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Systematic Programmes (systematic + programme)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and behavioural disturbances and the use of psychotropic drugs in Norwegian nursing homes,

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 9 2007
Geir Selbæk
Abstract Background Psychiatric and behavioural symptoms in dementia are associated with a range of negative outcomes, including institutional placement and the widespread use of psychotropic drugs in spite of limited evidence for their efficacy. Aims To determine the prevalence of psychiatric and behavioural symptoms and the pattern of psychotropic drug prescription in patients with various degrees of dementia. Methods A sample of 1,163 non-selected nursing home patients were assessed by means of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, the Clinical Dementia Rating scale and Lawton's activities of daily living scale. In addition, information was collected from the patients' records. Results Dementia was found in 81% of the patients and 72% of them had clinically significant psychiatric and behavioural symptoms. The frequencies of symptoms increased with the severity of the dementia. Psychotropic medication was being prescribed to 75% of patients with dementia. There was a significant relationship between the type of drug and the symptom for which it had been dispensed. Conclusion Psychiatric and behavioural symptoms are frequent in nursing homes and the rate increases with the progression of the dementia. Systematic programmes are needed for disseminating skills and providing guidance regarding the evaluation and treatment of these symptoms in nursing homes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Tests and calculations of short-circuit forces and displacements in high-voltage substations with strained conductors and droppers

EUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 3 2000
N. Stein
Forschungsgemeinschaft für Elektrische Anlagen und Stromwirtschaft FCH and DKE UK 121.2 have recently completed an extensive systematic programme of short-circuit tests on substation bus bars of stranded conductors with and without droppers. The present test series, in continuation of the former studies, comprises 100-kV and 400-kV arrangements, applying the relevant parameters of the former. Apart from other variations, different current paths were studied for the arrangements with droppers. The present paper is confined to giving a survey of the 100-kV arrangements, parameter variations, measurements and test results, as far as they presently relate to the calculation procedure oflEC, CENELEC and D/V/VDE. It is further reported on studies with the Finite-Element Method (FEM) which show a remarkable comparative accuracy. Finally, the standardized method of IEC 60865-1 and EN 60865-1 for the calculation of short-circuit tensile forces is extended onto arrangements with droppers. [source]

Preservation of sight in diabetes: developing a national risk reduction programme

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 9 2000
L. Garvican
SUMMARY Background Early treatment for diabetic retinopathy is effective at saving sight, but dependent on pre-symptomatic detection. Although 60% of people with diabetes have their eyes examined annually, few UK health authorities have systematic programmes that meet the British Diabetic Association's standards for sensitivity (> 80%) and specificity (> 95%). Screening is generally performed by general practitioners and optometrists, with some camera-based schemes, operated by dedicated staff. The National Screening Committee commissioned a group to develop a model and cost estimates for a comprehensive national risk-reduction programme. Ophthalmoscopy Evidence indicates that direct ophthalmoscopy using a hand-held ophthalmoscope does not give adequate specificity and sensitivity, and should be abandoned as a systematic screening technique. Indirect ophthalmoscopy using a slit lamp is sensitive and specific enough to be viable, and widespread availability in high street optometrists is an advantage, but the method requires considerable skill. Photographic schemes The principal advantage of camera-based screening is the capturing of an image, for patient education, review of disease progression, and quality assurance. Digital cameras are becoming cheaper, and are now the preferred option. The image is satisfactory for screening and may be transmitted electronically. With appropriate training and equipment, different professional groups might participate in programme delivery, based on local decisions. Cost issues Considerable resources are already invested in ad hoc screening, with inevitable high referral rates incurring heavy outpatient costs. Treatment for advanced disease is expensive, but less likely to be effective. The costs of a new systematic screening and treatment programme appear similar to current expenditure, as a result of savings in treatment of late-presenting advanced retinopathy. Conclusion A systematic national programme based on digital photography is proposed. [source]

Practitioner Review: When parent training doesn't work: theory-driven clinical strategies

THE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 12 2009
Stephen Scott
Improving the parent,child relationship by using strategies based on social learning theory has become the cornerstone for the treatment of conduct problems in children. Over the past 40 years, interventions have expanded greatly from small, experimental procedures to substantial, systematic programmes that provide clear guidelines in detailed manuals on how practitioners should implement the standardised treatments. They are now widely disseminated and there is a great deal of empirical support that they are very effective for the majority of cases. However, evaluations of even the best of these evidence-based programmes show that a quarter to a third of families and their children do not benefit. What does the practitioner then do, when a standard social learning approach, diligently applied, doesn't work? We argue that under these circumstances, some of the major theories of child development, family functioning and individual psychology can help the skilled practitioner think his or her way through complex clinical situations. This paper describes a set of practical strategies that can then be flexibly applied, based on a systematic theoretical analysis. We hold that social learning theory remains the core of effective parent training interventions, but that ideas from attachment theory, structural family systems theory, cognitive-attribution theory, and shared empowerment/motivational interviewing can each, according to the nature of the difficulty, greatly enrich the practitioner's ability to help bring about change in families who are stuck. We summarise each of these models and present practical examples of when and how they may help the clinician plan treatment. [source]