Herbal supplements in the print media: communicating benefits and risks

Background The rise in use of food supplements based on botanical ingredients (herbal supplements) is depicted as part of a trend empowering consumers to manage their day-to-day health needs, which presupposes access to clear and accurate information to make effective choices. Evidence regarding herbal supplement efficacy is extremely variable so recent regulations eliminating unsubstantiated claims about potential effects leave producers able to provide very little information about their products. Medical practitioners are rarely educated about herbal supplements and most users learn about them via word-of-mouth, allowing dangerous misconceptions to thrive, chief among them the assumption that natural products are inherently safe. Print media is prolific among the information channels still able to freely discuss herbal supplements. Method This study thematically analyses how 76 newspaper/magazine articles from the UK, Romania and Italy portray the potential risks and benefits of herbal supplements. Results Most articles referenced both risks and benefits and were factually accurate but often lacked context and impartiality. More telling was how the risks and benefits were framed in service of a chosen narrative, the paucity of authoritative information allowing journalists leeway to recontextualise herbal supplements in ways that serviced the goals and values of their specific publications and readerships. Conclusion Providing sufficient information to empower consumers should not be the responsibility of print media, instead an accessible source of objective information is required.</p

Synchronic rhynopharyngeal and gingival carcinoma

We present a case of a 38-year-old male who presented recurrent otitis media, maxillary gingival ulceration and no lateral cervical lymph nodes. Admission signs and symptoms: right: mild conductive hearing loss, trigeminal V2 nerve anaesthesia, ear tinnitus, hypoglossal nerve paralysis, minor maxillary gingival ulceration, Claude Bernard Horner's syndrome. A non-homogenous mass of 4.5/5.3/5.6 cm from the level of the right rhinopharyngeal wall, extending in the right parapharyngeal space, invading the right middle cranial fossa was visible on cranial contrast enhanced CT scan. Contrast enhanced cranial MRI revealed a rhino- and parapharyngeal mass of 4.5/5.3/5.6 cm with intracerebral extension in the right cavernous sinus, right internal carotid artery engulfed by the tumor mass with partial compression. Lymph node masses of 0.7/1.2cm were also revealed.Rhinopharyngeal and gingival biopsy, right tympanotomy were performed.Routine histological technique was performed and subsequent immunohistochemical reactions for pan-cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and leucocytes common antigen were used, showing that malignant tumor cells had a syncytial pattern of growth in a background of small lymphocytes for the rhynopharyngeal biopsy. Cellular dysmorphias, well-differentiated stratified squamous epithelial cells with deep bulbous ridges and also parakeratin invaginations were visible on the gingival biopsy. The positivity of tumor cells for pan-cytokeratin established the final diagnosis of non-keratinizing undifferentiated carcinoma of the rhynopharinx and Keratins (10-16), MNP 2, 9; VEGF, KI67, P53 confirmed the verrucous cell carcinoma of the maxillary mucosa.The age of onset, the signs and symptoms and minimum lymph node involvement represent the particularities of this case.Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an

4.3 Towards a global superstore of quality-assured modularized learning programmes

Our section's assignment entails exploration of the current challenges to develop criteria for quality assurance of dental e-learning material. Our work has involved comparison of current methods of assessment, the identification of best practice and the formulation of guidelines and criteria for producers and assessors. We anticipate the need for a standing international body responsible for the revision and refinement of guidelines and criteria and that might award a 'Seal of Approval'. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002

Evidence-based care and curriculum

An evidence-based (EB) approach has been a significant driver in reforming healthcare over the past two decades. This change has extended across a broad range of health professions, including oral healthcare. A key element in achieving an EB approach to oral healthcare is educating our practitioners, both current and future. This involves providing opportunities integrated within simulated and actual clinical settings for practitioners to learn and apply the principles and processes of evidence-based oral healthcare (EBOHC). Therefore, the focus of this discussion will be on ways in which EBOHC and associated research activities can be implemented into curricula, with the aim of improving patient care. This paper will initially define the scope of EBOHC and research, what these involve, why they are important, and issues that we need to manage when implementing EBOHC. This will be followed by a discussion of factors that enable successful implementation of EBOHC and research into curricula. The paper concludes with suggestions on the future of EBOHC and research in curricula. Key recommendations related to curricula include strengthening of the culture of a scientific approach to education and oral healthcare provision; complete integration of EBOHC into the curriculum at all levels; and faculty development to implement EBOHC based on their needs and evidence of effective approaches. Key recommendations to support implementation and maintenance of EBOHC include recognition and funding for high-quality systematic reviews and development of associated methodologies relevant for global environments; building global capacity of EBOHC researchers; research into improving translation of effective interventions into education and healthcare practice, including patient-reported outcomes, safety and harms, understanding and incorporation of patient values into EB decision-making, economic evaluation research specific to oral healthcare and effective methods for changing practitioner (faculty) behaviours; and extend access to synthesized research in ‘user friendly’ formats and languages tailored to meet users’ needs. Realizing these recommendations may help to improve access to effective healthcare as a basic human right

Evidence-based care and the curriculum

An evidence-based (EB) approach has been a significant driver in reforming healthcare over the past two decades. This change has extended across a broad range of health professions, including oral healthcare. A key element in achieving an EB approach to oral healthcare is educating our practitioners, both current and future. This involves providing opportunities integrated within simulated and actual clinical settings for practitioners to learn and apply the principles and processes of evidence-based oral healthcare (EBOHC). Therefore, the focus of this discussion will be on ways in which EBOHC and associated research activities can be implemented into curricula, with the aim of improving patient care. This paper will initially define the scope of EBOHC and research, what these involve, why they are important, and issues that we need to manage when implementing EBOHC. This will be followed by a discussion of factors that enable successful implementation of EBOHC and research into curricula. The paper concludes with suggestions on the future of EBOHC and research in curricula. Key recommendations related to curricula include strengthening of the culture of a scientific approach to education and oral healthcare provision; complete integration of EBOHC into the curriculum at all levels; and faculty development to implement EBOHC based on their needs and evidence of effective approaches. Key recommendations to support implementation and maintenance of EBOHC include recognition and funding for high-quality systematic reviews and development of associated methodologies relevant for global environments; building global capacity of EBOHC researchers; research into improving translation of effective interventions into education and healthcare practice, including patient-reported outcomes, safety and harms, understanding and incorporation of patient values into EB decision-making, economic evaluation research specific to oral healthcare and effective methods for changing practitioner (faculty) behaviours; and extend access to synthesized research in 'user friendly' formats and languages tailored to meet users' needs. Realizing these recommendations may help to improve access to effective healthcare as a basic human right