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Background Effective doctor-patient communication (DPC) is important to improve the quality of care and treatment outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified DPC training programme designed for surgical residents in China. Methods A total of 210 surgical residents from 7 specialties were recruited to participate in a communication skills training programme. The extended SEGUE scale was administered to supervisors, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) was administered to standardized patients (SPs) and trainees. Evaluations were conducted by comparing the pre-post scale scores (before, immediately after and 1 month after the programme). Training effects were assessed using the Friedman test and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results Compared to the extended SEGUE scale total scores before the programme, the scores both immediately after and 1 month after the program increased significantly (15.88 ± 1.93 vs. 26.40 ± 1.47 and 26.15 ± 1.36, respectively, p < 0.001). The scores of five of the six dimensions in the extended SEGUE scale significantly increased (p < 0.001), except for the patient’s perspective dimension score, which had no change ( p = 0.162). With respect to this dimension, a subgroup analysis by gender indicated an increase among females ( p < 0.001) and a decrease among males (p < 0.001). The VAS scores, which were evaluated for the SPs and trainees, increased significantly compared to the scores before the program, both immediately after and 1 month after the programme (4.31 ± 1.35 vs. 7.36 ± 1.62 and 7.34 ± 1.24, p < 0.001; 7.31 ± 1.25 vs. 8.39 ± 1.32 and 8.30 ± 1.24, p < 0.001, respectively). The consistency of the VAS between the SPs and surgical residents was 0.26 ( p < 0.001), 0.70 (p < 0.001), and 0.70 (p < 0.001) before, immediately after and 1 month after the programme, respectively. Conclusion This training programme improved the DPC competency of surgical residents, effectively increased the levels of satisfaction of both SPs and surgical residents, and improved the consistency of evaluation between SPs and surgical residents during doctor-patient encounters. The registration UIN is ChiCTR1800019790 from November 28, 2018. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12909-019-1776-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Surgical resection is the primary treatment strategy for pheochromocytoma; however, it carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality, especially with respect to cardiovascular complications, which is the most common kinds of morbidity. The risk factors for morbidity remain unclear and require further exploration, moreover no studies focus on risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity. Herein we identified the risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity after pheochromocytoma surgery in Chinese patients. We retrospectively reviewed 262 patients who underwent unilateral surgical resection of pheochromocytoma at our center between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2016. Patient demographics and extensive perioperative data were recorded and evaluated. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined by multivariate logistic regression. Cutoff values and the area under the curve for continuous risk factors were calculated based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 262 patients, 63 (24.0%) had cardiovascular morbidity. The independent risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity were low body mass index, large radiographic tumor size, coronary heart disease, no preoperative crystal/colloid administration, and intraoperative hemodynamic instability; the corresponding odds ratio were 0.762 (p < 0.001), 1.208 (p = 0.010), 2.378 (p = 0.012), 2.720 (p = 0.011), and 4.764 (p = 0.001), respectively. The optimal cutoff values for body mass index and radiographic tumor size were 24.59 kg/m 2 and 6.05 cm. We found that cardiovascular morbidity is common in patients after pheochromocytoma surgery. We identified five independent risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity. Identification of these risk factors may help to improve treatment strategies.

Introduction To explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the associated risk factors in frontline nurses under COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 20, 2020 to March 20, 2020 and involved 562 frontline nurses. The effective response rate was 87.68%. After propensity score matched, there were 498 participants left. Extensive characteristics, including demographics, dietary habits, life-related factors, work-related factors, and psychological factors were collected based on a self-reported questionnaire. Specific scales measured the levels of sleep quality, physical activity, depressive symptoms, perceived organization support and psychological capital. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined by binary paired logistic regression. Results Of the nurses enrolled in the study, 50.90% had depressive symptoms. Three independent risk factors were identified: poor sleep quality (OR = 1.608, 95% CI: 1.384–1.896), lower optimism of psychological capital (OR = 0.879, 95% CI: 0.805–0.960) and no visiting friend constantly (OR = 0.513, 95% CI: 0.286–0.920). Conclusions This study revealed a considerable high prevalence of depressive symptoms in frontline nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak, and identified three risk factors, which were poor sleep quality, lower optimism of psychological capital, and no visiting friend constantly. Protecting mental health of nurses is important for COVID-19 pandemic control and their wellbeing. These findings enrich the existing theoretical model of depression and demonstrated a critical need for additional strategies that could address the mental health in frontline nurses for policymakers.