How Do Trainees Use EPAs to Regulate Their Learning in the Clinical Environment? A Grounded Theory Study.

Introduction: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) can potentially support self-regulated learning in the clinical environment. However, critics of EPAs express doubts as they see potential harms, like checkbox behaviour. This study explores how GP-trainees use EPAs in the clinical environment through the lens of self-regulated learning theory and addresses the question of whether EPAs help or hinder trainees' learning in a clinical environment.

A Philosophical Discussion of the Support of Self-Regulated Learning in Medical Education: The Treasure Hunt Approach Versus the (Dutch) "Dropping" Approach.

Many current educational approaches are intended to cultivate learners' full (learning) potential by fostering self-regulated learning (SRL), as it is expected that those learners with a high degree of SRL learn more effectively than those with a low degree of SRL. However, these attempts to foster SRL are not always successful. We considered complexities related to fostering self-regulated learning by use of an analogy.

How does portfolio use affect self-regulated learning in clinical workplace learning: What works, for whom, and in what contexts?

Introduction: Portfolio use to support self-regulated learning (SRL) during clinical workplace learning is widespread, but much is still unknown regarding its effectiveness. This review aimed to gain insight in the extent to which portfolio use supports SRL and under what circumstances.

Methods: A realist review was conducted in two phases.

Spirometry expert support in family practice: a cluster-randomised trial.

Aim: To assess the impact of two modes of spirometry expert support on Family physicians' (FPs') diagnoses and planned management in patients with apparent respiratory disease.

Method: A cluster-randomised trial was performed with family practices as the unit of randomisation. FPs from 44 family practices recorded their diagnosis and planned management before and after spirometry for 868 patients.

House dust mite allergen avoidance and self-management in allergic patients with asthma: randomised controlled trial.

Background: The efficacy of bed covers that are impermeable to house dust mites has been disputed.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the combination of 'house dust mite impermeable' covers and a self-management plan, based on peak flow values and symptoms, leads to reduced use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) than self-management alone.

Design Of Study: Prospective, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Relationship between house dust mite (HDM) allergen exposure level and inhaled corticosteroid dosage in HDM-sensitive asthma patients on a self management program.

Aim: To assess whether exposure to house dust mite (HDM) allergens hampers a tapering off of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) dosage in HDM-sensitive asthma patients.

Methods: Asthma patients sensitised to HDM allergens and using ICS were selected from general practices for this observational study. Dust samples from bed mattresses were taken to assess exposure ('no', 'low', 'intermediate' or 'high') to HDM allergens with a semi-quantitative test (Acarex).

Asthma education tailored to individual patient needs can optimise partnerships in asthma self-management.

This paper studies the effects of patient education, tailored to individual needs of patients as part of an asthma self-management program. A tailored education program was designed which took into account individual information needs of patients by using a feedback instrument. Totally 98 steroid dependent asthmatics entered the tailored education program, 95 patients received usual care.

Willingness of patients to perform self-management of asthma and the role of inhaled steroids.

Objective: Asthma self-management is a generally accepted effective treatment strategy for asthma patients. Acceptance by patients may be a barrier for successful implementation. In this study, the role of inhaled steroids in starting asthma self-management is described.