Practitioner enquiry and professional development: 'action research' re-visited and re-viewed in the context of outcomes-based education

[From the abstract]: In the past five years there has been considerable change in curriculum design and delivery in universities in the UK, as the sector moves towards an outcomes-based approach. This is having a marked effect on teaching and learning, and particularly on assessment strategies and methods. Accompanying the curriculum change we have seen an increased emphasis on the role of teaching in HE, with central funding to support staff through 'subject networks', key publications and resources. At the same time there has been high-profile recognition for 'teaching excellence' and a move towards the 'accreditation' of HE academic staff with mandatory continuous professional development (CPD) as part of quality enhancement ..

Towards outcomes-based assessment:an unfinished story of triangulation and transformation

Over the past ten years Higher Education in the United Kingdom (UK) has changed in many ways, mainly influenced by the recommendations of the Dearing Report (published in 1997). One paragraph in the report instigated a fundamental reorientation in the articulation within higher education of teaching, learning and assessment in terms of learning outcomes. Subsequent quality assurance initiatives have reinforced this approach. For the last ten years, the Centre for Outcomes-Based Education (COBE) in the UK Open University (UK OU) has been leading the transformation of the OU curriculum into an outcomes-based approach. The key to this process has been the 'triangulation' between curriculum, staff and student development. Throughout the process, our main concern has been to describe, develop and implement an appropriate way to assess learning outcomes both at course and award level. This paper re-views the process and poses some fundamental questions about an outcomes-based approach to the design and delivery of the curriculum and to the development of staff and students

Patients' and medical practitioners' approaches to the use of prescribed steroids in asthma: the potential for informed choice

Recent changes in legislation and access to information, through sources such as the media, may have influenced peoples' expectations for information about their prescribed medication. As a result, health care professionals may perceive an increased pressure to provide information. A case study approach was employed to examine the sources and scope of information patients draw upon when they are prescribed oral steroids for asthma. The aim was to examine the extent to which patients can be said to exercise an `informed choice' when they take prescribed medication. The role and importance of GPs (general practitioners) in informing the choices patients make was also examined. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. Interviews conducted with both patients and GPs indicated `gaps' in understanding. Although the GP was the preferred source of information, patients reported that the choices they made were based on information from a range of sources. General practitioners justified not providing information to patients so as to `protect' patients from knowledge of side effects. However, there was some awareness of the range of sources of information used by patients. A vignette technique was employed to further investigate GPs' recognition and understanding of the range of sources of information patients' use to inform the choices they make. Approximately half of the GPs who responded to the vignette recognised the influences presented. General practitioners who had been practising for a shorter period of time were significantly more likely to recognise these influences. The conclusions draw on the literature of the sociology of the professions. In spite of the way in which the Government has sought to encourage patients to act as consumers, the state has also continued to endorse GPs right to make decisions concerning the level of information to provide. If GPs do not believe it is in the interests of patients to be provided with information to make choices about their medications then the information available to patients may be limited. This will have an impact on the ease with which patients may make `medically' informed choices about their prescribed medication. Only when the communication between patients and GPs improves, will it be possible for a relationship to develop where patients may be assured of gaining information from their GP at the level they feel is appropriate to enable them to make informed choices about their medication

Some Effects of Trichostrongylidosis on Metabolism and Production of Sheep

This thesis is concerned with the effects of infection with trichosytrongylid parasites on production and metabolism of sheep, and includes a review of relevant literature and descriptions of a series of experiments conducted to investigate particular aspects of this subject area

There’s No Place Like a Refugee Camp? Urban Planning and Participation in the Camp Context

