Helena Ward

Outcomes of longitudinal integrated clinical placements for students, clinicians and society

Medical Education 2012: 46: 1028–1041

Faculty perceptions of interprofessional education

Nurses and other health professionals are required to demonstrate broad levels of expertise and service to ensure quality patient-centred health care. Interprofessional practice aligned with interprofessional education (IPE) has been promoted as a vehicle to promote broad levels of expertise. However, challenges remain for universities and other higher education institutions to successfully provide IPE opportunities for students. This paper presents perceptions of academic staff towards IPE from one Australian multi-campus health faculty. Perceptions were collected using interviews and two workshops. Findings are themed under the categories of faculty barriers, industry challenges and future opportunities. The perceptions of one health faculty regarding the fundamental factors required for IPE success were executive leadership of IPE, a supportive funding framework and an IPE based curricula. Nursing education can play a key role in embracing and leading future IPE approaches given that nurses are the numerically dominant health professional group and work collaboratively with other professionals to deliver patient-centred care.

A systematic review of faculty development initiatives designed to enhance teaching effectiveness: A 10-year update: BEME Guide No. 40

Abstract Background: This review, which focused on faculty development initiatives designed to improve teaching effectiveness, synthesized findings related to intervention types, study characteristics, individual and organizational outcomes, key features, and community building. Methods: This review included 111 studies (between 2002 and 2012) that met the review criteria. Findings: Overall satisfaction with faculty development programs was high. Participants reported increased confidence, enthusiasm, and awareness of effective educational practices. Gains in knowledge and skills, and self-reported changes in teaching behaviors, were frequently noted. Observed behavior changes included enhanced teaching practices, new educational initiatives, new leadership positions, and increased academic output. Organizational changes were infrequently explored. Key features included evidence-informed educational design, relevant content, experiential learning, feedback and reflection, educational projects, intentional community building, longitudinal program design, and institutional support. Conclusion: This review holds implications for practice and research. Moving forward, we should build on current success, broaden the focus beyond individual teaching effectiveness, develop programs that extend over time, promote workplace learning, foster community development, and secure institutional support. We should also embed studies in a theoretical framework, conduct more qualitative and mixed methods studies, assess behavioral and organizational change, evaluate transfer to practice, analyse key features, and explore the role of faculty development within the larger organizational context.

A physical map of the chromosomal region determining O-antigen biosynthesis in Vibrio cholerae 01

We have previously described the cosmid cloning of the genes determining the biosynthesis of the Inaba and Ogawa O-antigens of the lipopolysaccharides of Vibrio cholerae O1 (Manning et al., 1986). By Southern hybridization analysis of chromosomal and cosmid DNA, and heteroduplex analysis between the clones we have been able to precisely define the region of contiguous chromosomal DNA in the vicinity of the O-antigen-encoding region. These data and comparison of end points of clones and of deletion derivatives demonstrate that at least 16 kb of a 19-kb SstI fragment is required to encode O-antigen biosynthesis. Expression of O-antigen is independent of the orientation of this SstI fragment with respect to cloning vectors suggesting that its regulatory region has been cloned intact. No detectable differences were observed in the restriction patterns of the Inaba and Ogawa coding regions implying that only minor changes are involved when serotype conversion (Inaba to Ogawa or vice versa) occurs. Bhaskaran [Ind. J. Med. Res. 47 (1959) 253-260] originally defined this region associated with O-antigen biosynthesis oag; however, to be consistent with other organisms [Hitchcock et al., J. Bacteriol. 166 (1986) 699-705], it is suggested this be changed to rfb.

Mapping of chromosomal loci associated with lipopolysaccharide synthesis and serotype specificity in Vibrio cholerae 01 by transposon mutagenesis using Tn5 and Tn2680

SummaryVibrio cholerae strains of the 01 serotype have been classified into three subclasses, Ogawa, Inaba and Hikojima, which are associated with the O-antigen of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The DNA encoding the biosynthesis of the O-antigen, the rfb locus, has been cloned and analysed (Manning et al. 1986; Ward et al. 1987). Transposon mutagenesis of the Inaba and Ogawa strains of V. cholerae, using Tn5 or Tn2680 allowed the isolation of a series of independent mutants in each of these serotypes. Some of the insertions were mapped to the rfb region by Southern hybridization using the cloned rfb DNA as a probe, confirming this location to be responsible for both O-antigen production and serotype specificity. The other insertions allowed a second region to be identified which is involved in V. cholerae LPS biosynthesis.

