But what are we trying to prove?

Chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in the health care setting can and should approach their ministries more scientifically, primarily by incorporating the methods and results of quantitative and qualitative research. Such an approach, however, should have a carefully considered rationale. Proponents of a scientific approach should avoid associating their advocacy with dubious notions of health care "reform." They should attend to the perceptions--and fears--that chaplains may have of "science" and research as these affect pastoral care. In particular, fears for professional and programmatic survival should be recognized for their potential to predispose chaplains either favorably or unfavorably toward a scientific approach. Ultimately, chaplains should increase their openness to scientific methods in order to learn more about their ministry and improve their practice, without expecting that the adoption of research methods will be a magical solution to the problems posed by the current environment.     

Practice MRI: Reducing the need for sedation and general anaesthesia in children undergoing MRI

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a practice magnetic resonance unit, in preparing children to undergo magnetic resonance procedures without general anaesthesia (GA) or sedation. The records of children who attended the practice MRI between February 2002 and April 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Each record was assessed as to whether the child had passed or failed the practice MRI intervention. Those children who were considered to have passed and were proceeded to a clinical non‐GA MRI had the report of the clinical scan reviewed. If the scan had been reported as non‐diagnostic because of movement artefact it was classified as a failed scan, otherwise it was considered a pass. One hundred and thirty‐four children undertook a practice MRI (age range 4.1–16.1 years, median age 7.7 years, 47% boys) and 120/134 (90%) passed the practice session. In all, 117/120 (98%) subsequently had a clinical non‐GA MRI and 110/117 (94%) passed (median age 7.8 years, 47% boys). Preparation is a safe and effective method to reduce the need for sedation and GA in children undergoing a clinical MRI scan. It provides a positive medical experience for children, parents and staff, and results in cost savings for the hospital.     

Double blind, placebo controlled study of nedocromil sodium in asthma

After a two week baseline, 209 asthmatic children (mean age 10 years, range 6-17) were randomly allocated to receive 4 mg nedocromil sodium (n = 110) or placebo (n = 99) four times daily for 12 weeks in addition to their current treatment. The children completed daily diary cards and visited the clinic at four week intervals. Statistically significant differences in favour of nedocromil sodium were seen for clinician assessment of asthma severity and diary card symptom scores, pulmonary function and inhaled beta 2 bronchodilator use. Total symptom score decreased by 50% from baseline in the nedocromil sodium group and by 9% in the placebo group during the final four weeks. Nedocromil sodium was considered very or moderately effective by 78% of children/parents (placebo 59%) and 73% of clinicians (placebo 50%). Nausea, headache and sleepiness, and dyspnoea led to withdrawal of one child from nedocromil sodium and placebo treatments, respectively. Reports of sore throat and headache were marginally greater with the nedocromil sodium treatment. It is concluded that nedocromil sodium was both effective and safe in the treatment of asthma in children.     

尼群的平对麻醉犬冠脉流量、心肌耗氧量、二氧化碳产生率的影响

尼群的平20μg/kg iv显著降低麻醉犬血压的过程,冠状窦流量明显增加。持续3h,冠状窦氧含量增加,氧摄取率、心肌耗氧量、二氧化碳产生率降低,持续了3h以上,说明该剂适用于高血压伴心肌缺血。