National Osteoporosis Society vitamin D guideline summary.

The National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) published its document, Vitamin D and Bone Health: A Practical Clinical Guideline for Patient Management, in 2013 as a practical clinical guideline on the management of vitamin D deficiency in adult patients with, or at risk of developing, bone disease. There has been no clear consensus in the UK on vitamin D deficiency its assessment and treatment, and clinical practice is inconsistent. This guideline is aimed at clinicians, including doctors, nurses and dieticians.

Breast cancer patient stories project.

Objective: It is estimated that there are almost half a million women living with or beyond a breast cancer diagnosis in the UK, often referred to as the breast cancer survivor population. We report on the setting up of a dedicated breast cancer and menopause symptoms service (BCMS), and present results from research undertaken with breast cancer survivors with the aim of obtaining their perspectives on the BCMS service.

Method: An action-oriented approach incorporating improvement science methodology has been used to help develop and drive changes to support a high standard of NHS patient care delivery for women with breast cancer within the BCMS setting.

Exploring the breast cancer patient journey: do breast cancer survivors need menopause management support?

Background: Breast cancer survivors can be expected to suffer from menopause symptoms with estrogen deprivation due to cancer treatments, in addition to natural menopause-related estrogen loss.

Objective: To gain an understanding of what support breast cancer patients have when they suffer from menopausal symptoms, and utilize findings to further inform National Health Service (NHS) care provision for breast cancer survivors.

Study Design: Qualitative study with focus group sessions targeting Caucasian and Asian women with breast cancer.

Development of the specialist menopause pharmacist (SMP) role within a research framework.

Objective: To determine the potential contribution of a new healthcare practice model, the specialist menopause pharmacist (SMP) role.

Method: Post pilot, the SMP's remit was proposed as combining clinical practice (service delivery) and research studies, with emphasis on strengthening liaison between the secondary and primary care sectors. Action research, a qualitative research technique, was selected to document role development in the first year.

Action research: a valuable research technique for service delivery development.

The evaluation of healthcare practice and service delivery is fraught with difficulties. Service development and/or delivery occurs within socially dynamic settings which are in a continual state of change. Service development also often involves large elements of improvisation.