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Studying Through the Medium of Welsh at Higher Education: A Mixed-Methods Investigation
Full text linkThe rise of translanguaging practices and the option to study in Welsh specifically at higher education necessitates understanding its impacts on students’ academic experiences and prospects. This study explores the short- and long-term outcomes of studying in Welsh at universities across Wales, using a mixed-methods design that integrates quantitative data from 32,388 students (2019–2022) with qualitative interviews from current students and alumni. Quantitative analysis revealed that students studying in Welsh achieved, on average, 7.16% higher module scores and were more likely to obtain first-class honours degrees than their English-medium peers. Qualitative findings highlighted increased confidence in language skills, deeper subject understanding, and the benefits of smaller, more interactive cohorts. However, participants also reported challenges, including limited Welsh-language resources at advanced levels and gaps in specialist terminology. These findings illuminate the pedagogical value and institutional constraints of Welsh-medium education, contributing to broader understandings of bilingualism and translanguaging in higher education. The research highlights direct and indirect outcomes of translanguaging in a minority language context and outlines institutional and pedagogical challenges. Findings provide insights for institutions, prospective students, and stakeholders, emphasising the value and challenges of Welsh-medium education. Policy and practice implications are discussed
Nurse triage in primary care: concept analysis
Full text linkAim - To examine the concept of nurse triage in primary care and establish an operational definition for its application in practice, research, and policy.Methods - Rodgers’ evolutionary method and thematic analysis was used to identify attributes, antecedents, consequences, definitions, and surrogate/related terms. A systematic search was conducted across three electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL and EMBASE in January 2025. A total of 2,997 articles were retrieved, with 1,283 duplicates removed. After title, abstract, and full-text screening, 11 articles were included in final analysis. Three articles were identified through citation tracking and hand searches.Results - Five attributes of nurse triage in primary care were identified: patient assessment; use of decision support systems, algorithms, or protocols; decision making; patient categorization; and communication skills. Seven antecedents were identified: rising demand in primary care; accessibility challenges in primary care; government policy considerations and investment plans; infrastructure and system support; initial patient contact; training and Education; and a collaborative and supportive attitude.Conclusion - This is the first study to define and clarify nurse triage in primary care, addressing existing conceptual ambiguities. This analysis enhances the understanding of nurse triage in primary care, helping triage nurses gain clarity on their roles and engage more actively in practice. It can serve as a common reference for research, clinical practice, and policy development
Exploring the perceptions of hoarding from those who support people exhibiting hoarding behaviour: an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
No full textThe current status and needs of Alcohol Related Brain Damage services across Wales and beyond
Full text linkServices for patients with Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD) are limited and many have unmet care needs. To gain a greater understanding of the current levels of service provision for patients with ARBD, a national survey was circulated, and semi-structured interviews were performed with service representatives from health and social care representatives from across the United Kingdom. Service understanding and confidence to support patients with ARBD was poor. Barriers to delivering services included limited centralized financial support, a lack of dedicated training, and an absence of effective cross-sector transdisciplinary referral pathways. Initiatives to improve care provision are discussed
Optical Fiber Integrated Photoelectrochemical Sensing Patch: Toward Noninvasive Blood Glucose Detection
Full text linkIn recent years, non-invasive blood glucose detection has received increasing attention. Among them, sweat glucose detection is expected to become an alternative to blood glucose detection due to advantages such as its samples easily to obtain. This study was proposed and preliminarily verified a prototype of photoelectrochemical sensing patch based on an optical fiber modified by ITO/ZnO/polydopamine/glucose oxidase and printed electrode, enabling close contact with human skin. In this innovative design, the optical fiber to serve both as a light transmission medium and a working electrode, while the printed electrode functions as the counter electrode and reference electrode. The electrode materials were characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS, and the reaction kinetics of the optical fiber electrode studied through SWV, EIS, and Mott-Schottky analysis. A linear relationship was established between the photocurrent and the logarithm of glucose concentration in the concentration range from 10 μM to 1 mM, with a detection limit of 3.5 μM, and a response time of less than 1 s. In addition, the specificity and stability of the sensing patch were evaluated, and an attempt was made to detect real sweat glucose in situ. This work presents a novel prototype for the development of wearable sensors, with promising applications in biochemical analysis and health monitoring.</p
Emotionally entwined narratives: a polyphonic trialogue on learning disability history research
Full text linkThis paper offers a critical analysis of the concept of “emotional community” in the context of our research into histories of learning disability. Emotional communities are places where people feel, express and make sense of emotions. They help us to understand that emotions are something we experience socially and not just individually. The paper is presented in the form of a conversation between many researchers. This is what we mean by “polyphonic,” which translates as “many voices.” Some of us have learning disabilities, and some of us do not. Although there are many voices, the authors belong to teams who worked on three learning disability history projects. Each team comprises researchers and self-advocates with learning disabilities and academics without. We use the word “trialogue” to mean discussion involving the three teams. In the discussion, we first talk about what we mean by “emotional community.” Then we talk about the purpose of emotional communities, and their “light” (good) and “dark” (bad) aspects. We also talk about a process called “commoning,” which is working to understand what we have in common. This leads into a discussion of the ethics of emotional communities. We conclude by reflecting on some of the possibilities and problems we see with emotional communities
Designed to Smile’’ in wales and its implications to improve oral health care of children in Sri Lanka: A desk review
Full text linkThe ‘Designed to Smile’ (D2S) programme in Wales emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice in public health. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation based on research have made D2S a sustainable model for child oral health care, with a significant reduction in dental decay rates in Wales since its inception. Cost-effectiveness studies, such as those comparing fissure sealants and fluoride varnish, have informed strategic shifts in resource allocation within D2S. The programme now emphasizes preventive measures such as oral health education, supervised tooth brushing, and fluoride varnish application, particularly targeting deprived areas based on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. Skill mix models in D2S, incorporating dental professionals and non-dental health workers, have enhanced programme delivery, particularly in early years’ interventions. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in D2S include both quantitative and qualitative assessments, providing comprehensive insights into programme effectiveness. Community engagement is integral to D2S, with efforts to involve parents, guardians, teachers, and health professionals in promoting oral health. The D2S team makes efforts to align with global health and environmental goals through practices like reducing plastic waste and decarbonization. The strategies and structure of the D2S child oral health care programme in Wales provide insights that could be valuable in facing existing challenges in oral health programmes for children in Sri Lanka
