Making a difference: The future of HPT in sustaining best-practice international capacity development

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Kelly ◽  
Patrick C. Coughlin ◽  
M. Mari Novak
2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramanitharan Manikandan ◽  
Oscar Rodriguez ◽  
Rubén Parada ◽  
Joan Palou Redorta

Purpose Nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a challenging disease to manage primarily due to its varied clinical course. The management of NMIBC has witnessed a widespread change with respect to its diagnosis and treatment. Although transurethral resection (TUR) and adjuvant bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) stills remain the cornerstone, newer protocols has come into vogue to achieve optimal care. On the basis of a literature review, we aimed to establish ‘what changes has already occurred and what is expected in the future’ in NMIBC. Methods A Medline search was performed to identify the published literature with respect to diagnosis, treatment and future perspectives on NMIBC. Particular emphasis was directed to determinants such as the quality of TUR and the newer modifications, Re-TUR, current status of newer macroscopic and microscopic imaging, role of urinary biomarkers, clinical, histologic and molecular predictors of high-risk disease, administration of intravesical agents, salvage therapy in BCG recurrence and the current best practice guidelines were analyzed. Results and Conclusions Optimal TUR, restaging in select group, incorporation of newer endoscopic imaging and judicious administration of intravesical chemo-immunotherapeutic agents can contribute to better patient care. Although there is a plethora of urinary markers, there is insufficient evidence for their use in isolation. The future probably lies in identification of genetic markers to determine disease recurrence, nonresponders to standard treatment and early institution of alternative/targeted therapy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-22
Author(s):  
Ray Harper

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to summarise a number of presentations at Day 1 of the Internet Librarian International conference, London, UK (16 October 2018). This was the 20th conference in the series, and the three key themes included were the next-gen library and librarian; understanding users, usage and user experience; and inclusion and inspiration: libraries making a difference. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports from the viewpoint of a first-time attendee of the conference. This summarises the main issues raised by each presentation and draws out the key learning points for practical situations. Findings The conference covered a variety of practical ways in which libraries can use technology to support users and make decisions about services. These include developing interactive physical spaces which include augmented reality; introducing “chat-bots” to support users; using new techniques to analyse data; and piloting new ways to engage users (such as coding clubs). A key theme was how we use and harness data in a way that is ethical, effective and relevant to library services. Originality/value This conference focussed on practical examples of how library and information services across sectors and countries are innovating in a period of huge change. The conference gave delegates numerous useful ideas and examples of best practice and demonstrated the strength of the profession in adapting to new technologies and developments.


Author(s):  
Sabine Vogler ◽  
Nina Zimmermann ◽  
Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar ◽  
Reinhard Busse ◽  
Jaime Espin ◽  
...  

AbstractThe 4th PPRI Conference, held in Vienna in October 2019, addressed issues related to equitable and affordable access to medicines. A multi-stakeholder audience from around the globe discussed solutions and best practice models for current challenges such as high-priced medicines, limitations of current pricing and reimbursement policies and tight budgets for health technologies. A multi-faceted approach (so-called balance, evidence, collaboration and transparency/BECT strategy) was also discussed. This includes an improved balance of different interests and policy areas, generation of relevant evidence, collaboration between countries and stakeholders, and transparency, and was considered as the most promising pathway for the future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-427
Author(s):  
Katherine Recinos ◽  
Lucy Blue

Abstract Maritime cultural heritage is under increasing threat around the world, facing damage, destruction, and disappearance. Despite attempts to mitigate these threats, maritime cultural heritage is often not addressed to the same extent or with equal resources. One approach that can be applied towards protecting and conserving threatened cultural heritage, and closing this gap, is capacity development. This paper addresses the question of how capacity development can be improved and adapted for the protection of maritime cultural heritage under threat. It asserts that capacity development for maritime cultural heritage can be improved by gaining a more comprehensive and structured understanding of capacity development initiatives through applying a consistent framework for evaluation and analysis. This allows for assessment and reflection on previous or ongoing initiatives, leading to the implementation of more effective initiatives in the future. In order to do this, a model for classifying initiatives by ten parameters is proposed. It is then applied to a number of case studies featuring initiatives in the Middle East and North Africa region. This is followed by a discussion of how conclusions and themes drawn from the examination and evaluation of the case study initiatives can provide a deeper understanding of capacity development efforts, and an analysis of how the parameter model as a framework can aid in improving capacity development for threatened maritime cultural heritage overall.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-95
Author(s):  
Mohd Salami Ibrahim ◽  
Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusof ◽  
Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahim

Formative assessments are commonly being mixed up with summative assessments which provide feedback. The ambiguity leads to a loss of distinction between the two. This blending is in direct contrast to the best practice of education, which advocates clarity of formative and summative function as a precursor to a quality assessment. In this commentary, we emphasise the non-credit bearing as the discriminatory feature, which illuminates the formative purpose of an assessment. We begin by revisiting the history from the time of the founding scholars who conceptualised formative and summative ideas. Subsequently, we compare it with the contemporary practice of assessment. Then we elucidate the philosophical underpinning of formative assessment and how the future of education relies on education, which move away from a pure exam-oriented focus of the curriculum. Finally, we relate the revolutionary concept of formative assessment with personalised education as the key curriculum design of tomorrow’s education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13598-e13598
Author(s):  
Helen Winter ◽  
Joanna Willis ◽  
Stephen Lang ◽  
Kay Drury ◽  
Jonathan Heywood ◽  
...  

e13598 Background: The impact on cancer outcomes from the Covid-19 pandemic has yet to be determined. Concerns persist on screening, delays in diagnosis, treatment interruptions and outcomes of infection in the immunosuppressed. The need for agile working has been exemplified by establishment of Nightingale Hospitals, staff redeployment and sudden integration of virtual consultations into clinical working. With most cancer clinical trials halted, recruitment into COVID-19 research became essential and embedded into the everyday. Here we present how rapid implementation of COVID-19 randomised clinical trials within an NHS organisation during the pandemic was achieved. Methods: A COVID-19 senior facilitation committee was set up to provide oversight, maximise staff capacity and resource and prioritise studies. Specific strategies to maximise access and clinical trials recruitment for patients including children and those with solid tumours were designed. These included presence of a research nurse at clinical ward rounds and team meetings, the promotion of protocol and informed consent training to all including doctors in the acute settings and weekly research meetings to share-best practice. Reflecting on learnings from this time provide an opportunity to consider how we adjust working for our patients in the future. Results: The integration of research into the everyday working of clinical teams looking after patients with COVID-19 has become the norm. The provision of protocol and informed consent training for all levels of staff and the consideration of all patients for trials during clinical ward rounds and multi-disciplinary meetings, have ensured access to trials has become embedded. The integration of research nurses working, upskilling and prompting clinical colleagues has ensured equity of access and provided a research presence and focus during the busy clinical day. The adoption of cross-disciplinary working, sharing best practice and a culture of commitment and support to the trials ensures no patient is denied the opportunity to participate. Three RTCs opened over 7 weeks. At one site 1904 patients were screened for one of the randomised-controlled trials and over 18% of these patients (351) were recruited and 175 patients declined. Conclusions: The pandemic has had a devastating impact across the UK. However, a coordinated and collaborative multi-disciplinary approach has supported high recruitment and equity of access for patients into COVID-19 trials. Learnings from this work may lead to embedding clinical trials and access to translational research for cancer patients in the future as we recover from the full impact of the pandemic. COVID-19 research has demonstrated how increased recruitment accelerates access and implementation of new innovations and novel drug combinations.The full impact of improved access to cancer research in the future during COVID recovery is worthy of more research.


Author(s):  
Chester E. Finn ◽  
Andrew E. Scanlan

This concluding chapter looks at the good that Advanced Placement (AP) is doing against the challenges that it faces now. When AP emerged in the 1950s, and for decades thereafter, poor and minority youngsters had limited access to the best that American education had to offer, and those limits were part of what kept them poor. Today, however, AP's rich curriculum, sophisticated pedagogy, and rigorous expectations are coming within reach of many girls and boys from disadvantaged circumstances, thanks in no small part to the College Board's wholehearted embrace of that additional mission as well as the hard work and support of policy makers, educators, and philanthropists. Yet desirable as it is to open AP-level academics to more kids in more schools and thereby help level the playing fields of life, the reason this is hard to make happen is that genuine success requires so many other things to move in sync, both in school systems and in the lives of kids. Nevertheless, opening the AP door to more kids is a good thing to do, not only for the benefit of those immediately affected but also because its implications should reverberate through what precedes and follows it. The chapter then considers the future of AP program.


Author(s):  
Toby Burrows

This chapter reviews the current state of play in the use of ontologies in the humanities, with best-practice examples from selected disciplines. It looks at the specific domain problems faced by the humanities, and examines the various approaches currently being employed to construct, maintain, and develop humanities ontologies. The application of ontology learning in the humanities is discussed by reviewing a range of research projects in different disciplines. The chapter concludes with an assessment of the future potential of ontology learning in the humanities, and an attempt to set out a research agenda for this field.


2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 2854-2861 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chanan ◽  
S. Vigneswaran ◽  
J. Kandasamy

A Water Sensitive City is now commonly acknowledged best practice for designing the cities of the future. In Australia, the National Water Initiative has allocated high priority towards offering insight into successful water sensitive urban development projects, to facilitate capacity building within the industry. This paper shares innovative water sensitive projects implemented at Kogarah City Council, in Sydney. Four key projects are discussed, demonstrating how stormwater, rainwater and wastewater can be incorporated into decentralised water systems to offer sustainable water management of the future. The case studies included in the paper highlight Kogarah's journey towards the Soft Path for Water Management.


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