The role of peer meetings for professional development in health science education: a qualitative analysis of reflective essays

Introduction The development of professional behaviour is an important objective for students in Health Sciences, with reflective skills being a basic condition for this development. Literature describes a variety of methods giving students opportunities and encouragement for reflection. Although the literature states that learning and working together in peer meetings fosters reflection, these findings are based on experienced professionals. We do not know whether participation in peer meetings also makes a positive contribution to the learning experiences of undergraduate students in terms of reflection. Aim The aim of this study is to gain an understanding of the role of peer meetings in students’ learning experiences regarding reflection. Method A phenomenographic qualitative study was undertaken. Students’ learning experiences in peer meetings were analyzed by investigating the learning reports in students’ portfolios. Data were coded using open coding. Results The results indicate that peer meetings created an interactive learning environment in which students learned about themselves, their skills and their abilities as novice professionals. Students also mentioned conditions for a well-functioning group. Conclusion The findings indicate that peer meetings foster the development of reflection skills as part of professional behaviour

Preface for the IJSME Special Issue: Metacognition for Science and Mathematics Learning in Technology-Infused Learning Environments

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10763-016-9727-9

Overview of data-synthesis in systematic reviews of studies on outcome prediction models

Background: Many prognostic models have been developed. Different types of models, i.e. prognostic factor and outcome prediction studies, serve different purposes, which should be reflected in how the results are summarized in reviews. Therefore we set out to investigate how authors of reviews synthesize and report the results of primary outcome prediction studies. Methods: Outcome prediction reviews published in MEDLINE between October 2005 and March 2011 were eligible and 127 Systematic reviews with the aim to summarize outcome prediction studies written in English were identified for inclusion. Characteristics of the reviews and the primary studies that were included were independently assessed by 2 review authors, using standardized forms. Results: After consensus meetings a total of 50 systematic reviews that met the inclusion criteria were included. The type of primary studies included (prognostic factor or outcome prediction) was unclear in two-thirds of the reviews. A minority of the reviews reported univariable or multivariable point estimates and measures of dispersion from the primary studies. Moreover, the variables considered for outcome prediction model development were often not reported, or were unclear. In most reviews there was no information about model performance. Quantitative analysis was performed in 10 reviews, and 49 reviews assessed the primary studies qualitatively. In both analyses types a range of different methods was used to present the results of the outcome prediction studies. Conclusions: Different methods are applied to synthesize primary study results but quantitative analysis is rarely performed. The description of its objectives and of the primary studies is suboptimal and performance parameters of the outcome prediction models are rarely mentioned. The poor reporting and the wide variety of data synthesis strategies are prone to influence the conclusions of outcome prediction reviews. Therefore, there is much room for improvement in reviews of outcome prediction studies. (aut.ref.

The role of non-medical therapeutic approaches in the rehabilitation of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Purpose of the review: Non-medical therapeutic approaches are fundamental to the management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in order to promote the best outcome for patients. This review focuses on three key approaches underpinning CRPS rehabilitation, namely: physiotherapy and occupational therapy, psychological approaches and education and self-management. Recent Findings: Recently published European standards outline the quality of therapeutic care that people with CRPS must receive. Early initiated therapy is essential to optimise outcomes, underpinned by patient education. Therapists should promote early movement of the affected limb and encourage re-engagement with usual activities as immobilisation is known to have negative outcomes. There is evidence to support the possible long-term benefit of graded motor imagery and mirror therapy. Psychological assessment should include identification of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, as treatment of these conditions may improve the trajectory of CRPS. Novel therapies include neurocognitive approaches and those addressing spatial bias, both of which should provide a focus for future research.Summary: There exists a broad range of non-medical therapeutic approaches to rehabilitation for CPRS that are thought to be important. However, the evidence for their efficacy is limited. Further research using standardised outcomes would be helpful in developing targeted therapies for the future

