Introducing evidence based medicine to the journal club, using a structured pre and post test: a cohort study

BACKGROUND: Journal Club at a University-based residency program was restructured to introduce, reinforce and evaluate residents understanding of the concepts of Evidence Based Medicine. METHODS: Over the course of a year structured pre and post-tests were developed for use during each Journal Club. Questions were derived from the articles being reviewed. Performance with the key concepts of Evidence Based Medicine was assessed. Study subjects were 35 PGY2 and PGY3 residents in a University based Family Practice Program. RESULTS: Performance on the pre-test demonstrated a significant improvement from a median of 54.5 % to 78.9 % over the course of the year (F 89.17, p < .001). The post-test results also exhibited a significant increase from 63.6 % to 81.6% (F 85.84, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Following organizational revision, the introduction of a pre-test/post-test instrument supported achievement of the learning objectives with a better understanding and utilization of the concepts of Evidence Based Medicine

The Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy: A Centennial Lesson

The Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy (P.S.O.T.) was one of five founding occupational therapy academic programs in the United States. The program was led by two powerful occupational therapists, Helen S. Willard and Clare S. Spackman, for nearly a half century. After 60 years, P.S.O.T. was closed. This article provides a historical overview of the progression of occupational therapy education in the United States over the last century, using the story of P.S.O.T as a case study. The historical legacy and lesson from P.S.O.T. is that excellence in today’s academy may not mean security. Historically relevant today, the interaction between education and societal demands is explored, starting from the founders of the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy in 1917, through the World Wars, and casting forward. Curricular expansion, the addition of accreditation requirements, financial concerns, and faculty research requirements are presented as influential to the history of occupational therapy education. Lessons for current occupational therapy educational programs are discussed

A Phenomenological Approach to Understanding the Impact of Chronic Ear Disease on Wellbeing in Young People: Patient and Carer Perspectives.

Background: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear which usually occurs in childhood. Symptoms of CSOM include ear pain, an odorous discharge and hearing loss, necessitating significant medical intervention. Previous research has largely focused on functional outcomes of CSOM using quantitative methods. Consequently, the lived experience of this condition from patient and carer perspectives is relatively unknown. The aim of the current study is to qualitatively explore the psychological impact of CSOM on young people. Methods: A qualitative semi-structured interview design is proposed. Up to 10 young people aged 12-18 and their primary caregivers will be recruited from local ENT clinics and interviewed individually. Interviews will consider participants’ experience of the meaning of CSOM, its impact on identity and social and emotional aspects of daily life. Interviewing both patients and primary caregivers about the same phenomena will enable triangulation of the data. All interviews will be audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data will be analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings: IPA will be conducted on patient and primary caregiver interview data according to the process outlined in Smith, Larkin and Flowers (2009). Initial findings will be shared with the young people and their primary caregivers. Discussion: The findings from the current study will lead to a greater understanding of CSOM on young people’s wellbeing and quality of life. This knowledge will enable ENT clinics and other medical teams to address the psychosocial support needs of this group and ultimately improve patient care

When trade unions succeed: cases of blocked liberalisation in the common market

Despite the generally accepted weakness of trade unions at the European Union level, an analysis of two high profile cases – the Services Directive and the Port Directive – shows that trade unions are able to mobilise effectively at the European level and, within constellations of actors, crucially impact EU decision making. In contrast to common claims that a lack of access to EU institutions makes such groups powerless, it is argued here that the exclusion of large opposing societal groups from consultations is neither a quick nor a sure fire recipe for dismantling opposition. On the contrary, it politicises the process and may lead to opposing groups mobilising in more contentious ways