The Canadian Nursing Students' Association and its Advocacy for a Culturally Competent Entry-to-Practice Exam.

The Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) is the national voice of Canadian nursing students. Its goal is to increase the legal, ethical, professional and educational aspects of nursing, which are an integral part of the profession. The association is actively dedicated to the positive promotion of nurses and nursing as a whole. Since the implementation of the NCLEX-RN, CNSA has worked extensively to support nursing students as they write this entry-to-practice examination. On national and provincial platforms, CNSA has implored stakeholders to engage in an inclusive dialogue that results in increased support for nursing students with regard to the NCLEX-RN.

Reflexiones en torno al poder del consumidor alimentario / Reflections on the power of the food consumer / Reflexions al voltant del poder del consumidor alimentari

La evolución del sector alimentario ha ido pareja a nuevas necesidades sociales; en este proceso, el consumidor ha pasado de ser un agente pasivo a cobrar conciencia de su poder y posibilidades de acción, obligando a la producción alimentaria a considerar en su oferta cuestiones más allá del precio o la conveniencia. El etiquetado es buena muestra de esta evolución; inquietudes medioambientales, de salud, éticas, etc. se han impuesto y cada día son más importantes. El autor reflexiona sobre las razones detrás de este fenómeno, entre las que están la propia evolución de la sociedad, los medios de información y las nuevas tecnologías

Food sector has evolved hand in hand with society. In this sense, consumer has moved from a mere passive position to a real empowerment, with stronger influence in the food chain - thus changing the landscape of food consumption. Labelling is a good example of this evolution, and it is no longer a mere declaration of content but much more: environment, health, ethics and other issues are more and more present and crucial. The author explains this evolution having in mind not only societal changes but also the growing information available, the role of media and new information technologies

L'evolució del sector alimentari ha anat aparellat a noves necessitats socials; en aquest procés, el consumidor ha passat de ser un agent passiu a cobrar consciència del seu poder i possibilitats d'acció, obligant a la producció alimentària a considerar en la seva oferta qüestions més enllà del preu o la conveniència. L'etiquetatge és bona mostra d'aquesta evolució; inquietuds mediambientals, de salut, ètiques, etc. s'han imposat i cada dia són més importants. L'autor reflexiona sobre les raons darrere d'aquest fenomen, entre les quals estan la pròpia evolució de la societat, els mitjans d'informació i les noves tecnologies

Indicazioni in etichetta e messaggi fuorvianti nell'informazione del consumatore di alimenti / Food label and misleading messages in consumer information / Indicaciones en la etiqueta y mensajes engañosos en la información del consumidor de alimentos / Indicacions en l'etiqueta i missatges enganyosos en la informació del consumidor d'aliments

Consumatori e istituzioni considerano l’etichetta come una sorta di bussola indispensabile ai fini dell'orientamento nell'acquisto dei prodotti alimentari. Tuttavia, le informazioni che quest'ultima include, pur essendo veritiere, non sempre lo permettono, perché le indicazioni obbligatorie, di per sé o nell'interazione con le indicazioni facoltative, con la pubblicità o con il bagaglio identitario e cognitivo dei consumatori, possono veicolare messaggi allusivi, impliciti e fuorvianti. Il presente articolo intende analizzare i processi rappresentativi e volitivi sottostanti alla scelta di acquisto, che nel caso specifico assume caratteristiche sue proprie in ragione del bene oggetto del contratto e delle condizioni in cui questo si conclude. Inoltre, si propone di indagare l'interferenza del professionista nel processo decisionale del consumatore, attraverso lo studio di alcuni casi che mettono in evidenza i limiti intrinseci dell'etichetta come strumento informativo

Both consumers and institutions consider food label as an essential compass in the purchase of foodstuffs. However, label information, although truthful, does not always allow consumer orientation. Indeed, mandatory information, either per se or in interaction with optional elements, advertising, or with the identity and cognitive baggage in consumers’ psyches, may end up providing suggestive, implicit or misleading messages. This paper aims at analyzing the representative and volitional processes underlying purchasing decisions, which - in this specific case - assume particular characteristics depending on the type of good that is the object of the contract and on the special conditions under which it is concluded. The article also seeks to investigate the interference of professionals in the decision-making process. This will be done through the study of several leading cases that highlight the intrinsic limits of the label as an informative tool

