Axdev Group (Canada)

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) remain underdiagnosed early due to reliance on costly, invasive, and time-intensive assessments, prompting development of the Memory Sync Booth, an AI-assisted walk-in screening tool for older adults. The booth delivers accessible, automated, and secure tablet-based evaluations which include orientation, attention, naming, picture description, voice analysis, and clock drawing, then processed using NLP, speech recognition, and computer vision for consistent scoring. Grounded in Responsible AI and Digital Health Innovation, it enables equitable deployment across senior community spaces and long-term care settings, with optional direct result-sharing to family doctors and automated alerts for cognitive decline. Tested with 20 volunteers aged 60+, the pilot demonstrated feasibility and potential for earlier MCI detection, reduced clinical wait times, and more proactive dementia management.

Abstract In corrosion management, the biggest challenge often isn’t the data – it’s making sense of it. Most facilities, especially those with aging infrastructure, are sitting on a wealth of information from decades of operation: inspection records, RBI data, IOW exceedances, corrosion rates, CMMS history, and more. But when that data is siloed, inconsistent, or difficult to interpret, its value is lost. This prevents decision-makers from seeing the complete picture in time to act. This presentation explores how advanced data visualization tools are transforming corrosion management by making complex datasets actionable. Visualization delivers immediate context, allowing integrity teams to move faster, align approaches, and spot risk trends before they become failures. Key technologies covered include: Digital Twins that integrate real-time sensor data with historical records to monitor asset health and predict corrosion progression. 3D modeling and point clouds for detailed spatial analysis of corrosion damage and asset geometry. Computer vision techniques automating corrosion detection and severity grading. Interactive dashboards consolidating multiple data streams for trend analysis and decision support. These tools don’t require operators to overhaul existing systems – rather, they can be used to amplify the frameworks already in place. Through real-world use cases, the session will demonstrate how these tools can support earlier corrosion detection and more preventive maintenance aligned with RBI and asset integrity management frameworks. Attendees will learn practical strategies to implement visualization tools that enable proactive corrosion management -- helping aging infrastructure remain resilient in the face of evolving demands of the energy transition.

Educational programs on the use of real-world evidence (RWE) in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) are scarce in Latin America (LATAM). To develop and evaluate an online educational program supporting LATAM healthcare professionals (HCP)'s ability to use and generate RWE for effective antimicrobial agent use, aligned with AMS principles. Two 90-min webinars were developed by subject matter experts. Changes in knowledge, skills, confidence and attitudes were measured via paired PRE-and POST-intervention survey questions. Satisfaction, intent to change and remaining barriers were surveyed POST-intervention. McNemar and Wilcoxon Signed Rank statistical tests assessed differences in paired dichotomous and ordinal data, respectively. Unpaired data underwent descriptive analysis. Open-ended responses were subject to thematic content analysis (inductive reasoning approach). The analysis sample included 741 PRE-intervention survey completers (epidemiologists, infection control specialists, chemists, pharmacists, biologists, microbiologists, bacteriologists and other physicians), with 47 completing the full POST survey (33 following webinar 1, and 14 following webinar 2). A significant increase in the percent of completers who were confident of 'what constitutes RWE' was found PRE (31%) to POST (73%) intervention (P < 0.001). Median self-reported skill levels changed from '2-basic' to '3-intermediate' for providing examples of RWE and applying RWE in the context of AMS (P < 0.05). Barriers included low perceived value of RWE by administrators and limited access to appropriate data. This education improved HCPs' confidence in knowing what constitutes RWE. Findings provide direction for future interventions aimed at enhancing access to and appropriate use of RWE to inform AMS in LATAM.

The treatment landscape for patients affected by gastric and colorectal cancer (G&CRC) has significantly broadened over the past decade. Molecular diagnostic methods have improved with a precision oncology-driven approach to the development of treatment options tailored to specific molecular targets, including the human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2). While scientific evidence on the role of HER2 in G&CRC has improved, there has been a lag in general understanding and applications of testing for HER2+ G&CRC and resulting targeting treatment in the wider oncology community. To better understand and address the root causes of this gap, a needs assessment deployed among 85 oncology care providers was conducted and informed the development of an accredited online educational program entitled “GetSMART.” The program consisted of four modules developed and narrated by experts in gastrointestinal oncology. The educational content and assessment metrics were guided by a confidence-based assessment (CBA) model and the Moore, Green, and Gallis outcomes framework. Assessment methods consisted of quantitative pre- and post-activity tests, an evaluation embedded within the education (n = 163), and semi-structured interviews (n = 5) post-activity completion. Findings indicated that “GetSMART” enhanced participants’ knowledge, confidence, and intent to change practice in relation to their (1) identification of HER2 aberrations, (2) selection of appropriate treatments for HER2+ G&CRC, and (3) ability to engage patients in shared decision-making and management of adverse events. “GetSMART” can therefore be a valuable educational resource for oncology HCPs caring for patients affected by HER2+ metastatic G&CRC, offering strategies to ensure an optimal team and patient-centered approach to the care being delivered.

