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eating assistive technology provision as described in this paper impacts the ability of individuals living with an SCI to participate as equal members of society. A review of wheelchair provision is essential to optimize access to services for appropriate wheelchairs. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION As a basic human right, appropriate wheelchair and seating assistive technology provision facilitates people's optimal independence, health and well-being, social engagement, and participation in everyday life. The development of adequate wheelchair services should be a priority area for individuals with SCI who use wheelchair and seating assistive technology. National wheelchair and seating assistive technology provision policies in alignment with internationally developed best practice guidelines to provide equal access to services which include assessment, delivery, training, maintenance, and follow-up are essential.Cricopharyngeal spasm and pharyngeal pouch can result in severe dysphagia symptoms that can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. Several surgical interventions have been demonstrated including balloon dilatation, botox injection, and open and endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy. The aim of this case series is to describe our technique for endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy and compare pre- and postoperative swallowing outcomes using objective swallowing questionnaires in a small series of patients. Seven patients diagnosed with cricopharyngeal spasm or grade 1 pharyngeal pouch on barium swallow were prospectively observed. MD Anderson Dysphagia inventory (MDADI) and Dysphagia handicap index (DHI) were given to patients before and after their operation. All patients underwent the same surgical technique with the cricopharyngeal bar divided and the defect closed with dissolvable sutures. Mean inpatient stay was 7 days (range 1-8) and mean time to resumption of soft diet was 4 (range 1-7) days. All patients resumed oral diet before discharge. MDADI scores showed improvement across all domains, however only the emotional score achieved statistical significance (P = .04). Dysphagia handicap index scores showed a statistically significant improvement across functional, emotional, and total domains. Postoperative chest infection treated with oral antibiotics occurred in 3 patients (43%) and no other complications were documented. In conclusion, endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy with primary sutured endoscopic closure can result in a significant benefit to patient's swallowing symptoms, emotional well-being, and quality of life.
The recent introduction of 445 nm blue laser to office-based laryngology presents potential advantages. These include a desirable combination of cutting and photoangiolytic qualities and a lightweight, shock-resistant design. Despite its increasing use, current evidence is limited to experimental data and case reports.
The authors present a case series and overview of office blue laser transnasal flexible laser surgery (TNFLS), considering indications, patient selection, safety, technique, and surgical outcomes. We also review the safety and relevance of TNFLS to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Retrospective case series and narrative review. Our primary outcome measure was preoperative and postoperative Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) score. Complications were documented by nature and severity.
Thirty-six cases of office blue laser TNFLS were performed. A statistically significant improvement in VHI-10 score was demonstrated in cases of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) and benign laryngeal lications.We explored the associations of gender expression with childhood gender expression, sexual identity, and demographic characteristics in a representative sample of the U.S. population aged 18 to 65 years (N = 1277), using data from the 2015 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior. As expected, gay men were less gender conforming than heterosexual men. However, among women, persons with a bisexual identity were less gender conforming compared to heterosexual and lesbian persons. In multivariate analyses, childhood gender expression trumped the role of sexual identity. In terms of demographic characteristics, gender conformity seemed to be more present among persons with positions with less social status in terms of age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and relationship status. Finally, we found among both men and women, that a large proportion saw themselves as more masculine or feminine than men and women on average, respectively, suggesting that accentuating one's gender conformity has a psychological function.The Color Trails Test (CTT) is a neuropsychological measure assessing for frontal and executive functioning, while also minimizing the cultural and language barriers inherent in similar measures such as the Trail Making Test (TMT). This study establishes convergent validity for the CTT in the Indian population by comparing participant performance on the CTT and TMT. It also generates culturally appropriate normative data for CTT-Form A among the Indian adult population. Six-hundred and sixty-nine cognitively healthy, community-dwelling individuals between ages 18 and 69 participated in the study and were stratified based on age, gender, and educational attainment. Participant performance on the CTT and TMT were correlated to establish convergent validity. Strong correlation was found between TMT-A and CTT-1 (r = 0.61) and between TMT-B and CTT-2 (r = 0.66). An analysis of variance test was used to determine the mean and standard deviation for each stratified participant group. check details Further analysis found that age and educational attainment significantly impact participant performance on CTT-1 [F(4, 649) = 4.395, p = 0.002], whereas gender, age, and educational attainment significantly impact participant performance on CTT-2 [F(4,649) = 2.446, p = 0.045]. Normative data generated from this study has important clinical implications and contributes to the growing body of culturally appropriate normative data available for the Indian population.
