The experiences of migrant pharmacists: A phenomenographical study.

Objectives: To understand the experiences of migrant pharmacists in Ireland as they applied for recognition of their qualifications and registration with the national accrediting body. Methods: Semi structured interviews were conducted with eight participants recruited using purposive sampling. Interview transcripts were subject to a phenomenographic study using a stepwise, inductive approach. Results: Data analysis led to the development of a number of categories or descriptions of understanding that provided insight into the ways that participants experienced and conceptualised the phenomenon under study. Five categories of description were identified. These are (1) the migrator, (2) the navigator, (3) the student again, and (4) the registrant. For some, an additional category, (5) the mentee, was experienced. Within these categories, variation in participants' experiences was explored. Conclusions: Participants reported a variety of reasons for migration, and upon embarking on the process, applicants were required to take on a variety of roles, with variation within each role dependent on a number of personal and external factors. Applicants faced personal, administrative, experiential and regulatory hurdles prior to registration, all of which should inform the development of future iterations of this and similar processes.

A National Needs Assessment in Simulation Based Training in Vascular Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to ascertain the highest need areas for vascular simulation, in order to tailor training for the highest impact. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A needs assessment was conducted according to best practices using the Delphi method. All consultant vascular surgeons/trainers in the training jurisdiction (n=33) were approached through an independent intermediary to contribute and generate a prioritized list of procedures for training. The research team were blinded to participant identities. Three rounds were conducted according to the Delphi process and scored according to the Copenhagen Needs Assessment Formula (CAMES-NAF). RESULTS: A final list of 34 vascular procedures was selected and prioritized by surgical trainers. Principles of arterial repair and endarterectomy/patching were considered the highest priority. Complex major interventions such as open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, carotid endarterectomy, and endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) consistently ranked higher than rarer, such as first rib resection and more basic procedures, such as foam injection for varicose veins. Major lower limb amputations typically ranked lower overall compared to arterial interventions. Surgical trainers generally agreed with the ranking according to the CAMES-NAF. There was some disagreement for a select few procedures such as iliac stenting (which rose 13 places) and open radial artery exposure (which fell 6 places) on subsequent iterations. CONCLUSIONS: Core operative principles and common major operative cases should remain the priority for vascular technical skills training. Other procedures which may be less invasive, but have the potential for major complications should also not be overlooked. In designing simulators the main focus should center on specific skill acquisition for commonly performed major procedures and management of the recognized potential complications. Lower limb amputations are considered adequately taught in clinical practice, or are too challenging to simulate in simulator models apart from cadaveric models.

A Systematic Review and Pooled Prevalence of Delirium in Critically Ill Children.

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric delirium is a neuropsychiatric disorder with disrupted cerebral functioning due to underlying disease and/or critical care treatment. Pediatric delirium can be classified as hypoactive, hyperactive, and mixed. This systematic review was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of pediatric delirium using validated assessment tools in children (Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium, Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU, PreSchool Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU, Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU Severity Scale, and Sophia Observation Withdrawal Symptoms Pediatric Delirium scale), identify modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors, and explore the association of pediatric delirium with clinical outcomes. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases was undertaken for full articles pertaining to pediatric delirium prevalence. STUDY SELECTION: No language or date barriers were set. Studies were included where the following eligibility criteria were met: study design aimed to estimate pediatric delirium prevalence arising from treatment in the intensive care setting, using a validated tool. Only randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, or cohort studies allowing an estimate of the prevalence of pediatric delirium were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted by the primary researcher (D.S.) and accuracy checked by coauthors. DATA SYNTHESIS: A narrative synthesis and pooled prevalence meta-analysis were undertaken. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric delirium, as determined by the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium score, is estimated to occur in 34% of critical care admissions. Eight of 11 studies reporting on subtype identified hypoactive delirium as most prevalent (46-81%) with each of the three remaining reporting either hyperactive (44%), mixed (57%), or equal percentages of hypoactive and mixed delirium (43%) as most prevalent. The development of pediatric delirium is associated with cumulative doses of benzodiazepines, opioids, the number of sedative classes used, deep sedation, and cardiothoracic surgery. Increased time mechanically ventilated, length of stay, mortality, healthcare costs, and associations with decreased quality of life after discharge were also found. Multi-institutional and longitudinal studies are required to better determine the natural history, true prevalence, long-term outcomes, management strategies, and financial implications of pediatric delirium.

