Imran I. Ali

Medical Student Documentation in Electronic Health Records: A Collaborative Statement From the Alliance for Clinical Education

Purpose: The electronic health record (EHR) is an important advancement in health care. It facilitates improvement of health care delivery and coordination of care, but it creates special challenges for student education. This article represents a collaborative effort of the Alliance for Clinical Education (ACE), a multidisciplinary group formed in 1992. ACE recognizes the importance of medical student participation in patient care including the ability of documentation. This article proposes guidelines that can be used by educators to establish expectations on medical student documentation in EHRs. Summary: To provide the best education for medical students in the electronic era, ACE proposes to use the following as practice guidelines for medical student documentation in the EHR: (a) Students must document in the patients chart and their notes should be reviewed for content and format, (b) students must have the opportunity to practice order entry in an EHR—in actual or simulated patient cases—prior to graduation, (c) students should be exposed to the utilization of the decision aids that typically accompany EHRs, and (d) schools must develop a set of medical student competencies related to charting in the EHR and state how they would evaluate it. This should include specific competencies to be documented at each stage, and by time of graduation. In addition, ACE recommends that accreditation bodies such as the Liaison Committee for Medical Education utilize stronger language in their educational directives standards to ensure compliance with educational principles. This will guarantee that the necessary training and resources are available to ensure that medical students have the fundamental skills for lifelong clinical practice. Conclusions: ACE recommends that medical schools develop a clear set of competencies related to student in the EHR which medical students must achieve prior to graduation in order to ensure they are ready for clinical practice.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine when converting from a twice-daily immediate-release to a once-daily extended-release formulation in subjects with epilepsy (The COMPASS Study).

Purpose: To compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) of lamotrigine (LTG) when converting from twice‐daily immediate‐release (LTG‐IR) to once‐daily extended‐release (LTG‐XR) in subjects with epilepsy.

Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges after complex partial status epilepticus associated with increased focal cerebral blood flow.

Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) are typically associated with encephalitis, cerebral abscess, cerebral infarct, and status epilepticus. There is considerable debate as to whether this pattern is ictal or interictal when seen in association with status epilepticus. We present a patient with complex partial status epilepticus who developed PLEDs and remained comatose despite optimal drug therapy. Technetium 99m single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed hyperperfusion that resolved with further aggressive antiepileptic drug therapy, indicating that this pattern may indeed be ictal. Further studies are needed to define the significance of PLEDs in patients with status epilepticus. The role of SPECT in differentiating PLEDs as an interictal or ictal pattern also requires further study.

Cumulative effect of vagus nerve stimulators on intractable seizures observed over a period of 3 years

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) therapy and identify factors associated with reduction of seizures. The VNS is an accepted therapeutic option for patients with refractory partial epilepsy. There are, however, limited data regarding efficacy in any specific group of patients with epilepsy. METHODS This is a retrospective review of patients with epilepsy on VNS therapy initiated between January 2000 and December 2007 at a university medical center. Information collected included demographics, epilepsy type and duration, antiepileptic drug usage, stimulation parameters, and seizure frequency at baseline, 3months, 6months, 1year, 2years, and 3years after VNS therapy initiation. Seizure frequency at different follow-up intervals was compared with baseline frequency. Patients were stratified into three subsets based on VNS response. Relationships between VNS response and factors including demographics, location of seizure focus, type or duration of epilepsy, and VNS settings were examined as a whole as well as in subsets. RESULTS Fifty-four patients were implanted with VNSs over a period of 7years. Four patients were excluded. A total of 50 patients (31 men, 19 women) with mean age 39years and on VNS therapy were included in this study. Average duration of VNS therapy was 4.5years. Baseline average frequency was 10 seizures per month. Significant decreases in median seizure frequency were noted at 3months (P<0.001), 6months (P<0.001), 1year (P=0.004), 2years (P<0.001), and 3years (P<0.0001). Seventy-two percent of the patients reported a decrease in seizure frequency within the first 3months, which increased to 80% by the end of 3years. Overall, the percentage reduction in seizure frequency was 64% at 3months and increased to 86% at the end of 3years. In the subset of patients who responded to VNSs, reduction in seizure frequency improved from 80 to 89% by the end of 3years. There were no correlations between seizure frequency and specific VNS settings, epileptic focus, or duration or type of epilepsy, in the group as a whole or in its subsets. Data suggest a favorable VNS response in patients with higher baseline seizure frequency. CONCLUSIONS Significant reductions in seizure frequency were noted with VNS therapy over a 3-year follow-up period with a possible cumulative effect. Lateralization or localization of epileptic focus or epilepsy subtype did not correlate with response to VNSs.

