Doubts have been raised concerning the reliability and the validity of self-reports of traumatic events. A correlation between the number of inconsistencies in self-reports and the level of PTSD symptoms has been found. We examine whether these results can be generalized to a population of 137 Dutch peacekeepers who took part in operation UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia). The peacekeepers completed a 16-item trauma checklist, 3 and 4 years after their return from UNTAC. The test-retest reliability of the trauma checklist was adequate. Inconsistencies were randomly divided over all respondents and all items and were not correlated with symptoms of PTSD. No increase in the number of reported events over time was found. Earlier findings raising doubts concerning the reliability and validity of self-report measures of exposure were not replicated in this sample of Dutch peacekeepers.

Direct observation (DO) of residents by supervisors is a highly recommended educational tool in postgraduate medical education, yet its uptake is poor. Residents and supervisors report various reasons for not engaging in DO. Some of these relate to their interaction with patients during DO. We do not know the patient perspectives on these interactions, nor, more broadly, what it is like to be a patient in a DO situation. Understanding the patient perspective may lead to a more complete understanding of the dynamics in DO situations, which may benefit patient wellbeing and improve the use of DO as an educational tool. We conducted a phenomenological interview study to investigate the experience of being a patient in a DO situation. Our analysis included multiple rounds of coding and identifying themes, and a final phase of phenomenological reduction to arrive at the essential elements of the experience. Constant reflexivity was at the heart of this process. Our results provide a new perspective on the role of the supervisor in DO situations. Patients were willing to address the resident, but sought moments of contact with, and some participation by, the supervisor. Consequently, conceptions of DO in which the supervisor thinks she is a fly on the wall rather than a part of the interaction, should be critically reviewed. To that end, we propose the concept of participative direct observation in workplace learning, which also acknowledges the observer’s role as participant. Embracing this concept may benefit both patients’ wellbeing and residents’ learning.

In the fight against the type 2 diabetes epidemic, patients might be asked to discuss familial susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in their family. Illness representations of patients (N = 546) were assessed to explore their impact on perceived type 2 diabetes threat in relatives. Reporting high type 2 diabetes burden, emotional impact and perceiving type 2 diabetes as an inheritable disease seemed to increase patients' family risk perception and worries about relatives' future health. Patients with coherent illness understanding reported positive beliefs regarding type 2 diabetes prevention in relatives. Findings may give direction in how illness representations may be used to guide patients in the process of family risk disclosure.

Findings favor training of clinicians in utilizing a family approach as prevention strategy. Patients (particularly Surinamese South-Asians) are in need of professional help in the process of family risk disclosure. (Online) Educational tools should be made available at which patients can refer their relatives.