Are student midwives influenced by the 'traditional' (non evidence based) practices of their clinical mentors?

Letters of ethical approval for dissertation are not included.Aim The aim of this study was to find out whether cohorts of final year pre-registered midwifery students are influenced by the ‘traditional’ (non evidence-based) practices of their clinical mentors. This was thought to be worthy for a number of reasons. Foremost, it is said that; where pre-registered students are allocated to a clinical placement, the workplace should ensure that the provision of care is based on relevant research-based and evidence-based findings. It is also said that clinical mentors should have a good knowledge base in order to identify, apply and disseminate research findings within their area of practice. Against this, there is a growing concern that many practices are based on tradition, rather than on sound evidence. The consequence of this is that; if students adopt the traditional practices of their mentors it may have implications on how students may practice when they qualify, and in turn, they may pass on these traditions to future students. More importantly, it is essential that midwifery practice is informed by the best available evidence and where this philosophy is lacking, it may not only impact on students learning, but more importantly it can impact on the quality of patient care. Method and Design The data collection method included a survey of a finite population, which consisted of all final year pre-registered midwifery students, who were based at five midwifery cohorts. A total of 145 students were available for inclusion. The sample was asked to complete a questionnaire, which predominantly utilised a 5-point Likert scale and was designed to yield some ‘open’ responses. Analysis The quantitative data was amenable to statistical analysis which was coded into the computer software. A grounded theory approach was utilised to analyse the ‘open response’ data. Findings There was a sufficient amount of evidence to assert that; the students were influenced by their mentors’ traditional practices. The findings also strongly supported the idea that; what was taught in the Higher Education Institution (HEI), did not always equate to the workplace realities and while the HEI advocated students to employ evidence-based practices (EBP), the students were more likely to adopt the traditional practices of their mentors. While statistically the majority of students perceived that they would challenge their mentors if they did not employ EBP’s, their comments overall conflicted with these findings. Indeed, many perceived that; to challenge their mentors could potentially jeopardise their clinical assessments and or career prospects. The most significant finding was that there appeared to be a multitude of barriers that prevented the students from employing EBP’s, however, they believed they would utilise these practices once they had qualified

Screening Tools as a Predictor of Injury in Dance: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Background Dance involves movements of complexity and physical intensity which result in stress on the body. As a consequence, dancers are at risk of injury which can impact on their well-being. Screening tools are used for injury prevention to identify those dancers at risk of injury. The aim of this study was to investigate which screening tools can predict injury in dancers, encompassing all dance genres, levels and ages. Methods An electronic search of seven databases from their inception to December 2017 was conducted. The databases were the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), CINAHL, eBOOK Collection (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, SPORTDiscus and PEDro: the Physiotherapy Evidence Base. The following search terms were used: (i) Dance AND injury AND Screening, (ii) Screening AND dance and (iii) Musculoskeletal AND Screening AND Dance. Studies were assessed using a 20-point scoring tool, and eligible studies were included in a meta-analysis. Results The mean methodological quality score was 12.2 points. Injured dancers had a significantly higher compensated turnout range of motion than non-injured dancers: pooled mean difference of compensated turnout (23.29°; 95% CI 14.85–31.73; P < 0.00001; I 2 = 0%). Injured dancers had significantly greater functional turnout range of motion when compared to non-injured dancers: pooled mean difference of functional turnout (14.08°; 95% CI 7.09–21.07; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 0%). There also some evidence for use of hip range of motion as a predictor of dance injury. Conclusions Some evidence exists for the potential use of dance-specific positions as a predictor of injury. A number of studies were limited by a lack of prospective injury design, injury definition and self-reporting of injury

Closed-Loop Targeted Memory Reactivation during Sleep Improves Spatial Navigation

Sounds associated with newly learned information that are replayed during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep can improve recall in simple tasks. The mechanism for this improvement is presumed to be reactivation of the newly learned memory during sleep when consolidation takes place. We have developed an EEG-based closed-loop system to precisely deliver sensory stimulation at the time of down-state to up-state transitions during NREM sleep. Here, we demonstrate that applying this technology to participants performing a realistic navigation task in virtual reality results in a significant improvement in navigation efficiency after sleep that is accompanied by increases in the spectral power especially in the fast (12\u201315 Hz) sleep spindle band. Our results show promise for the application of sleep-based interventions to drive improvement in real-world tasks

Adding Adhesion to a Chemical Signaling Model for Somite Formation

Somites are condensations of mesodermal cells that form along the two sides of the neural tube during early vertebrate development. They are one of the first instances of a periodic pattern, and give rise to repeated structures such as the vertebrae. A number of theories for the mechanisms underpinning somite formation have been proposed. For example, in the “clock and wavefront” model (Cooke and Zeeman in J. Theor. Biol. 58:455– 476, 1976), a cellular oscillator coupled to a determination wave progressing along the anterior-posterior axis serves to group cells into a presumptive somite. More recently, a chemical signaling model has been developed and analyzed by Maini and coworkers (Collier et al. in J. Theor. Biol. 207:305–316, 2000; Schnell et al. in C. R. Biol. 325:179– 189, 2002; McInerney et al. in Math. Med. Biol. 21:85–113, 2004), with equations for two chemical regulators with entrained dynamics. One of the chemicals is identified as a somitic factor, which is assumed to translate into a pattern of cellular aggregations via its effect on cell–cell adhesion. Here, the authors propose an extension to this model that includes an explicit equation for an adhesive cell population. They represent cell adhesion via an integral over the sensing region of the cell, based on a model developed previousl

