Building an academic tobacco control program while forging links with practice: the University of Washington Tobacco Studies Program. (57/304)

Despite the tremendous impact that tobacco use and tobacco smoke exposure have on morbidity, mortality, and health disparities, few schools of public health in the U.S. offer courses of study on tobacco control or make it a priority in their curricula. An academic concentration in tobacco studies and a master's-level scholarship program were developed at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine to support and encourage students to pursue tobacco-related coursework, seminars, internships, and thesis work. This article discusses the goals, strategies, and accomplishments of the programs, emphasizing a collaborative approach between the university and state and local health departments, nongovernmental agencies, and research organizations as instrumental to the program's success and ultimate continuation.  (+info)

Scientific production of research fellows at the Zagreb University School of Medicine, Croatia. (58/304)

AIM: To evaluate scientific production among research fellows employed at the Zagreb University School of Medicine and identify factors associated with their scientific output. METHOD: We conducted a survey among research fellows and their mentors during June 2005. The main outcome measure was publication success, defined for each fellow as publishing at least 0.5 articles per employment year in journals indexed in the Current Contents bibliographic database. Bivariate methods and binary logistic regression were used in data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 117 fellows (response rate 95%) and 83 mentors (100%) were surveyed. The highest scientific production was recorded among research fellows employed in public health departments (median 3.0 articles, interquartile range 4.0), compared with those from pre-clinical (median 0.0, interquartile range 2.0) and clinical departments (median 1.0, interquartile range 2.0) (Kruskal-Wallis, P =0.003). A total of 36 (29%) research fellows published at least 0.5 articles per employment year and were considered successful. Three variables were associated with fellows' publication success: mentor's scientific production (odds ratio [OR], 3.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-7.53), positive mentor's assessment (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.10-9.05), and fellows' undergraduate publication in journals indexed in the Current Contents bibliographic database (OR, 4.05; 95% CI, 1.07-15.34). CONCLUSION: Undergraduate publication could be used as one of the main criteria in selecting research fellows. One of the crucial factors in a fellow's scientific production and career advancement is mentor's input, which is why research fellows would benefit most from working with scientifically productive mentors.  (+info)

Optical coherence tomography: an assessment of current training across all levels of seniority in 8 ophthalmic units in the United Kingdom. (59/304)

BACKGROUND: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is becoming an increasingly integral part of ophthalmological clinical practice. The accurate interpretation of OCT images is important both in terms of diagnosis and in directing subsequent management. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical competence in OCT image interpretation of ophthalmologists in different subspecialties and grades. METHODS: Eight OCT images demonstrating a single macular pathology and two normal scans were selected by case notes review. These ten images were shown to thirty doctors and 10 non-medical staff from eight units. They were asked to identify each lesion, the average thickness of the lesion, and the axis at which the OCT was taken. One point was awarded for each correct answer. RESULTS: The mean scores for the correct qualitative identification of the OCT lesion (with a maximum score of 10) for different grades of doctors and non-medical staff were as follows: medical retinal consultants (MRC), 9 (range, 8-10); vitreoretinal consultants (VRC), 7 (range, 6-9); non-retinal consultants (NRC), 4 (range, 2-6); vitreoretinal fellows (VRF), 4 (range, 3-7); specialist registrars (SpR), 3 (range, 2-5); senior house officers (SHO), 4 (range, 3-6); orthoptists, 1 (range, 0-1); ancillary staff, 2 (range, 0-3). CONCLUSION: A wide range in the ability to accurately interpret OCT images has been demonstrated. All doctors would thereby benefit from further training in the interpretation of OCT scans.  (+info)

Developing critical mass and growing our own academics. (60/304)

Academic paediatrics is an exciting and rewarding career path but is not immune to the problems of recruitment and retention currently affecting most branches of medicine. The Modernising Medical Careers initiative, with its explicit academic training path, offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop novel schemes that promote recruitment and retention. Coordinated action is required to define, publicise and support the new academic training programmes and to attract the best trainees into them.  (+info)

