Transatlantic cooperation: using a consortial approach to enhance health professions education and practice.

In summary, consortial arrangements are excellent mechanisms to centralize operations, serve as a central clearinghouse for international information, increase communication, and create greater efficiencies in the exchange process. The outcomes of our initial experiences with the consortial arrangement indicate a great deal of satisfaction among students and faculty.

Reaching consensus on the National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda: a Delphi study. American Dental Hygienists Association Council on Research.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to achieve consensus on specific research topics under the national dental hygiene research agenda categories developed by the ADHA Council on Research. METHODS: A Delphi technique was used to survey a group of 48 dental hygiene experts to gain consensus about the appropriateness of topics for dental hygiene research. The study was carried out in three phases: a development and pilot-testing phase and two rounds of mailed surveys. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Instrument reliability was analyzed using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient and Cronbach's Alpha for internal consistency. RESULTS: Sixty-six topics reflective of the research agenda categories were identified through the first phase. Return rates of 100% and 94% were achieved for the two survey rounds. Instrument reliability was established at .91 and internal consistency at .94. After two rounds, consensus was reached on 37 of the 66 topics. CONCLUSIONS: Each of the categories comprising the ADHA national dental hygiene research agenda was well represented by the 37 topics. This finding provided evidence that there was consensus on the national agenda. However, reaching consensus is just the first step in the development of a long-range plan to guide research efforts and to promote depth in the development of a body of knowledge based on scientific inquiry.

Genotype/phenotype association in cystic fibrosis: analyses of the delta F508, R553X, and 3905insT mutations.

A striking clinical phenomenon of cystic fibrosis is the heterogeneous disease expression. It must therefore be assumed that the nature of the mutations associated with cystic fibrosis might partly determine the phenotypic manifestations. The relation between the cystic fibrosis mutations delta F508, R553X, and 3905insT and clinical parameters such as sweat test electrolytes, age at chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, Chrispin-Norman x-ray scores, and relative underweight have been investigated in 45 patients homozygous for delta F508 (delta F2), in 12 compound heterozygotes for delta F508/R553X (delta F1/RX1), in three R553X homozygotes (RX2), and in 13 patients compound heterozygous for delta F508/3905insT (delta F16). We have found significant differences between the genetically defined subgroups concerning the mean age at onset and the cumulative incidence of chronic P. aeruginosa colonization and Chrispin-Norman x-ray scores. The significant results as well as some trends regarding the relative underweight demonstrate a milder clinical course in R553X heterozygotes and more severe disease in the delta F16 group compared to delta F508 homozygotes. The three patients homozygous for R553X presented with a two-stage course showing mild progression before P. aeruginosa infection and as severe a course as the delta F16 patients after P. aeruginosa colonization at the age of 12 y. The findings presented here indicate that specific mutations can influence the severity and progression of the disease, implicating the importance of mutation and haplotype analyses. However, wide variations within the genetically homogeneous subgroups illustrate that other determinants of the clinical status do exist.

Impact of faculty and work role models on the professional socialization of dental hygienists.

The purpose of this study was to identify and assess the degree of influence dental hygiene role models in education and practice have on the professional socialization of recent dental hygiene graduates. Professional socialization was measured by two constructs: attitudes toward professionalism and interpersonal values. This study compared responses on attitudes and values scales of 1985 dental hygiene graduates who indicated they did or did not identify with a dental hygiene role model in school and at work. A comparison of responses on five other control variables also was assessed in relation to attitudes and values. Results showed that those respondents who identified with a role model in school held significantly stronger attitudes on the professional organization as major referent variable. However, graduates who did not identify with a faculty role model held stronger values on independence. Respondents who identified with a dental hygiene role model in practice held stronger values on benevolence but those who did not have a role model at work held stronger values on independence. There were no statistically significant differences between groups with or without a work role model on the attitudes scales.

An educational model for preparing dental hygiene students in the treatment of periodontal diseases.

Inflammatory periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Experts agree that prevention is crucial, with frequent and through plaque removal being the simplest and most effective method for preventing inflammatory periodontal disease. Since it is often the dental hygienist who plays the major role in providing such care, it is imperative that dental hygiene programs educate students in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases and provide necessary breadth and depth in theory and clinical experience in the curriculum. The purpose of this paper is to describe an educational model designed to enhance the treatment phase of the periodontal component of the curriculum for dental hygiene students. Both the didactic and clinical components of the periodontics courses are built upon a program-planning model: students assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the periodontal needs of all patients. Case presentations permit students to assimilate and analyze clinical data while internalizing the importance of comprehensive care and adequate follow-up. In general, the program-planning model in periodontics incorporates the application of theory to practice and enhances clinical decision-making skills needed for graduates to meet the complexity of periodontal health needs.

Research productivity of allied health faculty in academic health centers.

As colleges of allied health become a more integral part of the academic community, faculty will increasingly be expected to contribute to the research mission of their respective institutions. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics associated with research productivity of allied health faculty. A survey was mailed to 1444 full-time faculty members in 50 academic health centers nationwide, representing 10 of the most prevalent allied health fields. Research productivity was defined as the total number of publications produced by a faculty member over his/her academic career. Data from 579 respondents (40%) were analyzed. Results of the regression analysis showed that 44% of the variance in total publications was explained by an earned doctorate, hours spent in research, and salary. As a group, the study results showed that allied health faculty were not prolific researchers and did not publish extensively. Although faculty distributed their time among teaching, research, service, consulting, and practice, the greater percentage of faculty time was spent in teaching and service.

Role conflicts in nursing and allied health: a comparison of professional and organizational commitment.

Role compatibility and conflict between organizational and professional commitment for nurses, high school teachers, college faculty, and social workers have been the focus of several studies over the past two decades. The typical view has been that the professional employee must choose between the profession and the employing organization, since the values of each conflict. Primarily, studies have shown a basic incompatibility between professionals and organizations: the professional is seen as responding to authority based on expertise, while the organization is characterized by authority based on hierarchical position. Since a study of this type has not been conducted in allied health specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine whether bureaucratic and professional role concepts conflict with the allied health professional. Recent graduates and graduates with two years of employment experience representing nursing and four allied health disciplines at one institution were surveyed. Results of the study indicated that the respondents were able to maintain a high degree of professional commitment without perceiving undue conflict from the demands of the organization. Based on the findings, allied health educators are encouraged to examine the curriculum to ensure graduates are prepared for the realities of employment as well as committed to their respective professions.