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This article investigates the incidence, prevalence and factors associated with occupational tuberculosis (TB) in healthcare workers (HCWs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Studies were extracted from MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement from inception to the 2nd of June 2017. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The median prevalence of latent TB infection in HCWS was 62% (IQR 22%) and the median incidence of TB disease was 3871/100,000 (IQR 9314/100,000). The risk factors associated with LTBI or active TB disease were workplace, history of contact with TB patients, and longer duration of employment. The findings of this review demonstrate that the risk of acquiring TB among HCWs in SSA is high. This may impact on the recruitment, longevity and retention of HCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is likely that calls for disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) continue in response to international disasters. As part of a national survey, the present study was designed to evaluate the Australian DMAT experience and the need for logistic support. Methods: Data were collected via an anonymous mailed survey distributed via State and Territory representatives on the Australian Health Protection Committee, who identified team members associated with Australian DMAT deployments from the 2004 Asian Tsunami disaster. Results: The response rate for this survey was 50% (59/118). Most of the personnel had deployed to the South East Asian Tsunami affected areas. The DMAT members had significant clinical and international experience. There was unanimous support for dedicated logistic support with 80% (47/59) strongly agreeing. Only one respondent (2%) disagreed with teams being self sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours. Most felt that transport around the site was not a problem (59%; 35/59), however, 34% (20/59) felt that transport to the site itself was problematic. Only 37% (22/59) felt that pre-deployment information was accurate. Communication with local health providers and other agencies was felt to be adequate by 53% (31/59) and 47% (28/59) respectively, while only 28% (17/59) felt that documentation methods were easy to use and reliable. Less than half (47%; 28/59) felt that equipment could be moved easily between areas by team members and 37% (22/59) that packaging enabled materials to be found easily. The maximum safe container weight was felt to be between 20 and 40 kg by 58% (34/59). Conclusions: This study emphasises the importance of dedicated logistic support for DMAT and the need for teams to be self sufficient for a minimum period of 72 hours. There is a need for accurate pre deployment information to guide resource prioritisation with clearly labelled pre packaging to assist access on site. Container weights should be restricted to between 20 and 40 kg, which would assist transport around the site, while transport to the site was seen as problematic. There was also support for training of all team members in use of basic equipment such as communications equipment, tents and shelters and water purification systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Calls for disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) are likely to continue in response to international disasters. As part of a national survey, this study was designed to evaluate Australian DMAT experience in relation to the human resources issues associated with deployment. Methods: Data was collected via an anonymous mailed survey distributed via State and Territory representatives on the Australian Health Protection Committee, who identified team members associated with Australian DMAT deployments from the 2004 South East Asian Tsunami disaster. Results: The response rate for this survey was 50% (59/118). Most personnel had deployed to the Asian Tsunami affected areas with DMAT members having significant clinical and international experience. While all except one respondent stated they received a full orientation prior to deployment, only 34% of respondents (20/59) felt their role was clearly defined pre deployment. Approximately 56% (33/59) felt their actual role matched their intended role and that their clinical background was well suited to their tasks. Most respondents were prepared to be available for deployment for 1 month (34%, 20/59). The most common period of notice needed to deploy was 6–12 hours for 29% (17/59) followed by 12–24 hours for 24% (14/59). The preferred period of overseas deployment was 14–21 days (46%, 27/59) followed by 1 month (25%, 15/59) and the optimum shift period was felt to be 12 hours by 66% (39/59). The majority felt that there was both adequate pay (71%, 42/59) and adequate indemnity (66%, 39/59). Almost half (49%, 29/59) stated it was better to work with people from the same hospital and, while most felt their deployment could be easily covered by staff from their workplace (56%, 33/59) and caused an inconvenience to their colleagues (51%, 30/59), it was less likely to interrupt service delivery in their workplace (10%, 6/59) or cause an inconvenience to patients (9%, 5/59). Deployment was felt to benefit the affected community by nearly all (95%, 56/59) while less (42%, 25/59) felt that there was a benefit for their own local community. Nearly all felt their role was recognised on return (93%, 55/59) and an identical number (93%, 55/59) enjoyed the experience. All stated they would volunteer again, with 88% strongly agreeing with this statement. Conclusions: This study of Australian DMAT members provides significant insights into a number of human resources issues and should help guide future deployments. The preferred 'on call' arrangements, notice to deploy, period of overseas deployment and shift length are all identified. This extended period of operations needs to be supported by planning and provision of rest cycles, food, temporary accommodation and rest areas for staff. The study also suggests that more emphasis should be placed on team selection and clarification of roles.While the majority felt that there was both adequate pay and adequate indemnity, further work clarifying this, based on national conditions of service should be, and are, being explored currently by the state based teams in Australia. Importantly, the deployment was viewed positively by team members who all stated they would volunteer again, which allows the development of an experienced cohort of team members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study examined the extent to which musculoskeletal disorders [MSD] affect military populations, as well as intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with MSD and the relative contribution of training, sports, and manual handling. A search of published literature was conducted using PubMed-listed articles published up to February 2006. Findings: Although physical conditioning represents an important facet of military preparedness. up to half of all recruits may suffer an injury during their basic military training. Musculoskeletal disorders are a common occurrence for soldiers and represent an important source of morbidity for the military as a whole. Intrinsic risk factors linked to military training injuries include a diverse range of inherent variables such as the level of prior physical conditioning, psychological make up, age, height, weight, and gender. Extrinsic risk factors for military MSD include training surface, exercise when fatigued, progressive training in place of cyclical training, and the type of footwear usually worn. Other military-specific variables may also include drill methods. the arrangement of platoons, training technique, and the actual training distance. Conclusions: Overall, this review suggests that MSD arc a common occurrence for military personnel and represent an important source of morbidity for the military as a whole. In meeting this problem, there is clearly an urgent need to target effective preventive measures, especially those involving military-specific training and sports activities, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores learning experiences from both a general and a medical education perspective. A broad range of learning experiences, both planned and incidental, are identified. The former is dealt with in greater detail as it would seem to have more immediate practical relevance. Ultimately, all learning experiences should in some way be linked to the stated learning objectives. Planned learning experiences cover such traditional teaching-learning methods as lectures, tutorials, projects and assignments. The application and explosion of new technologies is also discussed. Modern computer, video and Internet technology is playing an increasing role in medical education, particularly in bringing rural and remote participants into closer contact with their city counterparts. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are examined. A successful approach to teaching and learning in medical education is likely to involve the application of a number of different types of learning experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Talks about content in medical education which should be based on health problems and sequenced to capitalize on prior knowledge. Development of scope and sequence; Organizing content; Inclusion of content; Balance of breadth and depth; Sequence of content.

Editorial. Comments on the two major forms of curriculum design within medical schools in Australia. Advantages and disadvantages of the innovative and traditional approaches of curriculum design; Introduction of medial school accreditation in Australia; Reasons for the losing ability of the Australian schools to influence the nature of the medical curriculum.