Applying educational theory in practice.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
David M Kaufman
Publications and source records attributed to David M Kaufman.
Effect of pentosan polysulfate therapy on intravesical potassium sensitivity.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate further the intravesical potassium sensitivity test (PST) as an indicator of the epithelial leak of interstitial cystitis (IC) and determine whether successful pentosan polysulfate (PPS; Elmiron) treatment is associated with a change in PST results. Most individuals with IC appear to have an abnormally permeable epithelium that allows urinary solutes such as potassium to penetrate to the bladder interstitium, provoking symptoms. METHODS: Data were from an optimal dose trial of PPS in IC. Patients underwent a PST before and after a 32-week trial of 300, 600, or 900 mg PPS/day. The response to PPS treatment was measured using the Patient Overall Rating of Improvement in Symptoms scale. The before and after treatment PSTs and Patient Overall Rating of Improvement of Symptoms scores were compared. RESULTS: Of 377 patients with IC at 28 centers, 302 (80%) had a positive PST at entry. Of the 198 patients who completed the study, 153 were PST positive at entry and 92 (60%) showed clinical improvement at exit. Clinically improved patients had significant improvement on the PST analog pain and urgency scales (3.2 to 1.3 and 3.6 to 1.9, respectively; P <0.0001). In contrast, patients with no clinical improvement had no significant change in pain (3.1 to 2.7) or urgency (3.6 to 3.2). CONCLUSIONS: PST shows abnormal epithelial permeability in most patients with IC and a significant reduction in this permeability after successful PPS therapy. PST appears to be a valid indicator of epithelial abnormality and a reliable test in the diagnosis of IC.
Administration, Intravesical↗
Implementing a communication skills programme in medical school: needs assessment and programme change.
INTRODUCTION: Communication skills training (CST) in medicine, once considered a minor subject, is now ranked a core clinical skill. To assess the state of formal and informal CST at Dalhousie Medical School a needs assessment was undertaken in 1997 with the goal of using these findings to plan and implement a new communication skills curriculum. OBJECTIVES: This article briefly describes the relevant findings of the needs assessment, the subsequent development of an integrated cross curriculum CST programme, and early programme evaluation results. METHOD: Surveys were completed by undergraduates at the end of pre-clinical (n=65), and clinical phases (n=82), residents (n=54), and faculty (n=117). Results revealed learners' and faculty's appreciation of the importance of CST, learners' assessment of training weaknesses in the delivery of CST, learners' weakness in higher order patient--doctor communication skills, and faculty weakness in assessing learners' communication skills competency. The results also indicated that CST was generally not being addressed either formally or informally in clinical medical education. RESULTS: The paper describes and discusses the subsequent implementation (beginning in 1998) of CST into the medical school curriculum. There is a description of programme development and evaluation at the pre-clinical, clerkship and postgraduate levels, a description and discussion of faculty development, and discussion of the importance of financial and administrative support for the programme. CONCLUSION: Programme evaluation results at all levels are positive.
Clinical Competence↗