Objective. To review the literature regarding the use of learning style frameworks in health science education, with particular attention to learning outcomes and use for self-awareness. Findings. Of the 415 articles identified in an initial search of the literature, 31 articles involving learning style frameworks were included after screening titles, abstracts, and full texts. Multiple learning style frameworks, including VARK, Kolb Learning Style Inventory, Honey and Mumford Learning Style Questionnaire, and Pharmacist Inventory of Learning Styles, have been used in various health science education disciplines, including medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. Most publications were descriptive in nature, reporting the learning styles of the given student cohort. Most studies that attempted to find a correlation between learning style and learning outcomes found none. In cases where a correlation was found, it was weak or inconsistent with findings from other published studies. No identified studies described use of learning style frameworks for increasing self-awareness in learners. Summary. While several different learning style inventories have been used to assess health science education students, their utility for predicting learning outcomes appears to be weak. Using learning style inventories to improve learner self-awareness is an unexplored area of education and research.
Aminoglycosides are antimicrobial agents that are primarily used for infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens. The purpose of this article is to review the allergic reactions reported in the published literature to aminoglycoside antibiotics. A thorough PubMed search was conducted and excluded non-allergic adverse reactions to aminoglycosides. Allergic reactions to aminoglycosides occur infrequently, but can include cutaneous reactions as well as systemic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Of the evaluated aminoglycosides, gentamicin had the most reported allergic reactions, including the most reports of anaphylaxis, followed by tobramycin, and then amikacin. Most reports of allergic reactions occurred in patients who had a prior exposure to some dosage form of an aminoglycoside. Cross-reactivity among aminoglycosides is common and occurs due to the similarities in their chemical structures. Desensitization protocols to tobramycin have been described in the literature.