Browsing by Author "Contreras, Alvaro"

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    A clinical teaching course for residents improves self-perception about preparation to teach
    (SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2012) Reyes, Carlos; Florenzano, Pablo; Contreras, Alvaro; Gonzalez, Alejandro; Beltran, Daniela; Aravena, Carlos; Grassi Corrales, Bruno
    A clinical teaching course for residents improves self-perception about preparation to teach Background: Medical doctors need to be competent to teach patients, their families, students, and the health care team. In a previous study we determined that although the residents attach great importance to have teaching skills, they do not feel prepared to meet this role. Aim: To assess self-perception of learning in a formal course of training how to teach for residents. Material and Methods: In 2004 we implemented the course "Residents as Clinical Teachers", based on the Stanford Faculty Development Center for Medical Teachers Model (SFDC), for residents of a Medical School. Residents of all the post graduate programs were invited to take the course as an elective during the period 2004-2011. At the end of the course each resident completed the pre/post Seminar Series Housestaff/student Questionnaire; assessing perceptions of learning, expressed in a Likert scale from 1-5. Results: The implementation of the course in 111 residents significantly improved self-perception of general preparation for teaching and improved self-perception of preparedness in each educational category. The personal goals most commonly established by participants were on feedback (52,2%), control of session (44%) and communication of goals (40%). Barriers for teaching most frequently identified were lack of time to do clinical teaching (51,3%) and environmental limitations (16,2%). The main impact of the course reported by residents were acquisition of teaching skills or tools for teaching (39,6%), enhancing of motivation (14%), and a richer understanding of teaching principles (14%). Conclusions: A clinical teaching course for residents improves their self-perception of preparation to teach and enhances motivation for clinical teaching. (Rev Med Chile 2012; 140: 1431-1436).
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    Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for non-invasive prediction of high risk esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients
    (ELSEVIER ESPANA, 2009) Barrera, Francisco; Riquelme, Arnoldo; Soza, Alejandro; Contreras, Alvaro; Barrios, Gerty; Padilla, Oslando; Viviani, Paola; Maria Perez Ayuso, Rosa
    Background and objective. Prophylaxis therapy is indicated in cirrhotic patients with large esophageal varices or small varices with red wale signs (high risk esophageal varices; HREV). Endoscopic surveillance to detect HREV is currently recommended. The objective of this study is to identify non-invasive predictors of HREV in cirrhotic patients. Design and methods. Adult cirrhotic patients without previous variceal bleeding were prospectively included. All patients underwent a complete biochemical workup, upper digestive endoscopy, and ultrasonographic measurement of spleen bipolar diameter. Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio (PC/SD) was calculated for all patients. The association of these variables with the presence of HREV in upper endoscopy was tested using univariate and multivariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for variables associated with HREV. Results. Sixty-seven patients were included. The prevalence rate of HREV was 50%. Age, gender (female), platetet count, spleen diameter, PC/SD ratio, total bilirrubin, prothrombin activity (INR), Childl-Pugh score, clinical and ultrasonographic ascites were significantly associated with presence of HREV in univariate analysis. Age and PC/SD ratio were the parameters independently associated with HREV in a multivariate analysis, with OR 8.81 (CI 95%: 1.7-44.9) and OR 11.21 (CI 95%: 2.8-44.6) respectively. A PC/SD ratio cut-off value under 830.8 predicted HREV with 76.9% sensitivity, 74.2% specificity and 77.8% negative predictive value (ROC curve area: 0.78). Conclusions. The PC/SD ratio was significantly associated with HREV, but with suboptimal sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the results of this study do not support the routine clinical use of PC/SD ratio for screening of HREV.