Clinical Society of Bath - Postgraduate Prize Presentations
19th November 2018
Dr Robert Penders (presented by Shelley Barnes)
Robert qualified from Exeter and Plymouth University in 2011 and is an Anaesthetic Registrar in the Severn Deanery, having completed his ACCS Core training in Bath. Rob has a special interest in health technology, leading him to develop an App for junior doctors at the RUH - ‘Survive On Call’. He now works part-time as a clinical advisor for a health technology company in London
Patients undergoing upper limb surgery often do so under regional or local anaesthesia, while remaining fully conscious. Frequently, patients are anxious about remaining awake in the operating theatre. This can be a barrier to a patient accepting this form of anaesthesia. Subsequently, sedative medication is provided or, in certain circumstances, the patient undergoes general anaesthesia instead
In recent years, virtual reality (VR) headsets have become increasingly affordable and accessible to the public. A group of five Anaesthetists at the RUH are currently running a randomised control trial to investigate the effect of immersive VR on procedural anxiety. Patients undergoing regional anaesthesia for upper limb surgery will either be provided with a VR headset and headphones or have no distraction (as a control). We then record perioperative anxiety and overall satisfaction with the procedure
The intention is that immersive VR could be an alternative to sedation as a means of reducing anxiety in this patient group
We haven’t reached our target recruitment numbers yet and so the presentation will be focused on what we have done so far, and potentially a demonstration of what we show to patients (rather than any preliminary results)
As Dr Penders is unable to attend the Clinical Society Meeting, Shelley Barnes, an investigator for this study, will be presenting on his behalf
Dr Selina Khan
Selina Khan is currently working at the Bristol Eye Hospital as one of the ophthalmic specialist trainees and decided to research the effect on refractory retinal oedema secondary to diabetic retinopathy in individuals having had surgery, such as pars plana vitrectomy, whilst on placement in Bath. Selina has an interest in the sub speciality medical retina and conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and myopic degeneration. Specifically the role for disease prevention and optimal management are key areas of importance for her. Currently Selina is completing a masters in Genomic Medicine to learn about the effect of genes on how we respond to medication and whether there are options for treatment in the future for conditions such as refractory diabetic retinopathy where there is limited potential for visual gain
The presentation is on visual outcomes for patients with diabetic macular oedema that has been resistant to conventional treatment with anti VEGF intravitreal injections; instead an injection of a long-acting steroid, Iluvien, has conferred reduction in thickness of the retinal with interesting vision results that will be discussed in the presentation
Dr Francesca Moore
Francesca Moore qualified from the University of Birmingham in 2014. She is currently a trust grade doctor working in haematology. Prior to this she has worked in both the stroke department and in orthogeriatrics here at the RUH
Fracture risk is increased post-stroke and because of this we have developed a bone health pathway for stroke patients over the age of 60. This pathway incorporates fracture risk assessment, calcium and vitamin D replacement and the administration of bisphosphonates for the those deemed at high risk of fracture. So far over 60 patients have been trialled on the pathway, with many receiving either oral or intravenous bisphosphonates as bone protection. This project was presented at the regional British Geriatric Society meeting in March