BACKGROUND Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a widely used cardiac imaging technique that all cardiologists should be able to perform competently. Traditionally, TTE competence has been assessed by unstructured observation or in test situations separated from daily clinical practice. An instrument for assessment of clinical TTE technical proficiency including a global rating score and a c...

although protein-calorie malnutrition is common among the hemodialysis patients and is associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality, assessment of nutritional status of these patients is frequently ignored in many dialysis centers. malnutrition can be estimated using a semiquantitative scale, subjective global assessment (sga) but subjective nature of this scale restricts its reli...

Aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the assessment of psychosocial factors by depressed and non depressed patients, and their congruence with physicians' assessment for both groups. The cross-sectional study was conducted in three family physicians' practices in Zagreb, Croatia, during 2007. Sample of depressed patients included 76 patients out of 85, and randomized comparis...

High-risk and refractory neuroblastomas carry poor overall survival, novel approaches must be explored to improve global outcome. With better knowledge of underlying molecular patterns growing radioligand portfolio, nuclear medicine physicians can test new strategies for disease assessment therapy. For decades, meta-iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) has been used evaluate extent when coupled with iodi...

The number of refugee torture survivors worldwide is accelerating given violent global conflict, and healthcare providers are more likely to encounter refugees in their practices. The World Health Organization has declared the existing refugee migration an international humanitarian disaster, considering it the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War. The United Nations High Commis...

The conventional risk factor approach to primary prevention excludes many patients who could benefit from preventive therapies. A total risk approach allows more accurate estimates of risk to guide clinical primary prevention efforts. Total risk of coronary heart disease is a calculation of the absolute risk of having a coronary heart disease (CHD) event (e.g., death, myocardial infarction) ove...

India is at crossroads with a commitment by the government to universal health coverage (UHC), driving efficiency and tackling waste across the public healthcare sector. Health technology assessment (HTA) is an important policy reform that can assist policy-makers to tackle inequities and inefficiencies by improving the way in which health resources are allocated towards cost-effective, appropr...