Standard treatment guidelines improve patient outcomes, including disease-specific survival, in cancer care. The African Cancer Coalition was formed in 2016 to harmonize cancer treatment guidelines for sub-Saharan Africa.
The African Cancer Coalition collaborated with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Cancer Society to harmonize 46 cancer treatment guidelines for use in sub-Saharan Africa. Harmonization for each guideline was completed by a group of approximately 6-10 African cancer experts from a range of specialties and with representation across resource levels. Each working group was chaired by an African oncologist and included a member of the appropriate NCCN guidelines panel. Treatment recommendations from the parent guidelines were distinguished as options that are generally available and should be considered standard care in most of the region or as highly advanced options for which cost or other resources may limit widespread availability. Additional recommendatio standardize and improve cancer care in Africa.
The objective of this review was to synthesise studies which address the views of healthcare professionals (HCPs) towards patients with functional neurological disorder (FND).
An interpretive systematised review was conducted. Seven databases were searched using a comprehensive search strategy (MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health, and Scopus). Qualitative studies and those using survey methods were included. An inductive approach to thematic analysis was used to identify concepts from the data and to synthesise the results.
The views of 2769 HCPs were represented in 11 included articles. The overarching theme across the articles was uncertainty about making the diagnosis of FND, about professional roles, and about optimum management. Fear was also a common theme of saying the wrong thing, of offending patients, or of breaking the therapeutic relationship.
If all HCPs felt uncertain about how to manage patients with FND and avoided them by passing them on to anocation skills, both with their patients and fellow healthcare professionals.
To examine the impact of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) on breast cancer treatment decisions and adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCCN) guidelines.
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 1,977 patients at high risk for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer from the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology. Ten oncologists provided blinded treatment recommendations for an average of 198 patients before and after viewing therapeutic options offered by the CDSS. Univariable and bivariable analyses of treatment changes were performed, and multivariable logistic regressions were estimated to examine the effects of physician experience (years), patient age, and receptor subtype/TNM stage.
Treatment decisions changed in 105 (5%) of 1,977 patients and were concentrated in those with hormone receptor (HR)-positive disease or stage IV disease in the first-line therapy setting (73% and 58%, respectively). Logistic regressions showed that decision changes were more lilogy.
Use of an artificial intelligence-based CDSS had a significant impact on treatment decisions and NCCN guideline adherence in HR-positive breast cancers. Although cases of stage IV disease in the first-line therapy setting were also more likely to be changed, the effect was not statistically significant (P = .22). Additional research on decision impact, patient-physician communication, learning, and clinical outcomes is needed to establish the overall value of the technology.
Inefficiencies in the clinical trial infrastructure result in protracted trial completion timelines, physician-investigator turnover, and a shrinking skilled labor force and present obstacles to research participation. Taken together, these barriers hinder scientific progress. Technological solutions to improve clinical trial efficiency have emerged, yet adoption remains slow because of concerns with cost, regulatory compliance, and implementation.
A prospective pilot study that compared regulatory-compliant digital and traditional wet ink paper signatures was conducted over a 6.5-month period in a hospital-based health system. Staff time and effort, error rate, costs, and time to completion were measured. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare staff time and time to completion. A value analysis was conducted. A survey was administered to measure user satisfaction.
There where 96 participants (47 digital, 49 paper), 132 studies included (31 digital, 101 paper), and 265 documents processed (156 dig and regulatory burden as represented by staff hours. Additional cost and time savings and information liquidity could be realized by integrating digital signatures and electronic document management systems.
Unplanned health care encounters (UHEs) such as emergency room visits can occur commonly during cancer chemotherapy treatments. Patients at an increased risk of UHEs are typically identified by clinicians using performance status (PS) assessments based on a descriptive scale, such as the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale. Such assessments can be bias prone, resulting in PS score disagreements between assessors. We therefore propose to evaluate PS using physical activity measurements (eg, energy expenditure) from wearable activity trackers. Specifically, we examined the feasibility of using a wristband (band) and a smartphone app for PS assessments.
We conducted an observational study on a cohort of patients with solid tumor receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Patients were instructed to wear the band for a 60-day activity-tracking period. During clinic visits, we obtained ECOG scores assessed by physicians, coordinators, and patients themselves. UHEs occurring during the activity-tracking period plus a 90-day follow-up period were later compiled.