This study aims to test a co-creation approach to COS development for type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in Peru. METHODS: Using a co-creation approach, we aimed to prioritise outcomes for T1DM management in Peru, incorporating perspectives from people with T1DM, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers. A set of outcomes were previously identified through a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. Through qualitative descriptive methods, including in-person workshops, each group of stakeholders contributed to the ranking of outcomes. Decision-makers also discussed the feasibility of measuring these outcomes within the Peruvian healthcare system. RESULTS: While priorities varied among participant groups, all underscored the significance of monitoring healthcare system functionality over mortality. Participants recognized the interconnected nature of healthcare system performance, clinical outcomes, self-management, and quality of life. When combining the rankings from all the groups, metrics related to economic impact on the individual and structural support, policies promoting health, and protecting those living with T1DM were deemed more important in comparison to measuring clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: We present the first COS for T1DM focused on low-and-middle-income countries and show aspects of care that are relevant in this setting. Diverse prioritisation among participant groups underscores the need of inclusive decision-making processes. By incorporating varied perspectives, healthcare systems can better address patient needs and enhance overall care quality.

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OBJECTIVE: While statistical analysis plays a crucial role in medical science, some published studies might have utilized suboptimal analysis methods, potentially undermining the credibility of their findings. Critically appraising analytical approaches can help elevate the standard of evidence and ensure clinicians and other stakeholders have trustworthy results on which to base decisions. The aim of the present study was to examine the statistical characteristics of original articles published in Peruvian medical journals in 2021-2022. DESIGN AND SETTING: We performed a methodological study of articles published between 2021 and 2022 from nine medical journals indexed in SciELO-Peru, Scopus, and Medline. We included original articles that conducted analytical analyses (i.e., association between variables). The statistical variables assessed were: statistical software used for analysis, sample size, and statistical methods employed (measures of effect), controlling for confounders, and the method employed for confounder control or epidemiological approaches. RESULTS: We included 313 articles (ranging from 11 to 77 across journals), of which 67.7% were cross-sectional studies. While 90.7% of articles specified the statistical software used, 78.3% omitted details on sample size calculation. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were commonly employed, whereas measures of association were less common. Only 13.4% of articles (ranging from 0% to 39% across journals) presented measures of effect controlling for confounding and explained the criteria for selecting such confounders. CONCLUSION: This study revealed important statistical deficiencies within analytical studies published in Peruvian journals, including inadequate reporting of sample sizes, absence of measures of association and confounding control, and suboptimal explanations regarding the methodologies employed for adjusted analyses. These findings highlight the need for better statistical reporting and researcher-editor collaboration to improve the quality of research production and dissemination in Peruvian journals.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of life and explore its associated factors in a group of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis in Peru. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of patients with CKD treated at two medical centers in Tacna, Peru; between July and September 2023. We conducted a survey via telephone interviews with eligible patients using the Short Form 36 (SF 36) to assess their quality of life. RESULTS: Of 257 patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis, we successfully interviewed 207 (59.9% males, median age: 62 years, median time on hemodialysis: 3.5 years). In the context of the SF-36 assessment, the dimensions with the lowest scores were physical role (mean: 13.9), emotional role (32.2), and physical function (32.4). Regarding the SF-36 summary scores, the average scores were 42.2 in the mental health domain and 32.0 in the physical health domain. In the adjusted model, the physical health domain score was higher in males (ß = 2.7) and those with economic self-sufficiency (ß = 3.0) and lower in older adults (ß = -2.5). The score in the mental health domain was higher in those with a higher level of education (ß = 4.1), in those with economic self-sufficiency (ß = 3.8), and in those receiving care at one of the centers included (ß: 4.2). CONCLUSION: Quality of life was affected, particularly in the realms of physical and emotional well-being. Furthermore, both the physical and mental health domains tend to show lower scores among women, older individuals, those lacking economic self-sufficiency, individuals with lower educational levels, and those with comorbidities.

