Bakgrund: Sepsis är en sjukdom där en infektion ger ett systemiskt inflammationssvar i kroppen. Symtombilden kan vara varierande och även ospecifik. Både incidensen och mortaliteten är hög i världen. Sjukdomen innebär stort lidande för patienterna både under den akuta sjukdomsfasen och i efterförloppet för de överlevande. Framtagna bedömningsinstrumenten grundar sig främst på patientens vitalparametrar, vilka nödvändigtvis inte är avvikande initialt. Genom en ökad kunskap om både subjektiva och objektiva värden har ambulanssjuksköterskan goda möjligheter att identifiera fler patienter med misstänkt sepsis prehospitalt. Syfte: Att beskriva kännetecken och symtom hos patienter med sepsis inom ambulanssjukvården.   Metod: En systematisk litteraturstudie gjord med en integrativ metod enligt Whittemore & Knafl (2005) och en induktiv ansats. Resultatet baseras på 15 vetenskapliga artiklar med kvantitativ, kvalitativ och mixad metod.  Resultat: Resultatet visade att de subjektiva kännetecknen och de objektiva symtomen alla var viktiga delar som gav en helhetsbild av sepsis. Åtta subkategorier gav de två kategorierna En känsla av sjukdom och att inte vara sig själv och En kropp som sviker. De bildade sedan huvudkategorin Helhetsbilden av sepsis – kännetecken och symtom av betydelse.  Slutsats: Symtombilden vid sepsis kunde vara komplex och varierande. Patienterna beskrevs kunna ha kännetecken och symtom från alla kroppens organsystem. Patienterna var ofta mycket påverkade, hade ett stort lidande samt stor risk att avlida i sin sjukdom. / Background: Sepsis is a disease in which an infection produces a systemic inflammatory response in the body. The presentation of signs and symptoms can be varied and non-specific. Both the incidence and mortality are high in the world. The disease leads to great suffering for the patients both during the acute phase of the disease but also in the aftermath for the survivors. The assessment tools are mainly based on the patient's vital signs, which are not necessarily deviating initially. Through an increased knowledge of both subjective and objective parameters, the ambulance clinicians have good possibilities to identify more patients with suspected sepsis in the prehospital setting. Aim: To describe the signs and symptoms in patients with sepsis in the ambulance services. Method: A systematic literature review done with an integrative method according to Whittemore & Knafl (2005) and an inductive approach. The result is based on 15 scientific papers with a variety of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. Results: The results showed that subjective signs and objective symptoms were important pieces of the overall picture of sepsis. 8 subcategories formed two categories A feeling of illness and not being oneself and A body that fails. These shaped the main category The overall picture of sepsis – signs and symptoms of significance. Conclusion: The presentation of sepsis could be complex and varied. Patients were described as having signs and symptoms from all the body's organ systems. The patients were often very affected, had a great deal of suffering and a high risk of dying from their disease.

The study identifies the increase in populations at risk for communication disorders world-wide and in South Africa as one the reasons for research to develop early communication intervention (ECI) services as a societal responsibility in South Africa. Since ECI is largely an unknown entity in the South African health system, but shares several mutual objectives, the dire need for data of populations at-risk validates the development of a computer-based relational data system as a 21st century research tool for ECI. Underpinnings for the development of a research database for ECI were obtained from the use of database management systems for early intervention in the USA, identified as leaders in the application of database technology in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. The aim of the study was to develop and establish a computerized database system to describe the characteristics of young children at risk for communication disorders enrolled in an existing ECI programme. Using a descriptive survey as research design, a rich description of 153 subjects and their families was obtained. The findings relating to the multiple risk profiles of the subjects revealed results not extensively described or emphasized in the literature, indicating the in-depth analysis of results that is possible when utilizing a database approach to research. The complex risk profile found in the subgroup of subjects with cleft lip and palate is an example of a need for further investigation. The results also indicated the critical importance of early identification of risk events throughout a child’s life to improve the efficacy of ECI services. Further results emphasized the important role of parents to identify the early signs of risks for communication disorders in their children, provided they are equipped with the necessary knowledge. A conceptual framework for the early identification of risks for communication disorders is proposed for best practice in ECI in South Africa. The study concluded that the CHRIB database system was successfully applied in the empirical research and is now established as a versatile 21st century research tool to be utilized in second generation research in ECI in South Africa. / Thesis (DPhil(Communication Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Unrestricted

