Changes in medical student attendance at in-person teaching sessions: a systematic review

Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on medical education, with many institutions shifting to online learning to ensure the safety of students and staff. However, there appears to be a decline in in-person attendance at medical schools across the UK and worldwide following the relaxation of social distancing rules and the reinstatement of in-person teaching. Importantly, this trend was also observed before the pandemic. While reflected within the literature, there is currently no systematic review describing these changes. We aim to find out how medical students’ attendance is changing as documented within the literature and its impact on their educational outcomes.

Methods
This systematic review followed the guidelines of the Centre of Research and Dissemination, Moose and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. We searched the major databases of Medline via Ovid, Embase via Ovid, Scopus, Web of Science, British Education Index via EBSCOhost and ERIC via EBSCOhost in September 2023. Two reviewers independently screened each paper and extracted the data, with a third reviewer for dispute resolution. All studies reporting on medical students from various universities, both graduate and undergraduate, and describing changes in attendance and/or students’ educational outcomes were included. Risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality tool. A narrative synthesis of the findings from all included studies was done.

Results
12 papers were included in the analysis. Primary aim: Of the eight papers that measured attendance data over more than one academic year, only one paper demonstrated a statistically significant decrease while one paper demonstrated a statistically significant increase in attendance over the observational period. Other papers either did not perform statistical tests or did not demonstrate statistical significance. Secondary aims: Most papers showed a general positive correlation between attendance and educational outcomes. No studies explicitly explored reasons for changes in attendance seen. Only one paper outlined a possible strategy to address changes in attendance, a mandatory attendance policy, which has mixed outcomes.

Discussion
Despite widespread anecdotally reported attendance decline post-COVID-19, overall, there was no consistent change in attendance noted. However, there was a large heterogeneity in the studies included. Further research is required to elucidate trends in attendance and its impact on medical education.

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Progress towards prevention of suicide in India by improving print media reporting of suicide news: a repeat content analysis study in Tamil Nadu

Objectives
Suicide rates in India are among the highest in the world, with the most recent suicide death rate estimates ranging between 18 and 21 deaths per 100 000 population (compared with the global average of 11/100 000). Responsible media reporting of suicide is one of the few evidence-based population-level suicide prevention interventions. Reports of recent suicides are a routine daily feature in major newspapers in India, and the reporting style carries many concerning features. In 2019, the Press Council of India adopted the WHO media guidelines, yet there has been no investigation as to whether this guidance is being followed. The aim of this paper was to systematically investigate whether the quality of print media reports of suicides has changed since the adoption of media guidelines for suicide reporting in India.

Design
We used content analysis to assess the quality of suicide reporting against WHO guidelines in nine of the most highly read daily newspapers in the southern state of Tamil Nadu between June and December 2016 and June and December 2023. Our analyses of changes in reporting were based on a sample of 1681 print newspaper articles from 2016 and 512 print newspaper articles from 2023. Two-tailed t-tests and proportion tests on aggregate means and frequencies assessed whether the reporting characteristics had changed between 2016 and 2023.

Results
There were small yet statistically discernible reductions in the proportion of articles containing various potentially harmful reporting characteristics, such as articles placed on the front page (4.9–1.8%, p=0.002) and articles mentioning the suicide method (92.7–86.5%, p

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Epidemiology of disability and access to disability support and rehabilitation services in India: a secondary data analysis of the National Sample Survey (2018)

Objective
The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology of disability in India and assess access to disability support and rehabilitation services by people with disability (PWD).

Design
This study is a secondary analysis of data from the 76th round of the National Sample Survey (2018), focusing on disability in India.

Setting
The survey employed a stratified two-stage sampling design based on Census 2011, covering all states and union territories of India. Villages and urban blocks were selected in the first stage, while households were chosen in the second stage across rural and urban areas.

Participants
The survey included data from a population of 576 796 individuals residing in 118 152 households from 8992 village/urban blocks (5378 rural villages and 3614 urban blocks). The analysis focused on 107 125 individuals (61 707 male and 45 305 female) who reported at least one disability.

Outcome measures
The primary outcome was ‘any disability’. Secondary outcomes included access to disability support and rehabilitation services, which assessed difficulties in accessing public buildings and transport, loss of employment after disability, availability of government support, enrolment in special schools, and possession of a disability certificate.

Results
The overall weighted disability prevalence was 2.2%, with significant disparities across sociodemographic characteristics. Among PWD, 45.9% of those who acquired disability after birth were aged between 15 years and 59 years, and 20.8% received no government aid. About 40% of PWD struggled to use public transport, and 57.7% had difficulties accessing public buildings. Additionally, 60.7% reported job loss due to disability, and 69.6% lacked a disability certificate.

Conclusion
This study highlights disparities faced by PWD in accessing disability support and rehabilitation services. There is an urgent need for concerted efforts to minimise such experiences. This will help us enhance the well-being and participation of PWD and empower them to contribute to society with their true potential.

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The effect of passive leg raising on the cross-sectional area of the right internal jugular vein in obese patients undergoing surgery: a prospective observational study

Objectives
To observe the association between passive leg raising (PLR) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the right internal jugular vein (IJV) in obese patients undergoing elective surgery.

