Medical Library Association

Meg Barclay , education consultant and early years reviewer for the School Library Association, reviews picturebooks that teach children more about the seasons and prepare them for starting school in September

In our editorial in the January/April 2023 issue of the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA), we spoke of the challenges we faced when we took on the co-lead editor roles. At the end of that editorial, we stated our intention to get the publishing schedule back on track and to finally tackle other projects. And while it took us some time to report it, we are pleased to share that, in the publication year of 2024, JMLA resumed its regular quarterly publishing schedule.

Introduction: Tracheostomy-dependent pediatric patients face an increased risk of respiratory infections due to bacterial colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). Inhaled antibiotics, such as tobramycin, were developed as targeted treatments to reduce infection rates and the need for systemic antibiotics; however, limited research explores their use in tracheostomy-dependent children, particularly their impact on healthcare utilization and optimal dosing. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, including tracheostomy-dependent patients aged 0 to 21 years from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2023. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis, or primary ciliary dyskinesia were excluded. The primary outcome measured emergency department visits, regular floor admissions, ICU admissions, and systemic antibiotic use six months before and after initiating inhaled tobramycin. The secondary outcome assessed changes in PA positivity rates. Results: A total of 42 children were included, with a median age of 2 years; 64.3% were male. Neurologic disorders (45.2%) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (26.2%) were the most common reasons for tracheostomy. Inhaled tobramycin therapy was associated with reduced regular admissions (p = 0.04), ICU admissions (p = 0.006), and systemic antibiotic use (p = 0.05). PA positivity decreased from 40.5% to 30.9% post-treatment (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study the largest in non-CF, tracheostomy-dependent children demonstrates that inhaled tobramycin significantly reduces hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and antibiotic use. Although 40% of patients received doses between 160 mg and 300 mg every other month, dose variability did not significantly impact clinical outcomes.

Meg Barclay, education consultant and early years reviewer for the School Library Association, reviews picturebooks that teach children more about the world, introduce different species of whales, animals and their habitats, and the water cycle

Music Library Association Virtual Conference 2025

We sincerely thank the peer reviewers in 2023 who helped evaluate and improve the quality of work published in the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA).

Meg Barclay , education consultant and early years reviewer for the School Library Association, reviews books which help children learn some of the key skills they will need later in life

Dans une conception purement éthique de l’empathie non-directive, le droit à l’autodétermination des personnes est centrale. La pratique de l’empathie peut alors être définie selon un cadre qui examine : la motivation du thérapeute ; son intention lors de sa recherche de compréhension de ce qu’exprime la personne ; l’objet de son empathie ; les processus cachés en jeu ; les actions observables de l’écoute empathique ; et enfin les effets des actions du thérapeute. Ces cinq dimensions façonnent la structure de l’empathie. Elles permettent d’examiner la manière dont les thérapeutes centrés sur le client qui partagent ce point de vue éthique pratiquent l’empathie et pourquoi ils procèdent ainsi. L’importance de vérifier leur compréhension sans chercher ailleurs est mise en évidence. Il ne s’agit pas d’interpréter, de « prendre » quelque chose de plus à la personne, mais de s’assurer de l’exactitude de sa compréhension, afin d’obtenir exactement ce que la personne « donne ». C’est à l’accomplissement de cette tâche, et uniquement de celle-ci, que le thérapeute doit tout mettre en œuvre.