Postgraduate medical journal
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The relation between body mass index (BMI) and coronary artery disease (CAD) extension remains controversial. A new score was developed to estimate body fat percentage (BFP) known as Relative Fat Mass (RFM) Index. This study aimed to evaluate the value of RFM Index in predicting the severity of the CAD, compared with other anthropometric measurements. ⋯ RFM Index is a more reliable and compatible marker of obesity in showing the severity of CAD compared to BMI.
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COVID-19 led to the widespread withdrawal of face-to-face hospital-based clinical placements, with many medical schools switching to online learning. This precipitated concern about potential negative impact on clinical and interprofessional skill acquisition. To overcome this problem, we piloted a 12-week COVID-19 safe face-to-face clinical placement for 16 medical students at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Students described improved critical thinking, group cohesion, teamwork, self-confidence, self-worth and communication skills. This article describes a framework for the safe and effective delivery of a longer face-to-face apprenticeship-based clinical placement during an infectious disease pandemic. Longer apprenticeship-style attachments have hidden benefits to general professional training, which should be explored by medical schools both during the COVID-19 pandemic and, possibly, for any future clinical placements.
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Older adults are more likely to be vitamin D deficient. The aim of the study was to determine whether these patients have worse outcomes with COVID-19. ⋯ Older adults with vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 may demonstrate worse morbidity outcomes. Vitamin D status may be a useful prognosticator.