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Biomedical subjects

R Webster

Publications and source records attributed to R Webster.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Experience with a general practice elective in the undergraduate curriculum.

The eight-week general practice elective at the University of Melbourne, after the introduction of a half-year of electives into the sixth year of the medical course, is here described. Seventy students and 50 clinical instructors recorded their opinions, which were generally strongly in favour of the semistructured course. Students were undoubtedly impressed by the skill of the general practitioner in diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of illnesses. The majority of students found the period to be an interesting and rewarding educational experience, and many stated that it altered favourably their view of general practice. The impact of this course is discussed in the context of future changes in medical education.

Australia↗

Undergraduate teaching in primary medical care.

There is considerable variation between medical schools both in the timing of undergraduate teaching of general practice and in the methods of teaching. In 1976, the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Melbourne determined that the period of exposure of students to teaching primary medical care would be two weeks in the fourth year, and an optional eight weeks in the sixth year. This paper describes the fourth year teaching programme and its assessment by the students. Essentially, it consists of a two week course of clinical general practice in which an attempt is made to integrate the knowledge and experience gained from both hospital and community medicine.

Australia↗

Community health in the University of Melbourne.

After changes to the curriculum of the University of Melbourne Medical School, a Department of Community Health has been established. Undergraduate teaching will be carried out in the first, third, fourth and sixth years of the course. Although an introduction to primary care will occur in first year, the teaching emphasis in the preclinical years will be in the behavioural sciences, epidemiology and social medicine. Primary care as a clinical subject will be taught in fourth year with electives available in the sixth year.

Australia↗

Inhibition of amino acyl tRNA synthetase activity by copper complexes of two metal binding ligands. N-Methyl isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone and 8-hydroxyquinoline.

Copper complexes of N-methyl isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone, 1-formyl isoquinoline thiosemicarbazone and thiosemicarbazide inhibit amino acyl tRNA synthetase activity. Copper complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline and 8-mercaptoquinoline also inhibit. The 1 : 1 ligand-metal complex is significantly more active than the 2 : 1 complex. The free ligand alone and copper sulfate alone have little, if any, effect. These complexes have no effect on the ATP-PPi exchange reaction and do not cause deacylation of amino acyl tRNAs. This indicates that the process inhibited by these complexes is the amino acylation reaction. This is the first report that these copper binding ligands can inhibit enzymatic processes which involve nucleic acids but which are not viral, bacterial or mammalian cell polymerases.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

The importance of marketing in nurse education.

There can be little doubt that changes in the National Health Service (NHS) heralded by the 1989 Government White Paper, Working for Patients, have significant implications for nurse education. Not least will be the need for Colleges and Schools of Nursing to present a high profile in terms of the services they offer. This paper explores the concept of marketing and its increasing importance to nurse education. It examines Giles' three propositions in relation to marketing, and suggests that these may be applied successfully to organisations providing a service, as well as those producing material goods. It looks at how and why marketing is necessary to nurse education, and suggests that marketing is an essential tool in assisting the School to achieve its objectives. Marketing strategies are discussed in detail, looking first at methods of research, then at the processes used to sell the courses being offered. These include the techniques of developing the offering, marketing the offering, facilitation, valuation and finally, promotional communication. The paper concludes by summarising the reasons why marketing techniques will be essential to the future success of nurse education, at a time when it is so vital to ensure that a well qualified nursing workforce is prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

Advertising↗

Germ of an idea.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Aerosols↗

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic assessment of the effects of E4031, cisapride, terfenadine and terodiline on monophasic action potential duration in dog.

1. Torsades de pointes (TDP) is a potentially fatal ventricular tachycardia associated with increases in QT interval and monophasic action potential duration (MAPD). TDP is a side-effect that has led to withdrawal of several drugs from the market (e.g. terfenadine and terodiline). 2. The potential of compounds to cause TDP was evaluated by monitoring their effects on MAPD in dog. Four compounds known to increase QT interval and cause TDP were investigated: terfenadine, terodiline, cisapride and E4031. On the basis that only free drug in the systemic circulation will elicit a pharmacological response target, free concentrations in plasma were selected to mimic the free drug exposures in man. Infusion regimens were designed that rapidly achieved and maintained target-free concentrations of these drugs in plasma and data on the relationship between free concentration and changes in MAPD were obtained for these compounds. 3. These data indicate that the free ED50 in plasma for terfenadine (1.9 nM), terodiline (76 nM), cisapride (11 nM) and E4031 (1.9 nM) closely correlate with the free concentration in man causing QT effects. For compounds that have shown TDP in the clinic (terfenadine, terodiline, cisapride) there is little differentiation between the dog ED50 and the efficacious free plasma concentrations in man (< 10-fold) reflecting their limited safety margins. These data underline the need to maximize the therapeutic ratio with respect to TDP in potential development candidates and the importance of using free drug concentrations in pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies.

Action Potentials↗

Prevalence of psychotic symptoms in delirium.

Psychosis in delirium has been an underresearched area. The authors retrospectively examined the prevalence of psychotic symptoms and possible associated factors in the records of 227 consecutive hospitalized patients. These patients had been diagnosed with delirium, according to the DSM-IV criteria and referred to a psychiatry consult service. The authors compared patients, with or without psychosis, on demographic variables, medical and psychiatric history; number of medications, etiology of delirium, and cognitive state. The prevalence of psychotic symptoms was 42.7% (n = 97) with 27% of patients (n = 61) having visual hallucinations, 12.4% (n = 28) having auditory hallucinations, 2.7% (n = 6) having tactile hallucinations, and 25.6% (n = 58) having delusions. The presence of visual hallucinations, but not delusions or auditory hallucinations, was significantly associated with more active medical diagnoses and multiple etiologies causing the delirium. Psychotic symptoms are not uncommon in delirium, but specific psychotic symptoms may have different factors contributing to their development. Visual hallucinations appear to be associated with a greater number of active medical disorders, but other factors associated with the development of psychotic symptoms in delirium are currently unknown.

Adult↗

Palliative care for cancer patients.

To improve the quality of palliative care, we recommend the establishment, in larger hospitals, of regionalized units with medical directors. The current concept that the acute hospital is not appropriate for the admission of the terminally ill is rejected as is the need for the establishment of further free-standing hospices.

Australia↗

Planning quality: one region's approach.

Rosemary Webster describes an initiative taken in Mersey Region to ensure all nurses understand the importance of standard setting. The initiative, prompted by a number of factors, saw the establishment of a steering group whose Statement of Purpose outlined a framework for standard setting in each district. As a result, nurses are now playing a leading role in this increasingly important aspect of health care.

England↗