BACKGROUND: Studies reveal that 44.5 % of abstracts presented at national meetings are subsequently published in indexed journals, with lower rates for abstracts of medical education scholarship. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether the quality of medical education abstracts is associated with subsequent publication in indexed journals, and to compare the quality of medical education abstracts presented as scientific abstracts versus innovations in medical education (IME). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Medical education abstracts presented at the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) 2009 annual meeting. MAIN MEASURES: Publication rates were measured using database searches for full-text publications through December 2013. Quality was assessed using the validated Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI). KEY RESULTS: Overall, 64 (44 %) medical education abstracts presented at the 2009 SGIM annual meeting were subsequently published in indexed medical journals. The MERSQI demonstrated good inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation range, 0.77-1.00) for grading the quality of medical education abstracts. MERSQI scores were higher for published versus unpublished abstracts (9.59 vs. 8.81, p=0.03). Abstracts with a MERSQI score of 10 or greater were more likely to be published (OR 3.18, 95 % CI 1.47-6.89, p=0.003). ). MERSQI scores were higher for scientific versus IME abstracts (9.88 vs. 8.31, p<0.001). Publication rates were higher for scientific abstracts (42 [66 %] vs. 37 [46 %], p=0.02) and oral presentations (15 [23 %] vs. 6 [8 %], p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The publication rate of medical education abstracts presented at the 2009 SGIM annual meeting was similar to reported publication rates for biomedical research abstracts, but higher than publication rates reported for medical education abstracts. MERSQI scores were associated with higher abstract publication rates, suggesting that attention to measures of quality-such as sampling, instrument validity, and data analysis-may improve the likelihood that medical education abstracts will be published.

We examined (1) the observer variability (both interobserver and intraobserver) in interpretation of abdominal radiographs of infants with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), (2) the interobserver variability for individual radiologic signs used to diagnose NEC, and (3) the influence of experience in determining the extent of observer variability. Our hypotheses were (1) there would be considerable observer variability in interpretation of abdominal radiographs of infants with suspected NEC; (2) the extent of observer variability would differ for individual radiologic signs of NEC; and (3) the extent of observer variability would be determined by the observer's experience. The participants included 12 observers: two pediatric radiologists, four attending neonatologists, three neonatal fellows, and three pediatric residents. The participating observers under similar interpretation conditions, twice independently, interpreted the same 40 pairs of abdominal radiographs from infants with suspected NEC. The interval between the two interpretations was 3 to 6 months. Intraobserver and interobserver variability was assessed by applying the Kappa statistic to the radiologic signs of NEC for the two separate interpretations. The observers were blinded to patient's identity and the clinical course. Each observer recorded the absence, suspicion, or presence of (1) intestinal distention, (2) air fluid levels, (3) bowel wall thickening, (4) pneumatosis intestinalis, (5) portal venous gas, (6) pneumoperitoneum, and (7) NEC. We found low intraobserver and interobserver agreements. There was considerable variation in observer variability for individual radiologic signs. Trained observers performed better than intraining observers. We conclude that the radiologic signs in isolation should not be considered reliable. We recommend studies to formulate more objective criteria for many of the radiographic features of NEC. Standardization and periodic enforcement of these criteria among observers could reduce observer variability. We suggest that, to decrease both false-negative and false-positive interpretation, an experienced observer should always review the radiographs of infants with suspected NEC.

The Policy Context E arly education not only promotes "school readiness, " it also prepares children for greater financial and personal success in their adult lives while providing a strong foundation for the development of human capital and states' economic growth (see Committee for Economic development, 2006). Thus, in 2004, the Massachusetts legislature, with broad bipartisan support, passed a bill that will require universally accessible, high-quality early education programs to be fully implemented no later than the 2012 school year, with priority to children in "low wealth" communities (

Aim The aim of this paper is to conduct a concept analysis on the term, “children with medical complexity.” Background Children with medical complexity (CMC) describes pediatric patients with chronic, sustained acuity; however, there is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding its exact meaning, characteristics, and implications. Design This analysis relied upon the framework described by Walker and Avant. Data Source The CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases were queried from April 2020 to December 2020 with an initial search of the literature for the keyword, “children with medical complexity” and other associated terms, such as “pediatric medical complexity” and “nursing care of children with medical complexity.” Review Methods This analysis will explore the concept of CMC and its significance, attributes, antecedents, and consequences. Results This investigation revealed that CMC are a growing population of pediatric patients who have one or more complex chronic conditions that affect multiple body systems, experience functional limitations, require extensive care coordination from multiple providers, and are dependent upon life‐sustaining medical technology. Conclusions The findings can serve as a foundation for future work advancing the understanding of the topic of CMC.

Background: Despite the existing research exploring caregiver burden in adult psychosis, few studies have examined the experience of providing care to children diagnosed with psychotic disorders (PDs) and those identified as having clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P). Objective: This study measured the level of burden in caregivers of children with PD and CHR-P and examined associated risk factors, including social support, caregiver–child relationship, severity of illness, and frequency of psychiatric hospitalizations. Methods: A total of 56 caregivers completed validated measures and provided demographic information. Measures included the Zarit Burden Interview, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition, Parenting Relationship Questionnaire–Child and Adolescent Form (BASC-3 PRQ-CA), and the Clinical Global Impression–Severity scale. Results: The majority of caregivers were women (86%), mothers (84%), White (63%), married (66%), working full-time (50%), college-educated (79%), and whose mean age was 45.7 years ( SD = 8.09). Nearly half of the caregivers (45%) reported a high level of caregiver burden, 39% rated their burden in the mild to moderate range, and 16% reported little to no burden. There was no significant difference in mean burden between PD and CHR-P groups. Higher caregiver burden was associated with lower levels of social support ( r = −.408, p = .002), lower levels of parenting confidence ( r = −.514, p < .001), higher levels of relational frustration ( r = .612, p < .001), and higher severity of illness ( r = .316 p = .025). Conclusions: These findings underscore the critical unmet need for support for caregivers of children with PD and CHR-P. Applications to clinical practice are discussed.