Exploring Preclinical Medical Students' Experience Facilitating Group Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for a Student-Run Mental Health Clinic: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVE

This report explores the experiences of preclinical medical students who led group dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for a student-run LGBTQ + mental health clinic.

METHODS

In the clinic, experienced clinicians trained and supervised preclinical medical students to facilitate DBT groups. The authors conducted a qualitative study to understand the impact of the DBT groups on the student facilitators via semi-structured interviews, which were evaluated using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The clinic hosted nine iterations of group DBT facilitated by preclinical medical students, involving 18 student leaders and 30 patients. Twelve student facilitators were interviewed. Participants had a diverse array of specialty interests and were primarily motivated by the opportunity for early clinical experience. They reported improved clinical skills, increased appreciation of psychotherapy as a treatment modality, and increased interest in incorporating psychotherapy in their future practice. Furthermore, participants reported using DBT skills to cultivate wellbeing during clerkship year and in their personal lives.

CONCLUSIONS

Offering preclinical medical students the opportunity to lead group DBT therapy is a novel educational model providing early training in psychotherapy techniques. This opportunity for early direct patient experience in a supervised group setting attracted medical students with a diverse range of specialty interests. This model provided medical students specific DBT skills to implement in future patient care interactions and to maintain their personal wellbeing throughout medical training. The broad appeal and lasting effects of this program may prove beneficial at other institutions.

A prospective clinical and biomechanical analysis of feet following first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis for end stage hallux rigidus

BACKGROUND

Hallux Rigidus is the result of degeneration of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MTPJ). In end-stage hallux rigidus, treatment is mainly surgical with arthrodesis being a favourable option. Although the biomechanical effects of arthrodesis have been examined, a detailed comparison of pre- and post-operative biomechanics has yet to be conducted.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does 1st MTPJ arthrodesis positively affect foot kinematics and plantar pressure distribution?

METHODS

Twelve 1st MTPJ arthrodesis were performed in patients with a mean age of 53.5 ± 5.4 years and follow up time of 6.9 ± 1.0 months. Pre- and post-operative data were collected at a CMAS (Clinical Movement Analysis Society) accredited gait laboratory using a BTS motion capture system and pedobarographic pressure plates. Patient outcome measures were also assessed using the MOXFQ. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

Significant changes in stride length, cycle duration, cadence and velocity were identified following 1st MTPJ arthrodesis. A significant reduction in forefoot-hallux dorsiflexion at toe-off was identified for the operated foot from the pre-operative (20.23 ± 5.98°) to post-operative (7.56 ± 2.96°) assessment. Post-operative sagittal and transverse plane changes in the operated foot were also identified. Peak pressure and PTI results indicated significant lateralisation of load for the operated foot, but importantly this was not influenced following arthrodesis. Finally, there was a significant improvement in MOXFQ score.

SIGNIFICANCE

Following 1st MTPJ fusion there is an improvement in overall gait mechanics which accompanied by the improved MOXFQ score indicates a reduction in pain and improved confidence during gait. The lack of post-operative dorsiflexion at forefoot-hallux caused load to remain lateralised and compensatory mechanisms to occur at the more proximal joints within the foot. These results provide valuable information for clinicians and will enable more accurate counselling to be provided to patients with end-stage hallux rigidus.

Two Factors, Five Factors, or Both? External Validation Studies of Negative Symptom Dimensions in Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES

Negative symptom studies frequently use single composite scores as indicators of symptom severity and as primary endpoints in clinical trials. Factor analytic and external validation studies do not support this practice but rather suggest a multidimensional construct. The current study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to compare competing dimensional models of negative symptoms to determine the number of latent dimensions that best capture variance in biological, psychological, and clinical variables known to have associations with negative symptoms.

METHODS

Three independent studies (total n = 632) compared unidimensional, two-factor, five-factor, and hierarchical conceptualizations of negative symptoms in relation to cognition, psychopathology, and community functioning (Study 1); trait emotional experience and defeatist performance beliefs (Study 2); and glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in the anterior cingulate cortex quantified using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (Study 3).

RESULTS

SEM favored the five-factor and hierarchical models over the unidimensional and two-factor models regardless of the negative symptom measure or external validator. The five dimensions-anhedonia, asociality, avolition, blunted affect, and alogia-proved vital either as stand-alone domains or as first-order domains influenced by second-order dimensions-motivation and pleasure and emotional expression. The two broader dimensions sometimes masked important associations unique to the five narrower domains. Avolition, anhedonia, and blunted affect showed the most domain-specific associations with external variables across study samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Five domains and a hierarchical model reflect the optimal conceptualization of negative symptoms in relation to external variables. Clinical trials should consider using the two dimensions as primary endpoints and the five domains as secondary endpoints.

A prospective clinical and biomechanical analysis of feet following first metatarsophalangeal joint replacement

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of research providing a biomechanical outcome following 1^st MTPJ replacement for hallux rigidus. Despite this, 1^st MTPJ replacement continues to be an alternative surgical option to fusion for this painful debilitating condition. Several studies do consider the patient reported outcomes which are subjective.

RESEARCH QUESTION

The objective of this study is to provide an in depth biomechanical analysis to examine the effects of 1^st MTPJ replacement for hallux rigidus on gait mechanics.

METHODS

Kinematic data was collected at our CMAS (Clinical Movement Analysis Society) UK accredited gait laboratory during the gait cycle together with pressure plate pressure readings and a validated patient outcome measure before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. A complete literature review is performed.

RESULTS

Kinematic data revealed a significant increase in stride length, cadence and velocity following 1^st MTPJ replacement for hallux rigidus. Foot kinematic data revealed significantly reduced tibia-hindfoot abduction and pronation and reduced hindfoot-forefoot supination and adduction. There was no effect on 1^st MTPJ weight bearing range of motion. Pressure plate data revealed an increase in peak pressure and pressure time integral towards the 1^st metatarsal following surgery. There was a significant improvement in the patient reported outcome measure.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study has demonstrated objectively that following 1^st MTPJ replacement, biomechanically, a restoration of the foot posture to allow medialisation of foot pressures towards the medial column and normalisation of gait including an increase in the stride length, cadence and velocity and that clinically, there was an improvement in the MOXFQ.