Observational Spatial Memory in North Island Robins (Petroica Longpies)

Observational spatial memory is employed by members of food-hoarding species to pilfer caches created by other individuals more effectively. North Island robins (Petroica australis) experience high levels of reciprocal cache pilferage within mate pairs. These circumstances were hypothesised to produce conditions under which advanced pilferage strategies such as observational spatial memory may evolve. Here I tested the ability of North Island robins to use observational spatial memory to discriminate between varying prey rewards. Three experiments were conducted which differed in the maximum number of prey items offered as a reward. Additional variables of retention interval, number of cache sites and a variable reward were included to assess how the birds’ memory was affected by small-scale factors. Results showed that North Island robins performed above chance expectations in most treatment combinations, indicating that they were able to utilize observational spatial memory. They were equally able to discriminate between different combinations of prey numbers that were hidden in 2, 3 and 4 caches sites from between 0, 10 and 60 seconds. Overall results indicate that North Island robins can solve complex numerical problems involving more than two parameters and up to one minute long retention intervals without training

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Hesitancy Survey in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: Applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and since then has caused unprecedented economic and social disruption as well as presenting a major challenge to public health. Despite mass progress in COVID-19 vaccination uptake, vaccine hesitancy or anti-vax information has been reported that can delay public acceptance of a vaccine. An online cross-sectional survey (n = 439) assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy in adults in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Participants completed an adapted version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour Vaccine Questionnaire, the Vaccine Attitudes Scale (VAX), Vaccine Confidence Scale, and questions on previous experience of COVID-19. Results showed that 66.7% of the sample intended to get a vaccination as soon as possible, 27.15% reported they will get a vaccine when others get theirs and when it is clear there are no side effects. 6.15% had no intention of getting a vaccine. Overall, there is a high mean intention (M = 6.12) and confidence to get a COVID-19 vaccine. There was low vaccine hesitancy (M = 2.49) as measured by the VAX scale. A further analysis of the sub factors of the VAX showed there is uncertainty and mistrust of side effects for children. The finding demonstrate that the Theory of Planned Behaviour can be useful in making recommendations for public health considerations when encouraging vaccine uptake and reducing vaccine hesitancy

Screening Tools as a Predictor of Injury in Gymnastics: Systematic Literature Review

Abstract: Background: Gymnastics requires a high level of physical ability and technical skill which utilises short sets of athleticism and artistry to perform complex and intense movements which can overload musculoskeletal tissues and result in acute injuries which can develop into chronic injuries. The aim of this systematic literature review was to investigate which screening tools predict injury in gymnasts and encompasses all genres, levels and ages. Methods: An electronic search of seven databases from their inception until March 2021 was conducted. The databases were the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, CINAHL, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, SPORTDiscus and PEDro (the Physiotherapy Evidence Base). A combination of the following search terms was used: (1) Gymnastics AND injury AND Screening, (2) Screening AND Gymnastics and (3) Musculoskeletal AND Screening AND Gymnastics. These terms were searched in all text, abstract, title and subject terms. Studies were assessed using a 20-point scoring tool. Results: The mean methodological quality score was 13.1 points (range 10–17 points). Range of motion, anthropometric and postural measurements, hypermobility, clinical diagnostic tests, movement screening tools, muscle strength, power and endurance were reported in the included studies. Some evidence existed for screening measurement of height and mass as taller and heavier gymnasts might be more susceptible to injury; however, the different methodologies utilised and lack of acknowledgment of confounding variables limit the clinical relevance of these findings. Conclusions: Height and mass should be recorded during the screening process. A lack of heterogeneity in study methodology prevented a meta-analysis. Studies were limited by a lack of prospective injury design, poor injury definition, self-reporting of injury and only 2 studies reported reliability of screening tools. Further research is required to determine the role of injury screening in gymnastics. Registration: The review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the registration number CRD42020218339

An anthropological critique of psychiatric rating scales

This article discusses sceptical arguments about measurement scales. Measurement scales are part of a promising agenda of openness, transparency and patient and public involvement (PPI) in medical research, but have received critical, sometimes hostile attention from anthropologists. This is because scales repackage localised cultural assumptions about distress as something universal and pan-human and have the capacity to reshape people's interior lives in unhelpful, possibly harmful ways. We take as an example the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Use of the PHQ-9 is currently mandated by major funders. But its history suggests flawed PPI and a lack of openness. The article suggests a constructive role for anthropology in mental health research, using ethnographic evidence and theory to show how, although they have their uses, mental health scales should not be regarded as inert or harmless