Ahmed Al Ansari

The Reliability, Validity, and Feasibility of Multisource Feedback Physician Assessment: A Systematic Review

Purpose The use of multisource feedback (MSF) or 360-degree evaluation has become a recognized method of assessing physician performance in practice. The purpose of the present systematic review was to investigate the reliability, generalizability, validity, and feasibility of MSF for the assessment of physicians. Method The authors searched the EMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, and CINAHL databases for peer-reviewed, English-language articles published from 1975 to January, 2013. Studies were included if they met the follow ing inclusion criteria: used one or more MSF instruments to assess physician performance in practice; reported psychometric evidence of the instrument(s) in the form of reliability, generalizability coefficients, and construct or criterion-related validity; and provided information regarding the administration or feasibility of the process in collecting the feedback data. Results Of the 96 full-text articles assessed for eligibility, 43 articles were included. The use of MSF has been shown to be an effective method for providing feedback to physicians from a multitude of specialties about their clinical and nonclinical (i.e., professionalism, communication, interpersonal relationship, management) performance. In general, assessment of physician performance was based on the completion of the MSF instruments by 8 medical colleagues, 8 coworkers, and 25 patients to achieve adequate reliability and generalizability coefficients of &agr; ≥ 0.90 and Ep2 ≥ 0.80, respectively. Conclusions The use of MSF employing medical colleagues, coworkers, and patients as a method to assess physicians in practice has been shown to have high reliability, validity, and feasibility.

The Construct and Criterion Validity of the Mini-CEX: A Meta-Analysis of the Published Research

Purpose To conduct a meta-analysis of published studies to determine the construct and criterion validity of the mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) to measure clinical performance. Method The authors included all peer-reviewed studies published from 1995 to 2012 that reported the relationship between participants’ performance on the mini-CEX and on other standardized academic and clinical performance measures. Moderator variables and performance and standardized exam measures were extracted and reviewed independently using a standardized coding protocol. Results Performance measures from 11 studies were identified. A random-effects model of weighted mean effect size differences (d) resulted in: (1) construct validity coefficients for the mini-CEX on the trainees’ performance across different residency year levels ranging from d = 0.25 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.04–0.46) to d = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.31–0.70), and (2) concurrent validity coefficients for the mini-CEX based on personnel ratings ranging from d = 0.23 (95% CI: 0.04–0.50) to d = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.34–0.65). Also, a random-effects model of weighted correlation effect size differences (r) resulted in predictive validity coefficients for the mini-CEX on trainees’ performance across different standardized measures ranging from r = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.16–0.35) to r = 0.85 (95% CI: 0.47–0.96). Conclusions The construct and criterion validity of the mini-CEX was supported by small to large effect size differences based on measures between trainees’ achievement and clinical skills performance, indicating that it is an important instrument for the direct observation of trainees’ clinical performance.

The impact of sleeve gastrectomy on hyperlipidemia: a systematic review.

Background. Weight loss and reduction in comorbidities can be achieved by longitudinal sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Existing evidence suggests that LSG resolves or improves hyperlipidemia in morbidly obese patients. The aim of this study was to systematically review the effect of LSG on hyperlipidemia. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted from English-language studies published from 2000 to 2012 for the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, Clinical evidence, Scopus, Dara, Web of Sciences, TRIP, Health Technology Database, Cochrane library, and PsycINFO. Results. A total of 4,211 articles were identified in the initial search, and 4,185 articles were excluded based on the exclusion criteria. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review, involving 3,591 patients. The mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 48 ± 7.0 kg/m2 (range 37.2–65.3). The mean postoperative BMI was 35 ± 5.9 kg/m2 (range 26.3–49). The mean percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) was 63.1% (range 37.7–84.5), with a mean followup of 19.1 months (range 6–60). The mean levels of pre and post operative cholesterol were 194.4 ± 12.3 mg/dL (range 178–213) and 181 ± 16.3 mg/dL (range 158–200), respectively. Conclusion. Most patients with hyperlipidemia showed improvement or resolution of lipid profiles after LSG. Based on this systematic review, LSG has a significant effect on hyperlipidemia in the form of resolution or improvement in the majority of patients.

Reduction in weight and BMI and changes in Co-morbidities following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure for morbidly obese patients in Bahrain: a five year longitudinal study

BackgroundObesity and its related illnesses are pan-endemic health problems which require intervention. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) is seen as a safe surgical procedure with satisfactory results on weight reduction and improvement in obesity related illness.MethodsData were collected in a repeated-measures longitudinal five year study for 143 morbidly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Follow up was continued from 3 to 60 months post operatively. Patients were assessed for diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia.ResultsRepeated measures ANOVAs revealed that both men and women lose weight and reduce their BMIs at a consistent rate. At 3, 6 and 9 months post-operative there are no differences in percent weight loss between men and women with mean weight loss at 8.9%, 13.1% and 16.0% respectively of pre-operative weight. At 12, 24 and 60 months post-operatively, however, men significantly increase the percentage of weight loss as well as improve their BMI compared to women (p < .05). At 24 months post-operative, men and women have BMIs of 36.03 and 32.85, both still in the obese range. By 60 months men have achieved a BMI that is slightly under the obese range into the overweight range (30.76) while women (BMI = 36.61) were still in the obese range. At 60 months, men have lost a total of 33.75% of their pre-operative body weight while women have lost a total of 21.50. Diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia were significantly reduced in the sample post-operatively (p < .01).ConclusionLAGB is a safe and effective surgical procedure for morbidly obese patients resulting in weight loss, BMI decrease and reduction in co-morbid illnesses.

