Sami Alnassar

A stepwise model for simulation-based curriculum development for clinical skills, a modification of the six-step approach

AbstractBackground Despite the rapid growth in the use of simulation in health professions education, courses vary considerably in quality. Many do not integrate efficiently into an overall school/program curriculum or conform to academic accreditation requirements. Moreover, some of the guidelines for simulation design are specialty specific.Study designWe designed a model that integrates best practices for effective simulation-based training and a modification of Kern et al.’s 6-step approach for curriculum development. We invited international simulation and health professions education experts to complete a questionnaire evaluating the model. We reviewed comments and suggested modifications from respondents and reached consensus on a revised version of the model.ResultsWe recruited 17 simulation and education experts. They expressed a consensus on the seven proposed curricular steps: problem identification and general needs assessment, targeted needs assessment, goals and objectives, educational strategies, individual assessment/feedback, program evaluation, and implementation. We received several suggestions for descriptors that applied the steps to simulation, leading to some revisions in the model.ConclusionWe have developed a model that integrates principles of curriculum development and simulation design that is applicable across specialties. Its use could lead to high-quality simulation courses that integrate efficiently into an overall curriculum.

Incisional hernia postrepair of abdominal aortic occlusive and aneurysmal disease: five-year incidence

The aim of this study was to report the five-year incidence of incisional hernia after vascular repair of abdominal aortic occlusive (AOD) and aneurysmal disease (AAA), and to determine the factors associated with the development of this complication. Consecutive patients who underwent AAA and AOD at the University of Manitoba, Canada, between January 1999 and December 2002, were recruited and evaluated by clinical examination one week, one month and six months after the surgery, and through medical records review thereafter. The development of postoperative incisional hernia was recorded and analyzed. Two-hundred four patients, with a mean age of 70.1 years, provided consent for the study. The overall five-year incidence of incisional hernia was 69.1% and the overall median failure time was 48 months. The median failure time was 48 months for AOD and 36 months for AAA (P < 0.01). The urgent and ruptured AAA repair had a higher five-year incidence of incisional hernia as compared with AOD or elective AAA repair (P < 0.01). A history of bilateral inguinal hernia was significantly associated with incisional hernia (P < 0.05). Men and patients who were 65 years and older had a higher five-year incidence of incisional hernia (P < 0.01). Age ≥65 years, male gender, hypertension and past bilateral inguinal hernia repair double the risk for the development of incisional hernia (hazard ratio = 2.1. 2.2, 1.7 and 2.8, respectively). In conclusion, the five-year incidence of incisional hernia after vascular repair of AOD or AAA is 69.1%, and tends to occur late after vascular repair.

Introducing integrated laboratory classes in a PBL curriculum: impact on student’s learning and satisfaction

BackgroundWith the introduction of integrated problem-based learning (PBL) program in the medical curriculum, there is a need to create laboratory classes that suit students’ learning needs and the changes introduced to the curriculum. This paper outlines the development and implementation of four integrated laboratory classes (ILCs) at King Saud University College of Medicine. It also examines whether core concepts addressed in these classes were learned and retained and how the students perceived the ILCs.MethodsILCs are based on enhancing enquiry-based learning, and encouraging students to work on tasks in small groups (apply and integrate knowledge from biochemistry, pathology and microbiology) and conduct a laboratory procedure (practical part). In two of these ILCs, a pretest comprising 15 multiple-choice questions were administrated at the start of the class and an identical posttest was administrated at the end of these classes. Performance of the students in the Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) at the end of the blocks was also evaluated. Students’ perceptions were evaluated using a questionnaire completed at the end of each class.ResultsA total of 247, 252, 238, and 244 students participated in practical classes covering cerebrospinal fluid infection, small intestine, liver function tests and adrenal gland function, respectively. Students got higher scores in posttests compared to pre-test scores in two classes (12.68 ± 2.03 vs 6.58 ± 3.39 and 13.02 ± 2.03 vs 7.43 ± 2.68, respectively). Paired t-test showed that the difference was significant (P < 0.001) in both tests. The mean scores of students in stations dealing with ILCs at the end of the block examinations were not significantly different from the mean scores for other stations not related to ILCs. The questionnaire indicated that most students expressed positive attitude towards working on tasks and applying knowledge learnt. Students also felt that conducting laboratory procedures and interpreting laboratory findings were valuable to their learning.ConclusionsGiven the increase in the posttest scores (short-term retention) and the satisfactory performance of students at the end of block examinations (long-term retention) together with the students’ satisfaction, the study suggests that the core concepts addressed in these classes were learned and retained.

