Critical analysis of a meta-analysis I

This session will reinforce the concepts of sensitivity, specificity, and ROC curves. Today’s article is a Cochrane Review meta-analysis about rapid antigen–detection testing for group A streptococcus. You will also dive deeper into the process of assessing “the risk of bias” in studies and how those biases can impact a meta-analysis. Learning goals List the […]

Critical analysis of a meta-analysis I (Facilitator)

This session will reinforce the concepts of sensitivity, specificity, and ROC curves. Today’s article is a Cochrane Review meta-analysis about rapid antigen–detection testing for group A streptococcus. You will also dive deeper into the process of assessing “the risk of bias” in studies and how those biases can impact a meta-analysis. Learning goals List the […]

Critical appraisal of a randomized controlled trial

In this journal club session, we will be appraising a recent article about empagliflozin, an inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2, found in the kidney’s proximal tubule. This drug is used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, recent evidence suggests that using SGLT2 inhibitors reduces the risk of hospitalization for patients with heart failure with or […]

Critical appraisal of a randomized controlled trial (Facilitator)

In this journal club session, we will be appraising a recent article about empagliflozin, an inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2, found in the kidney’s proximal tubule. This drug is used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, recent evidence suggests that using SGLT2 inhibitors reduces the risk of hospitalization for patients with heart failure with or […]

Randomized control trials and clinical trial design

Learning Goals Describe the essential elements of randomized trials and compare and contrast Randomized Control Trial and Non-Randomized Control Trial study designs Describe the difference between efficacy and effectiveness Define the purposes of randomization, masking, blinding, placebo, placebo effect, single-blind studies, and double-blind studies List the four major phases of randomized trials used by the […]

Antibiotics: Beta-lactams

Learning goals Compare and contrast the mechanism of action, spectrum of activity, main clinical uses, and toxicities of the four main subclasses of beta-lactams Describe the mechanisms of resistance used by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria against the various beta-lactam antibiotics Name the beta-lactamase inhibitors and describe their role and limitations as an antimicrobial Name beta-lactams […]

Endocarditis

Learning goals Describe the classification, predisposing factors, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) Compare and contrast the common microbiologic causes for acute, subacute, native, and prosthetic valve endocarditis Describe the pharmacologic treatment of infective endocarditis and conditions where surgery is considered Required study materials These are required materials that will help maximize […]

Gram-positive cocci

Learning goals Classify staphylococci and streptococci species according to their microbiologic properties (morphologic features, chemical and/or antigenic identification, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms) Compare and contrast the pathogenesis, virulence factors, and clinical presentation of infections due to Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococcus Compare and contrast the environmental niches and most common clinical diseases associated with […]

Assessing reliability and validity in diagnostic and screening tests

Learning Goals Define validity and reliability Compare measures of validity, including sensitivity and specificity Define positive and negative predictive value Calculate and interpret sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value Describe and interpret a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve Define validity and reliability Validity of screening tests The validity of a test is […]

Critical appraisal of a retrospective cohort study

In this session, we will assess a paper that is a retrospective cohort study about the Prevention of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with Meningococcal B Vaccine. Learning goals Learning activities Required reading Demonstrate respectful, constructive, adaptive interactions with peers and/or facilitators, including punctual attendance, advanced preparation, professionalism, and giving and receiving feedback. Describe how to appraise a […]