Recommendations for Clinical Decision Support Deployment: Synthesis of a Roundtable of Medical Directors of Information Systems

PubMed Central

Jenders, Robert A.; Osheroff, Jerome A.; Sittig, Dean F.; Pifer, Eric A.; Teich, Jonathan M

2007-01-01

Background: Ample evidence exists that clinical decision support (CDS) can improve clinician performance. Nevertheless, additional evidence demonstrates that clinicians still do not perform adequately in many instances. This suggests an ongoing need for implementation of CDS, in turn prompting development of a roadmap for national action regarding CDS. Objective: Develop practical advice to aid CDS implementation in order to improve clinician performance. Method: Structured group interview during a roundtable discussion by medical directors of information systems (N = 30), with subsequent review by participants and synthesis. Results: Participant consensus was that CDS should be comprehensive and should involve techniques such as order sets and facilitated documentation as well as alerts; should be subject to ongoing feedback; and should flow from and be governed by an organization’s clinical goals. Conclusion: A structured roundtable discussion of clinicians experienced in health information technology can yield practical, consensus advice for implementation of CDS. PMID:18693858

Advice and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Citizen-Science Environmental Health Assessments.

PubMed

Barzyk, Timothy M; Huang, Hongtai; Williams, Ronald; Kaufman, Amanda; Essoka, Jonathan

2018-05-11

Citizen science provides quantitative results to support environmental health assessments (EHAs), but standardized approaches do not currently exist to translate findings into actionable solutions. The emergence of low-cost portable sensor technologies and proliferation of publicly available datasets provides unparalleled access to supporting evidence; yet data collection, analysis, interpretation, visualization, and communication are subjective approaches that must be tailored to a decision-making audience capable of improving environmental health. A decade of collaborative efforts and two citizen science projects contributed to three lessons learned and a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that address the complexities of environmental health and interpersonal relations often encountered in citizen science EHAs. Each project followed a structured step-by-step process in order to compare and contrast methods and approaches. These lessons and FAQs provide advice to translate citizen science research into actionable solutions in the context of a diverse range of environmental health issues and local stakeholders.

Research and technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The role of the Langley Research Center is to engage in the basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and space flight, to enerate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Highlights of the major accomplishments and applications made during the past year are described. The highlights illustrate both the broad range of the research and technology activities at the Langley Research Center and the contributions of this work toward maintaining United States leadership in aeronautics and space research.

Advice Taking from Humans and Machines: An fMRI and Effective Connectivity Study.

PubMed

Goodyear, Kimberly; Parasuraman, Raja; Chernyak, Sergey; Madhavan, Poornima; Deshpande, Gopikrishna; Krueger, Frank

2016-01-01

With new technological advances, advice can come from different sources such as machines or humans, but how individuals respond to such advice and the neural correlates involved need to be better understood. We combined functional MRI and multivariate Granger causality analysis with an X-ray luggage-screening task to investigate the neural basis and corresponding effective connectivity involved with advice utilization from agents framed as experts. Participants were asked to accept or reject good or bad advice from a human or machine agent with low reliability (high false alarm rate). We showed that unreliable advice decreased performance overall and participants interacting with the human agent had a greater depreciation of advice utilization during bad advice compared to the machine agent. These differences in advice utilization can be perceivably due to reevaluation of expectations arising from association of dispositional credibility for each agent. We demonstrated that differences in advice utilization engaged brain regions that may be associated with evaluation of personal characteristics and traits (precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, temporoparietal junction) and interoception (posterior insula). We found that the right posterior insula and left precuneus were the drivers of the advice utilization network that were reciprocally connected to each other and also projected to all other regions. Our behavioral and neuroimaging results have significant implications for society because of progressions in technology and increased interactions with machines.

Advice Taking from Humans and Machines: An fMRI and Effective Connectivity Study

PubMed Central

Goodyear, Kimberly; Parasuraman, Raja; Chernyak, Sergey; Madhavan, Poornima; Deshpande, Gopikrishna; Krueger, Frank

2016-01-01

With new technological advances, advice can come from different sources such as machines or humans, but how individuals respond to such advice and the neural correlates involved need to be better understood. We combined functional MRI and multivariate Granger causality analysis with an X-ray luggage-screening task to investigate the neural basis and corresponding effective connectivity involved with advice utilization from agents framed as experts. Participants were asked to accept or reject good or bad advice from a human or machine agent with low reliability (high false alarm rate). We showed that unreliable advice decreased performance overall and participants interacting with the human agent had a greater depreciation of advice utilization during bad advice compared to the machine agent. These differences in advice utilization can be perceivably due to reevaluation of expectations arising from association of dispositional credibility for each agent. We demonstrated that differences in advice utilization engaged brain regions that may be associated with evaluation of personal characteristics and traits (precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, temporoparietal junction) and interoception (posterior insula). We found that the right posterior insula and left precuneus were the drivers of the advice utilization network that were reciprocally connected to each other and also projected to all other regions. Our behavioral and neuroimaging results have significant implications for society because of progressions in technology and increased interactions with machines. PMID:27867351

Minutes of the Speech Understanding Workshop Convened on 13 November 1975 in Washington, D.C.

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-11-13

Paul Butler and the Technology Utilization progrn for their 76 support. To Dr. Orin Cornett of Gallaudet College, I want to express my thanks for his...to Dr. Ronald S. Hershel and "Messrs. Michael A. M\\’onahan, Timothy C. Strand and Larry B. Stotts for advice and criticism. we Cet article discute une

Western Australian women's perceptions of conflicting advice around breast feeding.

PubMed

Hauck, Yvonne L; Graham-Smith, Catherine; McInerney, Justine; Kay, Sue

2011-10-01

to explore women's perceptions of conflicting advice around breast feeding from formal support networks, specifically health professionals involved in postnatal support. a qualitative exploratory design was employed using the critical incident technique. Data were obtained from 62 Western Australian women who responded to an invitation to share incidents of receiving conflicting advice. Women who had breast fed a child within the past 12 months shared their experience through a telephone interview (n = 50) or completing a brief questionnaire (n = 12) addressing the following questions: Describe a situation in detail where you felt you received conflicting advice about breast feeding from a health professional. How did this situation affect you and/or your breast feeding? a modified constant comparison method was used to analyse the critical incidents revealing commonalities under who offered conflicting advice; what contributed to advice being perceived as conflicting; topic areas more inclined to being regarded as conflicting; what protected against advice being perceived as conflicting; the consequences of receiving conflicting advice; and strategies that women used to manage these incidents. advice that was viewed as conflicting extended beyond the provision of information that was inconsistent or directly contradictory, and included issues around information overload and disparities between the mother's and health professional's expectations. The manner of presenting information or advice, the skills of using effective communication, demonstration of a caring attitude with an empathic approach and focusing upon the woman as an individual were seen to be important to minimise these incidents. Attention to women's perceptions and the consequences of conflicting advice must be addressed, otherwise the credibility and confidence in health professionals' knowledge and ability to support breast feeding is questioned, resulting in a valuable support network being selectively ignored. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Use of Living Organisms in Schools: Advice and Support from Science Inspectors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lock, Roger

1996-01-01

Focuses on the advice and support from science inspectors or advisers with respect to the use of living organisms in schools. Reports that advice, support, and encouragement in the use of living organisms in teaching was widely available at the time of this study and schools have a great deal to lose from the shrinkage in the advisory service.…

Pregnancy, exercise and nutrition research study with smart phone app support (Pears): Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Kennelly, Maria A; Ainscough, Kate; Lindsay, Karen; Gibney, Eileen; Mc Carthy, Mary; McAuliffe, Fionnuala M

2016-01-01

Maternal adiposity confers an increased risk of GDM in pregnancy. A low glycemic index (GI) dietary intervention has been found to improve glucose homeostasis and reduce gestational weight gain. Mobile Health (mHealth) Technology-assisted interventions are becoming commonplace as an aid to treating many chronic diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a 'healthy lifestyle package' with mHealth smart phone technology as support compared with usual care on the incidence of GDM in an overweight and obese pregnant population. We propose a randomized controlled trial of an mHealth assisted healthy lifestyle intervention package versus standard obstetric care in pregnant women with a BMI ≥25kg/m(2)-39.9kg/m(2). Patients are randomized to control or intervention group in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention arm healthy lifestyle package includes a motivational counseling session to encourage behavior change, involving targeted, low GI nutritional advice and daily physical activity prescription delivered before 18weeks gestation, as well as a smart phone app to provide ongoing healthy lifestyle advice and support throughout pregnancy. The primary outcome is the incidence of GDM at 29weeks' gestation and power analysis indicates that 253 women are required in each group to detect a difference. This will be the first clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a smart phone technology-assisted targeted healthy lifestyle intervention, which is grounded in behavior change theories and techniques, to support antenatal management of an overweight and obese pregnant population in preventing GDM. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of internet-based technology for supporting self-care: problems encountered by patients and caregivers when using self-care applications.

PubMed

Nijland, Nicol; van Gemert-Pijnen, Julia; Boer, Henk; Steehouder, Michaël F; Seydel, Erwin R

2008-05-15

Prior studies have shown that many patients are interested in Internet-based technology that enables them to control their own care. As a result, innovative eHealth services are evolving rapidly, including self-assessment tools and secure patient-caregiver email communication. It is interesting to explore how these technologies can be used for supporting self-care. The aim of this study was to determine user-centered criteria for successful application of Internet-based technology used in primary care for supporting self-care. We conducted scenario-based tests combined with in-depth interviews among 14 caregivers and 14 patients/consumers to describe the use of various self-care applications and the accompanying user problems. We focused on the user-friendliness of the applications, the quality of care provided by the applications, and the implementation of the applications in practice. Problems with the user-friendliness of the self-care applications concerned inadequate navigation structures and search options and lack of feedback features. Patients want to retrieve health information with as little effort as possible; however, the navigation and search functionalities of the applications appeared incapable of handling patients' health complaints efficiently. Among caregivers, the lack of feedback and documentation possibilities caused inconvenience. Caregivers wanted to know how patients acted on their advice, but the applications did not offer an adequate feedback feature. Quality of care problems were mainly related to insufficient tailoring of information to patients' needs and to efficiency problems. Patients expected personalized advice to control their state of health, but the applications failed to deliver this. Language (semantics) also appeared as an obstacle to providing appropriate and useful self-care advice. Caregivers doubted the reliability of the computer-generated information and the efficiency and effectiveness of secure email consultation. Legal or ethical issues with respect to possible misuse of email consultation also caused concerns. Implementation problems were mainly experienced by caregivers due to unclear policy on email consultation and the lack of training for email consultations. Patients' and caregivers' expectations did not correspond with their experiences of the use of the Internet-based applications for self-care. Patients thought that the applications would support them in solving their health problems. Caregivers were more reserved about the applications because of medico-legal concerns about misuse. However, the applications failed to support self-care because eHealth is more than just a technological intervention. The design of the applications should include a way of thinking about how to deliver health care with the aid of technology. The most powerful application for self-care was secure email consultation, combined with a suitable triage mechanism to empower patients' self-awareness. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of such Web-based triage mechanisms for medical complaints and on the development of interactive features to enhance patients' self-care.

Evaluation of Internet-Based Technology for Supporting Self-Care: Problems Encountered by Patients and Caregivers When Using Self-Care Applications

PubMed Central

van Gemert-Pijnen, Julia; Boer, Henk; Steehouder, Michaël F; Seydel, Erwin R

2008-01-01

Background Prior studies have shown that many patients are interested in Internet-based technology that enables them to control their own care. As a result, innovative eHealth services are evolving rapidly, including self-assessment tools and secure patient-caregiver email communication. It is interesting to explore how these technologies can be used for supporting self-care. Objective The aim of this study was to determine user-centered criteria for successful application of Internet-based technology used in primary care for supporting self-care. Methods We conducted scenario-based tests combined with in-depth interviews among 14 caregivers and 14 patients/consumers to describe the use of various self-care applications and the accompanying user problems. We focused on the user-friendliness of the applications, the quality of care provided by the applications, and the implementation of the applications in practice. Results Problems with the user-friendliness of the self-care applications concerned inadequate navigation structures and search options and lack of feedback features. Patients want to retrieve health information with as little effort as possible; however, the navigation and search functionalities of the applications appeared incapable of handling patients’ health complaints efficiently. Among caregivers, the lack of feedback and documentation possibilities caused inconvenience. Caregivers wanted to know how patients acted on their advice, but the applications did not offer an adequate feedback feature. Quality of care problems were mainly related to insufficient tailoring of information to patients’ needs and to efficiency problems. Patients expected personalized advice to control their state of health, but the applications failed to deliver this. Language (semantics) also appeared as an obstacle to providing appropriate and useful self-care advice. Caregivers doubted the reliability of the computer-generated information and the efficiency and effectiveness of secure email consultation. Legal or ethical issues with respect to possible misuse of email consultation also caused concerns. Implementation problems were mainly experienced by caregivers due to unclear policy on email consultation and the lack of training for email consultations. Conclusions Patients’ and caregivers’ expectations did not correspond with their experiences of the use of the Internet-based applications for self-care. Patients thought that the applications would support them in solving their health problems. Caregivers were more reserved about the applications because of medico-legal concerns about misuse. However, the applications failed to support self-care because eHealth is more than just a technological intervention. The design of the applications should include a way of thinking about how to deliver health care with the aid of technology. The most powerful application for self-care was secure email consultation, combined with a suitable triage mechanism to empower patients’ self-awareness. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of such Web-based triage mechanisms for medical complaints and on the development of interactive features to enhance patients’ self-care. PMID:18487137

Advice-Implicative Interrogatives: Building "Client-Centered" Support in a Children's Helpline

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Butler, Carly W.; Potter, Jonathan; Danby, Susan; Emmison, Michael; Hepburn, Alexa

2010-01-01

Interactional research on advice giving has described advice as normative and asymmetric. In this paper we examine how these dimensions of advice are softened by counselors on a helpline for children and young people through the use of questions. Through what we term "advice-implicative interrogatives," counselors ask clients about the…

76 FR 37112 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-24

... advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management... Second Advice Letter on EPA Workforce Planning: Leadership Capabilities and Culture for ``One EPA'' and..., [email protected] , (202) 564-5320, U.S. EPA, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Management and...

76 FR 1431 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-10

...: Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92463, EPA gives notice of a public meeting of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the...'s request for advice on workforce issues the Agency is facing and how EPA can best address the needs...

75 FR 38810 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-06

...: Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92463, EPA gives notice of a public teleconference... advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management... developing to respond to EPA's request for advice on workforce issues the Agency is facing and how EPA can...

75 FR 52941 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-30

...: Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92463, EPA gives notice of a public meeting of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the...'s request for advice on workforce issues the Agency is facing and how EPA can best address the needs...

76 FR 24481 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-02

...: Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92463, EPA gives notice of a public meeting of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the... tribal governments. The purpose of this meeting is to: (1) Discuss NACEPT's second advice letter on EPA...

Advice and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Citizen-Science Environmental Health Assessments

PubMed Central

Barzyk, Timothy M.; Huang, Hongtai; Williams, Ronald; Kaufman, Amanda; Essoka, Jonathan

2018-01-01

Citizen science provides quantitative results to support environmental health assessments (EHAs), but standardized approaches do not currently exist to translate findings into actionable solutions. The emergence of low-cost portable sensor technologies and proliferation of publicly available datasets provides unparalleled access to supporting evidence; yet data collection, analysis, interpretation, visualization, and communication are subjective approaches that must be tailored to a decision-making audience capable of improving environmental health. A decade of collaborative efforts and two citizen science projects contributed to three lessons learned and a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that address the complexities of environmental health and interpersonal relations often encountered in citizen science EHAs. Each project followed a structured step-by-step process in order to compare and contrast methods and approaches. These lessons and FAQs provide advice to translate citizen science research into actionable solutions in the context of a diverse range of environmental health issues and local stakeholders. PMID:29751612

User-friendly technology to help family carers cope.

PubMed

Chambers, Mary; Connor, Samantha L

2002-12-01

Increases in the older adult population are occurring simultaneously with a growth in new technology. Modern technology presents an opportunity to enhance the quality of life and independence of older people and their family carers through communication and access to health care information. To evaluate the usability of a multimedia software application designed to provide family carers of the elderly or disabled with information, advice and psychological support to increase their coping capacity. The interactive application consisted of an information-based package that provided carers with advice on the promotion of psychological health, including relaxation and other coping strategies. The software application also included a carer self-assessment instrument, designed to provide both family and professional carers with information to assess how family carers were coping with their care-giving role. Usability evaluation was carried out in two stages. In the first stage (verification), user trials and an evaluation questionnaire were used to refine and develop the content and usability of the multimedia software application. In the second (demonstration), stage evaluation questionnaires were used to appraise the usability of the modified software application. The findings evidenced that the majority of users found the software to be usable and informative. Some areas were highlighted for improvement in the navigation of the software. The authors conclude that with further refinement, the software application has the potential to offer information and support to those who are caring for the elderly and disabled at home.

Langley aerospace test highlights, 1985

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

The role of the Langley Research Center is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and space flight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Significant tests which were performed during calendar year 1985 in Langley test facilities, are highlighted. Both the broad range of the research and technology activities at the Langley Research Center and the contributions of this work toward maintaining United States leadership in aeronautics and space research, are illustrated. Other highlights of Langley research and technology for 1985 are described in Research and Technology-1985 Annual Report of the Langley Research Center.

Langley aerospace test highlights, 1989

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The role of the NASA Langley Research Center is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and spaceflight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Some of the significant tests that were performed during calendar year 1989 in the NASA Langley Research Center test facilities are highlighted. Both the broad range of the research and technology activities at the NASA Langley Research Center are illustrated along with the contributions of this work toward maintaining United States leadership in aeronautics and space research. Other highlights of Langley research and technology for 1989 are described in Research and Technology 1989 - Langley Research Center.

Langley aerospace test highlights, 1990

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

The role of NASA-Langley is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and spaceflight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Some of the significant tests are highlighted which were performed during 1990 in the NASA-Langley test facilities, a number of which are unique in the world. Both the broad range of the research and technology activities at NASA-Langley and the contributions of this work toward maintaining U.S. leadership in aeronautics and space research are illustrated. Other highlights of Langley research and technology for 1990 are described in Research and Technology 1990 Langley Research Center.

Develop a Prototype Personal Health Record Application (PHR-A) that Captures Information About Daily Living Important for Diabetes and Provides Decision Support with Actionable Advice for Diabetes Self Care

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

higher  Java v5Apache Struts v2  Hibernate v2  C3PO  SQL*Net client / JDBC Database Server  Oracle 10.0.2 Desktop Client  Internet Explorer...for mobile Smartphones - A Java -based framework utilizing Apache Struts on the server - Relational database to handle data storage requirements B...technologies are as follows: Technology Use Requirements Java Application Provides the backend application software to drive the PHR-A 7 BEA Web

Langley aerospace test highlights, 1987

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

The role of the Langley Research Center is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and space flight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Some of the significant tests which were performed during the calender year 1987 in Langley test facilites are illustrated. Both the broad range of the research and technology activities at Langley and the contributions of this work toward maintaining the U.S. leadership in aeronautic and space research are illustrated.

Langley aeronautics and space test highlights, 1984

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The role of the Langley Research Center is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and space flight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Some of the significant tests which were performed during calendar year 1984 in Langley test facilities are highlighted. The broad range of the research and technology activities at the Langley Research Center and the contributions of this work toward maintaining United States leadership in aeronautics and space research are illustrated.

Multiple behavior changes in diet and activity: a randomized controlled trial using mobile technology.

PubMed

Spring, Bonnie; Schneider, Kristin; McFadden, H Gene; Vaughn, Jocelyn; Kozak, Andrea T; Smith, Malaina; Moller, Arlen C; Epstein, Leonard H; Demott, Andrew; Hedeker, Donald; Siddique, Juned; Lloyd-Jones, Donald M

2012-05-28

Many patients exhibit multiple chronic disease risk behaviors. Research provides little information about advice that can maximize simultaneous health behavior changes. To test which combination of diet and activity advice maximizes healthy change, we randomized 204 adults with elevated saturated fat and low fruit and vegetable intake, high sedentary leisure time, and low physical activity to 1 of 4 treatments: increase fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity, decrease fat and sedentary leisure, decrease fat and increase physical activity, and increase fruit/vegetable intake and decrease sedentary leisure. Treatments provided 3 weeks of remote coaching supported by mobile decision support technology and financial incentives. During treatment, incentives were contingent on using the mobile device to self-monitor and attain behavioral targets; during follow-up, incentives were contingent only on recording. The outcome was standardized, composite improvement on the 4 diet and activity behaviors at the end of treatment and at 5-month follow-up. Of the 204 individuals randomized, 200 (98.0%) completed follow-up. The increase fruits/vegetables and decrease sedentary leisure treatments improved more than the other 3 treatments (P < .001). Specifically, daily fruit/vegetable intake increased from 1.2 servings to 5.5 servings, sedentary leisure decreased from 219.2 minutes to 89.3 minutes, and saturated fat decreased from 12.0% to 9.5% of calories consumed. Differences between treatment groups were maintained through follow-up. Traditional dieting (decrease fat and increase physical activity) improved less than the other 3 treatments (P < .001). Remote coaching supported by mobile technology and financial incentives holds promise to improve diet and activity. Targeting fruits/vegetables and sedentary leisure together maximizes overall adoption and maintenance of multiple healthy behavior changes.

Multiple Behavior Change in Diet and Activity: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using Mobile Technology

PubMed Central

Spring, Bonnie; Schneider, Kristin; McFadden, H.G.; Vaughn, Jocelyn; Kozak, Andrea T.; Smith, Malaina; Moller, Arlen C.; Epstein, Leonard H.; DeMott, Andrew; Hedeker, Donald; Siddique, Juned; Lloyd-Jones, Donald M.

2012-01-01

Background Many patients exhibit multiple chronic disease risk behaviors. Research provides little information about advice that can maximize simultaneous health behavior changes. Methods To test which combination of diet and activity advice maximizes healthy change, we randomized 204 adults with elevated saturated fat and low fruit/vegetable intakes, high sedentary leisure time and low physical activity to one of four treatments: increase fruit/vegetable and physical activity; decrease fat and sedentary leisure; decrease fat and increase physical activity; increase fruit/vegetable and decrease sedentary leisure. Treatments provided three weeks of remote coaching supported by mobile decision support technology and financial incentives. During treatment, incentives were contingent on using the mobile device to self-monitor and attain behavioral targets; during follow-up they were contingent only on recording. The outcome was standardized, composite improvement on the four diet and activity behaviors at end of treatment and five month follow-up. Results Of those randomized, 200 (98%) completed follow-up. The increase fruit/vegetable and decrease sedentary leisure treatment improved more than the other 3 treatments (p<.001). Specifically, fruit/vegetables increased from 1.2 servings/day to 5.5; sedentary leisure decreased from 219.2 minutes/day to 89.3; saturated fat decreased from 12.0% of calories consumed to 9.5%. Differences between treatment groups were maintained through follow-up. Traditional dieting (decrease fat and increase physical activity) improved less than the other 3 treatments (p<.001). Conclusions Remote coaching supported by mobile technology and financial incentives holds promise to improve diet and activity. Targeting fruits/vegetables and sedentary leisure together maximizes overall adoption and maintenance of multiple healthy behavior changes. PMID:22636824

Advice for prevention from HIV-positive African-American women: 'My story is not just a story'.

PubMed

Robillard, Alyssa; Padi, Akhila; Lewis, Kaleea; Julious, Carmen; Troutman, Jamie

2017-05-01

Large disparities in HIV incidence, prevalence and mortality exist for African-American women, especially in the southern region of the USA. Based on the culture-centric health promotion model, HIV-positive African American women can use their stories to support primary prevention. The purpose of this study was to document advice from HIV-positive African-American women (n = 25) to young African-American women, as described in their own cultural narratives collected through qualitative interviews. Content analysis of women's advice identified five common themes revolving broadly around: (1) advice for prevention, (2) support systems for prevention, (3) education, (4) empowerment/self-care and (5) potential barriers to prevention. Advice reflected recommendations based on personal experience and highlighted social determinants linked to HIV, such as stigma, access to education and healthcare, social support, and gender and power dynamics. Women also offered advice for coping with an HIV-positive diagnosis. Communication with parents, family and friends regarding education and social support emerged as an important interpersonal factor for participants, as were interactions with sexual/romantic partners. Stigma, at the community level, was consistently discussed as a hindrance to prevention. Narratives of HIV-positive women as community health agents of change can enhance the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions for young US African-American women.

Teachers' perceptions of the role of nurses: caring for children who are technology-dependent in mainstream schools.

PubMed

Shimizu, Fumie; Katsuda, Hitomi

2015-01-01

This study explored special education teachers' perceptions of the role of nurses who specialize in providing nursing care to children who are technology-dependent in mainstream schools. Semistructured interviews with 11 teachers were conducted, and data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The teachers surveyed thought that the most important role of nurses was to maintain good health and safety, as well as to support children's education as members of the educational team. Teachers desired that nurses give advice based on their professional knowledge to maintain the children's good health and safety. In supporting education, nurses were required to support the children's autonomy and education, and to act as members of the educational team. Study findings suggest that, for an optimal relationship with teachers, nurses who provide nursing care for children who are technology-dependent in mainstream schools need not only fulfill medical functions, but also support the education of children as members of the educational team. © 2014 The Authors. Japan Journal of Nursing Science © 2014 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.

The impact of parallel regulatory-health technology assessment scientific advice on clinical development. Assessing the uptake of regulatory and health technology assessment recommendations.

PubMed

Tafuri, Giovanni; Lucas, Inês; Estevão, Steve; Moseley, Jane; d'Andon, Anne; Bruehl, Hannah; Gajraj, Elangovan; Garcia, Sonia; Hedberg, Niklas; Massari, Marco; Molina, Andrea; Obach, Mercè; Osipenko, Leeza; Petavy, Frank; Petschulies, Marco; Pontes, Caridad; Russo, Pierluigi; Schiel, Anja; Van de Casteele, Marc; Zebedin-Brandl, Eva-Maria; Rasi, Guido; Vamvakas, Spiros

2018-05-01

The parallel regulatory-health technology assessment scientific advice (PSA) procedure allows manufacturers to receive simultaneous feedback from both EU regulators and health technology assessment (HTA) bodies on development plans for new medicines. The primary objective of the present study is to investigate whether PSA is integrated in the clinical development programmes for which advice was sought. Contents of PSA provided by regulators and HTA bodies for each procedure between 2010 and 2015 were analysed. The development of all clinical studies for which PSA had been sought was tracked using three different databases. The rate of uptake of the advice provided by regulators and HTA bodies was assessed on two key variables: comparator/s and primary endpoint. In terms of uptake of comparator recommendations at the time of PSA in the actual development, our analysis showed that manufacturers implemented comparators to address both the needs of regulators and of at least one HTA body in 12 of 21 studies. For primary endpoints, in all included studies manufacturers addressed both the needs of the regulators and at least one HTA body. One of the key findings of this analysis is that manufacturers tend to implement changes to the development programme based on both regulatory and HTA advice with regards to the choice of primary endpoint and comparator. It also confirms the challenging choice of the study comparator, for which manufacturers seem to be more inclined to satisfy the regulatory advice. Continuous research efforts in this area are of paramount importance from a public health perspective. © 2018 The British Pharmacological Society.

Integrating health technology assessment requirements in the clinical development of medicines: the experience from NICE scientific advice.

PubMed

Maignen, François; Osipenko, Leeza; Pinilla-Dominguez, Pilar; Crowe, Emily

2017-03-01

The primary objective of the study was to analyse the proposed clinical development and economic evaluation plans for investigational medicinal products for which pharmaceutical companies have sought health technology assessment (HTA) scientific advice (SA). We have selected and analysed all the scientific advice procedures undertaken by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) SA between 1 January 2009 and 3 December 2015 for investigational medicinal products. We have mapped the questions asked by the companies and the areas of advice highlighted in the advice reports to the sections of the NICE methods guide to the technology appraisals (2013). An overwhelming proportion of SA procedures have addressed questions related to the clinical development and specifically the main pivotal efficacy studies. Approximately a quarter of the questions relate to the approaches to economic evaluation. Questions raised in European Medicines Agency-HTA procedures generally focus on clinical efficacy issues whereas cost-effectiveness ones tend to dominate in NICE-only procedures. Our analysis shows that the issues mostly discussed in the HTA SA are the choice of comparator, the generalisability of the clinical trial evidence to the NHS practice and the impact of the clinical trial outcomes on quality of life and survival. Less disagreement with the developers' plans was seen in the choice of clinical endpoints, population definition, position of the technology in the treatment pathway and study design. Scientific advice is designed to improve the quality of evidence and approaches to evidence generation for future regulatory approval and HTA evaluation. Our experience to date suggests that payer requirements are inconsistently integrated in the clinical development programmes. More efforts should be dedicated to demonstrating the clinical value of new medicinal products to patients and key decision-makers.

A Case Study of the Technology Use and Information Flow at a Hospital-Driven Telemedicine Service.

PubMed

Smaradottir, Berglind; Fensli, Rune

2017-01-01

Health care services face the challenge of providing individualised treatment to a growing ageing population prone to chronic conditions and multi-morbidities. The research project Patients and Professionals in Productive Teams aims to study health care services that are run with a patient-centred teamwork approach. In this context, a case study was made of a hospital-driven telemedicine service for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after hospital discharge, with a focus on information flow and technology use. The methods used were observation and interviews with key informants. The results showed that the technology was perceived as well-functioning for telemedicine support, but the technology used was a standalone system and not integrated with the electronic health record of the hospital. In addition, there was lack of support to provide the patients at home with written instructions on advices of medical treatment and care. The electronic information used for this telemedicine services, allowed shared access of information for teamwork between professional only within the hospital.

Langley aerospace test highlights, 1988

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The role of the Langley Research Center is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and space flight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Some of the significant tests which were performed during calendar year 1988 in Langley test facilities, a number of which are unique in the world are highlighted. Both the broad range of the research and technology activities at the Langley Research Center and the contributions of this work toward maintaining United States leadership in aeronautics and space research are illustrated.

Report explores Congress' science policy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Richard

Scientists interested in understanding how Congress develops science policy would find it useful to read a recent report by the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology, and Government. “Science, Technology and Congress: Analysis and Advice from the Congressional Support Agencies” contains revealing insights about the often hard-pressed system that Congress uses to analyze science and technology issues.“Congress is on the front line of many battles over the directions of science and technology,” says the 70-page report. “The quality of congressional decisions on these issues often depends on the quality and usefulness of information and analysis made available to Congress.” The report describes the overwhelming amount of information received by members of Congress, few of whom have “substantial training or experience” in science and technology. Making this information understandable and useful is the role of the Office of Technology Assessment, the Congressional Research Service, the General Accounting Office, and the Congressional Budget Office.

Support needs for medication use and the suitability of eHealth technologies to address these needs: a focus group study of older patients with rheumatoid arthritis

PubMed Central

Mathijssen, Elke GE; Vriezekolk, Johanna E; Eijsbouts, Agnes MM; van den Hoogen, Frank HJ; van den Bemt, Bart JF

2018-01-01

Objective The objectives of this study were to explore the needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) regarding support for medication use and to gain insight into their perspective on the suitability of eHealth technologies to address these needs. Methods Three focus groups were conducted with 28 patients with RA. Audio recordings made during the focus groups were transcribed verbatim. Two researchers independently performed an inductive, thematic analysis on the data (ie, the transcripts and field notes). Results The following three themes that described support needs of patients with RA for medication use were identified in the data: 1) informational support; 2) practical support; and 3) emotional support. Informational support reflected the provision of information and facts, including advice, suggestions, and feedback from health care providers. Practical support included the reinforcement of practical skills as well as the provision of medication aids and pharmacy services. Emotional support reflected a trusted patient–health care provider relationship, characterized by good communication. Although potential advantages of eHealth technologies to address the patients’ support needs were recognized, concerns over matters such as personal interaction with health care providers, privacy and data security, and the quality and reliability of online information were prevalent. Conclusion Patients with RA have informational, practical, and emotional support needs for medication use. Informational support seems to be most important. From the patients’ perspective, eHealth technologies may have the potential to address these needs. However, these technologies are regarded as a complement to, rather than a replacement of, current practices. PMID:29563778

Safety and usability evaluation of a web-based insulin self-titration system for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Simon, Airin C R; Holleman, Frits; Gude, Wouter T; Hoekstra, Joost B L; Peute, Linda W; Jaspers, Monique W M; Peek, Niels

2013-09-01

The rising incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induces severe challenges for the health care system. Our research group developed a web-based system named PANDIT that provides T2DM patients with insulin dosing advice using state of the art clinical decision support technology. The PANDIT interface resembles a glucose diary and provides advice through pop-up messages. Diabetes nurses (DNs) also have access to the system, allowing them to intervene when needed. The objective of this study was to establish whether T2DM patients can safely use PANDIT at home. To this end, we assessed whether patients experience usability problems with a high risk of compromising patient safety when interacting with the system, and whether PANDIT's insulin dosing advice are clinically safe. The study population consisted of patients with T2DM (aged 18-80) who used a once daily basal insulin as well as DNs from a university hospital. The usability evaluation consisted of think-aloud sessions with four patients and three DNs. Video data, audio data and verbal utterances were analyzed for usability problems encountered during PANDIT interactions. Usability problems were rated by a physician and a usability expert according to their potential impact on patient safety. The usability evaluation was followed by an implementation with a duration of four weeks. This implementation took place at the patients' homes with ten patients to evaluate clinical safety of PANDIT advice. PANDIT advice were systematically compared with DN advice. Deviating advice were evaluated with respect to patient safety by a panel of experienced physicians, which specialized in diabetes care. We detected seventeen unique usability problems, none of which was judged to have a high risk of compromising patient safety. Most usability problems concerned the lay-out of the diary, which did not clearly indicate which data entry fields had to be entered in order to obtain an advice. 27 out of 74 (36.5%) PANDIT advice differed from those provided by DNs. However, only one of these (1.4%) was considered unsafe by the panel. T2DM patients with no prior experience with the web-based self-management system were capable of consulting the system without encountering significant usability problems. Furthermore, the large majority of PANDIT advice were considered clinically safe according to the expert panel. One advice was considered unsafe. This could however easily be corrected by implementing a small modification to the system's knowledge base. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Supportive intervention using a mobile phone in behavior modification.

PubMed

Hareva, David H; Okada, Hiroki; Kitawaki, Tomoki; Oka, Hisao

2009-04-01

The authors previously developed a mobile ecological momentary assessment (EMA) system as a real-time data collection device using a mobile phone. In this study, a real-time advice function and real-time reporting function were added to the previous system as a supportive intervention. The improved system was found to work effectively and was applied to several clinical cases, including patients with depressive disorder, dizziness, smoking habit, and bronchial asthma. The average patient compliance rate was high (89%) without the real-time advice and higher (93%) with the advice. The trends in clinical data for patients using a mobile EMA with/without the new function were analyzed for up to several months. In the case of dizziness, an improving trend in its clinical data was observed after applying the real-time advice, and in the case of depressive disorder, a stabilizing trend was observed. The mobile EMA system with the real-time advice function could be useful as a supportive intervention in behavior modification and for motivating patients in self-management of their disease.

[Scientific advice by the national and European approval authorities concerning advanced therapy medicinal products].

PubMed

Jost, Nils; Schüssler-Lenz, Martina; Ziegele, Bettina; Reinhardt, Jens

2015-11-01

The aim of scientific advice is to support pharmaceutical developers in regulatory and scientific questions, thus facilitating the development of safe and efficacious new medicinal products. Recent years have shown that the development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) in particular needs a high degree of regulatory support. On one hand, this is related to the complexity and heterogeneity of this group of medicinal products and on the other hand due to the fact that mainly academic research institutions and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are developing ATMPs. These often have limited regulatory experience and resources. In 2009 the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) initiated the Innovation Office as a contact point for applicants developing ATMPs. The mandate of the Innovation Office is to provide support on regulatory questions and to coordinate national scientific advice meetings concerning ATMPs for every phase in drug development and especially with view to the preparation of clinical trial applications. On the European level, the Scientific Advice Working Party (SAWP) of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicinal Agency (EMA) offers scientific advice. This article describes the concepts of national and EMA scientific advice concerning ATMPs and summarizes the experience of the last six years.

