Toxicology Education Research Articles

Structural improvement of higher education in environmental toxicology in Latin America and Europe

Industrial development has resulted in an increased release of chemicals and other agents into the environment, resulting in damage to the environment as well as increasing the risk of adverse effects on human health. Environmental toxicology (ET) is the discipline responsible for assessing the risks to human health and the environment from the effects of new chemicals and those already present in the environment. The development of human resources in toxicology is therefore a priority in both Latin America (LA) and the European Union (EU), although LA professionals are more involved in risk evaluation than in risk assessment compared to their EU colleagues. A solid background in general toxicology will enable those interested in environmental issues to tackle local problems. Moreover, the increasing globalization of markets and, therefore, of the necessary regulations, requires harmonisation of postgraduate programmes to ensure that risk assessment and management related to the environment are dealt with uniformly and by highly qualified scientists. The Inaugural Meeting of the ALFA-OMET project ‘Development, Integration and Harmonisation of Training in Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology’, a 2-year programme supported by the European Commission, offered the opportunity to discuss a number of these issues. The present status of existing ET courses in the EU and LA and the corresponding professional profiles in the two regions were examined, and a harmonized academic curriculum for a postgraduate course in environmental toxicology was developed. Finally, a course programme for toxicology and a specialization in environmental toxicology designed by a panel of experts was discussed, and its relevance as a model for other specialisation programmes was analysed. Exercises such as those performed by ALFA-OMET may be useful not only in promoting discussion for the implementation of national and international professional registers in LA, but also in encouraging the same, ongoing process in the EU.

Advances in Navy Pharmacy Information Technology: Accessing Micromedex via the Composite Healthcare Computer System and Local Area Networks

The pharmacy profession has long used technology to more effectively bring health care to the patient. Navy pharmacy has embraced technology advances in its daily operations, from computers to dispensing robots. Evolving from the traditional role of compounding and dispensing specialists, pharmacists are establishing themselves as vital team members in direct patient care: on the ward, in ambulatory clinics, in specialty clinics, and in other specialty patient care programs (e.g., smoking cessation). An important part of the evolution is the timely access to the most up-to-date information available. Micromedex, Inc. (Denver, Colorado), has developed a number of computer CD-ROM-based full-text pharmacy, toxicology, emergency medicine, and patient education products. Micromedex is a recognized leader with regard to total pharmaceutical information availability. This article discusses the implementation of Micromedex products within the established Composite Healthcare Computer System and the subsequent use by and effect on the international Navy pharmacy community.

P4F148 - Structural improvement of higher education in occupational medicine (OM) & environmental toxicology (ET) in Latin America and Europe

Background: International guidelines have been established for the use of cardiac markers in the early diagnosis and risk assessment of patients with acute coronary syndromes. Methods: A single center, prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care university hospital on 200 consecutive patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Blood was drawn on admission and after 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h for the measurement of CK-MB/CK activity, myoglobin, CK-MB mass and troponin I. A 6-week follow-up was undertaken for the combined end point of acute coronary syndrome and death. Results: Myoglobin showed an early diagnostic sensitivity of 0.65 on admission, 0.90 after 2 h and 0.92 after 4 h compared with 0.46, 0.74 and 0.88 for CK-MB/CK activity. The combination of myoglobin and cTnI increased the diagnostic value compared with myoglobin alone on admission, 2 and 4 h later. In multivariate analysis, cTnI and CK-MB/CK mass, but not myoglobin and CK-MB/CK activity, were shown to be independent predictors on the 6-week follow-up. Conclusions: Repetitive myoglobin measurements within 4 h of admission, combined with at least one early troponin test, was shown to be the strategy of choice in early AMI diagnosis and prognosis assessment.

REGISTRATION OF TOXICOLOGISTS IN EUROPE

Recently several European Toxicological Societies have established national toxicology registers. Such societies include the British, Dutch, Finnish, French, Hungarian, and Swiss societies of toxicology. The basis for registration in these societies is peer review evaluation of the applicants. A key-criterion for acceptance is theoretical training covering the main areas of toxicology. Furthermore, job experience is required. After reviewing the merits of the applicant, the register then accepts the applicant to the register usually for five years. As a consequence of this development, EUROTOX, European Societies of Toxicology, has established a European Register of Toxicologists which will be officially inaugurated during 1997. The register already contains more than two hundred British, Dutch, Finnish, and German toxicologists. The European Register of Toxicologists already has had an impact on the recognition of toxicology in Europe, and will strive to promote toxicology education and professional status in other parts of the world.

EP-5-3 - Education in veterinary pharmacology and toxicology at Rakuno Gakuen University

EP-5-3 - Education in veterinary pharmacology and toxicology at Rakuno Gakuen University

Undergraduate education in pharmacology and toxicology

Undergraduate education in pharmacology and toxicology

Undergraduate education in pharmacology and toxicology in the USA

Undergraduate education in pharmacology and toxicology in the USA

Computers in toxicological education: an overview.

Computers in toxicological education: an overview.

1982 toxicology education award

1982 toxicology education award

Training and education in toxicology. A discussion.

Training and education in toxicology. A discussion.

The American Board of Veterinary Toxicology

The American Board of Veterianry Toxicology was established to further the educational and scientific progress in this specialty of veterinary medicine, and to encourage education, training, and research in veterinary toxicology. The board was also established to maintain the highest possible standards of training and experience for specialists who would qualify in veterinary toxicology--and as a result to provide recognition for such qualified specialists by suitable certification and by other means. The American Board of Veterinary Toxicology was established as a speciality by the American Veterinary Medical Association and received provisional approval in 1967. Subsequently, the board has received full approval of the Committee on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association and is a fully recognized speciality of veterinary medicine.

The Impact of Current Laws on Education in Toxicology

The Impact of Current Laws on Education in Toxicology

Toxicology Education in the Accredited Colleges of Pharmacy of the United States

Toxicology Education in the Accredited Colleges of Pharmacy of the United States