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Pediatric cancer pain management practices and attitudes in China.

Children with cancer often receive less adequate pain management than adults. This survey was designed to examine current practices, knowledge, and attitudes pertaining to pediatric pain management in China. Based on the choice of opioid use and self-identification as having a conservative or liberal approach to pain management, we identified two clusters. Members of cluster 1 (60%) had more conservative attitudes and did not perceive that young children experienced pain. Members of cluster 2 (40%) had more liberal attitudes. Four factors predicted conservative membership: never having prescribed opioids for cancer pain (OR=2.67, CI=1.11-6.45), use of placebos for pain management (OR=2.32, CI=1.05-5.08), belief that the adequacy of pain management was fair or good (OR=2.10, CI=1.31-3.37), and belief that children are less sensitive to pain (OR=1.96, CI=1.02-3.76). The top barriers to optimal pediatric pain management were identified as fear of opioid addiction and inadequate knowledge of pain management.

Adult↗

Self-care behaviour and blood glucose control in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Self-care behaviour, knowledge about diabetes, and blood glucose control were studied in 113 young adults with Type 1 diabetes using a semi-structured interview, self-report questionnaires, and a biochemical measure (glycated haemoglobin). The majority of subjects followed their prescribed regimen reasonably accurately, but individuals followed different aspects of the regimen to different degrees. Subjects were more concerned with the avoidance of hypoglycaemia than with attainment of 'tight' blood glucose control. The blood glucose test level at which subjects took remedial action was the best single predictor of symptomatic control. Frequency of nocturnal polyuria appeared to be a reliable indicator of impaired metabolic control. Insulin omission or dose reduction for the purpose of body weight reduction was common among women, who also had worse blood glucose control than men. Elevated glycated haemoglobin levels were associated with higher alcohol consumption in men. Theoretical knowledge about diabetes management was only weakly associated with self-care behaviour and blood glucose control in this population. The blood glucose test result at which subjects take remedial action appears to be the most appropriate behavioural target for intervention to improve control in such subjects.

Adolescent↗

Educational issues in rheumatology.

Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability, affecting hundreds of millions of people around the world. Nearly a quarter of all consultations in primary care are concerned with rheumatic disease, yet undergraduate education in rheumatology is under-developed all over the world and does not get the attention it deserves. This has important consequences for the early diagnosis of rheumatic disease and the proper care of rheumatic patients in general, as well as for the esteem of rheumatology as a profession. Because the high prevalence and impact of rheumatic disease are not reflected in medical curricula, the International League of Associations for Rheumatology developed the Undergraduate Medical Education in Rheumatology 2000 Project. The project embodies three fundamental concepts: (1) to convince medical faculties and schools educating health professionals world wide that skills in examination, a knowledge of the management of musculoskeletal disease and a positive attitude to disability are the basis of good medical practice; (2) that rheumatology is valuable for acquiring skills in problem-solving, clinical reasoning and understanding basic genetic, immunological and biochemical mechanisms, as illustrated by rheumatic disease; and (3) to orient these programmes to the needs of individual patients in the context of the population at large, knowing that 20% of all primary care consultations involve musculoskeletal disease. The movement of doctors throughout the world, especially within Europe, is leading to initiatives to harmonize standards of specialist training. The importance of ensuring the highest standard of clinical care, achieving the greatest gain in health alongside a rapid advance in knowledge and clinical practice, is increasing the priority for continuing medical education and methods to ensure that doctors remain competent at all stages of their career.

Education, Medical↗

End-of-life care for elderly patients with heart failure.

The mortality rate of elderly persons with heart failure is high despite the introduction of several effective therapeutic interventions during the past decade. The management of end of life, often associated with distressing symptoms and multiple hospitalizations, is a significant clinical problem. Skillful and effective management requires expert knowledge of the heart failure syndrome, but the critical dimension of care relates to detailed knowledge about a patient's comorbidities, extent of debility, values, and desires. Discussing end-of-life issues early in the course of illness is essential for determining the appropriate levels of intensity of care and for defining the circumstances in which patients wish to be hospitalized and when hospital care offers little potential for increased comfort or longevity. Early and repeated discussions are needed to consider matters such as living wills, do-not-resuscitate orders, and power of attorney. In light of the complexity of the health care system, including involvement of multiple caregivers, end-of-life issues are among the most demanding of a physician's time, but when end-of-life care is managed effectively, health care providers often are rewarded with the gratitude of patients and their families for minimizing suffering and providing optimal opportunities for patients to participate in the affairs of family and the community.

Advance Directives↗

Applying theory to practice in undergraduate education using high fidelity simulation.