Although the importance of early identification and intervention of infants at risk for communication delays and disorders have been advocated and emphasized in literature, case finding and service delivery in rural areas in South Africa appears to be problematic. The implementation of early communication intervention (ECI) within public service delivery has been proposed in the past. The primary health care (PHC) package had to be considered as a possible vehicle to be utilized for the implementation of ECI functions in rural communities. Against this background the existing identification methods and referral systems, utilized in Ditsobotla sub-district, were described in the current study to determine the limitations in case finding, and the feasibility of the implementation of ECI functions in collaboration with other PHC programmes. A descriptive dominant-less-dominant model provided the design to describe the identification process and teamwork in Ditsobotla sub-district. Data triangulation was utilized to improve reliability and validity of results which entailed a rating scale, face-to-face interviews with PHC personnel (participants in Group 1) and face-to-face interviews with PHC programme managers (participants in group 2). The results indicated that the capacity of facilities and human resources to support the implementation of ECI functions vary within the sub-district. Therefore an incremental implementation of ECI functions is feasible in collaboration with the existing PHC package. The current identification methods and referral systems are limited and a great need for collaboration exists. ECI functions need to be implemented formally within the PHC package and guidelines for such an implementation are provided. Furthermore the identification process to be introduced needs to form part of the incremental implementation of ECI functions. The implications are discussed in terms of ECI service delivery in rural South Africa. The proposed process of incremental implementation of ECI functions in rural areas, i.e. Ditsobotla sub-district, within the PHC package is provided. The need to develop identification methods, referral systems and guidelines for the implementation of ECI in PHC are emphasized. Future practice-based research is recommended in order to improve ECI service delivery in rural areas in South Africa. Copyright / Dissertation (MCommunication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Unrestricted

Problématique : Entre 25 et 45% des enfants nés entre 29 et 36 semaines de gestation présenteront un retard de développement (RD) à 2 ans d'âge corrigé (AC). Les enfants nés entre 29 et 36 semaines de gestation ne bénéficient d’aucun suivi systématique structuré, tel que celui retrouvé dans les Cliniques de suivi néonatal, qui permet une identification précoce des RD. Des facteurs tels que les caractéristiques périnatales, environnementales et le statut neurologique à l’âge équivalent du terme (AET) ont été étudiés comme marqueurs potentiels du RD, mais leur capacité à prédire les manifestations précoces du RD, lorsque combinés, demeure mal comprise. Objectif : Déterminer le modèle de prédiction le mieux ajusté pour la prédiction du retard moteur à 3,5 mois AC par la combinaison des facteurs périnataux, environnementaux et du statut neurologique à l’AET chez les enfants nés entre 29 et 36 semaines de gestation. Méthode: Étude prospective incluant 129 enfants nés entre 29 et 36 semaines de gestation et admis ≥48h à l’unité de soins intensifs néonatale (USIN). À l’AET, les facteurs périnataux et environnementaux ont été collectés. Un examen neurologique standardisé de l’enfant a été complété. À 3,5 mois AC, une évaluation motrice a été réalisée avec le Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS): le retard était défini comme un score <10e percentile. Des régressions logistiques ont permis d’identifier les facteurs associés au RD à 3,5 mois AC et de créer un modèle de prédiction. Résultats : Les facteurs qui sont demeurés significatifs dans le modèle multivarié à 3,5 mois AC sont : consommation de tabac par la mère, présence de diabète gestationnel, score à l’Échelle de dépression postnatal d’Édimbourg, indice de risque néonatal et indice de risque environnemental. Le modèle final avait une sensibilité de 76% et une spécificité de 84% pour la prédiction du RD à 3,5 mois. Conclusion : Le modèle statistique élaboré permet une identification suffisamment sensible et spécifique pour être utilisé en clinique à des fins d’identification précoce du risque de RD auprès des enfants nés entre 29 et 36 semaines de gestation et ce, dès l’AET. / Background: Between 25 and 