Academics
September 7, 2023
The Limits of Education for Heart Health
We all know eating healthy and exercising is good for our hearts. But knowledge alone isn’t always enough to change behaviors. A recent study found educating patients about cardiovascular risks led to some improvement in meeting ideal health metrics. However, the changes fell far short of the goals set by the American Heart Association. This…
September 5, 2023
Incidental Detection of Giant Cell Arteritis in PET/CT Scans for Renal Carcinoma
A case study involving a 71-year-old male undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT scans for renal carcinoma staging revealed incidental findings of giant cell arteritis. The patient was administered 370 MBq of 18F-FDG, and the scan spanned from the base of the skull to the mid-thighs. Increased tracer uptake was observed throughout the aorta, corroborating the patient’s known…
September 4, 2023
Prompt Engineering: A Crucial Skill for Using AI Chatbots in Medical Education
A new study explores prompt engineering, a method to get the most useful responses from AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Properly crafted prompts yield good answers while poorly written ones give poor results. Although AI chatbots have potential for personalized learning and patient simulations, prompt engineering is key to overcoming inaccuracy and bias. This article provides…
September 3, 2023
The Role of Electrocardiography in Predicting Cardioversion Outcomes for Atrial Fibrillation
Cardioversion is a common treatment for atrial fibrillation, a cardiac arrhythmia affecting millions. However, the success of this procedure is not guaranteed and often depends on various factors such as patient age and existing heart conditions. Recent research has delved into the electrocardiographic markers that could serve as predictors for successful cardioversion. The study, although…
August 31, 2023
Going Beyond P-Values: A New Statistical Tool to Evaluate Research Findings
A recent study proposes an innovative statistical tool called the Robustness Index to quantify research findings’ fragility. As concern grows over issues reproducing published research, this new metric aims to provide a simple, interpretable measure of a study’s robustness against violations of assumptions. By examining how changing sample size affects significance, the Robustness Index adjusts…
August 30, 2023
Critically Evaluating Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials
When reviewing clinical research, we should carefully examine the methodology and potential biases, especially in industry-funded studies. A new editorial highlights concerns about a drug-maker-backed trial on a medication for diabetes. Despite claims of cardiovascular benefits, the analysis failed to correct for HbA1c. Selective reporting and marketing contractor involvement also raise red flags. While sponsorship…
August 29, 2023
Leveraging Blockchain for Smarter Healthcare
The healthcare industry is poised for disruption by blockchain technology. Combining blockchain’s secure data storage with IoT wearable devices creates immense potential to improve patient outcomes. Continuous health data from wearables could be recorded immutably on a blockchain ledger and analyzed by AI algorithms to enable real-time interventions. “Digital doctors” running smart contracts could monitor…
August 28, 2023
The Pros and Cons of ChatGPT in Medical Education
ChatGPT offers many potential benefits for medical education, including personalized learning, interactive patient simulations, and support with time management. However, ethical concerns exist around cheating, reduced human interaction, and misinformation risks. Educators must provide guidance and curate appropriate resources when integrating ChatGPT while promoting small-group learning and critical thinking skills. ChatGPT integration done responsibly can…
The Link Between Bioethics and Moral Injury in Healthcare
This perspective article proposes an important connection between bioethics and moral injury in healthcare. The authors argue that when clinicians witness violations of core bioethical principles like autonomy and justice, it can cause moral injury – emotional distress from compromised morality. They provide examples of how this happens routinely in medical settings. They suggest viewing…
August 26, 2023
Reducing Disease Risk by Choosing the Right Bathroom Stall
A new study examined which public bathroom stalls are used most often to determine the safest choice for reducing disease transmission. By observing bathroom stall usage in a public restroom, the researchers found the middle stall was used the least, likely due to offering less privacy. However, less frequent use means fewer people and lower…
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