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Item Clinical characteristics of patients with refractory non-epileptic seizures(Elsevier, 2024-04-19) Fullam, Sarah; Costello, Daniel J.Objectives: This incidence of non-epileptic seizures (NES) is estimated at 1–35 per 100,000 population. While many patients achieve remission, a significant fraction of patients have a poor prognosis despite optimal interventions. This study reports on the characteristics of patients with refractory NES diagnosed and treated at a comprehensive epilepsy centre. Methods: A retrospective review of admissions to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit identified patients diagnosed with NES over a 6-year period. Patients with refractory NES were identified through review of medical files. A diagnosis of refractory NES was assigned when patients experienced ongoing NES at least 1 year after diagnostic video-EEG monitoring. Data pertaining to predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors was collected on all patients and a comparative analysis was conducted between refractory and non-refractory cases. Results: 66 patients with NES were identified, 35% were deemed refractory. There was no significant difference amongst predisposing factors between the groups. Psychosocial adversity and a clear precipitant proximate to the onset of NES were significantly more common in the refractory cohort. Unemployment at time of diagnosis was a significant perpetuating factor associated with poor outcome. Conclusion: This study provides insight into the features associated with refractory NES and may serve to improve prognostication and management in this disabling condition.Item Design of a multi-sensors wearable system for continuous home monitoring of people with Parkinson's(IEEE, 2024-03-11) Sica, Marco; Varnosfaderani, Omid Talebi; Crowe, Colum; Kenny, Lorna; Bocchino, Andrea; O'Flynn, Brendan; Mueller, David Scott; Tedesco, Salvatore; Timmons, Suzanne; Barton, John; Enterprise Ireland; AbbVie; Science Foundation Ireland; European Regional Development FundParkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that impairs motor functions and is accompanied by a wide range of non-motor symptoms, such as sleep problems. Parkinsonism is assessed during clinical evaluations and via self-administered diaries and, based on these, the required medication therapies are provided to lessen symptoms. Tri-axial accelerometers and gyroscopes have the potential utility to objectively assess the patient’s condition and aid clinicians in their decision-making. People with Parkinson’s often have significant abnormalities in blood pressure due to comorbid age-related cardiovascular disease and orthostatic hypotension, which result in blurred vision, dizziness, and falls. Frequent blood pressure monitoring may aid in the evaluation of such events and differentiate Parkinson’s disease symptoms from those originated by hypotension. In the present paper, a novel technology for the remote monitoring of Parkinsonian symptoms is presented: the WESAA system. It consists of two devices, worn on the wrist and ankle; its main function is to record accelerations and angular velocities from these body parts, together with photoplethysmograph and electrocardiogram data. This information can be elaborated offline to measure common Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms (e.g., tremor, bradykinesia, and dyskinesia), as well as gait speed, sleep-wake cycles, and cuff-less blood pressure measurements. The overall system requirements, market overview, industrial design and ergonomics, system development, user experience, early results of the gathered inertial raw data, and validation of the photoplethysmograph and electrocardiogram signal waveforms are all thoroughly discussed. The developed technology satisfies all system requirements, and the sensors adopted provided outcomes comparable with gold standard techniques.Item Evolving radiographic practice: Identifying possible skill requirements for future radiographers practicing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)(Elsevier Inc., 2024-05-07) David, Leena R.; Elshami, Wiam; Lawal, Olanrewaju; Panakkal, Nitika; Visakh , T.; Abuzaid, Mohamed; England, Andrew; McEntee, Mark; Somasundaram, T.; Sukumar, Suresh; Ravichandran, Sneha; Yuvali, MelizAim: This study aims to identify the prospective skill requirements for future radiographers practising in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Such information will inform educational institutions, healthcare organisations, and policymakers in developing effective strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving currently practising radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, sonographers, and radiation therapists in the UAE (n =74). A comprehensive survey questionnaire was developed and validated through piloting and expert consultations. Ethical