Medical Trainees' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Electronic Cigarettes and Hookah: A Multinational Survey Study

BACKGROUND

The rising prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) and hookah use among youth raises questions about medical trainees' views of these products. We aimed to investigate medical trainees' knowledge and attitudes toward e-cigarette and hookah use.

METHODS

We used data from a large cross-sectional survey of medical trainees in Brazil, the United States, and India. We investigated demographic and mental health aspects, history of e-cigarettes and tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes toward e-cigarettes and hookah, and sources of information on e-cigarettes and hookah. Although all medical trainees were eligible for the original study, only senior students and physicians-in-training were included in the present analysis.

RESULTS

Of 2,036 senior students and physicians-in-training, 27.4% believed e-cigarette use to be less harmful than tobacco smoking. As for hookah use, 14.9% believed it posed a lower risk than cigarettes. More than a third of trainees did not acknowledge the risks of passive e-cigarette use (42.9%) or hookah smoking (35.1%). Also, 32.4% endorsed e-cigarettes to quit smoking, whereas 22.5% felt ill equipped to discuss these tobacco products with patients. Fewer than half recalled attending lectures on these topics, and their most common sources of information were social media (54.5%), Google (40.8%), and friends and relatives (40.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Medical trainees often reported incorrect or biased perceptions of e-cigarettes and hookah, resorted to unreliable sources of information, and lacked the confidence to discuss the topic with patients. An expanded curriculum emphasis on e-cigarette and hookah use might be necessary because failing to address these educational gaps could risk years of efforts against smoking normalization.

Vaping and Hookah Use Among Medical Trainees: A Multinational Survey Study

The increased use of E-cigarettes and hookah among young consumers represents a public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and patterns of use of E-cigarettes and hookah among medical trainees. This cross-sectional multinational online survey included medical students, residents, and fellows in Brazil, the U.S., and India between October 2020 and November 2021. Information on sociodemographics; mental health; and E-cigarettes, hookah, tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol use were collected. Generalized structural equation models were used in 2022 to explore the factors associated with current vaping and current hookah use (ongoing monthly/weekly/daily use). People reporting previous sporadic/frequent use or those who never used/only tried it once were the reference group. Overall, 7,526 participants were recruited (Brazil=3,093; U.S.=3,067; India=1,366). The frequency of current vaping was 20% (Brazil), 11% (U.S.), and <1% (India), and current hookah use was 10% (Brazil), 6% (U.S.), and 1% (India). Higher family income (OR=6.35, 95% CI=4.42, 9.12), smoking cigarettes (OR=5.88, 95% CI=4.88, 7.09) and marijuana (OR=2.8, 95% CI=2.35, 3.34), and binge drinking (OR=3.03, 95% CI=2.56, 3.59) were associated with current vaping. The same was true for hookah use: higher family income (OR=2.69, 95% CI=1.75, 4.14), smoking cigarettes (OR=3.20, 95% CI=2.53, 4.06), smoking marijuana (OR=4.17, 95% CI=3.35, 4.19), and binge drinking (OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.96, 2.99). In conclusion, E-cigarettes and hookah were frequently used by Brazilian and American trainees, sharply contrasting with data from India. Cultural aspects and public health policies may explain the differences among countries. Addressing the problems of hookah and E-cigarette smoking in this population is relevant to avoid the renormalization of smoking.

Physical fitness, hormonal profile, nutritional and psychological aspects assessment of transgender women volleyball players submitted to physical tests: protocol paper of a prospective cohort

To evaluate aerobic capacity, strength and other physiological, nutritional, and psychological variables which may influence the performance of transgender women (TW) athletes and compare them to cisgender women (CW) and cisgender men (CM) athletes, as well as changes in TW performance over the course of a year. Prospective cohort study including three groups: TW, CW and CM volleyball athletes. Subjects will be comprehensively assessed at two different moments: baseline and after 6-12 months of adequate hormonal therapy. Evaluation will comprise clinical, medical, nutritional and psychological interviews, incremental treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing, hand grip strength test, vertical jump test, analysis of sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), hormonal profile, echocardiogram, analysis of resting energy expenditure, assessment of bone mass and body composition through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and untargeted metabolomic analysis. CW and CM matched by age, body mass index and level of physical activity will undergo a similar evaluation. The assessment of the strength, aerobic capacity, haematological, nutritional and psychological status of TW using gold-standard tests will contribute to understanding the impact of oestrogen therapy on the exercise performance of these athletes and how they compare with CW and CM.

