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March 2023; 2 (1) Research ArticleOpen Access

Education Research: Neurology Residents Report Improved Skills After Initiation of a Lumbar Puncture Clinic

Anna Pfalzer, Heather Koons, Christopher Lee, Lealani Mae Acosta
First published January 19, 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/NE9.0000000000200040
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Article Figures & Data

Figures

  • Figure 1
    Figure 1 Participant Responses to Perception Survey Regarding (A) Estimated Number of Lumbar Punctures (LPs) Completed Annually, (B) Estimated Number of LPs Completed Over the Course of Residency, (C) Participant Perceived Confidence in Completing LPs and (D) Participant Perceived Success Rate Preclinic and Postclinic Establishment

    Data for (A) and (B) are shown as percentage with statistical differences determined using logistic regression. Data for (C) and (D) are shown as mean ± SD with statistical significance set at p < 0.05 and determined using Mann-Whitney tests.

  • Figure 2
    Figure 2 Role of Patient BMI on Neurology Residents (A) Successful Completion of LP and (B) Need for Assistance by the Attending Physician

    Data are reported as mean ± SD, and an asterisk (**) indicates p < 0.01 between groups using a Mann-Whitney test. BMI = body mass index; LP = lumbar puncture.

Tables

  • Table 1

    Resident Perception Survey: Participant Demographics Pre-LP and Post-LP Clinic Establishment (eAppendix 1, links.lww.com/NE9/A13)

    VariablesPreclinicPostclinic
    20182018–20192019–20202018–2020
    PGY, n (%)
     PGY25 (33)2 (33)3 (25)5 (28)
     PGY36 (40)2 (33)5 (42)7 (39)
     PGY44 (27)2 (33)4 (33)6 (33)
     Total15 (100)6 (100)12 (100)18 (100)
    Confidence, mean ± SD
     PGY262.0 ± 18.460.0 ± 14.153.0 ± 29.655.3 ± 24.1
     PGY362.8 ± 28.277.0 ± 2.872.2 ± 14.373.5 ± 11.9
     PGY481.3 ± 2.5100.0 ± 0.0069.3 ± 13.379.5 ± 18.9
     Total65.4 ± 20.279.0 ± 19.169.7 ± 20.471.9 ± 20.1
    Success rate, mean ± SD
     PGY269.4 ± 20.457.0 ± 9.878.0 ± 10.271.0 ± 14.1
     PGY355.6 ± 18.182.5 ± 3.573.4 ± 7.276.0 ± 7.5
     PGY472.7 ± 1.787.0 ± 5.773.8 ± 7.678.1 ± 9.4
     Total65.2 ± 17.075.5 ± 15.474.9 ± 7.975.11 ± 10.4a

    • Abbreviations: LP = lumbar puncture; PGY = postgraduate year.

    • Table 1 outlines the breakdown in responses by PGY and preclinic (2018) or postclinic (2018–2020) establishment. Preclinic and postclinic comparisons were analyzed using the gray highlighted columns (2018 vs 2018–2020).

    • ↵a Statistical significance at p < 0.05 compared with preclinic success rate.

  • Table 2

    Clinical Outcomes Survey: Participant Demographics Pre-LP and Post-LP Clinic Establishment (eAppendix 2, links.lww.com/NE9/A14)

    VariablePreclinicPostclinic
    20182018–20192019–20202018–2020
    Attending assistance (2018–2019, 2019–2020)
     PGY2 (1, 2)N/A1 (100%)1 (50%)2 (67%)
     PGY3 (6, 7)N/A5 (83%)a2 (29%)7 (54%)
     PGY4 (13, 17)N/A3 (23%)8 (47%)11 (37%)
     TotalN/A9 (45%)11 (42%)20 (43%)

    • Abbreviations: LP = lumbar puncture; N/A = not available; PGY = postgraduate year.

    • A greater number of residents completed separate surveys relating to LP completion; thus, sample size for the variable “attending assistance” is shown separately for that variable. For attending assistance, percentages reflect the percent by PGY.

    • ↵a Statistical significance at p < 0.05 compared with PGY4s.

  • NameLocationContribution
    Anna Pfalzer, PhDVanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TNDrafting/revision of the article for content, including medical writing for content; analysis or interpretation of data
    Heather Koons, MD, MPHVanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TNDrafting/revision of the article for content, including medical writing for content; major role in the acquisition of data; and study concept or design
    Christopher Lee, MD, MPHVanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TNDrafting/revision of the article for content, including medical writing for content; major role in the acquisition of data; and study concept or design
    Lealani Mae Acosta, MD, MPHVanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TNDrafting/revision of the article for content, including medical writing for content; major role in the acquisition of data; study concept or design; and analysis or interpretation of data

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