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INTRODUCTION: Evaluating the professional competencies of Peruvian doctors is crucial for proposing necessary improvements. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the specific characteristics and competencies that are assessed in these studies. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to characterize published studies focusing on the assessment of professional competencies among physicians in Peru. METHODS: A comprehensive scoping review was conducted, encompassing scientific journal publications that evaluated the professional competencies of physicians in Peru. The search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and SciELO, with the review period extending until 2022. The identified competencies were classified using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the Ministry of Health of Peru (MINSA) frameworks. The findings were presented using absolute and relative frequency measures. RESULTS: A total of forty-nine studies focused on the assessment of professional competencies among physicians were identified, indicating an upward trend over the years. The primary focus of these studies was on evaluating competencies related to medical knowledge (79.6% according to ACGME classification) and the treatment of health problems (57.1% according to MINSA classification). However, there was a noticeable lack of emphasis on assessing behavioral competencies such as ethics, professionalism, and communication. Most of the included studies (65.3%) were exclusively conducted in Lima. Among the studies that disclosed their funding sources, 61% were self-funded. CONCLUSION: Most studies primarily concentrated on evaluating knowledge-based competencies, specifically in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. There is a scarcity of studies assessing other important competencies. Additionally, centralization and limited funding appear to be areas that require improvement in the evaluation of professional competencies among Peruvian physicians.

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OBJECTIVE.: Motivation for the study. Despite the prevalence of ASD, research in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is scarce in Peru. Main findings. Of 120 children with a previous diagnosis of ASD, only 9.8% received inclusive education. The median age at diagnosis was 3.83 years. We also found that 78.4% had no disability certificate and 77.5% had incomplete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions was 3 months, 8 months, and 3.5 months, respectively. Implications. These findings highlight the need to enhance early diagnosis, inclusive education, and evaluation and subsequent certification of disability, as well as to establish more timely interventions. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by developmental disorders, difficulties in social interaction and communication, and restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. Despite its high prevalence, few studies have been conducted in rehabilitation settings. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of children with ASD from the Pediatric Rehabilitation Service of the Rebagliati Hospital (SRP-HNERM). MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Cross-sectional descriptive study. We reviewed the medical records of children under 14 years of age previously diagnosed with ASD from the SRP-HNERM during 2022. RESULTS.: A total of 120 children with ASD were evaluated. The median age was 5 years. Most received regular education, but it was inclusive only for 9.8%. The mean age at diagnosis was 3.83 years. We found that 78.4% had no disability certificate and 77.5% of the participants had incomplete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions was 3, 8 and 3.5 months respectively. CONCLUSION.: The mean age at diagnosis of ASD was older than three years, and more than 75% of the patients had neither a disability certificate nor a complete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last rehabilitation therapy sessions was three months or more. Our findings highlight the need to improve early diagnosis, inclusive education and evaluation and subsequent certification of disability, as well as to establish timely interventions.

OBJETIVO.: Motivación para realizar el estudio. A pesar de la prevalencia del trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), la investigación en el campo de la Medicina Física y Rehabilitación es escasa en Perú. Principales hallazgos. De 120 niños con diagnóstico previo de TEA evaluados, solo el 9,8% recibió educación inclusiva. La media de edad de diagnóstico fue de 3,83 años. El 78,4% no tenía certificado de discapacidad y el 77,5% tenía evaluación psicológica incompleta. La mediana del tiempo transcurrido desde las últimas sesiones de terapia física, ocupacional y de lenguaje fue de 3 meses, 8 meses y 3,5 meses, respectivamente. Implicancias. Estos hallazgos resaltan la necesidad de potenciar el diagnóstico temprano, la educación inclusiva y la evaluación y posterior certificación de la discapacidad, así como de establecer intervenciones más oportunas. El trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) se caracteriza por alteraciones en el desarrollo, dificultades de interacción social y comunicación, y patrones restrictivos y repetitivos de conducta. A pesar de su alta prevalencia, pocos estudios se han realizado en ambientes de rehabilitación. El objetivo del estudio fue describir las características de los niños con TEA atendidos en el Servicio de Rehabilitación Pediátrica del Hospital Rebagliati (SRP-HNERM). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de niños menores de 14 años con diagnóstico previo de TEA atendidos en el SRP-HNERM durante el 2022. RESULTADOS.: Se evaluaron a 120 niños con TEA. La mediana de edad fue de cinco años. La mayoría recibía educación regular, pero solo para el 9,8% fue inclusiva. La media de edad de diagnóstico fue de 3,83 años. El 78,4% no tenía certificado de discapacidad y el 77,5% tenía evaluación psicológica incompleta. La mediana del tiempo transcurrido desde las últimas sesiones de terapia física, ocupacional y de lenguaje fue de 3, 8 y 3,5 meses respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN.: La media de edad de diagnóstico de TEA fue mayor de tres años y más del 75% de los pacientes no contaban con un certificado de discapacidad ni con una evaluación psicológica completa. La mediana del tiempo desde las últimas sesiones de terapias de rehabilitación fue de tres meses o más. Estos hallazgos resaltan la necesidad de potenciar el diagnóstico temprano, la educación inclusiva y la evaluación y posterior certificación de la discapacidad, así como de establecer intervenciones más oportunas.

