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In 2020, following the disruption of COVID-19, we rapidly moved the interprofessional Peer Teacher Training (PTT) program, traditionally delivered via blended learning to 'online only' format. Consisting of seven modules, the PTT program is designed to provide health professional students with opportunities to develop skills in teaching, feedback, assessment, teamwork and communication, in preparation for peer teaching and future practice. This study sought to compare 'blended learning' with 'online only' delivery. 'Blended learning' format, included a one-day face-to-face session, requiring 9 facilitators. Students participated in small group learning activities, and were formatively assessed on their teaching and feedback skills. 'Online only' delivery occurred across three weeks, using asynchronous and synchronous activities, requiring 11 facilitators. Students completed a post-course questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Eighty-five students completed the program; 36 in 'blended learning' and 49 'online only' format, from six disciplines (health sciences, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, oral health and public health). All (100%) 'blended learning' and 67% 'online only' participants completed the questionnaire. Both sets valued the online reading, discussion boards, videos, with opportunities to practice teaching skills, give and receive feedback. They reported an increased understanding of the roles of other disciplines. However, the 'face-to-face' component had some associated benefits, including a more positive attitude towards interprofessional learning and intention to teach. While 'online only' delivery of the program provided an effective alternative to the traditional 'blended learning' format, additional 'real-time' sessions may improve student engagement.

Complex healthcare systems and ambiguous clinical decisions can result in medical errors which threaten patient safety. There is a need for improved awareness of medical errors across healthcare disciplines. We utilised team-based learning (TBL) to pilot an interprofessional patient safety module for senior health professional students. We evaluated the use of TBL within the interprofessional context to achieve student learning outcomes. Twenty-seven students from pharmacy (n=11), nursing (n=8) and medicine (n=8) faculties participated. Data were collected via questionnaires, focus groups, class observation and student test scores. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Framework analysis was used to code qualitative data using social capital as a conceptual framework. In total, 26/27 (96%) of participants completed the questionnaire and 20/27 (70%) attended focus groups. There was no significant difference in prior knowledge between the disciplines. The TBL module enriched the learning environment and enabled students to prepare, problem-solve and interact with facilitators. The TBL pedagogy and interprofessional framework enabled the development of social capital among students. The module demonstrated the potential of interprofessional education to shift knowledge and attitudes towards a greater appreciation of patient safety issues and better prepare health professional students for the workforce. The TBL pedagogy strengthened knowledge sharing and fostered collaboration across disciplines.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants influence the risk of late-onset human diseases, but the reasons for this are poorly understood. Undertaking a hypothesis-free analysis of 5,689 blood-derived biomarkers with mtDNA variants in 16,220 healthy donors, here we show that variants defining mtDNA haplogroups Uk and H4 modulate the level of circulating N-formylmethionine (fMet), which initiates mitochondrial protein translation. In human cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) lines, fMet modulated both mitochondrial and cytosolic proteins on multiple levels, through transcription, post-translational modification and proteolysis by an N-degron pathway, abolishing known differences between mtDNA haplogroups. In a further 11,966 individuals, fMet levels contributed to all-cause mortality and the disease risk of several common cardiovascular disorders. Together, these findings indicate that fMet plays a key role in common age-related disease through pleiotropic effects on cell proteostasis. The association between certain mitochondrial DNA variants and increased risk of late-onset diseases in humans could be explained by a direct role of mitochondrial DNA in the regulation of cellular proteostasis., Author(s): Na Cai [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] , Aurora Gomez-Duran [sup.4] [sup.5] [sup.6] , Ekaterina Yonova-Doing [sup.7] [sup.8] , Kousik Kundu [sup.1] , Annette I. Burgess [sup.9] , Zoe J. Golder [...]

Peer teaching is a valuable approach whereby students engage in reciprocal teaching and learning. However, there is limited literature on preparing students for this role, known as Peer Teacher Training (PTT), and exploring its long-term impact. This study investigates the impact of a previously implemented PTT programme on participants' application to clinical practice and their preparation for a future educator role. A convergent mixed methods approach was used involving questionnaires and semi-structured interviews after a mean time interval of seventeen months post-course. All participants who had previously undertaken the programme (n = 20), were invited to join. Fifteen respondents completed the questionnaire, with twelve participating in one-to-one interviews. Participants demonstrated sustained improvements in perceived understanding and application of educational principles with greater confidence to teach upon entering the workforce. Interviews highlighted enhanced preparation for future educator roles, reflective teaching practices, influence over career choices and a wider benefit of the PTT to patients, peers, and students. This study demonstrates the long-term benefits of a PTT through sustained improvements in participants' confidence and perceived competence in teaching skills. Future work should focus on integrating PTT into the medical curricula and expansion to include other healthcare professional students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Children with intellectual disability experience patient safety issues resulting in poor care experiences and health outcomes. This study sought to identify patient safety issues that pertain to children aged 0–16 years with intellectual disability admitted to two tertiary state‐wide children's hospitals and a children's palliative care centre; to describe and understand these factors to modify the Australian Patient Safety Education Framework to meet the particular needs for children and young people with intellectual disability. Design, Setting and Participants: Parents of children with intellectual disability from two paediatric hospitals and a palliative care unit participated in semi‐structured interviews to elicit their experiences of their child's care in the context of patient safety. Thirteen interviews were conducted with parents from various backgrounds with children with intellectual, developmental and medical diagnoses. Results: Eight themes about safety in hospital care for children and young people with intellectual disability emerged from thematic analyses: Safety is not only being safe but feeling safe; Negative dismissive attitudes compromise safety, quality and care experience; Parental roles as safety advocates involve being heard, included and empowered; Need for purposeful and planned communication and care coordination to build trust and improve care; Systems, processes and environments require adjustments to prevent patient safety events; Inequity in care due to lack of resources and skills, Need for training in disability‐specific safety and quality issues and Core staff attributes: Kindness, Patience, Flexibility and Responsiveness. Parents highlighted the dilemma of being dismissed when raising concerns with staff and being required to provide care with little support. Parents also reported a lack of comprehensive care coordination services. They noted limitations within the healthcare system in accommodating reasonable adjustments for a family and child‐centred context. Conclusions: The development of an adapted Patient Safety Education Framework for children with intellectual disability should consider ways for staff to transform attitudes and reduce bias which leads to adaptations for safer and better care. In addition, issues that apply to quality and safety for these children can be generalised to all children in the hospital. Patient and Public Contribution: Parent advocates in the project advisory team were shown the questions to determine their appropriateness for the interviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Clinical Teacher (TCT) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024. Established in 2004 by the Association of the Study of Medical Education (ASME) and Wiley, TCT was created as a platform to address the practical issues faced by clinical teachers. Over the past two decades, the field of health professions education has undergone significant changes, including the increase in university programs, technological shifts, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. TCT has remained relevant by exploring topics such as teaching anatomy without cadavers, problem-based learning, team-based learning, and interprofessional education. The journal also supports researchers and early career scholars through various initiatives and awards. The editors invite readers to engage with the journal and contribute to the future of health professions education. [Extracted from the article]