The Herbst appliance and the Activator: influence of the vertical facial pattern.

Aim: To compare the effects of the Herbst appliance and the Activator at the completion of two-phase treatment, with respect to the vertical facial pattern (VFP) and to identify possible predictors of treatment effect.

Materials And Methods: Pretreatment, post-treatment and overall cephalometric change data were used to assess the dental and skeletal effects. Results for the change in mandibular length were also compared with changes reported for an untreated external control group.

A study examining the impact of 12-hour shifts on critical care staff.

Background: Twelve-hour shifts contribute to flexible patterns of work, but the effects on delivery of direct care and staff fatigue are important topics for deeper examination.

Aims: To examine the impact and implications of 12-hour shifts on critical care staff.

Methods: A staged dual approach using two focus groups (n = 16) and questionnaires (n = 147) with critical care staff from three critical care units.

A comparison of sleep assessment tools by nurses and patients in critical care.

Aim: The aim of this critical care sleep assessment pilot study was to evaluate the usefulness of three sleep assessment tools to identify which, if any, provided the closest comparison between the nurses' judgement and the patients' experience of their sleep. The study objectives were to: (i) compare patients' and nurses' assessment of sleep using three different rating tools. (ii) Ascertain patients' preferences with non-interventional, user friendly, practical tools in critical care.

An evaluation of critical care lecturer practitioners.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the educational value and impact upon staff of critical care lecturer practitioners. Data were collected through three staff focus groups (n=21) and a questionnaire completed by 70 members of trust or university staff. A majority of respondents felt that the lecturer practitioner roles had considerable effect upon adult critical care services.