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INTRODUCTION: Religious leaders have the potential to play a significant role in the identification and referral of individuals with mental health problems. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to understand the perceptions of religious leaders in regards to identifying and referring parishioners with mental health issues to healthcare professionals, in Chimbote, Peru. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study that covered religious leaders of different religious groups in Chimbote. The leaders completed a survey that assessed their characteristics, past experiences of detecting and referring those with mental health problems to healthcare professionals, and perceptions of four clinical cases (for which we used the Clergy's Perception of Mental Illness Survey instrument). RESULTS: We included 109 religious' leaders of four religious groups (11 Catholics, 70 Evangelicals, 21 Mormons, and 7 Adventists). Of these, 50.5% had received at least one request for help with mental health issues from a parishioner in the previous month, over 85% expressed a desire for training in identifying mental health problems, and 22-30% reported receiving any training. While the majority of leaders were able to correctly identify cases of depression, alcohol dependence, and drug problems, only 62% correctly classified a case of schizophrenia. Despite this, 80% stated that they would refer their parishioners to healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: Parishioners tend to consult their religious leaders regarding their mental health and approximately 80% stated they would refer such cases to a healthcare professional. However, less than one-third of the leaders had received training to detect mental health problems. These results suggest that there is a need for training programs to improve the ability of religious leaders to identify and refer individuals with mental health issues.

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INTRODUCTION: Clinical reasoning is crucial in medical practice, yet its teaching faces challenges due to varied clinical experiences, limited time, and absence from competency frameworks. Despite efforts, effective teaching methodologies remain elusive. Strategies like the One Minute Preceptor (OMP) and SNAPPS are proposed as solutions, particularly in workplace settings. SNAPPS, introduced in 2003, offers a structured approach but lacks comprehensive evidence of its effectiveness. Methodological shortcomings hinder discerning its specific effects. Therefore, a systematic review is proposed to evaluate SNAPPS' impact on clinical reasoning teaching. CONTENT: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SNAPPS against other methods. Data selection and extraction were performed in duplicate. Bias and certainty of evidence were evaluated using Cochrane RoB-2 and GRADE approach. SUMMARY: We identified five RCTs performed on medical students and residents. Two compared SNAPPS with an active control such as One Minute Preceptor or training with feedback. None reported the effects of SNAPPS in workplace settings (Kirkpatrick Level 3) or patients (Kirkpatrick Level 4). Low to moderate certainty of evidence suggests that SNAPPS increases the total presentation length by increasing discussion length. Low to moderate certainty of evidence may increase the number of differential diagnoses and the expression of uncertainties. Low certainty of evidence suggests that SNAPPS may increase the odds of trainees initiating a management plan and seeking clarification. OUTLOOK: Evidence from this systematic review suggests that SNAPPS has some advantages in terms of clinical reasoning, self-directed learning outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, it appears more beneficial when used by residents than medical students. However, future research should explore outcomes outside SNAPPS-related outcomes, such as workplace or patient-related outcomes.

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Background: Invasive management of stable coronary artery disease is still a controversial topic. The purpose of this umbrella review was to synthesize systematic reviews (SRs) that evaluate the benefits and harms of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL from 2018 to August 7, 2022. We included SRs with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the question of interest. We assessed the methodological quality of the SRs with the AMSTAR-2 tool. We summarized the results of the outcomes for each SR. We calculated the degree of overlap of the RCTs included in the SRs using the corrected covered area (CCA). Results: We found 10 SRs with meta-analyses. The SRs included 3 to 15 RCTs. The degree of overlap among the SRs was very high (CCA > 15%). No SR evaluated the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE system and 9 out of 10 had critically low methodological quality. The SRs reported heterogeneous results for the outcomes of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and angina. On the other hand, for the outcomes of cardiovascular mortality and stroke, all SRs agreed that there were no differences between PCI and OMT alone. Conclusions: We found 10 SRs on the use of PCI compared to OMT alone for patients with stable coronary artery disease. However, none had high methodological quality, none evaluated the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach, and the results were inconsistent for several outcomes. This variability in evidence may result in divergent clinical decisions for the management of stable coronary artery disease among healthcare professionals. It is necessary to perform a high-quality SR using the GRADE approach to clarify the balance of benefits and harms of PCI.