45% of children born prematurely between 29 and 36 weeks of gestation will present with developmental delay by 2 years of corrected age (CA). Children born between 29 and 36 weeks of gestation do not systematically benefit from specialized follow-up, which allows the early identification of developmental delay. Factors such as perinatal characteristics, environmental characteristics and neurological status have been studied as potential markers of developmental delay. However, their capacity for predicting an early manifestation of developmental delay remains poorly understood. Aims: To determine the best-fitting model for the prediction of motor delay at 3.5 months CA by the combination of perinatal factors, environmental factors, and neurological status at term equivalent age (TEA) in children born between 29 and 36 weeks' gestation. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 129 infants born between 29 and 36 weeks of gestation and admitted for >48h in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). At TEA, perinatal and environmental factors were collected, and a standardized neurological examination of the child was also performed. At 3.5 months CA, a motor assessment was performed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale: delay was defined as a score <10th percentile. Logistic regressions were used in order to identify factors associated with motor delay at 3.5 months CA and to create a prediction model. Results: Factors that remained significant in the multivariate model at 3.5 months CA were maternal smoking, gestational diabetes, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score, neonatal risk index, and environmental risk index. The final model had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 84% for predicting motor delay at 3.5 months. Conclusion: The statistical model developed demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity strong enough to support its use in a clinical context for the early identification of the risk of motor delay in children born between 29 and 36 weeks of gestation.

Bakgrund: 49 miljoner människor runt om i världen drabbas årligen av sepsis samt orsakar 11 miljoner dödsfall. Det är ett allvarligt och livshotande tillstånd där varje timme räknas för att minska dödligheten och därmed krävs en tidig identifiering för en snabb och adekvat behandling samt en säker vård. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva sjuksköterskors kliniska erfarenheter av att identifiera sepsis hos patienter inom hälso- och sjukvården. Metod: En litteraturöversikt som inkluderade åtta vetenskapliga artiklar publicerade mellan 2003 och 2022. Data inhämtades från databaserna CINAHL och MEDLINE samt genom sekundär sökning. Innehållsanalys utfördes enligt Fribergs fem steg. Resultat: Två huvudkategorier och sex underkategorier identifierades. Sjuksköterskors kliniska erfarenheter av att identifiera sepsis (erfarenhet påverkar tidig identifiering, symtom och varningstecken, klinisk erfarenhet av diffusa symtom). Faktorer som påverkar sjuksköterskornas identifiering av sepsis (kunskap och arbetsstöd, samverkan i team och kommunikation, arbetsbelastningens betydelse).   Slutsats: Sepsis är ett komplext tillstånd som kan vara svårt att identifiera när diffusa symtom och tecken uppvisas. Sjuksköterskornas förmågor att identifiera sepsis påverkas av olika faktorer såsom kunskap, klinisk erfarenhet och arbetsmiljö. / Background: 49 million people around the world suffer from sepsis annually and cause 11 million deaths. It is a serious and life-threatening condition where every hour counts to reduce mortality and thus early identification is required for prompt and adequate treatment for a safe care. Aim: The purpose was to describe nurses' experiences of identifying sepsis in patients within the health care. Method: A literature review that included eight scientific articles published between 2003 and 2022. Data were obtained from the databases CINAHL, MEDLINE and by secondary search. Content analysis was performed according to Friberg's five steps. Results: Two main categories and six subcategories were identified. Nurses' clinical experience in identifying sepsis (experience affects early identification, symptoms and warning signs, clinical experience of diffuse symptoms). Factors influencing the nurses' identification of sepsis (knowledge and work support, teamwork and communication, workload importance). Conclusion: Sepsis is a complex condition that can be difficult to identify when diffuse symptoms and signs are present. The nurses' abilities to identify sepsis are affected by various factors such as knowledge, clinical experience and work environment.