PhysioDirect: Supporting physiotherapists to deliver telephone assessment and advice services within the context of a randomised trial

PubMed Central

Bishop, Annette; Gamlin, Jill; Hall, Jeanette; Hopper, Cherida; Foster, Nadine E.

2013-01-01

Physiotherapy-led telephone assessment and advice services for patients with musculoskeletal problems have been developed in many services in the UK, but high quality trial data on clinical and cost effectiveness has been lacking. In order to address this ‘The PhysioDirect trial’ (ISRCTN55666618), was a pragmatic randomised trial of a PhysioDirect telephone assessment and advice service. This paper describes the PhysioDirect system used in the trial and how physiotherapists were trained and supported to use the system and deliver the PhysioDirect service. The PhysioDirect system used in the trial was developed in Huntingdon and now serves a population of 350,000 people. When initiating or providing physiotherapy-led telephone assessment and advice services training and support for physiotherapists delivering care in this way is essential. An enhanced skill set is required for telephone assessment and advice particularly in listening and communication skills. In addition to an initial training programme, even experienced physiotherapists benefit from a period of skill consolidation to become proficient and confident in assessing patients and delivering care using the telephone. A computer-based system assists the delivery of a physiotherapy-led musculoskeletal assessment and advice service. Clinical Trials Registration Number (ISRCTN55666618). PMID:23219629

The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme: A Review of Progress and Contributions to Innovation in Healthcare Technologies.

PubMed

Marjanovic, Sonja; Krapels, Joachim; Sousa, Sonia; Castle-Clarke, Sophie; Horvath, Veronika; Chataway, Joanna

2015-11-30

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme supports the development of innovative medical technologies for patient benefit. The i4i product development stream involves collaborative projects between at least two partners from academia, the NHS and industry. Medical technology innovators apply for funding for one to three years, through a peer review-based process that includes presentation to a selection panel. The funding and business advice provided by i4i support the development of early-stage innovations, generally at proof of concept and prototype stages. Since its inception the product development stream has identified and supported 170 projects, led by 146 principal investigators (PIs). RAND Europe evaluated the programme, with the aim of identifying its outputs and impacts and examining the factors influencing performance. The evaluation findings should help inform the future of the programme. The evaluation used a multi-method approach, including a focused review of background information from i4i, scoping interviews with key informants, a survey of programme participants and case studies of projects representing diverse technologies and health needs.

Writing by the Book, Writing beyond the Book

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Kristine

2017-01-01

Writing has become more visible in academia through writing advice manuals and the faculty development activities they inspire. In this article, I examine writing advice manuals and argue they are epistemologically current traditional, which limits how well and how far they can support scholarly writers. Writing advice manuals and composition…

Competing infant feeding information in mothers' networks: advice that supports v. undermines clinical recommendations.

PubMed

Ashida, Sato; Lynn, Freda B; Williams, Natalie A; Schafer, Ellen J

2016-05-01

To identify the social contextual factors, specifically the presence of information that supports v. undermines clinical recommendations, associated with infant feeding behaviours among mothers in low-income areas. Cross-sectional survey evaluating social support networks and social relationships involved in providing care to the infant along with feeding beliefs and practices. Out-patient paediatric and government-funded (Women, Infants, and Children) clinics in an urban, low-income area of the south-eastern USA. Eighty-one low-income mothers of infants between 0 and 12 months old. Most mothers reported receiving both supportive and undermining advice. The presence of breast-feeding advice that supports clinical recommendations was associated with two infant feeding practices that are considered beneficial to infant health: ever breast-feeding (OR=6·7; 95% CI 1·2, 38·1) and not adding cereal in the infant's bottle (OR=15·9; 95% CI 1·1, 227·4). Advice that undermines clinical recommendations to breast-feed and advice about solid foods were not associated with these behaviours. Efforts to facilitate optimal infant feeding practices may focus on increasing information supportive of clinical recommendations while concentrating less on reducing the presence of undermining information within mothers' networks. Cultural norms around breast-feeding may be stronger than the cultural norms around the introduction of solid foods in mothers' social environments; thus, additional efforts to increase information regarding introduction of solid foods earlier in mothers' infant care career may be beneficial.

Standalone medical device software: The evolving regulatory framework.

PubMed

McCarthy, Avril D; Lawford, Patricia V

2014-01-01

The paper provides an introduction to the regulatory landscape affecting a particular category of medical technology, namely standalone software-sometimes referred to as 'software as a medical device'. To aid the reader's comprehension of an often complex area, six case studies are outlined and discussed before the paper continues to provide detail of how software with a medical purpose in its own right can potentially be classified as a medical device. The reader is provided an appreciation of how to go about classifying such software and references to support the developer new to the field in locating detailed regulatory support documents and contact points for advice.

12 CFR 7.5006 - Data processing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... banking functions. A national bank may produce, market, or sell software that performs services or... services, facilities (including equipment, technology, and personnel), data bases, advice and access to such services, facilities, data bases and advice, for itself and for others, where the data is banking...

Information About a Layperson's Knowledge Supports Experts in Giving Effective and Efficient Online Advice to Laypersons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nuckles, Matthias; Wittwer, Jorg; Renkl, Alexander

2005-01-01

To give effective and efficient advice to laypersons, experts should adapt their explanations to the layperson's knowledge. However, experts often fail to consider the limited domain knowledge of laypersons. To support adaptation in asynchronous help desk communication, researchers provided computer experts with information about a layperson's…

Langley aeronautics and space test highlights, 1983

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The role of the Langley Research Center is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and space flight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Some of the significant tests which were performed during calendar year 1983 in Langley test facilities, a number of which are unique in the world are highlighted. Both the broad range of the research and technology activities at the Langley Research Center and the contributions of this work toward maintaining United States leadership in aeronautics and space research are illustrated.

Langley aerospace test highlights - 1986

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

The role of the Langley Research Center is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and space flight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. This report highlights some of the significant tests which were performed during calendar year 1986 in Langley test facilities, a number of which are unique in the world. The report illustrates both the broad range of the research and technology activities at the Langley Research Center and the contributions of this work toward maintaining United States leadership in aeronautics and space research.

A survey of footwear advice, beliefs and wear habits in people with knee osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Paterson, Kade L; Wrigley, Tim V; Bennell, Kim L; Hinman, Rana S

2014-01-01

Expert opinion recommends cushioned and supportive footwear for people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, little is known about the footwear advice people receive from healthcare professionals, or the beliefs and footwear habits of people with knee OA. This study aimed to determine i) what types of shoes people are advised to wear for their knee OA and by whom; ii) establish which types of shoes people with knee OA believe are best for managing their knee OA symptoms and (iii) which shoes they wear most often. 204 people with symptomatic knee OA completed an online survey. The survey comprised 14 questions asking what footwear advice people had received for their knee OA and who they received it from, individual beliefs about optimal footwear styles for their knee OA symptoms and the types of footwear usually worn. Only one third (n = 69, 34%) of participants reported receiving footwear advice for their knee OA, and this was most frequently received from a podiatrist (n = 47, 68%). The most common advice was to wear sturdy/supportive shoes (n = 96, 47%) or shoes with arch supports (n = 84, 41%). These were also amongst the shoe styles that participants believed were best for their knee OA (n = 157 (77%) and n = 138 (68%) respectively). The type of shoes most frequently worn were athletic (n = 131, 64%) and sturdy/supportive shoes (n = 116, 57%). Most people with knee OA who completed our survey had not received advice about footwear for their knee OA symptoms. Our participants typically believed that sturdy/supportive shoes were best for their knee OA and this shoe style was most frequently worn, which is reflective of expert opinion. Future research is needed to confirm whether sturdy/supportive shoes are indeed optimal for managing symptoms of knee OA.

Sharing "Sex Secrets" on Facebook: A Content Analysis of Youth Peer Communication and Advice Exchange on Social Media about Sexual Health and Intimate Relations.

PubMed

Yeo, Tien Ee Dominic; Chu, Tsz Hang

2017-09-01

Social media present opportunities and challenges for sexual health communication among young people. This study is one of the first to examine the actual use of Facebook for peer communication of sexual health and intimate relations. Content analysis of 2186 anonymous posts in a "sex secrets" Facebook page unofficially affiliated with a Hong Kong University shows gender balance among posters, inclusiveness of sexual minorities, and frequent sharing of personal experiences in storytelling or advice seeking. The findings illuminate young people's health concerns regarding condom use, avoiding pain, birth control, sexually transmitted infections, and body appearance. Relational concerns found entailed sexual practices, expectations, and needs-predominantly within dating relationships and include not wanting to have sex. Supportive communication among users was prevalent. A majority of posts involved advice solicitation in the form of request for opinion or information (30.38%), request for advice (13.68%), situation comparison (5.40%), or problem disclosure (9.97%). Comments to the advice-seeking posts were mostly supportive (69.49%); nonsupportive responses (unsolicited messages and gratuitous humor) were concentrated with ambiguous advice solicitations. These findings hold implications for understanding self-disclosure of intimate concerns within social networks, and attuning sexual health intervention on social media to young people's actual needs and advice preferences.

78 FR 68430 - Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-14

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee AGENCY: Office of... meeting of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act... the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee is to provide advice on development and...

78 FR 58294 - Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-23

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee AGENCY: Office of... meeting of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act... the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee is to provide advice on development and...

Ascertaining the Place of Social Media and Technology for Bariatric Patient Support: What Do Allied Health Practitioners Think?

PubMed

Graham, Yitka N H; Hayes, Catherine; Mahawar, Kamal K; Small, Peter K; Attala, Anita; Seymour, Keith; Woodcock, Sean; Ling, Jonathan

2017-07-01

There is an increasing presence of patient-led social media, mobile apps and patient support technology, but little is known about the role of these in the support of bariatric surgery patients in the UK. This study aimed to seek the views of allied health professionals (AHPs) working in bariatric surgical teams to understand their current perceptions of the role of social media, mobile apps and patient-support technology within bariatric surgery in the UK. A confidential, printed survey was distributed to the AHPs at the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) 7th Annual Scientific Conference in January 2016. An email to AHPs who did not attend the conference was sent requesting voluntary participation in the same survey online through Survey Monkey® within 2 weeks of the conference. A total of 95 responses were received, which was a 71% response rate (n = 134). Responses were from nurses (34%, n = 46), dietitians (32%, n = 32), psychologists (16%, n = 12) and 1 nutritionist, 1 physiotherapist, 1 patient advocate, 1 surgeon and 9 respondents did not fill in their title. The use of social media and mobile apps by patients is increasing, with AHPs concerned about misinformation; advice may differ from what is given in clinic. Technologies, e.g. telehealth and videoconferencing are not widely used in bariatric surgery in the UK. AHPs are unclear about the role of technologies for bariatric surgical patient support. Further discussions are needed to understand the potential of technology with AHPs supporting/facilitating patients as this becomes more commonplace.

12 CFR 7.5006 - Data processing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... services, facilities (including equipment, technology, and personnel), data bases, advice and access to such services, facilities, data bases and advice, for itself and for others, where the data is banking... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Data processing. 7.5006 Section 7.5006 Banks...

12 CFR 7.5006 - Data processing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... services, facilities (including equipment, technology, and personnel), data bases, advice and access to such services, facilities, data bases and advice, for itself and for others, where the data is banking... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Data processing. 7.5006 Section 7.5006 Banks...

12 CFR 7.5006 - Data processing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... services, facilities (including equipment, technology, and personnel), data bases, advice and access to such services, facilities, data bases and advice, for itself and for others, where the data is banking... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Data processing. 7.5006 Section 7.5006 Banks...

78 FR 55063 - U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-09

... Observation System Act, part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11). The... Committee for review and advice. The Committee will provide advice on: (a) administration, operation, management, and maintenance of the System; (b) expansion and periodic modernization and upgrade of technology...

An Evaluation of an Occupational Health Advice Service

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shearn, P.; Ford, Norma J.; Murphy, R. G.

2010-01-01

Objective: The objective of this article is to identify the profile of service users of an occupational health (OH) support service and establish areas of need, and to gather client feedback on the experience of participating in the support service and perceived outcomes and the impact of the advice received. Design and Setting: We carried out…

Access to mobile communications by older people.

PubMed

Nguyen, Toan; Irizarry, Carol; Garrett, Rob; Downing, Andrew

2015-06-01

To investigate how older people effectively identify, select and learn to use mobile communications technologies to enhance communication and safety, and support independent living. One hundred and fifty-three older South Australians participated in a purpose-designed survey questionnaire. Older people relied on family and friends for information and advice (76%), and their children's assistance with buying (45%) and learning to use (48%) new technology. The most preferred learning method was face-to-face training (56%). Less than half (44%) were interested in trying out new designs/applications, functions and capabilities that could assist with independent living. The highest need was for personal security and emergencies (88%). Findings suggest that the family and friends of older people play an important role in identifying, selecting and learning to use mobile communication technologies. The safety and emergency capabilities of mobile communications technologies were more important than having functions that could assist with independent living. © 2014 ACOTA.

78 FR 70932 - Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-27

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee AGENCY: Office of... meeting of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act... of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee is to provide advice on development and...

77 FR 5246 - Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-02

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee AGENCY: Office of... meeting of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act... Committee: The purpose of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee is to provide advice on...

77 FR 63300 - Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-16

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee AGENCY: Office of... meeting of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act... Committee: The purpose of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee is to provide advice on...

78 FR 53741 - Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-30

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee AGENCY: Office of... meeting of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act... of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee is to provide advice on development and...

Do differentials in the support and advice available at UK schools and colleges influence candidate performance in the medical school admissions interview? A survey of direct school leaver applicants to a UK medical school.

PubMed

Lambe, Paul; Waters, Catherine; Bristow, David

2013-09-01

To our knowledge, nothing is known about whether differentials in support and advice during preparation for the interview influence candidate performance and thereby contribute to bias in selection for medical school. To assess if differences in advice and support with preparation for the medical school admissions interview given type of school last attended influence interview score achieved by direct school leaver applicants to study on an undergraduate UK medical degree course. Confidential self-completed on-line questionnaire survey. Interview performance was positively related to whether a teacher, tutor or career advisors at the School or College last attended had advised a respondent to prepare for the interview, had advised about the various styles of medical interview used and the types of questions asked, and what resources were available to help in preparation. Respondents from Private/Independent schools were more likely than those from State schools to have received such advice and support. Differentials in access to advice on and support with preparation for the medical school interview may advantage some candidates over others. This inequity would likely be ameliorated by the provision of an authoritative and comprehensive guide to applying to medical school outlining admission requirements and the preparation strategy applicants should use in order to best meet those requirements. The guide could be disseminated to the Principals of all UK schools and colleges and freely available electronic versions signposted in medical school prospectuses and the course descriptor on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

7 CFR 2.89 - Chief Information Officer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... continue, modify, or terminate an information technology program or project. (3) Provide advice and other..., computer conferencing, televideo technologies, and other applications of office automation technology which... technology system project managers in accordance with OMB policies. (iv) Providing recommendations to Agency...

7 CFR 2.89 - Chief Information Officer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... continue, modify, or terminate an information technology program or project. (3) Provide advice and other..., computer conferencing, televideo technologies, and other applications of office automation technology which... technology system project managers in accordance with OMB policies. (iv) Providing recommendations to Agency...

Supporting the learner and teacher online.

PubMed

Reynolds, P A; Eaton, K A; Mason, R

2008-06-14

Whether on or off campus, all students need support if they are to successfully complete their studies. Although 'good teachers' should be 'good teachers' in any medium, their support is especially important when technology is involved. Previous articles in the series have shown that the advent of ICT has added to the complexity of the type and provision of this help and advice, not least because it now involves technical as well as pedagogical and pastoral elements. However, rather than being a problem, ICT, particularly through its online facilities, can provide levels of support over and above those required by traditional face-to-face teaching. This has implications for tutors as well as students as it places greater pressure on their time and requires them to have a new skills-set, a situation that needs to be resolved if the full benefits of online support are to be realised.

A survey of exercise advice and recommendations in United Kingdom paediatric cardiac clinics.

PubMed

Williams, Craig A; Gowing, Lucy; Horn, Richard; Stuart, Alan Graham

2017-07-01

Physical activity and exercise have important health benefits for children and adolescents with CHD. The objective of this study was to survey the provision of advice and recommendations in United Kingdom paediatric CHD clinics. A three-page questionnaire was sent out to paediatric cardiac consultants in the United Kingdom, paediatric consultants with expertise in cardiology, and nursing staff (Paediatricians with Expertise in Cardiology Special Interest Group), as well as all members of the British Congenital Cardiovascular Association. The aim of this questionnaire was to determine the extent and scope of current information provision and to assess the importance that clinicians place on this advice. There were 68 responses in total, and the data showed that, of these, 24 (36%) clinicians had never provided paediatric CHD patients with written advice about exercise. Only 27 (39%) clinicians provided physical activity advice at every appointment. Lack of time during consultation (n=39, 56.9%), lack of training (n=38, 55.2%), and uncertainty about appropriate recommendations (n=38, 55.2%) were identified as the main factors preventing clinicians from providing patients with advice about physical activity. Although healthcare providers consider physical activity to be very important, the provision of clear, specific advice and recommendations is underutilised; therefore, more education and provision of resources to support the promotion of exercise need to be provided to clinicians and their support teams.

"My Mom Tells Me I Should Follow the Rules, That's Why They Have Those Rules": Perceptions of Parental Advice Giving among Mexican-Heritage Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holloway, Susan D.; Park, Sira; Jonas, Michele; Bempechat, Janine; Li, Jin

2014-01-01

Relatively little research has examined the ways in which immigrant Latino parents can effectively support their adolescent children's schooling. To address this gap, we conducted in-depth interviews with 32 Mexican-heritage 9th graders. Students identified parents' advice giving as the most salient form of involvement. Parental advice emphasized…

Can Learning Collaboratives Support Implementation by Rewiring Professional Networks?

PubMed

Bunger, Alicia C; Hanson, Rochelle F; Doogan, Nathan J; Powell, Byron J; Cao, Yiwen; Dunn, Jerry

2016-01-01

This study examined how a learning collaborative focusing on trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) impacted advice-seeking patterns between clinicians and three key learning sources: (1) training experts who share technical knowledge about TF-CBT, (2) peers from other participating organizations who share their implementation experiences, and (3) colleagues from their own agency who provide social and professional support. Based on surveys administered to 132 clinicians from 32 agencies, participants' professional networks changed slightly over time by forming new advice-seeking relationships with training experts. While small, these changes at the clinician-level yielded substantial changes in the structure of the regional advice network.

Can Learning Collaboratives Support Implementation By Rewiring Professional Networks?

PubMed Central

Hanson, Rochelle F.; Doogan, Nathan J.; Powell, Byron J.; Cao, Yiwen; Dunn, Jerry

2015-01-01

This study examined how a learning collaborative focusing on Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) impacted advice-seeking patterns between clinicians and three key learning sources: (1) training experts who share technical knowledge about TF-CBT, (2) peers from other participating organizations who share their implementation experiences, and (3) colleagues from their own agency who provide social and professional support. Based on surveys administered to 132 clinicians from 32 agencies, participants’ professional networks changed slightly over time by forming new advice-seeking relationships with training experts. While small, these changes at the clinician-level yielded substantial changes in the structure of the regional advice network. PMID:25542237

Automation bias: empirical results assessing influencing factors.

PubMed

Goddard, Kate; Roudsari, Abdul; Wyatt, Jeremy C

2014-05-01

To investigate the rate of automation bias - the propensity of people to over rely on automated advice and the factors associated with it. Tested factors were attitudinal - trust and confidence, non-attitudinal - decision support experience and clinical experience, and environmental - task difficulty. The paradigm of simulated decision support advice within a prescribing context was used. The study employed within participant before-after design, whereby 26 UK NHS General Practitioners were shown 20 hypothetical prescribing scenarios with prevalidated correct and incorrect answers - advice was incorrect in 6 scenarios. They were asked to prescribe for each case, followed by being shown simulated advice. Participants were then asked whether they wished to change their prescription, and the post-advice prescription was recorded. Rate of overall decision switching was captured. Automation bias was measured by negative consultations - correct to incorrect prescription switching. Participants changed prescriptions in 22.5% of scenarios. The pre-advice accuracy rate of the clinicians was 50.38%, which improved to 58.27% post-advice. The CDSS improved the decision accuracy in 13.1% of prescribing cases. The rate of automation bias, as measured by decision switches from correct pre-advice, to incorrect post-advice was 5.2% of all cases - a net improvement of 8%. More immediate factors such as trust in the specific CDSS, decision confidence, and task difficulty influenced rate of decision switching. Lower clinical experience was associated with more decision switching. Age, DSS experience and trust in CDSS generally were not significantly associated with decision switching. This study adds to the literature surrounding automation bias in terms of its potential frequency and influencing factors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 25240 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-07

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology... for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management issues. NACEPT is a committee of...

78 FR 74129 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-10

... for Environmental Policy and Technology AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice... Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management issues. NACEPT members represent academia...

The feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of physiotherapy for adults with joint hypermobility syndrome.

PubMed

Palmer, Shea; Cramp, Fiona; Clark, Emma; Lewis, Rachel; Brookes, Sara; Hollingworth, William; Welton, Nicky; Thom, Howard; Terry, Rohini; Rimes, Katharine A; Horwood, Jeremy

2016-06-01

Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a heritable disorder associated with laxity and pain in multiple joints. Physiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment, but there is little research investigating its clinical effectiveness. To develop a comprehensive physiotherapy intervention for adults with JHS; to pilot the intervention; and to conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) to determine the feasibility of conducting a future definitive RCT. Patients' and health professionals' perspectives on physiotherapy for JHS were explored in focus groups (stage 1). A working group of patient research partners, clinicians and researchers used this information to develop the physiotherapy intervention. This was piloted and refined on the basis of patients' and physiotherapists' feedback (stage 2). A parallel two-arm pilot RCT compared 'advice' with 'advice and physiotherapy' (stage 3). Random allocation was via an automated randomisation service, devised specifically for the study. Owing to the nature of the interventions, it was not possible to blind clinicians or patients to treatment allocation. Stage 1 - focus groups were conducted in four UK locations. Stages 2 and 3 - piloting of the intervention and the pilot RCT were conducted in two UK secondary care NHS trusts. Stage 1 - patient focus group participants (n = 25, three men) were aged > 18 years, had a JHS diagnosis and had received physiotherapy within the preceding 12 months. The health professional focus group participants (n = 16, three men; 14 physiotherapists, two podiatrists) had experience of managing JHS. Stage 2 - patient participants (n = 8) were aged > 18 years, had a JHS diagnosis and no other musculoskeletal conditions causing pain. Stage 3 - patient participants for the pilot RCT (n = 29) were as for stage 2 but the lower age limit was 16 years. For the pilot RCT (stage 3) the advice intervention was a one-off session, supplemented by advice booklets. All participants could ask questions specific to their circumstances and receive tailored advice. Participants were randomly allocated to 'advice' (no further advice or physiotherapy) or 'advice and physiotherapy' (an additional six 30-minute sessions over 4 months). The physiotherapy intervention was supported by a patient handbook and was delivered on a one-to-one patient-therapist basis. It aimed to increase patients' physical activity through developing knowledge, understanding and skills to better manage their condition. Data from patient and health professional focus groups formed the main outcome from stage 1. Patient and physiotherapist interview data also formed a major component of stages 2 and 3. The primary outcome in stage 3 related to the feasibility of a future definitive RCT [number of referrals, recruitment and retention rates, and an estimate of the value of information (VOI) of a future RCT]. Secondary outcomes included clinical measures (physical function, pain, global status, self-reported joint count, quality of life, exercise self-efficacy and adverse events) and resource use (to estimate cost-effectiveness). Outcomes were recorded at baseline, 4 months and 7 months. Stage 1 - JHS is complex and unpredictable. Physiotherapists should take a long-term holistic approach rather than treating acutely painful joints in isolation. Stage 2 - a user-informed physiotherapy intervention was developed and evaluated positively. Stage 3 - recruitment to the pilot RCT was challenging, primarily because of a perceived lack of equipoise between advice and physiotherapy. The qualitative evaluation provided very clear guidance to inform a future RCT, including enhancement of the advice intervention. Some patients reported that the advice intervention was useful and the physiotherapy intervention was again evaluated very positively. The rate of return of questionnaires was low in the advice group but reasonable in the physiotherapy group. The physiotherapy intervention showed evidence of promise in terms of primary and secondary clinical outcomes. The advice arm experienced more adverse events. The VOI analysis indicated the potential for high value from a future RCT. Such a trial should form the basis of future research efforts. A future definitive RCT of physiotherapy for JHS seems feasible, although the advice intervention should be made more robust to address perceived equipoise and subsequent attrition. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN29874209. This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 20, No. 47. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Women's views and experiences of a mobile phone-based intervention to support post-abortion contraception in Cambodia.

PubMed

Smith, Chris; Ly, Sokhey; Uk, Vannak; Warnock, Ruby; Free, Caroline

2017-06-12

The MObile Technology for Improved Family Planning (MOTIF) trial assessed a mobile phone-based intervention comprising voice messages and counsellor support to increase post-abortion contraception at four Marie Stopes International clinics in Cambodia. The aim of this process evaluation was to assess women's views and experiences of receiving the MOTIF intervention, gain insights into the mechanism of action of the intervention and seek recommendations for improvements. We conducted a qualitative study comprising15 semi-structured interviews with women who had received the intervention and undertook a simple thematic analysis. We identified themes relating to communication via mobile phone, supporting contraception use, broader post-abortion care, interaction with family and friends and suggestions for improvement. The majority of women were positive about the mobile phone-based intervention to support contraception use and reported it to be a convenient way to ask questions or get advice without going to a health centre, although a few women found the voice messages intrusive. The intervention supported contraception use by provision of information, encouragement, reminders to return to clinic, reassurance and advice for problems and had a positive effect on contraceptive uptake and continuation. Women reported a sense of being cared for and received support for additional physical and emotional issues. Most women thought that the duration of the intervention and frequency of messages were acceptable. The majority of women were positive about the mobile phone-based intervention which provided support for contraception use as well as additional physical and emotional issues. The study provides some insights into how the intervention might have worked and considers how the intervention could be improved.

From data mining rules to medical logical modules and medical advices.

PubMed

Gomoi, Valentin; Vida, Mihaela; Robu, Raul; Stoicu-Tivadar, Vasile; Bernad, Elena; Lupşe, Oana

2013-01-01

Using data mining in collaboration with Clinical Decision Support Systems adds new knowledge as support for medical diagnosis. The current work presents a tool which translates data mining rules supporting generation of medical advices to Arden Syntax formalism. The developed system was tested with data related to 2326 births that took place in 2010 at the Bega Obstetrics - Gynaecology Hospital, Timişoara. Based on processing these data, 14 medical rules regarding the Apgar score were generated and then translated in Arden Syntax language.

Why do women not adhere to advice on maternal referral in rural Tanzania? Narratives of women and their family members.

PubMed

Pembe, Andrea B; Mbekenga, Columba K; Olsson, Pia; Darj, Elisabeth

2017-01-01

In most low-income countries, many women with high-risk pregnancies and complications do not reach the referral hospitals despite the provision of referral advice. To explore how antenatal maternal referral advice is understood and handled in a rural Tanzanian community. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with six women who did not go to hospital and 13 people who were involved in the referral advice. Narrative analysis was used to describe and create meanings out of the decision-making process. In all interviews, not following the referral advice was greatly influenced by close family members. Three main traits of how referral advice was understood emerged: convinced referral is not necessary, accepting referral advice but delayed by others, and passive and moving with the wind. The main reasons given for declining the referral advice included discrediting midwives' advice, citing previous successful deliveries despite referral advice; being afraid of undergoing surgery; lack of support for care of siblings at home; and high costs incurred during referral. Declining maternal referral advice centred around the pregnant women's position and their dependence on the family members around them, with a decreased ability to show autonomy. If they were socially and economically empowered, women could positively influence decision making during maternal referrals.

Investments by NASA to build planetary protection capability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buxbaum, Karen; Conley, Catharine; Lin, Ying; Hayati, Samad

NASA continues to invest in capabilities that will enable or enhance planetary protection planning and implementation for future missions. These investments are critical to the Mars Exploration Program and will be increasingly important as missions are planned for exploration of the outer planets and their icy moons. Since the last COSPAR Congress, there has been an opportunity to respond to the advice of NRC-PREVCOM and the analysis of the MEPAG Special Regions Science Analysis Group. This stimulated research into such things as expanded bioburden reduction options, modern molecular assays and genetic inventory capability, and approaches to understand or avoid recontamination of spacecraft parts and samples. Within NASA, a portfolio of PP research efforts has been supported through the NASA Office of Planetary Protection, the Mars Technology Program, and the Mars Program Office. The investment strategy focuses on technology investments designed to enable future missions and reduce their costs. In this presentation we will provide an update on research and development supported by NASA to enhance planetary protection capability. Copyright 2008 California Institute of Technology. Government sponsorship acknowledged.

77 FR 2719 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology; Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-19

... and Technology; Meeting AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of Advisory... a public meeting of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology...

77 FR 39705 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-05

... and Technology AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of Advisory Committee... meeting of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management...

When energy saving advice leads to more, rather than less, consumption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Revell, Kirsten M. A.; Stanton, Neville A.

2017-01-01

Energy saving technology that relies on behaviour change fails to deliver on its promise. Energy saving advice also has limited effect. This paper examines and reveals how technology and energy saving advice interacts with householders' thought processes to influence energy consumption. A case study of three households that held a 'Feedback' mental model of the home heating thermostat, as defined by Kempton [1986. 'Two Theories of Home Heat Control'. Cognitive Science 10 (1): 75-90], was undertaken to understand the driver behind differences in their home heating strategies, and the effect on energy consumption. Analysis was undertaken from five different data sources comprising: (1) boiler on durations, (2) thermostat set point adjustments, (3) self-reported strategies with home heating controls, (4) user mental model descriptions of the home heating system, and (5) Interview transcripts. The authors found that differences in user mental models of home heating at the system level explained differences in the strategies chosen at the control device level. Differences in boiler on periods were found to relate to limitations of the 'Feedback' mental model; that is, the model fails to consider the effect of the movement of warm air within the home and the impact of internal/external temperature differentials on heat loss rates. The authors argue that technology and advice should be tailored to the thought processes adopted by householders in order to promote behaviour that would realise intended energy savings.

Once a physicist: Lydia Harriss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2018-01-01

Lydia Harriss is head of physical sciences at the UK's Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, which provides independent advice on science, technology and social science topics to MPs and peers.

7 CFR 2.24 - Assistant Secretary for Administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... continue, modify, or terminate an information technology program or project. (iii) Provide advice and other... exchange, scheduling, computer conferencing, televideo technologies, and other applications of office... Chief Information Officers and agency major information technology system project managers in accordance...

7 CFR 2.24 - Assistant Secretary for Administration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... continue, modify, or terminate an information technology program or project. (iii) Provide advice and other... exchange, scheduling, computer conferencing, televideo technologies, and other applications of office... Chief Information Officers and agency major information technology system project managers in accordance...

Health professional perspectives on lifestyle behaviour change in the paediatric hospital setting: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Elwell, Laura; Powell, Jane; Wordsworth, Sharon; Cummins, Carole

2014-03-13

Research exists examining the challenges of delivering lifestyle behaviour change initiatives in practice. However, at present much of this research has been conducted with primary care health professionals, or in acute adult hospital settings. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators associated with implementing routine lifestyle behaviour change brief advice into practice in an acute children's hospital. Thirty-three health professionals (nurses, junior doctors, allied health professionals and clinical support staff) from inpatient and outpatient departments at a UK children's hospital were interviewed about their attitudes and beliefs towards supporting lifestyle behaviour change in hospital patients and their families. Responses were analysed using thematic framework analysis. Health professionals identified a range of barriers and facilitators to supporting lifestyle behaviour change in a children's hospital. These included (1) personal experience of effectiveness, (2) constraints associated with the hospital environment, (3) appropriateness of advice delivery given the patient's condition and care pathway and (4) job role priorities, and (5) perceived benefits of the advice given. Delivery of lifestyle behaviour change advice was often seen as an educational activity, rather than a behaviour change activity. Factors underpinning the successful delivery of routine lifestyle behaviour change support must be understood if this is to be implemented effectively in paediatric acute settings. This study reveals key areas where paediatric health professionals may need further support and training to achieve successful implementation.

7 CFR 2.89 - Chief Information Officer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... continue, modify, or terminate an information technology program or project. (3) Provide advice and other... computer-based systems for message exchange, scheduling, computer conferencing, televideo technologies, and... removal or replacement of information technology project managers, when, in the opinion of the Chief...

7 CFR 2.89 - Chief Information Officer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... continue, modify, or terminate an information technology program or project. (3) Provide advice and other... computer-based systems for message exchange, scheduling, computer conferencing, televideo technologies, and... removal or replacement of information technology project managers, when, in the opinion of the Chief...

Friend or foe? An exploratory study of Australian parents' use of asynchronous discussion boards in childhood obesity.

PubMed

Appleton, Jessica; Fowler, Cathrine; Brown, Nicola

2014-01-01

The use of Internet and social media is increasing in every area of life. Parents are increasingly using online mediums to seek information about their children's health. Therefore, this is becoming an increasingly important topic area for health professionals to acknowledge. Developing an understanding about the dissemination of child health information through these online mediums will assist health professional to continue to engage and support parents to seek and share accurate and safe child health information. To explore parents' use of asynchronous online discussion boards for child health information seeking, advice and social support. A qualitative descriptive approach using an a priori template analysis was used to explore 34 discussions threads sampled from two Australian based online parenting discussion forums. To contain the scope of this study the threads chosen focused on childhood obesity in the Australian context. Four major themes related to parents' use of asynchronous online discussion boards were found. These were seeking advice, sharing advice, social support and making judgement. This final theme of making judgements included parents' perceptions of health professionals' advice. Asynchronous online discussion boards are online mediums being utilised for seeking and sharing child health related information and support between parents. The notion

International Agreement on Planetary Protection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

The maintenance of a NASA policy, is consistent with international agreements. The planetary protection policy management in OSS, with Field Center support. The advice from internal and external advisory groups (NRC, NAC/Planetary Protection Task Force). The technology research and standards development in bioload characterization. The technology research and development in bioload reduction/sterilization. This presentation focuses on: forward contamination - research on the potential for Earth life to exist on other bodies, improved strategies for planetary navigation and collision avoidance, and improved procedures for sterile spacecraft assembly, cleaning and/or sterilization; and backward contamination - development of sample transfer and container sealing technologies for Earth return, improvement in sample return landing target assessment and navigation strategy, planning for sample hazard determination requirements and procedures, safety certification, (liaison to NEO Program Office for compositional data on small bodies), facility planning for sample recovery system, quarantine, and long-term curation of 4 returned samples.

75 FR 67804 - Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-03

... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2010-0071] Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel... recommendations on the future of systems technology and electronic services at the agency five to ten years into... technologies may be developed to assist in carrying out its statutory mission. Advice and recommendations can...

7 CFR 2.37 - Chief Information Officer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... technology program or project. (3) Providing advice and other assistance to the Secretary and other senior... selection of agency Chief Information Officers and agency major information technology system project... recommendations to Agency Heads for the removal or replacement of information technology project managers, when...

Leading Technology-Rich School Districts: Advice From Tech-Savvy Superintendents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLeod, Scott; Richardson, Jayson W.; Sauers, Nicholas J.

2015-01-01

Superintendents' instructional leadership is critical to the academic success of school systems. In addition to traditional work complexities, today's superintendents must navigate rapid and significant technological transformations. In this study, an exploratory sample of "technology-savvy" superintendents was interviewed to ascertain…

Improved discovery of NEON data and samples though vocabularies, workflows, and web tools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laney, C. M.; Elmendorf, S.; Flagg, C.; Harris, T.; Lunch, C. K.; Gulbransen, T.

