Education Session (education + session)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Abstracts from the Proceedings of the Research in Continuing Medical Education session of the 2007 spring meeting, Copper Mountain, Colorado

THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 2 2007
Craig M. Campbell MD
The following abstracts were peer-reviewed for presentation and publication. They were edited by Craig M. Campbell, MD, chairman, Research Committee, Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education. [source]


The feasibility of a GP led screening intervention for depression among nursing home residents

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 11 2006
Sandra Davidson
Abstract Aim To examine the feasibility of a brief intervention training general practitioners (GPs) in the administration of a depression screening instrument for use among nursing home residents. Intervention GPs attended a single education session on late-life depression and were trained in the use of the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Following the intervention GPs reviewed their patients for depression. Outcome measures Diagnosis of depression pre and post intervention; changes in antidepressant medications post intervention. Results Ten GPs and 38 patients completed all components of the study. GPs identified that 24% of their patients had Cornell Scores indicative of probable major depression that was either unrecognised or inadequately treated. 88% of these patients had been previously diagnosed with depression. A further 32% of patients exhibited depression symptoms, half (50%) of whom had a previous diagnosis of depression. Reviewing patients had an effect on antidepressant prescribing for patients with probable major depression, with GPs making changes to the antidepressant medication of 29% of patients. Conclusions The high rate of residents presenting with probable major depression despite being prescribed antidepressants indicate that depression symptoms are inadequately recognised and treated in nursing homes. This study demonstrated that a single education session on late-life depression was feasible and was associated with an improvement in GPs' recognition of depression among nursing home patients. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Interest in Geriatric Medicine in Canada: How Can We Secure a Next Generation of Geriatricians?

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 3 2006
FRCP(C), Laura L. Diachun MEd
In Canada, there is minimal training of geriatrics for physicians, a shortage of geriatricians, and extremely low numbers of students entering geriatrics. This study explored student interest in and barriers and enticements to geriatric medicine as a career choice. Medical students attending a university in Ontario, Canada, were surveyed in their first year (N=121), after a geriatric education session, and again in their second year (N=118) about their interest in a career in geriatrics. In the first year, less than 20% of students were interested in geriatrics; in the second year this decreased to 16%. In both years, female students were more interested than male students. Those students interested in geriatrics had higher hopes that their practice would involve primarily adults and seniors. Students not interested in geriatrics rated performing procedures and technical skills, not wanting to work with chronically ill patients, and caring for younger patients as important practice characteristics. Although the importance of prestige was low for all students, it was significantly higher for those not interested in geriatrics. Although changes to prestige, income, lifestyle, and length of residency training were identified as potential enticements to geriatrics, they were not major deterrents to a career in geriatrics. The findings suggest strategies that may affect student interest in geriatrics, such as increased and early student exposure to geriatrics with emphasis on fostering and nurturing student interest, consideration of various enticements to this specialty, and the development of health system,specific solutions to this problem. Knowledge of student and practice characteristics that increase the likelihood of selecting geriatrics as a specialty may allow for early identification and support of future geriatricians. [source]


An interactive education session and follow-up support as a strategy to improve clinicians' goal-writing skills: a randomized controlled trial

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2010
Elisabeth Marsland BAppSc(OT)Hons
Abstract Background, Recent research indicates that allied health clinicians have difficulty articulating client needs and priorities into specific and measurable goals. As a result, a number of strategies to facilitate improvement in allied health clinicians' goal-setting skills have been recommended in the literature. In order to assist clinicians develop the skills required to set SMART goals, it is necessary that the strategies are rigorously tested. Aim, To determine if a 50-minute education session and 3-month email and telephone support programme improves clinicians' SMART goal-writing skill and accurately predicts improved goal-writing behaviour. Methods, Concealed random allocation of participants (n = 120) into two parallel groups: (1) intervention group received education on writing goals using the SMART Goal Evaluation Method as part of a workshop on outcome measurement and received 3 months of follow-up support (n = 60); and (2) control group attended a workshop on evidence-based practice (n = 60). Results, Education and follow-up support improved clinicians' SMART goal-writing skills at both the 3- and 6-month review (Yates ,2 = 4.324, d.f. = 1, P = 0.0375). Structural equation modelling revealed education and follow-up support is an accurate predictor of SMART goal-setting behaviour change at both 3 months (standardized regression weights = 0.21; P = 0.014) and 6 months (standardized regression weights = 0.19; P = 0.02) post intervention. Changes were modest and developed over a 6-month period. Conclusion, This study provides empirical evidence that a programme of educating clinicians in a standardized method of goal setting and providing follow-up support improves allied health clinicians' SMART goal-writing skills. [source]