High-fidelity patient simulation allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge of pharmacology and physiology to practice. The purpose of this study was to determine if experiential education using high-fidelity simulation improves undergraduate performance scores on simulation-based and written examinations. After receiving research ethics board approval, students completed a consent form and then answered a ten question multiple-choice quiz to identify their knowledge regarding the management of cardiac arrhythmias. Four simulation scenarios were presented and students worked through each scenario as a team. Faculty facilitated the sessions and feedback was given using students' videotaped performances as a template for discussion. Performance evaluation scores using predetermined checklists and global rating scales were completed. Students then reviewed the American Heart Association guidelines for the management of unstable cardiac arrhythmias. The afternoon session involved repetition of the four case scenarios with the same teams involved but different team leaders. Students then repeated the quiz they received in the morning. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyse results. Two hundred and ninety-nine students completed the study. There was a statistically significant improvement in performance on the pharmacology written test. Simulation team performance also statistically improved and a good correlation between checklist and global rating scores were demonstrated in all but one scenario. Student evaluation of the experience was extremely positive. High-fidelity simulation can be used to allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to practice in a safe and realistic environment. Results of this study indicate that simulation is a valuable learning experience and bridges the gap between theory and practice. Simulation technology has the potential to provide an enriching venue to examine the role of communication and dynamics of novice learners in team environments.

Anesthesiology↗

Management of physiological variables in neuroanaesthesia: maintaining homeostasis during intracranial surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The recent literature on the perioperative maintenance of cerebral homeostasis was reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: Several studies focused on the regulation of cerebral blood flow in patients without intracranial disease; therefore, further studies in neurosurgical patients are needed. High intracranial pressure and brain swelling can be controlled by the choice of anaesthetic agents, and also by optimal positioning of the patient. The use of positive end-expiratory pressure may impair cerebral blood flow, but the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure seem to depend on the respiratory system compliance. The international multicenter study failed to show any benefit from intraoperative hypothermia in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage; similarly, the results on corticosteroid therapy in head-injured patients are discouraging. Corticosteroid therapy has prompted studies on the control of blood glucose levels. While tight glycemic control has been recommended, it can have untoward effects manifested as cerebral metabolic stress. SUMMARY: From the clinical point of view, the recent research has added only little to the knowledge on the management of physiological parameters in neurosurgery. More adequately powered studies focusing in specific problems, and having a meaningful aim relative to outcome, are needed also in neuroanaesthesia.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder cancer has a reputation for being aggressive and incurable. Single institution series, however, have defined successful management strategies in which the extent of resection is based on the stage of the tumor at presentation. Careful ultrasound screening for abnormalities in the gallbladder wall, and CA19-9 serum determination prior to routine cholecystectomy may heighten awareness for cancer in this population. For tumors confined to the muscular layer of the gallbladder a simple cholecystectomy is associated with an almost 100% cure rate. Tumors invading through the muscle wall (Stage II) should be managed with extended cholecystectomy, including resection of hepatic segments IVb and V, and an extensive lymph node dissection of the porta hepatis, posterior pancreaticoduodenal, and interaortocaval lymph nodes. This operation for Stage II gallbladder cancer is associated with a 90% to 100% 3-year survival rate. Simple cholecystectomy fails in the majority of Stage II patients. Patients with Stage III and IV tumors may also benefit from an extended cholecystectomy. Patients with bulky primary tumors without lymph node metastases (T4N0) seem to have a better prognosis than those with distant lymph node metastases, and should be treated aggressively when possible. It is advantageous to perform the appropriate extent of surgery for gallbladder cancer at the initial operation. Heightened awareness of the presence of cancer and the knowledge of appropriate management are important. For patients whose cancer is an incidental finding on pathologic review, re-resection is indicated for all disease except Stage I. This review will discuss the epidemiology, pathology, and staging of gallbladder cancer and describe the appropriate surgical management based on the stage of the cancer.

Adult↗

Watch, Discover, Think, and Act: evaluation of computer-assisted instruction to improve asthma self-management in inner-city children.

An interactive multimedia computer game to enhance self-management skills and thereby improve asthma outcomes in inner city children with asthma was evaluated. Subjects aged 6-17 were recruited from four pediatric practices and randomly assigned to the computer intervention condition or to the usual-care comparison. The main character in the game could match the subject on gender and ethnicity. Characteristics of the protagonist's asthma were tailored to be like those of the subject. Subjects played the computer game as part of regular asthma visits. Time between pre- and post-test varied from 4 to 15.6 months (mean, 7.6 months). Analysis of covariance, with pre-test scores, age, and asthma severity as covariates, found that the intervention was associated with fewer hospitalizations, better symptom scores, increased functional status, greater knowledge of asthma management, and better child self-management behavior for those in the intervention condition. Interactions with covariates were found and discussed in terms of variable efficacy of the intervention.