2017-12-01

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a continental-scale ecological observation facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation and operated by Battelle. NEON supports research on the impacts of invasive species, land use change, and environmental change on natural resources and ecosystems by gathering and disseminating a full suite of observational, instrumented, and airborne datasets from field sites across the U.S. NEON also collects thousands of samples from soil, water, and organisms every year, and partners with numerous institutions to analyze and archive samples. We have developed numerous new technologies to support processing and discovery of this highly diverse collection of data. These technologies include applications for data collection and sample management, processing pipelines specific to each collection system (field observations, installed sensors, and airborne instruments), and publication pipelines. NEON data and metadata are discoverable and downloadable via both a public API and data portal. We solicit continued engagement and advice from the informatics and environmental research communities, particularly in the areas of data versioning, usability, and visualization.

Making technology familiar: orthodox Jews and infertility support, advice, and inspiration.

PubMed

Kahn, Susan Martha

2006-12-01

This paper examines how orthodox Jews use traditional strategies and new media simultaneously to cope with infertility in the age of new reproductive technologies. Not only have they used the Internet to establish support, information, and educational networks, but also they have created frameworks for unique professional collaborations among rabbis, doctors, and clinic personnel in order to ensure that their fertility treatments are conducted with strict attention to Jewish legal concerns, particularly with regard to incest, adultery, and traditional practices regarding bodily emissions. Throughout these processes, they have innovated a hybrid language for describing and explaining infertility treatments that blends Hebrew prayers, Yiddish aphorisms, English slang, Gematria (numerology), and biomedical terminology. By using idiomatic language and folk practice, orthodox Jews construct a unique terrain that shapes and makes familiar their experience and understanding of fertility treatment. Biomedicine in this context is understood as a set of tools and strategies that can be readily appropriated and harnessed to a particular set of individual and collective goals.

Managing Innovation and Change for Instructional Technology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holznagel, Donald C.

1991-01-01

Introduces the term "orgware" and reviews the literature on managing technological innovation in instructional settings. Six areas of management concern are described, and advice on managing innovation and change is provided. (11 references) (GLR)

Symptoms and self-care following pancreaticoduodenectomy: Perspectives from patients and healthcare professionals - Foundation for an interactive ICT application.

PubMed

Gustavell, Tina; Sundberg, Kay; Frank, Catharina; Wengström, Yvonne; Browall, Maria; Segersvärd, Ralf; Langius-Eklöf, Ann

2017-02-01

Poor prognosis and a problematic recovery period after pancreaticoduodenectomy means that patients may benefit from early detection of symptoms and support for self-management. Interactive Information and Communication Technology tools can be used for this purpose, but the content needs to be relevant to patients as well as healthcare professionals. To facilitate development of the content of an application for this purpose, the aim of this study was to explore common symptoms and self-care in the first six months after pancreaticoduodenectomy, as identified by patients and healthcare professionals. Data were collected through individual interviews with patients (n = 14), along with two focus group interviews and one individual interview with healthcare professionals (n = 10). Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Common symptoms after surgery were those related to eating, bowel function and emotional wellbeing, along with fatigue and pain. Some self-care activities and advice were mentioned in the interviews. The patients often experienced a lack of advice on self-care at discharge. The results render knowledge of the symptoms it is important to be aware of and to assess regularly after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The results also contribute to knowledge about specific self-care related to these symptoms, even though it was not extensively described, and further research is needed to define evidence-based self-care advice. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Have guidelines about smoking cessation support in pregnancy changed practice in Victoria, Australia?

PubMed

Perlen, Susan; Brown, Stephanie J; Yelland, Jane

2013-06-01

Antenatal smoking cessation guidelines have been available in Victoria, Australia, for the past decade. The objective of this study was to assess to what extent introduction of smoking cessation guidelines in pregnancy changed practice in Victorian public hospitals. Two population-based postal surveys of women giving birth in the state of Victoria, conducted in 2000 and 2008 before and after implementation of smoking cessation guidelines. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed by hospitals and home birth practitioners to women 5-6 months postpartum. Surveys were completed and returned by 67 percent of eligible women (1,616/2,412) in 2000 and 51% (2,900/5,681) in 2008. Compared with the 2000 survey, women in the 2008 survey attending public sector care were more likely: to receive advice on how to stop smoking (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 2.2, 95% CI 1.5-3.2); to be given written information (Adj OR: 2.7, 95% CI 1.8-4.0); to be referred to stop smoking programs (Adj OR: 6.1, 95% CI 3.1-11.7); and to have discussed smoking cessation at more than one visit (Adj OR: 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.2). While the majority of women in both surveys were asked about smoking in early pregnancy, about half of those smoking did not receive advice on how to stop or cut down; were not given written information; were not told about/referred to stop smoking programs and were not asked again about smoking at subsequent visits. The significant shift in women's reports of receiving smoking cessation advice and support between the two surveys occurred predominantly at public hospitals where women received all or some antenatal care. Smoking cessation guidelines in Victorian public hospitals have increased the extent to which pregnant women receive advice and support to stop or reduce smoking. However, half of smokers did not receive the full complement of advice and support according to state guidelines, with marked variability according to where and from whom women received antenatal care. Further efforts are needed to implement smoking cessation advice and support in clinical practice. © 2013, Copyright the Authors, Journal compilation © 2013, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Paediatric genomics: diagnosing rare disease in children.

PubMed

Wright, Caroline F; FitzPatrick, David R; Firth, Helen V

2018-05-01

The majority of rare diseases affect children, most of whom have an underlying genetic cause for their condition. However, making a molecular diagnosis with current technologies and knowledge is often still a challenge. Paediatric genomics is an immature but rapidly evolving field that tackles this issue by incorporating next-generation sequencing technologies, especially whole-exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing, into research and clinical workflows. This complex multidisciplinary approach, coupled with the increasing availability of population genetic variation data, has already resulted in an increased discovery rate of causative genes and in improved diagnosis of rare paediatric disease. Importantly, for affected families, a better understanding of the genetic basis of rare disease translates to more accurate prognosis, management, surveillance and genetic advice; stimulates research into new therapies; and enables provision of better support.

Less is (sometimes) more in cognitive engineering: the role of automation technology in improving patient safety

PubMed Central

Vicente, K

2003-01-01



 There is a tendency to assume that medical error can be stamped out by automation. Technology may improve patient safety, but cognitive engineering research findings in several complex safety critical systems, including both aviation and health care, show that more is not always better. Less sophisticated technological systems can sometimes lead to better performance than more sophisticated systems. This "less is more" effect arises because safety critical systems are open systems where unanticipated events are bound to occur. In these contexts, decision support provided by a technological aid will be less than perfect because there will always be situations that the technology cannot accommodate. Designing sophisticated automation that suggests an uncertain course of action seems to encourage people to accept the imperfect advice, even though information to decide independently on a better course of action is available. It may be preferable to create more modest designs that merely provide feedback about the current state of affairs or that critique human generated solutions than to rush to automate by creating sophisticated technological systems that recommend (fallible) courses of action. PMID:12897363

Parents’ Primary Professional Sources of Parenting Advice Moderate Predictors of Parental Attitudes toward Corporal Punishment

PubMed Central

Taylor, Catherine A.; McKasson, Sarah; Hoy, Guenevere; DeJong, William

2016-01-01

Despite the risk it poses to children’s mental and physical health, approval and use of corporal punishment (CP) remains high in the United States. Informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, we examined potential predictors of attitudes supportive of CP while assessing the moderating effects of parents’ (N=500) chosen primary professional source of advice regarding child discipline: pediatricians (47.8%), religious leaders (20.8%), mental health professionals (MHPs) (n=18.4%), or other identified professionals (13.0%). We conducted a random-digit-dial telephone survey among parents ages 18 and over within New Orleans, LA. The main outcome measure was derived from the Attitudes Toward Spanking scale (ATS). The main “predictors” were: perceived injunctive norms (i.e., perceived approval of CP by professionals; and by family and friends), perceived descriptive norms of family and friends regarding CP, and expected outcomes of CP use. We used multivariate OLS models to regress ATS scores on the predictor variables for each subset of parents based on their chosen professional source of advice. Perceived approval of CP by professionals was the strongest predictor of parental attitudes supportive of CP, except for those seeking advice from MHPs. Perceived injunctive and descriptive norms of family and friends were important, but only for those seeking advice from pediatricians or religious leaders. Positive expected outcomes of CP mattered, but only for those seeking advice from religious leaders or MHPs. In conclusion, the strength and relevance of variables predicting attitudes toward CP varied according to the professional from which the parent was most likely to seek advice. PMID:28529440

Parents' Primary Professional Sources of Parenting Advice Moderate Predictors of Parental Attitudes toward Corporal Punishment.

PubMed

Taylor, Catherine A; McKasson, Sarah; Hoy, Guenevere; DeJong, William

2017-02-01

Despite the risk it poses to children's mental and physical health, approval and use of corporal punishment (CP) remains high in the United States. Informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, we examined potential predictors of attitudes supportive of CP while assessing the moderating effects of parents' (N=500) chosen primary professional source of advice regarding child discipline: pediatricians (47.8%), religious leaders (20.8%), mental health professionals (MHPs) (n=18.4%), or other identified professionals (13.0%). We conducted a random-digit-dial telephone survey among parents ages 18 and over within New Orleans, LA. The main outcome measure was derived from the Attitudes Toward Spanking scale (ATS). The main "predictors" were: perceived injunctive norms (i.e., perceived approval of CP by professionals; and by family and friends), perceived descriptive norms of family and friends regarding CP, and expected outcomes of CP use. We used multivariate OLS models to regress ATS scores on the predictor variables for each subset of parents based on their chosen professional source of advice. Perceived approval of CP by professionals was the strongest predictor of parental attitudes supportive of CP, except for those seeking advice from MHPs. Perceived injunctive and descriptive norms of family and friends were important, but only for those seeking advice from pediatricians or religious leaders. Positive expected outcomes of CP mattered, but only for those seeking advice from religious leaders or MHPs. In conclusion, the strength and relevance of variables predicting attitudes toward CP varied according to the professional from which the parent was most likely to seek advice.

Insights on Student Aid Technology from NASFAA's 2002-2003 Technology Initiatives Committee.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cornell, Craig; Evans, Mark A.; Hallenbeck, Theodore R.; Clemente, Stephen J.; Redwine, Elaine; Croft, Devin; Lowdermilk, Todd M.

2003-01-01

This special section contains four articles on using technology to improve student financial aid services: (1) "The Technology Pyramid" (advice on the transition from paper to paperless systems); (2) "Strengthening Our Security"; (3) "COD: Moving toward a Universal Delivery System" (about the government's new Common Origin and Disbursement…

An effect of loudness of advisory speech on a choice response task

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utsuki, Narisuke; Takeuchi, Yoshinori; Nomiyama, Takenori

1995-03-01

Recent technologies have realized talking advisory/guidance systems in which machines give advice and guidance to operators in speech. However, nonverbal aspects of spoken messages may have significant effects on an operator's behavior. Twelve subjects participated in a TV game-like choice response task where they were asked to choose a 'true' target from three invader-like figures displayed on a CRT screen. The subjects had received a prerecorded advice designating either left, center, or right target that would be true before each choice. The position of the 'true' targets and advice were preprogrammed in pseudorandom sequences. In other words, there was no way for the subjects to predict the 'true' target and there was no relationship between spoken advice and the true target position. The subjects tended to make more choices corresponding to the presented messages when the messages were presented in a louder voice than in a softer voice. Choice response time was significantly shorter when the response was the same as the advice indicated. The shortening of response time was slightly greater when advice was presented in a louder voice. This study demonstrates that spoken advice may result in faster and less deliberate reponses in accordance with the presented messages which are given by talking guidance systems.

The Integrate Student Portal: Online Resources to Prepare Students for the Workforce of a Sustainable Future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruckner, M. Z.; Manduca, C. A.; Egger, A. E.; Macdonald, H.

2014-12-01

The InTeGrate Student Portal is a suite of web pages that utilize InTeGrate resources to support student success by providing undergraduates with tools and information necessary to be proactive in their career choices and development. Drawn from various InTeGrate workshops and programming, the Portal organizes these resources to illuminate a variety of career opportunities and pathways to both traditional and non-traditional jobs that support a sustainable future. Informed from a variety of sources including employers, practitioners, faculty, students, reports, and articles, the pages explore five facets: (1) sustainability across the disciplines, (2) workforce preparation, (3) professional communication, (4) teaching and teaching careers, and (5) the future of green research and technology. The first three facets explore how sustainability is integrated across disciplines and how sustainability and 'green' jobs are available in a wide range of traditional and non-traditional workplaces within and beyond science. They provide students guidance in preparing for this sustainability workforce, including where to learn about jobs and how to pursue them, advice for strengthening their job applications, and how to build a set of skills that employers seek. This advice encompasses classroom skills as well as those acquired and strengthened as part of extracurricular or workplace experiences. The fourth facet, aimed at teaching assistants with little or no experience as well as at students who are interested in pursuing teaching as a career, provides information and resources about teaching. The fifth facet explores future directions of technology and the need for innovations in the workforce of the future to address sustainability issues. We seek your input and invite you to explore the Portal at: serc.carleton.edu/integrate/students/

A cross-sectional survey of the prevalence of environmental tobacco smoke preventive care provision by child health services in Australia

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Despite the need for a reduction in levels of childhood exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) being a recognised public health goal, the delivery of ETS preventive care in child health service settings remains a largely unstudied area. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ETS preventive care in child health services; differences in the provision of care by type of service; the prevalence of strategies to support such care; and the association between care support strategies and care provision. Method One-hundred and fifty-one (83%) child health service managers within New South Wales, Australia completed a questionnaire in 2002 regarding the: assessment of parental smoking and child ETS exposure; the provision of parental smoking cessation and ETS-exposure reduction advice; and strategies used to support the provision of such care. Child health services were categorised based on their size and case-mix, and a chi-square analysis was performed to compare the prevalence of ETS risk assessment and ETS prevention advice between service types. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between the existence of care support strategies and the provision of ETS risk assessment and ETS exposure prevention advice. Results A significant proportion of services reported that they did not assess parental smoking status (26%), and reported that they did not assess the ETS exposure (78%) of any child. Forty four percent of services reported that they did not provide smoking cessation advice and 20% reported they did not provide ETS exposure prevention advice. Community based child and family health services reported a greater prevalence of ETS preventive care compared to other hospital based units. Less than half of the services reported having strategies to support the provision of ETS preventive care. The existence of such support strategies was associated with greater odds of care provision. Conclusions The existence of major gaps in recommended ETS preventive care provision suggests a need for additional initiatives to increase such care delivery. The low prevalence of strategies that support such care delivery suggests a potential avenue to achieve this outcome. PMID:21575273

Providing health information for culturally and linguistically diverse women: priorities and preferences of new migrants and refugees.

PubMed

Lee, Susan K; Sulaiman-Hill, Cheryl M R; Thompson, Sandra C

2013-08-01

Preferences for topics and means of access to health information among newly arrived, culturally and linguistically diverse women in Perth, Western Australia, were explored. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. Qualitative material obtained from focus groups and interviews with 22 service providers and 26 migrant women was used to develop a questionnaire, which was then administered to 268 newly arrived migrant and refugee women from 50 countries. Participants' information and support priorities were ascertained from a ranking exercise conducted in a non-threatening context. Responses of migrant and refugee women were compared quantitatively. Women's top priorities for information and support included employment advice, as well as information regarding mental health issues, women's health, exercise and nutrition, family violence and alcohol and other drug issues. Their preferred methods for receiving information were interactive talks or presentations, with written material support. Audiovisual and Web-based material were also considered useful. There were differences between refugee women's and other migrants' preferences for means of receiving information and topics of most concern. The use of a non-threatening ranking process encouraged women to prioritise sensitive topics, such as family violence, and revealed a need for such topics to be incorporated within general health information presentations. Internet-based technologies are becoming increasingly important methods for disseminating information to migrant women. SO WHAT? Differences between migrant and refugee women's priority health issues and their preferred methods for receiving information highlight the desirability of tailoring information to particular groups. Although advice on employment pathways and mental health concerns were top priorities, the study revealed a need for more discussion on other sensitive topics, such as family violence and alcohol-related issues, and that ideally these should be incorporated into general information sessions to destigmatise attendance The increasing relevance of computer technology and social media for information dissemination was also of note.

Advice for Trump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gwynne, Peter

2017-05-01

Physicist John Holdren, who served as presidential science adviser and head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy during Barack Obama’s presidency, talks to Peter Gwynne about his expectations for the Trump administration’s approach to science and technology

Information, Please.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hardy, Lawrence

2003-01-01

Requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act present school districts with a massive lesson in data-driven decision-making. Technology companies offer data-management tools that organize student information from state tests. Offers districts advice in choosing a technology provider. (MLF)

Second Language Teaching and Learning in the Net Generation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oxford, Raquel, Ed.; Oxford, Jeffrey, Ed.

2009-01-01

Today's young people--the Net Generation--have grown up with technology all around them. However, teachers cannot assume that students' familiarity with technology in general transfers successfully to pedagogical settings. This volume examines various technologies and offers concrete advice on how each can be successfully implemented in the second…

Electronic commerce: beyond the euphoria.

PubMed

Healy, J L; DeLuca, J M

2000-01-01

As the center of considerable media attention, case study articles, vendor research, and development efforts, electronic commerce technology is entering healthcare and having a profound effect. The simple truth, however, is that after the drama and excitement begins to wear off, completing a successful e-commerce implementation remains good old-fashioned hard, sometimes monotonous work. To be successful, e-commerce technologies must be planned and implemented with rigorous project standards, and incorporated with significant process and workflow reengineering to actually return significant value to the organization. This article briefs readers on the organizational issues they must consider in evaluating e-commerce readiness--cultural, executive and technological factors that either support or inhibit project and technology success. Readers will be left with the tools to conduct an electronic commerce "readiness assessment" to evaluate the immediate, mid- and long-term potential of electronic commerce; practical remediation strategies for better preparing the organization for the changes inherent in moving to an e-commerce-enabled business model; and comments from the field--advice from organizations that have successfully implemented e-commerce technologies into their ongoing operations.

Evaluation of a telephone advice nurse in a nursing faculty managed pediatric community clinic.

PubMed

Beaulieu, Richard; Humphreys, Janice

2008-01-01

Nurse-managed health centers face increasing obstacles to financial viability. Efficient use of clinic resources and timely and appropriate patient care are necessary for sustainability. A registered nurse with adequate education and support can provide high-quality triage and advice in community-based practice sites. The purpose of this program evaluation was to examine the effect of a telephone advice nurse service on parent/caregiver satisfaction and access to care. A quasi-experimental separate pre-post sample design study investigated parent/caregiver satisfaction with a telephone advice nurse in an urban pediatric nurse-managed health center. The clinic medical information system was used to retrieve client visit data prior to the service and in the first year of the program. Statistically significant differences were found on two items from the satisfaction with the advice nurse survey: the reason for calling (P < .05), and the importance of being involved in decision making (P < .05). A telephone advice nurse may increase both parent/caregiver and provider satisfaction and access to care.

Advice networks in teams: the role of transformational leadership and members' core self-evaluations.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhen; Peterson, Suzanne J

2011-09-01

This article examines the team-level factors promoting advice exchange networks in teams. Drawing upon theory and research on transformational leadership, team diversity, and social networks, we hypothesized that transformational leadership positively influences advice network density in teams and that advice network density serves as a mediating mechanism linking transformational leadership to team performance. We further hypothesized a 3-way interaction in which members' mean core self-evaluation (CSE) and diversity in CSE jointly moderate the transformational leadership-advice network density relationship, such that the relationship is positive and stronger for teams with low diversity in CSE and high mean CSE. In addition, we expected that advice network centralization attenuates the positive influence of network density on team performance. Results based on multisource data from 79 business unit management teams showed support for these hypotheses. The results highlight the pivotal role played by transformational leadership and team members' CSEs in enhancing team social networks and, ultimately, team effectiveness. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved

[The role of science in policy making--EuSANH-ISA project, framework for science advice for health].

PubMed

Cianciara, Dorota; Piotrowicz, Maria; Bielska-Lasota, Magdalena; Wysocki, Mirosław J

2012-01-01

Governments and other authorities (including MPs) should be well informed on issues of science and technology. This is particularly important in the era of evidence-based practice. This implies the need to get expert advice. The process by which scientific knowledge is transmitted, along with proposals how to solve the problem, is called science advice. The main aim of the article is to discuss the issue of science advice--definitions, interaction between science and policymaking, and its position in contemporary policies. The second aim is to present European Science Advisory Network for Health (EuSANH), EuSANH-ISA project, and framework for science advice for health which was developed by participants. Furthermore, the role of civil society in decision-making process and science advice is also discussed. Interaction between scientists and policy-makers are described in terms of science-push approach (technocratic model), policy-pull (decisionistic) and simultaneous push-pull approach (pragmatic). The position of science advice is described in historical perspective from the 50s, especially in the last two decades. Description relies to USA, Canada and UK. Principles of scientific advice to government (Government Office for Science, UK) are quoted. Some important documents related to science advice in EU and UN are mentioned. EuSANH network is described as well as EuSANH-ISA project, with its objectives and outcomes. According to findings of this project, the process of science advice for health should follow some steps: framing the issue to be covered; planning entire process leading to the conclusion; drafting the report; reviewing the report and revision; publishing report and assessing the impact on policy.

Developing the public health role of a front line clinical service: integrating stop smoking advice into routine podiatry services.

PubMed

Gray, Jackie; Eden, Gary; Williams, Maria

2007-06-01

Although smoking is a major public health problem, many clinicians do not routinely provide evidence-based health improvement advice to smokers to help them to quit. Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle methodology was used to design and implement a service development so that health improvement advice for smokers featured in all podiatry consultations provided by a Primary Care Trust in North East England. IT systems were developed to record the number and proportion of patients for whom smoking status was assessed, and the number and proportion of smokers who were given advice to quit and referred for specialist support. A questionnaire to staff explored their perceptions of the development on their clinics and consultations. During a 6-month period, smoking status was recorded for all 8831 (100%) patients attending podiatry clinics; 83% of smokers were given brief advice to quit; 7% of smokers were given help to access specialist stop smoking support services. Improvements were introduced within existing budgets and did not prolong clinics. It is straightforward and inexpensive to develop clinical services so that public health guidance is routinely implemented. More widespread implementation of similar service developments could lead to national improvements in public health.

Internet provision of tailored advice on falls prevention activities for older people: a randomized controlled evaluation.

PubMed

Yardley, Lucy; Nyman, Samuel R

2007-06-01

Falls are very common in older persons and can result in substantial disability and distress. By undertaking strength and balance training (SBT) exercises, older people can reduce their risk of falling. The Internet offers a potentially cost-effective means of disseminating information about SBT to older people and their carers. A particular advantage of using the Internet for this purpose is that the advice given can be 'tailored' to the needs of the individual. This study used a randomized controlled design to evaluate an interactive web-based program that tailored advice about undertaking SBT activities. The participants were 280 people with an age range of 65-97 years recruited by advertising the website by email and the Internet. Those randomized to the tailored advice were presented with advice tailored to their personal self-rated balance capabilities, health problems and activity preferences. Those in the control group were presented with all the advice from which the tailored advice was selected. After reading the advice, those in the tailored advice group (n = 144) had more positive attitudes (p < 0.01) than those in the control group (n = 136), reporting greater perceived relevance of the SBT activities, greater confidence in the ability to carry them out, and hence stronger intentions to undertake the activities. This study provides an initial indication that an interactive website might offer a cost-effective way to provide personalized advice to some older people. Further research is required to determine whether website-based advice on falls prevention changes behavior as well as intentions and whether the advice needs to be supplemented by other forms of support.

Large-scale mHealth professional support for health workers in rural Maharashtra, India.

PubMed

Hegde, Shailendra Kumar B; Saride, Sriranga Prasad; Kuruganty, Sudha; Banker, Niraja; Patil, Chetan; Phanse, Vishal

2018-04-01

Expanding mobile telephony in India has prompted interest in the potential of mobile-telephone health (mHealth) in linking health workers in rural areas with specialist medical advice and other professional services. In 2012, a toll-free helpline offering specialist medical advice to community-based health workers throughout Maharashtra was launched. Calls are handled via a 24 h centre in Pune, staffed by health advisory officers and medical specialists. Health advisory officers handle general queries, which include medical advice via validated algorithms; blood on-call services; grievance issues; and mental health support - the latter calls are transferred to a qualified counsellor. Calls requiring more specialist advice are transferred to the appropriate medical specialist. This paper describes the experience of the first 4 years of this helpline, in terms of the services used, callers, nature of calls, types of queries serviced and lessons learnt. In the first 4 years of the helpline, 669 265 calls were serviced. Of these calls, 453 373 (67.74%) needed medical advice and were handled by health advisory officers. Specialist services were required to address 199 226 (29.77%) calls. Blood-bank-related services accounted for 7919 (1.18%) calls, while 2462 (0.37%) were grievance calls. Counselling for mental health issues accounted for 6285 (0.94%) calls. The large-scale mHealth professional support provided by this helpline in Maharashtra has reached many health workers serving rural communities. Future work is required to explore ways to expand the reach of the helpline further and to measure its effectiveness in improving health outcomes.

Are Australian smokers with mental illness receiving adequate smoking cessation and harm reduction information?

PubMed

Sharma-Kumar, Ratika; Meurk, Carla; Ford, Pauline; Beere, Diana; Gartner, Coral

2018-05-02

Provision of smoking cessation support in the form of advice and information is central to increasing quit rates, including among people with mental illness (MI), who have 3-5 times higher odds of smoking than those without MI. This study investigated the extent and perceived utility of quit smoking advice and information available to Australian smokers with MI through face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 29 current smokers with MI. Qualitative analysis identified four major sources of quit smoking advice and information: (i) mental health practitioners; (ii) Quitline; (iii) social networks; and (iv) Internet and media. All identified sources, including formal sources (mental health practitioners and Quitline), were perceived as providing inadequate information about quitting smoking, particularly regarding optimal usage of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Social networks emerged as a substantial source of quit smoking advice and information, especially for nontraditional methods such as vaping. Participants showed high interest in receiving support from peer-led smoking cessation groups. A minority of participants reported that they had received quit smoking information from Internet and media; this was largely restricted to negative reports about e-cigarettes and short advertisements for nicotine replacement therapy. Our findings suggest that more can be done to provide smokers with MI with practical smoking cessation advice and support. Comprehensive information resources tailored for smokers with MI should be developed and disseminated via multiple pathways. We also recommend a number of policy and practice reforms to promote smoking cessation among those with MI. © 2018 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.

The role of family nutritional support in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Watanabe, Koin; Kurose, Takeshi; Kitatani, Naomi; Yabe, Daisuke; Hishizawa, Masahiro; Hyo, Takanori; Seino, Yutaka

2010-01-01

We investigated the role of family support in glycemic control by nutritional self-care behavior of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. One hundred twelve Japanese out-patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited for the study at Kansai Electric Power Hospital. Interviews were conducted and HbA1c and triglyceride levels were measured. HbA1c levels were significantly related to family nutritional support. Patients under 60 years old with family nutritional support showed significantly lower HbA1c than patients without family support (p<0.05). Female patients with family support showed significantly lower HbA1c than those without family support (p<0.05). In addition, male patients with family support showed significantly lower triglyceride levels than those without family support (p<0.05). In male patients, those who were supported by cooking or buying light meals showed significantly lower HbA1c than those who were supported by advice or encouragement (p<0.05). The frequency of support (every day, 2-3 days, 1 week) showed similar outcomes in glycemic control. Patients who appreciate the support and follow the advice showed lower HbA1c (6.88 +/- 0.22%) than (7.43 +/- 0.23%) patients who appreciate the advice but sometimes feel emotional barriers. Family nutritional support is useful in improving metabolic outcome of diabetic patients. Self-care practice in disease management should be carefully adjusted to the family setting of type 2 diabetic patients. Emotional barriers to family support may affect the metabolic consequences, especially in the Japanese elderly.

Theory. [SITE 2001 Section].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Christensen, Paula, Ed.

This document contains the following papers on theory from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2001 Conference: (1) "IT with Integrity" (Savilla Banister); (2) "Applications of Knowledge Based Evaluation in Educational Technology" (Michael Connell); (3) "A Tutor's Advice Trains a Student's…

7 CFR 279.6 - Legal advice and extensions of time.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Legal advice and extensions of time. 279.6 Section 279.6 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE... discretion, additional time is required for the firm to fully present information in support of its position...

Preparing the Next Generation of School Administrators: Advice from Veteran Leaders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Michael, Christine N.; Young, Nicholas D.

2006-01-01

The purpose of this study was to systematically gather advice and insights from veteran school leaders on how to prepare and support the next generation of educational administrators through professional development and mentoring programs. Two hundred school administrators who were members of the American Association of School Administrators were…

Attitudes and Learning through Practice Are Key to Delivering Brief Interventions for Heavy Drinking in Primary Health Care: Analyses from the ODHIN Five Country Cluster Randomized Factorial Trial

PubMed Central

Anderson, Peter; Kaner, Eileen; Keurhorst, Myrna; Bendtsen, Preben; van Steenkiste, Ben; Reynolds, Jillian; Segura, Lidia; Wojnar, Marcin; Kłoda, Karolina; Parkinson, Kathryn; Drummond, Colin; Okulicz-Kozaryn, Katarzyna; Mierzecki, Artur; Laurant, Miranda; Newbury-Birch, Dorothy; Gual, Antoni

2017-01-01

In this paper, we test path models that study the interrelations between primary health care provider attitudes towards working with drinkers, their screening and brief advice activity, and their receipt of training and support and financial reimbursement. Study participants were 756 primary health care providers from 120 primary health care units (PHCUs) in different locations throughout Catalonia, England, The Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Our interventions were training and support and financial reimbursement to providers. Our design was a randomized factorial trial with baseline measurement period, 12-week implementation period, and 9-month follow-up measurement period. Our outcome measures were: attitudes of individual providers in working with drinkers as measured by the Short Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire; and the proportion of consulting adult patients (age 18+ years) who screened positive and were given advice to reduce their alcohol consumption (intervention activity). We found that more positive attitudes were associated with higher intervention activity, and higher intervention activity was then associated with more positive attitudes. Training and support was associated with both positive changes in attitudes and higher intervention activity. Financial reimbursement was associated with more positive attitudes through its impact on higher intervention activity. We conclude that improving primary health care providers’ screening and brief advice activity for heavy drinking requires a combination of training and support and on-the-job experience of actually delivering screening and brief advice activity. PMID:28134783

Attitudes and Learning through Practice Are Key to Delivering Brief Interventions for Heavy Drinking in Primary Health Care: Analyses from the ODHIN Five Country Cluster Randomized Factorial Trial.

PubMed

Anderson, Peter; Kaner, Eileen; Keurhorst, Myrna; Bendtsen, Preben; Steenkiste, Ben van; Reynolds, Jillian; Segura, Lidia; Wojnar, Marcin; Kłoda, Karolina; Parkinson, Kathryn; Drummond, Colin; Okulicz-Kozaryn, Katarzyna; Mierzecki, Artur; Laurant, Miranda; Newbury-Birch, Dorothy; Gual, Antoni

2017-01-26

In this paper, we test path models that study the interrelations between primary health care provider attitudes towards working with drinkers, their screening and brief advice activity, and their receipt of training and support and financial reimbursement. Study participants were 756 primary health care providers from 120 primary health care units (PHCUs) in different locations throughout Catalonia, England, The Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Our interventions were training and support and financial reimbursement to providers. Our design was a randomized factorial trial with baseline measurement period, 12-week implementation period, and 9-month follow-up measurement period. Our outcome measures were: attitudes of individual providers in working with drinkers as measured by the Short Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire; and the proportion of consulting adult patients (age 18+ years) who screened positive and were given advice to reduce their alcohol consumption (intervention activity). We found that more positive attitudes were associated with higher intervention activity, and higher intervention activity was then associated with more positive attitudes. Training and support was associated with both positive changes in attitudes and higher intervention activity. Financial reimbursement was associated with more positive attitudes through its impact on higher intervention activity. We conclude that improving primary health care providers' screening and brief advice activity for heavy drinking requires a combination of training and support and on-the-job experience of actually delivering screening and brief advice activity.

Veterans Administration Databases

Cancer.gov

The Veterans Administration Information Resource Center provides database and informatics experts, customer service, expert advice, information products, and web technology to VA researchers and others.

Intergenerational Support in a Daily Context

PubMed Central

Fingerman, Karen L.; Kim, Kyungmin; Tennant, Patrick S.; Birditt, Kira S.; Zarit, Steven H.

2016-01-01

Purpose of the Study: Using retrospective global reports, studies have found that middle-aged adults in the United States provide intermittent support to their aging parents and more frequent support to grown children. To date, studies have not examined support middle-aged adults provide to different generations on a daily basis. Daily support may include mundane everyday exchanges that may (or may not) affect well-being. Design and Methods: Middle-aged adults (N = 191, mean age 55.93) completed a general interview regarding family ties, followed by interviews each day for 7 days (N = 1,261 days). Daily interviews assessed support (e.g., advice, emotional, practical help) participants provided each grown child (n = 454) and aging parent (n = 253). Participants also reported daily mood. Results: Most participants provided emotional support (80%), advice (87%), and practical help (69%) to a grown child and also provided emotional support (61%) and advice (61%) or practical help (43%) to a parent that week. Multilevel models confirmed generational differences; grown children were more likely to receive everyday support than parents. Providing support to grown children was associated with positive mood, whereas providing support to parents was associated with more negative mood. Implications: Daily intergenerational support was more common than studies using global reports of support have found. Some daily support may be fleeting and not stand out in memory. The findings were consistent with the intergenerational stake hypothesis, which suggests middle-aged adults are more invested in their grown children than in their parents. Nonetheless, middle-aged adults were highly involved with aging parents. PMID:26035892

Predictors of perceiving smoking cessation counselling as a midwife's role: a survey of Dutch midwives.

PubMed

Bakker, Martijntje J; de Vries, Hein; Mullen, Patricia Dolan; Kok, Gerjo

2005-02-01

Smoking during pregnancy can have many serious consequences. As the usual providers of pregnancy care in the Netherlands, midwives could serve as effective counsellors to pregnant women about cigarette smoking. The aim of the present study was to identify relevant factors that hamper or promote the provision of effective smoking cessation advice and counselling. Questionnaires were mailed to midwives; 237 (64.4%) were returned. Questions were asked about advantages and disadvantages of giving smoking cessation advice, perceived health benefits for mother and child, smoking behaviour and normative beliefs of colleagues, self-efficacy and role definition of midwives with regard to giving smoking cessation advice. Midwives who have a more positive role definition regarding giving smoking cessation advice are more convinced of the advantages of giving advice, the advantages of quitting for their clients and perceive more support from their colleagues with regard to giving advice. In general, midwives were motivated to provide their clients with smoking cessation advice. They were less comfortable with guiding women through the cessation process. Therefore, effective materials and training should be developed to facilitate and stimulate midwives in their role as effective counsellors.

75 FR 18566 - Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-12

... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2010-0014] Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA). ACTION: Notice of Seventh Panel Meeting. DATES: May... ``the FACA'') shall report to and provide the Commissioner of Social Security independent advice and...

[The virtual environment of a research group: the tutors' perspective].

PubMed

Prado, Cláudia; Casteli, Christiane Pereira Martins; Lopes, Tania Oliveira; Kobayashi, Rika M; Peres, Heloísa Helena Ciqueto; Leite, Maria Madalena Januário

2012-02-01

The Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas de Tecnologia da Informação nos Processos de Trabalho em Enfermagem (Study and Research Group for Information Technology in the Nursing Working Processes, GEPETE) has the purpose of producing and socializing knowledge in information technology and health and nursing communication, making associations with research groups in this field and promoting student participation. This study was performed by the group tutors with the objective to report on the development of the virtual learning environment (VLE) and the tutors' experience as mediators of a research group using the Moodle platform. To do this, a VLE was developed and pedagogical mediation was performed following the theme of mentoring. An initial diagnosis was made of the difficulties in using this technology in interaction and communication, which permitted the proposal of continuing to use the platform as a resource to support research activities, offer lead researchers the mechanisms to socialize projects and offer the possibility of giving advice at a distance.

