The Jews on Mencken's Block and Guy Vanderhaeghe's The Englishman's Boy

Vanderhaeghe's The Englishman's Boy engages with contemporary critical debate on racial discourse in literature. The thread of allusions to H.L. Mencken, whose anti-Semitic views were not publicly known at the time the novel is set but had become infamous by the time of its publication, brings the question of critical influence and responsibility to the fore. The echoing of Mencken's rhetorical style and ideas through characters like Harry Vincent, Damon Chance, and Rachel Gold serves as a barometer of personal morality by exploring the relationship between morality and the use or abuse of language in the telling of history. Vanderhaeghe's use of faith-based allusions raises the postmodern question of whether truth exists beneath the constructed stories of history. However, while acknowledging the complexity of historical truth, the novel ultimately suggests that all narrative is connected to real life, and that writers like Mencken should be held accountable for their words, whether spoken or omitted

Teacher Perspectives of Fidelity With Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom

The purpose of this qualitative case study is designed to explore teachers’ perspectives on the implementation and sustainability of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the classroom at a local rural Title I elementary school. The rural elementary Title I school classroom presents a unique dynamic in comparison to its surrounding rural elementary school counterparts. The most significant difference is the students residing in poverty and the circumstances associated with poverty. Despite this school’s rural Title I circumstance UDL is used to encourage and stimulate students. Teachers are the primary source of UDL implementation. It is vital for teachers to express their opinions on the implementation and sustainability of UDL. Allowing teachers to express their opinions provide a sense of how well the strategy might work when implemented. For UDL to be effectively implemented in the classroom and throughout the school, teachers must have the proper supplies, time to prepare extended lesson plans, and any procedural changes needed for the implementation of UDL. The methodology for this study will involve interviewing nine first grade through third-grade rural elementary school teachers. The NVivo coding software will be used to analyze the interview data collected to assist with determining the results of the study

The role of networked learning in academics’ writing

This article explores academics’ writing practices, focusing on the ways in which they use digital platforms in their processes of collaborative learning. It draws on interview data from a research project that has involved working closely with academics across different disciplines and institutions to explore their writing practices, understanding academic literacies as situated social practices. The article outlines the characteristics of academics’ ongoing professional learning, demonstrating the importance of collaborations on specific projects in generating learning in relation to using digital platforms and for sharing and collaborating on scholarly writing. A very wide range of digital platforms have been identified by these academics, enabling new kinds of collaboration across time and space on writing and research; but challenges around online learning are also identified, particularly the dangers of engaging in learning in public, the pressures of ‘always-on’-ness and the different values systems around publishing in different forums

Rapid discharge from hospital in the last days of life: An evaluation of the key issues and the contribution of an end of life discharge sister role

Background: When the time comes, most people wish to die at home. Nevertheless, many deaths occur in hospital, often because of delays in the discharge process. This study explored the issues surrounding rapid discharge from hospital in the final days of life, and evaluated the contribution of a discharge sister role. Methods: A qualitative design was used, incorporating focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders. A total of 75 staff and 7 carers participated. Results: Participants highlighted the small window of opportunity available to facilitate a rapid but safe discharge from hospital. Early recognition of the last days of life was vital as was the availability of a skilled health professional, such as the discharge sister, to coordinate the patient's journey from hospital to preferred place of death. Conclusions: Rapid discharge is challenging and requires high levels of skill. The discharge sister navigated complex organisational systems to facilitate rapid discharge for those who might otherwise have died in hospital. </jats:sec

Long Term Sequelae of Pediatric Craniopharyngioma – Literature Review and 20 Years of Experience

Craniopharyngioma are rare histologically benign brain tumors that develop in the pituitary–hypothalamic area. They may invade nearby anatomical structures causing significant rates of neurological, neurocognitive, and endocrinological complications including remarkable hypothalamic damage. Information regarding long term implications of the tumors and treatment in the pediatric population is accumulating, and treatment goals appear to be changing accordingly. In this review we aim to present data regarding long term complications of craniopharyngioma in children and adolescents and our experience from a large tertiary center. Hypothalamic dysfunction was noted to be the most significant complication, adversely affecting quality of life in survivors. Obesity, fatigue, and sleep disorders are the most notable manifestations of this dysfunction, and treatment is extremely difficult. Changes in management in recent years show a potential for improved long term outcomes; we found a trend toward less aggressive surgical management and increasing use of adjuvant treatment, accompanied by a decrease in complication rates