Asthma↗

Developing hospital efficiency-cost control measures.

The purpose of this paper is to provide hospital managers with important knowledge and skills in developing efficiency measures that hospital can use as guidelines in monitoring and controlling operational costs. Efficiency measures are judgmental and comparative. Cost and quantity are the variables in the computation of efficiency measures but it is very important to integrate these variables with quality. A hospital is efficient if it can render quality service at the most cost effective manner.

Accounting↗

Influence of age, prior abdominal surgery, fraction size, and dose on complications after radiation therapy for squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix. A patterns of care study.

The 1973 and 1978 national surveys conducted by the Patterns of Care Study (PCS) for squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix were combined to analyze factors associated with complications after radiation therapy (RT). Overall, 1558 patients were reviewed, with a median follow-up of 43 months. Major complications (defined as necessitating hospitalization for management) were seen in 152 of 1558 (9.8%) patients, with a 5-year actuarial rate of 14%. A number of pretreatment and treatment factors were analyzed with respect to complications. In univariate analysis, significant pretreatment and treatment factors associated with an increase in complications included young age, prior laparotomy for staging, history of prior abdominal surgery, increasing stage, use of external RT, high fraction size, cesium source, and high paracentral (PCS point A) and lateral (PCS point P) doses. Multivariate analysis showed a history of prior abdominal surgery, paracentral dose greater than 7500 cGy, use of cesium, daily fraction size greater than 200 cGy, and age younger than 40 years to be associated independently with complications. A detailed analysis of the type of and time to complications is presented. The knowledge and skillful management of these pretreatment and treatment factors may improve the therapeutic ratio for RT, which is the most active curative modality against cervical cancer.

Adult↗

How do we manage breast cancer in the elderly patients? A survey among members of the British Association of Surgical Oncologists (BASO).

AIMS: To frame the attitude and perception of breast surgeons in the UK toward the increasing number of older breast cancer patients. METHODS: A 15-item questionnaire was designed to inquire on the definition of elderly, clinical management, age-related differences in surgical treatment, interaction with geriatricians, operative risk assessment, and surveyed identification/descriptive data. The questionnaire was sent to all 350 ABS associates (Association of Breast Surgery) at the British Association of Surgical Oncology (BASO). RESULTS: A 150 questionnaires were returned (compliance 43%) providing the largest sample of breast surgical specialist overview on this topic. The major part of the surveyed (44%) stated age does not stand as the most relevant factor on its own in identifying a patient as "elderly", nor in offering surgical management (98%) and in dealing with the axilla (75%). The surveyed are aware of the burden of this epidemiological problem and would rather finalise the decision-making process based on multiple factors. This is to tailor the most appropriate treatment aiming to improving quality of life (42%) and quality adjusted survival (40%). Although most breast surgeons are inclined to discuss their onco-geriatric patients with geriatricians on a regular (32%) or occasional (42%) basis, no geriatric assessment is routinely utilised (82%) and the operative risk is predicted with ASA (45%). These figures confirm the surveyed breast surgeons in the UK are not biased by an ageistic approach, and aim to achieve a global well-being to the older patients with breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirms our lack of knowledge in the management of elderly patients affected by breast cancer. Taken into account the limitations of a survey, we are pleased to confirm the performance of the largest part of breast surgeons at BASO is not biased by an ageist mentality.

Aged↗

Emerging perspectives in glaucoma: optimizing 24-hour control of intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE: To explore recent studies and clinical experience involving the importance of 24-hour control of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. METHODS: Roundtable discussion. RESULTS: During the discussion, the following concepts were identified: 1. Although the effect of IOP is continuous, IOP is infrequently measured in clinical practice. 2. Within an individual patient, measurements of IOP have considerable variability throughout 24 hours. 3. Recent studies have shown that healthy subjects and glaucoma patients may experience their highest IOP at night once they have lain down to sleep. 4. Low blood pressure levels related to an individual's circadian rhythm can occur simultaneous with high IOPs at night, reducing blood flow to the optic nerve head below critical levels and thus resulting in optic nerve damage. 5. Glaucoma medications that can maximally reduce IOP over 24 hours and minimally influence blood pressure should have theoretical and practical advantages for glaucoma management. CONCLUSIONS: The new knowledge about peak night-time IOPs is changing how physicians manage their patients in terms of drug selection and targeted IOP levels aimed at halting progression of glaucomatous optic nerve damage and visual field loss. Physicians are also taking into consideration the troublesome relationship between lowered systemic blood pressure and elevated IOP during the nighttime period.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Competency-based learning applied to nursing management.

