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This research looks closely at claims that ratemyprofessors.com creates a valid measure of teaching effectiveness because student responses are consistent with a learning model. While some evidence for this contention was found in three datasets taken from the site, the majority of the evidence indicates that the instrument is biassed by a halo effect, and creates what most accurately could be called a "likeability" scale.

Background: Adolescents often benefit from surgical management of recurrent patellofemoral instability (PFI). However, the precise radiologic risk factors for failure of PFI surgery remains incompletely investigated. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of failure, defined as recurrence of instability, in a large cohort of adolescent athletes undergoing primary surgery for PFI, and to identify preoperative radiologic risk factors for recurrence. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on patients aged ≤19 years who underwent primary surgery for PFI at a single tertiary care center between 2008 and 2017. Patients underwent procedures including medial retinacular plication/reefing/advancement (MRP), medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR), tibial tubercle osteotomy with or without MRP (TTO), or combined TTO/MPFLR. Exclusion criteria were BMI >30kg/m2, surgery for fixation of chondral fractures >1cm, and diagnosis of a syndromic disorder. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were reviewed, and radiologic parameters were recorded. Demographic and radiologic variables were compared between patients with and without subsequent PFI. Logistic regression was utilized to determine which imaging variables were associated with post-operative PFI. Results: 303 patients (mean age 15.1 years, 71% female) underwent surgery for PFI with median follow up time of 3.0 years. At final follow-up, 76/303 (25%) of patients experienced post-operative PFI, with 41 of these patients (54%; 14% overall) undergoing revision PFI surgery. Post-operative PFI patients were younger (14.3 vs 15.4 years; p<0.001) and more likely to have undergone isolated MRP surgery (66% vs 35%; p<0.001) (Table 1). Pertinent radiologic findings in recurrent PFI patients vs non-recurrence patients included open physes (62% vs 49%; p<0.001), larger sulcus angle (163.9 vs 159.2; p<0.001), larger patellar tilt angle (26.3 vs 23.6; p=0.04), and larger Caton-Deschamps Index (CDI) (1.3 vs 1.2; p=0.03) (Table 2). Each additional degree of sulcus angle increased the odds of recurrent instability by 5% (OR=1.05; p=0.002), while each additional year of age decreased the odds of failure by 23% (OR=0.77; p<0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, 25% of adolescents experienced post-operative PFI after primary patellofemoral stabilization surgery. However, such patients were more likely to be younger—a known risk factor for recurrence—and were more likely to undergo MRP, a procedure now largely replaced by MPFLR. Radiologic risk factors for failure included open physes, flatter trochlea, greater patellar tilt, and greater patella alta. Such data should guide treatment decisions and inform the risk of failure of surgical stabilization procedures in adolescents with PFI. Table 1. Patient Demographics by Presence or Absence of Recurrent Instability (N=303). Table 2. Imaging Measurements by Presence or Absence of Recurrent Instability (N=303). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we assess the effects of the Expect Respect Support Groups (ERSG) on frequency of teen dating violence (TDV) and general youth violence. ERSG is a school-based violence prevention program for youth who have been exposed to violence in their home, school, or community. Boys and girls (N=1,678, Mage=14.3, S.D.=1.7, Range=11-17) from 36 schools in Texas participated in this accelerated longitudinal (7-year trajectory) study beginning in 2011. Latent growth curve analyses were conducted using three waves of data from three cross-sectional cohorts of adolescents. Among boys, the number of ERSG sessions attended related to incremental declines in psychological TDV perpetration and victimization, physical TDV victimization, sexual TDV perpetration and victimization, reactive aggression, and proactive aggression. Girls attending ERSG demonstrated reductions in reactive and proactive aggression. The present findings suggest ERSG may be an effective cross-cutting strategy to reduce TDV and other forms of violence among high-risk boys and possibly girls. This information provides valuable understanding of TDV and youth violence in high-risk populations and may be useful in tailoring future prevention efforts to different groups of teens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-grade trochlear dysplasia (HGTD) has previously been identified as a risk factor for failure of surgical management of patellofemoral instability (PFI). However, limited data exists on the influence of the type of surgical procedure performed on postoperative outcomes in these patients. