Postgraduate medical journal
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Observational Study
Characteristics of Japanese physician influencers on Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic and fact-checking their tweets on COVID-19-related drugs.
During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, segments of the public relied on social media platforms such as Twitter for medical information shared by medical personnel. Although physicians are likely to disseminate more accurate information on Twitter than non-medical individuals, it cannot be taken for granted. As such, tweets written by physicians in Japan should also be scrutinized for accuracy. ⋯ Except for one tweet, tweets written and retweeted by Japanese physician influencers concerning the COVID-19-related drugs contained predominantly accurate information.
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Research funding disparities contribute to clinical academic workforce inequalities. Hence, our study explores the association between student demographics and research grant application rates and outcomes among UK medical students. ⋯ What is already known on this topic Research funding for post-PhD researchers is believed to be a major driver of gender and ethnic inequalities in the clinical academic workforce.Students who receive research grants are more likely to receive postgraduate research grants.What this study adds Black students applied for more research grants than white students, but there were no ethnic differences in the odds of securing a grant.There were no gender differences in the research grant application rates. However, female students had greater odds of securing research grants compared to male students.How this study might affect research, practice or policy Medical schools should incorporate grant writing skills into the undergraduate research curriculum. Also, to sustain women's academic success post medical school, the NIHR and affiliates should provide research award extensions and childcare support for women when required.
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The United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) faces a mounting workforce crisis, with compensation being a focal point of discontent. This editorial explores the real-term erosion of doctors' salaries in the UK, using the Retail Price Index as a more comprehensive measure of inflation. ⋯ Economic considerations debunk common counterarguments against pay restoration, emphasising the broader implications for healthcare delivery and societal well-being. The editorial concludes by advocating for policy measures to address this pay disparity as both an economic imperative and a strategic necessity to sustain the NHS.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Risk factors for thromboembolic events in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia in a general ward and requiring treatment with oxygen.
To assess risk factors for arterial and venous thromboses (AVT) in patients hospitalized in general wards for COVID-19 pneumonia and requiring oxygen therapy. ⋯ Among patients hospitalized in general wards for COVID-19 pneumonia during the first wave of the epidemic, diabetes (but not obesity) and a high CRP level were risk factors for AVT. The use of higher doses of anticoagulant in these high-risk patients could be considered.