Medical Psychology Services in Dutch General Hospitals: State of the Art Developments and Recommendations for the Future

Comparison of problem-based learning and traditional teaching methods in medical psychology education in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

PBL approach has been widely used in many Chinese universities over the past decade. However, the effects of PBL approach on medical psychology education in China are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the PBL approach was superior to the lecture-based teaching method in the context of the medical psychology curriculum in China.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to confirm the effectiveness of PBL in Chinese medical psychology. Corresponding databases were searched for available studies, where data were extracted to calculated Hedges' g and its 95% confidence interval in total and subgroup analyses. Subgroup analyses were also carried out.

RESULTS

Nine studies with 551 cases and 496 controls were identified. The total examination scores of students in the PBL approach group were significantly higher compared with students in the traditional lecture-based teaching group under the random effect model (Hedges' g = 1.510, 95%CI 0.792-2.227, p<0.001). Subgroup analyses based on major and school system exhibited similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supported the notion that the PBL approach may be applicable to Chinese medical psychology education.

Perioperative Interdisciplinary Intervention Contributes to Improved Outcomes of Adolescents Treated With Hip Preservation Surgery

BACKGROUND

Adolescent hip preservation surgery (HPS) candidates typically present with chronic pain, which can negatively affect psychological function and surgical outcomes. A previous study demonstrated high rates of psychological symptoms and maladaptive behaviors in this population. This study quantified psychological and functional improvements in these patients from preoperative presentation to postoperative follow-up. An integrated interdisciplinary approach is also described.

METHODS

A total of 67 patients undergoing HPS were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 year by staff psychologists. Perioperative psychological intervention consisted of education, counseling, and administration of self-report measures. Self-report measure scores were compared preoperatively and postoperatively, grouped by orthopaedic diagnoses. Frequency analysis, correlational analysis, and analysis of variance were conducted.

RESULTS

Psychological function improved significantly at follow-up: decreased emotional symptomatology (46.1 to 43.6, P=0.013), anxiety (49.6 to 45.8, P<0.001), school problems (46.6 to 44.7, P=0.035), internalizing problems (46.3 to 44.1, P=0.015), social stress (44.5 to 42.3, P=0.024), sense of inadequacy (49.0 to 46.0, P=0.004), and increased self-concept (51.1 to 54.1, P=0.003). Resiliency factors also significantly improved: increased mastery (50.3 to 52.9, P=0.001) and resourcefulness (49.7 to 52.0, P=0.046), decreased emotional reactivity (46.3 to 42.9, P=0.001), and vulnerability (47.7 to 44.7, P=0.011). Physical function and return to activity also significantly improved (University of California-Los Angeles: 7.1 to 8.7, P=0.017; modified Harris Hip Score: 67.3 to 83.8, P<0.001). Return to activity positively correlated with optimism and self-efficacy (P=0.041). Femoroacetabular impingement and hip dysplasia patients consistently reported feeling less depressed (P=0.036), having fewer somatic complaints (P=0.023), fewer internalized problems (P=0.037), and exhibiting fewer atypical behaviors (P=0.036) at follow-up. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients did not demonstrate improvements in psychological functioning postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative psychological education and counseling, in combination with HPS, improved postoperative psychological and physical function. Patients reported reduced anxiety, school problems, and social stress, with marked increase in resilience. Increased mobility and return to activity significantly correlated with improved optimism and self-efficacy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II-therapeutic studies-investigating the results of treatment.