Los consumidores y las instituciones consideran la etiqueta como una especie de brújula indispensable para orientarse a la hora de adquirir los productos alimenticios. Sin embargo, a pesar de ser verdaderas, las informaciones incluidas en las etiquetas no siempre lo permiten, ya que las indicaciones obligatorias, de por sí o en interacción con las indicaciones voluntarias, con la publicidad o con el bagaje identitario y cognitivo de los consumidores, pueden transmitir mensajes alusivos, implícitos o engañosos. El presente artículo pretende analizar los procesos representativos y volitivos subyacentes a la decisión de compra, la cual, en el caso específico, adquiere características propias en razón del bien objeto del contrato y de las condiciones en las que éste termina. Además, se propone investigar la interferencia del profesional en el proceso decisional del consumidor a través del estudio de unos casos que ponen en evidencia los límites intrínsecos de la etiqueta como herramienta informativa

Els consumidors i les institucions consideren l'etiqueta com una espècie de brúixola indispensable per orientar-se a l'hora d'adquirir els productes alimentaris. No obstant això, malgrat ser veritables, les informacions incloses en les etiquetes no sempre ho permeten, ja que les indicacions obligatòries, de per si mateixes o en interacció amb les indicacions voluntàries, amb la publicitat o amb el bagatge identitari i cognitiu dels consumidors, poden transmetre missatges al·lusius, implícits o enganyosos. El present article pretén analitzar els processos representatius i volitius subjacents a la decisió de compra, la qual, en el cas específic, adquireix característiques pròpies en raó del bé objecte del contracte i de les condicions en les quals aquest acaba. A més, es proposa investigar la interferència del professional en el procés de decisió del consumidor a través de l'estudi de casos que posen en evidència els límits intrínsecs de l'etiqueta com a eina informativa

Developing an alternative alcohol advertising complaint review system: lessons from a world-first public health advocacy initiative.

Young people in Australia are frequently exposed to alcohol marketing. Leading health organisations recommend legislative controls on alcohol advertising as part of a comprehensive approach to reduce alcohol-related harm. However, Australia relies largely on industry self-regulation. This paper describes the development and implementation of the Alcohol Advertising Review Board (AARB), a world-first public health advocacy initiative that encourages independent regulation of alcohol advertising. The AARB reviews complaints about alcohol advertising, and uses strategies such as media advocacy, community engagement and communicating with policy makers to highlight the need for effective regulation. In 4 years of operation, the AARB has received more complaints than the self-regulatory system across a similar period. There has been encouraging movement towards stronger regulation of alcohol advertising. Key lessons include the importance of a strong code, credible review processes, gathering support from reputable organisations, and consideration of legal risks and sustainability. The AARB provides a unique model that could be replicated elsewhere.

An examination of Australian newspaper coverage of the link between alcohol and cancer 2005 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol is a Class-1 carcinogen but public awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer is low. The news media is a popular, readily-accessible source of health information and plays a key role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy-makers. Examination of how the link between alcohol and cancer is presented in Australian print media could inform public health advocacy efforts to raise awareness of this modifiable cancer risk factor. METHOD: This study provides a summative qualitative content analysis of 1502 articles that included information about a link between alcohol and cancer, as reported within Australian newspaper media (2005-2013). We use descriptive statistics to examine the prominence of reports, the nature and content of claims regarding the link between alcohol and cancer, and the source of information noted in each article. RESULTS: Articles were distributed throughout newspapers, most appearing within the main (first) section. The link between alcohol and cancer tended not to appear early in articles, and rarely featured in headlines. 95% of articles included a claim that alcohol causes cancer, 5% that alcohol prevented or did not cause cancer, 1% included both. Generally, the amount of alcohol that would cause or prevent cancer was unspecified or open to subjective interpretation. Coverage increased over time, primarily within community/free papers. The claim that alcohol causes cancer often named a specific cancer, did not name a specific alcohol, was infrequently the focus of articles (typically subsumed within an article on general health issues), and cited various health-promoting (including advocacy) organisations as information sources. Articles that included the converse also tended not to focus on that point, often named a specific type of alcohol, and most cited research institutions or generic 'research' as sources. Half of all articles involved repetition of materials, and most confirmed that alcohol caused cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Information about a link between alcohol and cancer is available in the Australian newsprint media, but may be hidden within and thus overshadowed by other health-related stories. Strategic collaboration between health promoting organisations, and exploitation of 'churnalism' and journalists' preferences for ready-made 'copy' may facilitate increased presence and accuracy of the alcohol-cancer message.

