Measuring the Salt Content of Sweat inside a Sweat-Absorbing Skin Adhesive.

Biofluids contain a wealth of different biomarkers, and their concentrations are indicative of the state of the body. As one of those biofluids, sweat is easily accessible, and its composition can, for example, be related to particular diseases or sports performance. Due to the relatively low sweat flow rates, however, adequate sampling is paramount. Here, we aim to explore the potential use of sweat-absorbing skin adhesives as a sweat sampling system for wearable sensors with a simple construction. Upon absorption of sweat, the electrochemical properties of the skin adhesive are determined by the composition of sweat and the amount of sweat within the skin adhesive (i.e., hydration). Through the incorporation of two polarizable electrodes within the skin adhesive, its electrical properties can be monitored using impedance spectroscopy. Here, the double layer capacitance is used as an indicator of hydration, while the conductance depends on both the ion concentration and hydration (the mobility of ions). By evaluating the conductance as a function of hydration, the ion concentration within an electrolyte solution can be estimated. We demonstrate the concept based on a simple model sensor patch, which is exposed to electrolyte solutions containing various concentrations of NaCl and an artificial sweat solution. Finally, we show that ion concentrations in human sweat can be estimated when the model sensor patch is worn during exercise.

Integrating the fundamentals of care framework in baccalaureate nursing education: An example from a nursing school in Denmark.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe and discuss the process of integrating the Fundamentals of Care framework in a baccalaureate nursing education at a School of Nursing in Denmark. BACKGROUND: Nursing education plays an essential role in educating nurses to work within healthcare systems in which a demanding workload on nurses results in fundamental nursing care being left undone. Newly graduated nurses often lack knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of delivering fundamental care in clinical practice. To develop nursing students' understanding of fundamental nursing, the conceptual Fundamentals of Care framework has been integrated in nursing education at a School of Nursing in Denmark. DESIGN AND METHODS: Discursive paper using an adjusted descriptive case study design for describing and discussing the process of integrating the conceptual Fundamentals of Care Framework in nursing education. RESULTS: The process of integrating the Fundamentals of Care framework is illuminated through a description of the context, in which the process occurs including the faculty members, lectures, case-based work and simulation laboratory in nursing education. Based on this description, opportunities such as supporting a holistic approach to an evidence-based integrative patient care and challenges such as scepticism among the faculty are discussed. CONCLUSION: It is suggested how integration of Fundamentals of Care Framework in lectures, case-based work and simulation laboratory can make fundamental nursing care more explicit in nursing education, support critical thinking and underline the relevance of evidence-based practice. The process relies on a supportive context, a well-informed and engaged faculty, and continuous reflections on how the conceptual framework can be integrated. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Integrating the Fundamentals of Care framework can support nursing students' critical thinking and reflection on what fundamental nursing care is and requires and eventually educate nurses in providing evidence-based fundamental nursing care.

Engaging, understanding and including young people in the provision of mental health services.

Suicide continues to be one of the leading causes of death among Australians aged 15-24 years. In order to reduce the burden of mental illness it is essential that we not only improve young people's access to professionals and services but ensure that mental health professionals and young people are better equiped to work together in the treatment and management of mental health disorders. Young people have tradititionally been viewed within the health sector as clients or service recipients. As a result compliance to treatment, whether pharmacological or psychological has been less than ideal. Current evidence suggests that involving young people directly in the development and delivery of services impacts positively on the individuals experience and service uptake. This paper is based on conference presentations by Reach Out! Youth Ambassadors Rosie Swanton and Ingrid Sorensen at the Australian and New Zealand Adolescent Health Conference in Sydney. These presentations explored Reach Out! a unique Australian Internet-based mental health service for young people. Since launching in 1998 it has been accessed by over four million users and 332 young people have been directly involved in the development and delivery of the serivce. This paper describes the Reach Out! youth participation model as a case study in youth participation. It presents and suggests practical steps to engage, understand and involve young people to increase the impact of mental health professionals and services in addressing the mental health needs of young people.