Can education and training improve the adoption of a psychosocial group treatment by dementia services?

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 496-500
Author(s):  
Gary Cheung ◽  
Kathy Peri

Objective: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is a psychosocial group treatment for people with dementia. The aims of this project were to (a) evaluate the effectiveness of a one-day training workshop; (b) measure the uptake of CST following the workshops; and (c) explore the barriers of implementing CST. Method: Ten workshops were conducted. Attendees completed a self-evaluation at the end of the training day and were later invited to complete an online survey enquiring about implementation. Results: Two hundred and fourteen workshop attendees completed the self-evaluation. The mean self-rated knowledge and skills for conducting and facilitating CST (1 = No skills, 5 = Very good skills) was 2.3 (SD = 1.2) and 4.3 (SD = 0.7) before and after the workshop, respectively ( p = 0.000). The mean self-rated confidence for applying learning to conducting and facilitating CST was 4.2 (SD = 0.7) (1 = Not confident, 5 = Very confident). There were 11 CST programmes started after the workshops and another 10 sites were in the process of starting CST programmes. The main barriers of implementation were lack of staff time/funding and problems of finding suitable participants with dementia. Conclusions: The one-day training workshop is an effective method to disseminate CST. Addressing the barriers identified could improve the adoption of CST in practice.

1982 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Russell ◽  
L. J. Tunbridge

Platelets were counted in eight units each of one- and three-day-old blood. Counts were done both before and after the blood had passed through a standard 170 micron filter. In the one-day-old blood, platelet counts were within the normal range. The mean count was 237,000 platelets/microlitre. Platelet counts on three-day-old blood were lower, but generally still within the normal range. The mean count was 183,000/microlitre. Only a few platelets were retained by the filter in the transfusion set; about 90% of platelets passed the filter in both the one- and three-day-old blood. It appears that whole blood, anticoagulated with citrate/phosphate/dextrose (CPD), and stored under Australian blood bank conditions retains platelets in sufficient numbers for at least the first three days to be clinically significant. However, it remains to be determined whether satisfactory platelet activity can be expected during this time.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SAUD Alsahali

BACKGROUND : Digital health technologies and applications are rapidly advancing and have gained attention in recent years. It is expected to have more roles and functions to transform the healthcare system in this era of digital consumers and services. However, limited research is available regarding delivering digital health education and training in pharmacy education and the pharmacy students’ perspectives on digital health. OBJECTIVE To assess pharmacy interns’ awareness of digital health applications in Saudi Arabia and their views regarding the coverage of digital health in the education of pharmacists. We will also assess the interns’ perceptions and beliefs about the concepts, benefits, and implementation of digital health in the practice settings METHODS A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted among pharmacy interns at Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. An invitation with the link to the online survey was sent to all interns registered at the College during the period of January to March 2021 RESULTS A total of 68 out of 77 interns registered in the internship year participated in the study, giving a response rate of 88.31%. The mean total score for pharmacy interns’ awareness of digital health applications in Saudi Arabia was 5.66 ± 1.74 (the maximum attainable score = 7). The awareness with different applications ranged from 97% for the Tawakkalna app to 64.7% for the Ministry of Health 937 call center. The mean total score for attitude and beliefs toward concepts and benefits of telehealth and telemedicine applications was 58.25 ± 10.44 (Maximum attainable score = 75). In this regard, 83.8% of the interns believed that telehealth could enhance the quality of care, 72% believed that it could enable pharmacists to accomplish tasks more quickly, and 70.6% believed that it could help effectively provide patient counseling, and 69.1% believed it could improve patients’ adherence to therapy. In this study, 40.6% believed that the current coverage of telehealth and telemedicine in the curriculum was average, while only 17.6% believed it was high/very high coverage. Moreover, only 38.2% attended additional educational activities related to digital health. Consequently, the majority (63.2%) were of the opinion that there is a high/very high need to educate and train pharmacists in the field of digital health CONCLUSIONS Overall, the interns showed good awareness of the common digital health applications in Saudi Arabia. In addition, majority of the interns had positive perceptions and beliefs towards the concepts, benefits, and implementation of digital health. However, the findings showed there is still further scope for improvement in some areas. Moreover, most interns indicated that there is a need for more education and training in the field of digital health and pharmacy informatics. Consequently, early exposure to content related to digital health and pharmacy informatics is an important step to help in the wide use and application of these technologies in the graduates’ future careers and practice CLINICALTRIAL Ethical approval was obtained from Health Research Ethics Committee at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia (reference number 20-06-12).


