Ugeskrift for laeger
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The achievements of medical students are decisively dependent on the method of evaluation during their education. Frequent testing of these achievements by well-defined (cross-specialized) problems (involving cases) enables the student to quickly correct own knowledge- or skills-deficiencies, while the relevance of the curriculum is further visualized. ⋯ An insufficient individual performance graded by known minimal specific standards entails a feedback session with a counsellor who pin-points defects in the student's knowledge and suggests methods for correction. This form of evaluation is expected to be costly, but is a necessity to improve the quality of the graduating medical students.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Jan 1999
[Antibiotic prophylaxis in adult critically ill patients in intensive care units].
To determine whether antibiotic prophylaxis reduces respiratory tract infections (RTI) and overall mortality in an unselected adults intensive care population. ⋯ After 15 years of clinical research this meta-analysis of 32 RCTs shows that a regimen of antibiotic prophylaxis based on a combination of a systemic and topical antibiotic can reduce both RTIs and overall mortality in ICU patients in a way that is both statistically significant and humanly worthwhile. Over and above their personal opinions intensivists should take this evidence into account when defining their policies.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Dec 1998
Review[Is the randomized controlled trial overvalued as a basis for clinical decision-making? A review with comments].
The randomized controlled trial (RCT) may have considerable limitations in clinical research. Lacking the possibility of blinding impairs the internal validity of the trials. The external validity is often impaired, as results of RCTs obtained in an ideal situation, may be difficult to generalize to a clinical routine situation. ⋯ Quasi-experimental studies have varying degrees of problems with internal validity but are necessary contributions to our knowledge of the effect of treatment in clinical routine situations. Limitations of the usefulness of RCTs as well as pragmatic and quasi-experimental studies in clinical research make it necessary to recognise that different methods complement one another. Research in development of RCTs and new methods in clinical research should be encouraged.
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MR examination was performed in 20 patients clinically suspected of having a fracture of the scaphoid bone. The patients also followed the normal routine with conventional radiographs in the acute fase and after 10-12 days. ⋯ MR further showed four fractures, five bone contusions (bone bruise) and lesions of the soft tissues in 75% of the patients. In patients with suspected fracture of the scaphoid, MR seems to be the best primary imaging method and displays a wide range of lesions.