Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care
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Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care · Aug 2014
Case ReportsRefugee children and their families: supporting psychological well-being and positive adaptation following migration.
The support of refugee children and their families is a worldwide concern. This article will highlight models of mental health care for refugee children and their families, focusing on collaborative care with primary care providers. Case vignettes are provided to illustrate how collaborative care can support refugee children׳s psychological well-being and positive adaptation following migration.
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Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care · Jul 2014
ReviewLeveraging e-learning in medical education.
e-Learning has become a popular medium for delivering instruction in medical education. This innovative method of teaching offers unique learning opportunities for medical trainees. The purpose of this article is to define the present state of e-learning in pediatrics and how to best leverage e-learning for educational effectiveness and change in medical education. ⋯ There were few studies about e-learning development, implementation, and needs assessments used to identify the institutional and learners' needs. Reviewed studies used various study designs, measurement tools, instructional time, and materials for e-learning interventions. e-Learning is a viable solution for medical educators faced with many challenges, including (1) promoting self-directed learning, (2) providing flexible learning opportunities that would offer continuous (24h/day/7 days a week) availability for learners, and (3) engaging learners through collaborative learning communities to gain significant learning and augment continuous professional development. Several important recommendations for faculty instructors interested in providing and/or improving e-learning activities for today's learners are detailed.
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Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care · Jul 2014
ReviewCompetency-based curricular design to encourage significant learning.
Most significant learning (SL) experiences produce long-lasting learning experiences that meaningfully change the learner's thinking, feeling, and/or behavior. Most significant teaching experiences involve strong connections with the learner and recognition that the learner felt changed by the teaching effort. L. ⋯ Emphasis on defining assessment methods prior to developing teaching/learning activities is the key: this ensures that assessment (where the learner should be at the end of the educational activity/process) drives instruction and that assessment and learning/instruction are tightly linked so that assessment measures a defined outcome (competency) of the learner. Employing backward design and the AAMC's MedBiquitous standard vocabulary for medical education can help to ensure that curricular design and redesign efforts effectively enhance educational program quality and efficacy, leading to improved patient care. Such methods can promote successful careers in health care for learners through development of self-directed learning skills and active learning, in ways that help learners become fully committed to lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
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Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care · May 2014
ReviewAdolescent fatigue, POTS, and recovery: a guide for clinicians.
Many teenagers who struggle with chronic fatigue have symptoms suggestive of autonomic dysfunction that may include lightheadedness, headaches, palpitations, nausea, and abdominal pain. Inadequate sleep habits and psychological conditions can contribute to fatigue, as can concurrent medical conditions. One type of autonomic dysfunction, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, is increasingly being identified in adolescents with its constellation of fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, and excessive postural tachycardia (more than 40 beats/min). ⋯ The daily treatment plan should consist of increased fluid and salt intake, aerobic exercise, and regular sleep and meal schedules; some medications can be helpful. Psychological support is critical and often includes biobehavioral strategies and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help with symptom management. More intensive recovery plans can be implemented when necessary.
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Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care · Apr 2014
ReviewScreening and brief intervention for risky alcohol use.
Alcohol screening and brief intervention are effective evidence-based methods recommended by multiple major medical societies. Primary care providers are uniquely positioned to recognize patients with alcohol use problems when they utilize screening in their practices. SBI has the potential to improve patients' overall health, reduce the risk of alcohol dependence, and prevent future alcohol-exposed pregnancies.