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A 5-week intensive training institute was conducted for 13 public school administrators who have research responsibilities under Title I and Title III projects. The program focused on research methodology and design, statistical procedures, evaluation of research, and proposal writing. The general format was a lecture or presentation period followed by a laboratory session for immediate application or study of the materials presented in the earlier session. Some time in each session was devoted to discussions and to question-and-answer activities, and 3 field trips were made to nearby research centers. The ability of the University to provide immediate computer application aided the teaching program. Pre- and posttests, measuring understanding of research terms and concepts, indicated substantial achievement of institute objectives. Participant evaluations revealed that they got essentially what they had expected to get from the institute although they felt a greater length of time was needed to permit proper coverage of the proposed curriculum. A high level of participant motivation coupled with the enthusiasm and ability of the staff strengthened the program. Appended are publicity materials and 11 pages of written evaluations by the staff and 6 participants. (JS)

Surgical site infections (SSIs) of groin wounds are a common and potentially preventable cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in vascular surgery. Our aim was to define the contemporaneous rate of groin SSIs, determine clinical sequelae, and identify risk factors for SSI.\ud \ud An international multicentre prospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing groin incision for femoral vessel access in vascular surgery was undertaken over 3 months, follow‐up was 90 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of groin wound SSI.\ud \ud 1337 groin incisions (1039 patients) from 37 centres were included. 115 groin incisions (8.6%) developed SSI, of which 62 (4.6%) were superficial. Patients who developed an SSI had a significantly longer length of hospital stay (6 versus 5 days, P = .005), a significantly higher rate of post‐operative acute kidney injury (19.6% versus 11.7%, P = .018), with no significant difference in 90‐day mortality. Female sex, Body mass index≥30 kg/m2, ischaemic heart disease, aqueous betadine skin preparation, bypass/patch use (vein, xenograft, or prosthetic), and increased operative time were independent predictors of SSI.\ud \ud Groin infections, which are clinically apparent to the treating vascular unit, are frequent and their development carries significant clinical sequelae. Risk factors include modifiable and non‐modifiable variables.

Background: Previous research has suggested that patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are not offered adequate risk factor modification, despite their high cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular profiles of patients with PAD and quantify the survival benefits of target-based risk factor modification. Methods: The Vascular and Endovascular Research Network (VERN) prospectively collected cardiovascular profiles of patients with PAD from ten UK vascular centres (April to June 2018) to assess practice against UK and European goal-directed best medical therapy guidelines. Risk and benefits of risk factor control were estimated using the SMART-REACH model, a validated cardiovascular prediction tool for patients with PAD. Results: Some 440 patients (mean(s.d.) age 70(11) years, 24·8 per cent women) were included in the study. Mean(s.d.) cholesterol (4·3(1·2) mmol/l) and LDL-cholesterol (2·7(1·1) mmol/l) levels were above recommended targets; 319 patients (72·5 per cent) were hypertensive and 343 (78·0 per cent) were active smokers. Only 11·1 per cent of patients were prescribed high-dose statin therapy and 39·1 per cent an antithrombotic agent. The median calculated risk of a major cardiovascular event over 10 years was 53 (i.q.r. 44–62) per cent. Controlling all modifiable cardiovascular risk factors based on UK and European guidance targets (LDL-cholesterol less than 2 mmol/l, systolic BP under 140 mmHg, smoking cessation, antiplatelet therapy) would lead to an absolute risk reduction of the median 10-year cardiovascular risk by 29 (20–38) per cent with 6·3 (4·0–9·3) cardiovascular disease-free years gained. Conclusion: The medical management of patients with PAD in this secondary care cohort was suboptimal. Controlling modifiable risk factors to guideline-based targets would confer significant patient benefit.

Background: Previous research suggests patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) are not offered adequate risk-factor modification, despite their high cardiovascular risk. We aimed to assess the cardiovascular profiles of patients with PAD in the UK and quantify the survival benefits of target-based risk-factor modification. Methods: The Vascular and Endovascular Research Network (VERN) prospectively collected cardiovascular profiles of patients with PAD from ten UK vascular centres (April - June 2018) to assess practice against UK and European goal-directed BMT guidelines. Risk and benefits of risk-factor control were estimated using the SMART-REACH model, a validated cardiovascular prediction tool for patients with PAD. Results: Overall, 440 patients (mean age: 70±11 years, 24% female) were included. Mean cholesterol (4.3±1.2 mmol/L) and LDL (2.7±1.1 mmol/L) levels were above recommended levels; 319 (73%) patients were hypertensive and 343 (78%) were smokers. Only 12% of patients were prescribed high-dose statin therapy and 39% an antithrombotic agent. The median risk of a major cardiovascular event over 10-years was 53% [Interquartile Range (IQR): 44-62%]. Controlling all modifiable cardiovascular risk-factors based on UK and European guidance targets (LDL

Aim Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures (PROMs) are standard measures in the assessment of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, but the range and complexity of available PROMs may be hindering the synthesis of evidence. This systematic review aimed to: (i) summarize PROMs in studies of CRC surgery and (ii) categorize PRO content to inform the future development of an agreed minimum ‘core’ outcome set to be measured in all trials. Method All PROMs were identified from a systematic review of prospective CRC surgical studies. The type and frequency of PROMs in each study were summarized, and the number of items documented. All items were extracted and independently categorized by content by two researchers into ‘health domains’, and discrepancies were discussed with a patient and expert. Domain popularity and the distribution of items were summarized. Results Fifty-eight different PROMs were identified from the 104 included studies. There were 23 generic, four cancer-specific, 11 disease-specific and 16 symptom-specific questionnaires, and three ad hoc measures. The most frequently used PROM was the EORTC QLQ-C30 (50 studies), and most PROMs (n = 40, 69%) were used in only one study. Detailed examination of the 50 available measures identified 917 items, which were categorized into 51 domains. The domains comprising the most items were ‘anxiety’ (n = 85, 9.2%), ‘fatigue’ (n = 67, 7.3%) and ‘physical function’ (n = 63, 6.9%). No domains were included in all PROMs. Conclusion There is major heterogeneity of PRO measurement and a wide variation in content assessed in the PROMs available for CRC. A core outcome set will improve PRO outcome measurement and reporting in CRC trials.