Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa最新文献

{"title":"Burnout and perceived stress in medical interns working at a hospital in Windhoek, Namibia.","authors":"Frieda Kalenga, Liezl Koen, Laila Asmal, Moleen Zunza, Roxane Jones","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.302","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Namibian medical interns face challenges that may contribute to financial strain, growing dissatisfaction and protests over deteriorating working conditions, which may increase vulnerability to perceived stress and burnout. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout and perceived stress among medical interns in Namibia and to examine the associations between these two factors and selected demographic characteristics. The study was conducted at the Windhoek Central Hospital and Katutura State Hospital (WCH-KSH) Complex in Windhoek, Namibia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey, which included a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. Data were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression to identify associations between burnout, perceived stress and demographic factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 107 interns who initiated the survey, 76 completed the full survey. The overall burnout prevalence was 79.4%, with personal burnout (96.0%) and work-related burnout (93.6%) being the most common subtypes. High perceived stress was present in 63.8% of participants and was significantly associated with burnout (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.62, <i>p</i> = 0.02). Engagement in hobbies was associated with a lower odds ratio of burnout (odds ratio [OR] = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06-0.71, <i>p</i> = 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Burnout and perceived stress measured on the CBI and PSS scales are highly prevalent in this sample of medical interns in Namibia. Workload-related stressors appear to be key contributors, while engagement in hobbies was associated with lower odds of burnout.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The findings of this study highlight the need for targeted interventions focused on workload management and access to psychological support in this occupational group.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"4 1","pages":"302"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13058527/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147648736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Restrictive approach to episiotomy and the risk of third- and fourth-grade perineal tears: An analytical cross-sectional study at a rural tertiary hospital in South Africa.","authors":"Masibonge S Ndlela, Charles B Businge","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.242","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.242","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Based on current evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a restrictive approach to episiotomy, rather than routine performance, with a rate of between 5% and 10%. This study aimed to ascertain the rate and conformity to the restrictive patterns of episiotomy among women delivering at Mthatha Regional Hospital (MRH).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 400 participants at MRH between January and June 2022. Demographic and obstetric data were collected and analysed using SPSS software. Continuous data were analysed using the student's <i>t</i>-test for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney <i>U</i>-test for skewed data, categorical data with the chi-square and Fisher's tests, and logistic regression for the independent predictors of episiotomy. A <i>p</i>-value < 0.05 was considered significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The rate of episiotomy was 19% (74/400). The indications for episiotomy were macrosomia (8.1%), foetal distress during the second stage of labour (5.4%), delayed second stage of labour (5.4%), prolonged second stage (5.4%), previous C/S x2 in labour (2.7%), forceps delivery (2.7%) and tight perineum (1.3%); 74% (55/74) was undocumented. The factors associated with episiotomy were maternal age < 20 years (odds ratio [OR] 5.5, confidence interval [CI] 3.2-9.5) and primigravid status (OR 10.2, CI 5.2 - 19), <i>p</i> < 0.05. The rate of third-degree perineal tears among women without episiotomy was 0.3%. There were no fourth-degree tears.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The practice of episiotomy at MRH exceeds the recommendation by the WHO. Young maternal age and primigravid women were risk factors for episiotomy.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The low incidence of third- and fourth-degree tears among women without episiotomy reaffirms the advantages of a restrictive approach to the practice of episiotomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"4 1","pages":"242"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969692/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The sterility and antimicrobial potential of 3M™ Micropore™ tape in a lower- to middle-income country.","authors":"Innocent Mukama, Mahendra Daya, Khine Swe Swe/Han, Yesholata Mahabeer","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.290","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.290","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Medical adhesives such as tape are used in wound care to hold down wound dressings onto the skin. Among these, 3M™ Micropore™ tape is widely used; however, limited data are available on its sterility and antibacterial effects, especially in environments where infection control practices may be compromised. We explored the sterility and antibacterial potential of factory-packaged 3M™ Micropore™ surgical tape. This study employed a prospective, experimental laboratory-based research design. A total of 48 separate pieces of tape were assessed. To investigate sterility, a <i>thioglycollate broth</i> and <i>Sabouraud dextrose</i> with chloramphenicol agar plates were used to detect bacterial and fungal growth, respectively. To assess antimicrobial properties, pieces of tape were placed on Mueller-Hinton agar plates lawned with 0.5 McFarland suspension of <i>Bacillus subtilis to detect</i> zones of inhibition around the tape. All samples of the tapes analysed found no evidence of bacterial or fungal growth after appropriate incubation periods. Antibacterial activity was not demonstrated. Evidenced by our results, we can conclude that the tapes are sterile. <i>In vitro</i>, the tape did not possess any antimicrobial properties.