Design
Prospective observational study with randomised position sequence.

Setting
Single-centre, tertiary care hospital in Shanghai, China.

Participants
Forty obese patients (body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m²) scheduled for elective surgery were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification (ASA) physical status II–III and age ≥18 years. Exclusion criteria included history of neck surgery, severe cardiovascular disease, end-stage renal disease, severe infection or sepsis and significant coagulopathy.

Observations
Patients underwent ultrasound measurements of the right IJV in two positions: supine (S0) and passive leg raise at 40° (PLR40). Each position was maintained for at least 1 min prior to measurement.

Primary outcome
The primary outcome was to observe whether the CSA of the right IJV differed between the S0 position and passive leg elevation. In post hoc analyses, we examined factors affecting the relative CSA change (CSA), including neck circumference, BMI, age, sex, ASA physical status and heart rate as predictors.

Results
The CSA of the right IJV was significantly larger in the PLR40 position (2.05 cm²) compared to the S0 position (1.67 cm², p=0.003). Linear regression analysis showed a slight positive correlation between neck circumference and the percentage change in CSA (correlation coefficient: 0.066, p

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Delay in Carotid Web Diagnosis Remains Common and Associated With an Increased Risk of Stroke Recurrence

Stroke, Ahead of Print. BACKGROUND:Carotid web is a rare and likely underrecognized cause of ischemic stroke, particularly in young patients. Given the high risk of recurrence, diagnostic delays may have serious consequences. This study aimed to assess the incidence and impact of delayed carotid web diagnosis after a first ischemic event.METHODS:We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from the French ongoing multicenter prospective CAROWEB (Carotid Web registry). We included patients with a first-ever ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in the anterior circulation, attributed to an ipsilateral carotid web with no other identifiable cause, between September 2013 and April 2023. Patients with missing data on the date of the first ischemic event or carotid web diagnosis, or with prior stroke history, were excluded. Participants were categorized into early diagnosis (≤30 days) and delayed diagnosis ( >30 days) groups. Factors associated with diagnostic delay were investigated through univariable and multivariable analyses. Stroke recurrence was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.RESULTS:Of 280 patients in the registry, 225 met the inclusion criteria. A delayed diagnosis occurred in 57 patients (25.3%). Independent predictors of diagnostic delay included lower initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (odds ratio, 0.92;P=0.002), stroke occurring before 2019 (odds ratio, 0.19;P

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Tirofiban efficacy and safety for percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction
Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have become a cornerstone in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), yet they carry risks of complications like stent thrombosis and reinfarction. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, particularly tirofiban, have been employed as adjunctive therapies to reduce these risks. Despite its potential benefits, the use of tirofiban remains a subject of debate, with varying recommendations across major clinical guidelines.

Methods and analysis
We systematically searched five databases from 1 January 1992 to 1 April 2025, including Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Clinicaltrials.org and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), in addition to three grey literature databases. Randomised controlled trials and cluster randomised trials investigating the use of intravenous or intracoronary tirofiban in patients with ACS, unstable angina or myocardial infarction were considered for inclusion. Only published studies in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French were included. Data selection and extraction will be performed independently by two researchers, with any inconsistencies resolved with consensus or by consulting a third senior researcher. The risk of bias will be assessed through the risk of bias measurement tool (Rob-2) for interventions and/or cluster trials by two researchers independently, and the overall certainty of evidence will be assessed by using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. A meta-analysis will be carried out if there is sufficient homogeneity between studies, with subgroup analysis being performed if significant heterogeneity is detected. Additionally, a metaregression model will be conducted if sufficient data are available.

Ethics and dissemination
As this study involves secondary analysis of published data, ethics approval is not required. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations and will be shared with relevant clinical guideline committees.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42024585252.

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Risk predictors of severe adverse maternal outcomes in pre-eclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Introduction
Pre-eclampsia (PE) remains a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality globally. Early identification of risk factors and evaluation of prognostic models for severe adverse maternal outcomes are essential for improving management and reducing complications. While numerous studies have explored potential risk markers, there is still no consensus on the most reliable factors and models to use in clinical practice. This systematic review aims to consolidate research on both individual predictors and prognostic models of severe adverse maternal outcomes in PE, providing a comprehensive overview to support better clinical decision-making and patient care.

Methods and analysis
This review follows the Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Protocol 2015 checklist. A systematic search will be performed using a detailed strategy across Medline, Embase, Cochrane, ProQuest dissertations, and grey literature from inception to 2 April 2024. Eligible studies will include those investigating clinical, laboratory-based, and sociodemographic predictors of severe adverse maternal outcomes in PE. Two reviewers will independently assess titles, abstracts, full texts, and extract data and assess study quality using the Quality In Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool for studies on risk predictors and the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) for prognostic models. The inclusion criteria will encompass cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies published in English and French involving women diagnosed with PE and reporting on the risk prediction for adverse maternal outcomes. The main outcomes of interest will include severe maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, delivery, or within the postpartum period. Analyses will include both narrative synthesis and, where appropriate, meta-analysis using random-effects models. Pooled estimates will be calculated, with publication bias assessed through funnel plots and statistical tests (eg, Begg’s and Egger’s). Heterogeneity will be primarily assessed through visual inspection of forest plots, supported by statistical measures, such as the I² test, with further exploration through sensitivity, subgroup, and meta-regression analyses.

