The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rapid shift to virtual delivery of treatment and care to individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual violence. A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was undertaken to examine the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of trauma-focused virtual interventions for persons affected by domestic violence and sexual violence. The findings from this review will provide guidance for service providers and organizational leaders with the implementation of virtual domestic violence and sexual violence-focused interventions. The REA included comprehensive search strategies and systematic screening of and relevant articles. Papers were included into this review (1) if they included trauma-focused interventions; (2) if the intervention was delivered virtually; and (3) if the article was published in the English-language. Twenty-one papers met inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. Findings from the rapid review demonstrate that virtual interventions that incorporate trauma-focused treatment are scarce. Online interventions that incorporate trauma-focused treatment for this at-risk group are limited in scope, and effectiveness data are preliminary in nature. Additionally, there is limited evidence of acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of virtual interventions for ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse populations experiencing domestic violence and sexual violence. Accessing virtual interventions was also highlighted as a barrier to among participants in studies included in the review. Despite the potential of virtual interventions to respond to the needs of individuals affected by domestic violence and/or sexual violence, the acceptability and effectiveness of virtual trauma-focused care for a diverse range of populations at risk of violence are significantly understudied.

Objective: This study aims to provide a focused and detailed assessment of the validity evidence supporting procedure-specific operative assessment tools in general surgery. Summary of Background Data: Competency-based assessment tools should be supported by robust validity evidence to be used reliably for evaluation of operative skills. The contemporary framework of validity relies on five sources of evidence: content, response process, internal structure, relation to other variables, and consequences. Methods: A systematic search of 8 databases was conducted for studies containing procedure-specific operative assessment tools in general surgery. The validity evidence supporting each tool was assessed and scored in alignment with the contemporary framework of validity. Methodological rigour of studies was assessed with the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. The educational utility of each tool was assessed with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education framework. Results: There were 28 studies meeting inclusion criteria and 23 unique tools were assessed. Scores for validity evidence varied widely between tools, ranging from 3 -14 (maximum 15). Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument scores assessing the quality of study methodology were also variable (8.5-15.5, maximum 16.5). Direct reporting of educational utility criteria was limited. Conclusions: This study has identified a small group of procedure-specific operative assessment tools in general surgery. Many of these tools have limited validity evidence and have not been studied sufficiently to be used reliably in high-stakes summative assessments. As general surgery transitions to competency-based training, a more robust library of operative assessment tools will be required to support resident education and evaluation.

Background: In the rapidly shifting Canadian climate, an ageing population, and increased migration, a greater understanding of how local climate and air pollution hazards impact older adults and immigrant populations will be necessary for mitigating and adapting to adverse health impacts. Objectives: To explore the reported health impacts of climate change and air pollution exposures in older adults and immigrant people living in Canada, identify known factors influencing risk and resilience in these populations and gaps in the literature. Methods: We searched for research focused on older adults and immigrants living in Canada, published from 2010 onward, where the primary exposures were related to climate or air pollution. We extracted data on setting, exposures, health outcomes, and other relevant contextual factors. Results and Discussion: We identified 52 eligible studies, most focused in Ontario and Quebec. Older people in Canada experience health risks due to climate and air pollution exposures. The extent of the risk depends on multiple factors. We found little information about the climate- and air pollution-related health impacts experienced by immigrant communities. Conclusions: Further research about climate- and air pollution-related exposures, health, and which factors promote or reduce resiliency in Canada’s older adults and immigrant communities is necessary.

Objective Nasal septum cartilage is a hyaline cartilage that provides structural support to the nasal cavity and midface. Currently, information on its cellular and mechanical properties is widely dispersed and has often been inferred from studies conducted on other cartilage types such as the knee. A detailed understanding of nasal cartilage properties is important for several biological, clinical, and engineering disciplines. The objectives of this scoping review are to (1) consolidate actual existing knowledge on nasal cartilage properties and (2) identify gaps of knowledge and research questions requiring future investigations. Design This scoping review incorporated articles identified using PROSPERO, Cochrane Library (CDSR and Central), WOS BIOSIS, WOS Core Collection, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global databases. Following the screening process, 86 articles were considered. Articles were categorized into three groups: growth, extracellular matrix, and mechanical properties. Results Most articles investigated growth properties followed by extracellular matrix and mechanical properties. NSC cartilage is not uniform. Nasal cartilage growth varies with age and location. Similarly, extracellular matrix composition and mechanical properties are location-specific within the NSC. Moreover, most articles included in the review investigate these properties in isolation and only very few articles demonstrate the interrelationship between multiple cartilage properties. Conclusions This scoping review presents a first comprehensive description of research on NSC properties with a focus on NSC growth, extracellular matrix and mechanical properties. It additionally identifies the needs (1) to understand how these various cartilage properties intersect and (2) for more granular, standardized assessment protocols to describe NSC.

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