Low adoption of pharmacogenetic testing: an exploration and explanation of the reasons in Australia

The research reported here sought to identify and illuminate the reasons for the low adoption of pharmacogenetic tests in Australia. The research initially established possible reasons and propositions drawn from previous studies and surveys on the problem in Europe and the literature on the adoption of innovations. A small-scale exploratory, qualitative study was undertaken in one state in Australia; clinicians and other stake-holders were interviewed about their use of or support for pharmacogenetic tests. The expected, quite extensive individual factors known to influence adoption and rejection of innovations were found to be present in the situations covered. The reasons for nonadoption that were found in previous surveys were also supported. Some other, possibly critical, reasons were also identified. The implications from this initial exploration are discussed and the prospects for the increased use of the tests proposed.

Cloning and analysis of the human complement factor H gene promoter

The 5′ flanking region of human factor H was cloned using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the promoter finder method. A total of 1.2 kb has been sequenced and a number of putative regulatory elements identified including glucocorticoid response elements. cAMP responsive element, HTF‐1, and acute phase signal sequences. A 717 b.p. fragment was cloned into a CAT reporter vector and transfected into HeLa cells. A series of truncations from the 5′ end of this fragment were also cloned into the CAT vector. Analysis of CAT activity of the cell lysates showed that the region from ‐699 to +18 is likely to contain promoter elements for the factor H gene as it was able to drive transcription of the CAT gene.

Engaging the learner: Embedding information literacy skills into a biotechnology degree

One of the challenges of the Biotechnology industry is keeping up to date with the rapid pace of change and that much of the information, which students learn in their undergraduate studies, will be out of date in a few years. It is therefore crucial that Biotechnology students have the skills to access the relevant information for their studies and critically evaluate the vast volume of information and its sources. By developing information literacy skills, which are part of lifelong learning, Biotechnology graduates are better prepared for their careers. Students also need to understand the issues related to the use of information such as social, political, ethical, and legal implications. This paper will outline the embedding of information literacy skills within the Biotechnology degree at the University of South Australia. Examples of specific activities and their link to assessment will be discussed.

A gene-targeting suicide vector for Streptococcus bovis

J.D. BROOKER, D.K. LUM, A.M. THOMSON AND H.M. WARD. 1995. A gene‐targeting suicide vector for Streptococcus bovis has been constructed using the Escherichia coli/Streptococcus shuttle plasmid, pMU1328, and a region derived from the broad host‐range, Gram‐positive transposon, Tn916. This suicide plasmid replicates autonomously in E. coli, but not in Strep, bovis or Strep, bovis Tn916. Under positive selection, the plasmid was shown to integrate into Strep, bovis Tn916 chromosomal DNA at a frequency of 3 × 10‐8cell‐1and was stably maintained for at least 100 generations in the absence of selection. This is the first report of a recombination system in ruminal bacteria. The ability to target genes, knock out specific functions or introduce novel genes into these micro‐organisms will allow ruminal species to be manipulated and may eventually lead to improved animal production.

Exploration of the perceptions, barriers and drivers of pharmacogenomics practice among hospital pharmacists in Adelaide, South Australia.

There is little literature regarding the barriers to the uptake of pharmacogenomics (PG) in pharmacy practice, especially with respect to Australia. To date, pharmacists have seldom been engaged in discussions of these issues. This study aimed to obtain an in-depth understanding of these barriers by interviewing pharmacists in Adelaide, South Australia. Ethics approved semistructured interviews were carried out with 21 public hospital pharmacists. Analysis of the data identified themes including: confidence to engage in PG, clinician acceptance of a pharmacist PG role, and the importance of timely and relevant PG education. Interviewees thought that pharmacists could have a greater participation in PG in the future, but they questioned whether this would be possible at the moment given, among other factors, existing time and work constraints.