Presentation of a plasmablastic lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient after administration of an inferior alveolar dental block

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a serious worldwide healthcare problem with implications for all healthcare workers. The reported oral manifestations of the disease are numerous and have been categorised according to the strength of their association with HIV infection. Oral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is strongly associated with HIV infection, and an increased incidence of such neoplasms is widely reported. This case report details the presentation of a rare subcategory of plasmablastic lymphoma in an HIV-positive patient after administration of an inferior alveolar dental block to facilitate extraction of mandibular teeth. This highly aggressive neoplasm is a large B-cell lymphoma with a predilection for the oral cavity. Unfortunately, the prognosis for such a tumour is poor as detailed in this case.

Evaluation of an Older Persons’ Assessment Educational Workbook with second year nursing students in the UK.

Background: As a first step to successfully meet the complex health and social needs of older people, patient assessment has become a central feature of government policy and practice in order to ensure that care planning is person-centred. A core component of nurse education is clinical practice in order to support the development of clinical skills and competence; therefore it is important to help students and their practice-based mentors to develop and apply older person assessment skills. Therefore, an educational workbook was developed to help 2nd year nursing students to learn a structured, systematic and individualised older person assessment process with the support of their mentor.

Aim: A pilot study to evaluate the impact of an Older Persons’ Assessment Educational Workbook and explore second year nursing students’ competence and their opinions and use of an older person’s assessment skills workbook.

Research Methodology: A pre-experimental design (pre and post-test with no comparison group) was undertaken with n=6 2nd year students in 2014. The outcome measure was the Nursing Competence Questionnaire and results were analysed using the Wilcoxin Signed Rank Test in SPSS version 21. Content analysis of completed workbooks and a survey (n=5) of opinions regarding the workbook was undertaken.

Key Findings- No pre-post-test difference was found in the Nursing Competence Questionnaire with p=0.058 for the total scale. However, as this was a pilot, the study was under-powered and all students’ scores improved. Content analysis of the workbook found that 3 of the 5 participants completed all components of the workbook, with a mean of 1051 words used (Std dev 281.8). Through the survey students reported the workbook as a useful guide when undertaking a patient assessment.

Conclusions: The workbook showed potential as an intervention to help support development of nursing students’ assessment skills in practice.

Austerity and Reform of the Irish Public Administration

The impact of the global financial crisis has been particularly severe in Ireland, and the 2008-14 period has been one defined by considerable state retrenchment. It has, however, also given rise to a period of unprecedented public service reform, and particularly following the election of a government with a strong reforming mandate in 2011. In this paper, the context and content of the reforms are examined along institutional, financial and politico-administrative dimensions respectively. A final section discusses the politics of reform in a time of crisis.

'A Breath of Fresh Air': The experiences of undergraduate nursing students' participating in a creative learning project:This paper presents the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who participated in a creative learning project to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through felt making.

Aim of the study
This paper presents the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who participated in a creative learning project to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through felt making.

Context and Background
This project was funded by a Teaching Innovation Award from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast to explore creative ways of engaging year one undergraduate nursing students in learning anatomy and physiology. The project was facilitated through collaboration between University Teaching staff and Arts Care, a unique arts and health charity in Northern Ireland.

Methodology
Twelve year one students participated in four workshops designed to explore the cells, tissues and organs of the human body through the medium of felt. Facilitated by an Arts Care artist, students translated their learning into striking felt images. The project culminated in the exhibition of this unique collection of work which has been viewed by fellow students, teaching staff, nurses from practice, and artists from Arts Care, friends, family and members of the public.

Key Findings and conclusions
The opportunity to learn in a more diverse way within a safe and non-judgmental environment was valued, with students’ reporting a greater confidence in life science knowledge. Self- reflection and group discussion revealed that the project was a unique creative learning experience for all involved – students, teaching staff and artist – resulting in individual and collective benefits far beyond knowledge acquisition. As individuals we each felt respected and recognised for our unique contribution to the project. Working in partnership with Arts Care enabled us to experience the benefits of creativity to well-being and reflect upon how engagement in creative activities can help healthcare professionals to focus on the individual patient’s needs and how this is fundamental to enhancing patient-centred care