Are we getting the help we need

The Oklahoma City bombing was a made-for-TV catastrophe. The images thrust on the EMS community after the devastation of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building last April are imprinted on our minds with awful clarity. And to see images of other disasters often causes memories of other awful scenes to arise unbidden: Sioux City's airline disaster, the New York City World Trade Center bombing, hurricanes, earthquakes and other devastation. Each takes its toll on emergency care providers.     

As we teach,so we treat

In this paper, we draw parallels between our particular teaching approach with small groups of adults and clinical physiotherapy. We propose that by examining the process of treating we can illuminate our methods of teaching relatives, carers and colleagues, which in turn improves our clinical practice. We illustrate our new perspective with examples of clinical situations and small group adult learning. Our approach differs from traditional practice in that instead of therapists or tutors assuming sole responsibility for assessment, aims, methods and evaluation, all concerned participate with equal rights and responsibility in this process.     

Inhibition of protein kinase C--do we, can we, and should we?

The second messenger responsive protein kinase C (PKC) family has promised much as therapeutic targets. Indeed, there has been excellent progress in the development of highly selective inhibitors for this class of kinases. The key to the further development and use of inhibitors selective within the family depends upon our understanding of the involvement of PKC in human disease. Recent work in model systems ex vivo has modified the simplistic view of PKC control and broadened the spectrum of signalling pathway involvement. The consequence is that there is a need to reassess the role of PKC that to date has coloured our view of PKC and disease. These developments, their implications, and the future assessment of PKC as a target are discussed.     

Empathy: we know what we mean, but what do we teach?

This article resulted from a paper, presented by the author, at the Hildegard Peplau seminar on the interpersonal role of psychiatric nurses, given at the Highland College of Nursing and Midwifery, Inverness. It discusses empathy — the ability to see things from another person's point of view. That ability is held to be the core characteristic of a helping relationship, but a review of the literature reveals that there is little agreement about how empathy should be defined. Consequently, it is argued that there is a need for nurse teachers to define what they mean by empathy. Failure to do so may result in confusion about what is being taught. Furthermore, it is proposed that all teachers should be trained in experiential teaching methods, and that the effects of structured empathy training should be investigated within an experimental research design.     

Surgical scrubs--where we were, where we are going

Prior to the 1900s, surgical caps, gowns, and gloves do not appear to have been used. Until 1914, all apparel was white in color, but because it caused eye glare, was abandoned in favor of green, and later ceil blue scrubs. Today, the type of scrub used must be compatible with the degree of exposure anticipated to bloodborne pathogens.