Understanding type 2 diabetes.
Practice profiles are reflective pieces written by nurses in practice and based on continuing professional development articles. This week Susan Ackroyd discusses type 2 diabetes.
Cause of Death↗
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Results for “continuing professional development”
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
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Training needs analysis: an evaluation framework.
Training needs analysis (TNA) is the first step in the training and educational strategy of an organisation and is crucial to meeting the continuing professional development needs of the healthcare workforce and service. TNA must be carefully planned, conducted and have clear outcomes to ensure that training interventions are implemented effectively and that they lead to meaningful changes in service delivery. However, there is a death of literature on approaches to critique TNA. This article describes a framework developed specifically to evaluate the effectiveness of TNA. The framework combines approaches that have been used to evaluate conventional research studies and audit.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Advocacy--answering old mail. Canadian Association of General Surgeons.
Since its inception in 1977, the Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) has struggled with its responsibility to represent general surgeons in practices across this country. The CAGS has tended to be mute in the presentation of many of its accomplishments, which have improved the role of specialists in community practice, training programs and the subspecialties of general surgery. With the forthcoming changes in direction for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, based on a recent external survey, the CAGS has a golden opportunity to advocate for a clear identity, autonomous from the Royal College for the purposes of scientific meetings, continuing professional development, scientific and practice affiliation with other surgical specialty societies, and new developments with corporate sector support for advancements in science technology and education. Advocacy for general surgery must be stressed as the priority for the CAGS into the future.
Budgets↗
The future of nephrology nursing: 2000 and beyond.
These collective initiatives will lead to additional community wide efforts as we move into the next century, for it is through these efforts that we will continue to enhance the care our patients receive. APNs, continued professional development and recruitment of health care professionals into nephrology will be pivotal to meet the evolving needs of this patient population. Nursing will play an increasingly integral role in influencing the health care arena as all disciplines must work together in our changing environment.
Allied Health Personnel↗
Getting to grips with business plans, audit and applications.
Practice profiles are reflective pieces written by nurses in practice and based on continuing professional development articles. This week Sheila Hobbs discusses article NS10. Brocklehurst N et al (1999) Getting into business: how nurses can make a difference.
Commerce↗
Care of the patient with oesophageal varices.
Practice profiles are reflective pieces written by nurses in practice and based on continuing professional development articles. This week Suzanne Hudson discusses Oesopahgeal varices. CPD article NS 17. McArdle J (1999) Understanding oesophageal varices.
Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗
Safe use of pulse oximetry.
Practice profiles are reflective pieces written by nurses in practice and based on continuing professional development articles. This week Ruth Garner discusses pulse oximetry. Article no. 501. Woodrow P (1999) Pulse oximetry. Nursing Standard. 13, 42, 42-46.
Clinical Competence↗
Care of the ventilated patient.
Practice profiles are reflective pieces written by nurses in practice and based on continuing professional development articles. This week Laura Coates discusses mechanical ventilation. Article No. 503. Henderson N (1999) Mechnical ventilation.
Humans↗
Nurse prescribing. Nurses' influence on GPs' prescribing.
This is the third Part in a series on a range of topics aimed at helping you to update your knowledge and assist you with your continuing professional development (PREP requirements). The number of hours you spend studying the material in this article should be recorded in your professional portfolio (see Study Hours panel overleaf).
Drug Prescriptions↗
Preventing cross-infection.
Using hand decontaminants correctly is a skilled activity that all health professionals need to learn and practise. All health professionals need to acquire an appropriate technique at the beginning of their careers, with continuing professional development to update them and inform them of new advances in research and technology.
Cross Infection↗
Training, current practices and resources of a group of South African hospital-based speech-language therapists and audiologists working with patients living with HIV/AIDS.
The present study employed a cross-sectional survey research design to investigate the training, current practices, and resources of a sample of South African hospital-based speech-language therapists and audiologists (SLTs & As) working with persons living with HIV/AIDS. Questionnaires were mailed to 50 SLTs & As working in the major provincial hospitals in Gauteng, Kwa Zulu Natal, Free State and Western Cape, and responses were obtained from 40 therapists. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that persons with HIV/AIDS were becoming an increasing part of the caseloads of the SLTs & As who were surveyed. Investigation of participants' training, knowledge, skills and confidence in the area of HIV/AIDS suggested that the group of SLTs & As surveyed did not perceive themselves to be adequately equipped to manage persons with HIV/AIDS. These findings highlight the need for improved undergraduate training of SLT & A students in the area of HIV/AIDS; more continuing professional development workshops on HIV/AIDS for qualified practitioners; better access to resources for SLTs & As working in the area; the formulation of a position statement on HIV/AIDS by SASLHA; and further research in this area.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Reference librarians' perceptions of the issues they face as academic health information professionals.
BACKGROUND: Leaders in the profession encourage academic health sciences librarians to assume new roles as part of the growth process for remaining vital professionals. Have librarians embraced these new roles? OBJECTIVES: This research sought to examine from the reference librarians' viewpoints how their roles have changed over the past ten years and what the challenges these changes present as viewed by both the librarians and library directors. METHOD: A series of eight focus groups was conducted with reference librarians from private and public academic health sciences libraries. Directors of these libraries were interviewed separately. RESULTS: Reference librarians' activities have largely confirmed the role changes anticipated by their leaders. They are teaching more, engaging in outreach through liaison initiatives, and designing Web pages, in addition to providing traditional reference duties. Librarians offer insights into unanticipated issues encountered in each of these areas and offer some creative solutions. Directors discuss the issues from their unique perspective. CONCLUSION: Librarians have identified areas for focusing efforts in lifelong learning. Adult learning theory, specialized databases and resources needed by researchers, ever-evolving technology, and promotion and evaluation of the library are areas needing attention. Implications for library education and continuing professional development are presented.
