American journal of surgery
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The field of simulation-based procedural education in medicine is undergoing rapid development, with significant improvements in both graphic and tactile fidelity. As a consequence, the use of simulation for competency assessment and credentialing is evolving rapidly. Establishing the conceptual framework for developing such assessments using simulation is becoming critical to the expansion of simulation-based education and assessment in medicine. ⋯ An alternative methodology of standards setting involving the use of benchmarking may be more appropriate to assessing critical procedural skills. Although much of the existing simulation literature (and practice) implicitly uses benchmarking methods, the conceptual framework that justifies its use has not been discussed explicitly. Finally, the development of clinical benchmarks as the standards-setting mechanism for procedural simulation-based learning, feedback, and assessment will be critical to establishing the clinical relevance of simulation.
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The study aim was to determine the accuracy of axillary ultrasound (AUS) and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)/needle core biopsy in axillary breast cancer staging. ⋯ AUS-guided FNAB/needle core biopsy is accurate in predicting the status of the axilla in 70% of clinically node-negative breast cancer patients. This technique is minimally invasive with a low complication rate and can obviate the need for staged lymph node procedures.