IL-17 Enhances Chemotaxis of Primary Human B Cells during Asthma

IL-17 is a pro-inflammatory mediator that is believed to play a critical role in regulating tissue inflammation during asthma, COPD, as well as other inflammatory disorders. The level of expression of IL-17 has been shown to be upregulated in lung bronchial tissue of asthmatic patients. Several reports have provided further evidence that this cytokine could play a key role in enhancing the migration of inflammatory as well as structural cells of the bronchial lung tissue during asthma and COPD. B cell infiltration to sites of inflammation during inflammatory disorders such as bowel disease, asthma and COPD has been reported. Accordingly, in this study we hypothesized that IL-17 may exert a chemotactic effect on primary B cells during asthma. We observed that B cells from asthmatic patients expressed significantly higher levels of IL-17RA and IL-17RC, compared to those of healthy subjects. Using an in-vitro migration assay, B cells were shown to migrate towards both IL-17A and IL-17F. Interestingly, blocking IL-17A and IL-17F signaling using either anti-IL-17R antibodies or MAP kinase inhibitors prevented in vitro migration of B cell towards IL-17. These observations indicate a direct chemotactic effect of IL-17 cytokines on primary peripheral blood B cells with higher effect being on asthmatic B cells. These findings revealed a key role for IL-17 in enhancing the migration of B cells to the lung tissue during asthma or COPD.

The use of thoracoscopy to enhance medical students' interest and understanding of thoracic anatomy

AIM: To develop a video-based educational tool designed for teaching thoracic anatomy and to examine whether this tool would increase students’ stimulation and motivation for learning anatomy. METHODS: Our video-based tool was developed by recording different thoracoscopic procedures focusing on intraoperative live thoracic anatomy. The tool was then integrated into a pre-existing program for first year medical students (n = 150), and included cadaver dissection of the thorax and review of clinical problem scenarios of the respiratory system. Students were guided through a viewing of the videotape that demonstrated live anatomy of the thorax (15 minutes) and then asked to complete a 5-point Likert-type questionnaire assessing the videos usefulness. Apart from this, a small group of entirely different set of students was divided into two groups, one group to view the 15-minute video presentation of thoracoscopy and chest anatomy and the other group to attend a 15-minute lecture of chest anatomy using radiological images. Both groups took a 10-item pretest and post-test multiple choice questions examination to assess short-term knowledge gained. RESULTS: Of 150 medical students, 119 completed the questionnaires, 88.6% were satisfied with the thoracoscopic video as a teaching tool, 86.4% were satisfied with the quality of the images, 69.2% perceived it to be beneficial in learning anatomy, 96.2% increased their interest in learning anatomy, and 88.5% wanted this new teaching tool to be implemented to the curriculum. Majority (80.7%) of the students increased their interest in surgery as a future career. Post-test scores were significantly higher in the thoracoscopy group (P = 0.0175). CONCLUSION: Incorporating live surgery using thoracoscopic video presentation in the gross anatomy teaching curriculum had high acceptance and satisfaction scores from first year medical students. The video increased students’ interest in learning, in clinically applying anatomic fact, and in surgery as a future career.

Mimicry of Minute Pulmonary Meningothelial-like Nodules to Metastatic Deposits in a Patient with Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Minute pulmonary meningothelial-like nodules (MPMNs) are incidentally found lesions in lung resection specimens and autopsies. MPMNs have been associated with neoplastic and non-neoplastic pulmonary conditions and occasionally with extrapulmonary diseases. We report a case of a female patient presenting with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast and MPMNs, masquerading as metastatic deposits. We describe the morphological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of MPMNs and emphasize the importance of their recognition for proper staging and treatment of patients. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the English literature describing this coexistence.