Breaking bad news in neurology: assessing training, perceptions, and preparedness among residency programs in Brazil

OBJECTIVE

• Neurology trainees and program directors recognized a lack of structured breaking bad news training. • Program directors reported that many factors hinder the implementation of breaking bad news education. • Trainees felt capable of breaking bad news, but most did not have lectures, simulations, nor feedback. • Trainees acknowledged negative feelings when breaking bad news, including sadness and helplessness. We aimed to evaluate how breaking bad news training was implemented in neurology residency programs in Brazil and to assess the perception and preparedness of trainees and program directors.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study. Neurology trainees and program directors were recruited from the Brazilian Academy of Neurology registry through convenience sampling. Participants answered a survey evaluating the breaking bad news training at their institution and their preparedness and perception towards the topic.

RESULTS

We collected 172 responses from 47 neurology institutions from all five socio-demographic regions of Brazil. More than 77% of trainees were dissatisfied with their breaking bad news training, and around 92% of program directors believed their programs required substantial improvement. Approximately 31% of neurology trainees reported never having a lecture about communicating bad news, 66% reported never having a simulated training, and nearly 61% never received feedback regarding their communication abilities. Moreover, 59% of program directors acknowledged that feedback was not a standard practice and nearly 32% reported the absence of any specific training.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that the breaking bad news training in neurology residencies across Brazil is deficient and highlighted challenges to achieve this core competency. Program directors and trainees recognized the importance of the topic, and program directors acknowledged that many factors hinder the ability to implement formal training. Given the relevance of such a skill to patient care, every effort should be made to provide structured training opportunities during residency.

ERS International Congress 2021: highlights from the Respiratory Clinical Care and Physiology Assembly

It is a challenge to keep abreast of all the clinical and scientific advances in the field of respiratory medicine. This article contains an overview of laboratory-based science, randomised controlled trials and qualitative research that were presented during the 2021 European Respiratory Society International Congress within the sessions from the five groups of the Assembly 1 - Respiratory clinical care and physiology. Selected presentations are summarised from a wide range of topics: clinical problems, rehabilitation and chronic care, general practice and primary care, electronic/mobile health (e-health/m-health), clinical respiratory physiology, exercise and functional imaging.

Palliative care in Hospitalized Middle-Aged and Older Adults With COVID-19

CONTEXT

As COVID-19 overwhelms health systems worldwide, palliative care strategies may ensure rational use of resources while safeguarding patient comfort and dignity.

OBJECTIVE

To describe palliative care practices in hospitalized middle-aged and older adults in two of the largest COVID-19 treatment centers in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort. Eligible patients were those aged 50 years or older hospitalized between March and May 2020 with a laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Palliative care implementation was defined as present if medical notes indicated a decision to limit escalation of life support measures, or when opioids or sedatives were prescribed for palliative management of symptoms.

RESULTS

We included 1162 participants (57% male, median 65 years). Overall, 21% were frail and 54% were treated in intensive care units, but only 17% received palliative care. Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that age ≥80 years, dementia, history of stroke or cancer, frailty, having a PaO₂/FiO₂<200 or a C-reactive protein ≥150mg/dL at admission predicted palliative care implementation. Patients placed under palliative care stayed longer (13 vs.11 days) and were more likely to die in hospital (86 vs.27%). They also spent more days in ICU and received vasoactive drugs, hemodialysis, and invasive ventilation more frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

One in five middle-aged and older adults hospitalized with COVID-19 received palliative care in our cohort. Patients who were very old, multimorbid, frail, and had severe COVID-19 were more likely to receive palliative care. However, it was often delayed until advanced and invasive life support measures had already been implemented.

Accuracy of echocardiography and chest tomography for pulmonary hypertension screening in patients awaiting lung transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To examine the accuracy of a pulmonary hypertension screening strategy based on a combination of echocardiographic data and tomographic measurements (pulmonary artery diameter and pulmonary artery diameter to ascending aorta diameter ratio) in patients with chronic lung disease referred for lung transplantation.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study with patients with pulmonary emphysema or fibrosis referred for transplantation between 2012 and 2016. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25mmHg, or between 21 and 24mmHg, with pulmonary vascular resistance >3 Wood units on right heart catheterization. Tomographic measurements were made by two independent radiologists.

RESULTS

This sample comprised 13 patients with emphysema and 19 patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Of these, 18 had pulmonary hypertension. The level of agreement in tomographic measurements made by radiologists was high (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.936 and 0.940, for pulmonary artery diameter and pulmonary artery diameter to ascending aorta diameter ratio, respectively). Areas under the ROC curves constructed for pulmonary artery diameter, pulmonary artery diameter to ascending aorta diameter ratio, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure as predictors of pulmonary hypertension were 0.540, 0.629 and 0.783, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥40mmHg were 67%, 79% and 65%, respectively. The combined criterion (pulmonary artery diameter to ascending aorta diameter ratio >1 and/or pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥40mmHg) achieved sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 79%, and a negative predictive value of 69%.