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RESUMEN Objetivo. El trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) se caracteriza por alteraciones en el desarrollo, dificultades de interacción social y comunicación, y patrones restrictivos y repetitivos de conducta. A pesar de su alta prevalencia, pocos estudios se han realizado en ambientes de rehabilitación. El objetivo del estudio fue describir las características de los niños con TEA atendidos en el Servicio de Rehabilitación Pediátrica del Hospital Rebagliati (SRP-HNERM). Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de niños menores de 14 años con diagnóstico previo de TEA atendidos en el SRP-HNERM durante el 2022. Resultados. Se evaluaron a 120 niños con TEA. La mediana de edad fue de cinco años. La mayoría recibía educación regular, pero solo para el 9,8% fue inclusiva. La media de edad de diagnóstico fue de 3,83 años. El 78,4% no tenía certificado de discapacidad y el 77,5% tenía evaluación psicológica incompleta. La mediana del tiempo transcurrido desde las últimas sesiones de terapia física, ocupacional y de lenguaje fue de 3, 8 y 3,5 meses respectivamente. Conclusión. La media de edad de diagnóstico de TEA fue mayor de tres años y más del 75% de los pacientes no contaban con un certificado de discapacidad ni con una evaluación psicológica completa. La mediana del tiempo desde las últimas sesiones de terapias de rehabilitación fue de tres meses o más. Estos hallazgos resaltan la necesidad de potenciar el diagnóstico temprano, la educación inclusiva y la evaluación y posterior certificación de la discapacidad, así como de establecer intervenciones más oportunas.

ABSTRACT Objective. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by developmental disorders, difficulties in social interaction and communication, and restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. Despite its high prevalence, few studies have been conducted in rehabilitation settings. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of children with ASD from the Pediatric Rehabilitation Service of the Rebagliati Hospital (SRP-HNERM). Materials and methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study. We reviewed the medical records of children under 14 years of age previously diagnosed with ASD from the SRP-HNERM during 2022. Results. A total of 120 children with ASD were evaluated. The median age was 5 years. Most received regular education, but it was inclusive only for 9.8%. The mean age at diagnosis was 3.83 years. We found that 78.4% had no disability certificate and 77.5% of the participants had incomplete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions was 3, 8 and 3.5 months respectively. Conclusion. The mean age at diagnosis of ASD was older than three years, and more than 75% of the patients had neither a disability certificate nor a complete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last rehabilitation therapy sessions was three months or more. Our findings highlight the need to improve early diagnosis, inclusive education and evaluation and subsequent certification of disability, as well as to establish timely interventions.

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ABSTRACT Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease have a higher risk of severe disease and mortality from COVID-19 than the general population. Objective: To compare hospitalization and mortality rates during the pandemic among chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients and the general population in Lima (Peru). Methods: This retrospective cohort included an assessment of the database of chronic HD patients of the health service providers of the social health insurance benefit networks of Lima and Callao between 2019 and 2021. Hospitalization and mortality rates were obtained for every 1,000 individuals, and variations in the percentages of COVID-19 cases and deaths were calculated. These rates were compared with those of the general population data and standardized by age and sex. Results: An average of 3,937 chronic HD patients were evaluated each month. Of these, 4.8% had COVID-19 and 64.97% were mild cases. The hospitalization rates per 1,000 patients were 19.5, 29.28, and 36.7 in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. The mortality rates per 1,000 patients were 5.9, 9.74, and 11.49 in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. When compared to the standardized general population, the peaks of both rates coincided with the plateaus of the waves during the pandemic. The hospitalization rate for COVID-19 was 12 times higher in HD patients than in the general population, and the mortality rate for COVID-19 was twice as high. Conclusion: HD patients had higher hospitalization and standardized mortality rates than the general population. Peaks in hospitalizations and mortality coincided with the plateaus of the first and second waves of the pandemic.