Cross-cultural challenges for assessing medical professionalism among clerkship physicians in a Middle Eastern country (Bahrain): feasibility and psychometric properties of multisource feedback

Background We aimed to design, implement, and evaluate the feasibility and reliability of a multisource feedback (MSF) system to assess interns in their clerkship year in the Middle Eastern culture, the Kingdom of Bahrain. Method The study was undertaken in the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital, a military teaching hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain. A total of 21 interns (who represent the total population of the interns for the given year) were assessed in this study. All of the interns were rotating through our hospital during their year-long clerkship rotation. The study sample consisted of nine males and 12 females. Each participating intern was evaluated by three groups of raters, eight medical intern colleagues, eight senior medical colleagues, and eight coworkers from different departments. Results A total of 21 interns (nine males and 12 females) were assessed in this study. The total mean response rates were 62.3%. A factor analysis was conducted that found that the data on the questionnaire grouped into three factors that counted for 76.4% of the total variance. These three factors were labeled as professionalism, collaboration, and communication. Reliability analysis indicated that the full instrument scale had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α 0.98). The generalizability coefficients for the surveys were estimated to be 0.78. Conclusion Based on our results and analysis, we conclude that the MSF tool we used on the interns rotating in their clerkship year within our Middle Eastern culture provides an effective method of evaluation because it offers a reliable, valid, and feasible process.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy with ceftriaxone for acute tonsillopharyngitis: efficacy, patient satisfaction, cost effectiveness, and safety.

Background Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is the administration of intravenous antimicrobial therapy to patients in an outpatient setting. It may be used for patients who have infections that require parenteral treatment but who are otherwise stable enough to not require admission as inpatients. Objective We aimed to review the treatment of patients with acute tonsillopharyngitis at the OPAT health care clinic in the Bahrain Defense Force Royal Medical Services (BDF-RMS), with regard to efficacy, patient satisfaction, cost effectiveness, and safety. Methods A retrospective case notes review was conducted for all patients admitted to the OPAT clinic in the BDF-RMS with acute tonsillopharyngitis treated with ceftriaxone, between March 2012 and March 2014. Results In the period between March 2012 and March 2014, 97 patients with acute tonsillopharyngitis were treated with ceftriaxone for a minimum of 3 days at the OPAT clinic. In total, 94.8% of patients completed the prescribed course of ceftriaxone. Total cure was achieved in 89.7% of patients. Usage of the OPAT clinic led to cost savings of 10,693 BD, while total bed days saved were 301 over the 2-year period examined by this study. Participants in the program expressed high satisfaction rates, and the average (± standard deviation) score on a patient satisfaction survey was 4.41 (± 0.31) out of a total of 5. This study highlights the efficacy, patient satisfaction, cost effectiveness, and safety of the OPAT clinic service for the treatment of acute tonsillopharyngitis with ceftriaxone. We found a 45.5% drop in admission rate for acute tonsillopharyngitis after starting the OPAT service clinic and that 301 bed days were saved through this treatment. Conclusion This study showed that the management of acute tonsillopharyngitis with ceftriaxone in the OPAT clinic is safe, clinically effective, and cost effective, with low rates of complications/readmissions and high levels of patient satisfaction.

Two siblings with fatal Chromobacterium violaceum sepsis linked to drinking water.

Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram-negative organism found in water and soil. C. violaceum is not usually pathogenic in humans; only approximately 150 human cases have been reported worldwide. C. violaceum bacteraemia progresses rapidly, leading to fatal sepsis on dissemination to multiple organs within a short time. We describe two cases of fatal septicaemia caused by C. violaceum in siblings. Our initial impression was that these cases were associated with an undiagnosed immunodeficiency in the siblings. However, detailed patient histories revealed a potential underlying immunodeficiency in only one patient. These findings prompted us to investigate possible environmental exposure. We identified C. violaceum in filtered water that was sold to the family at a nearby store. This discovery led to a public health alert and closer scrutiny of similar stores by the Ministry of Health.

Adrenal Cyst Presenting as Hepatic Hydatid Cyst

Introduction. Although adrenal cysts are uncommon, the incidence rate is increasing with the advances in radiological technologies. The incidental detection of adrenal cysts nowadays has become more frequent as a result of the increase usage of high quality imaging modalities. Adrenal cysts originate from the adrenal gland and can be classified into either true or pseudocyst. Presentation of Case. In this report, we described an adrenal cyst of endothelial type, in a 30-year-old lady who was mistakenly diagnosed to have a hydatid cyst both clinically and by imaging. Discussion. Although adrenal cysts are uncommon, the incidence rate is increasing with the frequent use of various high quality radiological technologies. Adrenal cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis when dealing with upper abdominal cysts. The size of the adrenal cyst can vary from a few millimeters up to 50 cm in diameter. Most of the adrenal cysts are unilateral, while 8%–15% of those cysts do present bilaterally. The majority of cases are diagnosed between the 3rd and 5th decades. Conclusion. Although most of the adrenal cysts are benign in nature, surgical excision is advisable especially when the cysts are greater than 5 cm in diameter and in the case of suspecting malignancy.