Author: Brian S McGowan, PhD

Abstract
AIM:
This paper is a report of a study to identify the content of, and participation in, medicine discussion between nurse prescribers and people with diabetes in England.
BACKGROUND:
Diabetes affects 246 million people worldwide and effective management of medicines is an essential component of successful disease control. There are now over 20,000 nurse independent prescribers in the UK, many of whom frequently prescribe for people with diabetes. With this responsibility comes a challenge to effectively communicate with patients about medicines. National guidelines on medicines communication have recently been issued, but the extent to which nurse prescribers are facilitating effective medicine-taking in diabetes remains unknown.

via Medication discussion between nurse prescribers a… [J Adv Nurs. 2011] – PubMed – NCBI.

Abstract
AIM:
The aim of the project/evaluation was to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) with the purpose of enhancing the skills of the workforce and developing learning resources to improve service delivery for people with long-term conditions.
BACKGROUND:
International and national policy drivers espousing new community-based inter-agency models of delivery have led to rapid transformation of services for people with long-term conditions. Many in the workforce lack the skills required to respond to the increased acuity of patients or function within a fully integrated, inter-agency service.

via ‘Closing the gap’–a partnership approach t… [Nurse Educ Today. 2012] – PubMed – NCBI.

Abstract
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) together with Crohn’s disease (CD) belongs to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IBD is to date as frequent as Insulin Dependent Diabetes (IDDM) and is second to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in its chronicity. The majority (91%) of patients with UC have a mild to moderate disease course eligible for 5-ASA treatment. Poor adherence in UC is a well known phenomenon, which is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of relapse and increased health care costs.

via E-health: Web-guided therapy and disease self-mana… [Dan Med J. 2012] – PubMed – NCBI.

Abstract
PURPOSE:
Dietary adherence can be challenging for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), as they may require multiple dietary changes. Choosing appropriate food items may be difficult or take extensive amounts of time without the aid of technology. The objective of this project was to (1) examine the dietary challenges faced by patients with CHD, (2) examine methods of coping with dietary challenges, (3) explore the feasibility of a Web-based food decision support system, and (4) explore the feasibility of a mobile-based food decision support system.

via A qualitative analysis of … [J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2012 Jul-Aug] – PubMed – NCBI.

Abstract
Uncontrolled blood pressure remains a major public health issue. Medication adherence is a key factor in blood pressure management; however, adherence behavior is not clearly understood and the most significant factors contributing to poor medication adherence and blood pressure control are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of self-monitoring of blood pressure, medication adherence, self-efficacy, stage of change, and blood pressure control among municipal workers with access to health insurance.

via Relationship of blood pressure self-mon… [Workplace Health Saf. 2012] – PubMed – NCBI.