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Biomedical subjects

S Pullon

Publications and source records attributed to S Pullon.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Interprofessional postgraduate education in primary health care: is it making a difference?

This paper explores attitudes to, and perceptions of, the impact of interprofessional postgraduate education for primary health care professionals, based on a postal survey of 153 primary health care professionals undertaking postgraduate qualifications in New Zealand. The response rate was 75% (114/153 responses); comprising 79 doctors, 28 nurses, 7 other health professionals. As a result of their postgraduate education, 92% (104/113) reported improvement in their own practice; 68% (72/106) reported a positive influence on their workplace practice. Forty-eight percent (53/111) increased their understanding of their own professional role; 79% (77/98) increased their understanding of another professional groups' skills and competencies. Twenty-two percent (25/114) perceived increased career opportunities within a year; 56% (64/114) in the longer term. Only 12% (14/114) perceived future increases in income as a result of their study. Interprofessional postgraduate qualification study for primary health care professionals in New Zealand resulted in personal and professional benefit for individuals and their clinical practice, and increased understanding about their own and other health professionals' roles. The interprofessional nature of the education was seen as positive, contributing to a modest increase in collaboration between health professional groups. Barriers to furthering participation in interprofessional learning and increasing intersectorial collaboration in the workplace are identified and discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Early clinical exposure to people who are dying: learning to care at the end of life.

BACKGROUND: The nature of medical care at the end of life and, in particular, the way in which caring is learned remain problematic for medical educators and the profession. Recent work has indicated that doctors learn to care, in an emotional and intimate way, from people who are dying. METHODS: This paper reports on the development of a programme designed for medical students in their first clinical year who spend time with a person who is dying and their family. The students are required to produce a portfolio assignment that includes a personal reflection of the experience. The findings from a phenomenological study undertaken using these personal reflections are reported. These reflections and comments are interpreted as being embedded in five key themes. RESULTS: The actual encounters differed from the medical students' anticipation of them. Students identified an emotional component to the experience; they explored their own and the patient's understandings of spirituality; they reflected on personal meanings of the encounter and they suggested ways in which they might learn to care more effectively for people who are dying. DISCUSSION: The way in which many of these students approach end-of-life care has been altered through a transformative educational experience that encouraged them to draw on their own experiences and skills. Their learning was facilitated by the writing of accounts and the discussion that each group held with teaching staff at the conclusion of the programme.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed1997

Trainee interns in general practices.

AIM: To determine the impact of trainee interns (sixth year medical students) on general practices involved in medical student teaching. METHOD: Postal questionnaires were sent to general practitioners, nurses and receptionists in each of 30 general practices throughout New Zealand. Questionnaires were also sent to patients in practices where a trainee intern was present during the study period. RESULTS: Nearly all of the general practitioners, receptionists and nurses found advantages in having trainee interns. Advantages included enjoyment of teaching and personal satisfaction from student involvement in the practice. Two thirds felt that the advantages would increase if the attachment duration was extended. General practitioners reported an increased level of stress and decrease in productivity, with greater hours at work per week. Remuneration was considered inadequate by a third of the general practitioners. Patients found trainee intern involvement advantageous, with improvement in quality of both care and communication. Disadvantages included longer waiting time and longer appointment time. Younger patients were more likely to find disadvantages than older patients. CONCLUSION: Trainee interns in general practices can have a beneficial impact on the quality of primary care. There are disadvantages for health care professionals and patients, and appropriate compensation (in money or time) is important for community undergraduate medical education to continue to be acceptable.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Baby feeding: the thoughts behind the statistics.

AIM: To investigate attitudes towards baby feeding and to identify reasons why women stop breast feeding. METHOD: A series of six focus groups were held with thirty eight mothers with babies aged between 3 and 18 months, who had been breast and/or bottle fed. RESULTS: The discussions identified a number of significant themes. Decisions on baby feeding were made before birth. Women felt under considerable pressure to breast feed and felt guilty about bottle feeding. Information available about baby feeding was generally inconsistent, unrealistic and incomplete although all women were well informed about the benefits of breast feeding. Most women found breast feeding more difficult than anticipated and needed more help with common problems. A number of difficulties were identified with bottle feeding. Those women who enjoyed breast feeding were most likely to continue. The best support for breast feeding came from other mothers and supportive partners. Ceasing breast feeding was difficult for some women. CONCLUSION: Exploring mothers' attitudes to breast feeding highlighted the need for non judgemental attitudes to baby feeding and consistent information and support on both breast and bottle feeding. Duration of breast feeding is likely to be improved if problems can be addressed. A larger, more detailed prospective study would more accurately identify problem areas and suggest ways of solving them.

Attitude↗
PubMed1988

Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea in Wellington women.

A survey of 1826 women in the Wellington region was carried out. Participants were asked about their general and gynaecological health and their menstrual, contraceptive and obstetric history. Detailed questions were asked about the menstruating women's last menstrual cycle. Half the women reported some dysmenorrhoea, and 520 had 'significant period pain.' Severity, duration and timing of pain were indexed. There was maximum prevalence at 20 to 24 years and positive associations with smoking, short cycles, and moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms. There was association with method of contraception but no association with sedentary occupation or body mass index. The apparent negative relationship with parity was not significant when age, smoking and premenstrual symptomatology were taken into account.

Adolescent↗