Adult↗
[Already in the 21st Century... new challenges in health sciences].
In the words of the author, the 21st Century shall "witness the consolidation of the change from a society which cures to a society which cares for patients". This means that the nursing profession will assume a series of challenges, known as the management challenge, new missions for the nursing professional and the challenge to provide excellence in patient treatment. Probably only with attitudes and reflexive practices, with teamwork and continuous professional development which lasts through one's life, we will provide the correct response.
Delivery of Health Care↗
New Zealand Dental Association practice guidelines on evidence-based dentistry.
The importance of evidence in teaching, and to support clinical decisions, is well established in health care, including dentistry. Defending clinical decisions, whether it be with a patient, with a colleague, or at law, increasingly requires reliable data or evidence to support either the treatment plan provided or the treatment given. Recent years have seen an increase in the importance of evidence-based dentistry. This is because of continually changing dental materials and equipment, an increasingly litigious society, an increase in the emphasis of continuing professional development, the information explosion and the consumer movement associated with advances on the Internet. These practice guidelines give a brief review of what evidence-based dentistry is and how to use it. Further details can be found at the New Zealand Dental Association website www.nzda.org.nz.
Databases as Topic↗
Registration and regulation of health informatics professionals in the UK National Health Service.
Whilst good health informatics can contribute directly to the delivery of effective patient care, bad informatics can kill. The UK is establishing a regulatory body to register health informatics specialists who can demonstrate that they meet agreed standards of professional practice: the UK Council for Health Informatics Professions (UKCHIP). UKCHIP will also manage the introduction of a Code of Conduct (based on the IMIA Code) and processes for continuous professional development, appeals, and removal from the Register. The challenge has been to design a process that provides a suitable structure for all informatics staff, including records, coding, audit, library and knowledge management, ICT, systems, information management and clinical management specialists. The contention is that this inclusive model of regulation has international applicability.
Codes of Ethics↗
Practice based assessment.
BACKGROUND: Practice based assessment (PBA) was designed to suit the needs of doctors eligible to sit The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Fellowship (FRACGP) exam via the practice eligible route. A pilot program of the PBA was undertaken in 2000. As a result of recommendations by candidates and examiners and ongoing literature review, a number of changes have been made, but the basic structure of the assessment process remains. OBJECTIVE: This article describes the components of the PBA route to the FRACGP and discuss how candidates can prepare effectively for their assessment. DISCUSSION: The PBA involves five components: an enrolment submission including details of general practice experience curriculum vitae and details of continuing professional development; a professional portfolio including evidence of CPR proficiency, a practice profile and a list of 25 professional peers who have shared the care of patients; videotape of 90 consultations; an examiner clinical visit; and a 20 question viva.
Australia↗
Irrational drug use in India: a prescription survey from Goa.
BACKGROUND: There is concern regarding the irrational production, prescription and use of drugs in India. This study aimed to describe the quality of prescriptions by medical practitioners, including both the layout of the prescription and the type and number of drugs prescribed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of all prescriptions dispensed at a busy pharmacy in the state of Goa, India, was carried out over a consecutive seven-day period. Each prescription was rated on the basis of a priori and pilot-tested variable list. The prescriptions by private practitioners were compared with those from practitioners in the public healthcare system. RESULTS: Nine hundred and ninety prescriptions were collected. The majority (83.9%) were from private practitioners. The quality of the layout of the prescriptions was unsatisfactory: information to identify the practitioner was incomplete in more than a third of the prescriptions and information to identify the patient was incomplete in more than half. Clarity of written instructions on how to take the medicines was unsatisfactory in the majority of prescriptions. Polypharmacy was the norm, with more than half (52.7%) the prescriptions containing at least 3 medicines. Forty per cent of prescriptions included a vitamin or tonic preparation and a quarter of the prescriptions included an antibiotic and an analgesic. Over 90% of prescriptions contained only branded medicines. Private practitioners prescribed significantly greater number of medicines and were more likely to prescribe vitamins and antibiotics, and branded medicines. DISCUSSION: This study confirms that the quality of prescriptions, both in terms of layout and the content of the drugs prescribed, is inadequate. There is a need to standardize the format of prescriptions in India so that all essential information is included. There is a need to strengthen an independent mechanism for continuing professional development of practitioners to ensure that patients are always given evidence-based, cost-effective treatments.
Cross-Sectional Studies↗
[Standard precautions: are these known? Are they applied?].
A study carried out among postgraduate nurses detected a high degree of confusion regarding standard precautions. This led to the formation of a multidisciplinary group from various sections of the health system to investigate this topic in greater detail. Our study observed a high degree of conceptual confusion and a lack of knowledge about standard precautions and the new recommendations regarding decontamination and hand washing in diverse health collectives. It is worrisome to detect at risk habits in relation to self-protective measures among one-third of those surveyed. Knowledge of standard precautions should be integrated with greater efficiency in the medical study programs as well as in continuing professional development programs for health professionals.
Guideline Adherence↗