Fast Facts: Digital Medicine


Book Description

Technology is changing how we practice medicine. Sensors and wearables are getting smaller and cheaper, and algorithms are becoming powerful enough to predict medical outcomes. Yet despite rapid advances, healthcare lags behind other industries in truly putting these technologies to use. A major barrier is the cross-disciplinary approach required to create digital tools, a process that requires knowledge from many people across a range of fields. 'Fast Facts: Digital Medicine – Measurement' aims to overcome that barrier, introducing the reader to core concepts and terms and facilitating dialogue. Contrasting 'clinical research' with routine 'clinical care', this short colorful book describes types of digital measurement and how to use and validate digital measures in different settings. And with the burgeoning development of digital medicine tools, the authors provide a timely overview of the security, ethical, regulatory and legal issues to be considered before a product can enter the market. Contents: • What is digital medicine? • Where does digital medicine fit? • Regulatory considerations • Ethical principles and our responsibilities • Ethics in practice • Security, data rights and governance • Digital biomarkers and clinical outcomes • Measurement in clinical trials • Verification and validation • The future of digital medicine




Fast Facts in Health Informatics for Nurses


Book Description

“Provides a broad overview of informatics knowledge to empower nurses to be thoughtful and participate in the capture, storage, and use of data to create information and knowledge to optimize patient outcomes...In this book, you will gain an understanding of how clinical decision support tools work so you can provide feedback about [their] effectiveness and recommend additional ways decision support tools help.” —Bonnie L. Westra, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FACMI, From the Foreword Understanding and managing technology is a key component in providing quality patient care today. This addition to the popular Fast Facts series provides RNs and nursing students with an accessible, concise, step-by-step introduction to the essentials of informatics and its impact on patient lives. This book delivers required competencies and frameworks for both nursing education and practice, expanding upon integral systems and technologies within our healthcare system and their impact on the responsibilities of the individual nurse. Highlighting the intricacies within a specialized approach to healthcare data, data mining, and data organization, this resource connects day-to-day informatics practices to larger initiatives and perspectives. Clear and concise synopses of healthcare essentials, case studies, and abundant practical examples help readers understand how health informatics improves patient care within the nursing scope of practice. Thought-provoking questions in each chapter facilitate in-depth considerations on chapter content. Key Features: Key information about the electronic health record, telehealth, wearables, and decision-support tools Practical examples demonstrate how informatics improves patient care within the nurse’s scope of practice Case studies with thought-provoking questions Nurses’ influence on data quality Relevant ethical, legal, and social issues The intersection of technology and informatics and the power of data




Fast Facts: Smoking Cessation


Book Description

Cigarette smoking is one of the most significant preventable causes of death and illness in the world. Given the wide-ranging effects smoking has on many disease processes, it is essential that clinicians understand: • the short- and long-term effects of smoking on the body • the benefits of smoking cessation • why smokers find it difficult to stop • the role of clinicians in promoting and supporting smoking cessation • the treatments available to help smokers overcome their addiction. 'Fast Facts: Smoking Cessation' meets these needs: here, in one place, you will find all the information you need on smoking, tobacco addiction and how best to treat the addiction. Ultimately, the best reason for reading this book is to help your patients who smoke to change their behavior for the better and sustainably. Every GP and support clinic will benefit from this edition, filled with tips, advice and treatment aids for the clinical team. Contents: • Cigarettes as a nicotine delivery system • Smoking patterns • Social, psychological and economic influences on smoking • Effects of smoking and smoking cessation • Addiction to cigarettes • The clinician and smoking • Treatments to aid smoking cessation • Future trends




Fast Facts: Clinical Trials in Oncology


Book Description

Written by leading experts, 'Fast Facts: Clinical Trials in Oncology' will enhance the reader’s ability to critically evaluate published evidence. Assuming little or no prior knowledge, the book sets out clearly the fundamental features of clinical trials. The key attributes of Phase I–III trials of pharmaceutical products are described, as are trials of surgical procedures, radiation therapy and advanced therapies. The processes and documentation required to set up and conduct a trial are outlined, and the authors describe how trial data and real-world evidence are used to improve care. Although this concise colorful book focuses on oncology, the principles apply equally to interventions in other areas of practice. It will prove invaluable to medical, pharmaceutical and allied health professionals who want, or need, an overview of how contemporary clinical trials are designed and conducted.