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Alonso-Blanco ◽  
A. I. Calvo ◽  
R. Fraile ◽  
A. Castro

The number of particles and their size distributions were measured in a rural area, during the summer, using a PCASP-X. The aim was to study the influence of wildfires on particle size distributions. The comparative studies carried out reveal an average increase of around ten times in the number of particles in the fine mode, especially in sizes between 0.10 and 0.14 μm, where the increase is of nearly 20 times. An analysis carried out at three different points in time—before, during, and after the passing of the smoke plume from the wildfires—shows that the mean geometric diameter of the fine mode in the measurements affected by the fire is smaller than the one obtained in the measurements carried out immediately before and after (0.14 μm) and presents average values of 0.11 μm.


2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 512-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Piovezan ◽  
Hélio Amante Miot ◽  
Miriane Garuzi ◽  
Alessandro Ferrari Jacinto

ABSTRACT The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool Version Two (DKAT2) was developed to measure caregivers’ knowledge about the trajectory of dementia and assess changes in the knowledge before and after educational programs. The DKAT2 is a 21-item tool with questions about several aspects of dementia. The possible answers for each question are “yes”, “no” or “don't know”. The maximum score is 21. Objective: The aim of the study was to cross-culturally adapt the DKAT2 to Brazilian Portuguese. Methods: The essential steps to cross-culturally adapt were conducted and the final version administered to 30 caregivers of older people with dementia, sampled by convenience. Results: In the sample assessed, the mean age was 55.7 (± 12.5) years, 93.3% were female, 56.7% were sons/daughters and 23.3% were spouses of the older adults with dementia. The mean time caring for the elder was 4.7 (± 3.3) years and 70% of the caregivers had some level of burden. The mean age of the older people was 82.4 (± 6.7) years, 19 (63.3%) had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, 100% were dependent for instrumental activities of daily living and 70% had some degree of dependence for basic activities of daily living. The mean score for the caregivers’ knowledge level was 15.0 (± 2.5) correct answers. Conclusions: The Brazilian Portuguese version was developed and the final version is suitable for use in Brazil.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lepore ◽  
Stephani Shivers ◽  
Erica DeFrancesco

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a group treatment in which people with mild to moderate dementia participate in 14 activity and discussion sessions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CST was adapted for online delivery, as virtual-CST (V-CST). To determine the acceptability of online delivery, we piloted a V-CST group, monitored attendance, and assessed qualitative feedback from the participants. Five people with dementia participated. Except for one session with four attendees, all participants attended every session. Qualitative analysis identified four themes that were verified by participants: (1) positive emotional experiences despite dementia, (2) confidence building and related strategies and challenges, (3) enjoyable and stimulating inclusive activities and group dynamics, and (4) appreciation of discussion about current affairs. This pilot study contributes evidence about the acceptability of V-CST. Although access to CST in the United States is limited, expanded delivery of V-CST could fill service gaps.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1087-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Rahpeyma ◽  
Saeedeh Khajehahmadi

ABSTRACT Aim Results of this study can show if bimax surgery for posterior repositioning of maxilla and correction of BPCLI has priority to the currently used segmental orthognathic surgery or not. Materials and methods This study was done on 40 whiteskinned Iranian patients with bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion class I (BPCLI) who sought treatment for their deformity. In the first group, treatment includes segmental surgery for backward replacement of anterior segment of the upper and lower jaw. In the second group, treatment was bimax surgery, in which whole upper and lower jaw moved backward. Twenty patients were included in each group. For this purpose, we measured upper lip thickness (ULT, distance between LS and IA), nose prominence (NP, distance between nasal tip and the perpendicular line from upper lip vermilion on FHP), subsulcus depth (SSD, distance of SLS from this perpendicular line), SN to H line distance and finally, nasolabial angle (NLA) before and after surgery. Results In our study, 65% of patients were female and the mean of age was 27 (17-39) years old. The mean of SNA, SNB, ANB and INA in our patients were 81.7 ± 2.9, 78.8 ± 2.8, 4.50 ± 1.4 and 120 ± 8.7, respectively. All variables except SSD were analyzed with t-test to compare the results of two methods of surgery. Differences in the values of NP, NLA, SN to H line distance and ULT before and after segmental and bimax surgeries between before and after surgery were significant. After surgeries, ULT and the SN to H line distance reduced significantly, and NLA became corrected to its normal range (90-110). Conclusion The results of this study showed that bimax and segmental surgeries can effectively correct BPCLI. Because of possible dental and periodontal complications of segmental surgery, we highly recommend bimax surgery for treatment of BPCLI. How to cite this article Rahpeyma A, Khajehahmadi S. Effects of Bimax and Segmental Surgeries for Correction of Bimaxillary Dentoalveolar Protrusion Class I on Soft Tissue Parameters: Upper lip Thickness and Curvature, Nasolabial Angle and Nasal Prominence. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013;14(6):1087-1093.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Kruse ◽  
Anja Zimmermann ◽  
Michael Fuchs ◽  
Daisy Rotzoll