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>These results suggest that tape-assisted closure, together with safe tape handling, may be, in the future, an important adjunct in the plastic surgeon's armamentarium. Especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where cost and supply constraints may limit access to sterile wound dressings, 3M™ Micropore™ tape may offer a viable alternative when applied under hygienic conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"4 1","pages":"290"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The art of the clinical examination is still relevant in internal medicine at teaching hospitals in South Africa.","authors":"Mogamat-Yazied Chothia","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.340","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.340","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Clinical examination has long been central to diagnostic reasoning and to cultivating core professional attributes in internal medicine training; however, the relevance of clinical examination has been increasingly questioned in an era in which rapid access to specialised investigations is expanding. In the Eastern Metropole of Cape Town, the 'decentralisation' of specialised investigations, particularly radiological imaging and point-of-care ultrasound, has made these tools readily accessible at peripheral hospitals. While diagnostic efficiency has improved at peripheral centres, this improvement has occurred alongside a reduced emphasis on fundamental bedside skills among internal medicine registrars at the tertiary level. At our tertiary centre, the overburdened internal medicine admissions area leaves little time for detailed history taking or comprehensive physical examination. Consequently, investigations performed at referring centres often precede bedside assessment at our centre. This trend risks eroding the core competencies within internal medicine training, including diagnostic reasoning, observational proficiency and elements of the hidden curriculum such as communication, rapport-building and professionalism. In South Africa's resource-constrained environment, in which clinicians often confront advanced disease and complex pathology, the clinical examination remains indispensable. Training programmes should reaffirm the vital role of clinical examination, ensuring that registrars in internal medicine maintain mastery of bedside assessment, rather than relying on special investigations. The art of clinical examination remains fundamental to good medical practice and should be actively preserved within teaching hospitals.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"4 1","pages":"340"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969667/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Outcomes of renal hyperparathyroidism following parathyroidectomy in kidney replacement therapy patients at a tertiary centre in South Africa: A retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Tholakele Sabela, Nontembiso Mhlana, Wilhelmina Conradie, Mogamat-Yazied Chothia","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.316","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Renal hyperparathyroidism is a frequent complication among patients with kidney failure. Data on outcomes following parathyroidectomy in patients undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT) remain limited in South Africa (SA). This study aimed to assess postoperative surgical and biochemical complication rates and disease recurrence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult KRT patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism at Tygerberg Hospital over 7 years. Kaplan-Meier and univariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors of recurrence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-six patients underwent parathyroidectomy. Two-thirds were female with a mean age of 40.7 ± 8.50 years. Preoperative serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations were 2.41 ± 0.27 mmol/L and 176.7 (interquartile range [IQR] 124.4-245.1) pmol/L, respectively. Most patients (80%) underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy. The most common postoperative complication was hungry bone syndrome (HBS), which occurred in 98% of patients, and the postoperative total calcium concentration was 1.63 ± 0.28 mmol/L, observed on day 4 or later. Overall, recurrence of renal hyperparathyroidism occurred in 15% of patients. There were no predictors of recurrence on univariate logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A lower recurrence rate was observed in total parathyroidectomy and a lower hypoparathyroidism rate in subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX). Hungry bone syndrome was found to be the most frequent postoperative complication, reflecting more advanced disease at the time of surgery.