Inherited 2q23.1 microdeletions involving the locus.

Background: Microdeletions of 2q23.1 disrupting and loss of function mutations of cause Associated Neurodevelopmental disorders (MAND). Nearly all reported patients have been isolated cases of de novo origin.

Educational priorities and current involvement in genetic practice: a survey of midwives in the Netherlands, UK and Sweden.

Objective: to investigate whether practising midwives are adequately prepared to integrate genetic information into their practice.

Design: a cross-sectional, postal, structured questionnaire survey was sent to practising midwives.

Setting: practising midwives from the Netherlands (NL), Sweden (SE) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Atrophy and anarchy: Third national survey of nursing skill-mix and advanced nursing practice in ophthalmology.

Aims And Objectives: The aims of the study were to investigate the advanced nursing practice and the skill-mix of nurses working in ophthalmology.

Background: The expansion of new nursing roles in the United Kingdom in the past decade is set against the background of a nursing shortage. The plan to modernize the National Health Service and improve the efficiency and delivery of healthcare services as well as to reduce junior doctors' hours contributes towards a profusion of new and more specialized and advanced nursing roles in various areas of nursing including ophthalmology.

Trends in the nature of provision in ophthalmology services and resources and barriers to education in ophthalmic nursing: 3rd National UK survey.

Over the last decade in the United Kingdom (UK), the roles of nurses have become increasingly specialised to support a more efficient and effective health service. In ophthalmology, the changes are most visible in the growing number of patients being treated as day case and the greater nursing contribution to patient outcomes. To support this change there is a continuing need for educational institutions to create opportunities to meet the training needs of nurses working in both specialised areas and at the advance level of practice.

Evaluation of an action research project in ophthalmic nursing practice.

Aim: This paper reports the evaluation phase of an action research project that promoted face-down posturing of patients following vitreo-retinal surgery for macular hole to enhance patient outcomes. The evaluation phase identified areas of practice needing further development from the perspectives of those involved with the care of patients.

Background: To achieve best results following surgical repair of macular hole, patients are required to posture face down for several weeks.

Advancing ophthalmic nursing practice through action research.

Aim: This paper reports an action research project that promoted posturing face down following macular hole surgery and aimed to enhance patient outcomes. This paper gives an overview of the process and outcomes of the first three of four phases of the project: problem identification, planning and action. The fourth phase, which was an evaluation of the project, is reported in another paper.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and depressive symptoms: the association revisited.

Objective: We examined the association between severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and depressive symptoms and investigated the potential mediators of this association.

Research Design And Methods: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess depressive symptoms in 494 patients (mean age 62 years; 70% male; 72% type 2 diabetic) with diabetic neuropathy diagnosed by the Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) and the Vibration Perception Threshold (VPT). Diabetic neuropathy symptoms, activities of daily living (ADLs), and social self-perception were measured by the neuropathy and foot ulcer-specific quality-of-life instrument, NeuroQoL; perceptions of diabetic neuropathy symptom unpredictability and the lack of effective treatment were assessed by the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire.

Current action for skin cancer risk reduction in English schools: pupils' behaviour in relation to sunburn.

In a random sample of schools distributed throughout all areas of England, 2703 primary school pupils from 46 schools and 2692 secondary school pupils from 32 schools were surveyed regarding behaviour in the sun, and opinions and experience of sunburn. Seventy percent (1879) of primary and 36.5% (982) of secondary pupils recalled hearing about protecting themselves from the sun at school.

Using research to improve ophthalmic nursing care.

This article focuses on the way in which the nursing care of patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery was developed as a result of an action research project. The research project is described and the following practice developments are discussed: the preoperative preparation of patients; the physiological effects of posturing; communication between patients, staff and the multidisciplinary team; and the knowledge base and clinical skills of nurses. These developments are evaluated and suggestions for future practice are made.