An Approach to the Patient with Organ Failure: Transplantation and End-of-Life Treatment Decisions

Organ transplantation offers an opportunity for extended survival and enhanced quality of life to patients with end-stage organ disease. Significant challenges are associated with both pre- and post-transplantation care, however, that require awareness of psychiatric issues in this patient population. Ventricular assist devices have added another dimension to patient care and to quality-of-life considerations. Unfortunately, effective incorporation of palliative care and end-of-life discussions is frequently overlooked during caretaking of these patients. © 2010 Elsevier Inc

An Approach to the Patient with Organ Failure: Transplantation and End-of-Life Treatment Decisions

Organ transplantation offers an opportunity for extended survival and enhanced quality of life to patients with end-stage organ disease. Significant challenges are associated with both pre- and post-transplantation care, however, that require awareness of psychiatric issues in this patient population. Ventricular assist devices have added another dimension to patient care and to quality-of-life considerations. Unfortunately, effective incorporation of palliative care and end-of-life discussions is frequently overlooked during caretaking of these patients

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) system are prevalent and are frequently associated with distress and psychiatric disorders, which may cause, exacerbate, or be a reaction to these disorders (Jones et al. 2007; Sandler et al. 2002). In this chapter, we review the use of psychotropic medications in the treatment of GI disorder symptoms and comorbid psychopathology, potential interactions between GI medications and psychotropic agents, risks of prescribing psychiatric medications in the presence of particular GI disorders, and alterations in the pharmacokinetics of psychotropic drugs induced by GI disorders (e.g., hepatic failure, short bowel syndrome). The chapter is organized first by organ system and then by specific GI disorder

Case study of a project-based learning course in civil engineering design

This paper describes the use of project-based learning to teach design skills to civil engineering students at University College Dublin (UCD). The paper first considers the development of problem-based leaning (PBL) as a tool in higher education. The general issues to be considered in the design of the curriculum for a PBL module are reviewed. Consideration of the literature on the application of PBL in civil engineering suggests that, because of the hierarchical nature of engineering education, PBL is best applied in a hybrid form known as Project Based Learning. A detailed description is given of how hybrid PBL was implemented in the final year of a civil engineering degree programme. In the final section, the results of an evaluation process designed to gain an insight into students’ perceptions of the PBL process are reviewed. The module, which was developed at UCD, provided an excellent mechanism for developing many skills, including problem-solving, innovation, group-working and presentation skills desired by graduate employers. It was clear that the students enjoyed the peer to peer teaching and increased interaction with staff and external experts, which the problem-solving nature of the module facilitated.Deposited by bulk importTS 22.02.1