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Background The importance of effective clinical supervision for emerging clinicians is well recognised, not only for practice preparation, but also for reducing future attrition rates. Also recognised are the challenges faced by both students and supervisors during the supervision experience. This study aimed to identify the qualities of the "ideal" clinical supervision environment from the perspective of clinical supervisors from both nursing and allied health. Design A qualitative study using an interview method based on action research. Methods The convergent interview method was used with 20 clinical supervisors and educators from nursing and allied health across Victoria. Interviews were recorded and data analysis occurred at the end of each pair of interviews to develop deeper questions in line with the method. Results 12 major themes emerged as "ideal" qualities with a range of suggestions on how these can be achieved. Conclusion The "ideal" qualities can be used in assessing and improving current contexts, as well as designing new clinical supervision processes, models, programs and guidelines or policies. The convergent interview method allowed for deeper level analysis than previous research.

Malaria is responsible for close to 1 million deaths each year, mostly among African children. Red blood cells (RBCs) of children with severe malarial anemia show loss of complement regulatory proteins such as complement receptor 1 (CR1). We carried out this study to identify socio-economic, environmental, and biological factors associated with the loss of RBC CR1. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a malaria holoendemic area of western Kenya. Twelve socioeconomic, environmental, and biological factors were examined for a relationship with RBC CR1 level using bivariate linear regression followed by creation of a multivariate linear regression model. A significant positive relationship between RBC CR1 level and use of mosquito countermeasures was found. However, there was no evidence of a significant relationship between RBC CR1 level and malaria infection or parasitemia level. Reducing mosquito exposure may aid in the prevention of severe malarial anemia by reducing the number of infections and thus preserving RBC CR1.

David Price,1,2 Alan Kaplan,3 Rupert Jones,4 Daryl Freeman,5 Anne Burden,2 Shuna Gould,2 Julie von Ziegenweidt,2 Muzammil Ali,2 Christine King,2 Mike Thomas6 1Academic Centre of Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, 2Research in Real-Life, Cambridge, UK; 3Family Physician Airways Group of Canada, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada; 4Centre for Clinical Trials and Health Research, Plymouth University, Plymouth, 5Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, Norwich, 6Primary Care Research, University of Southhampton, Southhampton, UK Background: Randomized controlled trials indicate that addition of a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) such as tiotropium may improve asthma control and reduce exacerbation risk in patients with poorly controlled asthma, but broader clinical studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of LAMA in real-life asthma care. Methods: Medical records of adults with asthma (aged ≥18 years) prescribed tiotropium were obtained from the UK Optimum Patient Care Research Database for the period 2001–2013. Patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded, but no other clinical exclusions were applied. Two primary outcomes were compared in the year before (baseline) and the year after (outcome) addition of tiotropium: exacerbations (asthma-related hospital emergency department attendance or inpatient admission, or acute oral corticosteroid course) and acute respiratory events (exacerbation or antibiotic prescription with lower respiratory consultation). Secondary outcomes included lung function test results and short-acting β2 agonist usage. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for variables measured on the interval scale, the marginal homogeneity test for categorized variables, and the paired t-test for lung function indices. Results: Of the 2,042 study patients, 83% were prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid and 68% a long-acting ß2 agonist during the baseline year; 67% were prescribed both. Comparing baseline and outcome years, the percentage of patients having at least one exacerbation decreased from 37% to 27% (P

Background: Efficacy trials suggest that extra-fine particle beclometasone dipropionate-formoterol (efBDP-FOR) is comparable to fluticasone propionate-salmeterol (FP-SAL) in preventing asthma exacerbations at a clinically equivalent dosage. However, switching from FP-SAL to efBDP-FOR has not been evaluated in real-world asthma patients. Aims: The REACH (Real-world Effectiveness in Asthma therapy of Combination inHalers) study investigated the clinical and cost effectiveness of switching typical asthma patients from FP-SAL to efBDP-FOR. Methods: A retrospective matched (1:3) observational study of 1,528 asthma patients aged 18–80 years from clinical practice databases was performed. Patients remaining on FP-SAL (n=1,146) were compared with those switched to efBDP-FOR at an equivalent or lower inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) dosage (n=382). Clinical and economic outcomes were compared between groups for the year before and after the switch. Non-inferiority (at least equivalence) of efBDP-FOR was tested against FP-SAL by comparing exacerbation rates during the outcome year. Results: efBDP-FOR was non-inferior to FP-SAL (adjusted exacerbation rate ratio 1.01 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.37)). Switching to efBDP-FOR resulted in significantly better (p