A qualitative study of patients' perceptions and priorities when living with primary frozen shoulder

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the experiences and perceptions of people living with primary frozen shoulder and their priorities for treatment. DESIGN: Qualitative study design using semistructured interviews. SETTING: General practitioner (GP) and musculoskeletal clinics in primary and secondary care in one National Health Service Trust in England. PARTICIPANTS: 12 patients diagnosed with primary frozen shoulder were purposively recruited from a GP's surgery, community clinics and hospital clinics. Recruitment targeted the phases of frozen shoulder: pain predominant (n=5), stiffness predominant (n=4) and residual stiffness predominant following hospital treatment (n=2). One participant dropped out. Inclusion criteria: adult, male and female patients of any age, attending the clinics, who had been diagnosed with primary frozen shoulder. RESULTS: The most important experiential themes identified by participants were: pain which was severe as well as inexplicable; inconvenience/disability arising from increasing restriction of movement (due to pain initially, gradually giving way to stiffness); confusion/anxiety associated with delay in diagnosis and uncertainty about the implications for the future; and treatment-related aspects. Participants not directly referred to a specialist (whether physiotherapist, physician or surgeon) wanted a faster, better-defined care pathway. Specialist consultation brought more definitive diagnosis, relief from anxiety and usually self-rated improvement. The main treatment priority was improved function, though there was recognition that this might be facilitated by relief of pain or stiffness. There was a general lack of information from clinicians about the condition with over-reliance on verbal communication and very little written information. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of frozen shoulder should be increased among non-specialists and the best available information made accessible for patients. Our results also highlight the importance of patient participation in frozen shoulder research

Patient reported experiences of using community rehabilitation and/or support services whilst living with a long-term neurological condition:a qualitative systematic review and meta-aggregation.

<p><b>Objectives:</b> The objective of this study is to identify patient reported experiences of using community rehabilitation and/or support services whilst living with a long-term neurological condition, and perceptions of their impact on quality of life.</p> <p><b>Methods</b>: Nine electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed qualitative studies from 2005 to 2016, which met the inclusion criteria. Critical appraisal, data extraction, and quality assessment of 37 included papers were performed by three reviewers. One hundred and one findings were extracted. Meta-aggregation was used to synthesize findings.</p> <p><b>Findings:</b> Seven ‘synthesized findings’ [SF] were produced: Interactions with some professionals provide active participation, choice, confidence and autonomy [SF1]; Interactions with some professionals are disempowering and depersonalized [SF2]; Effective communication, specialist knowledge and an individualized approach to information provision is needed [SF3]; Indicators of success vary and may not be clear [SF4]; Informal support from family/friends is valued [SF5]; Opportunities for peer support/social interaction is valued [SF6]; Coordination required to ensure continuity during transition to community [SF7].</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Patient reported experiences identified common factors associated with process quality (respect, choice, autonomy, information provision, communication) and activities of patient centered care (personalized care, shared decision-making, self-management support) despite heterogeneity of neurological conditions, service configurations, and geographical location. These factors impact quality of life.Implications for Rehabilitation</p><p>Patient reported experiences provide useful information about courtesy, respect, choice, autonomy, information provision, and communication.</p><p>Outcomes of self-efficacy and self-management are important for people with stable and progressive long-term neurological conditions.</p><p>Interactions with individual professionals influence engagement, self-efficacy, and self-management for people with long-term neurological conditions.</p><p>Training for health and social care professionals should develop the advanced communication skills and behavior required to facilitate self-efficacy and self-management.</p><p></p> <p>Patient reported experiences provide useful information about courtesy, respect, choice, autonomy, information provision, and communication.</p> <p>Outcomes of self-efficacy and self-management are important for people with stable and progressive long-term neurological conditions.</p> <p>Interactions with individual professionals influence engagement, self-efficacy, and self-management for people with long-term neurological conditions.</p> <p>Training for health and social care professionals should develop the advanced communication skills and behavior required to facilitate self-efficacy and self-management.</p