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to use first-year test results to develop an early warning system for the identification of freshmen at risk of failing. All students registered between 1989 and 1997 for the six-year programmes chiropractic and homoeopathy were included in this ex post facto study. A descriptive study firstly indicated a serious problem of attrition with on average only 66% of chiropractic and 55% homoeopathy freshmen successfully completing the first year. A relationship was demonstrated between both first and second test results and outcome at the end of the first year of studies. A logistic regression model estimated retrospectively from first test results in physiology, anatomy, biology and chemistry was able to discriminate between successful and non-successful freshmen with an overall predictive accuracy of 80.82%. When this model was validated on a different set of data it was shown to have a very high sensitivity and was thus able to correctly identify >93 % of the potentially at risk freshmen. It also had a low Type II error ( <7%) and thus missed very few of the freshmen at risk of failing. A logistic regression model estimated retrospectively from second test results in physiology, anatomy, biology and chemistry had an overall predictive accuracy of 85.94% . The validated model had a sensitivity of 67% which was too low for the model to be of much use as a management tool for the identification of the freshmen at risk of failing. However, the model was shown to have a high specificity and was able to correctly identify >93% of the potentially successful freshmen. It also had a low Type I error (14.29%). Discriminant analysis models estimated from both first and second test results in physiology, anatomy, biology and chemistry produced strong support for the use of test results for the early identification of those freshmen who would need support in order to be successful. It is suggested that the objective models developed in this research could identify the freshman in need of support at an early enough stage for support measures to still have a positive effect on attrition. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Educational management)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T13:17:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silvia Cristiane Murari.pdf: 13030417 bytes, checksum: cd899fbf081308ddeb79733213c0e4d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of unknown etiology. The variables determining the severity of the autism like symptoms are linked to the child's life history, the child's health issues, and other environmental aspects. The lifelong effects of the autism on the child's development are related to the early detection of signs of autism and to the time of outset of clinical treatment. Primary health care professionals (i.e., pediatricians, nurses, and nursing assistants) are the first professionals to have contact with the infant. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a child's development monitoring program in the public health care system, such as in the services provided in the Basic Health Units (BHU), constitutes an appropriate strategy for the early identification of ASD. In order to determine the feasibility of a child's development monitoring program, were assessed (a) the guidelines for professional practice in the healthcare system related to the childcare services; (b) the correlation between the professional guidelines and the protocols for measurement of children's development; (c) the types of medical records available on the child's development of 45 children between 15 days to 24 months old (i.e., symptoms reported, data on the child's social, psychomotor and language development); (d) the information on professional training and knowledge about autism of one pediatrician, one nurse and five nursing assistants; (e) video recordings of the professional's interaction with the children during the assessment conducted by a pediatrician, two nurses and seven nursing assistants, and the direct observation of child's behaviours concerning to autism like symptoms during the health care assessment. These evaluations were based on guidelines concerning to the early identification of autism available in the literature. The preliminary outcome of the study suggests that the services provided at the UBS setting may constitute an opportunity for early detection of autism. However, it is necessary to improve the child's development assessment existing protocols and professional practices. The recommended improvements should include several changes. First, the implementation of new guidelines for health care professionals concerning to the assessment of social and language development. Second, the improvement of the data collection tools used by the professionals in order to promote the easy visualization of early signs of autism through the identification of the presence or absence of typical developmental milestones and the possible presence of atypical developmental characteristics concerning to the early signs of autism. Third, the implementation of professional training on direct observation of children's behavior and children's development assessment, and implementation of information gathering protocols concerning to the parent's knowledge about the child's development, as well on provision of guidance on how parents can better participate in the identification of developmental