The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice A journal dedicated to allied health professionals
	Article Reviews and Abstracts - Vol. 1 No. 2 - ISSN 1540-580X

Pharand C, Ackman ML, Jackevicius CA, Paradiso; Use of OTC and Herbal Products in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.; Ann Pharmacother. 2003 Jun;37(6):899-904 (Canada)

A common phenomenon in North America is the use of nonprescription and herbal products by the public. Many have discussed the potential for increased adverse reactions or drug interactions in all settings and in all patients. This article reviews interviews with 306 patients, most with coronary artery disease and other pulmonary and cardiac illnesses. The most common OTC products consumed by these patients was pain relievers (51%), single-entity vitamin/mineral (38%), multivitamin/mineral (23%), antacids (21%), laxatives (17%), and herbals (17%). The most common vitamin/mineral products was vitamin E (24%), vitamin C (16%), calcium (9%), and B vitamins (8%). The most common herbal products used were garlic (13%), cayenne pepper (2%), and ginseng (2%). The authors conclude that allied health professionals need to be aware of the widespread use of these products and their potential for adverse reactions and drug interactions.
 

Grzybicki DM, Vrbin CM; Pathology resident attitudes and opinions about pathologists' assistants. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2003 Jun;127(6):666-72

The authors review the results of an anonymous questionnaire distributed to a sample of pathology residents in the United States. With a response rate of 19.4% (n = 490), the majority of residents expressed overall positive attitudes and opinions about pathologists' assistants and felt that pathologists' assistants enhanced resident training by optimizing resident workload. Some (10%-20%) of residents expressed negative attitudes or opinions about pathologists' assistants, or no knowledge at all of this specialized allied health professional. The authors conclude that increased resident education and open discussion concerning pathologists' assistants may be beneficial for optimizing resident attitudes about and training experiences with pathologists' assistants.
 

Ralston PA; Diversifying the health professions: a model program. Am J Health Behav. 2003 May-Jun;27(3):235-45

Attempting to address the need for multicultural allied health professionals in the allied health fields, the author describes a university-based mentoring program in the food and nutritional sciences. The results of the program "graduates" are described as the author attempts to demonstrate the effectiveness of this mentoring model. The model successfully resulted in multicultural students who entered health professions.
 

Martin CJ, Reams SM; The renal dietitian's role in managing hyperphosphatemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients: A national survey. J Ren Nutr. 2003 Apr;13(2):133-6

The authors present survey research data about renal dietitians for the treatment of bone mineral metabolism. The implications go beyond the study, however, and highlight the use of clinical practice guidelines by allied health professionals. The survey revealed a large variability in the treatment of bone mineral metabolism by these professionals and pointed to the need to develop and distribute clinical practice guidelines (CPG's) on the subject to those providers. Clearly the article highlights the needs for CPG's and associated standards of practice by clinicians.

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