Quantifying or, more generally, estimating the severity of the possible consequences of occupational accidents is a decisive step in any occupational risk assessment process. Because of the lack of historic information (accident data collection and recording are incipient and insufficient, particularly in construction) and the lack of practical tools in the construction industry, the estimation...

This article attracted great attention within the scientific and regulatory community. Substantial gaps in the study design, fundamental flaws in the data analysis and erroneous interpretation of results have been pointed out by individual scientists and administration bodies. Upon request by the European Commission, the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed the study and concluded...

The risk assessment process is described with a focus on the hazard identification and dose-response components. Many of the scientific questions and uncertainties associated with these components are discussed, and the role for biomarkers and specimen banking in supporting these activities are assessed. Under hazard identification, the use of biomarkers in defining and predicting a) biological...

Assessing the performance of doctors while they are engaged in clinical work is a challenging concept. The introduction of objective-based curricula provides the stimulus and opportunity for the Royal Colleges of Physicians to develop relevant and reliable methods of in-service assessment. We propose to pilot a study investigating the validity, reliability and feasibility of three assessment me...

This paper distinguishes between three views of argument: “argument as structure,” “argument as confrontation” and “argument as dialogical encounter.” Empirical studies of the criteria that examiners bring to the assessment of PhDs are cited. The studies provide evidence that qualities that align one or other of the three modes of argument figure significantly in the criteria that examiners bri...

While there is increasing awareness that spirituality is a central dimension of human existence, there are few assessment instruments that operationalize spiritual strengths in a clinically useful manner. Further, instruments tailored specifically for African Americans, the population for whom spirituality may be most salient, have been almost completely lacking in the literature. Corresponding...

In recent years, chemical cancer risk assessment has faced major challenges: the demand for cancer risk assessment has grown considerably with strict legislation regarding chemical safety, whereas cancer hazard identification has turned increasingly complex due to the rapid development and high publication rate in biomedical sciences. Thus, much of the scientific evidence required for hazard id...

The need to provide students with regular feedback on their performance is integral to the assessment process, but not all mentors feel confident to do this. This article highlights the benefits of providing constructive feedback for both the mentor and the student. Five principles associated with giving constructive feedback are discussed. The importance of preparing for feedback, ensuring it ...

The European Council Directive 89/391/EC of 12 June 1989 is concerned with the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the occupational safety and health. For example, it deals with risk assessment and preventive measures. The Finnish legislation enacts the risk assessment and prevention measures in a similar way as the EU Directive 89/391/EC. The aim of this study was to examine:...