Development of the student placement evaluation form: A tool for assessing student fieldwork performance

Evaluation of students undertaking fieldwork education placements is a critical process in the health professions. As training programs and practice evolve, systems for assessing students need to be reviewed and updated constantly. In 1995, staff of the occupational therapy training program at the University of Queensland, Australia decided to develop a new tool for assessing student fieldwork performance. Using an action research methodology, a team developed the Student Placement Evaluation Form, a flexible and comprehensive criterion-referenced evaluation tool. The present paper examines action research as an appropriate methodology for considering real-life organisational problems in a systematic and participatory manner. The action research cycles undertaken, including preliminary information gathering, tool development, trial stages and current use of the tool, are detailed in the report. Current and future development of the tool is also described.     

Microsurgical replantation of the external ear

Cosmetically, the optimal management of the amputated external ear is microsurgical replantation. Although technically demanding, replantation is possible by the experienced surgeon. Success frequently requires the use of vein grafts, heparinization, and the alleviation of venous congestion with medicinal leeches or frequent stab wounds.     

Quality of life at three months following admission to intensive and coronary care units.

OBJECTIVE: Measurement of quality of life three months following critical illness, to assess impact on health expectations. DESIGN: Continuous quantitative study of patients admitted to a combined intensive and coronary care unit during a nine-month period. Questionnaires giving baseline information were completed soon after admission, and postal questionnaires incorporating the Nottingham Health Profile were sent to surviving patients three months following discharge from the unit. SETTING: District General Hospital. SUBJECTS: ICU sample included 60 patients, male n = 31, female n = 29. Twenty-nine patients received surgical treatment, 31 patients received medical treatment. Coronary Care Unit (CCU) sample included 112 patients, male n = 74, female n = 38. Fifty-four patients admitted following acute myocardial infarction (MI), 58 patients non-MI admission. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hospital mortality for ICU patients was 31%, increasing to 34% at three months. Hospital mortality for CCU patients was 14%, increasing to 19% at three months. Significant differences in mean NHP scores between ICU and CCU patients were noted with higher CCU scores in the areas of sleep (p = 0.04), and social isolation (p = 0.01). Within the ICU group surgical patients had a higher mean NHP score in the area of pain (p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in the scores of male and female ICU patients. Within the CCU group non-MI patients had significantly higher mean scores than MI patients in the areas of energy (p = 0.007), pain (p = 0.04), emotion (p = 0.05), social isolation (p = 0.01) and physical ability (p = 0.003). Female CCU patients had higher mean NHP scores than male patients with significant differences in the areas of pain (p = 0.04), sleep (p = 0.009) and physical ability (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: ICU patient quality of life three months after admission compares favourably with a corresponding group of CCU patients, particularly in areas of sleep and social isolation. CCU patients' general functional status deteriorated significantly compared to their pre-admission status. Critical illness is a costly area of medicine, but the results suggest that outcomes are beneficial in terms of quality of life for those surviving acute illness.