Macmillan Coffee Morning this Friday

Come and join us for a Macmillan Coffee Morning Event in the McArdle Library on 29^th September 2017 between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
Please do:

• make or bring cake to sell
• bring along any items you would like to donate for the raffle (these can be passed to Library staff as soon as you can)
• buy and eat cake
• buy and win with raffle tickets
• Celebrate with us when we announce how much we all raised for this great cause

Cancer touches so many lives and we thank you for your support.

WUTH publication: Twelve tips on how to compile a medical educator's portfolio

Citation: Medical Teacher. 2018, 40(2), 140-145. Epub 2017 Sep 17
Author: Dalton CL, Wilson A, Agius S
Abstract: Medical education is an expanding area of specialist interest for medical professionals. Whilst most doctors will be familiar with the compilation of clinical portfolios for scrutiny of their clinical practice and provision of public accountability, teaching portfolios used specifically to gather and demonstrate medical education activity remain uncommon in many non-academic settings. For aspiring and early career medical educators in particular, their value should not be underestimated. Such a medical educator's portfolio (MEP) is a unique compendium of evidence that is invaluable for appraisal, revalidation, and promotion. It can stimulate and provide direction for professional development, and is a rich source for personal reflection and learning. We recommend that all new and aspiring medical educators prepare an MEP, and suggest twelve tips on how to skillfully compile one.

Link to PubMed record

WUTH publication: Post-operative C-reactive protein profile following abdominal wall reconstruction with transversus abdominis posterior components separation

Citation: International Journal of Surgery Case Reports. 2017, 40, 17-19
Author: Pearce A, Thornton L, Sutton PA, Walsh CJ
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Abdominal wall reconstruction using posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release (AWTAR) produces a unique post-operative CRP profile, when compared to routine elective colorectal operations. Therefore, we aim to establish the normal post-operative C-reactive protein (poCRP) profile following AWRTAR and reduce the unnecessary invasive interventions in patients already at greater risk of septic complications.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of daily poCRP levels was performed both for patients who underwent uncomplicated AWRTAR (n=12), and a comparator group of uncomplicated open right hemicolectomies (RH) matched for age and sex (n=24). All operations in both groups were performed by a single surgeon from 2013 to 2015.
RESULTS: The median (IQR) age was 62 (16) and 67 (16) years respectively, with a higher proportion of males to females in both groups (10:2 vs. 17:7). The poCRP profile follows an initial steep rise, peaking at day 2 followed by a gradual washout phase. The poCRP peak is significantly greater in the AWRTAR group compared to the RH group (274 [95%CI ±25] vs. 160 [95%CI±27]; p=0.0001), with a positive correlation between day 2 CRP levels and operative length (r=0.56).
CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that uncomplicated AWRTAR provokes a significantly greater poCRP rise (>200) compared to that well described in the literature for uncomplicated open colectomy. As poCRP is an important marker of post-operative recovery with abnormally high levels associated with septic complications, these data should help clinicians interpret the post-operative clinical course after AWRTAR.
KEYWORDS: Abdominal wall reconstruction; CRP; Complications; Hernia; Post-operative; Transversus abdominis release

Link to PubMed record