Benign and malignant tumors in the UK myotonic dystrophy patient registry Alsaggaf R, Wang Y, Marini-Bettolo C, et al Muscle Nerve 2018; 57:316-320 Abstract INTRODUCTION: In light of recent evidence indicating that cancer is part of the myotonic dystrophy (DM) phenotype, we assessed the prevalence of benign and malignant tumors among 220 patients enrolled in […]
via What are the risk factors for cancer in myotonic dystrophy? — Neurochecklists Updates
Differential characteristics, stroke recurrence, and predictors of covert atrial fibrillation of embolic strokes of undetermined source. Hawkes MA, Farez MF, Pertierra L, Gomez-Schneider MM, Pastor-Rueda JM, Ameriso SF. Int J Stroke 2018; 13:190-194. Abstract Background: Identifying embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS) patients likely to harbor atrial fibrillation may have diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Our […]
Intracranial arterial abnormalities in patients with late onset Pompe disease (LOPD). Montagnese F, Granata F, Musumeci O, et al. J Inherit Metab Dis 2016; 39:391-398. Abstract Background: Pompe disease is a rare metabolic disorder due to lysosomal alpha-glucosidase (GAA) deficiency. It is considered as a multi-systemic disease since, although glycogen accumulation is largely prominent in […]
via What are the intracranial vascular anomalies of late onset Pompe disease? — Neurochecklists Updates
In our last blog post, we reported on what neurology information users really want. These were the responses we received from an online survey we carried out as a prelude to a major upgrade of our practical neurology database, Neurochecklists.
With the results of the survey in mind, we set out to make major changes to Neurochecklists. This was hard work….months of sweat and tears. But we are almost there, and it’s all been worth it. We are now counting down to the new and enhanced Neurochecklists.
What have we been up to? What will surprise, and hopefully please you, next week when we launch? Here are 9 major changes to expect as Neurochecklists evolves.
The first, and perhaps the most important change, is our enhanced search capability. Users will now find a more rapid and more precise response to their searches. And our search prediction is now awesome…even if we say so.
We now have a revised classification of categories, chapters and topics. These are now better tailored for easier identification and location of subjects. We think this completely revamped classification puts the vast array of neurological topics in their proper places. We are particularly proud of our classification of Allied and Systemic Neurology. Check these out next week.
Neurochecklists covers an exhaustive breadth and depth of subjects, but casual visitors don’t often realise this. We have addressed this in our upgrade by introducing revolving ‘explore’ options on the landing page. We have also developed a simplified index page making it easier to appreciate the contents. We are sure this will unlock a vast expanse of practical neurology for every user.
Neurochecklists is a professional site, containing only evidence-based and fully referenced content. We however thought our current font does not adequately reflect this. We therefore scratched our heads, losing a lot of hair in the process, to come up with a better font. We wanted a more professional and bold font, and we think our choice of Arial is justified.
Whilst upgrading the Neurochecklists site, we took the opportunity to review each checklist for brevity and clarity. The goal was to enhance accuracy, currency, and conciseness. We are certain you will notice the difference. But don’t forget, this is a continuous process.
As part of our drive to provide relevant and current neurology information, we have now included, for each checklist, the date it was last revised. In this way users will check how recently the information contained was revised. And this also keeps us on our toes…we now absolutely have to maintain Neurochecklists as an up-to-date database.
We have changed our bullet format to reflect what checklists are all about. Each item now has a box which can actually be ticked off! A small but important change we think.
To encourage visitors to browse Neurochecklists, we have unlocked the whole site. Visitors can now see the first part of each and every checklist without the need to register. The requirement to register however still applies if visitors want to access the full checklist. Registered users will have free access to 15 searches, but with our upgrade, we see no reason why anyone will want to subscribe to our premier account; at the price of a cup of coffee and cake a month, this enables access to all areas, at all times!
Users currently have access to a single premium subscription option. With our upgrade, groups of 10-50 people can sign up to our group subscription. We are also setting up a facility for institutional subscriptions for medical schools and hospitals. These 25-50% discounted options will cut individual costs, making it easier for students and trainees to access Neurochecklists.
We have more upgrades up our sleeves as we work tirelessly and relentlessly to provide users with probably the best neurology database on the planet. So watch out next week as we launch the new Neurochecklists!
Neurology is a difficult field where things are hardly ever straightforward. The neurological history is often convoluted. Neurological symptoms are frequently vague and imprecise, and neurological signs are often duplicitious. Worse still, the neurological terrain is littered with mimics and chameleons, constituting a veritable boobytrap. This nature of neurology has led to a proliferation of tests, all geared […]
via The most useful investigative tools of neurology — Neurochecklists Updates
A few months ago, Neurochecklists set out to discover how people go about searching for neurology information. We therefore carried out an online survey of neurology information users. We asked 10 critical questions about the who, what, where, why, and how of neurology information quest.
We asked these question specifically to guide a major Neurochecklists upgrade. This knowledge is, after all, critical for a website which has set out to be the best source of clear, concise, and comprehensive neurology information. But we needed help to know what really matters to people when they go foraging for neurology. What do they really want, and how do they go about satisfying their need?
The response we got was heart-warming; about 190 people answered our online questions. Below are the questions along with the insights we gained from the answers.
More than 50% of our responders were consultant neurologists, and about 15% were medical consultants. Neurology trainees constituted about 7%. The range of users is however quite broad, including nurses, surgeons, medical students, and patients! See the breakdown in the pie chart below:
Insight: There are diverse neurology information seekers!
Neurology information is in high demand, with >50% of responders seeking information at least once a day, and >80% at least once a week. Below is the breakdown:
Insight: There is a huge craving for neurology information!
Online websites are by far the most popular source of quick neurology information, accounting for >50% of responses. This is followed by journals which account for just over 25% of responses. Very few responders access textbooks, handbooks, downloadable apps or online videos. Below is the breakdown:
Insight: Neurology source information is now mainly online
In a question which allowed multiple answers, the clinic was by far the most common setting for looking up neurology information. We however also have a strong urge for neurology on the ward, and at home! Below is the breakdown:
Insight: The need for neurology information has no boundaries
The most frequent reasons responders access neurology information were to answer clinical questions and for personal study. Other reasons were to aid discussions with patients, and to look for relevant references.
Insight: the checklist approach is the best solution
In another multiple answer question, responders most often use their phones to access online neurology information. Laptops and desktops are also favoured, but tablets much less so.
Insight: neurology information must be device-compatible
We asked what features responders most desire in an online neurology database, and the front-runners here are accuracy and currency of information, followed by conciseness, adequacy, ease of navigation, and link to references.
Insight: Neurochecklists is on the right track
We wish to extend our thanks to everybody who took part in the survey, including the many who attempted it after the closing date! We have taken all the responses on board, and we have been working night and day to provide an enhanced Neurochecklists. Watch out for our next blog post to find out the changes we will be launching soon. Neurology seekers, watch this space!