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the rates of failure of primary PFI surgery in patients with HGTD compared to those without HGTD and to assess the effect of the type of surgery on recurrent instability and return to OR. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on patients aged ≤19 years who underwent primary surgery for PFI at a single tertiary care center between 2008 and 2017. Patients underwent procedures including medial retinacular plication/reefing/advancement (MRP), graft-based medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR), tibial tubercle osteotomy with or without MRP (TTO), or combined MPFLR + TTO. Exclusion criteria were BMI >30kg/m2, surgery for fixation of chondral fractures >1cm, and diagnosis of a syndromic disorder. Trochlear dysplasia was evaluated based on pre-operative MRI according to the Dejour classification system. Those with Dejour grade B or higher were designated as having HGTD. Comparisons were made between HGTD patients and non-HGTD patients, with logistic regression utilized to determine if surgery type was associated with recurrent PFI and revision PFI surgery. Results: 303 patients (mean age 15.1 years, 71% female) underwent primary surgical stabilization for PFI with median follow up time of 3.0 years. Approximately half (149/303, 49%) of the cohort had HGTD. Demographics were comparable between HGTD and non-HGTD patients (Table 1). HGTD and non-HGTD cohorts showed similar rates of post-operative instability, revision PFI surgery, and non-PFI secondary surgery. HGTD patients (Table 2) who underwent MPFLR had a 63% decrease in the odds of post-operative PFI compared to those who underwent MRP (OR=0.37; p=0.03). HGTD patients who underwent TTO had an 80% decrease in the odds of post-operative PFI compared to patients undergoing MRP (OR=0.20; p=0.002). Conclusion: Adolescents with PFI and HGTD have similar results after surgical stabilization to those patients without HGTD. Within the HGTD cohort, however, the type of surgery performed significantly influenced outcome. Patients with HGTD that underwent MRP had significantly more recurrent PFI and revision PFI surgery than patients that underwent other procedures, suggesting a limited role for this procedure in this sub-population of PFI patients. Table 1. Patient Demographics and Outcomes Compared Between Trochlear Dysplasia Groups (n=303). Table 2. Outcomes of Patients with HGTD Compared by Type of Surgery (N=149). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Return-to-sport (RTS) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is influenced by multiple physical and psychological variables. Psychological readiness has been associated with improved patient reported outcomes as well as RTS rates in young athletes. The COVID-19 pandemic may have altered the typical recovery process for patients undergoing ACLR. Hypothesis/Purpose: To compare 6-month postoperative levels of psychological readiness to RTS in ACLR patients before and during the pandemic. Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled 6 months after primary ACLR at a single academic sports medicine practice, from December 2018 until May 2021. Patients were categorized into pre-COVID (enrollment prior to March 13, 2020) and COVID groups (March 13, 2020 - May 26, 2021). Demographic information, outcomes scores including the ACL-Return to Sport after Injury Scale (RSI) and PROMIS Psychological Stress Experiences (PROMIS-PSE), and physician RTS clearance were obtained and compared for both groups. Comparisons were performed utilizing Chi-square, Student's t-tests and linear regression. A matched analysis was conducted between groups controlling for age, sex, and graft type. Results: 231 patients were included in the present study (89 males, 142 females; mean age 16.9 years), with 76% (176/231) in the pre-COVID group and 24% (55/231) in the COVID group. There were no significant differences in age and sex between the two population cohorts. There was a significant difference in time from surgery to enrollment in the COVID group compared to the pre-COVID group (7.1 vs 6.2 months, p<0.001). In the matched cohort (n=126, 37/126 COVID group), the COVID group was cleared earlier by their physician to RTS compared to the pre-COVID group (6.9 months vs 8.5 months, p<0.001). While there was no significant difference between groups in 6 month ACL-RSI scores (63.8 pre-COVID vs 66.6 COVID, p=0.48), both groups yielded globally low scores. There were no significant associations between matched groups in PROMIS-PSE (p=0.71), IKDC (p=0.55), Pedi-IKDC (p=0.15), and Pedi-FABS (p=0.77) scores (Table 1). Conclusion: Young athletes demonstrated similar levels of psychological readiness to RTS at 6 months following ACLR prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient-reported outcome scores were similar in pre-COVID and COVID ACLR patients, suggesting that the pandemic may not have played a detrimental role in perceptions of recovery. Psychological readiness may not be fully optimized at 6 months post-ACLR and young athletes may benefit from additional time and training for progressive confidence, muscle strength, and performance. Table 1. Matched cohort outcomes comparing enrollment periods (n=126). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychological variables play integral roles in an athlete's response to injury recovery, and poor mental coping skills have been shown to have a negative impact. The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 has been demonstrated to have predictive value in identifying pediatric patients who may be at risk for a prolonged recovery. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate variations in coping skills in pediatric sports medicine patients using the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28, and to examine correlations with the following variables: age, gender, individual vs. team sports, and time devoted to sport. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, single institution study, that assessed young sports medicine patients, ages 12-18. A one-time, voluntary, anonymous survey was utilized to assess demographics, primary sport, sport participation patterns, and the validated Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI, range 0-84). Younger adolescents were considered to be ages 11-14 and older adolescents ages 15-18 for data analysis. Statistical analysis included Fischer's exact tests, t-tests, Pearson correlations, linear regression analysis, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: Of 430 eligible patients, 334 (mean±sd age 15.0±1.8 years, 64.7% female, 35.3% male) completed questionnaires, for a 78% response rate. The mean ACSI score was 50.2±10.9. No significant differences were observed in overall ACSI scores between genders. ACSI scores were higher in younger adolescents compared to older adolescents (52.4±10.5 vs 48.9±10.9, p <0.010). Team sport athletes reported higher coping skill scores than individual sport athletes (51.2±10.9 vs 47.2±10.8, p<0.001). Multivariable linear regression revealed that younger team sport athletes demonstrated higher coping skill scores compared to older team sport athletes (55.9 vs 49.8, p<0.001). Younger team sport athletes also scored higher than the younger individual sport athletes (55.9 vs 47.6 p=0.002). In addition, playing > 16 hours per week of sports adds 6.36 (95% CI: 3.14, 9.57) units to the total ACSI score compared to participants who play <11 hour per week. Conclusion: Athletic coping skills scores did not significantly differ among genders in adolescent athletes. ACSI scores were higher in younger adolescents and athletes playing team sports. Coping skill scores are also positively correlated with time devoted to playing sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To report the incidence rate of ankle sprains in active-duty soldiers and to examine if soldiers who sustain ankle sprain injuries are more likely to leave the Army than those who do not sustain an ankle sprain. BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in physically active people and have been identified as the most common foot or ankle injury in active-duty Army personnel, with a rate of 103 sprains per 1000 soldiers per year. METHODS: Data were analyzed on the entire active-duty US Army population from 2000 to 2006 (n = 1014042). A semi-parametric Cox proportional hazard model was built. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate for ankle sprains was 45.14 per 1000 person-years. After controlling for length of service prior to the study period, soldiers who sustained a single ankle sprain were 27% less likely (relative risk ratio = 0.73; 95% confidence interval: 0.73, 0.75) to leave the service than soldiers who had no documented history of an ankle sprain. However, this trend toward increased service time no longer held true for those who sustained a recurrent sprain (risk ratio = 1.07; 95% confidence interval: 0.99,1.15). CONCLUSION: It appears that individuals who sustain an incident ankle sprain have longer time in service in the Army than those who do not sustain this injury. However, this trend toward longer service time no longer held true for soldiers who sustained a recurrent sprain. This could be an indication that preventing recurrent injury could factor into longer periods of military service. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognosis, level 2b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achilles tendon tears are rare in adolescents and young adults, and management of these injuries remains controversial. Hypothesis/Purpose: To describe long-term limitations and physical activity levels following full or partial Achilles tears in adolescents and young adults, and report rates of surgical management, complications, re-tears, and time to return to sports (RTS). Methods: We conducted a descriptive study of young patients (8-22 years old) who were treated for a partial or full Achilles tear at two pediatric hospitals between 2004-2018. Demographic, imaging, and treatment data were retrospectively collected. Patient reported outcomes were obtained including the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), Foot and Ankle Outcomes Score (FAOS), Tegner Activity Scale (TAS), and separate questions about reinjury and return to sport. Results: Of the 41 eligible patients with Achilles injuries, 25 (61%; mean age 18.9 years; 40% male) had a minimum one year of follow-up data and were further analyzed. Twenty-three patients (92%) underwent surgical repair. Twenty patients (80%) returned questionnaires at a median 6.3 years (IQR, 3.4 to 9.7 years), while the other 5 patients were followed for a median of 1.8 years (IQR, 1.1 to 2.5 years). Twenty-two (88%) injuries were full tears, 53% (10/19) with reported location occurring mid-tendon. Median ATRS score was 96 (IQR, 82-100) and median TAS score was 6 (4-8). Median FAOS scores were excellent for symptoms (91), pain (100), ADL (100), and sports (98), and were good for QOL (88). The 6-month RTS probability was 47% (95% CI, 19-66%) and at 12 months was 95% (65-99%). The median time to RTS for partial tears was 5.6 months vs. 6.6 months for full tears (p=0.05). One surgical patient (4%) had a retear which required revision repair while 2 others needed additional surgery (1 - arthroscopy for ankle impingement, 1 - surgery for haglund's deformity). In addition to the 3 surgical patients requiring re-operation, 8 patients experienced other complications (11/25 total complications, 44%), which included minor wound/scar complications (4), scar formation necessitating hydrodissection (1), Achilles tendonitis (2), and persistent pain following conservative treatment leading to surgical repair (1). Females were more likely to experience a complication (9/15, 60%) compared to males (2/10, 20%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.10). Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults surgically treated for an Achilles injury reported satisfactory long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior clinical studies have shown that psychological factors have a significant effect on an athlete's readiness to return to sport following ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Hypothesis/Purpose: We hypothesized that patients who underwent Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) would have higher levels of psychological readiness for return to sport compared to ACLR, and baseline characteristics and 6-month outcomes would predict psychological readiness at 6 months following an ACL surgical procedure. Methods: 100 patients (median age 17 years; median pre-operative Marx Activity Score 16) with complete mid-substance ACL injuries were randomized to either the BEAR procedure (n=65) or autograft ACLR (n=35) and underwent surgery within 45 days of injury. Objective, functional, and patient-reported outcomes, including the ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale, were assessed at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Results: Patients who underwent the BEAR procedure had significantly higher ACL-RSI scores at 6 months compared to those that underwent an ACLR (71.1 vs 58.2, p=.008), and scores were similar at 12 months and 24 months. Baseline factors independently predictive of higher ACL-RSI scores at 6 months were having a BEAR procedure and participating in Level 1 sports prior to injury, which explained 15% of the variability in ACL-RSI scores. Regression analysis of baseline and 6-month outcomes as predictors indicated that the IKDC score at 6 months explained 45% of the 6-month ACL-RSI variance. Subsequent analysis, with IKDC excluded from the model, indicated that decreased pain, increased hamstring and quadriceps strength in the surgical limb, and decreased side-to-side difference in AP knee laxity were significant predictors of a higher ACL-RSI score at 6 months, explaining 34% of the variability in ACL-RSI scores. Higher ACL-RSI scores at 6 months were associated with earlier clearance to return to sports. Conclusion: Patients who underwent the BEAR procedure had higher ACL-RSI scores at 6 months after surgery. Better ACL-RSI scores at 6 months were related most strongly to higher IKDC scores at 6 months. Lower pain levels, better muscle recovery, and less knee laxity at 6-months post-surgery were also associated with improved ACL-RSI scores at that time point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess gender differences in the proportion of adolescents reporting teen dating violence (TDV) and the frequency of TDV at multiple age points across adolescence in a high-risk sample of youth with previous exposure to violence., Methods: A cross-sectional, high-risk sample of boys and girls (n = 1149) ages 11 to 17 years completed surveys assessing TDV and self-defense. Indices of TDV included perpetration and victimization scales of controlling behaviors, psychological TDV, physical