The ability to manage change has become an essential skill for all managers, particularly those employed within the Health and Social Services. It is recognized that managers may have received an introduction to management concepts and skills within their professional education but require more specific management development. The government approach to adult education with an increased emphasis on vocational training as opposed to professional education (Hyland 1991) has had an important impact upon the theory and practice of nurse management. Nurses are now required to demonstrate, not only the appropriate knowledge and theory of management, but also the competencies necessary to fulfil their role. This is becoming an important dimension of management development programmes. This paper discusses aspects of competency based learning and considers how these concepts are applied to a higher education nurse management programme on 'Managing Change'. The difficulties experienced in applying vocational standards to professional education within the culture of a higher education will be explored, difficulties identified and some alternatives offered.

Competency-Based Education↗

Effect of the medication management module evaluated using the role play test.

Training in social skills has been shown to have a strong, positive impact, according to behavioral measures, on social skills, self-rated assertiveness, and the hospital discharge rate. It is important to establish a system of assessing social skills because it is necessary for the effects of social skills training to be assessed in Japan. In Project 1, we devised a Japanese version of the role play test to quantify social skills using a standard method. We tested 30 patients attending the day hospital who were considered to need intensive rehabilitation. We found the role play test had high inter-rater and test-retest reliability, and had construct validity and criterion related validity. Thus, the role play test was thought to be a useful tool for assessing social skills. For Project 2, eight inpatients who were ready for discharge but who needed to improve their skills in self-managed medication participated in this study. The social skills of self-managed medication assessed using the role play test were significantly improved after the subjects participated in the Medication Management Module of the UCLA social and independent living skills program. Knowledge of self-managed medication also tended to improve after training. This study is preliminary and it should be confirmed that improved skills influenced by the medication management module decreases the relapse rates.

Adolescent↗

The relationship between pain and leg ulcers: a critical review.

Leg ulceration may have a profound impact on the individual: in some cases activities of living become subservient to the degree of pain experienced. Pain control, which is viewed as a key function in health care, appears marginalized in leg ulcer management. Pain can be intense, bringing psychological implications for the patient. Knowledge deficiency in practitioners' management of venous and arterial leg ulcers was identified in the literature. This may lead to unnecessary pain caused by inappropriate dressings, misdiagnosis, or poor technique in the use of compression therapy. A holistic approach to the patient using evidence-based standardized practice may improve the patient's experience.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Panel sees high demand for diverse CFO skills.

A more sophisticated healthcare industry, challenged by competition and payer demands, also looks for sophistication when filling its senior financial positions. Individuals with experience in managed care contract negotiations, knowledge of hospital-physician ventures, and superior planning and treasury management skills are increasingly sought by hospitals. Some organizations also may single out chief financial officers able to assume broader administrative duties, including chief executive officer positions. These are among the observations of a panel convened by HFMA to discuss recent trends in healthcare executive recruiting. Highlights of the session, moderated by HFMA President Richard L. Clarke, FHFMA, follow.

Employment↗

Nursing considerations for the neonate awaiting heart transplantation for the hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

This article discusses the congenital heart lesion identified as hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and the pretransplant management of the neonate born with this defect. Discussion of pretransplant management includes hemodynamic, ventilatory/pharmacological, immunologic, ethical, and economic considerations. An increased knowledge of these early management principles is a necessity, not only for nursing staff working with this population of heart transplant patients, but also for nursing staff in any center that may identify and need to stabilize an infant with this defect. Relevant nursing considerations are presented to assist nurses in supporting the neonate and his or her parents during the time when decisions about heart transplantation must be made.

Aortic Valve↗

The impact of a large-scale population-based asthma management program on pediatric asthma patients and their caregivers.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of pediatric asthma include missed school attendance, limitations in physical activity, and increased health care utilization and costs. Caregivers of asthmatic children are affected through missed work days and decreased job productivity. In response to these issues, a disease management program encompassing asthmatic children and their caregivers was developed as part of the core services offered to members of a large, national health care plan. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of the asthma management program on pediatric asthma patients and their caregivers over a 12-month period. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 401 randomly selected member households with asthmatic children from 17 regional markets completed surveys before and after 12 months of participation in the asthma management program. Program interventions, which were tailored according to risk and need status, included various staggered educational mailings, reminder aids, videos, a peak expiratory flow rate meter, and telephonic case management. The Asthma Quality Assessment System survey, a battery of self-reported quality indicators, was used to solicit information from parents or caregivers of asthmatic children on issues pertaining to quality of life, asthma management skills and knowledge, and lost work/school days related to asthma. RESULTS: Statistically significant postprogram outcomes were observed in various domains, including a reduction in adverse utilization, symptomatology, and restricted activity days for children and lost work days for adult caretakers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that a large-scale population-based intervention program can produce measurable clinical and economic benefits, thereby lessening the burden of asthma on the family unit.

Absenteeism↗