Expert Financial Advice Neurobiologically “Offloads” Financial Decision-Making under Risk

PubMed Central

Engelmann, Jan B.; Capra, C. Monica; Noussair, Charles; Berns, Gregory S.

2009-01-01

Background Financial advice from experts is commonly sought during times of uncertainty. While the field of neuroeconomics has made considerable progress in understanding the neurobiological basis of risky decision-making, the neural mechanisms through which external information, such as advice, is integrated during decision-making are poorly understood. In the current experiment, we investigated the neurobiological basis of the influence of expert advice on financial decisions under risk. Methodology/Principal Findings While undergoing fMRI scanning, participants made a series of financial choices between a certain payment and a lottery. Choices were made in two conditions: 1) advice from a financial expert about which choice to make was displayed (MES condition); and 2) no advice was displayed (NOM condition). Behavioral results showed a significant effect of expert advice. Specifically, probability weighting functions changed in the direction of the expert's advice. This was paralleled by neural activation patterns. Brain activations showing significant correlations with valuation (parametric modulation by value of lottery/sure win) were obtained in the absence of the expert's advice (NOM) in intraparietal sulcus, posterior cingulate cortex, cuneus, precuneus, inferior frontal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus. Notably, no significant correlations with value were obtained in the presence of advice (MES). These findings were corroborated by region of interest analyses. Neural equivalents of probability weighting functions showed significant flattening in the MES compared to the NOM condition in regions associated with probability weighting, including anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral PFC, thalamus, medial occipital gyrus and anterior insula. Finally, during the MES condition, significant activations in temporoparietal junction and medial PFC were obtained. Conclusions/Significance These results support the hypothesis that one effect of expert advice is to “offload” the calculation of value of decision options from the individual's brain. PMID:19308261

How do stroke survivors and their carers use practitioners' advice on secondary prevention medications? Qualitative study of an online forum.

PubMed

Izuka, Nkeonye J; Alexander, Matthew A W; Balasooriya-Smeekens, Chantal; Mant, Jonathan; De Simoni, Anna

2017-09-01

Secondary prevention medications reduce risk of stroke recurrence, yet many people do not receive recommended treatment, nor take medications optimally. Exploring how patients report making use of practitioners' advice on secondary prevention medicines on an online forum and what feedback was received from other participants. Thematic analysis of the archive of Talkstroke (2004-2011), UK. Posts including any secondary prevention medication terms, General Practitioner (GP) and their replies were identified. Fifity participants talked about practitioners' advice on secondary prevention medications in 43 discussion threads. Patients consulted practitioners for reassurance and dealing with side effects. Practitioners' advice varied from altering to maintaining current treatment. Three main themes emerged from the use of practitioners' advice: patients following advice (reassured, happy when side effects made tolerable, or still retaining anxiety about treatment); patients not following advice (admitting adherence on-off or stopping medications as side effects still not tolerable); asking other participants for feedback on advice received. Practitioners' advice was disregarded mainly when related to dealing with statin side effects, after one or two consultations. Themes for feedback involved sharing experience, directing back to practitioners, or to external evidence. Side effects of secondary prevention medications and statins in particular, cause anxiety and resentment in some patients, and their concerns are not always addressed by practitioners. Practitioners could consider more proactive strategies to manage such side effects. Forum feedback was appropriate and supportive of the practitioners' advice received. Our findings from peer-to-peer online conversations confirm and widen previous research. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

Information and support from dietary consultation for mothers of children with food allergies.

PubMed

MacKenzie, Heather; Grundy, Jane; Glasbey, Gillian; Dean, Taraneh; Venter, Carina

2015-01-01

Professional dietetic input is essential to ensure that children with diagnosed food allergies have an individualized avoidance plan and nutritionally adequate diet. However, it is not clear what dietary information and support parents require. To explore what information and support parents of children with food allergies require from a dietary consultation. Focus groups were conducted with 17 mothers who attend an allergy center for dietary advice for their food allergic child. A number of issues around food allergy dietary advice needs were explored and analyzed using thematic analysis. Six themes were identified. The mothers described how they sought to protect their child from harm, to maintain normality for their child, and to promote child independence. They described needing to become an expert in their child's food allergy and fight their corner when needed. The dietitian supported their needs by ensuring their child's diet was safe and nutritionally adequate and giving information and support to help them provide a normal life for their child. Dietitians also taught mothers about food allergy and provided advocacy and emotional support. Mothers of children with food allergies want to understand how to provide a nutritionally adequate, allergen-safe diet while maintaining a normal life. Hence, mothers value a range of support from dietitians, including monitoring their child's health and providing information, practical advice and support, and emotional support. Copyright © 2015 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Nurses' support in smoking cessation therapy in Japan].

PubMed

Taniguchi, Chie

2013-03-01

Smoking cessation therapy (SCT) was introduced in 2006 in Japan. The patients who wish to stop smoking and receive SCT routinely undergo counseling and advice provided by trained nurse. This paper introduces rationale, methods and contents of the nurses counseling and advice by differentiating physicians' roles in the SCT. We show these supports performed at Nagoya Medical Center, which is one of the famous hospital for the SCT in Japan. Three key issues for the nurses' approach: encouragement of self-decision, promoting self-efficacy and yielding positive thinking are discussed in this paper.

Health risks for students on overseas placements.

PubMed

Driver, Carolyn

Health profession students are encouraged to take an elective during training and many do this overseas in tropical, low-income countries. Higher education institutions should offer advice and support on organising these placements but this varies and students may present for pre-travel health advice at their general practice or travel clinic. This article discusses how they should be advised.

myPace: an integrative health platform for supporting weight loss and maintenance behaviors.

PubMed

Barnett, Julie; Harricharan, Michelle; Fletcher, Dave; Gilchrist, Becky; Coughlan, Jane

2015-01-01

Obesity is a major health concern caused by unhealthy eating behaviors. Digital weight loss interventions have adopted mobile technology primarily in order to support self-monitoring. However, many available apps are not designed as a part of dietetic practice; therefore, a distinct gap in the research exists relating to technology that supports the patient-practitioner relationship. This paper presents myPace, which is a complete weight loss and management system that is deployed via a smartphone and a PC. It connects dietitians and patients between face-to-face consultations and extends the relationship through patients' regular progress updates and dietitians' tailored and timely advice, for sustained behavior change. The prototype was developed from research into behavior change for weight loss, which furthermore was underpinned by theory and tenets of human support models, such as the supportive accountability framework. We report on an early-phase system design goals via a formative research process, which aimed to implement theoretical principles and match practical dietetic practice. To that end, only the clinical end user's perspective was sought through a coaching think-aloud protocol on the first iteration of the prototype and interviews with dietitians. Findings show that the system has many positive design features, but which require further development in order for the system to be fully acceptable within dietetic practice and motivate patient engagement.

A long-term evaluation of the stage of change approach and compensable injury outcomes - a cluster-randomised trial.

PubMed

Rothmore, Paul; Aylward, Paul; Gray, Jodi; Karnon, Jonathan

2017-05-01

This study investigated the long-term injury outcomes for workers in companies from a range of industries which had been randomly allocated to receive ergonomics interventions tailored according to the stage of change (SOC) approach or standard ergonomics advice. Differences in compensable injury outcomes between the groups were analysed using logistic regression models. Questionnaire results from face-to-face interviews to assess musculoskeletal pain and discomfort (MSPD), job satisfaction and other factors were also analysed. Although not significant at the 0.05 level, after adjusting for workgroup clustering, workers in receipt of tailored advice were 55% (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.19-1.08) less likely to report a compensable injury than those in receipt of standard ergonomics advice. Workload, job satisfaction and MSPD were significantly correlated with injury outcomes. The observed outcomes support the potential value of the SOC approach, as well as highlighting the need to consider workload, job satisfaction and MSPD when planning injury prevention programmes. Practitioner Summary: This study investigated compensable injury outcomes for workers who had received ergonomics advice tailored according to the stage of change (SOC) approach compared with standard ergonomics advice. The results support the potential value of the SOC approach and highlight the need to consider workload, job satisfaction and musculoskeletal pain and discomfort when planning injury prevention interventions.

Frank Talk about Hacker Attacks, Emergency Notification, and Online Piracy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fischman, Josh; Carlson, Scott; Young, Jeffrey R.

2008-01-01

Technology decisions should not be made solely in some geeky corner of the campus, but should be central to strategic planning and involve top academic leaders. Campus-technology leaders traded tales from the trenches and plenty of advice during the two-day Technology Forum, held in Tampa, Florida in February 2008. Ohio University responded to a…

Work ability of Dutch employees with rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

de Croon, E M; Sluiter, J K; Nijssen, T F; Kammeijer, M; Dijkmans, B A C; Lankhorst, G J; Frings-Dresen, M H W

2005-01-01

To (i) examine the association between fatigue, psychosocial work characteristics (job control, support, participation in decision making, psychological job demands), and physical work requirements on the one hand and work ability of employees with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the other, and (ii) determine the advice that health care professionals give to employees with RA on how to maintain their work ability. Data were gathered from 78 employees with early RA (response = 99%) by telephone interviews and self-report questionnaires. Fatigue, lack of autonomy, low coworker/supervisor support, low participation in decision making, and high physical work requirements (i.e. using manual force) predicted low work ability. High psychological job demands, however, did not predict low work ability. The rheumatologist, occupational physician, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, and psychologist gave advice on how to cope with RA at work to 36, 30, 27, 26, and 17% of the employees, respectively. Advice was directed mainly at factors intrinsic to the employee. Employees expressed a positive attitude towards this advice. Fatigue, lack of support, lack of autonomy, lack of participation in decision making, and using manual force at work (e.g. pushing and pulling) threaten the work ability of employees with RA. According to the employees with RA, involvement of health care professionals from different disciplines and the implementation of organizational and technical interventions would help them to tackle these threats.

Development and usability of a computer-tailored pedometer-based physical activity advice for breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

De Cocker, K; Charlier, C; Van Hoof, E; Pauwels, E; Lechner, L; Bourgois, J; Spittaels, H; Vandelanotte, C; De Bourdeaudhuij, I

2015-09-01

This observational study aimed to adapt a computer-tailored step advice for the general population into a feasible advice for breast cancer survivors and to test its usability. First, several adaptations were made to the original design (adding cancer-related physical activity (PA) barriers and beliefs, and self-management strategies to improve survivors' personal control). Second, the adapted advice was evaluated in two phases: (1) a usability testing in healthy women (n = 3) and survivors (n = 6); and (2) a process evaluation during 3 weeks in breast cancer survivors (n = 8). Preliminary usability testing revealed no problems during logging-in; however, three survivors misinterpreted some questions. After refining the questionnaire and advice, survivors evaluated the advice as interesting, attractive to read, comprehensible and credible. Inactive survivors found the advice novel, but too long. The process evaluation indicated that the majority of the women (n = 5/8) reported increased steps. Monitoring step counts by using a pedometer was perceived as an important motivator to be more active. To conclude, this study provides initial support for the usability and acceptability of a computer-tailored pedometer-based PA advice for breast cancer survivors. After testing efficacy and effectiveness of this intervention, this tool can broaden the reach of PA promotion in breast cancer survivors. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Management of symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy using exercise and pelvic support belts.

PubMed

Depledge, Jill; McNair, Peter J; Keal-Smith, Cheryl; Williams, Maynard

2005-12-01

Symphysis pubis pain is a significant problem for some pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise, advice, and pelvic support belts on the management of symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy. Ninety pregnant women with symphysis pubis dysfunction were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups. A randomized masked prospective experimental clinical trial was conducted. Specific muscle strengthening exercises and advice concerning appropriate methods for performing activities of daily living were given to the 3 groups, and 2 of the groups were given either a rigid pelvic support belt or a nonrigid pelvic support belt. The dependent variables, which were measured before and after the intervention, were a Roland-Morris Questionnaire score, a Patient-Specific Functional Scale score, and a pain score (101-point numerical rating score). After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in the Roland-Morris Questionnaire score, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale score, and the average and worst pain scores in all groups. With the exception of average pain, there were no significant differences between groups for the other measures. The findings indicate that the use of either a rigid or a nonrigid pelvic support belt did not add to the effects provided by exercise and advice.

[Development of a service on line advice and information technology management for health].

PubMed

Berrospi Polo, Victor; Rodriguez Abad, Juan; Bobadilla Aguilar, Juan; Di Liberto Moreno, Carlos; Díaz Arroyo, Cecilia; Rafael Quipan, Carlos

2015-10-01

To validate an advisory service and online information technology management for health and helps to make assessment and acquisition processes an informed medical equipment according to the market and the needs of the health institutions. Internet via a technological solution supported ona data base containing systematic and updated information on technical specifications of 25 compared medical equipment, the same reference prices, list of suppliers, agents and / or producers and technical standards are developed. The"virtual" technical assistance was made with the support of a team of specialists in Health Technology Management, the decision makers in the planning, evaluation and procurement of biomedical equipment. The validation of the service was conducted by involving specialists in the field of Health Technology Management, from different disciplines and institutions who worked in health, public and private. They used the service for a period of time to verify its feasibility of use as well as its usefulness for their planning, evaluation and procurement of biomedical equipment. To these experts we applied a survey before and after them about the software developed in this project. We found that it is common to use the internet to search for information on medical equipment.Also,an increase on the view that the application will help in procurement of biomedical equipment(40% to 78%) was observed, it will improve the information system(40% to 89%) and communication among physicians,nurses, planners, engineers and other professionals involved in this process(20% to 78%). There is a need for a technological tool available with such features contribute to technology management in Peru.

Intergenerational Support in a Daily Context.

PubMed

Fingerman, Karen L; Kim, Kyungmin; Tennant, Patrick S; Birditt, Kira S; Zarit, Steven H

2016-10-01

Using retrospective global reports, studies have found that middle-aged adults in the United States provide intermittent support to their aging parents and more frequent support to grown children. To date, studies have not examined support middle-aged adults provide to different generations on a daily basis. Daily support may include mundane everyday exchanges that may (or may not) affect well-being. Middle-aged adults (N = 191, mean age 55.93) completed a general interview regarding family ties, followed by interviews each day for 7 days (N = 1,261 days). Daily interviews assessed support (e.g., advice, emotional, practical help) participants provided each grown child (n = 454) and aging parent (n = 253). Participants also reported daily mood. Most participants provided emotional support (80%), advice (87%), and practical help (69%) to a grown child and also provided emotional support (61%) and advice (61%) or practical help (43%) to a parent that week. Multilevel models confirmed generational differences; grown children were more likely to receive everyday support than parents. Providing support to grown children was associated with positive mood, whereas providing support to parents was associated with more negative mood. Daily intergenerational support was more common than studies using global reports of support have found. Some daily support may be fleeting and not stand out in memory. The findings were consistent with the intergenerational stake hypothesis, which suggests middle-aged adults are more invested in their grown children than in their parents. Nonetheless, middle-aged adults were highly involved with aging parents. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Breast cancer prevention knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among college women and mother-daughter communication.

PubMed

Kratzke, Cynthia; Vilchis, Hugo; Amatya, Anup

2013-06-01

Although breast cancer prevention targets mostly women ages 40 and older, little is known about breast cancer prevention for young women and mother's advice. The purpose of this study was to examine breast cancer prevention knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among college women and mother-daughter communication. Hispanic and non-Hispanic students at a southwestern university completed a breast cancer prevention survey with items for mother's advice, breast self-awareness and risk reduction knowledge, self-efficacy, susceptibility, family history, provider breast self-exam (BSE) recommendation, peer norms, BSE practice, and demographics. An openended item was also used to elicit types of mother's advice. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors for receiving mother's advice for breast cancer prevention and BSE practice. Self-reported data using a survey were obtained from 546 college women with a mean age of 23.3 (SD = 7.75). Nearly 36 % received mothers' advice and 55 % conducted BSE. Predictors for receiving mother's advice were age, self-efficacy, and family history of breast cancer. Predictors for BSE practice were mother's advice, age, self-efficacy, and provider BSE recommendation. Family history of breast cancer and knowledge were not significant predictors for BSE practice. Findings support the need for clinicians, community health educators, and mothers to provide breast cancer prevention education targeting college women.

Nutrigenomics-based personalised nutritional advice: in search of a business model?

PubMed

Ronteltap, Amber; van Trijp, Hans; Berezowska, Aleksandra; Goossens, Jo

2013-03-01

Nutritional advice has mainly focused on population-level recommendations. Recent developments in nutrition, communication, and marketing sciences have enabled potential deviations from this dominant business model in the direction of personalisation of nutrition advice. Such personalisation efforts can take on many forms, but these have in common that they can only be effective if they are supported by a viable business model. The present paper takes an inventory of approaches to personalised nutrition currently available in the market place as its starting point to arrive at an identification of their underlying business models. This analysis is presented as a unifying framework against which the potential of nutrigenomics-based personalised advice can be assessed. It has uncovered nine archetypical approaches to personalised nutrition advice in terms of their dominant underlying business models. Differentiating features among such business models are the type of information that is used as a basis for personalisation, the definition of the target group, the communication channels that are being adopted, and the partnerships that are built as a part of the business model. Future research should explore the consumer responses to the diversity of "archetypical" business models for personalised nutrition advice as a source of market information on which the delivery of nutrigenomics-based personalised nutrition advice may further build.

The Relationship Between Use of Social Network Sites, Online Social Support, and Well-Being: Results From a Six-Wave Longitudinal Study.

PubMed

Utz, Sonja; Breuer, Johannes

2017-01-01

Existing work on the effects of social network sites (SNS) on well-being has often stressed that SNS can help people gain social support from their online networks, which positively affects their well-being. However, the majority of studies in this area have been cross-sectional in nature and/or relied on student samples. Using data from six waves of a longitudinal study with a representative sample of Dutch Internet users, we first examined whether users and nonusers of SNS differ in online social support and well-being (as indicated by life satisfaction and stress). In a second step, we investigated in more detail how SNS use - more specifically, asking for advice and the number of strong ties on these SNS - are related to online social support, stress, and satisfaction with life. Overall, our results provide no evidence for SNS use and online social support affecting either stress or life satisfaction. SNS users reported more online social support than nonusers did, but also higher levels of stress; the two groups did not differ in overall life satisfaction. With regard to the underlying processes, we found positive cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between asking for advice on SNS and online social support, indicating that SNS can be an effective tool for receiving social support. However, online social support was not related to higher life satisfaction or reduced stress 6 months later; instead, it seems that SNS users with lower life satisfaction and/or higher stress seek more social support online by asking for advice on SNS.

The Relationship Between Use of Social Network Sites, Online Social Support, and Well-Being

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Abstract. Existing work on the effects of social network sites (SNS) on well-being has often stressed that SNS can help people gain social support from their online networks, which positively affects their well-being. However, the majority of studies in this area have been cross-sectional in nature and/or relied on student samples. Using data from six waves of a longitudinal study with a representative sample of Dutch Internet users, we first examined whether users and nonusers of SNS differ in online social support and well-being (as indicated by life satisfaction and stress). In a second step, we investigated in more detail how SNS use – more specifically, asking for advice and the number of strong ties on these SNS – are related to online social support, stress, and satisfaction with life. Overall, our results provide no evidence for SNS use and online social support affecting either stress or life satisfaction. SNS users reported more online social support than nonusers did, but also higher levels of stress; the two groups did not differ in overall life satisfaction. With regard to the underlying processes, we found positive cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between asking for advice on SNS and online social support, indicating that SNS can be an effective tool for receiving social support. However, online social support was not related to higher life satisfaction or reduced stress 6 months later; instead, it seems that SNS users with lower life satisfaction and/or higher stress seek more social support online by asking for advice on SNS. PMID:29147141

Self-management behaviour and support among primary care COPD patients: cross-sectional analysis of data from the Birmingham Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Cohort.

PubMed

Khan, Ainee; Dickens, Andrew P; Adab, Peymane; Jordan, Rachel E

2017-07-20

Self-management support for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is recommended by UK national guidelines, but extent of implementation is unknown. We aimed to describe self-management behaviour and support among COPD patients and explore behaviour associated with having a self-management plan. We undertook cross-sectional analysis of self-reported data from diagnosed COPD patients in the Birmingham COPD Cohort study. Questionnaire items relevant to self-management behaviour, knowledge of COPD, receipt of self-management plans and advice from healthcare professionals were examined. Multiple regression models were used to identify behaviour associated with having a self-management plan. One-thousand seventy-eight participants (676 males, 62.7%, mean age 69.8 (standard deviation 9.0) years) were included. The majority reported taking medications as instructed (940, 94.0%) and receiving annual influenza vaccinations (962, 89.2%). Only 400 (40.4%) participants had self-management plans, 538 (49.9%) reported never having received advice on diet/exercise and 110 (42.7%) current smokers had been offered practical help to stop smoking in the previous year. General knowledge about COPD was moderate (mean total Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire score: 31.5 (standard deviation 10.7); max score 65), corresponding to 48.5% of questions answered correctly. Having a self-management plan was positively associated with self-reported adherence to medication (odds ratio 3.10, 95% confidence interval 1.43 to 6.72), attendance at a training course (odds ratio 2.72, 95% confidence interval 1.81 to 4.12), attendance at a support group (odds ratio 6.28, 95% confidence interval 2.96 to 13.35) and better disease knowledge (mean difference 4.87, 95% confidence interval 3.16 to 6.58). Primary care healthcare professionals should ensure more widespread implementation of individualised self-management plans for all patients and improve the lifestyle advice provided. CALL FOR WIDER IMPLEMENTATION OF SELF-MANAGEMENT PLANS: Health professionals should ensure all patients with chronic lung disease receive individualized self-management plans and lifestyle advice. UK national guidelines state that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should receive personalized self-management plans and comprehensive support to help them manage their disease. Ainee Khan and colleagues at the University of Birmingham analyzed patient questionnaire data gathered during the Birmingham COPD Cohort study to explore self-management behavior, receipt of self-management plans and advice, and patient knowledge of COPD. Of 1,078 participants, only 400 had self-management plans, and less than half reported receiving lifestyle advice or support. Those with plans were more likely to adhere to medication, had greater knowledge about COPD and were more likely to attend support groups and training courses. The authors recommend carefully-planned, wider implementation of COPD self-management plans and associated support.

Communication of Science Advice to Government.

PubMed

Hutchings, Jeffrey A; Stenseth, Nils Chr

2016-01-01

There are various ways to construct good processes for soliciting and understanding science. Our critique of advisory models finds that a well-supported chief science advisor (CSA) best ensures the provision of deliberative, informal, and emergency advice to government. Alternatively, bias, increasingly manifest as science-based advocacy, can hinder communication, diminish credibility, and distort scientific evidence. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Great Beginnings: Reflections and Advice for New English Language Arts Teachers and the People Who Mentor Them. Conference on English Leadership Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayes, Ira, Ed.

Intended for teacher educators, beginning teachers, classroom leaders, and administrators, this essay collection offers practical advice on topics such as evaluating student writing and creating support systems for beginning teachers. The essays discuss how the "real world" of teaching matches--or fails to match--novice teachers'…

[Pre travel advice - a study among Swiss general practitioners].

PubMed

Walz, Alexander; Tschudi, Peter; Badertscher, Nina; Hatz, Christoph

2013-06-01

Up to 65 % of travellers seek pre-travel advice at their general practitioner. Professionals should inform about the most common and most dangerous health threats, requiring up-to-date knowledge about epidemiology of respective disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the content of pre-travel advice given by general practitioners in order to provide them with better expert support from travel medicine specialists. One third of them perform pre-travel advice weekly, and some two thirds do so at least monthly. The most frequently discussed topics are malaria, immunisation, insect bite prevention and travellers' diarrhoea. Less than half of the advice sessions included talking about the risk of accidents. Apart from the need for yellow fever vaccination, referral to travel medicine experts was highest for immunocompromised and pregnant travellers, and for trips to "high risk" countries. A considerable number of practitioners do not comply with the Swiss recommendations, continuously updated in the Bulletin of the Federal Office of Public Health, possibly because only 21 % consult them at regular intervals.

How do general practitioners use 'safety netting' in acutely ill children?

PubMed

Bertheloot, Karen; Deraeve, Pieterjan; Vermandere, Mieke; Aertgeerts, Bert; Lemiengre, Marieke; De Sutter, An; Buntinx, Frank; Verbakel, Jan Y

2016-01-01

'Safety netting' advice allows general practitioners (GPs) to cope with diagnostic uncertainty in primary care. It informs patients on 'red flag' features and when and how to seek further help. There is, however, insufficient evidence to support useful choices regarding 'safety netting' procedures. To explore how GPs apply 'safety netting' in acutely ill children in Flanders. We designed a qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews with 37 GPs across Flanders. Two researchers performed qualitative analysis based on grounded theory components. Although unfamiliar with the term, GPs perform 'safety netting' in every acutely ill child, guided by their intuition without the use of specific guidelines. They communicate 'red flag' features, expected time course of illness and how and when to re-consult and try to tailor their advice to the context, patient and specific illness. Overall, GPs perceive 'safety netting' as an important element of the consultation, acknowledging personal and parental limitations, such as parents' interpretation of their advice. GPs do not feel a need for any form of support in the near future. GPs apply 'safety netting' intuitively and tailor the content. Further research should focus on the impact of 'safety netting' on morbidity and how the advice is conveyed to parents.

Network correlates of sexual health advice seeking and substance use among members of the Los Angeles House and Ball communities

PubMed Central

Holloway, Ian W.; Schrager, Sheree M.; Wong, Carolyn F.; Dunlap, Shannon L.; Kipke, Michele D.

2014-01-01

House and Ball communities (HBCs), represent a prime context for human immunodeficiency virus prevention with African American young men who have sex with men and transgender persons. This study sought to understand the composition and function of social support and sexual networks of HBC members in Los Angeles, California (N = 263). Participants were recruited using venue-based sampling and asked to report on sexual health advice seeking, alcohol use and illicit substance use. Participants were more likely to seek sexual health advice from social support network members compared with sexual network members [odds ratio (OR): 2.50, P < 0.001]. HBC members were more likely to get drunk (OR: 1.57; P < 0.05) and use illicit substances (OR: 1.87; P < 0.10) with House members and sexual network members compared with non-House members and social support network members. Health promotion programs tailored for the HBC should encourage open communication regarding sexual health; these interventions must include information about the role of substance use in sexual risk taking. PMID:24452228

Advice for acute low back pain: a comparison of what research supports and what guidelines recommend.

PubMed

Stevens, Matthew L; Lin, Chung-Wei C; de Carvalho, Flavia A; Phan, Kevin; Koes, Bart; Maher, Chris G

2017-10-01

Advice is widely considered an effective treatment for acute low back pain (LBP); however, details on what and how to deliver this intervention is less clear. We assessed and compared clinical trials that test advice for acute LBP with practice guidelines for their completeness of reporting and concordance on the content, method of delivery, and treatment regimen of advice interventions. Systematic review. Advice randomized controlled trials were identified through a systematic search. Guidelines were taken from recent overviews of guidelines for LBP. Completeness of reporting was assessed using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist. Thematic analysis was used to characterize advice interventions into topics across the aspects of content, method of delivery, and regimen. Concordance between clinical trials and guidelines was assessed by comparing the number of trials that found a statistically significant treatment effect for an intervention that included a specific advice topic with the number of guidelines recommending that topic. The median (interquartile range) completeness of reporting for clinical trials and guidelines was 8 (7-9) and 3 (2-4) out of nine items on the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist, respectively. Guideline recommendations were discordant with clinical trials for 50% of the advice topics identified. Completeness of reporting was less than ideal for randomized controlled trials and extremely poor for guidelines. The recommendations made in guidelines of advice for acute LBP were often not concordant with the results of clinical trials. Taken together, these findings mean that the potential clinical value of advice interventions for patients with acute LBP is probably not being realized. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Advice as a smoking cessation strategy: a systematic review and implications for physical therapists.

PubMed

Bodner, Michael E; Dean, Elizabeth

2009-07-01

Although identified as a clinical priority, smoking cessation has been addressed minimally in the literature in the context of physical therapy practice. Smoking cessation advice delivered by a health professional can help smokers quit. The salient components of such advice however warranted elucidation to enable physical therapists to integrate this clinical competence into their practices. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to elucidate the effectiveness of advice by a health professional and its components to optimize smoking cessation instituted in the context of physical therapy practice. Thirty source articles were identified. A random-effects model meta-analysis was used to assess the effectiveness of the advice parameters. Risk ratios (RRs) were used to estimate pooled treatment effects. RRs for brief, intermediate, and intensive advice were 1.74 (95% CI=1.37, 2.22), 1.71 (95% CI=1.39, 2.09), and 1.60 (95% CI=1.13, 2.27), respectively. Self-help materials, follow-up, and interventions based on psychological or motivational frameworks were particularly effective components of intermediate and intensive advice interventions. Advice can be readily integrated into physical therapy practice and used to initiate or support ongoing smoking cessation in clients irrespective of reason for referral. Incorporating smoking cessation as a physical therapy goal is consistent with the contemporary definition of the profession and the mandates of physical therapy professional associations to promote health and wellness, including smoking cessation for both primary health benefit and to minimize secondary effects (e.g., delayed healing and recovery, and medical and surgical complications). Thus, advice is an evidence-based strategy to effect smoking cessation that can be exploited in physical therapy practice. Further research to refine how best to assess smokers and, in turn, individualize brief smoking cessation advice could augment positive smoking cessation outcomes.

Texting on the Move

MedlinePlus

... for: Teens Protecting Your Online Identity and Reputation Technology: 5 Ways To ... All information on TeensHealth® is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and ...

The University for Industry and Local Information, Advice and Guidance Partnerships. Report on a NICEC/CRAC Policy Consultation Held in Association with the National Advisory Council for Careers and Educational Guidance (Cambridge, England, February 24-25, 1999). Conference Briefing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watts, Tony

The University for Industry (UFI) and local information, advice, and guidance (IAG) partnerships are two key aspects of the British Government's lifelong learning strategy. UFI's key role is to expand the demand for and supply of learning and to exploit the learning potential of information and communication technologies. The main UFI activities…

The application of remote sensing to resource management and environmental quality programs in Kansas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barr, B. G.

1975-01-01

Specific assistance to state agencies and public bodies on over 15 remote sensing projects concerned with (1) urban and regional analysis, (2) rural development, and (3) habitat management and environmental analysis is discussed. Specific problems of officials are considered and a basis for communication by demonstration is provided. In addition to data products in support of specific agency projects; consultation and training in use of satellite and aircraft imagery is provided to personnel from several state, regional, and county agencies. Effective communication and confidence is established through these efforts and users now routinely seek information and advice about the application of remote sensing technology to solution of their agency problems.

Targeted Evolution of Embedded Librarian Services: Providing Mobile Reference and Instruction Services Using iPads

PubMed Central

Chiarella, Deborah

2016-01-01

The University at Buffalo Health Sciences Library provides reference and instructional services to support research, curricular, and clinical programs of the University at Buffalo. With funding from an NN/LM MAR Technology Improvement Award, the University at Buffalo Health Sciences Library (UBHSL) purchased iPads to develop embedded reference and educational services. Usage statistics were collected over a ten-month period to measure the frequency of iPad use for mobile services. While this experiment demonstrates that the iPad can be used to meet the library user's needs outside of the physical library space, this paper will also offer advice for others who are considering implementing their own program. PMID:26496394

Targeted Evolution of Embedded Librarian Services: Providing Mobile Reference and Instruction Services Using iPads.

PubMed

Stellrecht, Elizabeth; Chiarella, Deborah

2015-01-01

The University at Buffalo Health Sciences Library provides reference and instructional services to support research, curricular, and clinical programs of the University at Buffalo. With funding from an NN/LM MAR Technology Improvement Award, the University at Buffalo Health Sciences Library (UBHSL) purchased iPads to develop embedded reference and educational services. Usage statistics were collected over a ten-month period to measure the frequency of iPad use for mobile services. While this experiment demonstrates that the iPad can be used to meet the library user's needs outside of the physical library space, this article will also offer advice for others who are considering implementing their own program.

A qualitative study exploring community pharmacists' awareness of, and contribution to, self-care support in the management of long-term conditions in the United Kingdom.

PubMed

Ogunbayo, Oladapo J; Schafheutle, Ellen I; Cutts, Christopher; Noyce, Peter R

2015-01-01

Self-care support refers to activities aimed at educating, training and empowering patients with skills and ability to manage [and monitor] their long-term conditions (LTCs). While self-care support by health care professionals has emerged as a distinct concept in the management of LTCs, evidence of community pharmacy's contribution is sparse. The aim was to explore community pharmacy's contribution to self-care support of LTCs. The objectives were to explore how community pharmacists conceptualize self-care support of LTCs and how they operationalize the core elements of this in their practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with community pharmacists in England (n = 12) and Scotland (n = 12). A framework consisting of the core elements of self-care support (information and advice; skills training and support; technology; support networks; and collaborative care planning) was developed from the literature and was used to structure the interviews and analysis. Analysis was done thematically using the interpretative phenomenological analysis technique. The three main themes that emerged were conceptualization; operationalization of the core elements; and barriers to providing self-care support. Participants conceptualized self-care of LTCs as patients taking responsibility for their own health, performing activities that improved their LTCs and that enabled them to become more independent in managing their LTCs. Their views on self-care support did not reflect this conceptual understanding but was described primarily as providing patients with information and advice rather than actively supporting them. Participants' views of operationalizing the core elements of self-care support was found to be medicines focused, opportunistic and dependent on the services they provided, rather than being patient-centered and proactive. The barriers to providing self-care support of LTCs in community pharmacy were described as priority accorded to dispensing activities, the structure of the community pharmacy contract, lack of incentives to provide self-care support and patients' expectations and lack of awareness of community pharmacy's role in LTCs management. Community pharmacists' theoretical understanding of self-care was not reflected in the ways that they portrayed their contributions to self-care support. The current ways in which community pharmacy delivers its services for patient care may need to be re-configured in order to fit into the holistic self-care support paradigm. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Law, Digitally Speaking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chronicle of Higher Education, 2008

2008-01-01

As new technologies emerge on campuses, how can colleges avoid legal land mines? What are the areas of greatest risk, and how should higher-education leaders deal with them? In this article, three experts offered their advice at the Technology Forum: Beth Cate, associate general counsel at Indiana University, on data privacy and security; Steven…

Perceptions of Male and Female STEM Aptitude: The Moderating Effect of Benevolent and Hostile Sexism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reilly, Erin D.; Rackley, Kadie R.; Awad, Germine H.

2017-01-01

This study investigated evaluations and advice communicated to male and female technology interns experiencing work difficulties, using a 2 (workplace issue: ability or interpersonal) ×2 (intern gender: male vs. female) between-subjects experimental design. Technology professionals rated hypothetical interns on competence, qualifications,…

Education and related support from medical specialists for Japanese patients with major skeletal dysplasias.

PubMed

Haga, Nobuhiko; Kosaki, Keisuke; Takikawa, Kazuharu; Tanaka, Hiroshi; Okada, Keita; Nakahara, Yasuo; Ogata, Naoshi

2013-10-01

Skeletal dysplasias manifest various clinical symptoms. Age at onset, severity, and progression of symptoms differ even among individuals with the same diagnosis. Though necessary support in education is presumed to differ among patients with different disorders, few articles report on education in patients with skeletal dysplasias. To clarify what types of schools children with major skeletal dysplasias attend, what kind of support they needed at schools, and how the advice on such support was conveyed from medical specialists to schools. Questionnaire study on patients with achondroplasia or hypochondroplasia (A/HCH), and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). In A/HCH childhood locomotion ability was high and most patients had received general education, irrespective of their generation. Children with OI showed a lower level of locomotion ability; only about half of them had received general education. In selecting schools, the patients received advice from pediatricians, physiatrists, and orthopedic surgeons. The degree of necessity and content of support at the schools differed between A/HCH and OI. Remodeling of the lavatory, washbasin, and chair and support during swimming lessons were common in A/HCH patients. Support in school for OI patients was more frequent and included propelling wheelchairs, assisting in the use of the bathroom, and remodeling the lavatory. Most children were restricted from participating in physical education classes. Locomotion ability and the necessary support at school differed between A/HCH and OI. Support and advice from medical specialists who recognize disability of patients with skeletal dysplasias may improve patients' participation and education in schools. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Integrating advice and experience: learning and decision making with social and nonsocial cues.