Feasibility and acceptance of salivary monitoring of antiepileptic drugs via the US Postal Service.

Salivary and serum levels of phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and phenytoin are closely correlated. Salivary monitoring of antiepileptic drugs has a number of advantages including the potential for home collection if measured levels are unaffected by transit in the mail. Saliva was collected from 60 adult and 42 pediatric patients in the clinic. A control aliquot was immediately frozen, and a second aliquot was packaged and mailed to the laboratory. Patients were also asked to collect another sample at the same time on the following day and mail it to the laboratory. On receipt, all samples were held frozen and analyzed as a single batch by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The effects of mailing, the duration in transit, and the season were assessed by multivariable, repeated-measures analysis of variance. One hundred two saliva samples were collected in a mean of 2.6 minutes, and the mailed aliquot was received in a mean of 6.4 days. Two children and 3 adults (4.9% of total) preferred blood collection, but the rest preferred saliva collection or had no preference. There was no significant difference between the control sample and the clinic mailed samples for any of the 3 medications. There were no significant effects of the duration in transit or the season on reliability. Transit of saliva samples in the mail does not adversely affect accuracy of antiepileptic drug measurement. Patients prefer and can successful collect saliva samples at home. Home monitoring of salivary antiepileptic drug levels is a cost-effective technique that deserves additional study.

Sleep and Epilepsy: Opportunities for Diagnosis and Treatment

Sleep and epilepsy have a dynamic interaction that presents the clinician opportunities for diagnosis and treatment. Sleep complaints are very common in patients with epilepsy and these complaints may be related to the underlying epilepsy, the treatment of epilepsy or other sleep related issues. Appropriate treatment of epilepsy may improve sleep, and treatment of sleep disorders may reduce the frequency of recurrent seizures. Sleep and sleep deprivation may provoke seizures and can provide further diagnostic information about the seizure type and location. For the clinician, understanding the relationship of sleep and epilepsy expands the diagnostic and therapeutic armamentarium.

A competency-based longitudinal core curriculum in medical neuroscience.

Current medical educational theory encourages the development of competency-based curricula. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educations 6 core competencies for resident education (medical knowledge, patient care, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills, practice-based learning, and systems-based practice) have been embraced by medical schools as the building blocks necessary for becoming a competent licensed physician. Many medical schools are therefore changing their educational approach to an integrated model in which students demonstrate incremental acquisition and mastery of all competencies as they progress through medical school. Challenges to medical schools include integration of preclinical and clinical studies as well as development of learning objectives and assessment measures for each competency. The Undergraduate Education Subcommittee (UES) of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) assembled a group of neuroscience educators to outline a longitudinal competency-based curriculum in medical neuroscience encompassing both preclinical and clinical coursework. In development of this curriculum, the committee reviewed United States Medical Licensing Examination content outlines, Liaison Committee on Medical Education requirements, prior AAN-mandated core curricula for basic neuroscience and clinical neurology, and survey responses from educators in US medical schools. The newly recommended curriculum provides an outline of learning objectives for each of the 6 competencies, listing each learning objective in active terms. Documentation of experiences is emphasized, and assessment measures are suggested to demonstrate adequate achievement in each competency. These guidelines, widely vetted and approved by the UES membership, aspire to be both useful as a stand-alone curriculum and also provide a framework for neuroscience educators who wish to develop a more detailed focus in certain areas of study.

