Interprofessional, Interdisciplinary, or Multidisciplinary?

As a longtime researcher in interprofessional collaborative care and deputy editor-in-chief of the Journal of Interprofessional Care, I was dismayed by the imprecise use of language in the article by Colbenson et al.1 The title says “interprofessional,” the first sentence of the abstract says “interdisciplinary,” and the abstract also uses the word “multidisciplinary.” These words have different meanings and are not interchangeable. The first implies collaborative interactions, the second is often used by physicians to imply physicians with different specialties interacting (eg, oncologist and pathologist), and the third simply means that persons from different professions are in the same space per- haps working in parallel, perhaps sequentially. Another term the authors use, “ICU [intensive care unit] teams,” may or may not actually be working as teams, but the terms are not defined. The theme “interdisciplinary dynamics” is really about multidisciplinary interactions and is minimally described. If nurses feel devalued and not involved in decision-making, the dynamics are not interprofessional or even interdisciplinary.

Effects of globalization on food production in five European countries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of globalization convergence (GC) and its components (social, economic, political, technological and ecological) on food production (FP).Design/methodology/approachThe methodological approach adopted is based on a quantitative approach, using a static panel data analysis with relevant data from five European countries within five time intervals (2013–2017).FindingsThe results indicated that three components of globalization (social, technological and ecological) could significantly contribute to the food industry, while two other components of globalization (economic and political) are negatively correlated with FP.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the theoretical recognition of the role of globalization in influencing FP in multidisciplinary interactions. Meanwhile, this study's main limitation lies in the statistical method of panel data analysis, since temporal and spatial changes have not been investigated.Originality/valueDespite the literature on globalization's effect on FP, each globalization component's effect has not been investigated appropriately within cross-countries studies. Hence, the present study addresses a gap in the extant literature by examining the globalization effects on the food industry to promote globalized food security, opportunities and solutions in the study areas.

Levels of Fear in Patients Scheduled for Amputation at The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and levels of fear in patients scheduled for amputations at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana. A total of 30 patients hospitalized at the surgical wards and the orthopaedic and accident center wards between November 2019 and May 2020 were included in the study. The Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) was used to measure the levels of fear in the patients the day before surgery. Findings showed that the major type of amputation was below knee amputation, 16/30 (53.3%), the main reason for amputation was due to Diabetic foot wounds, 16/30 (53.3%), the immediate reaction to the news of the amputation was sadness, 12/30 (40%). All patients were afraid. Mean (SD) SFQ-s scores were 16.23 (9.22) and mean (SD) SFQ-l scores were 19.40 (9.65). Though the levels of fear were generally low, long term fear was higher among the patients than the short-term fear consequences of the surgery. Gender was significant associated with patients’ immediate reaction to fear. Age was significantly associated with the levels of fear. We propose multidisciplinary interactions and well-thought-out rehabilitation programs to enhance patient outcomes and improve the quality of life of amputees.

Prosthetists and orthotists: An evolution from mechanic to clinician

Fifty years ago, the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics was founded in recognition that this unique niche in rehabilitation would benefit from multidisciplinary interactions between specialists in engineering, therapy, and medicine.Since then, field evolved from having a craft orientation toward a technology and clinical specialty. This anniversary provides an opportunity to look back on advances in prosthetics and orthotics, and the clear impact they have had on changing the skills needed by the prosthetist/orthotist as new technology and techniques have emerged. The balance has clearly shifted from mechanical skills to clinical care. The training and skills of the prosthetist/orthotist remain unique and valued in the rehabilitation team, and the primary motivation remains the same as it has been since the creation of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics: the application of external devices where they are suitable to address the many varied needs of persons with disability. This historical perspective puts into context why and how the profession has changed, while also reinforcing that it is the goals set for restoring patient functions that best defines what it is to be a prosthetist/orthotist, not the means we use.

Large-Scale Path-Dependent Optimization of Supersonic Aircraft

Aircraft are multidisciplinary systems that are challenging to design due to interactions between the subsystems. The relevant disciplines, such as aerodynamic, thermal, and propulsion systems, must be considered simultaneously using a path-dependent formulation to assess aircraft performance accurately. In this paper, we construct a coupled aero-thermal-propulsive-mission multidisciplinary model to optimize supersonic aircraft considering their path-dependent performance. This large-scale optimization problem captures non-intuitive design trades that single disciplinary models and path-independent methods cannot resolve. We present optimal flight profiles for a supersonic aircraft with and without thermal constraints. We find that the optimal flight trajectory depends on thermal system performance, showing the need to optimize considering the path-dependent multidisciplinary interactions.

Temporomandibular Joint Bioengineering Conference: Working Together Toward Improving Clinical Outcomes

The sixth temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Bioengineering Conference (TMJBC) was held on June 14–15 2018, in Redondo Beach, California, 12 years after the first TMJBC. Speakers gave 30 presentations and came from the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The goal of the conference has remained to foster a continuing forum for bioengineers, scientists, and surgeons and veterinarians to advance technology related to TMJ disorders. These collective multidisciplinary interactions over the past decade have made large strides in moving the field of TMJ research forward. Over the past 12 years, in vivo approaches for tissue engineering have emerged, along with a wide variety of degeneration models, as well as with models occurring in nature. Furthermore, biomechanical tools have become more sensitive and new biologic interventions for disease are being developed. Clinical directives have evolved for specific diagnoses, along with patient-specific biological and immunological responses to TMJ replacement devices alloplastic and/or bioengineered devices. The sixth TMJBC heralded many opportunities for funding agencies to advance the field: (1) initiatives on TMJ that go beyond pain research, (2) more training grants focused on graduate students and fellows, (3) partnership funding with government agencies to translate TMJ solutions, and (4) the recruitment of a critical mass of TMJ experts to participate on grant review panels. The TMJ research community continues to grow and has become a pillar of dental and craniofacial research, and together we share the unified vision to ultimately improve diagnoses and treatment outcomes in patients affected by TMJ disorders.