PubMed

Collins, Elizabeth C; Percy, Elise J; Smith, Eliot R; Kruschke, John K

2011-06-01

When making decisions, people typically gather information from both social and nonsocial sources, such as advice from others and direct experience. This research adapted a cognitive learning paradigm to examine the process by which people learn what sources of information are credible. When participants relied on advice alone to make decisions, their learning of source reliability proceeded in a manner analogous to traditional cue learning processes and replicated the established learning phenomena. However, when advice and nonsocial cues were encountered together as an established phenomenon, blocking (ignoring redundant information) did not occur. Our results suggest that extant cognitive learning models can accommodate either advice or nonsocial cues in isolation. However, the combination of advice and nonsocial cues (a context more typically encountered in daily life) leads to different patterns of learning, in which mutually supportive information from different types of sources is not regarded as redundant and may be particularly compelling. For these situations, cognitive learning models still constitute a promising explanatory tool but one that must be expanded. As such, these findings have important implications for social psychological theory and for cognitive models of learning. 2011 APA, all rights reserved

Feasibility of an interactive ICT-platform for early assessment and management of patient-reported symptoms during radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

PubMed

Sundberg, Kay; Eklöf, Ann Langius; Blomberg, Karin; Isaksson, Ann-Kristin; Wengström, Yvonne

2015-10-01

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of an Information and Communication Technology platform for assessing and managing patient reported symptoms during radiotherapy for prostate cancer. In cooperation with a health management company, using a patient experience co-design, we developed the platform operated by an interactive application for reporting and managing symptoms in real time. Nine patients diagnosed with prostate cancer and receiving radiotherapy were recruited from two university hospitals in Sweden. Evidence-based symptoms and related self-care advice specific to prostate cancer were implemented in the application based on a literature review and interviews with patients and health care professionals. In the test of the platform the patients reported symptoms, via a mobile phone, daily for two weeks and were afterwards interviewed about their experiences. Overall, the patients found the symptom questionnaire and the self-care advice relevant and the application user friendly. The alert system was activated on several occasions when the symptoms were severe leading to a nurse contact and support so the patients felt safe and well cared for. The platform enabled increased patient involvement and facilitated symptom assessment and communication between the patient and the health care provider. The study's results support further development of the platform, as well as tests in full-scale studies and in other populations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A smartphone-based pain management app for adolescents with cancer: establishing system requirements and a pain care algorithm based on literature review, interviews, and consensus.

PubMed

Jibb, Lindsay A; Stevens, Bonnie J; Nathan, Paul C; Seto, Emily; Cafazzo, Joseph A; Stinson, Jennifer N

2014-03-19

Pain that occurs both within and outside of the hospital setting is a common and distressing problem for adolescents with cancer. The use of smartphone technology may facilitate rapid, in-the-moment pain support for this population. To ensure the best possible pain management advice is given, evidence-based and expert-vetted care algorithms and system design features, which are designed using user-centered methods, are required. To develop the decision algorithm and system requirements that will inform the pain management advice provided by a real-time smartphone-based pain management app for adolescents with cancer. A systematic approach to algorithm development and system design was utilized. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken to understand the current body of knowledge pertaining to pediatric cancer pain management. A user-centered approach to development was used as the results of the review were disseminated to 15 international experts (clinicians, scientists, and a consumer) in pediatric pain, pediatric oncology and mHealth design, who participated in a 2-day consensus conference. This conference used nominal group technique to develop consensus on important pain inputs, pain management advice, and system design requirements. Using data generated at the conference, a prototype algorithm was developed. Iterative qualitative testing was conducted with adolescents with cancer, as well as pediatric oncology and pain health care providers to vet and refine the developed algorithm and system requirements for the real-time smartphone app. The systematic literature review established the current state of research related to nonpharmacological pediatric cancer pain management. The 2-day consensus conference established which clinically important pain inputs by adolescents would require action (pain management advice) from the app, the appropriate advice the app should provide to adolescents in pain, and the functional requirements of the app. These results were used to build a detailed prototype algorithm capable of providing adolescents with pain management support based on their individual pain. Analysis of qualitative interviews with 9 multidisciplinary health care professionals and 10 adolescents resulted in 4 themes that helped to adapt the algorithm and requirements to the needs of adolescents. Specifically, themes were overall endorsement of the system, the need for a clinical expert, the need to individualize the system, and changes to the algorithm to improve potential clinical effectiveness. This study used a phased and user-centered approach to develop a pain management algorithm for adolescents with cancer and the system requirements of an associated app. The smartphone software is currently being created and subsequent work will focus on the usability, feasibility, and effectiveness testing of the app for adolescents with cancer pain.

A Smartphone-Based Pain Management App for Adolescents With Cancer: Establishing System Requirements and a Pain Care Algorithm Based on Literature Review, Interviews, and Consensus

PubMed Central

Stevens, Bonnie J; Nathan, Paul C; Seto, Emily; Cafazzo, Joseph A; Stinson, Jennifer N

2014-01-01

Background Pain that occurs both within and outside of the hospital setting is a common and distressing problem for adolescents with cancer. The use of smartphone technology may facilitate rapid, in-the-moment pain support for this population. To ensure the best possible pain management advice is given, evidence-based and expert-vetted care algorithms and system design features, which are designed using user-centered methods, are required. Objective To develop the decision algorithm and system requirements that will inform the pain management advice provided by a real-time smartphone-based pain management app for adolescents with cancer. Methods A systematic approach to algorithm development and system design was utilized. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken to understand the current body of knowledge pertaining to pediatric cancer pain management. A user-centered approach to development was used as the results of the review were disseminated to 15 international experts (clinicians, scientists, and a consumer) in pediatric pain, pediatric oncology and mHealth design, who participated in a 2-day consensus conference. This conference used nominal group technique to develop consensus on important pain inputs, pain management advice, and system design requirements. Using data generated at the conference, a prototype algorithm was developed. Iterative qualitative testing was conducted with adolescents with cancer, as well as pediatric oncology and pain health care providers to vet and refine the developed algorithm and system requirements for the real-time smartphone app. Results The systematic literature review established the current state of research related to nonpharmacological pediatric cancer pain management. The 2-day consensus conference established which clinically important pain inputs by adolescents would require action (pain management advice) from the app, the appropriate advice the app should provide to adolescents in pain, and the functional requirements of the app. These results were used to build a detailed prototype algorithm capable of providing adolescents with pain management support based on their individual pain. Analysis of qualitative interviews with 9 multidisciplinary health care professionals and 10 adolescents resulted in 4 themes that helped to adapt the algorithm and requirements to the needs of adolescents. Specifically, themes were overall endorsement of the system, the need for a clinical expert, the need to individualize the system, and changes to the algorithm to improve potential clinical effectiveness. Conclusions This study used a phased and user-centered approach to develop a pain management algorithm for adolescents with cancer and the system requirements of an associated app. The smartphone software is currently being created and subsequent work will focus on the usability, feasibility, and effectiveness testing of the app for adolescents with cancer pain. PMID:24646454

Motivations for Participation in an Online Social Media Community for Diabetes.

PubMed

White, Katherine; Gebremariam, Achamyeleh; Lewis, Dana; Nordgren, Weston; Wedding, James; Pasek, Josh; Garrity, Ashley; Hirschfeld, Emily; Lee, Joyce M

2018-05-01

Our objectives were to describe individuals' motivations for participation in an online social media community and to assess their level of trust in medical information provided by medical professionals and community members. A purposive survey was delivered to participants recruited through posts on the CGM in the Cloud group, Twitter, and blogs. Individuals were asked a series of demographic and social media use questions. A total of 1268 members of the CGM in the Cloud community responded to the survey. The majority were non-Hispanic White (92.1%) and caregivers of an individual with diabetes (80.9%). Mean age was 41 years old, and 74.8% were female. Primary goals of the Facebook group were to learn more about Nightscout technology and to receive technological assistance. Individuals provided assistance to the community through spreading awareness, technical assistance, support, and donation. Respondents put a high level of trust in their peers versus health professionals in many health situations with nearly 40% of individuals reported to be helped by following advice found in the Facebook group, and 99% reported no harm. Our findings suggest that patients with diabetes and their caregivers use social media for many health-related purposes including medical recommendations and technical support for medical devices and systems as well as emotional support.

[Patented technology status quo and development trend for Chinese herbal medicines].

PubMed

Li, Chang; Huang, Luqi

2009-06-01

Patent technology is regarded as technological trends under the market economy condition. The case showed the information form patent literature can be widely used in technology or economy. In this study, we analyzed the patent technology status quo and development trend for Chinese herbal medicines based on China patent database. The patent technology status quo is divided from the technology of biotechnology, quality control, cultivation and herb processing on Chinese herbal medicines. Furthermore, some recommendations of technology development and advices on patent protection for Chinese herbal medicines were suggested.

A perspective on physiological studies supporting the provision of scientific advice for the management of Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

PubMed Central

Patterson, David A.; Cooke, Steven J.; Hinch, Scott G.; Robinson, Kendra A.; Young, Nathan; Farrell, Anthony P.; Miller, Kristina M.

2016-01-01

The inability of physiologists to effect change in fisheries management has been the source of frustration for many decades. Close collaboration between fisheries managers and researchers has afforded our interdisciplinary team an unusual opportunity to evaluate the emerging impact that physiology can have in providing relevant and credible scientific advice to assist in management decisions. We categorize the quality of scientific advice given to management into five levels based on the type of scientific activity and resulting advice (notions, observations, descriptions, predictions and prescriptions). We argue that, ideally, both managers and researchers have concomitant but separate responsibilities for increasing the level of scientific advice provided. The responsibility of managers involves clear communication of management objectives to researchers, including exact descriptions of knowledge needs and researchable problems. The role of the researcher is to provide scientific advice based on the current state of scientific information and the level of integration with management. The examples of scientific advice discussed herein relate to physiological research on the impact of high discharge and water temperature, pathogens, sex and fisheries interactions on in-river migration success of adult Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and the increased understanding and quality of scientific advice that emerges. We submit that success in increasing the quality of scientific advice is a function of political motivation linked to funding, legal clarity in management objectives, collaborative structures in government and academia, personal relationships, access to interdisciplinary experts and scientific peer acceptance. The major challenges with advancing scientific advice include uncertainty in results, lack of integration with management needs and institutional caution in adopting new research. We hope that conservation physiologists can learn from our experiences of providing scientific advice to management to increase the potential for this growing field of research to have a positive influence on resource management. PMID:27928508

A perspective on physiological studies supporting the provision of scientific advice for the management of Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka).

PubMed

Patterson, David A; Cooke, Steven J; Hinch, Scott G; Robinson, Kendra A; Young, Nathan; Farrell, Anthony P; Miller, Kristina M

2016-01-01

The inability of physiologists to effect change in fisheries management has been the source of frustration for many decades. Close collaboration between fisheries managers and researchers has afforded our interdisciplinary team an unusual opportunity to evaluate the emerging impact that physiology can have in providing relevant and credible scientific advice to assist in management decisions. We categorize the quality of scientific advice given to management into five levels based on the type of scientific activity and resulting advice (notions, observations, descriptions, predictions and prescriptions). We argue that, ideally, both managers and researchers have concomitant but separate responsibilities for increasing the level of scientific advice provided. The responsibility of managers involves clear communication of management objectives to researchers, including exact descriptions of knowledge needs and researchable problems. The role of the researcher is to provide scientific advice based on the current state of scientific information and the level of integration with management. The examples of scientific advice discussed herein relate to physiological research on the impact of high discharge and water temperature, pathogens, sex and fisheries interactions on in-river migration success of adult Fraser River sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ) and the increased understanding and quality of scientific advice that emerges. We submit that success in increasing the quality of scientific advice is a function of political motivation linked to funding, legal clarity in management objectives, collaborative structures in government and academia, personal relationships, access to interdisciplinary experts and scientific peer acceptance. The major challenges with advancing scientific advice include uncertainty in results, lack of integration with management needs and institutional caution in adopting new research. We hope that conservation physiologists can learn from our experiences of providing scientific advice to management to increase the potential for this growing field of research to have a positive influence on resource management.

Learning a Music Instrument in Early Childhood: What Can We Learn from Professional Musicians' Childhood Memories?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Wyverne

2008-01-01

Professional early childhood educators are often asked for advice about whether or when a young child should learn to play a music instrument. Many educators who do not have a background in music education may not be confident in providing such advice. A range of overseas research has supported learning a music instrument in the early childhood…

Lessons from New Experiences in Extension in West Africa: Management Advice for Family Farms and Farmers' Governance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faure, Guy; Kleene, Paul

2004-01-01

The emergence of Management Advice for Family Farms in West Africa is closely related to the increased integration of farmers into an open market economy. This is creating a strong demand from farmers for advisory support services, focusing on management of the farm. With the gradual withdrawal of the State from extension services delivery, a…

Development of an occupational advice intervention for patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty (the OPAL study).

PubMed

Baker, Paul; Coole, Carol; Drummond, Avril; McDaid, Catriona; Khan, Sayeed; Thomson, Louise; Hewitt, Catherine; McNamara, Iain; McDonald, David; Fitch, Judith; Rangan, Amar

2018-06-28

There are an increasing number of patients of working age undergoing hip and knee replacements. Currently there is variation in the advice and support given about sickness absence, recovery to usual activities and return to work after these procedures. Earlier, sustainable, return to work improves the health of patients and benefits their employers and society. An intervention that encourages and supports early recovery to usual activities, including work, has the potential to reduce the health and socioeconomic burden of hip and knee replacements. A two-phase research programme delivered over 27 months will be used to develop and subsequently test the feasibility of an occupational advice intervention to facilitate return to work and usual activities in patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty. The 2 phases will incorporate a six-stage intervention mapping process: Phase 1: Intervention mapping stages 1-3: 1 Needs assessment (including rapid evidence synthesis, prospective cohort analysis and structured stakeholder interviews) 2 Identification of intended outcomes and performance objectives 3 Selection of theory-based methods and practical strategies Phase 2: Intervention mapping stages 4-6: 4 Development of components and materials for the occupational advice intervention using a modified Delphi process 5 Adoption and implementation of the intervention 6 Evaluation and feasibility testing The study will be undertaken in four National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the United Kingdom and two Higher Education Institutions. OPAL (Occupational advice for Patients undergoing Arthroplasty of the Lower limb) aims to develop an occupational advice intervention to support early recovery to usual activities including work, which is tailored to the requirements of patients undergoing hip and knee replacements. The developed intervention will then be assessed with a specific focus on evaluating its feasibility as a potential trial intervention to improve speed of recovery to usual activities including work. The study was registered retrospectively with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN): 27426982 (Date 20/12/2016) and the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42016045235 (Date 04/08/2016).

GPs have key role in helping patients to stop smoking.

PubMed

Brown, Jamie; Raupach, Tobias; West, Robert

2012-05-01

Eighteen per cent of all deaths in adults aged 35 or over in England are still attributable to smoking. Almost all these premature deaths could be avoided if smokers stopped before their mid-thirties but only a quarter of people who have ever smoked regularly manage to quit by this age. Advice from the patient's GP is one of the most important triggers to a smoker making an attempt to quit. All patients attending a surgery for any reason who have smoked within the past three years should be offered advice on stopping smoking. Smokers without smoking-related diseases are just as likely to respond to advice as those with them. It is also important to re-assess the status of former smokers who were recorded as having stopped within the past three years. Half of those who stopped six months ago will relapse at some point as will 40% of those who stopped a year ago. Offer help with stopping to all smokers. The National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training has launched a new online training module on how GPs can best deliver smoking cessation support to their patients. Optimum treatment involves behavioural support plus one of the smoking cessation medications. Behavioural support includes a number of specific behaviour change techniques that enhance the smoker's chances of remaining abstinent. These include: measurement of carbon monoxide in expired air; advice on best use of medication and helping smokers to put in place a clear 'not a puff' rule.

Logistics Supply of the Distributed Air Wing

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

distribution is unlimited LOGISTICS SUPPLY OF THE DISTRIBUTED AIR WING Chee Siong Ong Civilian, Defence Science and Technology Agency B.Eng., Nanyang... Technological University, 2004 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MODELING, VIRTUAL...Department, for his advice on the Marine Aviation Logistics Supply Program. Finally, I am very grateful to my company, Defence Science and Technology

Development and pilot testing of a mobile health solution for asthma self-management: asthma action plan smartphone application pilot study.

PubMed

Licskai, Christopher; Sands, Todd W; Ferrone, Madonna

2013-01-01

Collaborative self-management is a core recommendation of national asthma guidelines; the written action plan is the knowledge tool that supports this objective. Mobile health technologies have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of the action plan as a knowledge translation tool. To design, develop and pilot a mobile health system to support asthma self-management. The present study was a prospective, single-centre, nonrandomized, pilot preintervention-postintervention analysis. System design and development were guided by an expert steering committee. The network included an agnostic web browser-based asthma action plan smartphone application (SPA). Subjects securely transmitted symptoms and peak flow data daily, and received automated control assessment, treatment advice and environmental alerts. Twenty-two adult subjects (mean age 47 years, 82% women) completed the study. Biophysical data were received on 84% of subject days (subject day = 1 subject × 1 day). Subjects viewed their action plan current zone of control on 54% and current air quality on 61% of subject days, 86% followed self-management advice and 50% acted to reduce exposure risks. A large majority affirmed ease of use, clarity and timeliness, and 95% desired SPA use after the study. At baseline, 91% had at least one symptom criterion for uncontrolled asthma and 64% had ≥2, compared with 45% (P=0.006) and 27% (P=0.022) at study close. Mean Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score improved from 4.3 to 4.8 (P=0.047). A dynamic, real-time, interactive, mobile health system with an integrated asthma action plan SPA can support knowledge translation at the patient and provider levels.

Social support and depressed mood in isolated and confined environments.

PubMed

Palinkas, Lawrence A; Johnson, Jeffrey C; Boster, James S

2004-05-01

The influence of isolation and confinement on social support and depressed mood was examined in a study of 235 men and women who spent a year at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, and a study of 77 men and women who spent a year at the Amundson-Scott South Pole Station. Although availability of support remained unchanged, there was a significant decrease in reported satisfaction with support obtained, as well as a significant increase in depressed mood. Satisfaction with support was inversely associated with depressed mood at the beginning and end of isolation and confinement. At the end of winter, this association varied by source of support. High levels of tension-anxiety, depression and anger preceded an increase in advice seeking, but high levels of advice seeking also preceded an increase in tension-anxiety and depression. Results suggest a significant erosion of social support under conditions of prolonged isolation and confinement, leading to an increase in depressed mood. c2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Social support and depressed mood in isolated and confined environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palinkas, Lawrence A.; Johnson, Jeffrey C.; Boster, James S.

2004-05-01

The influence of isolation and confinement on social support and depressed mood was examined in a study of 235 men and women who spent a year at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, and a study of 77 men and women who spent a year at the Amundson-Scott South Pole Station. Although availability of support remained unchanged, there was a significant decrease in reported satisfaction with support obtained, as well as a significant increase in depressed mood. Satisfaction with support was inversely associated with depressed mood at the beginning and end of isolation and confinement. At the end of winter, this association varied by source of support. High levels of tension-anxiety, depression and anger preceded an increase in advice seeking, but high levels of advice seeking also preceded an increase in tension-anxiety and depression. Results suggest a significant erosion of social support under conditions of prolonged isolation and confinement, leading to an increase in depressed mood.

Advancing Campus Efficiencies: A Companion for Campus Leaders in the Digital Era

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnstone, Sally M.

2007-01-01

Technology is continually changing the world. In higher education in particular, new technologies can be applied to great advantage by campus communities seeking to offer better services for students in more efficient ways. Written for deans, vice presidents, and presidents of higher education institutions, this book provides advice that is…

Consuming Information

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bonfield, Brett

2007-01-01

While librarians and users have been inundated with advice on how to produce content for MySpace, blogs, and other Web 2.0 services, there's been much less discussion about using newer technologies to consume all this new content efficiently. These technologies are new to everyone, and the flood is hitting all people at the same time. People must…

77 FR 3475 - National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-24

... advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management...) leadership development and organizational transformation at EPA. A copy of the agenda for the meeting will be... , (202) 564-2432, U.S. EPA, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Management and Outreach (1601M), 1200...

The Developer's Handbook to Interactive Multimedia: A Practical Guide for Educational Applications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phillips, Rob

Interactive multimedia (IMM) is a technology with the potential to change the way people learn, acquire information, and entertain themselves. This technology brings together a range of fields and requires the skills of professionals from those fields. This handbook offers practical advice on issues related to developing successful interactive…

Information Technology and Tomorrow's University: A President's Confessions and Advice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koester, Jolene

2011-01-01

Higher education is in a transformational period, and this author believes that information technology will play a central role in this transformation, offering unimaginable opportunities and demanding unforeseen responses. She also believes that IT professionals can and should be at the core of envisioning and shaping the future of colleges and…

75 FR 51025 - Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future, Reactor and Fuel Cycle Technology Subcommittee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-18

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future, Reactor and Fuel Cycle... meeting. SUMMARY: This notice announces an open meeting of the Reactor and Fuel Cycle Technology (RFCT... back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. The Commission will provide advice and make recommendations on...

LC21: A Digital Strategy for the Library of Congress.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC.

The Library of Congress asked the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB) of the National Academies to conduct a study to provide strategic advice concerning the information technology path that the Library of Congress should traverse over the coming decade. The Committee on an Information Technology Strategy for the Library of…

An Afternoon in the Life of a Telephone Helpline Adviser at the Advisory Centre for Education (ACE), London

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sutherland, Ingrid

2006-01-01

ACE is an independent national charity, whose trained advisers have been providing parents with support and legal advice for over 45 years. Parents ring the ACE advice line when they have a problem with their children's education. They call in with a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from what to do when their child has been excluded to how to…

More Effective VET and Lifelong Learning Policies: Awareness Raising, Analysis and Advice--Cedefop's Achievements in 2012 and Plans for 2013. Briefing Note

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cedefop - European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, 2013

2013-01-01

Reform of vocational education and training (VET) in Europe is complex, especially at a time of economic crisis. Cedefop raises awareness and provides analysis and advice to policy-makers at European level and in Member States to help them decide on policies and actions. Cedefop's work supports the European policy agenda for VET and lifelong…

Women's views of their postnatal care by midwives at an Adelaide Women's Hospital.

PubMed

Stamp, G E; Crowther, C A

1994-09-01

to determine the characteristics of a sample of women giving birth in one hospital in South Australia and these women's perceptions of the usefulness of the advice and care that they were given during the puerperium survey using questionnaires, incorporating Lipsett's (1984) questions, administered before the women left hospital and at six weeks postdelivery. one hospital in South Australia. a sample of convenience of 235 women completed the hospital questionnaire and 222 (95%) returned the six weeks postpartum questionnaire. the women's ages ranged from 17-44 years, 86% were living in a stable relationship and 42% were primiparous. Most women (74%) made comments on the helpfulness of midwives. The midwife provided emotional support (57%), answered questions (32%) and gave information (30%). However, midwives' attitudes were perceived as insensitive (18%) and judgemental (9%). Midwives gave conflicting advice (10%) and 40% of the women made one or more comments about midwife unhelpfulness. Sixteen per cent of the women made no comment on the helpfulness of the midwife. contact with midwives in the early postnatal period is an ideal time for helpful advice and support to be given but midwives are not always perceived as fulfilling this part of their role. There is a need to address the issue of conflicting advice.

Survey of Australian practitioners' provision of healthy lifestyle advice to clients who are obese.

PubMed

Ashby, Samantha; James, Carole; Plotnikoff, Ronald; Collins, Clare; Guest, Maya; Kable, Ashley; Snodgrass, Suzanne

2012-06-01

Obesity is a global issue, with healthcare practitioners increasingly involved in clinical interactions with people who are overweight or obese. These interactions are opportunities to provide evidence-based healthy lifestyle advice, and impact on public health. This study used a cross-sectional survey of Australian healthcare practitioners to investigate what influenced the provision of healthy lifestyle advice to obese and overweight clients. A modified theory of planned behavior was used to explore knowledge translation processes. Knowledge translation was linked to three factors: (i) a healthcare practitioner's education and confidence in the currency of their knowledge; (ii) personal characteristics - whether they accepted that providing this advice was within their domain of practice; and (iii) the existence of organizational support structures, such as access to education, and best practice guidelines. To fulfill the potential role healthcare practitioners can play in the provision of evidence-based health promotion advice requires organizations to provide access to practice guidelines and to instill a belief in their workforce that this is a shared professional domain. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Maximizing the Potential of Telecommunications Technology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Dennis M.

2003-01-01

Offers advice on planning a reliable and cost-effective school telecommunications system, including issues such as the layered nature of many schools' systems, and the move from centralized to distributed networks. (EV)

32 CFR 202.8 - Training RAB members.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... technologies, chemicals of concern, and sampling protocols, as well as informing them of the availability of independent technical advice and document review through EPA's Technical Assistant Grant program and DoD's...

32 CFR 202.8 - Training RAB members.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... technologies, chemicals of concern, and sampling protocols, as well as informing them of the availability of independent technical advice and document review through EPA's Technical Assistant Grant program and DoD's...

32 CFR 202.8 - Training RAB members.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... technologies, chemicals of concern, and sampling protocols, as well as informing them of the availability of independent technical advice and document review through EPA's Technical Assistant Grant program and DoD's...

Electron Microscopist | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Cancer Research Technology Program (CRTP) develops and implements emerging technology, cancer biology expertise and research capabilities to accomplish NCI research objectives. The CRTP is an outward-facing, multi-disciplinary hub purposed to enable the external cancer research community and provides dedicated support to NCI’s intramural Center for Cancer Research (CCR). The dedicated units provide electron microscopy, protein characterization, protein expression, optical microscopy and genetics. These research efforts are an integral part of CCR at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR). CRTP scientists also work collaboratively with intramural NCI investigators to provide research technologies and expertise. KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES - THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING APPROVAL The Electron Microscopist will: Operate ultramicrotomes (Leica) and other instrumentation related to the preparation of embedded samples for EM (TEM and SEM) Operate TEM microscopes, (specifically Hitachi, FEI T20 and FEI T12) as well as SEM microscopes (Hitachi); task will include loading samples, screening, and performing data collection for a variety of samples: from cells to proteins Manage maintenance for the TEM and SEM microscopes Provide technical advice to investigators on sample preparation and data collection

Social Support to Empower Parents (STEP): an intervention for parents of young children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

PubMed

Sullivan-Bolyai, Susan; Bova, Carol; Leung, Katherine; Trudeau, Allison; Lee, Mary; Gruppuso, Philip

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a social support intervention with parents of children <13 years old newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). For this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 10 parent mentors of children diagnosed with T1DM >or=1 year and 60 parent participants were recruited from 2 pediatric diabetes centers. Mentors were trained to provide social support (home visits and phone calls) for 12 months to families in the experimental arm (32 mothers). Control group parents (28 mothers) received the phone number of an experienced parent (not trained to give social support) to call as needed. Findings Mothers in the experimental and control arms differed at baseline only in birth order of the child with T1DM. The 2 groups did not differ significantly at 3, 6, or 12 months in parent concern, confidence, worry, impact on the family, or perceived social support. Mothers in the experimental arm identified the parent mentor as someone they would seek for advice and issues regarding growth and development, sleep, eating habits, and identification of community agencies. Parent mentors consistently referred mothers to health care providers for advice on medications and treatments but helped them incorporate this advice into day-to-day management. Mothers in the experimental arm valued the mentors' help in adjusting to the diagnosis, but this value was not measured by the study instruments. Focus group research is under way to clarify the concept of parent mentor social support and to develop a social support measurement tool.

True Confessions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zielinski, Dave

2001-01-01

Four "virtual trainers" describe the challenges and successes of providing web-based training and give advice on planning coursework, timing instruction, distinguishing between skills training and information sharing, troubleshooting technology difficulties, and adapting to increased workload. (SK)

Content and quality of websites supporting self-management of chronic breathlessness in advanced illness: a systematic review

PubMed Central

Luckett, Tim; Disler, Rebecca; Hosie, Annmarie; Johnson, Miriam; Davidson, Patricia; Currow, David; Sumah, Anthony; Phillips, Jane

2016-01-01

Chronic breathlessness is a common, burdensome and distressing symptom in many advanced chronic illnesses. Self-management strategies are essential to optimise treatment, daily functioning and emotional coping. People with chronic illness commonly search the internet for advice on self-management. A review was undertaken in June 2015 to describe the content and quality of online advice on breathlessness self-management, to highlight under-served areas and to identify any unsafe content. Google was searched from Sydney, Australia, using the five most common search terms for breathlessness identified by Google Trends. We also hand-searched the websites of national associations. Websites were included if they were freely available in English and provided practical advice on self-management. Website quality was assessed using the American Medical Association Benchmarks. Readability was assessed using the Flesch–Kincaid grades, with grade 8 considered the maximum acceptable for enabling access. Ninety-one web pages from 44 websites met the inclusion criteria, including 14 national association websites not returned by Google searches. Most websites were generated in the USA (n=28, 64%) and focused on breathing techniques (n=38, 86%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=27, 61%). No websites were found to offer unsafe advice. Adherence to quality benchmarks ranged from 9% for disclosure to 77% for currency. Fifteen (54%) of 28 written websites required grade ⩾9 reading level. Future development should focus on advice and tools to support goal setting, problem solving and monitoring of breathlessness. National associations are encouraged to improve website visibility and comply with standards for quality and readability. PMID:27225898

Benefits of Peer Support in Online Japanese Breast Cancer Communities: Differences Between Lurkers and Posters

PubMed Central

Yamazaki, Yoshihiko; Namayama, Kazuhiro

2011-01-01

Background Web 2.0 has improved interactions among peers on the Internet, especially for the many online patient communities that have emerged over the past decades. Online communities are said to be particularly beneficial peer support resources for patients with breast cancer. However, most studies of online patient communities have focused on those members who post actively (posters), even though there are many members who participate without posting (lurkers). In addition, little attention has been paid to the usage of online communities among non-English-speaking patients. Objective The present study explored the differences in peer support received by lurkers and posters in online breast cancer communities. It also examined the effects of such support on both groups’ mental health. Methods We conducted an exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional, Web-based survey among members of four Japanese online breast cancer communities. In an online questionnaire, we asked questions regarding sociodemographics, disease-related characteristics, mental health, participation in online communities, and peer support received from those communities. Results Of the 465 people who accessed the questionnaire, 253 completed it. Of the respondents, 113/220 (51.4%) were lurkers. There was no significant difference between lurkers and posters with regard to sociodemographic variables. About half of the posters had been given a diagnosis of breast cancer less than a year previously, which was a significantly shorter period than that of the lurkers (P = .02). The 5 support functions extracted by factor analysis were the same for both posters and lurkers. These were emotional support/helper therapy, emotional expression, conflict, advice, and insight/universality. When the support scores were calculated, insight/universality scored highest for both posters and lurkers, with scores that were not significantly different between the two groups. Among the 5 support scores, emotional support/helper therapy and emotional expression were significantly higher among posters. For posters, emotional support/helper therapy and advice were negatively correlated with the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Emotional expression, advice, and insight/universality were negatively correlated with the anxiety subscale for lurkers. Conclusion We found that posters felt they received more benefits from online communities than lurkers did, including emotional support, helping other patients, and expressing their emotions. Yet even lurkers were found to gain a certain amount of peer support through online communities, especially with regard to advice and insight/universality. The results demonstrate that participation in online communities—even as a lurker—may be beneficial to breast cancer patients’ mental health. PMID:22204869

Benefits of peer support in online Japanese breast cancer communities: differences between lurkers and posters.

PubMed

Setoyama, Yoko; Yamazaki, Yoshihiko; Namayama, Kazuhiro

2011-12-29

Web 2.0 has improved interactions among peers on the Internet, especially for the many online patient communities that have emerged over the past decades. Online communities are said to be particularly beneficial peer support resources for patients with breast cancer. However, most studies of online patient communities have focused on those members who post actively (posters), even though there are many members who participate without posting (lurkers). In addition, little attention has been paid to the usage of online communities among non-English-speaking patients. The present study explored the differences in peer support received by lurkers and posters in online breast cancer communities. It also examined the effects of such support on both groups' mental health. We conducted an exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional, Web-based survey among members of four Japanese online breast cancer communities. In an online questionnaire, we asked questions regarding sociodemographics, disease-related characteristics, mental health, participation in online communities, and peer support received from those communities. Of the 465 people who accessed the questionnaire, 253 completed it. Of the respondents, 113/220 (51.4%) were lurkers. There was no significant difference between lurkers and posters with regard to sociodemographic variables. About half of the posters had been given a diagnosis of breast cancer less than a year previously, which was a significantly shorter period than that of the lurkers (P = .02). The 5 support functions extracted by factor analysis were the same for both posters and lurkers. These were emotional support/helper therapy, emotional expression, conflict, advice, and insight/universality. When the support scores were calculated, insight/universality scored highest for both posters and lurkers, with scores that were not significantly different between the two groups. Among the 5 support scores, emotional support/helper therapy and emotional expression were significantly higher among posters. For posters, emotional support/helper therapy and advice were negatively correlated with the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Emotional expression, advice, and insight/universality were negatively correlated with the anxiety subscale for lurkers. We found that posters felt they received more benefits from online communities than lurkers did, including emotional support, helping other patients, and expressing their emotions. Yet even lurkers were found to gain a certain amount of peer support through online communities, especially with regard to advice and insight/universality. The results demonstrate that participation in online communities--even as a lurker--may be beneficial to breast cancer patients' mental health.

Designing for Motivation, Engagement and Wellbeing in Digital Experience

PubMed Central

Peters, Dorian; Calvo, Rafael A.; Ryan, Richard M.

2018-01-01

Research in psychology has shown that both motivation and wellbeing are contingent on the satisfaction of certain psychological needs. Yet, despite a long-standing pursuit in human-computer interaction (HCI) for design strategies that foster sustained engagement, behavior change and wellbeing, the basic psychological needs shown to mediate these outcomes are rarely taken into account. This is possibly due to the lack of a clear model to explain these needs in the context of HCI. Herein we introduce such a model: Motivation, Engagement and Thriving in User Experience (METUX). The model provides a framework grounded in psychological research that can allow HCI researchers and practitioners to form actionable insights with respect to how technology designs support or undermine basic psychological needs, thereby increasing motivation and engagement, and ultimately, improving user wellbeing. We propose that in order to address wellbeing, psychological needs must be considered within five different spheres of analysis including: at the point of technology adoption, during interaction with the interface, as a result of engagement with technology-specific tasks, as part of the technology-supported behavior, and as part of an individual's life overall. These five spheres of experience sit within a sixth, society, which encompasses both direct and collateral effects of technology use as well as non-user experiences. We build this model based on existing evidence for basic psychological need satisfaction, including evidence within the context of the workplace, computer games, and health. We extend and hone these ideas to provide practical advice for designers along with real world examples of how to apply the model to design practice. PMID:29892246

Feasibility study concerning remediation and rehabilitation of industrial polluted lands on the Absheron Peninsula, Republic of Azerbaijan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pivin, Majorie; Helsen, Stefan; Cuyvers, Lars

2014-05-01

ECOREM is carrying out a feasibility study focused on the remediation and rehabilitation of industrial polluted lands, located on the Absheron Peninsula (Republic of Azerbaijan), on behalf of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). The objective of this study is to support SOCAR with specific technologies and capacity building for environmental remediation works on various sectors of the Peninsula. As an independent consultancy company, ECOREM provides sustainable and quality advice, seeking the balance to the interests of the client and the environment in the broadest sense of the word. Within this study, it is important to underline that extraction activities in the country have been going on for more than a century. Given that the age of the environmental problems is equal to the history of the oil production, it is nearly impossible to point out the responsibilities of the various companies or to define the exact activities that occurred on a particular location. From the data gathered so far, more than 3600 ha of oil contaminated area are known in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula. Within this feasibility study, ECOREM will advice SOCAR on suitable and best available remediation technologies to apply on prior contaminated areas. According to the Environmental Policy of the Company, SOCAR would like to act in priority on the numerous contaminated lands of the Absheron Peninsula. Through the exploitation of the extensive GIS database provided by SOCAR, the oil contaminated sites will be examined in details in order to determine the most sensitive areas, on which remediation works or monitoring should be implemented in priority. To locate these sites, ECOREM will provide SOCAR with technical support in order to conduct risk analysis, remediation and monitoring of soil and/or groundwater oil pollutions. According to these results, practical solutions will be proposed concerning the possible reuse and management of contaminated soils and hazardous wastes in the local area and industrial sites where a known risk (for health or ecosystems) is demonstrated. Various aspects are being considered to prioritize needed actions. The client will be informed on the existing remediation technologies and their applicability on the concerned lands, not only taking into account the pollution extent and local geology, but also the operation costs, and existing technical means of SOCAR and the country. With this knowledge as a starting point, ECOREM p.l.c. will strive to offer the most recent, innovative and customized solutions to advice SOCAR with the best available techniques for oil-contaminated land remediation and rehabilitation, in order to reduce the environmental externalities associated with the extraction activities. As a final aspect of this study, ECOREM will help SOCAR with the further development of their Strategic Action Plan for remediation and monitoring. Specific remediation measures will be defined in a realistic time schedule. Each and every stage of the proposed remediation technologies will be implemented in a realistic plan that needs to be technically and economically feasible for SOCAR.