approval was obtained, and data were collected through purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Chi-square tests, and factor analysis were employed in the data analysis. Results: The results showed that 73%, 47.3%, 43.2%, 40.5%, 39.2%, 33.8% interested in radiology safety, image interpretation, interprofessional and interpersonal skills, research and managerial skills, Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) administration and AI (Artificial Intelligence) and, clinical supervision and assessment, respectively. The factor analysis showed four factors factor considered for CPD training are training settings (15.12), training topics (1.88), CPD credits (1.72) and, presenter and expenses (1.49). Conclusion: This study sheds light on the CPD requirements and aspirations of radiographers in the UAE, offering insights into their preferences and challenges. These findings can inform strategies for improving CPD opportunities and ensuring that radiographers are equipped to meet the evolving healthcare demands in the UAE, including performing enhanced practice. Implications for practice: Development of flexible and comprehensive CPD programmes tailored to radiographers' career interests is required. Employers should provide financial support and flexibility in training options. Regulatory bodies should continue to mandate CPD, fostering a culture of lifelong learning. Supportive work environments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technological fluency are crucial. Emphasising patient-centred care, research opportunities, and continuous assessment further enhances radiography practice.Item How to… get started with theory in education(John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2018-07-15) Johnston, Jenny; Bennett, Deirdre; Kajamaa, AnuThis paper, on using theory in health professions education research, is the second in a series that aims to support novice researchers within clinical education, particularly those undertaking their first qualitative study. Diving into the world of education theory can be challenging and uncomfortable for clinician-educators. Nonetheless, theory is an essential ingredient in high-quality research, shaping everything from research questions to study design, analysis and, ultimately, the interpretation of findings. We hope that this paper, introducing different levels of theory and examples of how to use theory, will shed light on how theory can be used in research, and that it will help you in getting to grips with using theory in your own work.Item Recommendations for blood sampling in emergency departments from the European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM), European Society for Emergency Nursing (EuSEN), and European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Working Group for the Preanalytical Phase. Executive summary(De Gruyter, 2024-04-08) Garcia-Castrillo, Luis; Cadamuro, Janne; Dodt, Christoph; Lauwaert, Door; Hachimi-Idrissi, Said; Van Der Linden, Christien; Bergs, Jochen; Costelloe, Sean; Grossmann, Florian; Koca, Ayca; Palomäki, Ari; Ruiz, Jose Luis; Stonys, Ricardas; Thorsteinsdottir, Thordís Katrín; von Meyer, Alexander; Vermeersch, Pieter; Abellas Alvarez, Maria Concepción; Eker, Pinar; Golea, Adela; Kurland, Lisa; Lippi, Giuseppe; Zhilenkova, Yulia; Sehmi, Kawaldip; BDAim: Blood Sampling Guidelines have been developed to target European emergency medicine-related professionals involved in the blood sampling process (e.g. physicians, nurses, phlebotomists working in the ED), as well as laboratory physicians and other related professionals. The guidelines population focus on adult patients. The development of these blood sampling guidelines for the ED setting is based on the collaboration of three European scientific societies that have a role to play in the preanalytical phase process: EuSEN, EFLM, and EUSEM. The elaboration of the questions was done using the PICO procedure, literature search and appraisal was based on the GRADE methodology. The final recommendations were reviewed by an international multidisciplinary external review group. Results: The document includes the elaborated recommendations for the selected sixteen questions. Three in pre-sampling, eight regarding sampling, three post-sampling, and two focus on quality assurance. In general, the quality of the evidence is very low, and the strength of the recommendation in all the questions has been rated as weak. The working group in four questions elaborate the recommendations, based mainly on group experience, rating as good practice. Conclusions: The multidisciplinary working group was considered one of the major contributors to this guideline. The lack of quality information highlights the need for research in this area of the patient care process. The peculiarities of the emergency medical areas need specific considerations to minimise the possibility of errors in the preanalytical phase.