Moving more: physical activity and its positive effects on long term conditions in children and young people.

While the benefits of regular participation in physical activity in children and young people are clear, misconceptions have developed about the possible negative effects and potential complications of exercise on long-term conditions such as epilepsy, asthma and diabetes. Over the last decade evidence has emerged supporting the positive impact that physical activity has on long-term conditions. Previous concerns were raised about the risks of hypoglycaemia in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) thus limiting participation in sports. Importantly, physical activity improves the metabolic profile, bone mineral density, cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin sensitivity while lowering mortality risk in children with T1DM. Children with asthma were prevented from doing exercise due to concerns about precipitating an acute asthmatic episode. To the contrary, physical activity interventions have consistently shown an increase in cardiovascular fitness, physical capacity, asthma-free days and quality of life in childhood asthmatics. Children with epilepsy are often excluded from sports due to concerns relating to increased seizure frequency, yet evidence suggests that this is not the case. The evidence supporting physical activity in childhood survivors of cancer is growing but still primarily confined to patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Participation in sports and physical activity also reduces mental health problems developing in adolescence. While further research is required to investigate benefits of physical activity on specific aspects of long-term conditions in children, in general this group should be advised to increase participation in sports and exercise as a means of improving long-term physical and mental health.

Evaluating Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration and Education Among Health Professional Learners.

BACKGROUND: An interprofessional education (IPE) workshop was established to enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes for health professional learners to engage in interprofessional collaboration (IPC) through group-based activities. This study evaluates the IPC attitudes of learners following the IPE workshop. METHOD: Learner attitudes were measured pre- and post-workshop with the validated ICCAS survey for years 2017 and 2018. Areas such as communication and collaboration were assessed using a 7-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. RESULTS: 161/420 (38%) and 399/446 (89%) of surveys were completed in 2017 and 2018. Median scores were significantly higher post-workshop for both years (p < 0.001). Pre-test differences were observed between Medicine and Pharmacy in both years and post-test differences between Optometry and Nursing in 2018. CONCLUSION: Positive outcomes are being observed among learners through IPC educational events. Further research is required to determine whether such activities promote IPC in future practice.