2.Impact of COVID-19 on Endoscopy Training: Perspectives from a Global Survey of Program Directors and Endoscopy Trainers
Shivakumar VIGNESH ; Amna Subhan BUTT ; Mohamed ALBORAIE ; Bruno Costa MARTINS ; Alejandro PISCOYA ; Quang Trung TRAN ; Damien Tan Meng YEW ; Shahriyar GHAZANFAR ; Pezhman ALAVINEJAD ; Edna KAMAU ; Ajay M VERMA ; Robin B MENDELSOHN ; Christopher KHOR ; Alan MOSS ; David Wei Chih LIAO ; Christopher S HUANG ; Franklin C TSAI
Clinical Endoscopy 2021;54(5):678-687
Background/Aims:
The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the training of medical trainees internationally. The aim of this study was to assess the global impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy training from the perspective of endoscopy trainers and to identify strategies implemented to mitigate the impact on trainee education.
Methods:
Teaching faculty of gastroenterology (GI) training programs globally were invited to complete a 36-question web-based survey to report the characteristics of their training programs and the impact of COVID-19 on various aspects of endoscopy training, including what factors decisions were based on.
Results:
The survey response rate was 52.6% (305 out of 580 individuals); 92.8% reported a negative impact on endoscopy training, with suspension of elective procedures (77.1%) being the most detrimental factor. Geographic variations were noted, with European programs reporting the lowest percentage of trainee participation in procedures. A higher proportion of trainees in the Americas were allowed to continue performing procedures, and trainers from the Americas reported receiving the greatest support for endoscopy teaching.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on GI endoscopy training internationally, as reported by endoscopy trainers. Focus-optimizing endoscopy training and assessment of competencies are necessary to ensure adequate endoscopy training.
3.Impact of COVID-19 on Endoscopy Training: Perspectives from a Global Survey of Program Directors and Endoscopy Trainers
Shivakumar VIGNESH ; Amna Subhan BUTT ; Mohamed ALBORAIE ; Bruno Costa MARTINS ; Alejandro PISCOYA ; Quang Trung TRAN ; Damien Tan Meng YEW ; Shahriyar GHAZANFAR ; Pezhman ALAVINEJAD ; Edna KAMAU ; Ajay M VERMA ; Robin B MENDELSOHN ; Christopher KHOR ; Alan MOSS ; David Wei Chih LIAO ; Christopher S HUANG ; Franklin C TSAI
Clinical Endoscopy 2021;54(5):678-687
Background/Aims:
The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the training of medical trainees internationally. The aim of this study was to assess the global impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy training from the perspective of endoscopy trainers and to identify strategies implemented to mitigate the impact on trainee education.
Methods:
Teaching faculty of gastroenterology (GI) training programs globally were invited to complete a 36-question web-based survey to report the characteristics of their training programs and the impact of COVID-19 on various aspects of endoscopy training, including what factors decisions were based on.
Results:
The survey response rate was 52.6% (305 out of 580 individuals); 92.8% reported a negative impact on endoscopy training, with suspension of elective procedures (77.1%) being the most detrimental factor. Geographic variations were noted, with European programs reporting the lowest percentage of trainee participation in procedures. A higher proportion of trainees in the Americas were allowed to continue performing procedures, and trainers from the Americas reported receiving the greatest support for endoscopy teaching.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on GI endoscopy training internationally, as reported by endoscopy trainers. Focus-optimizing endoscopy training and assessment of competencies are necessary to ensure adequate endoscopy training.
4.Bacterial profiling of head lice isolated from the Orang Asli: A first report in Malaysia
Abd Majid, M.A. ; Khoo, J.-J. ; Lim, F.-S. ; Khor, C.-S. ; Loong, S.-K. ; Low, V.-L. ; Lee, H.-Y. ; AbuBakar, S.
Tropical Biomedicine 2020;37(No.4):884-895
This study was carried out to determine from bacterial profiling to the bacterial
profiles of head lice among the Orang Asli communities. The head lice were collected from
Orang Asli community volunteers. The surface sterilized head lice pools were subjected to
genomic DNA extraction while next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was
performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Six female and three male head lice identified
as Pediculus humanus capitis were collected. A total of 111 368 number of NGS sequencing
reads were recorded while another 223 bacterial taxa sequences were obtained. Symbiotic
bacteria showed the highest number of reads, with Arsenophonus and Rhodococcus sequences
being the most abundant genera in the female and male samples, respectively. The female
head lice contained a more distinct microbial diversity. Amongst the pathogenic bacterial
species sequences noted were the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptobacillus
moniliformis, Haemophilus influenzae, Bordetella pertussis and Acinetobacter baumannii.
The 16S rRNA genome sequencing revealed a number of rare and pathogenic bacterial
species within the head lice of the Orang Asli. The socio-economic practices of the community
which involved forest foraging and hunting, and their poor living conditions potentially
facilitated the transmission of zoonotic bacterial pathogens, including those found within the
head lice. Hence, there is the possibility that the head lice could serve as vectors for the
transmission of pathogenic bacteria. This study highlighted the diverse microbial community
found within the head lice’s gut of the Orang Asli, with the detection of multiple rare and
pathogenic bacteria capable of causing severe infections.