Resumo Histórico: Pacientes com DRC apresentam maior risco de doença grave e mortalidade por COVID-19 do que a população geral. Objetivo: Comparar taxas de hospitalização e mortalidade durante a pandemia entre pacientes em hemodiálise crônica (HD) e a população geral em Lima (Peru). Métodos: Esta coorte retrospectiva incluiu avaliação do banco de dados de pacientes em HD crônica dos prestadores de serviços de saúde das redes de benefícios do seguro social de saúde de Lima e Callao, entre 2019-2021. Obteve-se taxas de hospitalização e mortalidade para cada 1.000 indivíduos, e foram calculadas variações nas porcentagens de casos de COVID-19 e óbitos. Estas taxas foram comparadas com os dados da população geral e padronizadas por idade e sexo. Resultados: Uma média de 3.937 pacientes em HD crônica foram avaliados mensalmente. Destes, 4,8% tinham COVID-19, 64,97% eram casos leves. As taxas de hospitalização por 1.000 pacientes foram 19,5; 29,28; e 36,7 em 2019, 2020, e 2021, respectivamente. As taxas de mortalidade por 1.000 pacientes foram 5,9; 9,74 e 11,49 em 2019, 2020, e 2021, respectivamente. Quando comparados à população geral padronizada, os picos das taxas coincidiram com os platôs das ondas da pandemia. A taxa de hospitalização para COVID-19 foi 12 vezes maior em pacientes em HD do que na população geral e a taxa de mortalidade por COVID-19 foi duas vezes maior. Conclusão: Pacientes em HD apresentaram taxas de hospitalização e mortalidade padronizada mais elevadas do que a população geral. Os picos das hospitalizações e mortalidade coincidiram com os platôs da primeira e segunda ondas da pandemia.

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Introducción. En el Perú existe un déficit de médicos fisiatras y los estándares para la formación de especialistas en Medicina Física y Rehabilitación (MFyR) no han sido actualizados desde el 2002. No existen estudios que aborden esta problemática. Objetivos. Describir el número de vacantes y analizar los planes de estudios de los programas de residencia de MFyR. Métodos. Estudio observacional descriptivo. Revisamos el número de vacantes para MFyR ofertadas en el período 2017-2022. Asimismo, recolectamos las variables de interés de los planes de estudios de los programas de residencia, incluyendo el abordaje de 30 competencias básicas recomendadas por la Sociedad Internacional de MFyR (ISPRM). Resultados. Durante el periodo 2017-2022, 11 universidades ofertaron 283 vacantes para MFyR, de las cuales 89,4% correspondieron a la ciudad de Lima. El número de vacantes mostró una tendencia a la baja desde el 2018 hasta el 2021. 7 de 11 planes de estudios abordaron por lo menos el 75% de las competencias básicas recomendadas por la ISPRM, y ninguno abordó el 100% de estas competencias. Además, encontramos heterogeneidad respecto a los cursos teóricos, el número de créditos académicos y las rotaciones externas permitidas. Conclusiones. En el Perú, el número de vacantes para MFyR disminuyó durante la pandemia por COVID-19, a pesar de su rol fundamental en la atención de la población afectada por la enfermedad y del déficit de médicos fisiatras. Ningún plan de estudios incluye todas las competencias básicas recomendadas por la ISPRM, lo cual alerta sobre la necesidad de actualizarlos y reestructurarlos.

Introduction. In Peru there is a shortage of physiatrists, and the standards for the training of specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) have not been updated since 2002. There are no studies that have focused on this problem. Objectives. To describe the number of PM&R positions and analyze the PM&R residency programs' curriculums. Methods. Descriptive observational study. We reviewed the number of PM&R positions offered in the 2017-2022 period. Likewise, we collected the variables of interest from the curriculums that offer this residency program, including the approach of 30 basic competencies recommended by the International Society of PM&R (ISPRM). Results. During the 2017-2022 period, 11 universities offered 283 PM&R positions, of which 89.4% corresponded to the city of Lima. The number of positions showed a downward trend from 2018 to 2021. 7/11 curriculums addressed at least 75% of the basic competencies recommended by the ISPRM, and none of them addressed 100% of these competencies. In addition, we found heterogeneity between universities respect to the theoretical courses taught, the number of academic credits and the external rotations allowed. Conclusions. In Peru, the number of PM&R positions decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite its crucial role in caring for the affected population and the shortage of physiatrists. No curriculum includes all the basic competencies recommended by ISPRM, highlighting the need to update and restructure them.