Continuous positive airway pressure ventilation during whole lung lavage for treatment of alveolar proteinosis -A case report and review of literature

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease that affects young population usually in the age group of 20-40 years, characterized by the deposition of lipoproteinacious material in the alveoli secondary to abnormal processing of surfactant by macrophages. We report a case of a 15-year-old female who had history of cough with sputum for 3 days along with fever. She was seen in another hospital and was treated as a case of pneumonia where she received antibiotic but with no improvement. Computerized tomography (CT) chest showed diffuse interlobular septal thickening in the background of ground glass opacity giving a picture of crazy paving pattern which was consistent with the diagnosis of PAP. The patient was scheduled to undergo, first right-sided whole lung lavage (WLL) under general anesthesia. Endobronchial intubation using left sided 37 Fr double lumen tube. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as described in our previously published report was connected to the right lumen of the endobronchial tube. CPAP ventilation was used during the suctioning of lavage fluid phase in order to improve oxygenation. WLL was done using 5 L of warm heparinized saline (500 i.u/litre). The same procedure was repeated on the left side using 6 L of heparinized normal saline solution. In conclusion, anesthesia in alveolar proteinosis for patients undergoing WLL is challenging to the anesthesiologist. It requires meticulous preoperative preparation with antibiotics, mucolytics and chest physiotherapy. Also it requires careful intraoperative monitoring and proper oxygenation especially during the suctioning phase of the lavaged fluid. With this second case report of successful anesthetic management using the modified CPAP system we recommend with confidence the application of CPAP ventilation to improve oxygenation during WLL.

A novel technique for the reconstruction of resected sternoclavicular joints: A case report with a review of the literature.

Sternal metastasis in thyroid cancer is an uncommon occurrence with only a handful of cases of chest wall resections being done. Sternal reconstruction for both primary and secondary tumors has been performed using various techniques and materials such as the mesh, methyl acrylate resin, and steel plates; however, this is a case of papillary thyroid cancer involving the sternum in a 50-year-old woman who had resection of the sternum with reconstruction using titanium bars and clips (STRATOS system) fixed to the clavicles with an underlying Proceed mesh. STRATOS system showed good recovery postoperatively. The functional results were excellent with the patient being able to perform all daily activities unassisted after 1 month and almost complete range of motion with acceptable limitations in power of the shoulder muscles after 2 months. We have reviewed all the English language publications of the subject by doing Medline search for the last 25 years and we present here the surgical management of this pathology with our novel approach by using the titanium steel bars to stabilize both medial aspects of the resected clavicles as a promising therapy for manubrial reconstruction and clavicular fixation.

Is it safe to use frova airway intubating device during tracheal intubation in difficult airway patient with multiple and chest trauma

Traumatic chest injury is one of the leading causes of death in motor vehicle accident (MVA). A complete tracheobronchial injury occurred in 1% of trauma cases and most of the cases died before arrival to the emergency department. We report a 37-year-old female involved in MVA presented to the emergency room (ER) with normal vital signs. Ten minutes later, her saturation dropped to 75%, which required ventilation; however, two attempts for endotracheal intubation failed. The third time frova airway intubating introducer used and succeeded. Immediately after tracheal intubation, the patient started to have extensive subcutaneous emphysema and severe hypoxia; chest X-ray showed right side tension pneumothorax which was not relieved by a chest tube insertion. Bronchoscopy confirmed total transection of the right main bronchus and lower tracheal laceration and injury. Emergency thoracotomy and repair of both trachea and the right main bronchus were successful.

Unusual case of inhaled metallic dental bur during dental procedure in a healthy adult.

Bronchial foreign body aspiration (BFBA) is not a rare incident in children. It can be managed successfully with flexible bronchoscopy in most of the cases, except for some cases, which require rigid bronchoscopy or even surgical intervention such as thoracotomy. Here, we report an unusual case of BFBA of metallic dental bur in a healthy 24-year-old dental nurse assistant, who was herself undergoing a dental procedure to remove dental caries, and suddenly the foreign body which was “diamond metallic dental bur” has slipped into her mouth and was aspirated to the bronchial tree. It was successfully removed 5 days after the incident using rigid and fiberoptic bronchoscopy with full recovery.