David Price,1,2 Andrew M Wilson,3 Alison Chisholm,4 Anna Rigazio,2 Anne Burden,2 Michael Thomas,5 Christine King2 1Centre for Academic Primary Care, The Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, 2Research in Real-Life, Cambridge, 3Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, 4Respiratory Effectiveness Group, Cambridge, 5Primary Medical Care, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK Purpose: Acute, severe asthma exacerbations can be difficult to predict and thus prevent. Patients who have frequent exacerbations are of particular concern. Practical exacerbation predictors are needed for these patients in the primary-care setting. Patients and methods: Medical records of 130,547 asthma patients aged 12–80 years from the UK Optimum Patient Care Research Database and Clinical Practice Research Datalink, 1990–2013, were examined for 1 year before (baseline) and 1 year after (outcome) their most recent blood eosinophil count. Baseline variables predictive (P400/µL (versus ≤400/µL) increased the likelihood of two or more exacerbations >1.4-fold (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39, 1.58); P25-fold (OR: 25.7 [95% CI: 23.9, 27.6]; P

David Price,1,2 Vicky Thomas,2 Julie von Ziegenweidt,2 Shuna Gould,2 Catherine Hutton,2 Christine King2 1Academic Centre of Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK; 2Research in Real Life, Oakington, Cambridge, UK Purpose: To investigate the clinical and cost effectiveness of switching real-life asthma patients from other types of inhalers to the Easyhaler® (EH) for the administration of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Patients and methods: Historical, matched-cohort study of 1,958 asthma patients (children and adults) treated in UK primary-care practices, using data obtained from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database and Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Other inhalers (OH) included pressurized metered-dose inhalers, breath-actuated inhalers, and dry-powder inhalers, delivering beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, or ciclesonide. Patients remaining on OH unchanged (same drug, dosage, and device; n=979) were matched 1:1 with those switched to the EH (beclomethasone or budesonide) at the same or lower ICS dosage (n=979), based on age, sex, year of index patient review/switch, most recent ICS drug, dosage, and device, and the number of severe exacerbations and average daily short-acting β2 agonist (SABA) dosage in the preceding year. Clinical outcomes and health care costs were compared between groups for 12 months before and after the switch. Co-primary clinical outcomes were: 1) risk domain asthma control (RDAC) – no asthma-related hospitalization, acute oral steroid use, or lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI); 2) exacerbation rate (American Thoracic Society [ATS] definition) – where exacerbation is asthma-related hospitalization or acute oral steroid use; 3) exacerbation rate (clinical definition) – where exacerbation is ATS exacerbation or LRTI; and 4) overall asthma control (OAC) – RDAC plus average salbutamol-equivalent SABA dosage ≤200 μg/day. Non-inferiority (at least equivalence) of EH was tested against OH for the four co-primary outcomes in order (hierarchical approach) by comparing the difference in proportions of patients [EH-OH] achieving asthma control or having no exacerbations in the outcome year, using a limit of 10% difference. Results: Non-inferiority was shown for the EH for all four co-primary outcomes. There were no significant differences between groups for RDAC or exacerbation rates, but EH patients were significantly more likely to achieve OAC (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.26 [1.05, 1.52]), as significantly more EH than OH patients had an average SABA dosage of ≤200 µg/day (52% versus 47%, respectively; P

Objectives.—To determine the frequency of crystalluria in patients treated with the human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor indinavir and to compare methods of detecting crystalluria. Methods.—A total of 308 freshly voided urine specimens from 168 patients treated with indinavir were evaluated by manual microscopy of sediment and microscopy with an automated workstation and by dipstick analysis. Results.—Crystals were detected in 22%, 31%, or 32% of specimens using, respectively, an automated workstation, manual microscopy, or both methods. Proteinuria or hemoglobinuria occurred significantly more often in specimens with (28%) than without (18%) crystals. Frequency of crystalluria was unrelated to specific gravity, but it increased at higher pH. Crystals were detected in 21% of specimens with pH less than 6 and 42% of specimens with pH of 6 or higher. Conclusions.—Crystalluria occurs in more than 30% of urine specimens from patients treated with indinavir, but detection rates vary substantially with method of analysis. Manual microscopy detected crystalluria 41% more often than did an automated workstation.

This study sought to determine the risk of low birth weight from intimate partner abuse. The case-control design was used in a purposively ethnically stratified multisite sample of 1,004 women interviewed during the 72 hours after delivery between 1991 and 1996. Abuse was determined by the Index of Spouse Abuse and a modification of the Abuse Assessment Screen. Separate analyses were conducted for 252 full term and 326 preterm infants. The final multiple logistic regression models were constructed to determine relative risk for low birth weight after controlling for other complications of pregnancy. Physical and nonphysical abuse as determined by the Index of Spouse Abuse were both significant risk factors for low birth weight for the full term infants but not the preterm infants on a bivariate level. However, the risk estimates decreased in significance in the adjusted models. Although today's short delivery stays make it difficult to assess for abuse, it is necessary to screen for domestic violence at delivery, especially for women who may not have obtained prenatal care. The unadjusted significant risk for low birth weight that became nonsignificant when adjusted suggests that other abuse-related maternal health problems (notably low weight gain and poor obstetric history) are confounders (or mediators) that help to explain the relation between abuse and low birth weight in full term infants.

