Development of a group work assessment pedagogy using constructive alignment theory

The purpose of this paper is to explore group work assessment underpinned by constructive alignment theory to develop a new assessment pedagogy. A review was undertaken of an existing module ‘Mental Health Nursing 1’, with student nurses participating in the BSc (Hons) Nursing Programme. Constructive alignment theory requires teachers to adopt a deep approach to learning where module learning outcomes are aligned with the teaching environment and modes of assessment. As the module progressed, reviewing the Mental Health Nursing 1 module became an excellent opportunity to begin to understand how constructive alignment theory can inform a group work assessment pedagogy. Working using a constructively aligned assessment process became a valuable learning experience for the module leader whilst at the same time revealed a gap in the research around the impact of constructively aligned teaching and group work assessment

Simulation on sensory impairment in older adults:nursing education

Sensory impairments are identified as the most common chronic and disabling conditions of later life impacting significantly on the quality of life and safety of older adults. Hospitals and care environments can present significant challenges to older adults with sensory impairments to negotiate. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness on sensory and cognitive impairments with all healthcare professionals and nurses in particular, both to help develop an empathetic awareness on the impact of impairment and to minimize risk of adverse events. This article reports on a pedagogical innovation on the development and use of a simulation resource primarily on sensory impairments in older adults with first year nursing students within an undergraduate nursing programme in a Scottish university. The article also reports on students' reflections on their experience of participating in this simulation

Assessing knowledge of human papillomavirus and collecting data on sexual behavior: computer assisted telephone versus face to face interviews

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Education campaigns seeking to raise awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and promoting HPV vaccination depend on accurate surveys of public awareness and knowledge of HPV and related sexual behavior. However, the most recent population-based studies have relied largely on computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) as opposed to face to face interviews (FTFI). It is currently unknown how these survey modes differ, and in particular whether they attract similar demographics and therefore lead to similar overall findings.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A comprehensive survey of HPV awareness and knowledge, including sexual behavior, was conducted among 3,045 Singaporean men and women, half of whom participated via CATI, the other half via FTFI.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall levels of awareness and knowledge of HPV differed between CATI and FTFI, attributable in part to demographic variations between these survey modes. Although disclosure of sexual behavior was greater when using CATI, few differences between survey modes were found in the actual information disclosed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although CATI is a cheaper, faster alternative to FTFI and people appear more willing to provide information about sexual behavior when surveyed using CATI, thorough assessments of HPV awareness and knowledge depend on multiple survey modes.</p

What is the value of the routine use of patient-reported outcome measures toward improvement of patient outcomes, processes of care, and health service outcomes in cancer care?:a systematic review of controlled trials

Purpose: The systematic use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) has been advocated as an effective way to standardize cancer practice. Yet, the question of whether PROMs can lead to actual improvements in the quality of patient care remains under debate. This review examined whether inclusion of PROM in routine clinical practice is associated with improvements in patient outcomes, processes of care, and health service outcomes during active anticancer treatment. Methods: A systematic review of five electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL [Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature], PsycINFO, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection [PBSC]) was conducted from database inception to May 2012 to locate randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials of patients receiving active anticancer treatment or supportive care irrespective of type of cancer. Results: Based on prespecified eligibility criteria, we included 26 articles that reported on 24 unique controlled trials. Wide variability in the design and use of interventions delivered, outcomes evaluated, and cancer- and modality-specific context was apparent. Health service outcomes were only scarcely included as end points. Overall, the number of statistically significant findings were limited and PROMs' intervention effect sizes were predominantly small-to-moderate. Conclusion: The routine use of PROMs increases the frequency of discussion of patient outcomes during consultations. In some studies, PROMs are associated with improved symptom control, increased supportive care measures, and patient satisfaction. Additional effort is required to ensure patient adherence, as well as additional support to clinicians who will respond to patient concerns and issues, with clear system guidelines in place to guide their responses. More research is required to support PROM cost-benefit in terms of patient safety, clinician burden, and health services usage

Detection of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in control and T1DM patients across pregnancy and postpartum (PP).

<p>The representative scheme demonstrates 10 cytokines that were sporadically detected in the plasma from 13 patients: controls (C0) and T1DM (S0). Three cytokines were detected in a frequency higher than 40% (IL1RA, IL4 and PGFFB) while seven cytokines were detected in a frequency lower than 40% (IL9, IL12, IL17, FGF, IFNG, CCL3 and CCL11). The low frequency of cytokines/chemokines/growth factors detection is evident in T1DM patients. The symbol Ø identifies samples that were not available for the experiment.</p

Homing Receptor Expression Is Deviated on CD56⁺ Blood Lymphocytes during Pregnancy in Type 1 Diabetic Women

<div><p>Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by an augmented pro-inflammatory immune state. This contributes to the increased risk for gestational complications observed in T1DM mothers. In normal pregnancies, critical immunological changes occur, including the massive recruitment of lymphocytes, particularly CD56^bright NK cells, into early decidua basalis and a 2^nd trimester shift towards Type 2 immunity. Decidual CD56^bright NK cells arise at least partly from circulating progenitors expressing adhesion molecules SELL and ITGA4 and the chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CXCR4. <i>In vitro</i> studies show that T1DM reduces interactions between blood CD56⁺ NK cells and decidual endothelial cells by reducing SELL and ITGA4-based interactions. To address the mechanisms by which specific lymphocyte subsets may be recruited from the circulation during pregnancy and whether these mechanisms are altered in T1DM, flow cytometry was used to examine eight peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets (Type 1 (IL18R1⁺) and Type 2 (IL1RL1⁺) CD56^bright NK, CD56^dim NK, NKT and T cells) from control and T1DM women. Blood was collected serially over pregnancy and postpartum, and lymphocytes were compared for expression of homing receptors SELL, ITGA4, CXCR3, and CXCR4. The decline of Type 1/Type 2 immune cells in normal pregnancy was driven by an increase in Type 2 cells that did not occur in T1DM. CD56^bright NK cells from control women had the highest expression of all four receptors with greatest expression in 2^nd trimester. At this time, these receptors were expressed at very low levels by CD56^bright NK cells from TIDM patients. Type 1/Type 2 NKT cell ratios were not influenced by either pregnancy or TIDM. Our results suggest that T1DM alters immunological balances during pregnancy with its greatest impact on CD56^bright NK cells. This implicates CD56^bright NK cells in diabetic pregnancy complications.</p></div