75 FR 73158 - Railroad Safety Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-29

... regarding the Development, Use, and Implementation of Rail Safety Technology in Dark Territory. This agenda.... The RSAC was established to provide advice and recommendations to FRA on railroad safety matters. The...

Wikis for School Leaders: Using Technology to Improve Communication and Collaboration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sandifer, Stephanie D.

2011-01-01

Maximize the effectiveness of your professional activities through the use of wikis, and raise student achievement in turn! With strategies from online educator and technology expert Stephanie Sandifer, this book provides how-to advice on the way in which wikis result in a more efficient use of time, better communication, and increased adult…

HDTV: Understanding the New, Dealing with the Old

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwendau, Mark

2008-01-01

People expected technology educators to be well informed about current events in all areas of technology. As it turns out, they often turn to them for advice outside their subject areas. High-definition television (HDTV) may be such a subject for many of them. In this article, the author provides some information on high-definition television and…

Productivism and the Product Paradigm in Technological Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elshof, Leo

2006-01-01

Aldo Leopold was a pioneer in United States' wildlife management and his axiom is certainly familiar to anyone who has tried to repair a complex technological system; it applies equally whether one is rebuilding a small block V8 engine or repairing a computer. "Keep all the pieces" is good advice because in all likelihood they will all…

Review of the National Defense Intelligence College's Master's Degree in Science and Technology Intelligence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Academies Press, 2011

2011-01-01

The National Research Council (NRC) was asked by the National Defense Intelligence College (NDIC) to convene a committee to review the curriculum and syllabi for their proposed master of science degree in science and technology intelligence. The NRC was asked to review the material provided by the NDIC and offer advice and recommendations…

Education for Jobs in a High Tech World: What Has Been Learned from Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Long, James P.

Educators are increasingly turning to employers for advice about educating for future jobs. A recent project involved conducting a series of seven national conferences on high technology to learn about innovations in industry. Experts from industry told educators that industry itself does a great deal of high technology training, computers are the…

Newly qualified doctors' views on the significance and accessibility of career advice during medical training in Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Mehmood, Syed Imran; Norcini, John J; Borleffs, Jan C C

2013-01-01

Career advice is an important instrument to help students with the proper specialty selection. The study aims (1) to explore the views of newly graduated doctors in Saudi Arabia about their experience with the current status of career support system during medical training and (2) to identify cross-cultural similarities and differences. A cross-sectional design study was conducted using a questionnaire to elicit the responses of participants from newly qualified doctors concerning the availability and significance of career advice. SPSS (version 11.0; Chicago, IL) was used to analyze the data and statistical tests, such as chi-square and unpaired t tests, were used to analyze the observations. A response rate of 94.7% was obtained. Among this group, 102 were males and 78 were females. Only 53% did receive career advice. The majority of men felt that career advice during medical studies was inadequate, while women were less negative (69% versus 32%; p = 0.0001). Furthermore, men were more disappointed about the possibilities for career advice after graduating than women (34% versus 13%, p = 0.0001). The results show that only half of newly graduated doctors had received any career advice during medical training. As the health care system cannot afford the potential waste of time and resources for doctors, career guidance should begin in undergraduate training so that the process of thinking about their future career starts longtime before they make their career choice.

Problems and risks of unsolicited e-mails in patient-physician encounters in travel medicine settings.

PubMed

Sing, A; Salzman, J; Sing, D

2001-01-01

International travel and use of modern information technology are expressions of modern life style. Seeking on-line travel health advice via E-mail for preventive (teleprevention) or diagnostic reasons may become increasingly popular among patients with financial resources and Internet access. This study was undertaken to compare the behavior of travel clinic or tropical medicine physicians and other providers of travel-related medical information services toward unsolicited E-mails from fictitious patients in pretravel and post-travel scenarios. We also wanted to test the potential of E-mail advice for preventive medicine (teleprevention), and to find out how the "Good Samaritan Law" is observed. Two different E-mails were posted to E-mail addresses of 171 physicians (members of travel health and/or tropical medicine societies) and services offering advice on travel health issues identified by an AltaVista search. These E-mails, from two different fictitious travelers, were asking for advice regarding malaria prophylaxis in a pretravel scenario and describing symptoms suggesting acute malaria. Of the contacted addresses 43.3% and 49.7% respectively, replied to the pre- and post-travel E-mail. Of those suggesting antimalarial chemoprophylaxis in the pretravel scenario, 13.2% proposed inadequate regimens, and at least 3.5% of the post-travel replies were inappropriate. The "Good Samaritan Law" was observed by a significant number of physicians. Both patients and physicians have to be aware of the limitations of E-mail communication. Guidelines protecting physicians against legal and ethical consequences of this new communication technology are urgently needed.

Dietary advice for muscularity, leanness and weight control in Men's Health magazine: a content analysis.

PubMed

Cook, Toni M; Russell, Jean M; Barker, Margo E

2014-10-11

The dietary content of advice in men's lifestyle magazines has not been closely scrutinised. We carried out an analysis of such content in all 2009 issues (n = 11) of Men's Health (MH) focusing on muscularity, leanness and weight control. Promotion of a mesomorphic body image underpinned advice to affect muscle building and control weight. Diet advice was underpinned by a strong pseudo-scientific discourse, with citation of expert sources widely used to legitimise the information. Frequently multiple dietary components were advocated within one article e.g. fat, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, zinc and high-glycaemic index foods. Furthermore advice would cover numerous nutritional effects, e.g. strengthening bones, reducing stress and boosting testosterone, with little contextualisation. The emphasis on attainment of a mesomorphic body image permitted promotion of slimming diets.Advice to increase calorie and protein intake to augment muscle mass was frequent (183 and 262 references, respectively). Such an anabolic diet was advised in various ways, including consumption of traditional protein foods (217 references) and sports foods (107 references), thereby replicating muscle magazines' support for nutritional supplements. Although advice to increase consumption of red meat was common (52 references), fish and non-flesh sources of protein (eggs, nuts & pulses, and soy products) together exceeded red meat in number of recommendations (206 references). Advice widely asserted micronutrients and phytochemicals from plant food (161 references) as being important in muscle building. This emphasis diverges from stereotypical gender-based food consumption patterns.Dietary advice for control of body weight largely replicated that of muscularity, with strong endorsement to consume fruits and vegetables (59 references), diets rich in nuts and pulses and fish (66 references), as well as specific micronutrients and phytochemicals (62 references). Notably there was emphasis on fat-burning, good fats and consumption of single foods, with relatively little mention of dietary restriction. Despite the widespread use of scientific information to endorse dietary advice, the content, format and scientific basis of dietary content of MH leaves much to be desired. The dietary advice as provided may not be conducive to public health.

Development of Motivate4Change Using the Intervention Mapping Protocol: An Interactive Technology Physical Activity and Medication Adherence Promotion Program for Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients.

PubMed

Oosterom-Calo, Rony; Te Velde, Saskia J; Stut, Wim; Brug, Johannes

2015-07-20

It is important that heart failure (HF) patients adhere to their medication regimen and engage in physical activity. Evidence shows that adherence to these HF self-management behaviors can be improved with appropriate interventions. To further promote medication adherence and physical activity among HF patients, we developed an intervention for hospitalized HF patients. The intervention mapping protocol was applied in the development of the intervention. This entailed performing a needs assessment, defining change objectives, selecting determinants and strategies, and developing the materials. The resulting intervention, Motivate4Change, makes use of interactive technology and provides HF patients with personalized feedback and advice. Specific change objectives were defined. The relevant behavioral determinants for the physical activity program were practical knowledge on physical activity performance and self-efficacy for, and perceived benefits of, physical activity. For medication-taking, the selected determinants were practical knowledge on medication-taking, perceived barriers to medication-taking, beliefs about the necessity and harm regarding the medication prescribed, and beliefs about overprescribing and harm of medication in general. The change objectives and behavior change determinants were translated in feedback and advice strategies in an interactive technology program that included tailored feedback and advice, and role models in videos in which the behaviors and overcoming barriers were demonstrated. Relevant stakeholders were involved in the interventions development process. The intervention was pretested among HF patients and adjustments were made accordingly. The interactive technology physical activity and medication adherence promotion program for hospitalized HF patients was systematically developed using the intervention mapping protocol and was based on the available theory and evidence regarding HF self-management behavior change. The intervention's efficacy is yet to be determined in evaluation research.

Evaluation of an mHealth intervention aiming to improve health-related behavior and sleep and reduce fatigue among airline pilots.

PubMed

van Drongelen, Alwin; Boot, Cécile Rl; Hlobil, Hynek; Twisk, Jos Wr; Smid, Tjabe; van der Beek, Allard J

2014-11-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an mHealth intervention (intervention using mobile technology) consisting of tailored advice regarding exposure to daylight, sleep, physical activity, and nutrition, and aiming to improve health-related behavior, thereby reducing sleep problems and fatigue and improving health perception of airline pilots. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 502 airline pilots. The intervention group was given access to both the MORE Energy mobile application (app) with tailored advice and a website with background information. The control group was directed to a website with standard information about fatigue. Health-related behavior, fatigue, sleep, and health perception outcomes were measured through online questionnaires at baseline and at three and six months after baseline. The effectiveness of the intervention was determined using linear and Poisson mixed model analyses. After six months, compared to the control group, the intervention group showed a significant improvement on fatigue (β= -3.76, P<0.001), sleep quality (β= -0.59, P=0.007), strenuous physical activity (β=0.17, P=0.028), and snacking behavior (β= -0.81, P<0.001). No significant effects were found for other outcome measures. The MORE Energy mHealth intervention reduced self-reported fatigue compared to a minimal intervention. Some aspects of health-related behavior (physical activity and snacking behavior) and sleep (sleep quality) improved as well, but most did not. The results show offering tailored advice through an mHealth intervention is an effective means to support employees who have to cope with irregular flight schedules and circadian disruption. This kind of intervention might therefore also be beneficial for other working populations with irregular working hours.

Barriers to changing dietary behavior.

PubMed

Kapur, Kavita; Kapur, A; Ramachandran, Shobhana; Mohan, V; Aravind, S R; Badgandi, M; Srishyla, M V

2008-01-01

Dietary change requires giving up long established patterns of eating behavior and acquiring new habits. 'Non-compliance' to diet advice may be a result of inability to provide diet self-management training and getting the right messages across to change eating behavior. Using a pre-tested questionnaire based interview, we carried out a study amongst 350 adults (> 20 years) with type 2 diabetes from two metro cities in South India, who had previously received diet advice with the objective to understand perceptions, attitudes and practices, as well as study factors that enhance or reduce compliance to diet advice. Ninety six patients (28%) followed diet for the full duration of diabetes (Group1), 131 (38%) followed diet for a partial duration varying between more than a quarter to three quarters of the total diabetes duration (Group 2) and 115 (34%) did not follow diet advice (Group 3) - followed for a duration less than a quarter of their diabetes duration. Study results show that many factors both patient and health care provider related influence outcomes of dietary advice. Factors that have a positive impact on compliance are - older age, shorter duration, nuclear family, good family support, less busy work life, higher health consciousness, advice given by dietician, more frequent visits to dietician, advice that includes elements to promote overall health not merely control of blood sugar, diet counseling that is easy to understand and use and includes healthy food options, cooking methods, practical guidance to deal with lifestyle issues. We conclude that patient barriers related to life circumstance are mostly non-modifiable, most modifiable barriers are related to behavioural aspect and the inability of the health care provider to provide individualized diet advice and self management training. Efforts must be made to improve counseling skills.

Physicians' Perception of Teratogenic Risk and Confidence in Prescribing Drugs in Pregnancy-Influence of Norwegian Drug Information Centers.

PubMed

Bakkebø, Tina; Widnes, Sofia Frost; Aamlid, Synnøve Stubmo; Schjøtt, Jan

2016-05-01

Clinical decision support provided by drug information centers is an intervention that can ensure rational drug therapy for pregnant women. We have examined whether physicians' teratogenic risk perceptions and confidence in prescribing drugs to pregnant women is altered after advice from the Norwegian drug information centers, Regional Medicines and Pharmacovigilance Centres i Norway (RELIS). Physicians who consulted RELIS for advice on patient-specific drug use in pregnancy from November 2013 to April 2014 completed questionnaires before and after receiving the advice. A scale from 1 to 7 was used to rate confidence in prescribing and perception of teratogenic risk. The lower part of the scale represented a low perception of teratogenic risk and a high confidence in prescribing a drug in pregnancy. The data were analyzed using a mixed linear model. A total of 45 physicians participated in the study and they assessed 64 drugs or categories of drugs. Advice from RELIS increased confidence in prescribing, with a statistically significant mean change on the scale from 4.1 to 2.9. The assessment of teratogenic risk was reduced after advice from RELIS, with a mean change from 3.2 to 2.5, though this was not significant. A subgroup of 26 physicians completed questionnaires both before and after advice from RELIS and assessed a total of 32 drugs or categories of drugs. In 94% of these assessments, advice from RELIS altered the physician's confidence in prescribing. Perception of teratogenic risk was altered in 78% of the assessments. Our results show that physicians' perception of teratogenic risk and confidence in prescribing drugs to pregnant women is influenced by advice from Norwegian drug information centers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.

THE GHOST IN THE MACHINE? THE VALUE OF EXPERT ADVICE IN THE PRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDANCE: A MIXED METHODS STUDY OF THE NICE INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES PROGRAMME.

PubMed

Oyebode, Oyinlola; Patrick, Hannah; Walker, Alexander; Campbell, Bruce; Powell, John

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine the aspects of expert advice that decision makers find most useful in the development of evidence-based guidance and to identify the characteristics of experts providing the most useful advice. First, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen members of the Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee of the UK's National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. Interviews examined the usefulness of expert advice during guidance development. Transcripts were analyzed inductively to identify themes. Second, data were extracted from 211 experts' questionnaires for forty-one consecutive procedures. Usefulness of advice was scored using an index developed through the qualitative work. Associations between usefulness score and characteristics of the expert advisor were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Expert opinion was seen as a valued complement to empirical evidence, providing context and tacit knowledge unavailable in published literature, but helpful for interpreting it. Interviewees also valued advice on the training and experience required to perform a procedure, on patient selection criteria and the place of a procedure within a clinical management pathway. Limitations of bias in expert opinion were widely acknowledged and skepticism expressed regarding the anecdotal nature of advice on safety or efficacy outcomes. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the most useful advice was given by clinical experts with direct personal experience of the procedure, particularly research experience. Evidence-based guidance production is often characterized as a rational, pipeline process. This ignores the valuable role that expert opinion plays in guidance development, complementing and supporting the interpretation of empirical data.

Getting Your Share of the Budget Pie.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alford, Cynthia; Kibbey, Marsha

1992-01-01

Presents guidelines for securing funding from the school administration for library automation projects, including suggestions on researching technology and writing a proposal. A sidebar offers advice on approaching corporations for funding for school library automation. (MES)

48 CFR 203.703 - Authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... level no lower than an official who is appointed by and with the advice of the Senate, without power of... Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics). [56 FR 36288, July 31, 1991, as amended at 60...

48 CFR 203.703 - Authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... level no lower than an official who is appointed by and with the advice of the Senate, without power of... Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics). [56 FR 36288, July 31, 1991, as amended at 60...

75 FR 81618 - Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-28

... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001] Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration...: Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs Advisory Committee. General Function of the Committee: To provide advice...

75 FR 39032 - Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-07

... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES> Food and Drug Administration [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001] Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration...: Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs Advisory Committee. General Function of the Committee: To provide advice...

Job retention vocational rehabilitation for employed people with inflammatory arthritis (WORK-IA): a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Hammond, Alison; O'Brien, Rachel; Woodbridge, Sarah; Bradshaw, Lucy; Prior, Yeliz; Radford, Kate; Culley, June; Whitham, Diane; Ruth Pulikottil-Jacob

2017-07-21

Inflammatory arthritis leads to work disability, absenteeism and presenteeism (i.e. at-work productivity loss) at high cost to individuals, employers and society. A trial of job retention vocational rehabilitation (VR) in the United States identified this helped people keep working. The effectiveness of this VR in countries with different socioeconomic policies and conditions, and its impact on absenteeism, presenteeism and health, are unknown. This feasibility study tested the acceptability of this VR, modified for the United Kingdom, compared to written advice about managing work problems. To help plan a randomized controlled trial, we tested screening, recruitment, intervention delivery, response rates, applicability of the control intervention and identified the relevant primary outcome. A feasibility randomized controlled trial with rheumatoid, psoriatic or inflammatory arthritis patients randomized to receive either job retention VR or written information only (the WORK-IA trial). Following three days VR training, rheumatology occupational therapists provided individualised VR on a one to one basis. VR included work assessment, activity diaries and action planning, and (as applicable) arthritis self-management in the workplace, ergonomics, fatigue and stress management, orthoses, employment rights and support services, assistive technology, work modifications, psychological and disclosure support, workplace visits and employer liaison. Fifty five (10%) people were recruited from 539 screened. Follow-up response rates were acceptable at 80%. VR was delivered with fidelity. VR was more acceptable than written advice only (7.8 versus 6.7). VR took on average 4 h at a cost of £135 per person. Outcome assessment indicated VR was better than written advice in reducing presenteeism (Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) change score mean: VR = -12.4 (SD 13.2); control = -2.5 (SD 15.9), absenteeism, perceived risk of job loss and improving pain and health status, indicating proof of concept. The preferred primary outcome measure was the WLQ, a presenteeism measure. This brief job retention VR is a credible and acceptable intervention for people with inflammatory arthritis with concerns about continuing to work due to arthritis. ISRCTN 76777720 . Registered 21.9.12.

To delegate or not to delegate: A review of control frameworks for autonomous cars.

PubMed

Richards, Dale; Stedmon, Alex

2016-03-01

There have been significant advances in technology and automated systems that will eventually see the use of autonomous cars as commonplace on our roads. Various systems are already available that provide the driver with different levels of decision support. This paper highlights the key human factors issues associated with the interaction between the user and an autonomous system, including assistive decision support and the delegation of authority to the automobile. The level of support offered to the driver can range from traditional automated assistance, to system generated guidance that offers advice for the driver to act upon, and even more direct action that is initiated by the system itself without driver intervention. In many of these instances the role of the driver is slowly moving towards a supervisory role within a complex system rather than one of direct control of the vehicle. Different paradigms of interaction are considered and focus is placed on the partnership that takes place between the driver and the vehicle. Drawing on the wealth of knowledge that exists within the aviation domain and research literature that examines technology partnerships within the cockpit, this paper considers important factors that will assist the automotive community to understand the underlying issues of the human and their interaction within complex systems. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

A novel pen-based Bluetooth-enabled insulin delivery system with insulin dose tracking and advice.

PubMed

Bailey, Timothy S; Stone, Jenine Y

2017-05-01

Diabetes is growing in prevalence internationally. As more individuals require insulin as part of their treatment, technology evolves to optimize delivery, improve adherence, and reduce dosing errors. Insulin pens outperform vial and syringe in simplicity, dosing accuracy, and user preference. Bolus advisors improve dosing confidence and treatment adherence. The InPen System offers a novel approach to treatment via a wireless pen that syncs to a mobile application featuring a bolus advisor, enabling convenient insulin dose tracking and more accurate bolus advice among other features. Areas covered: Existing technology for insulin delivery and bolus advice are reviewed. The mechanics and functionality of the InPen device are delineated. Findings from formative testing and usability studies of the InPen system are reported. Future directions for the InPen system in the treatment of diabetes are discussed. Expert opinion: Diabetes management is complex and largely data-driven. The InPen System offers a promising new opportunity to avail insulin pen-users of features known to improve treatment efficacy, which have otherwise primarily been available to those using pumps. Given that the majority of insulin users do not use insulin pumps, the InPen System is poised to improve glucose control in a significant portion of the diabetes population.

Evaluating the safety and dosing of drugs in patients with liver cirrhosis by literature review and expert opinion

PubMed Central

Weersink, Rianne A; Bouma, Margriet; Burger, David M; Drenth, Joost P H; Hunfeld, Nicole G M; Kranenborg, Minke; Monster-Simons, Margje H; van Putten, Sandra A W; Metselaar, Herold J; Taxis, Katja; Borgsteede, Sander D

2016-01-01

Introduction Liver cirrhosis can have a major impact on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Patients with cirrhosis often suffer from potentially preventable adverse drug reactions. Guidelines on safe prescribing for these patients are lacking. The aim of this study is to develop a systematic method for evaluating the safety and optimal dosage of drugs in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods and analysis For each drug, a six-step evaluation process will be followed. (1) Available evidence on the pharmacokinetics and safety of a drug in patients with liver cirrhosis will be collected from the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and a systematic literature review will be performed. (2) Data regarding two outcomes, namely pharmacokinetics and safety, will be extracted and presented in a standardised assessment report. (3) A safety classification and dosage suggestion will be proposed for each drug. (4) An expert panel will discuss the validity and clinical relevance of this suggested advice. (5) Advices will be implemented in all relevant Clinical Decision Support Systems in the Netherlands and published on a website for patients and healthcare professionals. (6) The continuity of the advices will be guaranteed by a yearly check of new literature and comments on the advices. This protocol will be applied in the evaluation of a selection of drugs: (A) drugs used to treat (complications of) liver cirrhosis, and (B) drugs frequently prescribed to the general population. Ethics and dissemination Since this study does not directly involve human participants, it does not require ethical clearance. Besides implementation on a website and in clinical decision support systems, we aim to publish the generated advices of one or two drug classes in a peer-reviewed journal and at conference meetings. PMID:27733414

Cessation assistance reported by smokers in 15 countries participating in the International Tobacco Control (ITC) policy evaluation surveys

PubMed Central

Borland, Ron; Li, Lin; Driezen, Pete; Wilson, Nick; Hammond, David; Thompson, Mary E.; Fong, Geoffrey T.; Mons, Ute; Willemsen, Marc C.; McNeill, Ann; Thrasher, James F.; Cummings, K. Michael

2011-01-01

Aims To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support. Design Use of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary). Settings Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, UK, Uruguay and USA. Measures Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits. Findings Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from under 20% to over 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting of visiting health professionals in the last year (< 20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provision of advice to quit also varied greatly. There was also marked variability in the levels and types of help reported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available. Conclusions There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals. PMID:21883605

Supporting Pakistani and Chinese families with young children: perspectives of mothers and health visitors.

PubMed

Hogg, R; de Kok, B; Netto, G; Hanley, J; Haycock-Stuart, E

2015-05-01

In the UK, public health nurses (health visitors) provide support and advice to families with young children, including those from minority ethnic communities. While the need for cultural sensitivity is being increasingly recognized, the factors which contribute to this sensitivity are poorly understood. The Pakistani and Chinese communities constitute the two largest minority ethnic groups in Scotland. This study explored Pakistani and Chinese women's experience of motherhood and of the health visiting service and public health nurses' experiences of working with Chinese and Pakistani mothers. Semi-structured individual interviews were carried out with 16 Pakistani and 15 Chinese mothers. Eight health visitors took part in two focus groups. The study was undertaken in an urban area of Scotland. Data were analysed thematically. Chinese and Pakistani mothers negotiate complex processes in order to ensure that their children maintain their own ethnic identity while fitting in with their peers in their adopted country. Health visitors were seen as supportive, although sometimes advice and information given was culturally inappropriate, and their role was often poorly understood. Health visitors were anxious to be sensitive to families' religious and cultural beliefs. Cultural sensitivity is an important factor in providing appropriate advice and help to Pakistani and Chinese families, and involves health visitors in considering views and practices on parenting which may differ across cultures, including their own. Family characteristics need to be understood on an individual basis, rather than making assumptions about clients' cultural norms and lifestyles. This is best achieved by exploring with mothers if they understand the advice and information they are being offered and also if it is appropriate to their cultural and religious beliefs. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Cyber nursing--health 'experts' approaches in the post-modern era of virtual performances: a nethnography study.

PubMed

Eriksson, Henrik; Salzmann-Erikson, Martin

2013-03-01

The imperative to gather information online and to become an 'expert' by locating effective advice for oneself and others is a fairly new support phenomenon in relation to health advice. The creation of new positions for health 'experts' within the space of the Internet has been addressed as a cybernursing activity. A focused analysis of communication in health forums might give insight into the new roles that are available for health experts in cyberspace. The aim of this study is to describe approaches to being an 'expert' in lifestyle health choice forums on the Internet and to elaborate on the communicative performances that take place in the forums. An archival and cross-sectional observational forum study was undertaken using principles for conducting ethnographic research online. 2640 pages of data from two health Internet forums were gathered and analyzed. The results reveal three distinctive types of experts that emerge in the forums: (1) those that build their expertise by creating a presence in the forum based on lengthy and frequent postings, (2) those who build a presence through reciprocal exchanges with individual posters with questions or concerns, and (3) those who build expertise around a "life long learning" perspective based on logic and reason. The results suggest that experts not only co-exist in the forums, but more importantly they reinforce each others' positions. This effect is central; alongside one another, the posts of the three types of experts we identify constitute a whole for those seeking the forum for advice and support. Users are provided with strong opinions and advice, support and Socratic reasoning, and a problem-oriented approach. The Internet is now an integral part of everyday living, not least of which among those who seek and offer support in cyberspace. As such, cyber nursing has become an important activity to monitor, and formal health care professionals and nursing researchers must stay abreast of developments. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Content and Interactivity of Health Support Group Websites

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrison, Sandra; Barlow, Julie; Williams, Gareth

2007-01-01

Objective: To assess the online contents and interactivity provided by health support group (HSG) websites representing a range of chronic diseases. Design: Survey of 80 HSG websites. Method: A checklist of website content was developed rating the level of information and advice, interactivity and online support provided by each HSG website. Each…

38 CFR 61.2 - Supportive services-general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., nutritional advice, counseling, health care, mental health treatment, alcohol and other substance abuse... residents including mental health benefits, employment counseling and assistance, veterans' benefits...

38 CFR 61.2 - Supportive services-general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., nutritional advice, counseling, health care, mental health treatment, alcohol and other substance abuse... residents including mental health benefits, employment counseling and assistance, veterans' benefits...

Public perceptions of biotechnology.

PubMed

McHughen, Alan

2007-09-01

The very term 'Biotechnology' elicits a range of emotions, from wonder and awe to downright fear and hostility. This is especially true among non-scientists, particularly in respect of agricultural and food biotechnology. These emotions indicate just how poorly understood agricultural biotechnology is and the need for accurate, dispassionate information in the public sphere to allow a rational public debate on the actual, as opposed to the perceived, risks and benefits of agricultural biotechnology. This review considers first the current state of public knowledge on agricultural biotechnology, and then explores some of the popular misperceptions and logical inconsistencies in both Europe and North America. I then consider the problem of widespread scientific illiteracy, and the role of the popular media in instilling and perpetuating misperceptions. The impact of inappropriate efforts to provide 'balance' in a news story, and of belief systems and faith also impinges on public scientific illiteracy. Getting away from the abstract, we explore a more concrete example of the contrasting approach to agricultural biotechnology adoption between Europe and North America, in considering divergent approaches to enabling coexistence in farming practices. I then question who benefits from agricultural biotechnology. Is it only the big companies, or is it society at large--and the environment--also deriving some benefit? Finally, a crucial aspect in such a technologically complex issue, ordinary and intelligent non-scientifically trained consumers cannot be expected to learn the intricacies of the technology to enable a personal choice to support or reject biotechnology products. The only reasonable and pragmatic alternative is to place trust in someone to provide honest advice. But who, working in the public interest, is best suited to provide informed and accessible, but objective, advice to wary consumers?

How Much Sleep Do I Need? (For Teens)

MedlinePlus

... Can't Sleep? 5 Ideas for Better Sleep Technology: 5 Ways To Reboot Yourself Is It Possible to Get Too Much ... All information on TeensHealth® is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and ...

International Distance Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perrin, Don; Perrin, Elizabeth

1995-01-01

Reports on the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and its role in furthering the use of distance learning technology. Highlights include activities; telecommunications; educational media; training; planning and advice; strategic alliances and outlooks; public administration; student record/management system; institutional and material development; a…

States' Successful Practices Weigh-in-Motion Handbook

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-12-15

The purpose of this Handbook is to provide practical advice for users of weigh-in-motion (WIM) technology, systems, sites, and states' "Successful Practices" using WIM systems. The states selected for each WIM system discussed in this Handbook are: C...

Examining the types of social support and the actual sources of support in older Chinese and Korean immigrants.

PubMed

Wong, Sabrina T; Yoo, Grace J; Stewart, Anita L

2005-01-01

This study explored social support domains and actual sources of support for older Chinese and Korean immigrants and compared them to the traditional domains based on mainly White, middle class populations. Fifty-two older Cantonese and Korean speaking immigrants participated in one of eight focus groups. We identified four similar domains: tangible, information/advice, emotional support, and companionship. We also identified needing language support which is relevant for non-English speaking minority populations. Participants discussed not needing emotional support. These Chinese and Korean immigrants had a small number of actual sources of support, relying mainly on adult children for help with personal situations (e.g., carrying heavy groceries, communicating with physicians) and friends for general information/advice (e.g., learning how to speak English, applying for citizenship) and companionship. Immigrant Asians are caught between two different traditions; one that is strongly kinship oriented where needs and desires are subordinated to the interests of the family and one that values independence and celebrates individuality. Despite their reticence in asking for help outside the family, elders are seeking help from other sources, such as ethnic churches and the government.

Delivery of Brief Interventions for Heavy Drinking in Primary Care: Outcomes of the ODHIN 5-Country Cluster Randomized Trial

PubMed Central

Anderson, Peter; Coulton, Simon; Kaner, Eileen; Bendtsen, Preben; Kłoda, Karolina; Reynolds, Jillian; Segura, Lidia; Wojnar, Marcin; Mierzecki, Artur; Deluca, Paolo; Newbury-Birch, Dorothy; Parkinson, Kathryn; Okulicz-Kozaryn, Katarzyna; Drummond, Colin; Gual, Antoni

2017-01-01

PURPOSE We aimed to test whether 3 strategies—training and support, financial reimbursement, and an option to direct screen-positive patients to an Internet-based method of giving brief advice—have a longer-term effect on primary care clinicians’ delivery of screening and advice to heavy drinkers operationalized with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT-C) tool. METHODS We undertook a cluster randomized factorial trial with a 12-week implementation period in 120 primary health care units throughout Catalonia, England, Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Units were randomized to 8 groups: care as usual (control); training and support alone; financial reimbursement alone; electronic brief advice alone; paired combinations of these conditions; and all 3 combined. The primary outcome was the proportion of consulting adult patients (aged 18 years and older) receiving intervention—screening and, if screen-positive, advice—at 9 months. RESULTS Based on the factorial design, the ratio of the log of the proportion of patients given intervention at the 9-month follow-up was 1.39 (95% CI, 1.03–1.88) in units that received training and support as compared with units that did not. Neither financial reimbursement nor directing screen-positive patients to electronic brief advice led to a higher proportion of patients receiving intervention. CONCLUSIONS Training and support of primary health care units has a lasting, albeit small, impact on the proportion of adult patients given an alcohol intervention at 9 months. PMID:28694269

Technology assessment and the Congress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, R. A.

1972-01-01

The legislative branch is considered as the major focus for technology assessment, and the functions of the Congressional Research Service in supplying Congressmen with scientific and technological development is outlined, and the need for Congress to control, assess, and integrate the various and conflicting elements for the benefit of both technology and society is stressed. The organization of the Science Policy Research Division is mentioned, and its duties in gathering facts for the increased understanding by the members of Congress are indicated. Technology assessment aspects associated with congressional committees and hearings, adequacy of advice, trends in engineering education, and the public interest are also discussed.

75 FR 76757 - Licensing Support System Advisory Review Panel

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-09

... provide advice on the fundamental issues of design and development of an electronic information management... electronic information management system was known as the Licensing Support System (LSS). In November, 1998... experience in electronic information management systems may also participate on the Panel. The Nuclear...

Roles and functions of social networks among men who use drugs in ART initiation in Vietnam

PubMed Central

Latkin, Carl A.; Smith, M. Kumi; Ha, Tran Viet; Mo, Tran Thi; Zelaya, Carla; Sripaipan, Teerada; Le Minh, Nguyen; Quan, Vu Minh; Go, Vivian F.

2016-01-01

Support from social network members may help to facilitate access to HIV medical care, especially in low resourced communities. As part of a randomized clinical trial of a community-level stigma and risk reduction intervention in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam for people living with HIV who inject drugs (PWID), 341 participants were administered a baseline social network inventory. Network predictors of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation at the six-month follow-up were assessed. The social networks of PWID were sparse. Few participants who reported injectors in their networks also reported family members, whereas those who did not have injectors were more likely to report family members and network members providing emotional support and medical advice. In multivariate models, having at least one network member who provided medical advice predicted ART initiation at six months (OR=2.74, CI=1.20–6.28). These results suggest the importance of functional social support and network support mobilization for ART initiation among PWID. PMID:27125243

Roles and Functions of Social Networks Among Men Who Use Drugs in ART Initiation in Vietnam.

PubMed

Latkin, Carl A; Smith, M Kumi; Ha, Tran Viet; Mo, Tran Thi; Zelaya, Carla; Sripaipan, Teerada; Le Minh, Nguyen; Quan, Vu Minh; Go, Vivian F

2016-11-01

Support from social network members may help to facilitate access to HIV medical care, especially in low resourced communities. As part of a randomized clinical trial of a community-level stigma and risk reduction intervention in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam for people living with HIV who inject drugs (PWID), 341 participants were administered a baseline social network inventory. Network predictors of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation at the 6-month follow-up were assessed. The social networks of PWID were sparse. Few participants who reported injectors in their networks also reported family members, whereas those who did not have injectors were more likely to report family members and network members providing emotional support and medical advice. In multivariate models, having at least one network member who provided medical advice predicted ART initiation at 6 months (OR 2.74, CI 1.20-6.28). These results suggest the importance of functional social support and network support mobilization for ART initiation among PWID.

Advanced Technology Training System on Motor-Operated Valves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wiederholt, Bradley J.; Widjaja, T. Kiki; Yasutake, Joseph Y.; Isoda, Hachiro

1993-01-01

This paper describes how features from the field of Intelligent Tutoring Systems are applied to the Motor-Operated Valve (MOV) Advanced Technology Training System (ATTS). The MOV ATTS is a training system developed at Galaxy Scientific Corporation for the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry in Japan and the Electric Power Research Institute in the United States. The MOV ATTS combines traditional computer-based training approaches with system simulation, integrated expert systems, and student and expert modeling. The primary goal of the MOV ATTS is to reduce human errors that occur during MOV overhaul and repair. The MOV ATTS addresses this goal by providing basic operational information of the MOV, simulating MOV operation, providing troubleshooting practice of MOV failures, and tailoring this training to the needs of each individual student. The MOV ATTS integrates multiple expert models (functional and procedural) to provide advice and feedback to students. The integration also provides expert model validation support to developers. Student modeling is supported by two separate student models: one model registers and updates the student's current knowledge of basic MOV information, while another model logs the student's actions and errors during troubleshooting exercises. These two models are used to provide tailored feedback to the student during the MOV course.

