Biomedical subjects

Emily J Berg

Publications and source records attributed to Emily J Berg.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

A quantitative composite scoring tool for orthopaedic residency screening and selection.

The ability to accurately screen and select orthopaedic resident applicants with eventual successful outcomes has been historically difficult. Many preresidency selection variables are subjective in nature and a more standardized objective scoring method seems desirable. A quantitative composite scoring tool (QCST) to be used in a standardized manner to help predict orthopaedic residency performance from application materials was developed. In 64 orthopaedic residents, four predictors (United States Medical Licensing Examination [USMLE] Part I scores, Alpha Omega Alpha status, junior year clinical clerkship honors grades, and the QCST score) were analyzed with respect to four residency outcomes assessments. The outcomes included three standardized assessments, the orthopaedic in-training examination scores (OITE), the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) written and oral examinations, and an internal outcomes assessment, attainment of satisfactory chief resident associate (CRA) status. Collectively, the QCST score had the strongest association as a predictor for all three standardized outcomes assessments (p < 0.001). Honors grades during junior years clinical clerkships was most strongly associated with satisfactory CRA status (p < 0.001). A composite scoring tool that is an effective predictor of orthopaedic resident outcomes can be developed. Additional work is still required to refine this scoring tool for orthopaedic residency screening and selection.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2005

Nicotine dependence treatment: perceived health status improvement with 1-year continuous smoking abstinence.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated change in health status as a function of change in smoking status among patients treated clinically for nicotine dependence by comparing overall perceived health status of patients who abstained from cigarettes for 1 year versus those who smoked continuously for 1 year. METHODS: Patients from the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center completed a quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-36) following their consultation for nicotine dependence (baseline). At 1 year post-intervention, patients were mailed a follow-up survey that included the SF-36 and items assessing interval smoking history. Study patients included those who self-reported continuous smoking (n=60) and those reporting continuous smoking abstinence for the entire follow-up year (n=146). Data from SF-36 scales at 1 year were analysed using analysis of covariance with baseline scale scores serving as covariates along with baseline characteristics that differed significantly between groups. RESULTS: Compared with those who continued to smoke, patients who were continuously abstinent from smoking for the entire year had more improvement in perceived health status for the SF-36 mental composite scale (P=0.009) and for the SF-36 subscales for role limitations (P<0.001 and P=0.017 for emotional and physical role limitations, respectively), social functioning (P=0.010) and general health (P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Smokers treated for nicotine dependence who stop smoking for a year report more improvement in-quality-of-life compared with those who continue to smoke.

Adult↗