Epidemiological features and disease-related concerns of a large cohort of Italian patients with active Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND-AIMS: The SOLE study was conducted on a large cohort of Italian patients with moderate-severe Crohn's disease (CD) to assess epidemiological and disease characteristics and their correlation with disease-related worries, treatment satisfaction and adherence, workability. METHODS: The following tools were used over 12 months to assess: Results were correlated with demographic and clinical variables with linear regression models. RESULTS: 552 patients with active CD (51% men) were recruited. Higher worries were having an ostomy bag and undergoing surgery. Variables associated with a higher RFIPC score included female sex, higher disease activity, lower treatment adherence (p\u202f<\u202f0.001), previous surgical treatments (p\u202f=\u202f0.003). 60% of patients claimed difficulties with activities of daily living. Lower VAS scores were reported by patients with disease duration >6years; treatment satisfaction/adherence was higher with anti-TNF-\u3b1 treatment. Decreased hospitalizations during follow-up and improved workability/daily activities occurred with adalimumab, infliximab, azathioprine (p\u202f<\u202f0.001). CONCLUSION: Worries included having an ostomy bag, undergoing surgery, developing cancer: conditions significantly associated with worsened disease activity and low treatment adherence. Higher treatment adherence scores/greater workability improvements were observed in patients treated with anti-TNF-\u3b1 agents

Reaping New Harvests: Collaboration and Communication through Field Experiences

Created under the auspices of the field experience offices at two public, four-year institutions of higher education, and in conjunction with a local urban school district, the Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) and Communities of Practice (COMPRAC) were constructed to support a year-long experience (practicum and student teaching) at the undergraduate and postbaccalaureate levels. These programs, structured to help preservice teachers junction effectively in an urban classroom, included clustering groups in the same school and providing additional support through course work, seminars, and interactive small and whole-group meetings. What began as two separate programs evolved into a reconceptualization of a model for field experiences that has transferability to any type of school district. Multiple face-to-face and electronic communication fora within and across triad roles are proposed for creating a community for professional development that celebrates talking about issues germane to teaching and learning