ABSTRACT To facilitate the development of leadership competencies in a multidisciplinary group of 18 emerging bone experts from 6 European Countries and Brazil, to face future scenarios in the evolving field of fragility fractures, and to support secondary fracture prevention and improve patient outcomes. Changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic have further highlighted this need. A 2.5-year community of practice (CoP) programme was established with two senior bone experts acting as mentors. The content was adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The education impact of the programme was assessed using an ethics-approved mixed-method design consisting of multiple sources of qualitative and quantitative data collected longitudinally. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Qualitative data underwent a thematic analysis. After participating in the programme, participants reported increased interprofessional collaboration and communication skills, better understanding of health economics and negotiation, application of adult learning principles to their work setting, development of competencies to critically appraise guidelines, enhanced abilities to facilitate behaviour change in others, and improved confidence leading their team through crisis situations. Although time was required for some physicians to get accustomed to the CoP concept and develop trust with other members, it was described as a beneficial real-world learning experience. An educational real-world CoP programme was effective in enhancing leadership competencies among future leaders in the bone field to improve care of fragility fracture patients. The results presented could guide the development of other CoPs in fragility fracture care as leadership competencies are increasingly required in that field.

ObjectivesThe main study objective was to identify challenges and barriers experienced by dermatologists and rheumatologists when engaging women of reproductive age in shared decision-making (SDM) related to treatment and management of chronic inflammatory disease (CID) before, during and after pregnancy.DesignA mixed-methods study was conducted, employing (1) semistructured interviews, (2) an online survey and (3) triangulation of findings.Participants524 dermatologists and rheumatologists entered the study; 495 completed it; 388 met inclusion criteria for analysis. Participants were included if actively practising in Germany (GER), the UK or the USA; had a minimum 5% caseload of female patients of reproductive age with either axial spondyloarthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis; and had experience prescribing biologics.Results48 interviews and 340 surveys were analysed. Interviews underscored dermatologists and rheumatologists’ suboptimal integration of SDM in clinical practice. In the survey, 90% (n=305) did not know about SDM models. A perceived lack of competency counselling patients on pregnancy and family planning was also identified during interviews. Among the survey sample, 44% (n=150) of specialists agreed they preferred leaving pregnancy-related discussions to obstetricians and/or gynaecologists and 57% (n=189) reported having suboptimal skills discussing contraceptive methods with patients. Another finding that emerged from interviews was the perception that all biologics are strictly contraindicated during pregnancy. Suboptimal knowledge was noted among 57% (n=95) of dermatologists and 48% (n=83) of rheumatologists surveyed in that regard, with a statistically significant difference by country among dermatologists (GER: 42% vs UK: 71% vs USA: 57%, p=0.015).ConclusionsThis study identified low levels of knowledge, skill and confidence, as well as attitudinal issues, that explain why SDM is not fully integrated in dermatology and rheumatology clinical practice. Blended-learning interventions are recommended to assist CID specialists in developing effective communication and patient engagement competencies.

Mine tailings are the byproducts of the mining industry. For many decades these tailings used to be stored in specially formed tailings ponds. This method of storage has caused several environmenta...

To assess the knowledge and application of European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines in the management of mitral regurgitation (MR). A mixed-methods educational needs assessment was performed. Following a qualitative phase (interviews), an online survey was undertaken using three case scenarios (asymptomatic severe primary MR, symptomatic severe primary MR in the elderly, and severe secondary MR) in 115 primary care physicians (PCPs), and 439 cardiologists or cardiac surgeons from seven European countries. Systematic cardiac auscultation was performed by only 54% of clinicians in asymptomatic patients. Cardiologists appropriately interpreted echocardiographic assessment of mechanism and quantification of primary MR (≥75%), but only 44% recognized secondary MR as severe. In asymptomatic severe primary MR with an indication for surgery, 27% of PCPs did not refer the patient to a cardiologist and medical therapy was overused by 19% of cardiologists. In the elderly patient with severe symptomatic primary MR, 72% of cardiologists considered mitral intervention (transcatheter edge-to-edge valve repair in 72%). In severe symptomatic secondary MR, optimization of medical therapy was advised by only 51% of PCPs and 33% of cardiologists, and surgery considered in 30% of cases (transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in 64%). Systematic auscultation is underused by PCPs for the early detection of MR. Medical therapy is overused in primary MR and underused in secondary MR. Indications for interventions are appropriate in most patients with primary MR, but are unexpectedly frequent for secondary MR. These gaps identify important targets for future educational programs.