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>In the future, the focus at Tygerberg Hospital should be on earlier surgical referral considering our limited medical options, and the decision-making regarding the surgical procedure should be discussed in a multidisciplinary team, with a focus on individualised priorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"4 1","pages":"316"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969688/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of COVID-19 on South African public-sector interventional radiology services - A single-centre study.","authors":"Ursula Lesar, Michelle Da Silva, Richard Pitcher","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.233","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.233","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Little is known about the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on South African interventional radiology (IR) services. This study aimed to assess the influence of COVID-19 on IR procedures at a tertiary-level public sector South African (SA) hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective audit of IR procedures over three 9-week periods in 2020: Period (1) pre-strict lockdown (23 January-25 March), period (2) strict lockdown (26 March-27 May) and period (3) post-strict lockdown (28 May-30 June). Data were captured and stratified by patient demographics, procedure indication, nature (vascular or non-vascular), time (normal or after-hours) and location (IR suite or ward). Calculated incidence rates of categories per period were performed and then compared between the three periods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 288, 218 and 204 procedures performed in periods 1, 2 and 3, respectively, with no significant proportional variation in gender, age, after-hours or ward procedures across the periods. During period 2, the overall (<i>n</i> = 218, <i>p</i> = 0.002), non-vascular (<i>n</i> = 148, <i>p</i> = 0.001) and vascular procedures (<i>n</i> = 70, <i>p</i> = 0.999) decreased by 24.3%, 29.8% and 9.1%, respectively. During period 3, the overall (<i>n</i> = 204, <i>p</i> = 0.496) and non-vascular (<i>n</i> = 122, <i>p</i> = 0.590) procedures declined by a further 6.4% and 17.6%, respectively, while vascular procedures (<i>n</i> = 82, <i>p</i> = 0.410) increased by 17.1%. In period 3, the overall (<i>n</i> = 204, <i>p</i> = 0.001) and non-vascular procedures (<i>n</i> = 122, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001) were 29.1% and 42.2% lower than period 1 levels, whereas vascular procedures (<i>n</i> = 82, <i>p</i> ≥ 0.999) demonstrated the so-called 'rebound phenomenon', exceeding period 1 by 6.5%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>COVID-19 pandemic impacted non-vascular and vascular IR procedures with variable difference between periods of strict lockdown and post-strict lockown. This affords a perspective on the emerging role of IR in health systems across the African continent.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study provides unique insights into the impact of COVID-19 on SA IR services.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"4 1","pages":"233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12869462/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146129166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pandemic preparedness: The case for sentinel surveillance of doctors' burnout.","authors":"Nondumiso Makhunga-Stevenson","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.297","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.297","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Doctors' wellbeing is an essential, yet often overlooked component of resilient health systems. Burnout, often described as the 'canary in the coalmine', offers a measurable, validated indicator of workforce strain that has direct implications for patient safety, quality of care and crisis response. This article argues for the integration of doctors' burnout into sentinel surveillance frameworks as part of South Africa's pandemic preparedness strategy. By embedding burnout monitoring within existing occupational health and surveillance systems, policymakers can generate actionable data, strengthen workforce resilience, and safeguard system performance during future epidemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"4 1","pages":"297"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12869526/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146129198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patients' views of the healthcare services during power outages in Pretoria Primary Healthcare.","authors":"Thando T Mnisi, Tombo Bongongo, Adeline M Nkoane","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.254","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v4i1.254","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Power outages are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. They cause a partial or complete interruption of power supply for electrical customers, including the public, businesses and essential services. This study explored the experiences of patients at Pretoria Primary Healthcare facilities during power outages.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a qualitative study with a descriptive phenomenology design using focus group discussions in three Community Health Centres (Soshanguve 3, Phedisong 4 and Kgabo) of Pretoria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 19 respondents, 12 (63.12%) were women and 7 (36.84%) were men. The average age was 50.52, with a minimum of 30 years old and a maximum of 74 years old. Four themes emerged from the analysis: restricted healthcare services during power outages, alternatives available during power outages, patient perceptions of staff behaviour and attitudes during power outages and recommendations for mitigating the effects of power outages. These were expanded upon two sub-themes: previous attempts to involve staff for improvement and strategies for minimising the consequences of power outages in clinics.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the selected Pretoria Primary Healthcare facilities, power outages disrupted medical services such as diagnostic, treatment and administration, resulting in extended waiting times and poor health outcomes. Generators and other restricted alternatives for resolving the problem were used.