PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P M Stephenson

Publications and source records attributed to P M Stephenson.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Prospective audit of mucosal biopsy specimens of the gastrointestinal tract.

AIMS: To determine why mucosal biopsy specimens of the gastrointestinal tract were taken and whether they were justified on clinical or pathological grounds. METHODS: A prospective audit of 190 consecutive biopsy specimens received in a university hospital histology department over six weeks. RESULTS: The 31 separate presenting symptoms included diarrhoea (34%), abdominal pain (16%) and rectal bleeding (15%). In 41% (78/190) the histology was normal, 28% (53/190) showed inflammatory changes and 11% 21/190) carcinoma. A clear justification for the procedure was identified in over 90% (171/190) of patients. In 36% (68/190) there was a change in patient management on receipt of biopsy reports and further investigations were ordered in 29% (55/190). The mean time taken to report biopsy specimens was 4.7 working days and there was no difference between the reporting time of a pathologist compared with a consultant or a trainee. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that mucosal biopsy specimens are taken unnecessarily.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

A research-based method of selecting curriculum content.

This paper reports on a study concerning the opinions of sisters and nurse teachers regarding the relevance of learning objectives for a specific teaching and learning course for hospital and community sisters. The respondents were 29 sisters who had attended the course, 32 sisters who had not attended the course but who were potential future 'consumers' and 25 nurse teachers. The results showed that a majority of the respondents rated 29 of the objectives as essential and these were suggested as the nucleus of the core curriculum for future courses. Responses to nine of the objectives showed statistically significant differences between the groups.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMed1985

The feasibility of students with a predominantly arts educational background coping with the physiology component of a university nursing degree programme.

In this paper the authors discuss their experiences in admitting students with an arts 'A' (advanced) level General Certificate of Education background to an undergraduate nursing degree course. Firstly, the implications of students' different cognitive styles, both professionally and in teaching, are examined. Secondly, there is a description of an introductory course that has been used to assist students in the arts-science transition. Finally, the performance of 'arts' students, in a physiology course over a 6-year period is described, analysed and discussed. The proposition emerges that arts students may be disadvantaged initially by having not only a lack of knowledge in physiology, but a different cognitive style to science specialists. The results of the students' examination performance over 6 years suggests that with the provision of only a limited amount of special help 'arts' students can perform as well as the 'science' students in physiology examinations. Other variables which may have contributed to this positive outcome are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1985

The Cronkhite-Canada syndrome: an ultrastructural study of pathogenesis.

Electron microscopical and cytochemical studies of intestinal biopsies from a patient with typical features of the Cronkhite-Canada syndrome show that the primary process affects the crypts. This results in cystic dilatation associated with expansion and focal degeneration of the crypt compartment of the intestinal epithelium. The villous epithelium compartment is reduced but ultrastructurally normal. Inflammation and oedema of the lamina propria follows from leakage of mucin through breaks in the abnormal crypts.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Aspects of the nurse tutor--student nurse relationship.

This paper is focused on selected items from an exploratory study of nurse tutor--student nurse role-relationships. Aspects of the teacher-student and counselor-client dimensions of the relationship are reported. The research was conducted from a sociological perspective using role theory as the organizing theoretical framework. An 'ideal type' tutor--student relationship was proposed from the findings. There was concensus between tutors and students that tutors acted in a caring way towards students but many constraints were identified which inhibited students with problems from seeking help from tutors and prevented tutors from offering all the help which they wished to give to students.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Simple endoscopic injection sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices.

A routine upper gastrointestinal fiberoscope (Olympus GIFK) was used for endoscopic sclerotherapy of varices in 38 patients sedated with I.V. diazepam. It was effective in preventing rebleeding in 30 patients, and greatly reducing the size and number of varices in 31 of the patients. This endoscope needs no additional cuff or sheath for this therapy. It is easier to use and safer than the rigid oesophagoscope. Sodium tetradecyl sulphate is as effective as ethanolamine oleate as a sclerosant and causes no chest pain. Four patients developed a fibrotic lower oesophageal stricture. One patient developed an intramural haematoma that was followed by bacteraemia and death.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Bacteraemia following oesophageal dilatation and oesophago-gastroscopy.

Significant, but asymptomatic, bacteraemia after oesophageal dilatation with Hurst's bougies for oesophageal stricture or spasm was detected in six of 11 patients. No bacteraemia was identified in ten volunteers without oesophageal pathology, who underwent passage of the same dilators. After oesophago-gastroscopy significant bacteraemia was identified in one of ten patients examined. The predominant bacterial isolates were streptococci ("Streptococcus viridans" and non-haemolytic Streptococcus sp.). All the strains were sensitive in vitro to penicillin, amplicillin and cephalosporins. Any of these antibiotics are considered suitable for prophylactic use prior to performing oesophageal dilatation and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in "at risk" patients. The risk of bacteraemia is much lower after endoscopy than oesophageal dilatation for stricture or oesophageal spasm. Mucosal trauma is concluded as the site of entry of pharyngeal commensals leading to bacteraemia; and the incidence of bacteraemia appears related to the degree of trauma to the oesophagus.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

An evaluation of leukocyte adherence inhibition in the immunodiagnosis of colorectal cancer.

The leukocyte adherence inhibition technique was used to assess cell-mediated immunoreactivity and serum-blocking factors related to adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum. In the group of 48 patients with confirmed tumors of this type, 36 of 38 had reactive leukocytes and 46 of 47 had serum-blocking factors. Patients whose tumors had been removed surgically, with no sign of recurrence, retained their leukocyte activity for up to 3.5 years in 6 of 6 cases, but only a small proportion (7 of 30) retained blocking factors. In 67 controls (who were patients with nonmalignant gastrointestinal disorders, patients with gastrointestinal tumors other than colorectal adenocarcinoma, patients with other cancers, or healthy volunteers), negative reactions were obtained, with diverticular disease the only prominent exception. The leukocyte adherence inhibition test appeared to be highly sensitive and specific. Application to the immunodiagnosis of colorectal cancer thus seems to be warranted.

Adenocarcinoma↗