Abstract Background In the present study, a workshop was designed to determine the effect of deaf awareness training on medical students concerning their gain of knowledge regarding deafness and their competence in providing adapted communication and healthcare for deaf and hard of hearing patients. Methods Knowledge and competence in 95 medical students were evaluated in an online survey prior to as well as following the workshop. The workshop was held online in three consecutive sessions. Results Students reported a substantially more confident approach to working with hearing impaired patients and indicated that an online learning environment is a suitable and helpful alternative to face-to-face teaching. However, a direct comparison was not conducted. Participants improved significantly in all evaluated items concerning their knowledge and competence (p <0.001). Furthermore, measurements revealed interaction effects between students’ current period of study and the point in time of self-evaluation before and after the workshop. Preclinical students not only catch up but even surpass their clinical peers concerning their learning outcome. Conclusion Reviewing the results obtained by this study, we are optimistic with respect to all participants’ highly positive experiences and learning outcomes. Deaf awareness training should be included in the curriculum of all medical faculties.


Author(s):  
Eda Ergin ◽  
Semih AKKOYUN

Objective: This study was conducted to determine healthcare professionals’ fear of COVID-19 in and their attitudes towards being vaccinated against COVID-19. Method: The sample of this descriptive study was composed of 302 healthcare professionals working in a university research and training hospital. The data were collected with the help of an online survey method created with the help of Google Forms using the “Form for Determining Healthcare Professionals’ Attitudes towards Being Vaccinated” and “The Fear of COVID-19 Scale” between December 28, 2020 and January 13, 2021. Results: The mean total Fear of COVID-19 Scale score of the healthcare professionals participating in the study was found to be 17.20 ± 6.015. A significant relationship was found between the Fear of COVID-19 Scale total score and participating healthcare professionals’ gender, status of education, status of flu vaccination and status of being diagnosed with COVID-19 (p <0.005). Conclusion: According to research results, it was found that healthcare professionals experienced moderate fear, almost half of them were undecided about the COVID-19 vaccine, their thoughts about vaccination were positive and they were mostly concerned about the side effects of the vaccine.


Author(s):  
Mei-Chuan Chang ◽  
Jyh-Gang Hsieh ◽  
Mi-Hsiu Wei ◽  
Chuan-Hsiu Tsai ◽  
Jui-Hung Yu ◽  
...  

Health literacy (HL), which is a determinant of individuals’ health as well as a personal and public asset, can be improved by community healthcare providers (CHPs) with the capability of providing HL services. The purpose of this study was to explore CHPs’ familiarity with and attitudes toward HL and their confidence in implementing HL practices. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted involving a total of 104 CHPs from 20 public health centers in Taiwan. It was based on a structured questionnaire involving self-evaluation by participants. The scores for familiarity, attitudes, and confidence in implementing HL practices were mean = 4.36, SD = 1.99; mean = 7.45, SD = 1.93; and mean = 6.10, SD = 1.77 (out of 10 points), respectively. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the two independent variables of familiarity and attitude could predict confidence in implementing HL practices (R2 = 0.57, F(2101) = 58.96, p < 0.001). The CHPs surveyed were not especially familiar with HL; thus, they recognized its importance, but they lacked confidence in implementing HL practices. Increasing practitioners’ familiarity with HL may therefore boost their confidence in implementation. The research results can serve as a reference when planning HL education and training.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Vrachnis ◽  
Aris T. Papageorghiou ◽  
Caterina M. Bilardo ◽  
Alfred Abuhamad ◽  
Ann Tabor ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate and validate the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG)standardized Basic Training curriculum; and the effectiveness of an Outreach teaching and training program delivered in Muscat, Oman. Methods Quantitative assessment to evaluate knowledge and practical skills was administered before and after an ultrasound course for sonologists attending the ISUOG Outreach course, which took place in November, 2017, in Oman. Trainees were selected from each region of the country following a national vetting process conducted by the Oman Ministry of Health. Twenty-eight of the participants were included in the analysis. Pre- and post-training practical and theoretical scores were evaluated and compared. Results Participants achieved statistically significant improvements, by 47% (p<0.001), in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Specifically, the mean score in the theoretical knowledge test significantly increased from 55.6% (± 14.0%) to 81.6% (± 8.2%), while in the practical test, the mean score increased from 44.6% (± 19.5%) to 65.7% (± 23.0%) (p<0.001). Performance was improved post-course among 27/28 participants (96.4%) in the theoretical test (range: 14% to 200%) and among 24/28 (85.7%) trainees in the practical skills test (range: 5% to 217%). Conclusion Application of the ISUOG Basic Training curriculum and Outreach teaching and training course improved the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of local health personnel. These results confirm that the course successfully achieved ISUOG’s goal of disseminating knowledge in ultrasound among obstetricians-gynecologists.


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