title: EAP

authors: Bruce, Ian

abstract: EAP is a discipline that is famously needs-driven, centrally focused on meeting the needs of students seeking to study or undertake research in English-medium university contexts. However, a significant lacuna in the theoretical and research literature of the field is a comprehensive understanding of practitioner need, specifically in relation to the knowledge base required both for EAP pedagogy and wider professional practice. In response to the questions posed for this symposium, this paper is a brief evaluation of the research streams that currently aim to inform the EAP practitioner knowledge base. My discussion is framed by a social realist theory of knowledge (Moore, 2013; Young, 2008, 2010). ‘Social realism’ distinguishes between knowledge and experience, theoretical and everyday knowledge, and it acknowledges that theoretical knowledge exists in particular domains or disciplines. As a basis for this brief review of the EAP practitioner knowledge base, I begin by defining the domain of EAP and proposing what I see as the overall goal of EAP courses.

text: EAP EAP is a discipline that is famously needs-driven, centrally focused on meeting the needs of students seeking to study or undertake research in English-medium university contexts. However, a significant lacuna in the theoretical and research literature of the field is a comprehensive understanding of practitioner need, specifically in relation to the knowledge base required both for EAP pedagogy and wider professional practice. In response to the questions posed for this symposium, this paper is a brief evaluation of the research streams that currently aim to inform the EAP practitioner knowledge base. My discussion is framed by a social realist theory of knowledge (Moore, 2013; Young, 2008, 2010). ‘Social realism’ distinguishes between knowledge and experience, theoretical and everyday knowledge, and it acknowledges that theoretical knowledge exists in particular domains or disciplines. As a basis for this brief review of the EAP practitioner knowledge base, I begin by defining the domain of EAP and proposing what I see as the overall goal of EAP courses.

year: 2017

title: Is engineering for me? Do girls have enough information to decide?

authors: Swan, Janis E.

subjects: Engineering

abstract: Increasing the diversity in engineering starts with increasing the proportion of the specific cohort choosing to study engineering. The proportion of women doing engineering is low. Common barriers to increasing the proportion of woman in engineering include not studying the appropriate subjects to meet entry requirements, misconceptions about engineers, and lack of information on possible careers after graduation. Various strategies have been developed to overcome barriers but the proportion of woman studying engineering has not increased significantly over the past fifty years.

text: Is engineering for me? Do girls have enough information to decide? Increasing the diversity in engineering starts with increasing the proportion of the specific cohort choosing to study engineering. The proportion of women doing engineering is low. Common barriers to increasing the proportion of woman in engineering include not studying the appropriate subjects to meet entry requirements, misconceptions about engineers, and lack of information on possible careers after graduation. Various strategies have been developed to overcome barriers but the proportion of woman studying engineering has not increased significantly over the past fifty years.

year: 2018

title: Real world initiation of newly funded empagliflozin and dulaglutide under special authority for patients with type 2 diabetes in New Zealand

authors: Chepulis, Lynne Merran

subjects: GLP1RA

abstract: Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is sub-optimally managed for many in Aotearoa New Zealand, and disproportionately affects Māori and Pacific peoples. In February 2021, SGLT2i/GLP1RA agents were funded for use for the first time with prioritisation for Māori, Pacific and those with cardiovascular and/or renal disease or risk (CVRD). This study evaluates the impact of health system factors on initiation of SGLT2i/GLP1RA therapy. 

Methods: Primary care data was collected for patients with T2D aged 18–75 years from four primary care organisations (302 general practices) in the Auckland / Waikato region of New Zealand (Feb 2021 – July 2022). Initiation of SGLT2i/GLP1RA therapy was reviewed by patient (age, gender, ethnicity, CVRD status) and health system variables (funding, provider type, staffing, patient numbers, rurality, after-hours access). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of a patient being dispensed SGLT2i/GLP1RA. 

Results: Of 57,743 patients with T2D, 22,331 were eligible for funded SGLT2i/GLP1RA access and 10,272 of those (46.0%) were prescribed. Initiation of therapy was highest in Māori (50.8%) and Pacific (48.8%) patients (vs. 36·2–40·7% of other ethnic groups; P < 0.001), but was comparable in those with and without CVRD (47·1% vs. 48·9%; P = 0.2). Prescribing was highest in practices with higher doctor/patient numbers, low-cost fees, Māori health providers and clinics without after-hours access.

Conclusion: Prioritised access for SGLT2i/GLP1RA appears to be associated with a reduced health equity gap for Māori and Pacific patients with T2D in NZ, but work is required to improve prescribing for patients with CVRD.

text: Real world initiation of newly funded empagliflozin and dulaglutide under special authority for patients with type 2 diabetes in New Zealand Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is sub-optimally managed for many in Aotearoa New Zealand, and disproportionately affects Māori and Pacific peoples. In February 2021, SGLT2i/GLP1RA agents were funded for use for the first time with prioritisation for Māori, Pacific and those with cardiovascular and/or renal disease or risk (CVRD). This study evaluates the impact of health system factors on initiation of SGLT2i/GLP1RA therapy. 

Methods: Primary care data was collected for patients with T2D aged 18–75 years from four primary care organisations (302 general practices) in the Auckland / Waikato region of New Zealand (Feb 2021 – July 2022). Initiation of SGLT2i/GLP1RA therapy was reviewed by patient (age, gender, ethnicity, CVRD status) and health system variables (funding, provider type, staffing, patient numbers, rurality, after-hours access). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of a patient being dispensed SGLT2i/GLP1RA. 

Results: Of 57,743 patients with T2D, 22,331 were eligible for funded SGLT2i/GLP1RA access and 10,272 of those (46.0%) were prescribed. Initiation of therapy was highest in Māori (50.8%) and Pacific (48.8%) patients (vs. 36·2–40·7% of other ethnic groups; P < 0.001), but was comparable in those with and without CVRD (47·1% vs. 48·9%; P = 0.2). Prescribing was highest in practices with higher doctor/patient numbers, low-cost fees, Māori health providers and clinics without after-hours access.

Conclusion: Prioritised access for SGLT2i/GLP1RA appears to be associated with a reduced health equity gap for Māori and Pacific patients with T2D in NZ, but work is required to improve prescribing for patients with CVRD.

year: 2025