A 10-Year Retrospective Case Study of the Relation between Four Summative Assessment Measures in a Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Program

Assessment is essential to ensure that quality levels of teaching and learning are maintained in graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). In this article, we present a ten-year retrospective case study of one CSD master’s program approach to address speech-language pathology program-level summative assessment. We evaluated the strength of the relation between three departmental summative measures (i.e., Grand Rounds [Capstone Course] final grade percentages, Written Comprehensive examinations, Oral Comprehensive examinations) and the national Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331). The strongest correlations were between the Grand Rounds final grade percentages, Written Comprehensive examinations, and the Praxis. The weakest correlations were between the Oral Comprehensive examinations and the other examination types. The study findings demonstrate the concurrent validity of Grand Rounds final grade percentages, Written Comprehensive examinations, and the Praxis. Capstone courses should be considered for their benefit in Praxis preparation, whereas oral comprehensive examinations may better serve as formative rather than summative assessment

A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Retinal Structure and Function in AchromatopsiaNatural History of Achromatopsia

PurposeTo longitudinally characterize retinal structure and function in achromatopsia (ACHM) in preparation for clinical gene therapy trials.MethodsThirty-eight molecularly confirmed ACHM subjects underwent serial assessments, including spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), microperimetry, and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). Foveal structure on SD-OCT was graded and compared for evidence of progression, along with serial measurements of foveal total retinal thickness (FTRT) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness. Fundus autofluorescence patterns were characterized and compared over time.ResultsMean follow-up was 19.5 months (age range at baseline, 6-52 years). Only 2 (5%) of 37 subjects demonstrated change in serial foveal SD-OCT scans. There was no statistically significant change over time in FTRT (P = 0.83), ONL thickness (P = 0.27), hyporeflective zone diameter (P = 0.42), visual acuity (P = 0.89), contrast sensitivity (P = 0.22), mean retinal sensitivity (P = 0.84), and fixation stability (P = 0.58). Three distinct FAF patterns were observed (n = 30): central increased FAF (n = 4), normal FAF (n = 11), and well-demarcated reduced FAF (n = 15); with the latter group displaying a slow increase in the area of reduced FAF of 0.03 mm(2) over 19.3 months (P = 0.002).ConclusionsPreviously published cross-sectional studies have described conflicting findings with respect to the age-dependency of progression. This study, which constitutes the largest and longest prospective longitudinal study of ACHM to date, suggests that although ACHM may be progressive, any such progression is slow and subtle in most patients, and does not correlate with age or genotype. We also describe the first serial assessment of FAF, which is highly variable between individuals, even of similar age and genotype

Towards the development of a national patient transfer document between residential and acute care—A pilot study

Background A lack of standardisation of documentation accompanying older people when transferring from residential to acute care is common and this may result in gaps in information and in care for older people. In Ireland, this lack of standardisation prompted the development of an evidence based national transfer document. Objectives To pilot a new national transfer document for use when transferring older people from residential to acute care and obtain the perceptions of its use from staff in residential and acute care settings. Methods This was a pre‐ and post‐study design using purposive sampling following the STROBE guidelines. The pilot was conducted in 26 sites providing residential care and three university hospitals providing acute care. Pre‐pilot questionnaires focused on current documentation and were distributed to staff in residential care (n = 875). A pilot of the new paper‐based transfer document was then conducted over three months and post‐pilot questionnaires distributed to staff from both residential and acute care settings (n = 1085). The findings of the pilot study were discussed with multidisciplinary expert advisory and stakeholder groups who recommended some revisions. This consensus informed the development of the final design of the new revised transfer document. Results Pre‐pilot: 23% response rate; 83% (n = 168) participants agreed/strongly agreed that existing documentation was straightforward to complete but could be more person‐centred. Post‐pilot: 11% response rate; 75% (n = 93) of participants agreed/strongly agreed that the new transfer document promoted person‐centred care but recommended revisions to the new document regarding layout and time to complete. Conclusions This study highlighted some of the challenges of providing safe, effective and relevant transfer information that is feasible and usable in everyday practice. Implications for practice Standardisation and being person‐centred are important determining factors in the provision of relevant up to date information on the resident being transferred

Follow-on rifaximin for the prevention of recurrence following standard treatment of infection with clostridium fifficile (RAPID): a randomised placebo controlled trial

©2018 The Authors. Published by BMJ. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2018-316794Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) recurs after initial treatment in approximately one in four patients. A single-centre pilot study suggested that this could be reduced using ’follow-on’ rifaximin treatment. We aimed to assess the efficacy of rifaximin treatment in preventing recurrence. Methods A multisite, parallel group, randomised, placebo controlled trial recruiting patients aged ≥18 years immediately after resolution of CDI through treatment with metronidazole or vancomycin. Participants received either rifaximin 400mg three times a day for 2weeks, reduced to 200mg three times a day for a further 2weeks or identical placebo. The primary endpoint was recurrence of CDI within 12 weeks of trial entry. Results Between December 2012 and March 2016, 151 participants were randomised to either rifaximin or placebo. Primary outcome data were available on 130. Mean age was 71.9 years (SD 15.3). Recurrence within 12 weeks was 29.5% (18/61) among participants allocated to placebo compared with 15.9% (11/69) among those allocated to rifaximin, a difference between groups of 13.7% (95% CI −28.1% to 0.7%, p=0.06). The risk ratio was 0.54 (95% CI 0.28 to 1.05, p=0.07). During 6-month safety follow-up, nine participants died in each group (12%). Adverse event rates were similar between groups. Conclusion While ’follow-on’ rifaximin after CDI appeared to halve recurrence rate, we failed to reach our recruitment target in this group of frail elderly patients, so the estimated effect of rifaximin lacks precision. A meta-analysis including a previous trial suggests that rifaximin may be effective; however, further, larger confirmatory studies are needed.The trial was sponsored by the University of Nottingham, was coordinated from the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit and was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network