TDV, sexual TDV, fear/intimidation, and injury., Results: More girls reported perpetrating psychological and physical TDV, whereas twice as many boys reported sexual TDV perpetration. More girls reported fear/intimidation victimization than boys. When comparing the frequency of TDV across adolescence, boys reported more sexual TDV victimization at younger ages, and girls demonstrated a trend toward more victimization at older ages. Likewise, younger boys reported more fear/intimidation and injury perpetration and injury victimization than younger girls. However, by age 17, girls reported more injury perpetration than boys, and reports of injury victimization and use of self-defense did not differ. Notably, despite potential parity in injury, girls consistently reported more fear/intimidation victimization associated with TDV., Conclusions: Contrary to data suggesting that girls experience far more sexual TDV and injury, these data suggest that at specific times during adolescence, boys among high-risk populations may be equally at risk for victimization. However, the psychological consequences (fear) are greater for girls. These findings suggest a need to tailor strategies to prevent TDV based on both age- and gender-specific characteristics in high-risk populations., (Copyright © 2016 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

Purpose: We studied the efficacy of osteopathic manual treatment (OMT) and ultrasound therapy (UST) for chronic low back pain., Methods: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial design was used to study OMT and UST for short-term relief of nonspecific chronic low back pain. The 455 patients were randomized to OMT (n = 230) or sham OMT (n = 225) main effects groups, and to UST (n = 233) or sham UST (n = 222) main effects groups. Six treatment sessions were provided over 8 weeks. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed to measure moderate and substantial improvements in low back pain at week 12 (30% or greater and 50% or greater pain reductions from baseline, respectively). Five secondary outcomes, safety, and treatment adherence were also assessed., Results: There was no statistical interaction between OMT and UST. Patients receiving OMT were more likely than patients receiving sham OMT to achieve moderate (response ratio [RR] = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16-1.64; P <.001) and substantial (RR = 1.41, 95% CI, 1.13-1.76; P = .002) improvements in low back pain at week 12. These improvements met the Cochrane Back Review Group criterion for a medium effect size. Back-specific functioning, general health, work disability specific to low back pain, safety outcomes, and treatment adherence did not differ between patients receiving OMT and sham OMT. Nevertheless, patients in the OMT group were more likely to be very satisfied with their back care throughout the study (P <.001). Patients receiving OMT used prescription drugs for low back pain less frequently during the 12 weeks than did patients in the sham OMT group (use ratio = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.43-1.00; P = .048). Ultrasound therapy was not efficacious., Conclusions: The OMT regimen met or exceeded the Cochrane Back Review Group criterion for a medium effect size in relieving chronic low back pain. It was safe, parsimonious, and well accepted by patients.

Imperative to increasing diversity in the physician workforce is increasing the pool of qualified underrepresented minority applicants to medical schools. With this goal in mind, the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine (A&M College of Medicine) has partnered with Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), a historically black college and university that is a component of the Texas A&M university system, to develop the undergraduate medical academy (UMA). The UMA was established by legislative mandate in 2003 and is a state-funded program. The authors describe the development of partnership between the A&M College of Medicine and PVAMU, focusing on the key attributes that have been identified for success. The administrative structure of the UMA ensures that the presidents of the two institutions collaborate to address issues of program oversight and facilitates a direct relationship between the dean and associate dean for academic affairs of A&M College of Medicine and the director of the UMA to define the program objectives and structure. The authors delineate the admission process to the UMA, as well as the academic requirements of the program. Students attend lecture series during the academic year and participate in summer programs on the A&M College of Medicine campus in addition to receiving intensive academic counseling and opportunities for tutoring in several subjects. The authors also describe the initial success in medical school admissions for UMA students. This partnership provides a model blueprint that can be adopted and adapted by other medical schools focused on increasing diversity in medicine.