Clinical placements in intellectual disability nurse education: A scoping review

Intellectual disability undergraduate nurse education is provided in partnership between third level institutes and healthcare providers. The changing healthcare landscape has resulted in a reduction of the number of clinical placement's available to students, as persons with intellectual disabilities previously supported in institutional settings are now supported to live more independently and included within their community. This review aims to identify the range and efficacy of clinical placement's currently utilised within intellectual disability undergraduate nurse education. A scoping review framework was utilised to present a broad understanding and knowledge synthesis of the available literature. A systematic search strategy detected relevant papers across eight electronic databases. A total of 451 non-duplicate papers were identified. The review methods yielded ten papers for inclusion. Of these papers, nine were from the United Kingdom (UK) and one from Australia. Findings indicate that there is limited published literature on this topic and a notable absence of literature from Ireland, which is one of only two countries that have direct entry intellectual disability undergraduate nurse education. This review highlights the need to explore alternative placement options not traditionally considered/available to undergraduate nursing students and that further research is needed in this area

State-level medical and absenteeism cost of asthma in the United States

<p><i>Objective:</i> For medically treated asthma, we estimated prevalence, medical and absenteeism costs, and projected medical costs from 2015 to 2020 for the entire population and separately for children in the 50 US states and District of Columbia (DC) using the most recently available data. <i>Methods:</i> We used multiple data sources, including the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, U.S. Census Bureau, Kaiser Family Foundation, Medical Statistical Information System, and Current Population Survey. We used a two-part regression model to estimate annual medical costs of asthma and a negative binomial model to estimate annual school and work days missed due to asthma. <i>Results:</i> Per capita medical costs of asthma ranged from $1,860 (Mississippi) to$2,514 (Michigan). Total medical costs of asthma ranged from $60.7 million (Wyoming) to$3.4 billion (California). Medicaid costs ranged from $4.1 million (Wyoming) to$566.8 million (California), Medicare from $5.9 million (DC) to$446.6 million (California), and costs paid by private insurers ranged from $27.2 million (DC) to$1.4 billion (California). Total annual school and work days lost due to asthma ranged from 22.4 thousand (Wyoming) to 1.5 million days (California) and absenteeism costs ranged from $4.4 million (Wyoming) to$345 million (California). Projected increase in medical costs from 2015 to 2020 ranged from 9% (DC) to 34% (Arizona). <i>Conclusion:</i> Medical and absenteeism costs of asthma represent a significant economic burden for states and these costs are expected to rise. Our study results emphasize the urgency for strategies to strengthen state level efforts to prevent and control asthma attacks.</p

Impact of biochar application on the productivity of a temperate vegetable cropping system

<p>Few studies have investigated the potential of biochar in supporting cool temperate horticultural systems with fertile soils. We examined the effects of applying 10 t ha⁻¹ of blue mallee (<i>Eucalyptus polybractea</i>) biochar in combination with fertiliser rate treatments (either full or half the regional recommended rate) on crop yield, yield parameters and soil properties of a cool temperate vegetable cropping system on a red Ferrosol. Biochar amendment did not improve crop yield or other yield parameters of cauliflower, peas and broccoli crops. Similarly, soil parameters including nitrate and ammonium were unaffected by biochar treatment. We suggest the lack of biochar effect on crop and soil parameters was related to the inherent chemical fertility and structural robustness of Ferrosols, which may have mitigated any potential benefits from biochar amendment. Our results demonstrate that biochar application may not bring significant soil quality and crop productivity improvements to high-input agricultural systems.</p

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions on people with pre-existent mental health conditions: A scoping review

Context: Globally, governments have introduced a variety of public health measures including restrictions and reducing face-to-face contact, to control the spread of COVID-19. This has implications for mental health services in terms of support and treatment for vulnerable groups such as people with pre-existent mental health conditions. However, there is limited evidence of the impact of COVID-19 and its related restrictions on people with pre-existent mental health conditions. Objectives: To identify the impact of COVID-19 and its related restrictions on people with pre-existent mental health conditions. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was employed. Eight electronic databases (PsycINFO, Cochrane, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Academic Search Complete) were searched and 2566 papers identified. 30 papers met the criteria for this review and findings were summarised under three key review questions. Results: COVID-19 and its related restrictions have had a notable effect on people with pre-existent mental health conditions. Public health restrictions have contributed to increased levels of social isolation, loneliness, and reduced opportunities for people to connect with others. Reduced access to health services and treatments has compounded matters for those seeking support. Exacerbation and deterioration of symptoms are commonly reported and can lead to greater susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. Implications: The importance of proactive planning, alternative accessible healthcare services and supports for vulnerable and at-risk groups is illuminated. Increased monitoring, early intervention and individually tailored care strategies are advocated. Recommendations revolve around the the need for enhanced provision of remote support strategies facilitated using technology enhanced resources

Additional file 1 of Final year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students’ perspectives on simulation-based education: a cross-sectional study

Additional file 1