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Lisa Caputo

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Research paper thumbnail of Students and Teachers' Preferences for Undergraduate Dementia Education in Western Australia

Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 2011

Medical graduates require positive attitudes toward older people with cognitive impairment, in ad... more Medical graduates require positive attitudes toward older people with cognitive impairment, in addition to knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and management of dementia. The Student Training Project in Dementia (STriDE) project was conducted to ensure that these needs are met through curricula in Western Australian medical schools. Two medical schools in Perth, Western Australia, participated. Mixed methods were utilized comprising a) focus groups and interviews and b) a survey of teachers and students. Participants recommended clearer structure and standardization in the curriculum to ensure that all students receive similar educational experiences regardless of hospital placement. Both teachers, and to a lesser extent students, held positive attitudes toward older people. Teachers tended to be more dissatisfied with current curricula than students. Teachers and learners endorsed a broad range of teaching and learning methods, assessments, and skills/competencies. The results of this study present major challenges for professional entry dementia education given the breadth, flexibility, and depth of dementia education recommended by teachers and learners.

Research paper thumbnail of Atypical presentation of cauda equina syndrome

The Journal of the Canadian …, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of Schwannoma of the cauda equina

Journal of manipulative and …, 1997

To review the features of spinal schwannoma in a case that mimicked a lumbar disc herniation. A 3... more To review the features of spinal schwannoma in a case that mimicked a lumbar disc herniation. A 37-yr-old woman suffered from a 4-yr history of progressive low back and leg pain, with progressive neurological involvement of several nerve roots. Noteworthy symptomatology included increased pain when lying recumbent and urinary and fecal incontinence. Several health care practitioners diagnosed her with a lumbar disc herniation. Investigations with myelography, computed tomography (CT) with myelographic contrast and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of an intradural tumor at the T12-L2 region. The tumor was surgically resected via laminectomies at T12-L2. The patient experienced a decrease of pain intensity but continued to complain about the low back and posterior thigh pain and has been unable to return to work. She continues to suffer from urinary incontinence, which is controlled by medication. There has been no recurrence of the tumor. Spinal pathology such as schwannoma of the cauda equina can mimic common complaints of low back pain seen in clinical practice. Differentiating features of cauda equina tumors from lumbar disc prolapse include: pain on lying recumbent, progressive nature of the pain and neurological deficit, involvement of several nerve root levels and intractability of the condition to conservative therapy. The most appropriate methods for imaging these tumors are CT with myelography or MRI. Patient prognosis is improved with early detection and removal. Chiropractors can play a pivotal role in the care of these patients by being suspicious of patients who do not respond as expected to a course of manipulative therapy, by investigating or referring appropriately and by aiding in active rehabilitation postoperatively.

Research paper thumbnail of Students and Teachers' Preferences for Undergraduate Dementia Education in Western Australia

Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 2011

Medical graduates require positive attitudes toward older people with cognitive impairment, in ad... more Medical graduates require positive attitudes toward older people with cognitive impairment, in addition to knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and management of dementia. The Student Training Project in Dementia (STriDE) project was conducted to ensure that these needs are met through curricula in Western Australian medical schools. Two medical schools in Perth, Western Australia, participated. Mixed methods were utilized comprising a) focus groups and interviews and b) a survey of teachers and students. Participants recommended clearer structure and standardization in the curriculum to ensure that all students receive similar educational experiences regardless of hospital placement. Both teachers, and to a lesser extent students, held positive attitudes toward older people. Teachers tended to be more dissatisfied with current curricula than students. Teachers and learners endorsed a broad range of teaching and learning methods, assessments, and skills/competencies. The results of this study present major challenges for professional entry dementia education given the breadth, flexibility, and depth of dementia education recommended by teachers and learners.

Research paper thumbnail of Atypical presentation of cauda equina syndrome

The Journal of the Canadian …, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of Schwannoma of the cauda equina

Journal of manipulative and …, 1997

To review the features of spinal schwannoma in a case that mimicked a lumbar disc herniation. A 3... more To review the features of spinal schwannoma in a case that mimicked a lumbar disc herniation. A 37-yr-old woman suffered from a 4-yr history of progressive low back and leg pain, with progressive neurological involvement of several nerve roots. Noteworthy symptomatology included increased pain when lying recumbent and urinary and fecal incontinence. Several health care practitioners diagnosed her with a lumbar disc herniation. Investigations with myelography, computed tomography (CT) with myelographic contrast and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of an intradural tumor at the T12-L2 region. The tumor was surgically resected via laminectomies at T12-L2. The patient experienced a decrease of pain intensity but continued to complain about the low back and posterior thigh pain and has been unable to return to work. She continues to suffer from urinary incontinence, which is controlled by medication. There has been no recurrence of the tumor. Spinal pathology such as schwannoma of the cauda equina can mimic common complaints of low back pain seen in clinical practice. Differentiating features of cauda equina tumors from lumbar disc prolapse include: pain on lying recumbent, progressive nature of the pain and neurological deficit, involvement of several nerve root levels and intractability of the condition to conservative therapy. The most appropriate methods for imaging these tumors are CT with myelography or MRI. Patient prognosis is improved with early detection and removal. Chiropractors can play a pivotal role in the care of these patients by being suspicious of patients who do not respond as expected to a course of manipulative therapy, by investigating or referring appropriately and by aiding in active rehabilitation postoperatively.

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