The efficacy of dietetic intervention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2008
L. Bottle
Background:, Clinical trials have shown that pulmonary rehabilitation can improve the functional status and quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (Lacasse, 2006) but there is no research examining the efficacy of group dietetic intervention during standard 8 week rehabilitation courses. Current input is usually limited to a 1 h nutrition education session. This pilot study aimed to investigate whether patients receiving additional dietetic intervention during pulmonary rehabilitation significantly increased their general nutritional knowledge, thereby facilitating improvements in dietary intake and nutritional status. Methods:, Patients were recruited from two courses of pulmonary rehabilitation and randomly allocated to a control group or an intervention group. Anthropometry (height, weight, body mass index, mid arm circumference and triceps skinfold), 3 day food diaries and nutritional knowledge questionnaires covered guidelines, food groups, choosing healthy options and diet and COPD were completed at baseline and at the end of 8 weeks. In week 2 both groups received the same nutrition education session which covered healthy eating during periods of stability as well as advice on coping with loss of appetite and reduced intake during illness and exacerbations. The intervention group was followed up during weeks 4, 6 and 7 when further anthropometric measurements were taken and additional dietary advice was provided, which addressed issues raised by individual patients. Information from food diaries was converted to nutrients using Windiets dietary analysis software. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS (v14) and included Mann,Whitney U non parametric tests, paired t -tests and Spearman correlations used for comparisons over time and between groups. For analysis purposes patients were classified as normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW). Approval was obtained from the appropriate Ethics Committee. Results:, Changes reported were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Complete data sets were obtained for six control (NW = 2, OW = 4) and five intervention (NW = 1, OW = 4) patients. Nutritional knowledge increased in the control group by 5% compared to 3% in the intervention group. Control NW patients increased their energy intake resulting in a mean weight gain of 0.5 kg (SD 3.3). OW control group patients increased their energy intake by 12.4% (16.9) with a mean weight gain of 0.2 kg (2.5). All control patients increased their intake of in total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), sugars and sodium. Conversely there was a decrease in energy intake in the intervention group of 14.4% (17.8) and a mean weight loss of 1.5 kg (1.2) (three out of four overweight patients lost weight). Improvements in diet were shown with reduced intakes of total fat, SFA, sugars and sodium. The NW patient in the intervention group regained weight that had previously been lost. These changes did not correlate with changes in nutritional knowledge. Discussion:, An increase in nutritional knowledge was expected to facilitate appropriate changes in dietary intake and nutritional status. Despite the lack of correlation between dietary knowledge and intake, beneficial outcomes were none-the-less observed in the intervention group. The trend for weight gain in OW control group patients, and weight loss in OW intervention group patients contrasted with results seen by Slinde et al. (2002) where the control OW patients lost weight, and OW intervention patients gained weight. It is possible that in the current study, patients in the intervention group were motivated to lose weight with repeated exposure to the dietitian, rather than an increase in nutritional knowledge. Significant anthropometrical changes were unlikely to be observed in 8 weeks, and further follow up may be necessary to establish sufficient evidence for the most efficacious level of dietetic intervention. The small sample sizes, especially with regard to weight sub groups, limits the conclusions which can be drawn. Further research is recommended, using a larger sample size, in order to make recommendations for dietetic best practice. Conclusion:, The results of this study did not show statistical significance and the association between nutritional knowledge and improved nutritional outcomes remains unclear. However, the findings may have clinical significance since they appear to show that additional dietetic intervention may benefit the nutritional status of patients with COPD attending pulmonary rehabilitation. References, Lacasse, Y., Goldstein, R., et al. (2006) Pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 4, CD003793. Slinde, F., Gronberg, A.M., et al. (2002) Individual dietary intervention in patients with COPD during multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Respir. Med. 96, 330,336. [source]


Cost and cost-effectiveness of standard methadone maintenance treatment compared to enriched 180-day methadone detoxification

