ABSTRACT
A mixed method study was undertaken to capture quantitative and qualitative data in relation to the contemporary roles and skills of Operating Department Practitioners. The data provide evidence that Operating Department Practitioners take opportunities to widen their knowledge skills and practice, with over 37% of the sample completing a mentorship qualification and 14% having completed or studying towards a postgraduate or Master's Degree. The study provides evidence of the development in the roles of the Operating Department Practitioner and suggests that Operating Department Practitioners offer an eclectic mix of skills which are delivered in a variety of clinical settings. It is recognised that Operating Department Practitioners have the potential to further improve patient safety and service delivery in roles other than those historically associated with the profession.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Nurse Practitioners/organization & administration , Nurse's Role/psychology , Operating Room Nursing/organization & administration , Professional Autonomy , Professional Competence/standards , Education, Nursing, Graduate/organization & administration , Humans , Interprofessional Relations , Leadership , Nurse Clinicians/organization & administration , Nurse Practitioners/education , Operating Room Nursing/educationABSTRACT
We aimed to determine patient characteristics, treatment challenges, and adherence outcomes according to orphanhood status in a prospective cohort of 101 HIV+ children in rural Uganda. Orphans were older at antiretroviral initiation (P = 0.0008) and more likely to be WHO stage-4 (P = 0.03) than nonorphans. More attention to improving access to antiretrovirals in pediatric populations, especially orphans, is needed.