[Computing in medical practice].

PubMed

Wechsler, Rudolf; Anção, Meide S; de Campos, Carlos José Reis; Sigulem, Daniel

2003-05-01

Currently, information technology is part of several aspects of our daily life. The objective of this paper is to analyze and discuss the use of information technology in both medical education and/or medical practice. Information was gathered through non-systematic bibliographic review, including articles, official regulations, book chapters and annals. Direct search and search of electronic databanks in Medline and Lilacs databases were also performed. This paper was structured in topics. First, there is a discussion on the electronic medical record. The following aspects are presented: history, functions, costs, benefits, ethical and legal issues, and positive and negative characteristics. Medical decision-support systems are also evaluated in view of the huge amount of information produced every year regarding healthcare. The impact of the Internet on the production and diffusion of knowledge is also analyzed. Telemedicine is assessed, since it presents new challenges to medical practice, and raises important ethical issues such as "virtual medical consultation." Finally, a practical experience of modernization of a pediatric outpatient center by the introduction of computers and telecommunication tools is described. Medical computing offers tools and instruments that support the administrative organization of medical visits, gather, store and process patient's data, generate diagnoses, provide therapeutical advice and access to information in order to improve medical knowledge and to make it available whenever and wherever adequate decision-making is required.

Untangling the Web.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Green, Kenneth C.

1996-01-01

Advice is given and sources of information are suggested for use of the Internet and World Wide Web. Services for news, business and commerce, literary offerings, online magazines, travel, and online instruction are included. The information is intended for new users of this information technology. (MSE)

75 FR 63165 - Air University Board of Visitors Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-14

... advice and recommendations on matters pertaining to the educational, doctrinal, and research policies and... initiatives of Air University educational programs. Additionally, four working groups will meet to discuss issues relating to academic affairs; research; future learning and technology; and institutional...

Building Your Campus Portal: Advice from the Field.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krebs, Arlene

2001-01-01

Discusses portal technology in higher education, including planning, design, technical, and financial issues. Highlights include determining the customers; marketing possibilities for the university; ownership issues; data design; effective cost structuring; security issues; adaptability; content; and customer input and feedback. (LRW)

Poised for the Millennium.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agron, Joe, Ed.

1999-01-01

Presents advice from five school administrators on how schools are meeting facility and business challenges in the new millennium. Issues discussed concern power needs, the Y2K computer problem, the explosion of new educational technology, school security, educational finance, and building deterioration. (GR)

77 FR 59182 - Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-26

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy... of the Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee is to provide advice on development and implementation of programs related to ultra-deepwater architecture and technology to the Secretary of Energy and provide...

7 CFR 3406.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

.... Food and agricultural sciences means basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and... social sciences, in the broadest sense of these terms, including but not limited to, activities concerned... and experience in particular fields of science, education, or technology to give expert advice on the...

7 CFR 3406.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

.... Food and agricultural sciences means basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and... social sciences, in the broadest sense of these terms, including but not limited to, activities concerned... and experience in particular fields of science, education, or technology to give expert advice on the...

7 CFR 3406.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

.... Food and agricultural sciences means basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and... social sciences, in the broadest sense of these terms, including but not limited to, activities concerned... and experience in particular fields of science, education, or technology to give expert advice on the...

7 CFR 3406.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

.... Food and agricultural sciences means basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and... social sciences, in the broadest sense of these terms, including but not limited to, activities concerned... and experience in particular fields of science, education, or technology to give expert advice on the...

78 FR 70549 - National and Governmental Advisory Committees to the U.S. Representative to the Commission for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-26

... advice to the U.S. Representative on a wide range of strategic, scientific, technological, regulatory... environment issues in North America. The meeting will also include a public comment session. The agenda and...

Teen responses when a younger school-age sibling has been bullied

PubMed Central

Honig, Alice Sterling; Zdunowski-Sjoblom, Nicole

2015-01-01

The prevalence of bullying among children, and the sometimes tragic consequences as a result, has become a major concern in schools. The larger research for this study reported on in-depth interviews with 28 elementary and middle school-age boys and girls (7–12 years) who had experienced various forms of bullying and relational aggression by their peers, mostly on school grounds, and the responses of their parents and teachers. Responses of the children's teen siblings to the younger child's revelations of being bullied are the focus of this report. In-depth interviews with each teen sibling (n = 28) and with each bullied child revealed how the children viewed the teen siblings' supportive strategies. Almost all the children (89%) reported that their older siblings talked with them and offered advice. The teen siblings shared with the younger ones that they too (71%) had been bullied, or they knew someone who had been bullied (18%). Teens gave the advice to ‘bully back’ to 11% and advice to ‘tell someone’ to 32% of the younger children. The children felt quite positive about their older siblings' advice (89%), which did differ depending on the bullied child's gender. Teen siblings gave advice to ‘avoid bullies’ to 77% of female and to 27% of male younger children. PMID:25931644

Roles, Duties and Challenges of Special/Support Teachers at Secondary Education: Implications for Promoting Inclusive Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vlachou, Anastasia; Didaskalou, Eleni; Kontofryou, Maria

2015-01-01

Recent inclusive policy directives and advice offered to schools strongly recommend special/support teachers to expand their role and extend their duties. In light of this, we investigated how Greek secondary special/support teachers perceive and experience their role, work profile and the challenges they encounter. Qualitative analysis revealed…

Life Course Status and Exchanges of Support between Young Adults and Parents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bucx, Freek; van Wel, Frits; Knijn, Trudie

2012-01-01

The authors investigated intergenerational support exchanges in relation to young adults' life course status. In a sample of 2,022 young adults (ages 18-34 years) in The Netherlands, single young adults reported receiving more advice from parents than married young adults, and those with children of their own received more practical support.…

An Exploration of Smoking-to-Vaping Transition Attempts Using a "Smart" Electronic Nicotine Delivery System.

PubMed

Blank, Mei-Ling; Hoek, Janet; George, Mark; Gendall, Philip; Conner, Tamlin S; Thrul, Johannes; Ling, Pamela M; Langlotz, Tobias

2018-06-06

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are used to aid smoking cessation attempts; however, many smokers continue to smoke while using an ENDS (dual use). Although uncertainty remains regarding whether specific ENDS patterns hinder or support successful smoking cessation, recent advances in "smart" technology allow passive and active recording of behaviors in real time, enabling more detailed insights into how smoking and vaping patterns may coevolve. We describe patterns of ENDS initiation, and subsequent use, including any changes in cigarette consumption, among daily smokers using a "smart" ENDS (S-ENDS) to quit smoking. An 8-week long mixed-methods feasibility study used Bluetooth-enabled S-ENDS that passively recorded real-time device use by participants (n = 11). Daily surveys administered via smartphones collected data on self-reported cigarette consumption. All 11 participants were dual users, at least initially, during their quit attempt. We observed three provisional vaping and smoking patterns: immediate and intensive ENDS initiation coupled with immediate, dramatic, and sustained smoking reduction, leading to smoking abstinence; gradual ENDS uptake with gradual smoking reductions, leading to daily dual use throughout the study period; and ENDS experimentation with return to exclusive smoking. For six participants, the patterns observed in week 1 were similar to the vaping and smoking patterns observed throughout the rest of the study period. Technological advances now allow fine-grained description of ENDS use and smoking patterns. Larger and longer studies describing smoking-to-vaping patterns, and estimating associations with smoking outcomes, could inform ENDS-specific cessation advice promoting full transition from smoking to exclusive ENDS use. The use of an S-ENDS that recorded real-time device use among daily smokers engaged in a quit attempt provides insight into patterns and trajectories of dual use (continuing to smoke while using ENDS), and the possible associations between ENDS initiation, subsequent use, and smoking cessation outcomes. Such work could support more targeted cessation counseling and technical advice for smokers using ENDS to quit smoking, reduce the risk of users developing long-term dual use patterns, and enhance the contributions ENDS may make to reducing smoking prevalence.

RADIOANALYTICAL AND MIXED WASTE ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR STATES, REGIONS, AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES

EPA Science Inventory

Provide technical advice and support to Regions and other Federal Agencies on types of analyses, proper sampling, preservation, shipping procedures, and detection limits for samples for radionuclides and stable metals. Provide in-house data review and validation to ensure the qua...

Building Synergy between Regulatory and HTA Agencies beyond Processes and Procedures-Can We Effectively Align the Evidentiary Requirements? A Survey of Stakeholder Perceptions.

PubMed

Wang, Ting; McAuslane, Neil; Liberti, Lawrence; Leufkens, Hubert; Hövels, Anke

2018-06-01

To evaluate the current practice of companies and agencies to assess the changes made in aligning regulatory and health technology assessment (HTA) stakeholders; to identify areas of commonality of evidentiary requirements that could occur; and to identify strategic issues and trends of regulatory and HTA synergy. Two separate questionnaires were developed to assess stakeholders' perceptions on regulatory and HTA alignment, one for pharmaceutical companies and the other for regulatory and HTA agencies. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Seven regulatory and 8 HTA agencies from Australia, Canada, and Europe and 19 international companies developing innovative medicine responded to the survey. This study provided a snapshot of the current regulatory and HTA landscape. Changes made over the past 5 years were reflected in three main areas: there is an increasing interaction between regulatory and HTA agencies; current conditional regulatory approvals are not always linked with flexible HTA approaches; and companies are more supportive of joint scientific advice. Four types of evidentiary requirements were identified as building blocks for better alignment: acceptable primary end points, inclusion of an active comparator, use of patient-reported outcomes, and choice and use of surrogate end point. The study showed that the gap between regulatory and HTA requirements has narrowed over the past 5 years. All respondents supported synergy between regulatory and HTA stakeholders, and the study provided several recommendations on how to further improve evidentiary alignment including the provision of joint scientific advice, which was rated as a key strategy by both agencies and companies. Copyright © 2018 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Advice for Gaining Upper Administration Support for Research at an Undergraduate Institution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isenhower, Donald

2015-10-01

This talk has its beginnings in questions asked after my invited talk for the 2015 APS Prize for Outstanding Research at an Undergraduate Institution at the April APS Meeting. A common question was how to gain support from one's university's administration to start an undergraduate research program. As my talk was addressing work done during 28 years at a university that had a long history of undergraduate research, I was not prepared to answer the question. It is easy to point out what one must do to obtain funding, even if actually obtaining the funding is difficult. Many other aspects of choosing appropriate research projects, collaborations, and such can also be relatively easy to do. Answers and advice in how to get upper level university administrators to notice and help you start a research program is not as easy or obvious, but is what this talk will address. It will be based on the premiss that one is at a university that is centered on providing high quality undergraduate education. Thus you have the job of showing your administration that having students working on a research program under you will help provide the highest level of education possible. Experience over many years of interactions at ACU will be drawn on for the advice provided. Research supported in part by Grants from the U.S. DOE Office of Science.

Cessation assistance reported by smokers in 15 countries participating in the International Tobacco Control (ITC) policy evaluation surveys.

PubMed

Borland, Ron; Li, Lin; Driezen, Pete; Wilson, Nick; Hammond, David; Thompson, Mary E; Fong, Geoffrey T; Mons, Ute; Willemsen, Marc C; McNeill, Ann; Thrasher, James F; Cummings, K Michael

2012-01-01

To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support. Use of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary). Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay and United States. Samples of smokers from 15 countries. Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits. Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from less than 20% to more than 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting visiting health professionals in the last year (<20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provision of advice to quit also varied greatly. There was also marked variability in the levels and types of help reported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available. There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals. © 2011 The Authors, Addiction © 2011 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Advice given by community members to pregnant women: a mixed methods study.

PubMed

Verma, Bianca A; Nichols, Lauren P; Plegue, Melissa A; Moniz, Michelle H; Rai, Manisha; Chang, Tammy

2016-11-09

Smoking and excess weight gain during pregnancy have been shown to have serious health consequences for both mothers and their infants. Advice from friends and family on these topics influences pregnant women's behaviors. The purpose of our study was to compare the advice that community members give pregnant women about smoking versus the advice they give about pregnancy weight gain. A survey was sent via text messaging to adults in a diverse, low-income primary care clinic in 2015. Respondents were asked what advice (if any) they have given pregnant women about smoking or gestational weight gain and their comfort-level discussing the topics. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample population and to determine response rates. Open-ended responses were analyzed qualitatively using grounded theory analysis with an overall convergent parallel mixed methods design. Respondents (n = 370) were 77 % female, 40 % black, and 25 % reported education of high school or less. More respondents had spoken to pregnant women about smoking (40 %, n = 147) than weight gain (20 %, n = 73). Among individuals who had not discussed either topic (n = 181), more reported discomfort in talking about weight gain (65 %) compared to smoking (34 %; p < 0.0001). Advice about smoking during pregnancy (n = 148) was frequently negative, recommending abstinence and identifying smoking as harmful for baby and/or mother. Advice about weight gain in pregnancy (n = 74) revealed a breadth of messages, from reassurance about all weight gain ("Eat away" or "It's ok if you are gaining weight"), to specific warnings against excess weight gain ("Too much was dangerous for her and the baby."). Many community members give advice to pregnant women. Their advice reveals varied perspectives on the effects of pregnancy weight gain. Compared to a nearly ubiquitous understanding of the harms of smoking during pregnancy, community members demonstrated less awareness of and willingness to discuss the harms of excessive weight gain. Beyond educating pregnant women, community-level interventions may also be important to ensure that the information pregnant women receive supports healthy behaviors and promotes the long-term health of both moms and babies.

Schizophrenia

MedlinePlus

... Mental Health Conditions Schizophrenia IN THIS SECTION Esquizofrenia Schizophrenia Overview Treatment Support Discuss Schizophrenia is a serious ... a crisis or Text "NAMI" to 741741 DISCUSS Schizophrenia RE:Just need advice and someone who understands ...

Love of Science Began at Early Age for Air Force Captain | DoDLive

Science.gov Websites

advice: "I emphasize early math, as much math as you can take." So what does the future hold avoidance technologies program, Capt. Heather Stickney, Force of the Future, math, science, STEM, Wright

Resisting Mind Control.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Susan M.; Zimbardo, Philip G.

1980-01-01

Provides conceptual analyses of mind control techniques along with practical advice on how to resist these techniques. The authors stress that effective mind control stems more from everyday social relations than from exotic technological gimmicks. Suggestions are given for resisting persuasion, resisting systems, and challenging the system.…

75 FR 48319 - Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-10

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee AGENCY: Department of Energy, Office of...: Purpose of the Committee: The purpose of the Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee is to provide advice on development and implementation of programs related to ultra-deepwater architecture and technology to the...

7 CFR 3405.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., education, or technology to give expert advice on the merit of grant applications in such fields, who... Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION... least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences. The definition includes a research...

7 CFR 3405.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

..., education, or technology to give expert advice on the merit of grant applications in such fields, who... least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences. The definition includes a research.... (k) Food and agricultural sciences means basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and...

78 FR 59347 - National and Governmental Advisory Committees to the U.S. Representative to the Commission for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-26

.... Representative on a wide range of strategic, scientific, technological, regulatory, and economic issues related... advice on the 20th anniversary of the NAAEC and to discuss other trade and environment issues in North...

A Comparative Study of Exceptional Experiences of Clients Seeking Advice and of Subjects in an Ordinary Population

PubMed Central

Fach, W.; Atmanspacher, H.; Landolt, K.; Wyss, T.; Rössler, W.

2012-01-01

Exceptional experiences (EE) occur frequently within the populations of many countries and across various socio-cultural contexts. Although some EE show similarities with mental disorders, it would be a mistake to identify them in general as disorders. In fact, the vast number of individuals reporting EE includes subclinical and completely healthy subjects. We conducted a comparative empirical study of several characteristics of EE for two samples – one from ordinary population and the other from clients seeking advice. We found surprisingly similar phenomenological patterns of EE in both samples, but the frequency and intensity of EE for clients seeking advice significantly exceeded those for the ordinary population. Our results support the hypothesis of a continuous spectrum between mental health and mental disorder for the types of experiences analyzed. PMID:23423775

Diabetes and Ramadan: Practical guidelines.

PubMed

Hassanein, Mohamed; Al-Arouj, Monira; Hamdy, Osama; Bebakar, Wan Mohamad Wan; Jabbar, Abdul; Al-Madani, Abdulrazzaq; Hanif, Wasim; Lessan, Nader; Basit, Abdul; Tayeb, Khaled; Omar, Mak; Abdallah, Khalifa; Al Twaim, Abdulaziz; Buyukbese, Mehmet Akif; El-Sayed, Adel A; Ben-Nakhi, Abdullah

2017-04-01

Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is compulsory for all healthy Muslims from puberty onwards. Exemptions exist for people with serious medical conditions, including many with diabetes, but a large number will participate, often against medical advice. Ensuring the optimal care of these patients during Ramadan is crucial. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) International Alliance have come together to deliver comprehensive guidelines on this subject. The key areas covered include epidemiology, the physiology of fasting, risk stratification, nutrition advice and medication adjustment. The IDF-DAR Practical Guidelines should enhance knowledge surrounding the issue of diabetes and Ramadan fasting, thereby empowering healthcare professionals to give the most up-to-date advice and the best possible support to their patients during Ramadan. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Diet and diabetes.

PubMed

Deed, Gary; Barlow, John; Kawol, Dev; Kilov, Gary; Sharma, Anita; Hwa, Liew Yu

2015-05-01

Guidelines for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) reinforce lifestyle management, yet advice to guide general practitioners on principles around dietary choices is needed. This article provides current evidence regarding the differing diets in diabetes prevention and management once T2DM arises, including the role in management of complications such as hypoglycaemia. Diets should incorporate weight maintenance or loss, while complementing changes in physical activity to optimise the metabolic effects of dietary advice. Using a structured, team-care approach supports pragmatic and sustainable individualised plans, while incorporating current evidence-based dietary approaches.

Being questioned and receiving advice about alcohol and smoking in health care: Associations with patients' characteristics, health behavior, and reported stage of change

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Alcohol habits are more rarely addressed than other health behavior topics in Swedish health care. This study examined whether differences between topics could be explained by their different associations with patient characteristics or by the differences in the prevalence of the disadvantageous health behavior, i.e., excessive alcohol use and smoking. The study moreover examined whether simply being asked questions about behavior, i.e., alcohol use or smoking, was associated with reported change. Methods The study was based on a cross-sectional postal survey (n = 4 238, response rate 56.5 percent) representative of the adult population in Stockholm County in 2003. Retrospective self-reports were used to assess health care visits during the past 12 months, the questions and advice received there, patients characteristics, health behavior, and the present stage of change. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the associations among the 68 percent who had visited health care. Results Among the health care visitors, 23 percent reported being asked about their alcohol habits, and 3 percent reported receiving advice or/and support to modify their alcohol use - fewer than for smoking, physical exercise, or diet. When regression models adjusted for patient characteristics, the differences between health behaviors in the extent of questioning and advice remained. However, when the models also adjusted for smoking and alcohol consumption there was no difference between smoking and alcohol-related advice. In fact one-third of the present smokers and two-fifths of the persons dependent on alcohol reported having receiving advice the previous 12 months. Those who reported being asked questions or receiving advice more often reported a decreased alcohol use and similarly intended to cease smoking within 6 months. Questions about alcohol use were moreover related to a later stage of stage of change independently of advice among women but not among men. Conclusions While most patients are never addressed, many in the target groups seem to be reached anyway. Besides advice, already addressing alcohol habits appears to be associated with change. The results also indicate that gender possibly plays a role in the relationship between advice and the stage of change. PMID:21114843

The Parenting of Young People: Using Newsletters to Provide Information and Support

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shepherd, Julie; Roker, Debi

2005-01-01

The literature shows that many parents of young people do not have enough information, advice, and support in bringing up their children. This article describes an innovative project, undertaken by the Trust for the Study of Adolescence (TSA), which evaluated the use of newsletters as a form of support for the parents of young people. Following…

[The Innovation Office of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. Regulatory support during the scientific development of ATMP].

PubMed

Ziegele, B; Dahl, L; Müller, A T

2011-07-01

In conformity with Regulation (EC) No. 1394/2007, advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) are now subject to the centralized marketing authorization procedure. This also applies to most medicinal products in regenerative medicine. ATMP that have been marketed in a member state by the end of 2008 must be centrally authorized by the end of 2012 at the latest. In exceptional cases, a national authorization is acceptable. Developers of these medicinal products are usually academic institutions or small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME). They focus on scientific aspects and usually have little experience with pharmaceutical law. The Innovation Office of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) is designed to support developers of medicinal products in the areas between research and development, on the one hand, and regulatory requirements, on the other. Its main role is supportive advice in the regulatory field with an emphasis on ATMP. For this purpose, the Innovation Office makes use of core competences from various experts at the PEI in order to provide a quality consulting service to those companies who are seeking advice as early as possible and hand in hand with the development process. The aim is to support the developer to identify the appropriate regulatory pathway and to provide advice for each individual medicinal product at its corresponding stage of development in order to develop a high-quality ATMP manufactured on the basis of positive nonclinical results and appropriate clinical studies that meet all the necessary requirements for the application of a marketing authorization.

Desktop Design for ESOL Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Susan

The guide for teachers of English as a Second Language offers practical advice on the format and layout of instructional materials they produce using desktop publishing technology. An introductory section discusses important design considerations for producing effective materials. Subsequent sections describe how to: organize ideas; outline the…

76 FR 6775 - Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-08

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee AGENCY: Department of Energy, Office of... Committee: The purpose of the Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee is to provide advice on development and implementation of programs related to ultra-deepwater architecture and technology to the Secretary of Energy and...

Evaluating the safety and dosing of drugs in patients with liver cirrhosis by literature review and expert opinion.

PubMed

Weersink, Rianne A; Bouma, Margriet; Burger, David M; Drenth, Joost P H; Hunfeld, Nicole G M; Kranenborg, Minke; Monster-Simons, Margje H; van Putten, Sandra A W; Metselaar, Herold J; Taxis, Katja; Borgsteede, Sander D

2016-10-12

Liver cirrhosis can have a major impact on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Patients with cirrhosis often suffer from potentially preventable adverse drug reactions. Guidelines on safe prescribing for these patients are lacking. The aim of this study is to develop a systematic method for evaluating the safety and optimal dosage of drugs in patients with liver cirrhosis. For each drug, a six-step evaluation process will be followed. (1) Available evidence on the pharmacokinetics and safety of a drug in patients with liver cirrhosis will be collected from the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and a systematic literature review will be performed. (2) Data regarding two outcomes, namely pharmacokinetics and safety, will be extracted and presented in a standardised assessment report. (3) A safety classification and dosage suggestion will be proposed for each drug. (4) An expert panel will discuss the validity and clinical relevance of this suggested advice. (5) Advices will be implemented in all relevant Clinical Decision Support Systems in the Netherlands and published on a website for patients and healthcare professionals. (6) The continuity of the advices will be guaranteed by a yearly check of new literature and comments on the advices. This protocol will be applied in the evaluation of a selection of drugs: (A) drugs used to treat (complications of) liver cirrhosis, and (B) drugs frequently prescribed to the general population. Since this study does not directly involve human participants, it does not require ethical clearance. Besides implementation on a website and in clinical decision support systems, we aim to publish the generated advices of one or two drug classes in a peer-reviewed journal and at conference meetings. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Reasoning about embryos, cloning and stem cells: let's get more clear and distinct.

PubMed

Parker, Malcolm

2003-01-01

Plural democratic societies encourage and require the tolerance of disparate views. However, in relation to contentious areas like assisted reproductive technologies and destructive embryo research, tolerance is strained by the normative force of our fundamental beliefs about the moral status of early human forms. Yet in the continuing debates, spokespersons for different positions often do not concede all the implications of their arguments, may sidestep the real moral issues, and can fail to be clear about the foundations on which their arguments and policy advice ultimately rely. Guidelines and statutes can be rendered incoherent by the desire to balance and satisfy opposing values, rather than honestly reflecting the primary values they espouse. I call for greater clarity and honesty as these issues continue to be debated. An uncritical adherence to pluralism will encourage strategic obfuscation, but citizens of democracies need to be clearly informed about all the premises of opposing positions. Decisions about ethically and legally acceptable reproductive technologies ultimately depend on support for one metaphysical grounding at the expense of another. This should be acknowledged, as should its implications for policy.

Smoking Cessation

MedlinePlus

... SR (Zyban ® ), 6 varenicline tartrate (Chantix ® ) 6,13 Counseling and medication are both effective for treating tobacco ... services. These may include: Free support, advice, and counseling from experienced quitline coaches A personalized quit plan ...

Sorting Through Vendors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hirsch, Jim

2001-01-01

Offers advice on selecting online vendors, such as determining quality, graduation credit, course articulation, delivery equipment, teacher support, handicap accessibility, pricing methods, and grading functions. Includes a selected list of vendors of online courses. (PKP)

Perceptions on healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle advice: opportunities for adapting lifestyle interventions to individuals with low socioeconomic status.

PubMed

Bukman, Andrea J; Teuscher, Dorit; Feskens, Edith J M; van Baak, Marleen A; Meershoek, Agnes; Renes, Reint Jan

2014-10-04

Individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) are generally less well reached through lifestyle interventions than individuals with higher SES. The aim of this study was to identify opportunities for adapting lifestyle interventions in such a way that they are more appealing for individuals with low SES. To this end, the study provides insight into perspectives of groups with different socioeconomic positions regarding their current eating and physical activity behaviour; triggers for lifestyle change; and ways to support lifestyle change. Data were gathered in semi-structured focus group interviews among low SES (four groups) and high SES (five groups) adults. The group size varied between four and nine participants. The main themes discussed were perceptions and experiences of healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle advice. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and a thematic approach was used to analyse the data. In general, three key topics were identified, namely: current lifestyle is logical for participants given their personal situation; lifestyle change is prompted by feedback from their body; and support for lifestyle change should include individually tailored advice and could profit from involving others. The perceptions of the low SES participants were generally comparable to the perceptions shared by the high SES participants. Some perceptions were, however, especially shared in the low SES groups. Low SES participants indicated that their current eating behaviour was sometimes affected by cost concerns. They seemed to be especially motivated to change their lifestyle when they experienced health complaints, but were rather hesitant to change their lifestyle for preventive purposes. Regarding support for lifestyle change, low SES participants preferred to receive advice in a group rather than on their own. For physical activities, groups should preferably consist of persons of the same age, gender or physical condition. To motivate individuals with low SES to change their lifestyle, it may be useful to (visually) raise their awareness of their current weight or health status. Lifestyle interventions targeting individuals with low SES should take possible cost concerns into account and should harness the supportive effect of (peer) groups.

Information and Communication Technologies for Reconstruction and Development: Afghanistan Challenges and Opportunities

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

sustainable growth. The real benefits lie not in the provision of technology per se, but rather in promoting creation of powerful social and economic...for poverty reduction and economic recovery. ICT benefits not only the rich but those who are less fortunate. For example, at the village level in...of interest and reach subject matter experts for advice and counseling. 6 However, the poor cannot benefit from globalization without active

Operations Research and the US (United States) Army

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-04-07

technology "developed more rapidly than it could be absorbed effectively into military tactics and strategy." 4 World War II is usually identified as...Corporation, was formed by the Air Force as a non-profit organization to provide technological advice. 7 By the early 1950’s the public recognized operations... enlight - ening. He recognized the important and clearly distinguishable roles played by the technical analyst and the military decision maker. The systems

Remote sensing in Michigan for land resource management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lowe, D. S.; Istvan, L. B.; Roller, N. E.; Sattinger, I. J.; Sellman, A. N.; Wagner, T. W.

1974-01-01

The application of NASA earth resource survey technology to resource management and environmental protection in Michigan was investigated. Remote sensing techniques to aid Michigan government agencies were applied in the following activities: (1) land use inventory and management, (2) great lakes shorelands protection and management, (3) wetlands protection and management, and (4) soil survey. In addition, information was disseminated on remote sensing technology, and advice and assistance was provided to a number of users.

RP That's Right For You

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Ken; Gordon, Gail (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

This article offers an unfiltered look at a large cross section of the different rapid prototyping technologies available today; from a guy with one of the biggest RP toy boxes in the world as the manager of the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL, USA. NASA's current operation capacity is nine RP machines, representing eight actual technologies. The article presents a realistic, unbiased look at the technologies and offers advice on what to do and where to go for the best solution to your rapid prototyping needs.

Learning to manage vasoactive drugs-A qualitative interview study with critical care nurses.

PubMed

Häggström, Marie; Bergsman, Ann-Christin; Månsson, Ulrika; Holmström, Malin Rising

2017-04-01

Being a nurse in an intensive care unit entails caring for seriously ill patients. Vasoactive drugs are one of the tools that are used to restore adequate circulation. Critical care nurses often manage and administer these potent drugs after medical advice from physicians. To describe the experiences of critical care nurses learning to manage vasoactive drugs, and to highlight the competence required to manage vasoactive drugs. Twelve critical care nurses from three hospitals in Sweden were interviewed. Qualitative content analysis was applied. The theme "becoming proficient requires accuracy, practice and precaution" illustrated how critical care nurses learn to manage vasoactive drugs. Learning included developing cognitive, psychomotor, and effective skills. Sources for knowledge refers to specialist education combined with practical exercises, collegial support, and accessible routine documents. The competence required to manage vasoactive drugs encompassed well-developed safety thinking that included being careful, in control, and communicating failures. Specific skills were required such as titrating doses, being able to analyse and evaluate the technological assessments, adapting to the situation, and staying calm. Learning to manage vasoactive drugs requires a supportive introduction for novices, collegial support, lifelong learning, and a culture of safety. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aging Parents' Daily Support Exchanges With Adult Children Suffering Problems.

PubMed

Huo, Meng; Graham, Jamie L; Kim, Kyungmin; Birditt, Kira S; Fingerman, Karen L

2017-06-17

When adult children incur life problems (e.g., divorce, job loss, health problems), aging parents generally report providing more frequent support and experiencing poorer well-being. Yet, it is unclear how adult children's problems may influence aging parents' daily support exchanges with these children or the parents' daily mood. Aging parents from the Family Exchanges Study Wave 2 (N = 207, Mage = 79.86) reported providing and receiving emotional support, practical support, and advice from each adult child each day for 7 days. Parents also rated daily positive and negative mood. Multilevel models showed that aging parents were more likely to provide emotional and practical support to adult children incurring life problems than children not suffering problems. Parents were also more likely to receive emotional support and advice from these children with problems. Further, parents reported less negative mood on days when providing practical support to children with problems. Examining daily support exchanges adds to our understanding of how children's problems influence parent-child ties in late life. Prior research suggests that children's problems upset parents. In this study, however, it appears that supporting adult children who suffer problems may alleviate aging parents' distress regarding such children. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Enriched and Inspired: Service Pathways to College Success

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnett, Lynn; Jeandron, Carol

2009-01-01

With support from the U.S. Department of Education and advice from an external panel of experts, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) published a book that described disability support practices and programs designed to help community college students with disabilities reach their fullest potential. The book was an outgrowth of a…

Allies Shift Focus toward Promoting Standards Adoption

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gewertz, Catherine

2010-01-01

With the new common standards completed, education leaders in nearly every state face the critical decision of whether to adopt them. To maximize the number of states that do, a core group of advocates is providing information and advice to help build the necessary base of support. The support network includes groups that spearheaded the Common…

Risky Business I. Entering Capital Markets for the First Time. Panel I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Appalachia, 1986

1986-01-01

Five panelists discuss how small businesses can acquire seed capital by considering venture; capital's role in the financing of business start-ups, using local banks as sources of advice and community support as well as funds for new entrepreneurs in rural areas, and investigating states' roles in supporting new ventures. (NEC)

Organizing Self-Employment Programs: A Guide for Development Organizations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rinehart, Eric L., Ed.; Lamb, Melissa, Ed.

This resource guide is intended to help communities that want to implement an entrepreneurship training program. Chapters I and II contain general advice for the planning process, such as how to assess need and community support, assess current services for entrepreneurs, select target clientele, develop a community support network, and identify…

Lifelong Learning: Is There a Logic for Loans? The Agency Reports.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fletcher, Mick

This document explores the feasibility of loans to support English adults engaging in lifelong learning. The following topics are considered: (1) the policy context (loans in higher education, individual learning accounts, and education maintenance allowances); (2) the need for financial support; (3) attitudes toward loans; (3) financial advice,…

"Follow the Money" and Other Unsolicited Advice for CIOs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Gregory A.

1999-01-01

Discusses the role of the chief information officer (CIO) of a college or university, including such issues as: addressing institutional goals and mission; administrating organization and climate for leadership; accepting responsibility; cooperating; communicating information technology's role in the institution; understanding the role of funding;…

Instructional Television Facilities: A Planning Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Witherspoon, John P.; Kessler, William J.

When planning an instructional television (ITV) system, it is suggested that educational objectives should outweigh technological considerations and that expert advice be secured before the planning process is far advanced. In line with the latter suggestion, the book offers a background of technical knowledge aimed at educational administrators…

Investing in Faculty.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New Directions for Higher Education, 2002

2002-01-01

Discusses why it is essential to look at costs related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty not simply as a critical expense, but as part of an intentional investment strategy meant to produce an important and significant value-added benefit. Offers advice on planning, financing, and assessing this investment. (EV)

Death from cancer at home: the carers' perspective.

PubMed

Jones, R V; Hansford, J; Fiske, J

1993-01-23

To collect information from principal carers of people who had died at home with cancer; to identify areas of support which need improvement. Semistructured interviews with carers two to four months after the death. 38 general practices in the Exeter, Torbay, and Plymouth health districts. 207 carers. Services received by carers and quality of support. 161 of 207 patients were aged 60 or over. 88 carers were aged under 60, 110 were 60-80, and 9 were > 80. Carers had difficulty in getting urgent professional help in only 15 out of 177 cases. 124 carers were not given advice on financial help and 174 were not told of support available from local charities. Although pain was well controlled, 25% of patients had no relief of other symptoms. Overall, 150 carers considered the support excellent, 45 good, 8 moderate, 2 poor, and 2 had no comment. Although care has improved in recent years, health professionals need to give carers more advice about help available outside health services. Domestic help was often needed earlier. Better appreciation of carers' problems is needed.

Travel medicine and general practice: a suitable case for audit?

PubMed Central

Sloan, D S

1993-01-01

Travel medicine becomes more important with the continual expansion of international travel and the increased popularity of exotic holiday destinations. In the United Kingdom general practitioners provide the bulk of travel health advice and immunisation and there is growing interest in providing these services. While their armamentarium has been expanded with attractive but expensive new vaccines, the need for health service advice has never been more vital, with the risks of HIV infection and drug resistant malaria. Advantages of a general practice based travel medicine service include maintaining continuity of care for the patient, but a disadvantage might be that the general practitioner sees too few patients to acquire enough skill in the subject. Furthermore, there may be a conflict of interest between time devoted to the "vaccination ritual" and giving health advice. Overall there seems to be a case for both audit and support by the health authorities. Images p616-a PMID:8401022

Pregnancy Exercise and Nutrition With Smartphone Application Support: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Kennelly, Maria A; Ainscough, Kate; Lindsay, Karen L; OʼSullivan, Elizabeth; Gibney, Eileen R; McCarthy, Mary; Segurado, Ricardo; DeVito, Giuseppe; Maguire, Orla; Smith, Thomas; Hatunic, Mensud; McAuliffe, Fionnuala M

2018-05-01

To evaluate the effect of a healthy lifestyle package (an antenatal behavior change intervention supported by smartphone application technology) on the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in overweight and obese women. Women with body mass indexes (BMIs) 25-39.9 were enrolled into this randomized controlled trial. The intervention consisted of specific dietary and exercise advice that addressed behavior change supported by a tailor-designed smartphone application. Women in the control group received usual care. The primary outcome was the incidence of GDM at 28-30 weeks of gestation. To reduce GDM from 15% to 7.2%, we estimated that 506 women would be required to have 80% power to detect this effect size at a significance of .05, that is, 253 in each group. Between March 2013 and February 2016, 565 women were recruited with a mean BMI of 29.3 and mean gestational age of 15.5 weeks. The incidence of GDM did not differ between the two groups, 37 of 241 (15.4%) in the intervention group compared with 36 of 257 (14.1%) in the control group (relative risk 1.1, 95% CI 0.71-1.66, P=.71). A mobile health-supported behavioral intervention did not decrease the incidence of GDM. ISRCTN registry, https://www.isrctn.com/, ISRCTN29316280.