Social Justice as the Moral Core of Family Medicine: A Perspective from the Keystone IV Conference.

A recurring conference theme was the essential place of social justice within family medicine, especially the need to focus on denominator populations, exalt the personal and caring qualities of doctoring, and address social determinants of health. Many expressed solidarity with "community," but it is not always easy to define community in our large and diverse nation. Exhortations for health advocacy were frequently voiced, but putting these into meaningful action agendas is a challenge. There was general agreement that medicine is in flux and that the many expressions of "commodity-centered consumerism" have altered organization and financing. The increasing demands by "consumers", who want low cost, instant availability, and shared decision-making, and yet change doctors when health plans alter coverage also differentially impact high-volume, low-margin specialties such as family medicine. Additional challenges were the electronic health record and calibrating an appropriate work/life balance. Five action steps are recommended: 1) speak out on the important social and moral issues; 2) be the experts on personal care; 3) make common cause with potential allies; 4) help institutions perceive the value of generalism; and 5) help find ways to enrich generalist disciplines to increase the joy of medicine and decrease the threat of burn out.

Acceso público a los resultados de los ensayos clínicos con medicamentos: ¿es esto suficiente para clínicos y pacientes? / Public access to the results of clinical trials with drugs: Is this enough for practicing physicians and patients?

No disponible

The influence of organic production on food quality - research findings, gaps and future challenges.

Although several meta-analysis studies have been published comparing the quality of food derived from organic and non-organic origin, it is still not clear if food from organic production per se can guarantee product-related added value to consumers. This paper aims to summarize the status quo in order to identify research gaps and suggest future research challenges. Organic food is described according to a quality model already published. The influence of organic production on food quality is structured in primary production and processing. Furthermore, organic food authentication is discussed. Organic food seems to contain fewer pesticide residues and statistically more selected health-related compounds such as polyphenols in plant products and polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk and meat products, but the health relevance for consumers is not clear yet. Comparing food from organic origin with so called 'conventional' food seems not to be appropriate, because 'conventional' is not defined. In organic food quality research a system approach is needed from which systemic markers can be selected. Research on the impact of processing technologies on the quality according to organic principles seems of high relevance, since most of the food is processed.

Status quo and future research challenges on organic food quality determination with focus on laboratory methods.

Organic food quality determination needs multi-dimensional evaluation tools. The main focus is on the authentication as an analytical verification of the certification process. New fingerprinting approaches such as ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, direct analysis in real time-high-resolution mass spectrometry as well as crystallization with and without the presence of additives seem to be promising methods in terms of time of analysis and detecting organic system-related parameters. For further methodological development, a system approach is recommended, which also takes into account food structure aspects. Furthermore, the authentication of processed organic samples needs more consciousness, hence most of organic food is complex and processed.

Organic food processing: a framework for concept, starting definitions and evaluation.