CONCLUSION

Measurements of pulmonary artery and ascending aorta diameter were highly reproducible. The association of pulmonary artery and aortic diameter >1 and/or pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥40mmHg improved the sensitivity and the negative predictive value for pulmonary hypertension screening. This strategy demands prospective validation to assess safety and cost-effectiveness.

Barriers to enrollment in pulmonary rehabilitation: medical knowledge analysis

Objective

To assess clinicians’ knowledge about pulmonary rehabilitation, and identify the barriers faced when referring patients with health insurance to pulmonary rehabilitation.

Methods

This was a survey-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2019, at a private reference hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Eligible participants were physicians registered with the following specialties: internal medicine, geriatrics, cardiology, pulmonology or thoracic surgery.

Results

We collected 72 responses, and 99% of participants recognized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a potential indication for pulmonary rehabilitation; less often (75%), they listed interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis and pulmonary hypertension. Most participants (67%) incorrectly associated pulmonary rehabilitation with lung function improvement, while 28% of cardiologists and 35% of internists/geriatricians failed to recognize benefits on mood disorders. Notably, 18% of participants recommended pulmonary rehabilitation only to patients on supplemental oxygen and 14% prescribed only home physical therapy, patterns more commonly seen among non-respiratory physicians. The three most perceived barriers to referral and adherence were health insurance coverage (79%), transportation to pulmonary rehabilitation center (63%) and lack of social support (29%).

Conclusion

Financial, logistic and social constraints pose challenges to pulmonary rehabilitation enrollment, even for patients with premium healthcare insurance. Moreover, physician knowledge gaps may be an additional barrier to pulmonary rehabilitation referral and adherence. Providing continued medical education, incorporating automatic reminders in electronic medical records, and using telerehabilitation tools may improve pulmonary rehabilitation referral, adherence, and ultimately, patient care.

Clinical outcomes and quality of life of COVID-19 survivors: A follow-up of 3 months post hospital discharge

BACKGROUND

Over 66 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Therefore, understanding their clinical evolution beyond hospital discharge is essential not only from an individual standpoint, but from a populational level.

OBJECTIVES

Our primary aim was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) 3 months after hospital discharge. Additionally, we screened for anxiety and depression and assessed important clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This was a single-center cohort study performed in Sao Paulo (Brazil), in which participants were contacted by telephone to answer a short survey. EQ-5D-3L was used to assess HRQoL and clinical data from patients' index admission were retrieved from medical records.

RESULTS

We contacted 251 participants (59.8% males, mean age 53 years old), 69.7% of which had presented with severe COVID-19. At 3 months of follow-up, 6 patients had died, 51 (20.3%) had visited the emergency department again and 17 (6.8%) had been readmitted to hospital. Seventy patients (27.9%) persisted with increased dyspnoea and 81 had a positive screening for anxiety/depression. Similarly, patients reported an overall worsening of EQ-5D-3L single summary index at 3 months compared to before the onset of COVID-19 symptoms (0.8012 (0.7368 - 1.0) vs. 1.0(0.7368 - 1.0), p < 0.001). This affected all 5 domains, but especially pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Only female sex and intensive care requirement were independently associated with worsening of HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 frequently face persistent clinical and mental health problems up to 3 months following hospital discharge, with significant impact on patients' HRQoL.

Highlights from the 2018 European Respiratory Society International Congress: sleep and clinical physiology

The 2018 European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress held in Paris, France, served as a platform to discover the latest research on respiratory diseases, the improvement in their treatments and patient care. Specifically, the scientific sessions organised by ERS Assembly 4 provided novel insights into sleep disordered breathing and fresh knowledge in respiratory physiology, stressing its importance to understanding and treating respiratory diseases. This article, divided by session, will summarise the most relevant studies presented at the ERS International Congress. Each session has been written by early career members specialised in the different fields of this interdisciplinary assembly.

Preoperative evaluation of the patient with pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In daily clinical practice, pulmonary complications related to surgical procedure are common, increasing the morbidity and mortality of patients. Assessment of the risk of pulmonary complications is an important step in the preoperative evaluation. Thus, we review the most relevant aspects of preoperative assessment of the patient with lung disease.

CONTENT

Pulmonary risk stratification depends on clinical symptoms and patient's physical status. Age, preexisting respiratory diseases, nutritional status, and continued medical treatment are usually more important than additional tests. Pulmonary function tests are of great relevance when high abdominal or thoracic procedures are scheduled, particularly when lung resection are considered.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the perioperative evaluation of the potential risk for developing pulmonary complication allows the medical team to choose the adequate anesthetic technique and surgical and clinical care required by each patient, thereby reducing adverse respiratory outcomes.