Ethics and dissemination
This systematic review will be based on published data and will not require ethics approval. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at academic conferences.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42024517097.

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What are the ethical issues related to telerehabilitation? A critical interpretive synthesis protocol

Introduction
Telerehabilitation (also known as virtual rehabilitation) refers to the use of telecommunication technologies to deliver remote rehabilitation services synchronously or asynchronously to patients. Systematic reviews seem to validate the efficacy and efficiency of telerehabilitation services for diverse patient conditions while offering in addition potential cost savings in healthcare. However, integrating telerehabilitation into clinical settings raises several ethical issues, including the risk of exacerbating existing health inequities in the provision of care. Despite the apparent scarcity of the literature addressing ethical issues related to telerehabilitation, some of these fundamental concerns have already been discussed in health ethics publications. The main objectives of this study are therefore to first scrutinise what has been published to date and second to critically examine the way in which these dimensions have been conceptualised, especially the philosophical and ethical conceptions on which they are based.

Methods and analysis
To meet these objectives, we will conduct a Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS). By using an iterative and interactive process, a CIS aims to critically examine the literature and develop a theoretical understanding grounded in review studies. As per the steps described by Dixon-Woods, we will start by conducting a systematic search of the literature within five selected databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science and PsycINFO. The search strategy will be based on two main concepts: (1) telerehabilitation and (2) ethics. This systematic search will be completed by other research strategies: searching the list of references of selected articles and contacting experts within and outside our team’s expertise. Search results will be imported within the Covidence software to be assessed for relevance. We will include all empirical and non-empirical articles that specifically investigate or discuss the ethical dimensions of telerehabilitation. Only studies published in English and French will be included. The search and selection of the articles will be carried out interactively and inductively throughout the stages of extraction and development of a theoretical understanding of the data to fill emerging conceptual gaps. The analysis and critical synthesis will be led by the first author but carried out by our multidisciplinary research team. This study, through its critical dimension, has the potential to provide a more comprehensive overview of the many ethical issues surrounding telerehabilitation.

Ethics and dissemination
This review does not require ethical approval. We aim to publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal and do presentations at local, national and/or international research meetings and workshops for all stakeholders.

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ASPirin for Acute Pneumonia in the elderlY (ASPAPY): protocol of a multicentre randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Introduction
Acute pneumonia (AP) remains a leading cause of death in the older population. Excess risk of death after AP is partly due to cardiovascular (CV) events. We aim to evaluate whether aspirin at a preventive dose (100 mg daily) introduced at the acute phase of AP reduces 90-day mortality.

Methods and analysis
The ASPirin for Acute Pneumonia in the elderlY study is a phase III multicentre randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, superiority clinical trial, which will investigate the efficacy and safety of aspirin in older patients with AP hospitalised in a French university and non-university hospitals. Patients will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio between two groups receiving daily either 100 mg of aspirin or a placebo, within 84 hours following radiologically proven AP diagnosis for 90 days. This study aimed at assessing the efficacy of aspirin on all-cause mortality after AP at 90 days (D90) (primary objective), D30 and D120 after randomisation, CV mortality, major adverse CV events (MACE) (ie, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, new atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism, CV death and sudden death) incidence, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, unscheduled rehospitalisation, dependence, overall and MACE-free survival, as well as safety outcomes (bleeding incidence). The sample size, calculated considering a 90-day mortality of 25% and a reduction of 10% in the aspirin group, a two-sided alpha risk at 5% and power of 80%, is 500 patients to prove the superiority of aspirin over placebo. To account for screening failures and consent withdrawals, 600 patients (300 per arm) will be included.

Ethics and dissemination
This study has full approval from an independent Ethics Committee. Participants will sign a written informed consent ahead of participation. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.

Trial registration number
EU CTIS: 2024-510811-32-00.

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Response to: correspondence on 'Revisiting the role of sphincterotomy in sphincter of Oddi disorder: a critical appraisal of the RESPOnD study by Zeng

Thanks to Dr Zeng for his insightful comments1 about our recent publication on 12-month outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for sphincterotomy for sphincter of Oddi disorders (SOD).2 Many of the comments were addressed in the discussion of the paper, especially the significance of the unmeasured placebo response and greater importance of patient characteristics such as somatisation and opioid exposure compared with physician-defined factors like a dilated duct. We disagree that RESPOnD’s heterogeneous patient population reduces the study’s generalisability. RESPOnD subjects represent the full spectrum of SOD subtypes and thus have lower selection bias compared with more stringent enrolment criteria. For example, restricting subjects to those with a dilated bile duct would have precluded our observation that duct size correlated poorly with response to sphincterotomy. As noted by Dr Zeng, sphincterotomy does not seem to be a promising intervention for idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis because…

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