Education and training for people working with and caring for those with diabetes

The growing need for healthcare workers to be given education and training in diabetes care, along with the focus on improving self-management of the condition, prompted The Open University to launch 'Diabetes Care', a 20-week, first-level course, in 2005. The course was designed to meet the needs of lay people as well as those wishing to undertake a nationally accredited programme of study. It was immediately oversubscribed and continues to be extremely popular. The course model is being replicated in the design of two additional courses in preparation, 'Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases' and 'Managing Obesity'. – There is a substantial and growing demand for education and training in diabetes and its self-management, as evidenced by the ongoing popularity of the 'Diabetes Care' (SK120) course offered by The Open University – SK120 is a 20-week, entry-level course providing 15 CATS points that has been offered since September 2005 – It is based on a series of case studies presented via a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, a course book and online discussion forums – The model is being replicated in the preparation of two further courses focusing on cardiovascular diseases and the management of obesit

Towards universal early years provision : analysis of take-up by disadvantaged families from recent annual childcare surveys

The findings of this study suggest that lack of awareness of the entitlement to free early years provision and a low level of information about local options for nursery education and childcare were important factors affecting take-up of early years provision by disadvantaged families. In addition, the way the entitlement to free early years provision is delivered through a range of providers appeared to have an impact on its uptake by the disadvantaged families

The social dimensions of reproductive loss

Abstract not available

A social insight into bereavement and reproductive loss

Abstract not available

Conceptualizing reproductive loss: a social sciences perspective

This paper defines and explores reproductive loss and, drawing on a social sciences perspective, reflects on the lack of attention that has been given to the subject within the study of human fertility. The authors argue that whilst reproductive loss (broadly defined) is exceptionally common, scholars have – with some exceptions – focused on the study of reproductive ‘success’, and continue to do so. The paper examines the implications of this for policy, practice and the role of healthcare professionals and focuses on the significance of appreciating difference and diversity in the study of reproductive loss and the importance of placing such experiences within the social structure

Variations in GP-patient communication by ethnicity, age, and gender: evidence from a national primary care patient survey.

BACKGROUND: Doctor-patient communication is a key driver of overall satisfaction with primary care. Patients from minority ethnic backgrounds consistently report more negative experiences of doctor-patient communication. However, it is currently unknown whether these ethnic differences are concentrated in one gender or in particular age groups. AIM: To determine how reported GP-patient communication varies between patients from different ethnic groups, stratified by age and gender. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of data from the English GP Patient Survey from 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, including 1,599,801 responders. METHOD: A composite score was created for doctor-patient communication from five survey items concerned with interpersonal aspects of care. Mixed-effect linear regression models were used to estimate age- and gender-specific differences between white British patients and patients of the same age and gender from each other ethnic group. RESULTS: There was strong evidence (P<0.001 for age by gender by ethnicity three-way interaction term) that the effect of ethnicity on reported GP-patient communication varied by both age and gender. The difference in scores between white British and other responders on doctor-patient communication items was largest for older, female Pakistani and Bangladeshi responders, and for younger responders who described their ethnicity as 'Any other white'. CONCLUSION: The identification of groups with particularly marked differences in experience of GP-patient communication--older, female, Asian patients and younger 'Any other white' patients--underlines the need for a renewed focus on quality of care for these groups.This work was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research (NIHR PGfAR) Programme (RP-PG-0608-10050).This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from the Royal College of General Practitioners via http://dx.doi.org/10.3399/bjgp15X68763

Epidemiology of depression in diabetes: international and cross-cultural issues

This paper reviews the most up-to-date epidemiological evidence of the relationship between depression and diabetes, and considers the risk factors for the development of depression and the consequences of depression in diabetes with an emphasis on international and cross-cultural data. The difficulties that researchers face when epidemiological studies require assessment of psychological phenomena, such as depression, across different cultural settings are explored. Methods: Relevant papers were sought on the epidemiology of diabetes and depression in people with diabetes by undertaking a literature search of electronic databases including MEDLINE, Psych-INFO, CINAHL and EMBASE. These papers were assessed by the authors and a narrative review of the relevant literature was composed. Results: Systematic reviews of the prevalence of depression in people with diabetes have focused on studies conducted in English speaking countries and emerging data suggest that there may be international variations in prevalence and also in how symptoms of depression are reported. There appears to be a bi-directional relationship between depression and diabetes, with one influencing the other; however, research in this area is further complicated by the fact that potential risk factors for depression in people with diabetes often interact with each other and with other factors. Further research is needed to elucidate the causal mechanisms underlying these associations. Limitations: Data from non-English speaking countries remain scarce and so it is difficult to come to any firm conclusions as to the international variation in prevalence rates of co-morbid diabetes and depression in these countries until further research has been conducted. Conclusion: It is important to take a culture-centered approach to our understanding of mental health and illness and has outlined some of the key issues related to the development of culturally sensitive depression screening tools. In order to come to any firm conclusions about the international variation in prevalence of co-morbid diabetes and depression, issues of culture and diversity must be taken into account prior to conducting international epidemiological studies