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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the self-perception of competencies in obstetric emergencies among recently graduated physicians from universities in Lima, Peru; and to identify its associated factors. METHODS: An analytical study was conducted, with the study population comprising newly graduated doctors who attended the "VI SERUMS National Convention" in 2017. We used Poisson regressions to assess the factors associated with the self-perception of competencies in obstetric emergencies, calculating prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: We analyzed a population of 463 newly graduated physicians (mean age: 25.9 years), of which 33.3% reported feeling competent in obstetric emergencies. In the adjusted analyses, we found that having a previous health career (PR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.12-2.81), having completed the internship in EsSalud hospitals (PR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.31-1.68), and completing a university externship (PR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.34-1.96) were associated with a higher prevalence of self-perceived competence in obstetric emergencies. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that certain academic factors, such as completing an externship and internship in specific hospital settings, may enhance the competencies or competence self-perception of recently graduated physicians in obstetric emergencies. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and identify other factors that may impact physicians' competencies in this field.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rates of fetal mortality in a Peruvian hospital between 2001 and 2020 and to investigate the association of indicators of social inequality (such as access to prenatal care and education) with fetal mortality. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including all pregnant women who attended a Peruvian hospital between 2001 and 2020. We collected data from the hospital's perinatal computer system. We used Poisson regression models with robust variance to assess the associations of interest, estimating adjusted relative risks (aRR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: We analyzed data from 67,908 pregnant women (median age: 26, range: 21 to 31 years). Of these, 58.3% had one or more comorbidities; the most frequent comorbidities were anemia (33.3%) and urinary tract infection (26.3%). The fetal mortality ratio during the study period was 0.96%, with the highest rate in 2003 (13.7 per 1,000 births) and the lowest in 2016 (6.1 per 1,000 births), without showing a marked trend. Having less than six (aRR: 4.87; 95% CI: 3.99-5.93) or no (aRR: 7.79; 6.31-9.61) prenatal care was associated with higher fetal mortality compared to having six or more check-ups. On the other hand, higher levels of education, such as secondary education (aRR: 0.73; 0.59-0.91), technical college (aRR: 0.63; 0.46-0.85), or university education (aRR: 0.38; 0.25-0.57) were associated with a lower risk of fetal death compared to having primary education or no education. In addition, a more recent year of delivery was associated with lower fetal mortality. CONCLUSION: Our study presents findings of fetal mortality rates that are comparable to those observed in Peru in 2015, but higher than the estimated rates for other Latin American countries. A more recent year of delivery was associated with lower fetal mortality, probably due to reduced illiteracy and increased access to health care between 2000 and 2015. The findings suggest a significant association between indicators of social inequality (such as access to prenatal care and education) with fetal mortality. These results emphasize the critical need to address the social and structural determinants of health, as well as to mitigate health inequities, to effectively reduce fetal mortality.

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BACKGROUND: ChatGPT has shown impressive performance in national medical licensing examinations, such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), even passing it with expert-level performance. However, there is a lack of research on its performance in low-income countries' national licensing medical examinations. In Peru, where almost one out of three examinees fails the national licensing medical examination, ChatGPT has the potential to enhance medical education. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the accuracy of ChatGPT using GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 on the Peruvian National Licensing Medical Examination (Examen Nacional de Medicina [ENAM]). Additionally, we sought to identify factors associated with incorrect answers provided by ChatGPT. METHODS: We used the ENAM 2022 data set, which consisted of 180 multiple-choice questions, to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT. Various prompts were used, and accuracy was evaluated. The performance of ChatGPT was compared to that of a sample of 1025 examinees. Factors such as question type, Peruvian-specific knowledge, discrimination, difficulty, quality of questions, and subject were analyzed to determine their influence on incorrect answers. Questions that received incorrect answers underwent a three-step process involving different prompts to explore the potential impact of adding roles and context on ChatGPT's accuracy. RESULTS: GPT-4 achieved an accuracy of 86% on the ENAM, followed by GPT-3.5 with 77%. The accuracy obtained by the 1025 examinees was 55%. There was a fair agreement (κ=0.38) between GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. Moderate-to-high-difficulty questions were associated with incorrect answers in the crude and adjusted model for GPT-3.5 (odds ratio [OR] 6.6, 95% CI 2.73-15.95) and GPT-4 (OR 33.23, 95% CI 4.3-257.12). After reinputting questions that received incorrect answers, GPT-3.5 went from 41 (100%) to 12 (29%) incorrect answers, and GPT-4 from 25 (100%) to 4 (16%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that ChatGPT (GPT-3.5 and GPT-4) can achieve expert-level performance on the ENAM, outperforming most of our examinees. We found fair agreement between both GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. Incorrect answers were associated with the difficulty of questions, which may resemble human performance. Furthermore, by reinputting questions that initially received incorrect answers with different prompts containing additional roles and context, ChatGPT achieved improved accuracy.

