Postgraduate medical journal
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Educators and researchers are reliant upon access to data to drive teaching methods, curricular improvements, and progress in medical education research. However, data are not always accessible, due to resource constraints, institutional policies, and privacy concerns. Researchers have attempted to access novel data sources through surveys, semistructured interviews, and databases; however, these methodologies are limited. ⋯ To increase awareness of this underutilized methodology, we summarize the process of FOI Act requests, its strengths and weaknesses, and the ways in which health professions education can leverage FOI requests within research. We provide examples of the use of FOI requests as a research method within adjacent fields and nascent use within the field of health professions research. In doing so, we hope to highlight how FOI requests can be a useful tool in health professions education researchers and its potential to increase access to unique data sources.
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Our experience in the Australian context is that medical students and clinicians receive minimal exposure to anatomical pathology throughout the course of their training. In this paper, we bring this topic to light by describing the process of converting an intact specimen into glass slides for microscopic analysis. We also explain how a pathological report is composed, along with brief discussions about ancillary tests, such as immunohistochemistry, special stains, and molecular testing. Our main goal is to familiarize clinicians with anatomical pathology in order to improve communication between clinicians and pathologists, as well as improve the quality of testing and patient care.
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, with pathogenesis involving genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. Recent advancements in imaging techniques have provided valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of RLS. ⋯ White matter changes provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of RLS, enhancing our understanding of the disorder and potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies.
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In "The Alternative Fairytale," I explore my journey as a cardiology registrar/fellow, a path influenced deeply by my early displacement from war-torn Sudan. This piece reflects on the interplay between my professional choices and personal identity amidst the backdrop of a male-dominated field and societal expectations. It examines how my roots in a family that once fled conflict have shaped my approach to medicine-emphasizing community, empathy, and a leadership style that diverges from traditional norms. Through this narrative, I aim to redefine and help others to reflect on what success looks like in cardiology and medicine; advocating for diversity in leadership styles and highlight the importance of personal background in shaping professional paths.
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Multicenter Study
Temporal relationship between sarcoidosis and malignancies in a nationwide cohort of 1942 patients.
To investigate the phenotype of sarcoidosis according to the time when a malignancy is diagnosed (preexisting to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, concomitant, or sequential) and to identify prognostic factors associated with malignancies in a large cohort of patients with sarcoidosis. ⋯ It is essential to consider the synchronous or metachronous timing of the diagnosis of malignancies in people with sarcoidosis. We found that half of the malignancies were diagnosed after a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, with spleen and bone marrow involvement associated with a four to eight times higher risk of developing hematological malignancies. Key messages What is already known on this topic Malignancies are one of the comorbidities more frequently encountered in people with sarcoidosis What this study adds Malignancies occur in 12% of patients with sarcoidosis Malignancy may precede, coincide with, or follow the diagnosis of sarcoidosis One-third were identified before sarcoidosis, and half were diagnosed after Spleen and bone marrow involvement are risk factors for developing hematological malignancies How this study might affect research, practice or policy Patients with sarcoidosis should be regularly monitored for neoplasms, informed of the increased risk, and educated on early detection. Those with spleen or bone marrow involvement must be closely followed.