Evaluation of a combined online and in person training in the use of buprenorphine. (61/304)

To evaluate buprenorphine training methodology, we surveyed physicians who had completed a combined online and in person buprenorphine curriculum. Of 53/70 (76%) survey respondents, 57% were psychiatrists and 40% generalists. On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 7 (superlative), the overall training rated a mean of 5.8. The online course (5.0) rated lower than in person training components (p < .001) except for material that addressed the logistics of office practice. The in person patient interview received the highest rating (mean 6.3, p < .001). The 67% of physicians who intended to prescribe buprenorphine after the training were more likely than hesitant physicians to agree that the course provided enough information (p < .05) and that telephone access to experienced providers would improve their confidence (p < .05). Physicians hesitant to prescribe cited lack of experience as the main barrier (41%), with 24% concerned about induction difficulty and reimbursement. Overall, physicians preferred in person instruction and may benefit from additional experiential training and support after curriculum participation.  (+info)

The status of academic general pediatrics: no longer endangered? (62/304)

Our study objective was to assess the current state of general academic pediatrics in the United States. A confidential survey of division directors was conducted. At the beginning and end of the survey period, programs were called to verify the director's name. Of 199 divisions surveyed, 119 were returned. The number of physician and nonphysician division faculty has grown from a mean of 12.1 (+/-8.2) and 1.7 (+/-1.8), respectively, 5 years ago to 15.6 (+/-11.7) and 2.1 (+/-2.6). Over a 15- to 18-month period, 21% of programs had a change in division director leadership. Over 90% of divisions rated the clinical care and education missions as "very important," with research and advocacy thus rated by 29% and 50%. Ninety-five percent of divisions have primary responsibility for residency continuity clinics, 51% residency program, and 64% medical student clerkship. The mean number of annual outpatient visits was 29,821 (26,487). Academic general pediatrics divisions have grown and play a large role in clinical care, education, and research at their institutions. There is a need for continued focus on recruitment, fellowship training, faculty development, and leadership development. Although these divisions are now well established, many continue to feel "endangered" because of funding uncertainties in supporting their missions.  (+info)

Adult nephrology fellowship training in the United States: trends and issues. (63/304)

This article reviews trends and issues related to adult nephrology fellowship education in the United States. The number of nephrology fellowship programs and trainees has continued to increase slowly despite limitations in funding of graduate medical education. The use of the Electronic Residency Application System has provided information for the first time on the number, demographics, and behavior of applicants that can be used as baseline data for tracking trends in fellowship applications and for formulating training policies. Issues that nephrology training programs face are discussed in this review: (1) A more stringent graduate medical education regulatory environment, (2) the use of the National Resident Matching Program to enhance the nephrology fellowship applicant selection process, (3) future nephrology workforce shortages, and (4) the continued subspecialization of nephrology. By working together, nephrology fellowship programs can overcome barriers that are raised by these issues and improve the fellowship training experience.  (+info)

Training future generations of mental health researchers: devising strategies for tough times. (64/304)

OBJECTIVE: The authors describe a junior faculty scholars program in a large academic department of psychiatry, designed to reduce attrition during the high-risk period of transition from post-doctoral fellowship to receipt of the first extramural research award. METHOD: Scholars receive 25% salary support for two years to enable their participation in a research survival skills practicum, mentored collection of pilot data, preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, and submission of K23 and K01 proposals. RESULTS: Of 22 junior faculty scholars appointed during the period of 1999-2004, 17 have submitted K award proposals. All were funded on either the first or second submission CONCLUSIONS: A program for junior faculty scholars can provide support for successfully navigating the critical and often difficult transition from post-doctoral fellowship to junior faculty. The program is expanding its efforts to assist K awardees in moving successfully along the developmental continuum (e.g., successful submission of R01, development of mentoring skills).  (+info)