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Negative health effects can be prevented if the current issue is considered in the healthcare system.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"4 1","pages":"254"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12908189/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring options for family medicine subspecialisation in South Africa: A proposed way forward following a national workshop.","authors":"Mergan Naidoo, Klaus von Pressentin, Madeleine Muller, Olufemi Omole, Kimera T Suthiram, Laurel Baldwin-Ragaven","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v3i1.258","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v3i1.258","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Family medicine (FM) is a clinical discipline that provides comprehensive, continuous, contextualised, first contact and person-centred health care. The practice of FM is not limited by the patient's age, gender or diagnosis, thus encompassing the broad scope of general medical practice. Given the current epidemiological landscape in South Africa, however, there is an increasing demand in primary healthcare spaces (district hospitals, community health centres, and clinics) for in-depth knowledge and advanced skills to respond to the burgeoning complex needs of the population. The potential benefits of FM subspecialty training in relevant areas are therefore significant, including broadening access to expertise and skills for patients and improving career pathing and job satisfaction for Family Physicians (FPs). Subspecialisation in FM can enhance the quality of clinical care by strengthening the district health system to deliver effectively on the nation's health priorities. Recognising this potential, the College of FPs (South Africa) set up a task team to explore subspecialisation in FM through a workshop at the 25th Annual South African Academy of FPs in August 2023. This report details the background, proceedings and significant findings of the workshop. It suggests a way forward, including a Delphi study to explore subspecialisation possibilities further and build consensus within the discipline and with other key stakeholders.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This article reports on a national workshop convened by the College of FPs of South Africa to explore future subspecialisation pathways in FM. It represents an initial, exploratory phase of a broader research and policy development process rather than a hypothesis-driven empirical study. The purpose of sharing these findings is to document key deliberations, generate dialogue within the Colleges of Medicine, and inform the design of subsequent consensus-building steps, including a Delphi study.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"3 1","pages":"258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12817089/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of the framing effect on performance in a simulated emergency anaesthetic scenario in medical officers: A prospective, randomised, double-blinded study.","authors":"Guido Ferreira, David G Bishop, Pragasan D Gopalan","doi":"10.4102/jcmsa.v3i1.262","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jcmsa.v3i1.262","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cognitive errors in anaesthesia may contribute significantly to medical error in the perioperative environment, but few studies have been conducted in this area. The framing effect is a cognitive bias that occurs when a problem is presented in different ways, potentially leading to changes in clinical decision-making.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The authors conducted a single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blinded study with the aim of determining the impact of the framing effect in medical officers who have recently passed their Diploma in Anaesthesia examination in the Pietermaritzburg Anaesthetic Department. All participants underwent the same simulated emergency scenario related to high airway pressures (because of a bronchial plug) in a ventilated patient under anaesthesia. Participants were allocated either to a control group (receiving a neutral handover) or to an experiment group (receiving a handover that included additional information relating to asthma). The authors also collected quantitative data related to clinical performance and qualitative data related to participants' experience of the scenario.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included a total of 34 medical officers, with 17 in each group. There was no difference in median times to diagnosis (control group 240 [interquartile range {IQR} 195-240] vs experimental group 240 [IQR 162-240] s; z = -0.433, <i>p</i> = 0.6648). There were no differences in secondary outcomes. Participants reported a positive learning experience that may influence future training methods.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study was unable to demonstrate objective evidence for the framing effect in this simulation study. Future studies can use these findings to perform sample size calculations for larger studies to investigate this important area.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study offers insight into the relationship between cognitive bias and clinical decision-making within anaesthesia simulation training. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how framing effects may influence trainee responses in simulated clinical scenarios. This work aligns with the JCMSA's focus on medical education and training.</p>","PeriodicalId":521047,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the colleges of medicine of South Africa","volume":"3 1","pages":"262"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12817088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}