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M Poliquin

Publications and source records attributed to M Poliquin.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Competency-Based Certification Project. Phase III: content validity, standard setting and criterion-related validity.

This is the final article in a three-part series explaining the CAMRT's Competency-Based Certification Project--an effort to make the Association's certification process more job-relevant. The first article (Journal, August 1994) explained the job analysis process used to specify and validate the list of duties and tasks required of entry-level medical radiation technologists, the imaging and treatment procedures they perform, and the equipment they use. The second article (Journal, October 1994) explained the process for developing an examination blueprint by reviewing the CAMRT's examinations and summaries of clinical experience in the context of competency-based evaluation and the job analysis validation in each discipline. This article examines the development of assessment standards for certification examinations and summaries of clinical experience. It provides an overview of the steps necessary to develop a valid and defensible licensure/certification process after development of the examination content is complete.

Canada↗
PubMed1995

Pretreatment serum hepatitis C virus RNA levels and hepatitis C virus genotype are the main and independent prognostic factors of sustained response to interferon alfa therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

The aim of the study was to determine the respective influence of pretreatment serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels and HCV genotype on the response to interferon (IFN) alfa in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We retrospectively studied 141 patients with chronic hepatitis C included in two consecutive controlled trials of IFN alfa. A sustained response was observed in 28, a response followed by relapse in 43, and no response in 70 patients. Pretreatment serum HCV RNA quantitation with the branched DNA (bDNA) assay and HCV genotyping with reverse hybridization assay (LiPA) were performed in all patients. Seventy-four percent of the patients had detectable serum HCV RNA (43%, 77% and 84%) in the three groups of patients with sustained response, relapse, and no response, respectively (P = .005). Mean serum HCV RNA level were 1.4 +/- 6 x 10(6), 4.8 +/- 6 x 10(6), and 3.9 +/- 5 x 10(6) genomes/mL in patients with sustained response, response and relapse, and no response, respectively (P < .01). Genotype 1b was found in 7%, 47%, and 46% of the patients in the three response groups, respectively. By univariate analysis, age, source, and duration of HCV infection, serum HCV RNA levels, and HCV genotypes were significantly different in the three response groups. By multivariate analysis, the only independent factors associated with sustained response were low serum HCV RNA levels and HCV genotype other than 1b. Pretreatment serum HCV RNA levels and HCV genotype are the main and independent factors associated with sustained response to IFN therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The changing scene of hepatic vein thrombosis: recognition of asymptomatic cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic vein thrombosis is thought to be manifested by ascites, abdominal pain, and hepatomegaly, with a uniformly poor prognosis. However, new imaging techniques allow for the diagnosis of hepatic vein thrombosis in asymptomatic cases. The aim of our study was to re-evaluate symptoms and prognosis in patients with hepatic vein thrombosis. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with hepatic vein thrombosis were analyzed. Forty-seven patients were admitted from 1970 to June 1987 (group I, before Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging were introduced at our hospital) and 34 from July 1987 to June 1991 (group II). RESULTS: When comparing the two groups, age, sex ratio, and causes of hepatic vein thrombosis did not differ. Eight group II patients (asymptomatic patients) had no ascites, hepatomegaly, or abdominal pain. One major hepatic vein remained patent in 41% of group II patients, compared with 12% in group I (P < 0.05). Intrahepatic collaterals were seen in 79% of group II patients, compared with 21% of group I patients (P < 0.01). All asymptomatic patients had large intrahepatic and portasystemic collaterals. At 3 years, death occurred in 22% of group II patients and in 45% of group I patients. No asymptomatic patient died. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic hepatic vein thrombosis is associated with the spontaneous development of large intrahepatic and portosystemic collaterals. In asymptomatic patients, prognosis at 3 years seems to be good, and surgical therapy may not be required.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Competency-based certification project. Phase I: Job analysis.

The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (C.A.M.R.T.) is transforming its existing certification process into a competency-based process, consistent with the knowledge and skills required by entry-level radiography, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine technology practitioners. The project concurs with the change in focus advocated by the Conjoint Committee on Allied Medical Education Accreditation. The Committee supports new accreditation requirements that, among other things, place more emphasis on competency-based learning outcomes. Following is the first of three papers prepared by the C.A.M.R.T. to explain the project and the strategy for its implementation, focusing respectively on each phase. This paper discusses Phase One: the job analysis.

Canada↗
PubMed1994

Competency-Based Certification Project. Phase II: Examination blueprint.

This is the second of three articles explaining the C.A.M.R.T.'s Competency-Based Certification Project--an effort to make the certification process more job-relevant. The first article (August 1994 Journal) explained the job analysis process used to specify and validate the list of duties and tasks of entry-level medical radiation technologists, the imaging and treatment procedures they perform, and the equipment they use. This article discusses how the results of the project's job analysis will help determine the content of the certification process. It explains the work involved in reviewing the C.A.M.R.T.'s examinations and summaries of clinical experience in the context of competency-based evaluation and the job analysis validation in each discipline. The resulting "examination blueprint" will become a key document for persons involved in the C.A.M.R.T.'s certification process. This article briefly describes the examination blueprint's components and related concepts. The third and final article of this series will examine the development of assessment standards for certification examinations and summaries of clinical experience.

Canada↗