ADDICTION, Issue 6 2004
Carmen L. Masson
ABSTRACT Aims To compare the cost and cost-effectiveness of methadone maintenance treatment and 180-day methadone detoxification enriched with psychosocial services. Design Randomized controlled study conducted from May 1995 to April 1999. Setting Research clinic in an established drug treatment program. Participants One hundred and seventy-nine adults with diagnosed opioid dependence. Intervention Patients were randomized to methadone maintenance (n = 91), which required monthly 1 hour/week of psychosocial therapy during the first 6 months or 180-day detoxification (n = 88), which required 3 hours/week of psychosocial therapy and 14 education sessions during the first 6 months. Measurements Total health-care costs and self-reported injection drug use. A two-state Markov model was used to estimate quality-adjusted years of survival. Findings Methadone maintenance produced significantly greater reductions in illicit opioid use than 180-day detoxification during the last 6 months of treatment. Total health-care costs were greater for maintenance than detoxification treatment ($7564 versus $6687; P < 0.001). Although study costs were significantly higher for methadone maintenance than detoxification patients ($4739 versus $2855, P < 0.001), detoxification patients incurred significantly higher costs for substance abuse and mental health care received outside the study. Methadone maintenance may provide a modest survival advantage compared with detoxification. The cost per life-year gained is $16 967. Sensitivity analysis revealed a cost-effectiveness ratio of less than $20 000 per quality-adjusted life-year over a wide range of modeling assumptions. Conclusions Compared with enriched detoxification services, methadone maintenance is more effective than enriched detoxification services with a cost-effectiveness ratio within the range of many accepted medical interventions and may provide a survival advantage. Results provide additional support for the use of sustained methadone therapy as opposed to detoxification for treating opioid addiction. [source]


Changes in diet quality score, macro- and micronutrients intake following a nutrition education intervention in postmenopausal women

JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 2 2007
Y. Manios
Abstract Introduction The aim of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition education programme on post-menopausal women using self-reported nutrient intake data as well as a qualitative data obtained by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Materials and methods Seventy-five women (55,65 years old) were randomized to a dietary intervention group (IG: n = 39), attending regular nutrition education sessions for 5 months and to a control group (CG: n = 36). The intervention scheme was based on a combined application of the Health Belief Model and the Social Cognitive Theory, aiming to increase nutritional knowledge and self-efficacy of the subjects to adopt and maintain healthy dietary choices. Changes in self-reported macro- and micronutrients' intake as well as in the HEI total score and in its ten components were obtained. Results The IG subjects reported increasing their milk (P < 0.001) and total fat (P = 0.01) HEI scores, decreasing total fat intake (P = 0.050) and increasing calcium and vitamin D intakes (P < 0.001 respectively) to a higher extent compared with the changes reported by the CG. Conclusion The current nutrition education programme appears to have induced favourable changes for the IG in micronutrients' intake primarily related to bone health and in total fat intake. These changes were reflected in the individual HEI indices but not in total HEI score. [source]


Developing recommendations for implementing the Australian Pain Society's pain management strategies in residential aged care

AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2008
Ruth McConigley
Objective:,This study aimed to develop recommendations and a related implementation resource ,toolkit' to facilitate implementation of pain management strategies in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs). Methods:,This qualitative study used written materials, focus groups and individual interviews to gather data from participants. Thirty-four health-care professionals with experience in the aged care sector were recruited from five Western Australian RACFs. General practitioners who had an interest in aged care were contacted via local general practice networks. Results:,Findings indicated that focused education sessions were needed to support implementation. A tailored toolkit was developed to assist the process. Funding and workforce constraints were found to be threats to complete implementation in some facilities. Conclusions:,A multifaceted approach is needed to promote the implementation of pain management strategies in RACFs. In particular, unlicensed care workers, who may have responsibility for recognising and reporting signs of pain, require further education to support their role in the pain management process. [source]


Can antenatal education influence how women push in labour?

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial on Maternal Antenatal Teaching for Pushing in Second Stage of Labour (PUSH STUDY)
Background:, Antenatal education on the physiology of second stage of labour and effective pushing has not been studied in the literature. Anecdotal observation seems to indicate that some nulliparous women are (at least initially) unable to push effectively. A large proportion seem to reflexly contract the levator ani muscle when asked to push which may have the effect of slowing the progress of labour. Aims:, To test the effectiveness of structured antenatal education for pushing in the second stage of labour versus normal care and its impact on delivery outcome. Methods: One hundred nulliparous women between 35 and 37 weeks gestation were randomised. Intervention: Two 15-min structured education sessions, one week apart, utilising observation of the perineum and a vaginal examination to teach correct technique for relaxing the levator ani muscle and effective pushing. Results:, In both groups, 31 of 50 women (62%) delivered vaginally. Instrumental delivery and caesarean section rates did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.78, relative risk = 1). The mean duration of active second stage for the control group was 53.96 min compared with 57.26 min for the intervention group. This difference of 3.3 min was not statistically significant (P = 0.56). Knowledge of women in the intervention group was increased and the majority of women found the educational sessions helpful. Conclusion:, Antenatal teaching to ensure effective maternal pushing in labour did not result in altered obstetric outcomes relative to the control group. However, there was a measurable qualitative effect from the intervention in that women clearly felt the education sessions to be helpful. [source]