Divided by a lack of common language? - a qualitative study exploring the use of language by health professionals treating back pain

Background: The importance of using a common language when communicating to others about back pain is acknowledged in the literature. There are broadly three areas where difficulties in communication about back pain arise. Firstly, patients seeking information from health care professionals can experience difficulties understanding them and the medical literature; secondly, misunderstandings among health professionals concerning terminology can arise. Thirdly, the lack of standardised definitions for back pain terms can make comparison of research studies problematic. This study aims to explore the meanings and issues surrounding the use of existing medical terms for back pain from the perspective of health care professionals, lay people who have consulted health care practitioners for back pain and lay people who have not seen a health care professional regarding back pain. \ud \ud Methods: A series of focus groups were used to explore participants' understanding. A purposive sampling approach was used to achieve a sample which included general practitioners, chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists, and lay people. Focus groups were facilitated by an independent professional qualitative researcher. They were audio taped and full transcripts of each focus group underwent line by line analysis, identifying concepts and coded. Constant comparison was used to allow each item to be checked or compared against the rest of the data \ud \ud Results: Lay participants understood the majority of the terms explored in the group differently to the health professionals. The terms, as understood by the lay participants, can be split into three broad categories. Firstly, terms which were not understood or were misconstrued and which had inadvertent negative connotations or implications. Secondly, terms which were not understood or were misconstrued, but without this leading to negative emotional responses. Thirdly, terms which were understood by lay participants as the health professionals stated they intended them to be understood. \ud \ud Conclusion: Few of the existing medical terms were understood and accepted by lay participants in the way discussed and expected by health professionals. Misunderstandings, unintended meanings and negative emotional responses to terms were common within the study focus groups

Biochemical and histochemical studies of the photoreceptor cells and the interphotoreceptor matrix of the bovine retina

Much interest has been shown recently in the components of the surfaces of the rod and cone photoreceptor cells in the mammalian retina and in the constituents of the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) which interact with the surfaces of the photoreceptor cells. Such molecules are likely to assist in- maintaining the structures of the photoreceptor cells and /or to have functional roles in the continual interactions between the pigmented epithelium cell layer and the neural retina. Abnormalities in the composition of such molecules may lead to disease states in which such structures and functions have broken down.One approach to identifying constituents of the surfaces of cells is to use cell -specific probes in the form of monoclonal antibodies which can be raised against cell- specific surface molecules, and may be used to identify these molecules and to allow comparisons to be made between normal and diseased tissue.Mice immunised with partially purified surface molecules of photoreceptor outer segments or with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N- terminus of a cone -specific rhodopsin -like protein, gave rise to the production of monoclonal antibodies with only general immunoreactivity against the retina.Immunisation with interphotor-eceptor matrix or crude photoreceptor outer segment preparations resulted in the production of hybridomas which secreted monoclonal antibodies 1001.A1 and .1001.A3.100l.A1 binds to the interstitial retinol-binding protein (IRBP), associated with the rod photoreceptor cells and the IPM, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and by Western blotting and dot blotting of IPM and purified IRBP.1001.A3 binds a soluble high molecular weight chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan. Immunohistochemistry indicated the antigen to be present in the form of distinct sheath -like structures surrounding the photoreceptor cells. Gel filtration chromatography both in native conditions and in the presence of guanidinium chloride showed the antigen to have an apparent molecular mass of greater than 2000kDaltons and indicated the antigen was not a loosely associated aggregate of smaller components. Binding of .1007.A3 to fixed tissue sections of the bovine retina was completely abolished by their prior treatment with either chondroitinase ABC, chondroitinase AC, hyaluronidase (testicular) or trypsin. Prior treatment of tissue sections with either heparinase or neuraminidase had no effect on binding. Treatment of tissue sections with hyaluronidase (Streptomyces) had no effect on the ability of 1001.A3 to bind, but the structure of the antigen was altered. The sheath -like structure surrounding the photoreceptors was broken down and immunoreactivity was seen in the same area of the 1PM, adjacent to the photoreceptors but with no defined structure. In conclusion, the antigen is a chondroitin sulphate molecule which is associated with hyaluronic acid molecules and which together form a defined sheath -like structure surrounding the photoreceptor cells

The validity of the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) as a fair diagnostic instrument in South African schools

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)Diversity is an important component of the South African society. Traditional standardised methods of assessment have been discouraged or abandoned. as they have been found to be discriminatory. Arguing for a systematic assessment process, Siegel (1999:307) states that the standardised methods are the best way to achieve understanding as to the reasons for the breakdown in Iearning and ensure effective intervention. The objective of this study was therefore to establish whether the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), a cognitive assessment tool, correlates and is a predictor of achievement in the South African context. In order to examine the validity of this claim. I selected 32 black, Grade 6 learners, from a school In 8 Northern Johannesburg suburb, to determine whether the scores obtained on the CAS, correlate and predict achievement in the areas of reading and scholastic work. The quantitative research Involved identifying correlations between three data areas, the CAS. Woodcock Diagnostic Reading Battery (WDRB). and the scholastic marks obtained from school subjects for December 2000 and June 2001. As a result of this research and data analysis. high correlations were obtained between the three data areas. In addition the achieved scores of the WDRB were found to correlate with predicted scores taken from the learner's CAS Full Scale score. It was therefore concluded, that the Full Scale score of the CAS is predictive of achievement as measured by the six sub-tests taken from the WDRB. The findings of this study thus indicate that the CAS cognitive assessment tool could. within certain limitations, be used in the South African context to improve diagnostic interpretations and subsequent interventions. The challenge remains for additional research to be undertaken to explore the diagnostic value of the CAS in the wider community

Access and attitude of rural allied health professionals to CPD and training

Continuing professional development (CPD) activities for allied health professionals are becoming mandatory as a means for professionals to maintain accreditation or skills. To access CPD activities, rural allied health professionals have the added costs of travel, accommodation and information technology access. It is assumed that health professionals in rural areas want access to training and CPD. In 2003, a survey of allied health professionals was carried out in Southwest Victoria, Australia, with the aim of identifying access and attitudes to CPD. Results showed that allied health professionals in Southwest Victoria were highly qualified, wished to access CPD more than four times a year and were prepared to spend a mean rate of $1000 (1300) per annum on CPD activities.<br /

JET Capstone: Redesigning Course Rubrics | Reid

Public speaking can be daunting to even seasoned students, but for students in COMM 1300 with diverse backgrounds such as First Gen, ESL and DS who may have language barriers, comprehension or accessibility issues, this can be a particularly challenging experience. To help make assignments more equitable and assist all students in deepening understanding of expectations, this project focuses on creating additional assignment rubrics and developing activities to encourage student usage and understanding of the rubrics.</p