Biomedical subjects

Anthony C Arnold

Publications and source records attributed to Anthony C Arnold.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Structured journal club as a tool to teach and assess resident competence in practice-based learning and improvement.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of the journal club as a tool to teach and assess competency in practice-based learning (PBL) and improvement among residents in ophthalmology. DESIGN: Interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Ophthalmology residents. SETTING: Three academic ophthalmology residency programs in the United States. METHODS: A survey was performed of self-assessed skills in PBL among residents in ophthalmology training before and after the implementation of a structured review checklist during a traditional resident journal club. The survey had 5 domains, including (A) appraise and assimilate evidence, (B) read a journal article critically, (C) use a systematic and standardized checklist, (D) apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods, and (E) maintain a self-documented written record of compliance. The respondents scored their ability (range, 1-5). RESULTS: The use of a structured journal club tool was associated with a statistically significant improvement in self-assessed ability in all 5 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Although validity, reliability, and long-term efficacy studies are necessary, the structured journal club is one method of teaching and assessing resident competency in PBL and improvement.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2005

Evolving management of optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To review the relation of optic neuritis to multiple sclerosis (MS) and the indications, modalities, and results of therapy for optic neuritis, for both visual and general neurologic function. DESIGN: Literature review and author's experience. METHODS: Analysis of both laboratory and clinical evidence supporting the use of corticosteroids, immunomodulation agents, and other modalities in the treatment of optic neuritis and MS. RESULTS: Although treatment of optic neuritis with corticosteroids may hasten visual recovery to a minor degree, it has no long-term beneficial effect on visual outcome. Optic neuritis is frequently the initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis. The risk of later development of clinically definite MS (CDMS) correlates with white matter demyelinative lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The role of corticosteroid therapy alone in reducing the risk of subsequent MS is unclear, but recent studies suggest that the combination of immunomodulation agents (IMAs) and corticosteroids significantly reduces the later development of MS. Current research indicates that, contrary to previous doctrine, axonal damage is an early finding in MS. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of MS after optic neuritis may be predicted. The use of corticosteroids and IMAs, particularly in those at substantial risk, reduces the frequency and severity of developing CDMS. Earlier, more aggressive therapy in optic neuritis may be proven to reduce permanent axonal injury and progressive disability in MS.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2003

Pathogenesis of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Based on histopathology, electron microscopic corrosion cast studies, optic nerve blood flow studies, and clinical data, the pathogenesis of idiopathic nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy includes the following features: (1) structurally crowded optic discs are predisposed; (2) laminar and retrolaminar regions are the most common locations for infarction; (3) there is flow impairment in the prelaminar optic disc during the acute phase; (4) lack of consistent choroidal flow impairment and the retrolaminar location of infarcts suggest vasculopathy within or distal to the paraoptic branches of the posterior choroidal arteries; (5) diabetes is the most consistently identified vasculopathic risk factor; (6) impaired autoregulation of the disc circulation by atherosclerosis, with a possible contribution from serotonin and endothelin-mediated vasospasm, may play a role; and (7) progression may be caused by secondary cell death after the initial ischemic insult or compression from cavernous degeneration and mechanical axonal distortion.

Corrosion Casting↗

PubMed2002

Treatment of ischemic optic neuropathy.

Ischemic damage of the optic nerve has no proven effective treatment. While ischemia related to vasculitis (arteritic) is treated with systemic corticosteroids, the primary goal is to prevent further damage, either in the affected or fellow eye. Thrombolytic or anticoagulation supplementive therapy may be considerations for the future. In the more common idiopathic (nonarteritic) form (NAION), multiple attempts at therapy, including systemic corticosteroids, anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, diphenylhydantoin, hyperbaric oxygen, and optic nerve sheath decompression have been unsuccessful. The use of levodopa has been proposed but is unproven. Megadose intravenous corticosteroid therapy has not been studied in a systematic way. Neuroprotective strategies are under intense investigation for optic neuropathies including NAION, and clinical trials in humans are in progress. Optic nerve regeneration studies are ongoing in animals. Prophylaxis in NAION is unproven.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diplopia after cataract surgery.

A 69-year-old man developed binocular, vertical diplopia after undergoing cataract extraction in both eyes. He had normal extraocular motility and a 2 prism diopter right hypertropia that was comitant but could not be relieved with overlying prisms. Funduscopy revealed an epiretinal membrane within the macula on the left more than the right. After his metamorphopsia worsened, and his visual acuity decreased to 20/40 in the left eye, he underwent pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the epiretinal membrane and his diplopia resolved. Macular pathology including epiretinal membranes and choroidal neovascular membranes may rarely cause binocular diplopia because of foveal displacement and rivalry between central and peripheral fusional mechanisms.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Using the Journal Club to teach and assess competence in practice-based learning and improvement: a literature review and recommendation for implementation.

The traditional journal club has historically been used to teach residents about critically reading and reviewing the literature in order to improve patient care. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies mandate requires that ophthalmology residency programs both teach and assess practice-based learning and improvement. A systematically conducted review of the literature regarding the use of the journal club in resident medical education was performed to define specific recommendations for implementation of a journal club tool. Selected best practices for a successful journal club were gleaned from the existing medical literature. These include the following: 1) the use of a structured review checklist, 2) explicit written learning objectives, and 3) a formalized meeting structure and process. The journal club might prove to be an excellent tool for the assessment of competencies like practice-based learning which may be difficult to assess by other means. Future study is necessary to determine if journal club can improve educational outcomes and promote lifelong competence in practice-based learning.

Clinical Competence↗