Postgraduate medical journal
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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed forever the way we do certain things. Although the race for a cure and vaccine has taken centre stage, traditional face-to-face medical education has slowly metamorphosised in the background to a virtual world with innumerable webinars, virtual tutorials and lectures in the World Wide Web. Despite this seemingly 'perfect' solution, there remains a hidden cost. ⋯ More emphasis may need to be placed on the creation of learning communities rather than lecture-based curricula. Hybrid curricula or conferences may become the future norm. As we slowly move out of lockdown into a changed world and new ways of doing things, lessons learnt can be harnessed for future hybrid models that can combine the best of technology and physical teaching to reduce worldwide inequalities.
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Statin use is associated with decreased COVID mortality.
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CT is widely used for diagnosis, staging and management of cancer. The presence of metastasis has significant implications on treatment and prognosis. ⋯ A total of 29 studies were included which could be grouped together into three areas of research: the use of deep learning on the detection of metastatic disease from CT imaging, characterisation of lesions on CT into metastasis and prediction of the presence or development of metastasis based on the primary tumour. In conclusion, DL in CT image analysis could have a potential role in evaluating metastatic disease; however, prospective clinical trials investigating its clinical value are required.
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death across the world. CVD can lead to angina, heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, and eventually, death; among many other serious conditions. The early intervention with those at a higher risk of developing CVD, typically with statin treatment, leads to better health outcomes. ⋯ In this review, we will analyse and explain the CPMs currently in use with comparisons to their developing ML counterparts. We have found that although the newest non-ML CPMs are effective, ML-based approaches consistently outperform them. However, improvements to the literature need to be made before ML should be implemented over current CPMs.
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One of the many challenges facing doctors in training during the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant reduction in postgraduate medical education in the form of formal teaching. Consequently, we sought to provide a blended and asynchronous teaching programme that would be delivered to anaesthetic trainees preparing for their postgraduate examinations. Six sessions of 90-minute duration were delivered during the months July, August and September 2020. ⋯ Evaluation was via qualitative and quantitative means using preset questions using the Likert scale and a free-text comments box. The results demonstrated positive feedback across all sessions with particular relevance to the interactive element of the course, the content and delivery. This article describes the requirement for a method of continuing postgraduate medical education in an era where traditional face-to-face teaching is not possible and how the introduction of various innovative educational applications and resources can be used to further postgraduate medical education in the future.