Recruiting Ethnically Diverse Participants into Qualitative Health Research: Lessons Learned

The inclusion of ethnically diverse populations in health research is crucial for addressing ethnic disparities in health status and care. Despite this need, non - dominant ethnic groups continue to be under - represented in health studies. The reasons may be at least partly du e to the difficulties inherent in recruiting such groups for research. In this article, we attempt to assist researchers , who are seeking to conduct inclusive qualitative health research , by sharing some of the lessons we learned in the process of recruiting ethnically diverse immigrant women for a qualitative study on the experience of developing weight - related concerns. Specifically, we discuss issues such as engaging gatekeepers, using cultural insiders, developing culturally - sensitive recruitment materials, offering payment, and developing trust with participants and their communities. We conclude the article by presenting practical strategies for addressing these issues based on our experience and the available literature on the recruitment of non - dominant research participant

New Perspectives on Mathematics Pedagogy

“New Perspectives on Mathematics Pedagogy” represents a serious attempt to understand pedagogy within mathematics classrooms. To that end, this symposium will address the key questions and issues surrounding mathematics pedagogy presently confronting vast numbers of researchers, as well as educators, and policy makers. Organised around presentations, responses, discussion and debate, the symposium is intended not only to enhance understanding but also to stimulate fresh thinking and initiate ongoing critical dialogue about the practice of mathematics pedagogy within teaching and learning settings

Treat-to-target in dermatology:A scoping review and International Eczema Council survey on the approach in atopic dermatitis

Treat-to-target (T2T) is a pragmatic therapeutic strategy being gradually introduced into dermatology after adoption in several other clinical areas. Atopic dermatitis (AD), one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases, may also benefit from this structured and practical therapeutic approach. We aimed to evaluate existing data regarding the T2T approach in dermatology, with a specific focus on AD, as well as the views of International Eczema Council (IEC) members on the potential application of a T2T approach to AD management. To do so, we systematically searched for peer-reviewed publications on the T2T approach for any skin disease in the PubMed and Scopus databases up to February 2022 and conducted a survey among IEC members regarding various components to potentially include in a T2T approach in AD. We identified 21 relevant T2T-related reports in dermatology, of which 14 were related to psoriasis, five to AD, one for juvenile dermatomyositis and one for urticaria. In the IEC member survey, respondents proposed treatable traits (with itch, disease severity and sleep problems getting the highest scores), relevant comorbidities (with asthma being selected most commonly, followed by anxiety and depression in adults), recommended specialists that should define the approach in AD (dermatologists, allergists and primary care physicians were most commonly selected in adults), and applicable assessment tools (both physician- and patient-reported), in both adult and paediatric patients, for potential future utilization of the T2T approach in AD. In conclusion, while the T2T approach may become a useful tool to simplify therapeutic goals and AD management, its foundation in AD is only starting to build. A multidisciplinary approach, including a wide range of stakeholders, including patients, is needed to further define the essential components needed to utilize T2T in AD.</p

Biomarkers in atopic dermatitis—a review on behalf of the International Eczema Council

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common yet complex skin disease, posing a therapeutic challenge with increasingly recognized different phenotypes among variable patient populations. Because therapeutic response may vary on the basis of heterogeneous clinical and molecular phenotypes, a shift toward precision medicine approaches may improve AD management. Herein, we will consider biomarkers as potential instruments in the toolbox of precision medicine in AD and will review the process of biomarker development and validation, the opinion of AD experts on the use of biomarkers, types of biomarkers, encompassing biomarkers that may improve AD diagnosis, biomarkers reflecting disease severity, and those potentially predicting AD development, concomitant atopic diseases, or therapeutic response, and current practice of biomarkers in AD. We found that chemokine C-C motif ligand 17/thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, a chemoattractant of TH2 cells, has currently the greatest evidence for robust correlation with AD clinical severity, at both baseline and during therapy, by using the recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation approach. Although the potential of biomarkers in AD is yet to be fully elucidated, due to the complex

A practical guide to using oral JAK inhibitors for atopic dermatitis from the International Eczema Council

Background Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKinibs) have the potential to dramatically alter the landscape of atopic dermatitis (AD) management due to their promising efficacy results from phase 3 trials and rapid onset of action. However, JAKinibs are not without risk, and their use is not appropriate for all AD patients, making this a medication class that dermatologists should understand and consider when treating patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Objective This consensus expert opinion statement from the International Eczema Council (IEC) provides a pragmatic approach to prescribing JAKinibs, including choosing appropriate patients, dosing, clinical and lab monitoring, as well as long-term use. Methods An international cohort of authors from the IEC with expertise in JAKinibs selected topics of interest and were formed into authorship groups covering 10 subsections. The groups performed topic-specific literature reviews, consulted up-to-date adverse event (AE) data, referred to product labels and provided analysis and expert opinion. The manuscript guidance and recommendations were reviewed by all authors as well as the IEC Research Committee. Results We recommend JAKinibs be considered for patients with moderate to severe AD seeking the benefits of rapid reduction in disease burden and itch, oral administration, and the potential for flexible dosing. Baseline risk factors should be assessed prior to prescribing JAKinibs, including increasing age, venous thromboembolisms, malignancy, cardiovascular health, kidney/liver function, pregnancy and lactation, and immunocompetence. Patients being considered for JAKinib therapy should be current on vaccinations and we provide a generalized framework for laboratory monitoring, though clinicians should consult individual product labels for recommendations as there are variations among the JAKinib class. Patients who achieve disease control should be maintained on the lowest possible dose, as many of the observed AEs occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Future studies are needed in AD patients to assess the durability and safety of continuous long-term use of JAKinibs, combination medication regimens, and the effects of flexible, episodic treatment over time. Conclusions The decision to initiate a JAKinib should be shared among patient and provider, accounting for AD severity and personal risk/benefit assessment, including consideration of baseline health risk factors, monitoring requirements and treatment costs

The journey to tenure: secular and religious Israeli women academics

Bibliography: p. 234-24

The relation between the length of a sequential process and the probability of winning

Bibliography: p. 62-63

The experience of developing weight-related concerns among ethnically diverse immigrant women

Bibliography: p. 188-21