deficits that may indicate the presence of autism / O Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA) é um transtorno sem etiologia definida. As variáveis que o determinam relacionam-se com a história de vida da criança, principalmente, intercorrências médicas e das interações sociais. O grau de seu comprometimento depende, em parte, do quão precocemente os primeiros sinais de seu desenvolvimento são detectados e de a criança ser encaminhada, o quanto antes, para tratamento adequado. Os primeiros profissionais a terem contado com a criança são os da atenção primária à saúde (pediatras, enfermeiros, auxiliares de enfermagem). A proposta deste trabalho foi a de investigar se um programa de vigilância do desenvolvimento infantil de um serviço público como o das Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) constitui-se meio apropriado para a identificação precoce de sinais de TEA. Para isso, foram avaliados (a) o protocolo de orientação à prática profissional no atendimento de puericultura; (b) a correspondência entre as orientações do protocolo e os instrumentos de coleta sobre o desenvolvimento da criança; (c) tipos de registros (em especial, queixas, orientações profissionais, desenvolvimento social, neuropsicomotor e da linguagem da criança) contidos em 45 prontuários de crianças na faixa etária de >15 dias a 24 meses; (d) as formações profissionais e os conhecimentos sobre o TEA de um pediatra, um enfermeiro e cinco auxiliares de enfermagem, por meio de entrevistas; (e) por meio de filmagens avaliou-se os comportamentos de um pediatra, 2 enfermeiros e 7 auxiliares de enfermagem com relação à anamnese e suas interações com a criança em atendimentos de puericultura, assim como a ocorrência de comportamentos infantis, relacionados no quadro do TEA., durante atendimentos de puericultura. As referidas avaliações foram baseadas em orientações contidas na literatura sobre a identificação precoce dos sinais do TEA. Pelo conjunto dos dados e análises realizadas a resposta é positiva: os serviços de puericulturas disponíveis nas UBS podem constituir-se sim oportunidades para a identificação precoce de sinais de TEA. Contudo, avaliou-se necessário realizar aprimoramentos em todas as instâncias avaliadas. Os aprimoramentos se dariam primeiro pela inclusão, no protocolo, de novas orientações aos profissionais, especialmente com relação ao desenvolvimento social e da linguagem; segundo, pela inclusão do maior número possível de itens correspondentes às descrições do protocolo no material de coleta, bem como, a reestruturação desse material, de forma a facilitar a visualização do profissional da evolução dos comportamentos da criança e, consequentemente, a presença de possíveis atipicidades, como os sinais do TEA; terceiro, pela oferta de cursos de capacitações nos quais os profissionais sejam treinados a observar a criança, a registrar seu desenvolvimento, questionar os pais sobre o desenvolvimento dos próprios filhos, orientá-los de forma adequada para que fiquem atentos com défices de desenvolvimento que possam indicar risco de TEA

Abstract Background and aims: Growing evidence supports the existence of clinically significant problems in social-emotional/behavioral (SEB) development among infants and toddlers and the importance of early identification of these problems. There is a lack of research on the occurrence and identification of problems in the SEB domain among the Finnish general population of 1 to 2-year-old children. The present study examined these important issues. Given the dearth of earlier research knowledge, particular emphasis was focused on analyzing possible moderating effects of the assessed child’s and informant’s gender on the results. Subjects and methods: Oulu toddler (N = 208, age 18 months), Oulu infant (N = 227, age 12 months), and Oulu Province (N = 1008, age 12 months) samples were collected during 2008–2013 in collaboration with child health centers. Both mothers and fathers completed questionnaires assessing their child´s SEB development (e.g. the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment; Briggs-Gowan &amp; Carter, 2006) and the family’s sociodemographic characteristics. Child healthcare nurse (CHCN) worry reports concerning the children’s development and family well-being were also gathered. Main results and conclusions: In parental ratings, girls obtained higher SEB competence scores than boys, whereas boys got higher SEB problem scores than girls, particularly among the toddler sample. Thus, boys may have an elevated risk of parent-reported problem behaviors and delays in SEB competences even before the age of 2 years. Compared to fathers, mothers were prone to rate the toddlers higher in both SEB competences and problems, especially with regard to externalizing behavior problems and problems in boys. Elevated interparental rating differences were associated with relatively elevated maternal parenting stress. Therefore, it is recommended to gather data on young children’s SEB development from both parents when possible and to focus clinical attention on the