'Both useful in their own way': Video podcasts and typed solutions as feedback on undergraduate pharmaceutical calculations skills assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Accurately completing pharmaceutical calculations is a core professional skill for pharmacists. To date, few studies have focused on to providing feedback on calculations, or the role of technology in feedback provision. This study aimed to develop a theory-informed video podcast-based method of providing formative feedback and evaluate student perceptions. METHODS: First-year pharmacy students (n = 53) completed a formative pharmaceutical calculations assessment. Two forms of feedback were designed and evaluated; typed solutions (traditional format commonly used/seen in textbooks) and video podcasts informed by instructional design theory (novel format). RESULTS: A survey was completed by 70% (37/53) of students. Specific features of video podcasts reported useful included hearing reasoning, and the ability to pause and rewind. Most (76%) reported positive attitudes towards video podcasts, considered them useful (75%) and helpful for learning (79%). A comparable number (76% and 71% respectively) felt positively about typed solutions. The majority (51%) preferred to receive both types rather than podcasts alone (24%), or typed solutions alone (8%). Free-text responses indicated both were used in different ways; typed solutions for quick verification and video podcasts for clarification. CONCLUSIONS: Video podcasts appear to be a potentially helpful additional method of delivering feedback that afford specific advantages. They can be readily developed by faculty with minimal expense/difficulty. However, as respondents indicated that they used both kinds of feedback in different ways to support their learning, and indicated a preference to receive both types, they should be considered an addition rather than replacement for typed solutions.

Exploring smoking, mental health and smoking-related disease in a nationally representative sample of older adults in Ireland - A retrospective secondary analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death among individuals with mental health difficulties (MHD). The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of smoking on the physical health of older adults with MHD in Ireland and to explore the extent to which smoking mediated or moderated associations between MHD and smoking-related diseases. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of 8175 community-dwelling adults aged 50 and over from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) was undertaken. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between MHD, smoking (current/past/never) and smoking-related diseases (respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, smoking-related cancers). A number of variables were employed to identify individuals with MHD, including prescribed medication, self-reported diagnoses and self-report scales. RESULTS: MHD was associated with current (RRRs ranging from 1.84 [1.50 to 2.26] to 4.31 [2.47 to 7.53]) and former (RRRs ranging from 1.26 [1.05 to 1.52] to 1.99 [1.19 to 3.33]) smoking and also associated with the presence of smoking-related disease (ORs ranging from 1.24 [1.01 to 1.51] to 1.62 [1.00 to 2.62]). Smoking did not mediate and rarely moderated associations between MHD and smoking-related disease. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults in Ireland with MHD are more likely to smoke than those without such difficulties. They also experience higher rates of smoking-related disease, although smoking had no mediating and no consistent moderating role in these analyses. Findings underscore the need for attention to the physical health of those with MHD including support in smoking cessation.

Methadone and perinatal outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among methadone maintenance treatment, perinatal outcomes, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of 61,030 singleton births at a large maternity hospital from 2000-2007. RESULTS: There were 618 (1%) women on methadone at delivery. Methadone-exposed women were more likely to be younger, to book late for antenatal care, and to be smokers. Methadone exposure was associated with an increased risk of very preterm birth <32 weeks of gestation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-4.34), being small for gestational age <10th percentile (aOR, 3.27; 95% CI, 2.49-4.28), admission to the neonatal unit (aOR, 9.14; 95% CI, 7.21-11.57), and diagnosis of a major congenital anomaly (aOR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.10-3.43). There was a dose-response relationship between methadone and neonatal abstinence syndrome. CONCLUSION: Methadone exposure is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, even when known adverse sociodemographic factors have been accounted for. Methadone dose at delivery is 1 of the determinants of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Medication use in early pregnancy-prevalence and determinants of use in a prospective cohort of women.

PURPOSE: To examine the extent, nature and determinants of medication use in early pregnancy. METHODS: We reviewed early pregnancy medication use, as reported to a midwife at the booking interview, in women delivering between 2000 and 2007 in a large maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland (n = 61 252). RESULTS: Excluding folic acid, at least one medication was reported in 23 989 (39.2%) pregnancies. Over the counter (OTC) medications were reported in 11 970 (19.5%) pregnancies, illicit drugs or methadone in 545 (0.9%) and herbal medicines/supplements in 352 (0.58%). FDA category D and X medications were reported by 1532 (2.5%) and 1987 (3.2%) women. Asthma, depression and hypertension were among the most commonly reported chronic medical disorders. Medications with potential for foetal harm were reported by 86 (15.7%) women treated for depression and 68 (20%) women treated for hypertension. Factors associated with reporting the use of medications with potential for foetal harm included unplanned pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.52), booking at less than 12 weeks gestation (aOR 1.83, 95%CI 1.58-2.13), being above 25 years of age, unemployed (aOR 2.58, 95%CI 2.03-3.29), nulliparous (aOR 1.41; 95%CI 1.22-1.63), single (aOR 1.28; 95%CI 1.06-1.54) or smoking during pregnancy (aOR 1.96, 95%CI 1.67-2.28). CONCLUSIONS: Women frequently report medication use in early pregnancy. Women and prescribers need to be aware of the lack of pregnancy safety data for many medications, and the need for pre-pregnancy planning. Prescribers should ensure that optimal medications are used when treating women of childbearing potential with chronic medical disorders.