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This paper explores the results of an 18-month study at Brunel University that aimed to explain the significant gendered differences in academic performance amongst geography students. Male students are doing considerably less well than their female peers, being awarded far fewer first class and upper second class degrees, a phenomenon that cannot be accounted for by A-level entry grades. This paper draws on interviews with students which suggest that differences in achievement are explained by the fact that males and females perform the role of student in very different ways. While females are generally performing the role of hard-working, dedicated and focused student, males seem to be identifying with a 'macho' culture that glorifies sporting prowess and socializing at the expense of academic study.

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Background Surgical wounds that become infected are often debrided because clinicians believe that removal of this necrotic or infected tissue will expedite wound healing. There are numerous methods available but no consensus on which one is most effective for surgical wounds. Objectives To determine the effect of different methods of debridement on the rate of debridement and healing of surgical wounds. Search methods In March 2013, for this third update, we searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE; and EBSCO CINAHL. Selection criteria We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with outcomes including at least one of the following: time to complete debridement or time to complete healing. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently reviewed the abstracts and titles obtained from the search, extracted data independently using a standardised extraction sheet and independently assessed methodological quality. One review author was involved in all stages of the data collection and extraction process, thus ensuring continuity. Main results Five RCTs (159 participants) were eligible for inclusion; all compared treatments for infected surgical wounds and reported time required to achieve a clean wound bed (complete debridement). One trial compared an enzymatic agent (streptokinase/streptodornase) with saline-soaked dressings. Four trials compared the effectiveness of dextranomer beads or paste with other products (different comparator in each trial) to achieve complete debridement. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the unique comparisons within each trial. One trial reported that dextranomer achieved a clean wound bed significantly more quickly than Eusol, and one trial comparing enzymatic debridement with saline-soaked dressings reported that the enzyme-treated wounds were cleaned more quickly. However, methodological quality was poor in these two trials.

Objectives to investigate the effect of a general practitioner's 'patient centredness' on identification of unmet needs in older adults. Design correlational questionnaire based study with a descriptive element. Setting two south London general practice surgeries. Participants sixty seven patients over the age of 65 visiting their general practitioner (GP) for a new episode of care. Main Outcome Measures assessment of unmet needs and patients' perceptions of GP patient centredness. Results having one or more unmet needs on the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE) was not associated with evaluations of GP patient centredness (t (64) = −0.334, P = 0.740). After their GP consultation, 35 (52.2%) participants still had at least one unmet need on the CANE. The most common unmet needs were information (13, 19.4%), eyesight/hearing (11, 16.4%) and benefits (11, 16.4%). A large proportion of the patient sample (28, 41.8%) who perceived their problems were dealt with by the consultation, had unmet needs on the CANE. Conclusions The patient-centred approach was highly valued but was not linked to reduced unmet needs. Many older people tolerate unmet needs and seem reluctant to acknowledge them or mention them to their GP.