Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to V Harpin.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) defines distance learning (DL) as "a way of providing higher education that involves the transfer to the student's location of the materials that form the main basis of study, rather than the student moving to the location of the resource provider".
A postal survey of all computerised children's disability registers in the UK was undertaken in 1996. Information was returned from 155 of 166 districts (93%). The implementation of computerised special needs registers is a continuing nationwide trend. Although there is evidence of successful use of registers both as an individual and as a population service planning tool, a high percentage of existing registers are functioning in a way which is far short of their potential for research, audit, and planning. Registers which work well have been set up with expertise, have staff enthusiastic about data entry, and are well supported for data output and software modification. There should be continued cooperative work towards a national consensus on the categories of disability and definition of severity of disability used in these registers.
The transition process for young physically disabled people (n = 87) was studied in three districts to determine how it varied between schools, and how it was perceived by the disabled and their carers. The experiences of the young people were compared with guidelines for good practice based on relevant legislation. Results showed that young disabled people experienced a poor handover to adult services if they had no "statement of special educational need" or if they went to further education college. Young people with cerebral palsy or complex multiple problems fared less well than those with spina bifida or juvenile chronic arthritis. There are several deficiencies in the legislation. Physically disabled young people should receive a transition review regardless of whether they have a "statement". The range of severity and type of disorders among the young physically disabled argues for a range of services--the category is too broad to be useful for research, service planning, and provision.
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For a combined total of three years meetings have been held regularly on two neonatal units for parents with infants requiring neonatal intensive care. These meetings give parents an opportunity to meet each other and members of staff in an informal atmosphere in the hope that mutual support will be gained. Initial assessment shows that the parents gain confidence in their ability to look after such small babies. The staff have gained a greater insight into the parents' anxieties and problems and changes have been made in the procedures on these units. If new insight is to result in changes that benefit the parents their views must be made known and taken into account when policy decisions are made.
A 27-week gestation infant developed severe haemorrhagic skin necrosis on the back and buttocks after umbilical arterial catheterisation. Before catheterisation the skin was cleaned with methylated spirits. A blood alcohol level taken 18 hours after catheterisation showed a blood ethanol level of 259 mg/100 ml and a blood methanol level of 26 mg/100 ml. We conclude that the methylated spirits caused this extensive skin damage and that percutaneous absorption via the readily permeable skin of this immature baby resulted in the dangerously high alcohol levels.
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