issue if the parental reports differ significantly. Parents and CHCNs seldom recognized SEB problems and delays in competency as problematical in 1-year-old infants, even in the case of infants who were screened to be in the of-concern range on the age-appropriate measure of SEB development. Thus, further efforts are needed for developing the identification of early problems in SEB development by both parents and preventive child healthcare professionals in Finland. / Tiivistelmä Tausta ja tavoitteet: Kasvava näyttö tukee käsitystä, että kliinisesti merkittäviä sosioemotionaalisen ja käyttäytymisen (SEK) kehityksen ongelmia esiintyy jo vauva- ja taaperoikäisillä ja että näiden ongelmien varhainen tunnistaminen on tärkeää. SEK-kehityksen ongelmien esiintymisestä ja tunnistamisesta 1–2-vuotaiden väestössä Suomessa puuttuu tutkimustietoa. Tämä tutkimus arvioi näitä tärkeitä aiheita. Tutkimuksessa huomioitiin erityisesti sekä tutkittavan lapsen että arvioitsijan sukupuolen mahdollinen moderoiva vaikutus tuloksiin, koska aiempaa tutkimustietoa tästä näkökulmasta on vähän. Tutkittavat ja menetelmät: Oulu taapero (N = 208, ikä 18 kk), Oulu vauva (N = 227, ikä 12 kk) ja Oulun lääni (N = 1008, ikä 12 kk) -aineistot kerättiin vuosina 2008–2013 yhteistyössä lastenneuvoloiden kanssa. Sekä äidit että isät täyttivät lomakkeet, jotka arvioivat lapsen SEK-kehitystä (mm. the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment; Briggs-Gowan &amp; Carter, 2006) ja perheen sosiodemografisia taustatekijöitä. Myös terveydenhoitajan raportit lapsen kehitykseen ja perheen hyvinvointiin liittyvistä huolista kerättiin. Päätulokset ja johtopäätökset: Vanhempien arvioimina tytöt saivat korkeampia pistemääriä SEK-taidoissa kuin pojat, kun taas pojat saivat korkeampia pistemääriä SEK-ongelmissa kuin tytöt, etenkin taaperoaineistossa. Pojilla saattaakin olla kohonnut riski vanhempien raportoimille käytösongelmille ja SEK-kehityksen viiveille jopa ennen 2 vuoden ikää. Isiin verrattuina äidit olivat taipuvaisia antamaan korkeampia pisteitä sekä SEK-taito- että -ongelmaosioissa taaperoikäisten aineistossa, etenkin koskien ulospäin suuntautuvia käytösongelmia ja poikien ongelmia. Suurentuneet eroavaisuudet vanhempien antamissa arvioissa olivat yhteydessä suhteellisesti kohonneeseen vanhemmuuden stressiin äideillä. Onkin suositeltavaa kerätä tietoa pienen lapsen SEK-kehityksestä kummaltakin vanhemmalta, jos mahdollista, ja kiinnittää kliinistä huomiota asiaan, jos vanhempien antamat tiedot eriävät merkittävästi. Vanhemmat ja terveydenhoitajat tunnistivat SEK-ongelmia ja taitojen puutteita harvoin huolenaiheiksi 1-vuotiailla, vaikka nämä vauvat olisivat seuloutuneet huolialueelle ikätasoon soveltuvalla SEK-kehityksen mittarilla. Tarvitaankin lisätoimia, jotta vanhemmat ja terveydenhuollon ammattilaiset oppivat paremmin tunnistamaan varhaisia SEK-kehityksen ongelmia Suomessa.

The purpose of this study was to use first-year test results to develop an early warning system for the identification of freshmen at risk of failing. All students registered between 1989 and 1997 for the six-year programmes chiropractic and homoeopathy were included in this ex post facto study. A descriptive study firstly indicated a serious problem of attrition with on average only 66% of chiropractic and 55% homoeopathy freshmen successfully completing the first year. A relationship was demonstrated between both first and second test results and outcome at the end of the first year of studies. A logistic regression model estimated retrospectively from first test results in physiology, anatomy, biology and chemistry was able to discriminate between successful and non-successful freshmen with an overall predictive accuracy of 80.82%. When this model was validated on a different set of data it was shown to have a very high sensitivity and was thus able to correctly identify >93 % of the potentially at risk freshmen. It also had a low Type II error ( <7%) and thus missed very few of the freshmen at risk of failing. A logistic regression model estimated retrospectively from second test results in physiology, anatomy, biology and chemistry had an overall predictive accuracy of 85.94% . The validated model had a sensitivity of 67% which was too low for the model to be of much use as a management tool for the identification of the freshmen at risk of failing. However, the model was shown to have a high specificity and was able to correctly identify >93% of the potentially successful freshmen. It also had a low Type I error (14.29%). Discriminant analysis models estimated from both first and second test results in physiology, anatomy, biology and chemistry produced strong support for the use of test results for the early identification of those freshmen who would need support in order to be successful. It is suggested that the objective models developed in this research could identify the freshman in need of support at an early enough stage for support measures to still have a positive effect on attrition. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Educational management)