Prognostic value of metabolic response in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Today's clinical diagnostic tools are insufficient for giving accurate prognosis to breast cancer patients. The aim of our study was to examine the tumor metabolic changes in patients with locally advanced breast cancer caused by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), relating these changes to clinical treatment response and long-term survival.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients (n = 89) participating in a randomized open-label multicenter study were allocated to receive either NAC as epirubicin or paclitaxel monotherapy. Biopsies were excised pre- and post-treatment, and analyzed by high resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR MAS MRS). The metabolite profiles were examined by paired and unpaired multivariate methods and findings of important metabolites were confirmed by spectral integration of the metabolite peaks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All patients had a significant metabolic response to NAC, and pre- and post-treatment spectra could be discriminated with 87.9%/68.9% classification accuracy by paired/unpaired partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) (<it>p </it>< 0.001). Similar metabolic responses were observed for the two chemotherapeutic agents. The metabolic responses were related to patient outcome. Non-survivors (< 5 years) had increased tumor levels of lactate (<it>p </it>= 0.004) after treatment, while survivors (≥ 5 years) experienced a decrease in the levels of glycine (<it>p </it>= 0.047) and choline-containing compounds (<it>p </it>≤ 0.013) and an increase in glucose (<it>p </it>= 0.002) levels. The metabolic responses were not related to clinical treatment response.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The differences in tumor metabolic response to NAC were associated with breast cancer survival, but not to clinical response. Monitoring metabolic responses to NAC by HR MAS MRS may provide information about tumor biology related to individual prognosis.</p

Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Guidelines for Child and Youth Health Services

De richtlijn Preventie Wiegendood, die in 2007 voor kinder- en jeugdartsen is opgesteld, is vertaald naar de praktijk van de jeugdgezondheidszorg (JGZ). De vertaalslag houdt in dat aan de richtlijn een praktijkgerichte samenvatting is toegevoegd van de aanbevelingen om wiegendood te voorkomen. Daarnaast is een handzame overzichtskaart met aandachtspunten gemaakt. De documenten zijn bedoeld om professionals uit de JGZ, artsen en verpleegkundigen te ondersteunen bij de voorlichting aan ouders over dit onderwerp. De vertaalslag is onder begeleiding van het Centrum Jeugdgezondheid van het RIVM uitgevoerd. De richtlijn is indertijd opgesteld door de Nederlandse Vereniging voor Kindergeneeskunde (NVK) en de Artsen Jeugdgezondheid Nederland (AJN). Het document geeft op basis van literatuuronderzoek een overzicht van risicofactoren, aanbevelingen en andere aan wiegendood gerelateerde onderwerpen. De richtlijn is goedgekeurd door de RIVM-Richtlijnadviescommissie voor de jeugdzondheidszorg (RAC). In de RAC zijn onder meer de koepelorganisaties, zoals GGD Nederland en de organisatie voor zorgondernemers ActiZ, en de beroepsverenigingen in de jeugdgezondheidszorg vertegenwoordigd.The formal guideline on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as developed for pediatricians in 2007, has been adapted to facilitate its implementation in the child and youth health service sector. This adaptation -or 'translation'- implies the existing guideline has been supplemented with practice-focused recommendations aimed at preventing SIDS. A checklist with an overview of key points has also been added. The extra documents are aimed at supporting professionals in the child and youth health sector -including medical doctors and nurses- in their efforts to educate parents about this issue. The Netherlands Centre for Child and Youth Health has supervised the adaptation process. In 2007, the guideline was developed by the Dutch Society for Pediatricians (NVK) and the Youth Health Care Physicians Association (AJN). Based on a literature review, the document provides the state of the art regarding prevention, risk factors, recommendations and other topics related to SIDS. The guideline was approved by the RIVM Committee for Guidelines in Child and Youth Health Services (RAC). Professional organisations, service providers and key partners in the field of child and youth health service sector are represented in this committee

Coalitional games and contracts based on individual deviations

Stability, Contracts, Coalitional games, 91A12,