Interprofessional orientation for health professionals utilising simulated learning: Findings from a pilot study.

We describe a novel, interprofessional educational intervention pilot used to orient new health profession employees through the simulation laboratory. Health profession employees were recruited to engage in a simulation training session that focused on communication, collaboration, and healthcare roles and responsibilities. Learners (N = 11) were divided into two groups with representation from various health disciplines.

Care transitions in a changing healthcare environment.

Readmissions are a significant element in the ongoing healthcare debate, and new evidence suggests that high readmissions can be a surrogate marker for poor quality healthcare. Additionally, although readmissions can offer a financial incentive for some hospitals, that model is being phased out; readmissions in a pay-for-performance or bundled payment model represent significant financial risk for providers and hospitals. Although no specific strategy at discharge has proven to be effective in reducing readmissions, practices that include good posthospital communication to the patient and care team, access to follow-up, and attention to mobility and self-care deficits are important factors in limiting readmissions.

Managing hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States and is a common diagnosis in outpatient and inpatient settings. COPD exacerbations account for more than 800,000 hospital admissions annually and are most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections. This article reviews management of patients with COPD exacerbations, including recommended diagnostic evaluations and treatments.

Perceptions of internal medicine residency program candidates on the use of simulation in the selection process.

Background: The recruitment of skilled candidates into internal medicine residency programs has relied on traditional interviewing techniques with varying degrees of success. The development of simulated medical technology has provided a new arena in which to assess candidates' clinical skills, knowledge base, situational awareness, and problem-solving dexterities within a standardized environment for educational and assessment purposes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the interest of program candidates in incorporating simulation medicine into the internal medicine residency interview process.

Rediscovering the art of healing connection by creating the Tree of Life poster.

The goal of this project was to provide a way for hospital staff to form meaningful therapeutic relationships with patients in the fast-paced hospital environment. Watson's Theory of Human Caring was the framework guiding the project. The Lifestory intervention was a Tree of Life poster depicting sources of encouragement and enjoyment, special memories, life lessons, family, and roots.

A hospitalist postgraduate training program for physician assistants.

Many hospitalist groups are hiring physician assistants (PAs) to augment their physician services. Finding PAs with hospitalist experience is difficult. Employers often have to recruit PAs from other specialties or hire new graduates who have limited hospital experience.

Beliefs about hospital diabetes and perceived barriers to glucose management among inpatient midlevel practitioners.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore attitudes among inpatient midlevel practitioners about hospital hyperglycemia and to identify perceived barriers to care.

Methods: A questionnaire previously applied to resident physicians was administered to midlevel providers (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) to determine their beliefs about the importance of inpatient glucose control, their perceptions about what glucose ranges were desirable, and the problems they encountered when trying to manage hyperglycemia in the hospital. Barriers to care reported in this study were also combined with responses from the prior resident survey.