Over the years the many and varied methods of treating or preventing exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses have been based on the various theories of the etiopathogenesis of the condition. When it was thought that a clotting defect was involved, procoagulants such a vitamin K, oxalic and malonic acids, and conjugated estrogens were used? On the basis that underlying small airway disease contributed to EIPH, anti-inflammatory agents, bronchodilators, and water vapor therapy have been advocated, e Although the current rationale for the use of furosemide is still being debated, its initial use apparently preceded the identification of the lung as the site of hemorrhage, 3 and its continued use may have been based on the drug's ability to improve ventilation in humans with pulmonary edema, z As John Pascoe wrote, "The diversity of these agents attests to the paucity of our knowledge about EIPH, the inventiveness of the prescribers, and the general frustration experienced by clinicians and horsemen in coping with this problem. ''2 To date, there is no consensus on the etiology or pathogenesis of EIPH even the actual site of hemorrhage is still in question. Is the hemorrhage from alveolar capillaries

Summary Rectal administration may be a very useful route for a variety of drugs in horses that are unwilling or unable to be medicated orally or parenterally. Metoclopramide and cisapride are both well absorbed rectally, and this may be used to advantage in cases of post-operative ileus and anterior enteritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are variably, but usually well absorbed rectally, thereby reducing the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration. Diazepam, theophylline and ketamine are rapidly and well absorbed from the rectum, which may be very useful when medicating foals or unhandled young horses. Most of the drugs discussed are available in rectal formulations (suppositories or microenemas) for humans, eliminating the need for veterinarians to experiment with base formulations. Various studies report the use of higher than normal doses when drugs are given rectally, to compensate for the often lower bioavailability when compared with oral or parenteral administration. There is very little data on the pharmacokinetics and recommended doses of drugs that may be administered rectally to horses, and caution must be taken when extrapolating from human and laboratory animal data. Despite this, the convenience and safety may well make up for the lower and variable bioavailability of drugs administered rectally.

Summary In summary, the FE of electrolytes and minerals is a practical, inexpensive and useful diagnostic tool that may enable recognition of renal and metabofic problems before they progress to an extreme, severely debilitating degree. Published normal values vary widely, but several studies have demonstrated the clinical relevance of FE measurement in renal tubular disease, metabolic diseases (such as NSH and low total body K), exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis, and in the determination of Ca and P balance in horses and ponies. The method is also valid in neonatal foals.

Objective To assess whether supplementation with calcium and cholecaliferol (vitamin D3) reduces the risk of fracture in women with one or more risk factors for fracture of the hip. Design Pragmatic open randomised controlled trial. Setting Practice nurse led clinics in primary care. Participants 3314 women aged 70 and over with one or more risk factors for hip fracture: any previous fracture, low body weight ( Intervention Daily oral supplementation using 1000 mg calcium with 800 IU cholecaliferol and information leaflet on dietary calcium intake and prevention of falls, or leaflet only (control group). Main outcome measures Primary outcome measure was all clinical fractures and secondary outcome measures were adherence to treatment, falls, and quality of life (measured with the SF-12). Results 69% of the women who completed the follow-up questionnaire at 24 months were still taking supplements (55% with inclusion of randomised participants known to be alive). After a median follow-up of 25 months (range 18 to 42 months), clinical fracture rates were lower than expected in both groups but did not significantly differ for all clinical fractures (odds ratio for fracture in supplemented group 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.71 to 1.43). The odds ratio for hip fracture was 0.75 (0.31 to 1.78). The odds of a woman having a fall at six and 12 months was 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. Quality of life did not significantly differ between the groups. Conclusion We found no evidence that calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of clinical fractures in women with one or more risk factors for hip fracture. RegistrationISRCTN26118436, controlled trials registry.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the genitourinary syndromes that accompany indinavir-associated pyuria. Of 23 indinavir-treated patients with persistent pyuria, 4 had isolated interstitial nephritis, 10 had both interstitial nephritis and urothelial inflammation, 7 had isolated urothelial inflammation, and 2 had pyuria with nonspecific urinary tract inflammation. A total of 21 patients had multinucleated histiocytes identified by cytologic testing of urine specimens. Urine abnormalities resolved in all 20 patients who stopped receiving indinavir therapy. Pyuria continued in the 3 patients who continued receiving indinavir. Six patients had elevated serum creatinine levels, which returned to baseline levels when indinavir was discontinued. In conclusion, indinavir-associated pyuria was frequently associated with evidence of interstitial nephritis and/ or urothelial inflammation, multinucleated histiocytes were commonly present in urine specimens, and cessation of indinavir therapy was associated with prompt resolution of urine abnormalities.