Designing an education programme to improve quality of life for cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Health and wellbeing education programmes, as part of the recovery package, are now recommended for all cancer patients on completion of treatment. There is limited evidence to determine whether such programmes improve the quality of life (QoL) for cancer survivors. The purpose of the systematic review was to synthesise the available research and provide recommendations for practice and education programme delivery. A critical appraisal and narrative synthesis of eligible randomised controlled trials showed that there was a small mean percentage difference in reported QoL for cancer survivors who participated in an education programme (8%) over those who received usual care alone (7%). Cancer-site specific programmes are recommended over generic programmes. The optimum time frame for programme delivery is between 3 and 12 months following treatment. Various methods of programme delivery are effective, including face-to-face group sessions and self-directed web-based programmes.

Evaluating Quality, Usability, Evidence-Based Content, and Gamification Features in Mobile Learning Apps Designed to Teach Children Basic Life Support: Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Globally, 3.7 million people die of sudden cardiac death annually. Following the World Health Organization endorsement of the Kids Save Lives statements, initiatives to train school-age children in basic life support (BLS) have been widespread. Mobile phone apps, combined with gamification, represent an opportunity for including mobile learning (m-learning) in teaching schoolchildren BLS as an additional teaching method; however, the quality of these apps is questionable. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to systematically evaluate the quality, usability, evidence-based content, and gamification features (GFs) of commercially available m-learning apps for teaching guideline-directed BLS knowledge and skills to school-aged children. METHODS: We searched the Google Play Store and Apple iOS App Store using multiple terms (eg, cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] or BLS). Apps meeting the inclusion criteria were evaluated by 15 emergency health care professionals using the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale and System Usability Scale. We modified a five-finger mnemonic for teaching schoolchildren BLS and reviewed the apps' BLS content using standardized criteria based on three CPR guidelines. GFs in the apps were evaluated using a gamification taxonomy. RESULTS: Of the 1207 potentially relevant apps, only 6 (0.49%) met the inclusion criteria. Most apps were excluded because the content was not related to teaching schoolchildren BLS. The mean total scores for the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale and System Usability Scale score were 3.2/5 points (95% CI 3.0-3.4) and 47.1/100 points (95% CI 42.1-52.1), respectively. Half of the apps taught hands-only CPR, whereas the other half also included ventilation. All the apps indicated when to start chest compressions, and only 1 app taught BLS using an automated external defibrillator. Gamification was well integrated into the m-learning apps for teaching schoolchildren BLS, whereas the personal and fictional, educational, and performance gamification groups represented most GFs. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the quality and usability of BLS content in apps and combining them with GFs can offer educators novel m-learning tools to teach schoolchildren BLS skills.

The use of professional portfolios and profiles for career enhancement.

Since 1995, registered nurses and midwives have been obliged to develop and maintain a professional portfolio of evidence reflecting the learning activities that they have undertaken and how these have informed and influenced their practice. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that rather then just a retrospective account of continuing professional development activities, a portfolio can be used as a vehicle for engaging in self-assessment and personal development planning. Possible structures and type of evidence are explored and portfolios in the context of gaining accreditation for prior experiential learning, and in particular for those nurses in advanced clinical roles, are discussed.