European journal of internal medicine
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Dec 2009
Approaches to professional behaviour assessment: tools in the professionalism toolbox.
There is general agreement that professionalism and professional behaviour should be (formatively and summatively) assessed, but consensus on how this should be done is still lacking. After discussing some of the remaining issues and questions regarding professionalism assessment, this article discusses the importance of qualitative comments to the assessment of professional behaviour, focuses on the currently most frequently used tools, as well as stresses the need for triangulation (combining) of these tools.
-
Given the changes in society we are experiencing, the increasing focus on patient centred care and acknowledgment that medical education needs to continue not only in the residency programmes but throughout the doctors career, is not surprising. This article describes the attention currently paid to professionalism in the residency programmes, differences in perception of professionalism between patients, faculty, students and residents, differences in professionalism issues in the different educational phases, as well as their consequences for training and assessment regarding professionalism. Continuous medical education in professionalism is thereafter briefly discussed.
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Nov 2009
Risk factors for delirium tremens in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome in a hospital setting.
The clinical expressions of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) may vary and the factors determining these variations are not well-known. It would be useful to have a set of clinical tools capable of predicting which patients are likely to develop the more severe forms of the syndrome. ⋯ Three clinical findings (seizures, blood pressure and temperature) can aid in identifying patients with AWS who are likely to develop DTs. The model's predictive capacity is not high.
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Nov 2009
Comparative StudyUpper limb musculoskeletal abnormalities and poor metabolic control in diabetes.
An increased prevalence of musculoskeletal disease is recognised in diabetes and is a common source of disability. It is known to predominantly affect the upper limbs especially the hand and shoulder. The relationship with other complications of diabetes and glycaemic control is uncertain. We designed this study to clarify these relationships, and to assess differences between types 1 and 2 diabetes. ⋯ Upper limb locomotor abnormalities are very common in diabetes and are associated with worse glycaemic control and more diabetic complications. Assessment of upper limb locomotor disease in diabetes should include an estimate of glycaemic control and a search for other complications.