The consumption of protein-rich foods in older adults: An exploratory focus group study

Objective: Many older adults consume inadequate protein for their needs. This study explored the factors associated with the consumption of high-protein foods in older adults. Methods: Participants over the age of 65 years (n = 28) took part in 1 of 4 focus group discussions on meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and pulses. Discussions were audio taped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Numerous and various reasons for the consumption and non-consumption of high-protein foods were reported. Many of these reasons result from reductions in chemosensory, dental and physical abilities, and changes in living situation in the older population, and have impact specifically on high-protein foods because of their often hard, perishable and need-to-be-cooked nature, and high cost. Conclusions and Implications: Further work is required to establish the importance of each of thesereasons in relation to protein intakes, to prioritize those of likely greatest impact for increasing intakes. © 2013 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior

Virtual interviews vs. in person interviews: Factors Influencing Researchers to Conduct Virtual Interviews

Virtual interviews are a valuable tool to save time and money and to protect the health and safety of a researcher and their research participants. This study looked at the efficacy of virtual interviews as a research method, as well as positive and negative aspects the software tools used to facilitate virtual interviews. Despite some technical difficulties, especially with automated transcription tools, surveyed researchers reported satisfaction with virtual interviews and a desire to use this interview format again in future to save time, money, inconvenience, and potential health hazards associated with travelling for in-person interviews

Nucleic acid probes in diagnostic medicine

The need for improved diagnostic procedures is outlined and variations in probe technology are briefly reviewed. A discussion of the application of probe technology to the diagnosis of disease in animals and humans is presented. A comparison of probe versus nonprobe diagnostics and isotopic versus nonisotopic probes is made and the current state of sequence amplification is described. The current market status of nucleic acid probes is reviewed with respect to their diagnostic application in human and veterinary medicine. Representative product examples are described and information on probes being developed that offer promise as future products is discussed

Pediatric Nurses\u27 Perspectives on Medication Teaching in a Children\u27s Hospital

Purpose To explore inpatient pediatric nurses\u27 current experiences and perspectives on medication teaching. Design and Methods A descriptive qualitative study was conducted at a Midwest pediatric hospital. Using convenience sampling, 26 nurses participated in six focus groups. Data were analyzed in an iterative group coding process. Results Three themes emerged. 1) Medication teaching is an opportunity. 2) Medication teaching is challenging. Nurses experienced structural and process challenges to deliver medication teaching. Structural challenges included the physical hospital environment, electronic health record, and institutional discharge workflow while process challenges included knowledge, relationships and interactions with caregivers, and available resources. 3) Medication teaching is amenable to improvement. Conclusion Effective medication teaching with caregivers is critical to ensure safe, quality care for children after discharge. Nursing teaching practices have not changed, despite advances in technology and major changes in hospital care. Nurses face many challenges to conduct effective medication teaching. Improving current teaching practices is imperative in order to provide the best and safest care. Practice Implications This study generated knowledge regarding pediatric nurses\u27 teaching practices, values and beliefs that influence teaching, barriers, and ideas for how to improve medication teaching. Results will guide the development of targeted interventions to promote successful medication teaching practices

Golden Rice: A Case Study in Intellectual Property Management and International Capacity Building

The authors examine the management of risks associated with intellectual property linked to agri-biotech products, with emphasis on the international movement of agri-biotech intellectual property from industrialized to developing nations

Developing an Electronic Health Record Training Program for New Employees

In May 2015, an electronic health record (EHR) was implemented at an urban, long-term care facility. This facility is part of the county Department of Public Health (DPH) and was one of the last locations to implement the designated EHR system. The unique nature of the facility compared to the smaller, health care centers within the DPH network necessitated development of a customized training and onboarding program for new employees. It was not possible to duplicate an existing training program. The registered nurse (RN) informaticist assigned to the EHR used data from nursing staff surveys and information collected through a literature search to assist with developing a training program. Several “best practices” for training and instructional design recommendations based on adult learning theory were identified. The budget for the project was $26,649 which included establishing a mobile classroom, certification training for the informatics RN, and educational materials. The potential and perceived value for improved patient safety, nurse satisfaction, and interoperability among other facilities justified the initial program investment. The program established a channel for communication between departments regarding EHR access, training, and staff support. Tools were developed to track and document the onboarding process; these resources are available for future orientations and ongoing implementation and training needs. This paper will describe program development, tools, and best practices that directly impact the clinical and operational phases of onboarding for new technology deployment in a long-term care setting

Nature of TVET Lecturer Learning During Work Integrated Learning: A South African Perspective