Migraine prophylaxis with topiramate and bone health in women.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly used for prevention of migraine headaches. Bone loss is a known complication, particularly associated with use of older AEDs. Topiramate is a newer AED, widely used for migraine prevention, but no evidence is currently available on its effect on bone metabolism. In a clinic‐based pilot study, we evaluated bone health by examining biochemical and radiological markers of bone metabolism, in women with migraine. Osteopenia was noted in 53% of the patients and was associated with the duration of exposure to topiramate (P = .04).

Status of neurology medical school education Results of 2005 and 2012 clerkship director survey

Objective: To survey all US medical school clerkship directors (CDs) in neurology and to compare results from a similar survey in 2005. Methods: A survey was developed by a work group of the American Academy of Neurology Undergraduate Education Subcommittee, and sent to all neurology CDs listed in the American Academy of Neurology database. Comparisons were made to a similar 2005 survey. Results: Survey response rate was 73%. Neurology was required in 93% of responding schools. Duration of clerkships was 4 weeks in 74% and 3 weeks in 11%. Clerkships were taken in the third year in 56%, third or fourth year in 19%, and fourth year in 12%. Clerkship duration in 2012 was slightly shorter than in 2005 (fewer clerkships of ≥4 weeks, p = 0.125), but more clerkships have moved into the third year (fewer neurology clerkships during the fourth year, p = 0.051). Simulation training in lumbar punctures was available at 44% of schools, but only 2% of students attempted lumbar punctures on patients. CDs averaged 20% protected time, but reported that they needed at least 32%. Secretarial full-time equivalent was 0.50 or less in 71% of clerkships. Eighty-five percent of CDs were “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied,” but more than half experienced “burnout” and 35% had considered relinquishing their role. Conclusion: Trends in neurology undergraduate education since 2005 include shorter clerkships, migration into the third year, and increasing use of technology. CDs are generally satisfied, but report stressors, including inadequate protected time and departmental support.

Curricular integration of social medicine: a prospective for medical educators

In the United States, the health of a community falls on a continuum ranging from healthy to unhealthy and fluctuates based on several variables. Research policy and public health practice literature report substantial disparities in life expectancy, morbidity, risk factors, and quality of life, as well as persistence of these disparities among segments of the population. One such way to close this gap is to streamline medical education to better prepare our future physicians for our patients in underserved communities. Medical schools have the potential to close the gap when training future physicians by providing them with the principles of social medicine that can contribute to the reduction of health disparities. Curriculum reform and systematic formative assessment and evaluative measures can be developed to match social medicine and health disparities curricula for individual medical schools, thus assuring that future physicians are being properly prepared for residency and the workforce to decrease health inequities in the United States. We propose that curriculum reform includes an ongoing social medicine component for medical students. Continued exposure, practice, and education related to social medicine across medical school will enhance the awareness and knowledge for our students. This will result in better preparation for the zero mile stone residency set forth by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education and will eventually lead to the outcome of higher quality physicians in the United States to treat diverse populations.In the United States, the health of a community falls on a continuum ranging from healthy to unhealthy and fluctuates based on several variables. Research policy and public health practice literature report substantial disparities in life expectancy, morbidity, risk factors, and quality of life, as well as persistence of these disparities among segments of the population. One such way to close this gap is to streamline medical education to better prepare our future physicians for our patients in underserved communities. Medical schools have the potential to close the gap when training future physicians by providing them with the principles of social medicine that can contribute to the reduction of health disparities. Curriculum reform and systematic formative assessment and evaluative measures can be developed to match social medicine and health disparities curricula for individual medical schools, thus assuring that future physicians are being properly prepared for residency and the workforce to decrease health inequities in the United States. We propose that curriculum reform includes an ongoing social medicine component for medical students. Continued exposure, practice, and education related to social medicine across medical school will enhance the awareness and knowledge for our students. This will result in better preparation for the zero mile stone residency set forth by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education and will eventually lead to the outcome of higher quality physicians in the United States to treat diverse populations.