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Abstract Introduction: Scientific research works, including theses, must be published in a scientific journal in order to be considered as a contribution to the academic community. Objectives: To identify the barriers and limitations to publishing undergraduate theses in indexed scientific journals encountered by new medical graduates from Peruvian universities and to determine the factors associated with their intention to publish. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in 167 physicians who graduated in 2021 from 7 Peruvian universities and answered an online questionnaire asking about general data, perceived barriers to publish the thesis, and intention to publish the thesis in a scientific journal. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated using Poisson regression models to identify the factors associated with the intention to publish. Results: The questionnaire response rate was 39.57% (167/422 physicians graduated in 2021). Participants' median age was 25 years (P25-75=24-27) and 55.09% were women. 42.52% of the participants intended to publish their undergraduate thesis (28.74% reported having the intention to do so, 11.38% were in the process of publishing it, and 2.40% had already published it in a scientific journal). The most commonly reported barriers to thesis publication were insufficient knowledge about how to make a submission to a scientific journal (71.85%) and lack of access to advisors with expertise in scientific research (68.26%). In the adjusted Poisson regression model, it was observed that the older the age, the lower the intention to publish (aPR: 0.62; 95%CI: 0.51-0.75). Conclusion: The thesis publication rate was low and less than half of the physicians had the intention to publish their thesis. The most commonly reported barriers to publication were lack of knowledge about how to make a submission to a scientific journal and lack of access to experienced research advisors. Being older was associated with a lower intention to publish the undergraduate thesis.

Resumen Introducción. Toda investigación científica, incluyendo las tesis, requiere ser publicada en una revista científica para que sea considerada como un aporte a la comunidad académica. Objetivos. Identificar las barreras y limitaciones para la publicación en revistas científicas indizadas de las tesis de pregrado de médicos recién egresados de universidades peruanas y determinar los factores asociados con la intención de publicarlas. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal realizado en 167 médicos que se graduaron en 2021 de 7 universidades peruanas y respondieron un cuestionario en el que se preguntó sobre datos generales, intención para publicar la tesis en una revista científica y barreras percibidas para su publicación. Se calcularon razones de prevalencia crudas y ajustadas (RPa) mediante modelos de regresión de Poisson para identificar los factores asociados a la intención de publicación. Resultados. La tasa de respuesta del cuestionario fue de 39.57% (167/422 médicos egresados en 2021). La mediana de edad fue 25 (P25-75: 24-27) años y el 55.09% de los participantes fueron mujeres. El 42.52% tenía intención de publicar su tesis de pregrado (28.74% reportó tener la intención, 11.38% estaba en proceso de publicarla y 2.40% ya la había publicado). Las barreras para la publicación de las tesis más comúnmente informadas fueron falta de conocimientos sobre cómo realizar un envío a una revista científica (71.85%) y falta de acceso a asesores con experiencia en investigación científica (68.26%). En el modelo de regresión de Poisson ajustado se observó que a mayor edad hubo una menor intención de publicación (RPa: 0.62; IC95%: 0.51-0.75). Conclusión. La tasa de publicación de la tesis fue baja y menos de la mitad de los médicos tenían intención de publicarla. Las barreras para la publicación más comúnmente reportadas fueron la falta de conocimientos sobre cómo realizar un envío a una revista científica y la falta de acceso a asesores con experiencia en investigación. Tener mayor edad se asoció con una menor intención de publicar la tesis.

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This article summarizes the clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the management of acute pancreatitis in the Social Security of Peru (EsSalud), to provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for the management of acute pancreatitis in EsSalud. A guideline development group (GEG) was formed that included medical specialists and methodologists. The GEG formulated 7 clinical questions to be answered by this CPG. Systematic searches of systematic reviews and -when considered relevant- primary studies were carried out in PubMed during 2022. The evidence was selected to answer each of the clinical questions posed. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In periodic work meetings, the GEG used the GRADE methodology to review the evidence and formulate the recommendations, the points of good clinical practice, and the corresponding flow charts. Finally, the CPG was approved with Resolution No. 105-IETSI-ESSALUD-2022. This CPG addressed 7 clinical questions on fluid therapy, start of enteral nutrition, analgesia, type of nutrition, antibiotic, and surgical treatment. Based on these questions, 8 recommendations (1 strong and 7 conditional), 13 BPCs, and 1 flowchart were formulated. This article summarizes the methodology and evidence-based conclusions of the CPG for the management of acute pancreatitis in EsSalud.