The past half-century of urban studies has demonstrated that the design of human settlements is a potent tool of governance. Active involvement in place shaping has also been shown to be a key empowerment mechanism for citizens and a strong means of creating cohesion in communities. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugee camps are a unique form of human habitation, temporary spaces created “between war and city.” Drawing from urban planning theory, camp management tools, and migrant narratives, this paper will explore the dynamics of the spatial relationship between camp residents and the international governance bodies who manage them. As we will demonstrate, this approach offers important insights into how the relationships between camp residents and aid agencies are negotiated, and the implications for governance in societies camp inhabitants later (re)settle in.Les études d’urbanisme des cinquante dernières années ont démontrés que la planification d’établissements humains est un outil potentiel de gouvernance. Il a été également montré que l’organisation active de l’espace peut être un mécanisme d’implication des citoyens et un moyen puissant de créer les cohésions communautaires. Les camps de personnes déplacées localement et de réfugiés sont une forme spécifique d’habitation humaine, correspondant à des espaces créés temporairement « à mi-chemin entre la ville et la guerre ». En se basant sur des théories de planification urbaine, des outils de gestion de camp, et des récits de migrants, cet article explore les dynamiques des relations spatiales entre les résidents de camp et les organisations gouvernementales internationales qui les gèrent. On y montre que cette approche permet de mieux saisir comment se déroule les relations entre les résidents de camp et les agences humanitaires, ainsi que les conséquences que cela implique pour la gouvernance des sociétés dans les-quelles s’installent ensuite ces résidents de camps

Application of Big Data in Decision Making for Emergency Healthcare Management

Application of big data in healthcare has enhanced efficiency and decision making. This is of critical benefit to patients, healthcare professionals and the healthcare institution. Although various research studies have examined the application of big data analytics in healthcare, few studies have explored its application in emergency medicine. This research study explored the application of big data in emergency medicine in facilitating decision making among paramedics and other healthcare practitioners. Appropriate research studies were identified and reviewed systematically to explore the theme of the study. The study found that big data promoted decision making in emergency medicine through the predictor models, which enabled the healthcare practitioners make informed judgments concerning patient care

Quality Improvement: Education and Implementation of Proper Narcotic Handling Practices by Nurse Anesthetists

Medication errors are estimated to occur once in every 150-300 surgeries (Wahr et al., 2017, p. 36). Unsafe injection practices can lead to increased morbidity and mortality, diminish the overall quality of life for patients, and contribute to substantial increases in healthcare costs. A large majority of unsafe injection practices are caused by a lack of education or mistaken beliefs regarding safe injection practices. Educational reinforcement of safe narcotic handling techniques has significant potential to increase the appropriate use of narcotic syringes among nurse anesthesia providers. The long-standing impact of this project could lead to a reduced number of ‘never events’, medication errors, and infection transmission in the perioperative setting. Our project’s purpose focuses on improving anesthesia provider compliance with the Narcotic Handling Policy in the perioperative setting by offering educational resources and reinforcement of basic aseptic techniques, as well as safe narcotic handling, labeling, and injection practices, which will help to improve overall patient outcomes. The Evidence-Based Practice Improvement (EBPI) Model serves as the guiding framework for the planning, implementation, and analysis of practice change and improvements. Lastly, through the use of an educational bundle, pre- and post-implementation surveys, and long-term follow-up, the project aim seeks to improve anesthesia providers’ compliance with the safe syringe handling practices outlined in the project site’s Narcotic Handling Policy, increase the percentage of appropriately labeled narcotic syringes, and improve overall patient outcomes (Ford, 2013; Pugliese et al., 2010; Wahr et al., 2017)

Achieving change in primary care—causes of the evidence to practice gap : systematic reviews of reviews

Acknowledgements The Evidence to Practice Project (SPCR FR4 project number: 122) is funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research (SPCR). KD is part-funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Research and Care West Midlands and by a Knowledge Mobilisation Research Fellowship (KMRF-2014-03-002) from the NIHR. This paper presents independent research funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Funding This study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research (SPCR).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Participant Comfort with and Application of Inquiry-Based Learning: Results from 4-H Volunteer Training

This article explores how a one-time training designed to support learning transfer affected 4-H volunteers\u27 comfort levels with the training content and how comfort levels, in turn, affected the volunteers\u27 application of tools and techniques learned during the training. Results of a follow-up survey suggest that the training participants experienced increases in comfort with guiding inquiry-based learning and achieved high levels of application of the tools and techniques presented during the training. The data indicate that providing participants with opportunities during training to experience tools and build skills by practicing techniques helps them more effectively guide learning in the future