In 2007 EU Regulation (EC) 834/2007 introduced principles and criteria for organic food processing. These regulations have been analysed and discussed in several scientific publications and research project reports. Recently, organic food quality was described by principles, aspects and criteria. These principles from organic agriculture were verified and adapted for organic food processing. Different levels for evaluation were suggested. In another document, underlying paradigms and consumer perception of organic food were reviewed against functional food, resulting in identifying integral product identity as the underlying paradigm and a holistic quality view connected to naturalness as consumers' perception of organic food quality. In a European study, the quality concept was applied to the organic food chain, resulting in a problem, namely that clear principles and related criteria were missing to evaluate processing methods. Therefore the goal of this paper is to describe and discuss the topic of organic food processing to make it operational. A conceptual background for organic food processing is given by verifying the underlying paradigms and principles of organic farming and organic food as well as on organic processing. The proposed definition connects organic processing to related systems such as minimal, sustainable and careful, gentle processing, and describes clear principles and related criteria. Based on food examples, such as milk with different heat treatments, the concept and definitions were verified. Organic processing can be defined by clear paradigms and principles and evaluated according criteria from a multidimensional approach. Further work has to be done on developing indicators and parameters for assessment of organic food quality.

The evolution of advocacy and orthopaedic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The future direction of American health care has become increasingly controversial during the last decade. As healthcare costs, quality, and delivery have come under intense scrutiny, physicians play evolving roles as "advocates" for both their profession and patients via healthcare policy. Hospital-physician alignment is critical to the future success of advocacy among orthopaedic surgeons, as both hospitals and physicians are key stakeholders in health care and can work together to influence major health policy decisions. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We (1) define the role of advocacy in medicine, specifically within orthopaedic surgery; (2) explore the history of physician advocacy and its evolution; (3) examine the various avenues of involvement for orthopaedic surgeons interested in advocacy; and (4) reflect on the impact of such activities on the future of orthopaedic surgery as it relates to hospital-physician alignment. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive review of the literature through a bibliographic search of MEDLINE(®) and Google Scholar databases from January 2000 to December 2010 to identify articles related to advocacy and orthopaedic surgery. RESULTS: Advocacy among orthopaedic surgeons is critical in guiding the future of the American healthcare system. In today's world, advocacy necessitates a wider effort to improve healthcare access, quality, and delivery for patients on a larger scale. The nature of physician advocacy among orthopaedic surgeons is grounded in the desire to serve patients and alleviate their suffering. Participation in medical societies and political campaigns are two avenues of involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing role of government in American health care will require a renewed commitment to advocacy efforts from orthopaedic surgeons. The role of advocacy is rapidly redefining the continuum of care to a trinity of clinical excellence, innovative research, and effective advocacy. Failure to recognize this growing role of advocacy limits the impact we can have for our patients.

Organic food quality: a framework for concept, definition and evaluation from the European perspective.

Consumers buy organic food because they believe in the high quality of the product. Furthermore, the EU legal regulatory framework for organic food and farming defines high quality of the products as an important goal of production. A major challenge is the need to define food quality concepts and methods for determination. A background is described which allows embedding of the quality definitions as well as evaluation methods into a conceptual framework connected to the vision and mission of organic agriculture and food production. Organic food quality is defined through specific aspects and criteria. For evaluation each criterion has to be described by indicators. The determination of indicators should be through parameters, where parameters are described by methods. Conversely, the conceptual framework is described according to underlying principles and starting definitions are given, but further work has do be done on the detailed scientific description of the indicators. Furthermore, parameters have to be defined for the evaluation of suitability of these indicators for organic food production.

Finding electronic information for health policy advocacy: a guide to improving search results.

PURPOSE: The success of advanced practice registered nurses' (APRNs') health policy advocacy depends on staying well informed about key issues. Searching for high-quality health policy information, however, can be frustrating and time consuming. Busy clinicians need strategies and tips to reduce information overload and to access synthesized research for evidence-based health policy. This article therefore offers APRNs practical guidelines and resources for searching electronic health policy information. DATA SOURCES: Scholarly databases and Internet sites. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic health policy information is generated by a wide variety of public and private organizations and disseminated in hundreds of journals and Web pages. Specialty search tools are needed to retrieve the unindexed gray literature, which includes government documents, agency reports, fact sheets, standards, and statistics not produced by commercial publishers. Further, Internet users need to examine search results with a critical eye for information quality. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Expertise in searching electronic health policy information is a prerequisite for developing APRNs' leadership in political arenas to influence health policy and the delivery of healthcare services.