This study attempts to investigate factors associated with involvement in substance abuse in Trinidad and Tobago, through a survey of 1603 secondary school students, aged fourteen to eighteen years. Analysis of the data using the Chi-square test indicates a significant association (p < .001) between involvement in substance abuse and the following factors: grades at school, importance of religious involvement, amount of spending money obtained, confidence placed in parents/peers, parental involvement in alcohol consumption and educational expectations. Generally, the study indicates that youth less committed to traditional values, show a greater tendency to be involved in substance abuse. Involvement also appears to be associated with low self esteem and low educational expectations.

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In 2014, a patient navigator (PN) program was initiated in a healthcare cluster in Singapore. The program was set up to improve care coordination and facilitate continuity of care of patients. PNs are trained nurses who act as a clinical liaison between the patients, family, staff and the healthcare system to coordinate patients' treatment plans and ensure continuity of care provision from the acute to the community setting. PNs care for patients with chronic diseases and their role includes resolving caregiver disputes, eliminating barriers to treatment, exploring financial assistance options, facilitating terminal discharge and providing end-of-life counseling. This article describes the activities performed by PNs in the acute care setting. The case studies demonstrate the depth and breadth of navigation activities and illustrate how hospital-based navigators help patients seek treatment earlier, access resources and receive care at the appropriate healthcare setting.

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Background: Unplanned readmission incurs additional cost to patients and contributes to the rising healthcare cost of our nation. Although numerous studies have investigated the predicting factors that contribute to hospital readmission, the majority of the studies focused on clinical and patient-related factors, and were not from the perspectives of clinicians such as patient navigators (PNs). Aim: To understand factors that predict patients' readmission risks from the PNs' perspectives. Method: Using purposive sampling, PNs with a minimum of 10 years of clinical experience in the adult acute-care setting participated in the focus group interviews. Thematic analysis was adopted. Findings: All 10 PNs agreed that the readmission risk assessment tool was useful as a guide to assess patients' risk of readmission; however, they also mentioned the use of clinical judgement and experience while assessing their patients. Three themes emerged from this study: (1) looking beyond medical-related issues; (2) social and community support; (3) functional status of patients. Conclusion: Predicting patients' risk of readmission is closely tied to the patients' current medical conditions and caregiving needs. Ensuring individualised readmission risk assessment and identifying social issues early are key in ensuring a holistic discharge planning.

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The UWI Postgraduate Scholarship has been the most longstanding award offered by the University of the West Indies. However, completion rates of students have been decreasing and the number of students registered has not been increasing significantly.This paper investigates the UWI Postgraduate Scholarships awarded from 2001 to 2007. This evaluation was done in order to ascertain whether this award was serving its intended purpose, that is, promoting research and creating new knowledge. The UWI Postgraduate Scholarship does encourage persons to pursue studies full-time. It is very sound in its structure, management and administration. However, more student support systems need to be put in place and student progress needs to be more carefully monitored so as to increase throughput rates.