No abstract

The medical community disseminates information increasingly using social media.Randomised controlled trials are being conducted in this area to evaluate effectiveness of social media with mixed results so far but more trials are likely to be published in the coming years. One recent twitter randomised control trial using Cochrane Schizophrenia Group reviews suggest that tweets increase the hits to the target webpage by about threefold and time spent on the webpage is also increased threefold when referrals come in via twitter. These are early findings and need further replication. Twitter appeals to professionals, entertainers, and politicians amongst others as a means of networking with peers and connecting with the wider public.Twitter in particular seems to be well placed for use by the medical community and is effective in promoting messages, updating information, interacting with each other both locally and internationally and more so during conferences. Twitter is also increasingly used to disseminate evidence in addition to traditional media such as academic peer reviewed journals. Caution is required using twitter as inadvertent tweets can lead to censure. Overall, the use of twitter responsibly by the medical community will increase visibility of research findings and ensure up to date evidence is readily accessible. This should open the door for further trials of different social media platforms to evaluate their effectiveness in disseminating accurate high quality information instantaneously to a global audience.

Date Presented 3/31/2017 Occupational therapy continues to provide community-based education and intervention. Parents who received an occupation-based education module increased their perceived comfort and ease infusing Young Athletes™ skills into their home routines. Primary Author and Speaker: Mary Falzarano Additional Authors and Speakers: Stephanie Alicea, Amanda Harris, Danna Lyons, Lindsay Moran

The evidence base for rapid tranquillisation is small in higher-income countries but is even smaller in sub-Saharan Africa. We initiated the first ever survey on the use of rapid tranquillisation in Zambia in 2009; a further survey was then done in 2010, after a programme of teaching and training. It demonstrated an overall improvement in clinical practice, safety, awareness and use of medications within therapeutic doses. It also led to a reduction in inappropriate use of medications. These improvements in practice occurred within a short time span and with minimal effort. Further international collaborative partnerships are required to build stronger mental health infrastructure in Zambia.