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BACKGROUND: Child development is a complex biological, psychological, and emotional process. Timely screening for developmental delay allows early interventions. Therefore, this study sought to assess the frequency and characteristics of developmental delay in children < 5 years of age who attended the Pediatric Rehabilitation Service of a referral hospital in Peru. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study. Information was collected from medical records of children < 5 years of age who attended between April and September 2022 at the Rebagliati Hospital's Pediatric Rehabilitation Service. The REBA-PED Child Developmental Assessment Profile was used for the developmental assessment, which allows to identify the degree of delay in each area (gross motor, fine motor, hearing and language, intelligence and learning, and personal-social) and the presence of warning signs. RESULTS: Of 226 children who attended the service, 49.1% were between 3 and 5 years old, 57.1% were female, only 3.1% were referred for suspected developmental delay, and none had had a previous developmental assessment. Among the children evaluated, 12.4% had a simple developmental delay, 19.5% had a significant developmental delay, and 53.5% had a global developmental delay. In addition, 70.8% presented a warning sign of developmental delay. Hearing and language (86.8%) and intelligence and learning (83.5%) areas had a higher frequency of significant developmental delay. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high frequency of developmental delay in the children assessed, predominantly in hearing and language. Although all the children were referred, none had had a previous developmental assessment.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El desarrollo infantil es un proceso complejo de cambios biológicos, psicológicos y emocionales. El despistaje oportuno del retraso del desarrollo permite implementar intervenciones tempranas. Este estudio buscó evaluar la frecuencia y las características del retraso del desarrollo en niños < 5 años atendidos en el Servicio de Rehabilitación Pediátrica de un hospital de referencia de Perú. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en el que se recolectó información de niños < 5 años atendidos entre abril y septiembre del 2022 en el Servicio de Rehabilitación Pediátrica del Hospital Rebagliati, para lo cual se revisaron sus historias clínicas. Para la evaluación del desarrollo, se utilizó el Perfil de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil REBA-PED, que permite reconocer el grado de retraso por área (motora gruesa, motora fina, audición y lenguaje, inteligencia y aprendizaje, y personal social) y los signos de alarma. RESULTADOS: De 226 niños atendidos, el 49.1% tenía entre 3 a 5 años, el 57.1% era de sexo femenino, solo el 3.1% fue remitido por sospecha de retraso del desarrollo y ninguno había tenido una evaluación previa del desarrollo infantil. Entre los niños evaluados, el 12.4% presentó un retraso simple del desarrollo, el 19.5% presentó un retraso significativo y el 53.5%, un retraso global. Además, el 70.8% presentó algún signo de alarma durante el desarrollo infantil. La frecuencia de retraso significativo fue mayor en las áreas de audición y lenguaje (86.8%) y de inteligencia y aprendizaje (83.5%) tuvieron mayor frecuencia de retraso significativo. CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró una frecuencia elevada de retraso del desarrollo entre los niños evaluados, con predominio del área de audición y lenguaje. Si bien todos los niños fueron referidos, ninguno había tenido una evaluación previa del desarrollo.

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Motivation for the study. Therapeutic guidelines for COVID-19 in children changed constantly during the pandemic. In Peru, the variation of the treatment during the different waves of the pandemic has not been studied. Main findings. During the third wave, there was a greater number of patients with COVID-19; however, these patients had less severe symptoms. The use of ceftriaxone and azithromycin was less frequent during the third wave. The use of immunoglobulin was only found in patients with pediatric inflammatory multisystemic syndrome. Implications. Determining the patterns of medication use during the COVID-19 pandemic in the pediatric population will allow us to evaluate how the therapeutic decision-making process evolved in this population.

Motivación para realizar el estudio. Las guías terapéuticas acerca de COVID-19 en población pediátrica variaron constantemente durante la pandemia. En el Perú, la variación de estos tratamientos en las diferentes olas de la pandemia no ha sido estudiada. Principales hallazgos. Durante la tercera ola hubo un mayor número de pacientes con COVID-19; sin embargo, estos presentaron cuadros menos severos. El uso de ceftriaxona y azitromicina fue menos frecuente durante la tercera ola. El uso de inmunoglobulina solo se observó en pacientes con síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico pediátrico. Implicancias. Determinar los patrones de uso de medicamentos durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en población pediátrica nos permitirá evaluar cómo evolucionó el proceso de toma de decisiones terapéuticas en esta población.

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