Fast Facts for Evidence-Based Practice


Book Description

Designated a 2014 Doodyís Core Title by Doodyís Medical Reviews Concise and comprehensive, this book covers the basics of nursing research and the essentials of how to implement Evidence Based Practice (EBP). Using the short, reader-friendly, Fast Facts Series 'style,' the book is designed for those RNs studying Evidence Based Practice (EBP) who want quick access core content. Undergraduate nursing students who want a solid review of evidence based practice (& nursing research) will also find this book useful, as well as RN to BSNs student who need to assimilate content on basic nursing research. It is vital for both the practicing RNs and students to know the basics of EBP and understand how EBP can be implemented. Key features covered include: Delivery of a wide scope of EBP content in the abbreviated style of the Fast Facts series Includes coverage of quantitative and qualitative research approaches, defining the 'compelling question', finding and critiquing the evidence, and disseminating the research Unlocks the mystery surrounding systematic reviews and searching a database Class-tested content, used in seated and online course environments




Clinical Trials in Oncology, Third Edition


Book Description

The third edition of the bestselling Clinical Trials in Oncology provides a concise, nontechnical, and thoroughly up-to-date review of methods and issues related to cancer clinical trials. The authors emphasize the importance of proper study design, analysis, and data management and identify the pitfalls inherent in these processes. In addition, the book has been restructured to have separate chapters and expanded discussions on general clinical trials issues, and issues specific to Phases I, II, and III. New sections cover innovations in Phase I designs, randomized Phase II designs, and overcoming the challenges of array data. Although this book focuses on cancer trials, the same issues and concepts are important in any clinical setting. As always, the authors use clear, lucid prose and a multitude of real-world examples to convey the principles of successful trials without the need for a strong statistics or mathematics background. Armed with Clinical Trials in Oncology, Third Edition, clinicians and statisticians can avoid the many hazards that can jeopardize the success of a trial.




Fast Facts: Renal Disorders


Book Description

Early detection of renal problems coupled with the appropriate therapeutic strategy can radically reduce the progressive nature of, and complications associated with, chronic kidney disease, and in many instances will result in the successful treatment of acute kidney injury. As many patients will not be seen by nephrologists, it is essential that all healthcare professionals, in hospitals and in the community, have an awareness of renal disease – the presenting signs, differential diagnoses, treatment strategies and approach to the management of complications. 'Fast Facts: Renal Disorders' is an easy-to-read, evidence-based guide to renal diseases and disorders for all doctors, nurses and medical students. It includes: • A clear explanation of proteinuria, hematuria, electrolyte imbalances and acid–base disorders • A concise summary of kidney function tests, imaging techniques and biopsy • Important questions for prompt diagnosis of acute kidney injury • Management options for chronic kidney disease and its complications • Practical guidance on the most common renal problems, including glomerulonephritis, systemic disease, UTIs and kidney stones Written by three specialists of international repute, 'Fast Facts: Renal Disorders' provides the key information required for the optimal care of renal patients. This fully updated second edition will help healthcare professionals assess, identify, treat and refer patients with renal problems appropriately. Directly applicable to the clinical setting, it is essential reading for all primary care providers, junior hospital doctors, specialist trainees, renal nurses and medical students. Contents: • Proteinuria, hematuria and renal investigations • Electrolyte disturbances and acid–base disorders • Acute kidney injury • Chronic kidney disease • Hypertension and diabetic nephropathy • Glomerulonephritis • Systemic disease • Inherited kidney disease • Urinary tract infection • Kidney stones • Urinary tract obstruction and tumors • Renal replacement therapy and transplantation




Fast Facts: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia


Book Description

Most men with BPH can be diagnosed and managed in the primary care setting. In choosing appropriate treatment, clinicians must take into account not only the nature and severity of symptoms but also the preferences of the patient and his immediate family, cost–benefit considerations and long-term effectiveness of therapy. Written by two leading urologists, 'Fast Facts: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia' provides a refreshingly readable, practical overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of BPH including: • Use of DRE and PSA results to discriminate between prostate cancer and BPH • An evidence-based review of the latest medical therapies • A concise overview of the surgical and minimally invasive treatment options • When to refer to a urologist There is important work to do to raise awareness of men’s health issues in general and the problem of BPH in particular. Lower urinary tract symptoms are among the commonest reasons for a man to consult his doctor, and this ever-popular book – the first 7th edition in the Fast Facts series – remains a must-read for all primary care providers. Contents: • Pathophysiology • Diagnosis • Medical management • Traditional surgical treatment options • Minimally invasive treatment options • Considerations in treatment decisions • Issues in BPH • Useful resources




Fast Facts: Osteoarthritis


Book Description

Worldwide, osteoarthritis is one of the most rapidly rising conditions associated with disability. For most people, it is a syndrome of joint pain and stiffness, with associated functional problems that have a substantial effect on quality of life. As well as expert advice on well-established diagnostic criteria and the latest practical treatment information, this comprehensive handbook provides: • updates on the genetics of the disease • novel concepts of the association between structural changes and pain • recent recommendations for the use of modern imaging modalities • the latest on intra-articular therapies • an insight into current developments in the field. For all healthcare professionals who have ever felt unable to provide effective therapy for this disease, or who have encountered negative patient and community attitudes to joint pain, 'Fast Facts: Osteoarthritis' is essential reading. Something can be done to help every person with osteoarthritis!