The purpose of the study was to explore Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) lecturers learning through Work Integrated Learning (WIL), specifically to establish the nature of their learning and determine how the lecturers understood their learning. However, since the launch of this WIL initiative, what these lecturers learnt, and how they understand their learning has not been researched. This study sought to investigate the nature of learning of these lecturers. The study was conducted in three TVET colleges in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. Kolb’s experiential learning theory was used to undergird the study. The research was located in the interpretive paradigm, which used a multiple case study design. A qualitative research approach was adopted. Convenience sampling design was used to select three TVET colleges as well as industries hosting WIL lecturers. Eighteen TVET lecturers were purposively sampled from a population of lecturers in the three TVET colleges. Data were generated using semi-structured face-to-face interviews from lecturers who completed WIL and those who were on WIL during the study. The study used thematic and narrative analysis to analyse data. Findings revealed that lecturers gained practical experiences through teamwork, networking and sharing of experiences and ideas with industry personnel, diagnosis, troubleshooting, and repairing engineering components during WIL. The study recommended capacitating all TVET lecturers with practical industry skills. The findings showed that TVET lecturers did not simply go to an industry site and pick up new experiences from their practice but learnt from others. Recommendations from the study informed the discussions and policy decisions in the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Swiss-South African Cooperation Initiative (SSACI) and Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) on this WIL initiative, and may influence provision of other forms of support necessary for the TVET sector

Efficacy of a behavioral intervention to decrease medication transcription errors among professional nurses

The purpose of this study, guided by Donabedian\u27s structure-process-outcome model, was to evaluate if a cognitive-behavioral education intervention would decrease medication transcription errors among professional nurses when admitting patients 65 years of age or older on 5 or more prescribed medications to a hospital. The conceptual framework for this study is derived from Donabedian\u27s structure-process-outcome health model. The premise suggests improving the structure or process of a system can improve health outcomes. My intervention (cognitive behavioral education), specifically influences the process of medication history obtainment which improved medication error score. In this study, a randomized intervention design was used where professional nurses were asked to complete a medication admission list on patients\u27 65 years of age or older on 5 or more prescribed medications. Medication error scores were calculated by advanced practice nurses who were trained on medication reconciliation. A second medication list was obtained from the nurses after an intervention group was provided with a cognitive-behavioral education intervention. The control group completed admission medication lists as usual. The medication error score was compared between the intervention and control group. There was no significant difference in medication error score for the pre-test control (M=3.54, SD=3.51) and pre-test intervention groups (M=3.54, SD=2.89), t=.00, df= 50, p = 1.00, (two-tailed). An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the medication error score for the post-test control and post-test intervention groups. There was a statistically significant decrease in medication error score from the post-test control group (M=3.23, SD 3.34) to the post-test intervention group, (M=.69, SD=1.49), t=3.54, df=50, p=.001 (two-tailed). Professional nurses are responsible for admission medication lists in many hospital systems. By improving the process by which nurses obtain medication lists medication errors are reduced and patient safety improved

Awareness and Need for Knowledge of Health and Safety among Dairy Farmers Interviewed in Uganda

Introduction: Safe working conditions are essential for healthy living and for ensuring food security among farmers and farm communities in developing countries. There is limited research on this topic, and documentation is essential to understand and change patterns of human health and safety. Methods: In May 2014, six male and female farmers on four dairy farms in Uganda and a female veterinarian were interviewed about their awareness and attitudes to agricultural risk factors, health, and safety. In addition, transect walks were conducted on the four dairy farms. Results: The dairy farmers reported health and safety concerns, e.g., diarrhea, coughs, fever, cuts while using machetes in plantations, bruises when handling animals, and dizziness and poisoning symptoms from using different agrochemicals, and considered these an occupational hazard. The most important topic mentioned was the use of agrochemicals and drugs on livestock. The farmers spray their animals with insecticides to prevent ticks, lice, tsetse flies, and other biting nuisance flies, using a backpack or hand sprayer. Spraying is conducted without personal protection equipment, which is considered too expensive and difficult to obtain. The farmers reported that they usually feel dizzy, vomit, and have pain and a burning feeling in their face and eyes after spraying. The symptoms are sometimes so severe that they require treatment. In such cases, the farmers buy medication without a prescription at the local drugstore, where the storekeeper often has limited or no knowledge of agrochemicals or drugs except for dosage. Agricultural health and safety training in the region is non-existent, and the farmers expressed a need and desire for improvements in this area. Conclusion: The level of knowledge and awareness of agricultural health and safety risks, disease, and injury prevention among the Ugandan dairy farmers interviewed was low. The farmers mentioned few agriculture-related complaints, injuries, or diseases except poisoning from using agrochemicals. Training on health and safety in Ugandan agriculture is urgently needed