Spectra Optia® for Automated Red Blood Cell Exchange in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A NICE Medical Technology Guidance.

PubMed

Willits, Iain; Cole, Helen; Jones, Roseanne; Carter, Kimberley; Arber, Mick; Jenks, Michelle; Craig, Joyce; Sims, Andrew

2017-08-01

The Spectra Optia ® automated apheresis system, indicated for red blood cell exchange in people with sickle cell disease, underwent evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which uses its Medical Technologies Advisory Committee to make recommendations. The company (Terumo Medical Corporation) produced a submission making a case for adoption of its technology, which was critiqued by the Newcastle and York external assessment centre. Thirty retrospective observational studies were identified in their clinical submission. The external assessment centre considered these were of low methodological and reporting quality. Most were single-armed studies, with only six studies providing comparative data. The available data showed that, compared with manual red blood cell exchange, Spectra Optia reduces the frequency of exchange procedures as well as their duration, but increases the requirement for donor blood. However, other clinical and patient benefits were equivocal because of an absence of robust clinical evidence. The company provided a de novo model to support the economic proposition of the technology, and reported that in most scenarios Spectra Optia was cost saving, primarily through reduced requirement of chelation therapy to manage iron overload. The external assessment centre considered that although the cost-saving potential of Spectra Optia was plausible, the model and its clinical inputs were not sufficiently robust to demonstrate this. However, taking the evidence together with expert and patient advice, the Medical Technologies Advisory Committee considered Spectra Optia was likely to save costs, provide important patient benefits, and reduce inequality, and gave the technology a positive recommendation in Medical Technology Guidance 28.

Nurses' competence in advising and supporting clients to cease smoking: a survey among Finnish nurses.

PubMed

Pelkonen, M; Kankkunen, P

2001-07-01

The article describes the results of a survey of Finnish nurses (n = 882). The purpose of the study was to describe how nurses' education, working experience and their own smoking habits relate to their self-reported competence in advising and supporting clients to cease smoking. Nurses evaluated their skills fairly highly, but did not believe that advice alone was helpful to clients who wished to cease smoking. Nurses had minimal knowledge of smoking substitutes. Lower general education, a fairly short time from graduation and a history of smoking were positively related to nurses' competence to guide clients. Nurses who smoked daily were found to have better skills in giving advice and support than their non-smoking colleagues. The results have implications for the design of smoking cessation programmes. More education and guidance is required for nurses, so that they can develop their understanding and a positive view as to the effectiveness of smoking cessation programmes.

A dementia first aid course for family carers.

PubMed

Pogson, Richard

Many people with dementia are cared for by family members, who may receive little advice or support. This article describes a course developed to help carers deal with frustrating and challenging behaviour.

Current evidence on healthy eating.

PubMed

Willett, Walter C; Stampfer, Meir J

2013-01-01

Large nutritional epidemiology studies, with long-term follow-up to assess major clinical end points, coupled with advances in basic science and clinical trials, have led to important improvements in our understanding of nutrition in primary prevention of chronic disease. Although much work remains, sufficient evidence has accrued to provide solid advice on healthy eating. Good data now support the benefits of diets that are rich in plant sources of fats and protein, fish, nuts, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables; that avoid partially hydrogenated fats; and that limit red meat and refined carbohydrates. The simplistic advice to reduce all fat, or all carbohydrates, has not stood the test of science; strong evidence supports the need to consider fat and carbohydrate quality and different protein sources. This article briefly summarizes major findings from recent years bearing on these issues.

A nurse- and pharmacist-led treatment advice clinic for patients attending an HIV outpatient clinic.

PubMed

Griffiths, C; Miles, K; Aldam, D; Cornforth, D; Minton, J; Edwards, S; Williams, I

2007-05-01

This paper is a report of a study to map care pathways, examine the approach of different treatment advisors and explore the acceptability of a nurse- and pharmacist-led treatment advice clinic in order to aid decision-making for the future development and evaluation of the clinic. High levels of adherence to antiretroviral drugs are a prerequisite for a successful and durable virological and immunological response to HIV. Treatment guidelines acknowledge that adherence is a process, not a single event, and that adherence support must be integrated into clinical follow-up for all patients receiving these drugs. Data were collected between September 2004 and January 2005 through 17 consultation observations and 10 patient interviews in a specialist treatment advice clinic located within a central London HIV outpatient clinic providing care for over 2200 patients, of whom more than 1300 are taking highly active antiretroviral therapy. The nurses and pharmacist had similar consultation approaches, although follow-up care varied in extent. Benefits of the clinic approach included permitting patients to observe real tablets, tailoring regimens to lifestyles and telephone follow-up. These factors, particularly telephone support, were perceived by patients to assist with adherence. The role of telephone support, perceived to assist with initial adherence, requires further investigation. Future work is also needed to explore the health economics of this approach and to determine the actual impact of the clinic on clinical and adherence outcomes.

Interactions between parents/carers of pre-school children and pharmacy staff when buying non-prescription medicines.

PubMed

Boardman, Helen F; Gray, Nicola J; Symonds, B Sue

2011-10-01

Little is known about the interactions between pharmacy staff and parents/carers who buy nonprescription medicines for children. Responsibility for choice and administration of children's medicines falls to the parent/carer. Pharmacy advice should support safe and effective use of medicines for children. This paper explores the interactions between pharmacy staff and purchasers of children's medicines, in terms of questioning and advice giving. Thirty-nine community pharmacies across four Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England. A self-completion survey and a subset of semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with parents/carers buying oral medicines for children aged 0-4 years. Frequency and type of questioning and advice given by pharmacy staff to parents purchasing nonprescription medicines. One hundred and thirty-four surveys and thirty-four interviews were completed: most participants were 25-44 year-old women. The majority (85%) reported being questioned, most often by medicines counter assistants, to establish the safety and suitability of the medicine. Three key questions (whether the medicine had been used before, the age of the child, and concurrent medicines), however, were not always asked. Interviews revealed self-perceptions of 'expert' and 'novice' users, depending on experience with the medicine purchased. This seemed to affect their perception of their need for questioning and advice from pharmacy staff. Interactions in the pharmacy involving the purchase of medicines for young children are varied with regard to questioning and advice given. This study has found that key questions are not always asked before a medicine is sold, and advice about using the medicine was given in just over one-third of encounters. Parents/carers also identified a range of additional information they would like to have received with their medicine: there was, however, no clear pattern to the type of information they would like. Parents reflected on the questioning and advice in terms of their self-perception of expertise with the medicine. Both pharmacists and their assistants should adopt a flexible questioning approach based on parents/carers' advice and information needs that respects expertise, but does not assume it.

Hospitals as a 'risk environment': an ethno-epidemiological study of voluntary and involuntary discharge from hospital against medical advice among people who inject drugs.

PubMed

McNeil, Ryan; Small, Will; Wood, Evan; Kerr, Thomas

2014-03-01

People who inject drugs (PWID) experience high levels of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C (HCV) infection that, together with injection-related complications such as non-fatal overdose and injection-related infections, lead to frequent hospitalizations. However, injection drug-using populations are among those most likely to be discharged from hospital against medical advice, which significantly increases their likelihood of hospital readmission, longer overall hospital stays, and death. In spite of this, little research has been undertaken examining how social-structural forces operating within hospital settings shape the experiences of PWID in receiving care in hospitals and contribute to discharges against medical advice. This ethno-epidemiological study was undertaken in Vancouver, Canada to explore how the social-structural dynamics within hospitals function to produce discharges against medical advice among PWID. In-depth interviews were conducted with thirty PWID recruited from among participants in ongoing observational cohort studies of people who inject drugs who reported that they had been discharged from hospital against medical advice within the previous two years. Data were analyzed thematically, and by drawing on the 'risk environment' framework and concepts of social violence. Our findings illustrate how intersecting social and structural factors led to inadequate pain and withdrawal management, which led to continued drug use in hospital settings. In turn, diverse forms of social control operating to regulate and prevent drug use in hospital settings amplified drug-related risks and increased the likelihood of discharge against medical advice. Given the significant morbidity and health care costs associated with discharge against medical advice among drug-using populations, there is an urgent need to reshape the social-structural contexts of hospital care for PWID by shifting emphasis toward evidence-based pain and drug treatment augmented by harm reduction supports, including supervised drug consumption services. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hospitals as a `risk environment: An ethno-epidemiological study of voluntary and involuntary discharge from hospital against medical advice among people who inject drugs

PubMed Central

McNeil, Ryan; Small, Will; Wood, Evan; Kerr, Thomas

2014-01-01

People who inject drugs (PWID) experience high levels of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C (HCV) infection that, together with injection-related complications such as non-fatal overdose and injection-related infections, lead to frequent hospitalizations. However, injection drug-using populations are among those most likely to be discharged from hospital against medical advice, which significantly increases their likelihood of hospital readmission, longer overall hospital stays, and death. In spite of this, little research has been undertaken examining how social-structural forces operating within hospital settings shape the experiences of PWID in receiving care in hospitals and contribute to discharges against medical advice. This ethno-epidemiological study was undertaken in Vancouver, Canada to explore how the social-structural dynamics within hospitals function to produce discharges against medical advice among PWID. In-depth interviews were conducted with thirty PWID recruited from among participants in ongoing observational cohort studies of people who inject drugs who reported that they had been discharged from hospital against medical advice within the previous two years. Data were analyzed thematically, and by drawing on the `Risk Environment' framework and concepts of social violence. Our findings illustrate how intersecting social and structural factors led to inadequate pain and withdrawal management, which led to continued drug use in hospital settings. In turn, diverse forms of social control operating to regulate and prevent drug use in hospital settings amplified drug-related risks and increased the likelihood of discharge against medical advice. Given the significant morbidity and health care costs associated with discharge against medical advice among drug-using populations, there is an urgent need to reshape the social-structural contexts of hospital care for PWID by shifting emphasis toward evidence-based pain and drug treatment augmented by harm reduction supports, including supervised drug consumption services. PMID:24508718

Doctors' experience with handheld computers in clinical practice: qualitative study.

PubMed

McAlearney, Ann Scheck; Schweikhart, Sharon B; Medow, Mitchell A

2004-05-15

To examine doctors' perspectives about their experiences with handheld computers in clinical practice. Qualitative study of eight focus groups consisting of doctors with diverse training and practice patterns. Six practice settings across the United States and two additional focus group sessions held at a national meeting of general internists. 54 doctors who did or did not use handheld computers. Doctors who used handheld computers in clinical practice seemed generally satisfied with them and reported diverse patterns of use. Users perceived that the devices helped them increase productivity and improve patient care. Barriers to use concerned the device itself and personal and perceptual constraints, with perceptual factors such as comfort with technology, preference for paper, and the impression that the devices are not easy to use somewhat difficult to overcome. Participants suggested that organisations can help promote handheld computers by providing advice on purchase, usage, training, and user support. Participants expressed concern about reliability and security of the device but were particularly concerned about dependency on the device and over-reliance as a substitute for clinical thinking. Doctors expect handheld computers to become more useful, and most seem interested in leveraging (getting the most value from) their use. Key opportunities with handheld computers included their use as a stepping stone to build doctors' comfort with other information technology and ehealth initiatives and providing point of care support that helps improve patient care.

Computer Applications in Instruction: A Teacher's Guide to Selection and Use.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Judith B.; And Others

Intended for upper elementary and secondary teachers in all subject areas, this guide provides practical advice on determining the appropriate application of computer technology and on the selection of specific, subject-related computer-based instruction units. Under the heading of hardware and software, topics discussed include communicating with…

76 FR 10341 - Air University Board of Visitors Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-24

... Technology conference room located in building 646, room 302. Please contact Mrs. Diana Bunch, 334-953-4547... advice and recommendations on matters pertaining to the educational, doctrinal, and research policies and... initiatives of Air University educational programs with a particular interest of the Air Force Institute of...

Copyright in a Digital Age: Practical Guidance for Information Professionals in the Midst of Legal Uncertainty.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weiner, Robert S.

1997-01-01

Discusses copyright issues pertaining to information use on the Internet. Topics include digital copyright interpretations; court rulings on copyright infringement; copyright advice from the Copyright Clearance Center; rights management models; technology as a solution; and developing corporate copyright policies. (LRW)

Computers and Kids: Pulling the Plug Can Protect the Planet.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moll, Marita

2003-01-01

Asserts younger children spend too much time playing video games and accessing the Internet. Describes harmful effects. Cites advice from experts to restrict computer and Internet use. Advises parents and teachers to be more diligent in supervising children's use of information technology. (Contains 17 references.) (PKP)

ORD Science and Technology for Sustainability Research Program Mid-Cycle Review - July 2009

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The purpose of the review was to evaluate progress that the STS Program has made since the 2007 program review and to assess the responsiveness of the Program to advice, comments, and recommendations provided by the BOSC as a product of that review.

High Performance Computing and Communications Panel Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Washington, DC.

This report offers advice on the strengths and weaknesses of the High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) initiative, one of five presidential initiatives launched in 1992 and coordinated by the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology. The HPCC program has the following objectives: (1) to extend U.S.…

Use of Communication and Technology among Educational Professionals and Families

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Natale, Kirstin; Lubniewski, Kathryn

2018-01-01

This study explored the perspectives of elementary school families and their preferences in communicating with their child's teacher. The researchers utilized an online survey method which was distributed to the families of one elementary school. Survey questions included areas of communication patterns, perceptions, and advice for improvement…

Selecting the Best Furniture for Your Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Troup, Wilson

2002-01-01

Offers advice on furnishing a technology classroom, asserting that the overriding selection criteria must be quality. This is defined as furniture that functions smoothly and looks attractive with regular maintenance for up to two decades. Addresses eye appeal, versatility versus performance, and durability. A sidebar also discusses ergonomics and…

Palomar College: A Technological Transformation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halttunen, Lynda Gavigan

2002-01-01

Offers advice for colleges intending to undergo software conversions, asserting that sufficient resources are key to a smooth process. Describes the conversion process at Palomar College (California) in 1997, when Palomar purchased PeopleSoft enterprise-wide software in response to Y2K compliance issues. Stresses the ongoing need for training and…

Leading the Wired Organization: The Information Professional's Guide to Managing Technological Change.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stover, Mark

This book explains through descriptive narrative, illustrative examples, and practical suggestions how today's information specialists can navigate in the new "wired" organizations. The emphasis is on practical, useful, relevant advice. The following ten chapters are included: (1) "Communicating Online: The Heart of the Wired Organization"…

An Ethnostatistical Analysis of Performance Measurement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winiecki, Donald J.

2008-01-01

Within the fields of human performance technology (HPT), human resources management (HRM), and management in general, performance measurement is not only foundational but considered necessary at all phases in the process of HPT. In HPT in particular, there is substantial advice literature on what measurement is, why it is essential, and (at a…

The Accidental Systems Librarian.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Rachel Singer

This book offers advice and information to help librarians manage and interact with computer technology in their institutions. Chapters 1 and 2 provide a background in systems librarianship, outlining the skills that may be needed and defining the specialty. Chapters 3 and 4 show how traditional library skills such as the organization of knowledge…

77 FR 68826 - Notice of Meeting Preservation Technology and Training Board

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-16

..., Interior. ACTION: Notice of Meeting. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal... Francisco, California. The PTT Board was established by Congress to provide leadership, policy advice, and... Center budget and initiatives; recent research; and training programs. The PTT Board meeting is open to...

Gender Differences in Gifted Students' Advice on Solving the World's Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malin, Jenessa; Makel, Matthew C.

2012-01-01

Gender differences in interests and preferences are among the currently accepted potential explanations for the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. In an attempt to analyze the development of such preferences, gender differences expressed in essays written by gifted elementary students…

Computer-Tailored Student Support in Introductory Physics.

PubMed

Huberth, Madeline; Chen, Patricia; Tritz, Jared; McKay, Timothy A

2015-01-01

Large introductory courses are at a disadvantage in providing personalized guidance and advice for students during the semester. We introduce E2Coach (an Expert Electronic Coaching system), which allows instructors to personalize their communication with thousands of students. We describe the E2Coach system, the nature of the personalized support it provides, and the features of the students who did (and did not) opt-in to using it during the first three terms of its use in four introductory physics courses at the University of Michigan. Defining a 'better-than-expected' measure of performance, we compare outcomes for students who used E2Coach to those who did not. We found that moderate and high E2Coach usage was associated with improved performance. This performance boost was prominent among high users, who improved by 0.18 letter grades on average when compared to nonusers with similar incoming GPAs. This improvement in performance was comparable across both genders. E2Coach represents one way to use technology to personalize education at scale, contributing to the move towards individualized learning that is becoming more attainable in the 21st century.

Space Station Engineering and Technology Development. Proceedings of the Panel on Program Performance and Onboard Mission Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

An ad-hoc committee was asked to review the following questions relevant to the space station program: (1) onboard maintainability and repair; (2) in-space research and technology program and facility plans; (3) solar thermodynamic research and technology development program planning; (4) program performance (cost estimating, management, and cost avoidance); (5) onboard versus ground-based mission control; and (6) technology development road maps from IOC to the growth station. The objective of these new assignments is to provide NASA with advice on ways and means for improving the content, performance, and/or effectiveness of these elements of the space station program.

The use of assistive technology in the everyday lives of young people living with dementia and their caregivers. Can a simple remote control make a difference?

PubMed

Jentoft, Rita; Holthe, Torhild; Arntzen, Cathrine

2014-12-01

This study was a part of a larger study exploring the impact of assistive technology on the lives of young people living with dementia (YPD). This paper focuses on one of the most useful devices, the simple remote control (SRC). The objective was to explore the reason why the SRC is significant and beneficial in the everyday lives of YPD and their caregivers. This qualitative longitudinal study had a participatory design. Eight participants received an SRC. The range for using it was 0-15 months. In-depth interviews and observations were conducted at baseline and repeated every third month up to 18 months. A situated learning approach was used in the analysis to provide a deeper understanding of the significance and use of SRC. Young people having dementia spend a substantial amount of time alone. Watching television was reported to be important, but handling remote controls was challenging and created a variety of problems. YPD learned to use SRC, which made important differences in the everyday lives of all family members. Comprehensive support from caregivers and professionals was important for YPD in the learning process. The SRC was deemed a success because it solved challenges regarding the use of television in everyday lives of families. The design was recognizable and user-friendly, thus allowing YPD to learn its operation. Access to professional support and advice regarding assistive technology is vital for establishing a system for follow-up and continued collaboration to make future adaptations and adjustments.

Implementing referral to an electronic alcohol brief advice website in primary healthcare: results from the ODHIN implementation trial

PubMed Central

Bendtsen, Preben; Müssener, Ulrika; Karlsson, Nadine; López-Pelayo, Hugo; Palacio-Vieira, Jorge; Colom, Joan; Gual, Antoni; Reynolds, Jillian; Wallace, Paul; Segura, Lidia; Anderson, Peter

2016-01-01

Objectives The objective of the present study was to explore whether the possibility of offering facilitated access to an alcohol electronic brief intervention (eBI) instead of delivering brief face-to-face advice increased the proportion of consulting adults who were screened and given brief advice. Design The study was a 12-week implementation study. Sixty primary healthcare units (PHCUs) in 5 jurisdictions (Catalonia, England, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden) were asked to screen adults who attended the PHCU for risky drinking. Setting A total of 120 primary healthcare centres from 5 jurisdictions in Europe. Participants 746 individual providers (general practitioners, nurses or other professionals) participated in the study. Primary outcome Change in the proportion of patients screened and referred to eBI comparing a baseline 4-week preimplementation period with a 12-week implementation period. Results The possibility of referring patients to the eBI was not found to be associated with any increase in the proportion of patients screened. However, it was associated with an increase in the proportion of screen-positive patients receiving brief advice from 70% to 80% for the screen-positive sample as a whole (p<0.05), mainly driven by a significant increase in brief intervention rates in England from 87% to 96% (p<0.01). The study indicated that staff displayed a low level of engagement in this new technology. Staff continued to offer face-to-face advice to a larger proportion of patients (54%) than referral to eBI (38%). In addition, low engagement was seen among the referred patients; on average, 18% of the patients logged on to the website with a mean log-on rate across the different countries between 0.58% and 36.95%. Conclusions Referral to eBI takes nearly as much time as brief oral advice and might require more introduction and training before staff are comfortable with referring to eBI. Trial registration number NCT01501552; Post-results. PMID:27311902

Expert advice provided through telemedicine improves healing of chronic wounds: prospective cluster controlled study.

PubMed

Zarchi, Kian; Haugaard, Vibeke B; Dufour, Deirdre N; Jemec, Gregor B E

2015-03-01

Telemedicine is widely considered as an efficient approach to manage the growing problem of chronic wounds. However, to date, there is no convincing evidence to support the clinical efficacy of telemedicine in wound management. In this prospective cluster controlled study, we tested the hypothesis that advice on wound management provided by a team of wound-care specialists through telemedicine would significantly improve the likelihood of wound healing compared with the best available conventional practice. A total of 90 chronic wound patients in home care met all study criteria and were included: 50 in the telemedicine group and 40 in the conventional group. Patients with pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, and cancer wounds were excluded. During the 1-year follow-up, complete wound healing was achieved in 35 patients (70%) in the telemedicine group compared with 18 patients (45%) in the conventional group. After adjusting for important covariates, offering advice on wound management through telemedicine was associated with significantly increased healing compared with the best available conventional practice (telemedicine vs. conventional practice: adjusted hazard ratio 2.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.15-4.17; P=0.017). This study strongly supports the use of telemedicine to connect home-care nurses to a team of wound experts in order to improve the management of chronic wounds.

Optimizing nonpharmacological management following an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PubMed

Harrison, Samantha L; Goldstein, Roger; Desveaux, Laura; Tulloch, Verity; Brooks, Dina

2014-01-01

Though the guidelines for the optimal management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following an acute exacerbation (AE) are well established, issues associated with poor adherence to nonpharmacological interventions such as self-management advice and pulmonary rehabilitation will impact on hospital readmission rates and health care costs. Systems developed for clinically stable patients with COPD may not be sufficient for those who are post-exacerbation. A redesign of the manner in which such interventions are delivered to patients following an AECOPD is necessary. Addressing two or more components of the chronic care model is effective in reducing health care utilization in patients with COPD, with self-management support contributing a key role. By refining self-management support to incorporate the identification and treatment of psychological symptoms and by providing health care professionals adequate time and training to deliver respiratory-specific advice and self-management strategies, adherence to nonpharmacological therapies following an AE may be enhanced. Furthermore, following up patients in their own homes allows for the tailoring of advice and for the delivery of consistent health care messages which may enable knowledge to be retained. By refining the delivery of nonpharmacological therapies following an AECOPD according to components of the chronic care model, adherence may be improved, resulting in better disease management and possibly reducing health care utilization.

Getting Connected: Finding Literacy Resources in the Common Core Era

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salloum, Serena J.; Benko, Susanna L.; Hodge, Emily M.

2017-01-01

The authors provide practical, evidence-based advice for teachers and educational leaders looking for helpful curricular and professional resources that support students' literacy development in the era of the Common Core State Standards.

Data Management Support for Faculty Facing New Funding Mandates: The Case of The U. S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Exner, Nina

2018-01-01

Data management is a way for liaison librarians to support faculty research. American liaison librarians face new demands in data management due to expanding public access guidelines. This article gives advice for librarians new to data management, with the specific case of agriculture. For librarians supporting agriculture, the United States…

Decision tools in health care: focus on the problem, not the solution.

PubMed

Liu, Joseph; Wyatt, Jeremy C; Altman, Douglas G

2006-01-20

Systematic reviews or randomised-controlled trials usually help to establish the effectiveness of drugs and other health technologies, but are rarely sufficient by themselves to ensure actual clinical use of the technology. The process from innovation to routine clinical use is complex. Numerous computerised decision support systems (DSS) have been developed, but many fail to be taken up into actual use. Some developers construct technologically advanced systems with little relevance to the real world. Others did not determine whether a clinical need exists. With NHS investing 5 billion pounds sterling in computer systems, also occurring in other countries, there is an urgent need to shift from a technology-driven approach to one that identifies and employs the most cost-effective method to manage knowledge, regardless of the technology. The generic term, 'decision tool' (DT), is therefore suggested to demonstrate that these aids, which seem different technically, are conceptually the same from a clinical viewpoint. Many computerised DSSs failed for various reasons, for example, they were not based on best available knowledge; there was insufficient emphasis on their need for high quality clinical data; their development was technology-led; or evaluation methods were misapplied. We argue that DSSs and other computer-based, paper-based and even mechanical decision aids are members of a wider family of decision tools. A DT is an active knowledge resource that uses patient data to generate case specific advice, which supports decision making about individual patients by health professionals, the patients themselves or others concerned about them. The identification of DTs as a consistent and important category of health technology should encourage the sharing of lessons between DT developers and users and reduce the frequency of decision tool projects focusing only on technology. The focus of evaluation should become more clinical, with the impact of computer-based DTs being evaluated against other computer, paper- or mechanical tools, to identify the most cost effective tool for each clinical problem. We suggested the generic term 'decision tool' to demonstrate that decision-making aids, such as computerised DSSs, paper algorithms, and reminders are conceptually the same, so the methods to evaluate them should be the same.

"Not the Romantic, All Happy, Coochy Coo Experience": A Qualitative Analysis of Interactions on an Irish Parenting Web Site

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brady, Ellen; Guerin, Suzanne

2010-01-01

Support groups in online communities provide an anonymous place to exchange information and advice. Previous research has suggested that these groups offer a safe, nonjudgmental forum for new parents to share experiences and interact anonymously. This study investigated how participants in online parenting groups experience support via the…

Building a Culture of Support: Strategies for School Leaders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caposey, PJ

2013-01-01

Written in a down-to-earth and people-first style, this book is for principals and aspiring school leaders. Caposey shares insightful advice and meaningful examples for building a healthy school culture. Learn the essential strategies that will help you transform and improve your school by embodying a service mindset and focusing on supporting the…

Assistive technologies after stroke: self-management or fending for yourself? A focus group study

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Assistive Technologies, defined as “electrical or mechanical devices designed to help people recover movement” have demonstrated clinical benefits in upper-limb stroke rehabilitation. Stroke services are becoming community-based and more reliant on self-management approaches. Assistive technologies could become important tools within self-management, however, in practice, few people currently use assistive technologies. This study investigated patients’, family caregivers and health professionals’ experiences and perceptions of stroke upper-limb rehabilitation and assistive technology use and identified the barriers and facilitators to their use in supporting stroke self-management. Methods A three-day exhibition of assistive technologies was attended by 204 patients, family caregivers/friends and health professionals. Four focus groups were conducted with people purposively sampled from exhibition attendees. They included i) people with stroke who had used assistive technologies (n = 5), ii) people with stroke who had not used assistive technologies (n = 6), iii) family caregivers (n = 5) and iv) health professionals (n = 6). The audio-taped focus groups were facilitated by a moderator and observer. All participants were asked to discuss experiences, strengths, weaknesses, barriers and facilitators to using assistive technologies. Following transcription, data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results All respondents thought assistive technologies had the potential to support self-management but that this opportunity was currently unrealised. All respondents considered assistive technologies could provide a home-based solution to the need for high intensity upper-limb rehabilitation. All stakeholders also reported significant barriers to assistive technology use, related to i) device design ii) access to assistive technology information and iii) access to assistive technology provision. The lack of and need for a coordinated system for assistive technology provision was apparent. A circular limitation of lack of evidence in clinical settings, lack of funded provision, lack of health professional knowledge about assistive technologies and confidence in prescribing them leading to lack of assistive technology service provision meant that often patients either received no assistive technologies or they and/or their family caregivers liaised directly with manufacturers without any independent expert advice. Conclusions Considerable systemic barriers to realising the potential of assistive technologies in upper-limb stroke rehabilitation were reported. Attention needs to be paid to increasing evidence of assistive technology effectiveness and develop clinical service provision. Device manufacturers, researchers, health professionals, service funders and people with stroke and family caregivers need to work creatively and collaboratively to develop new funding models, improve device design and increase knowledge and training in assistive technology use. PMID:23968362

Debt Counselling for Depression in Primary Care: an adaptive randomised controlled pilot trial (DeCoDer study).

PubMed

Gabbay, Mark B; Ring, Adele; Byng, Richard; Anderson, Pippa; Taylor, Rod S; Matthews, Caryn; Harris, Tirril; Berry, Vashti; Byrne, Paula; Carter, Elliot; Clarke, Pam; Cocking, Laura; Edwards, Suzanne; Emsley, Richard; Fornasiero, Mauro; Frith, Lucy; Harris, Shaun; Huxley, Peter; Jones, Siw; Kinderman, Peter; King, Michael; Kosnes, Liv; Marshall, Daniel; Mercer, Dave; May, Carl; Nolan, Debbie; Phillips, Ceri; Rawcliffe, Tim; Sardani, Alexandra V; Shaw, Elizabeth; Thompson, Sam; Vickery, Jane; Wainman, Brian; Warner, Mark

2017-06-01

Depression and debt are common in the UK. Debt Counselling for Depression in Primary Care: an adaptive randomised controlled pilot trial (DeCoDer) aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the addition of a primary care debt counselling advice service to usual care for patients with depression and debt. However, the study was terminated early during the internal pilot trial phase because of recruitment delays. This report describes the rationale, methods and findings of the pilot study, and implications for future research. The overarching aim of the internal pilot was to identify and resolve problems, thereby assessing the feasibility of the main trial. The specific objectives were to confirm methods for practice recruitment and the ability to recruit patients via the proposed approaches; to determine the acceptability of the study interventions and outcome measures; to assess contamination; to confirm the randomisation method for main trial and the level of participant attrition; and to check the robustness of data collection systems. An adaptive, parallel, two-group multicentre randomised controlled pilot trial with a nested mixed-methods process and economic evaluation. Both individual- and cluster (general practice)-level were was used in the pilot phase to assign participants to intervention or control groups. General practices in England and Wales. Individuals were included who were aged ≥ 18 years, scored ≥ 14 on the Beck Depression Inventory II and self-identified as having debt worries. The main exclusion criteria were being actively suicidal or psychotic and/or severely depressed and unresponsive to treatment; having a severe addiction to alcohol/illicit drugs; being unable/unwilling to give written informed consent; currently participating in other research including follow-up phases; having received Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) debt advice in the past year; and not wanting debt advice via a general practice. The participants in the intervention group were given debt advice provided by the CAB and shared biopsychosocial assessment, in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) and two debt advice leaflets. The participants in the control group were given advice leaflets provided by the general practitioner and TAU only. (1) Outcomes of the pilot trial - the proportion of eligible patients who consented, the number of participants recruited compared with target, assessment of contamination, and assessment of patient satisfaction with intervention and outcome measures. (2) Participant outcomes - primary - Beck Depression Inventory II; secondary - psychological well-being, health and social care utilisation, service satisfaction, substance misuse, record of priority/non-priority debts, life events and difficulties, and explanatory measures. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (pre-randomisation) and at 4 months post randomisation. Other data sources - qualitative interviews were conducted with participants, clinicians and CAB advisors. Of the 238 expressions of interest screened, 61 participants (26%) were recruited and randomised (32 in the intervention group and 29 in the control group). All participants provided baseline outcomes and 52 provided the primary outcome at 4 months' follow-up (14.7% dropout). Seventeen participants allocated to the intervention saw a CAB advisor. Descriptive statistics are reported for participants with complete outcomes at baseline and 4 months' follow-up. Our qualitative findings suggest that the relationship between debt and depression is complex, and the impact of each on the other is compounded by other psychological, social and contextual influences. As a result of low recruitment, this trial was terminated at the internal pilot phase and was too small for inferential statistical analysis. We recommend ways to reduce this risk when conducting complex trials among vulnerable populations recruited in community settings. These cover trial design, the design and delivery of interventions, recruitment strategies and support for sites. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN79705874. This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment ; Vol. 21, No. 35. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. Mark Gabbay and Adele Ring are part-funded by NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) North West Coast and Richard Byng and Rod S Taylor, Vashti Berry and Elizabeth Shaw part-funded by NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula.

Virtual patients: practical advice for clinical authors using Labyrinth.

PubMed

Begg, Michael

2010-09-01

Labyrinth is a tool originally developed in the University of Edinburgh's Learning Technology Section for authoring and delivering branching case scenarios. The scenarios can incorporate game-informed elements such as scoring, randomising, avatars and counters. Labyrinth has grown more popular internationally since a version of the build was made available on the open source network Source Forge. This paper offers help and advice for clinical educators interested in creating cases. Labyrinth is increasingly recognised as a tool offering great potential for delivering cases that promote rich, situated learning opportunities for learners. There are, however, significant challenges to generating such cases, not least of which is the challenge for potential authors in approaching the process of constructing narrative-rich, context-sensitive cases in an unfamiliar authoring environment. This paper offers a brief overview of the principles informing Labyrinth cases (game-informed learning), and offers some practical advice to better prepare educators with little or no prior experience. Labyrinth has continued to grow and develop, from its roots as a research and development environment to one that is optimised for use by non-technical clinical educators. The process becomes increasingly iterative and better informed as the teaching community push the software further. The positive implications of providing practical advice and concept insight to new case authors is that it ideally leads to a broader base of users who will inform future iterations of the software. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010.

Exploration Clinical Decision Support System: Medical Data Architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindsey, Tony; Shetye, Sandeep; Shaw, Tianna (Editor)

2016-01-01

The Exploration Clinical Decision Support (ECDS) System project is intended to enhance the Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) Element for extended duration, deep-space mission planning in HRP. A major development guideline is the Risk of "Adverse Health Outcomes & Decrements in Performance due to Limitations of In-flight Medical Conditions". ECDS attempts to mitigate that Risk by providing crew-specific health information, actionable insight, crew guidance and advice based on computational algorithmic analysis. The availability of inflight health diagnostic computational methods has been identified as an essential capability for human exploration missions. Inflight electronic health data sources are often heterogeneous, and thus may be isolated or not examined as an aggregate whole. The ECDS System objective provides both a data architecture that collects and manages disparate health data, and an active knowledge system that analyzes health evidence to deliver case-specific advice. A single, cohesive space-ready decision support capability that considers all exploration clinical measurements is not commercially available at present. Hence, this Task is a newly coordinated development effort by which ECDS and its supporting data infrastructure will demonstrate the feasibility of intelligent data mining and predictive modeling as a biomedical diagnostic support mechanism on manned exploration missions. The initial step towards ground and flight demonstrations has been the research and development of both image and clinical text-based computer-aided patient diagnosis. Human anatomical images displaying abnormal/pathological features have been annotated using controlled terminology templates, marked-up, and then stored in compliance with the AIM standard. These images have been filtered and disease characterized based on machine learning of semantic and quantitative feature vectors. The next phase will evaluate disease treatment response via quantitative linear dimension biomarkers that enable image content-based retrieval and criteria assessment. In addition, a data mining engine (DME) is applied to cross-sectional adult surveys for predicting occurrence of renal calculi, ranked by statistical significance of demographics and specific food ingestion. In addition to this precursor space flight algorithm training, the DME will utilize a feature-engineering capability for unstructured clinical text classification health discovery. The ECDS backbone is a proposed multi-tier modular architecture providing data messaging protocols, storage, management and real-time patient data access. Technology demonstrations and success metrics will be finalized in FY16.

Teleworking in connection with technical aids for disabled persons.

PubMed

Alimandi, L; Andrich, R; Porqueddu, B

1995-01-01

An experimental teleworking arrangement was established between Milan and Rome in order to evaluate the use of multimedia technology and remote working for improving the service provided by an information and advice centre for the disabled. This activity requires a highly interdisciplinary approach and both clinical and technical expertise. The hypothesis was that offering the lone expert in Rome the possibility of teleconsulting with colleagues in Milan (where the whole range of expertise was available) would provide a comprehensive service for disabled clients asking for advice on technical aids in Rome. The results of an experiment demonstrated the feasibility of such teleworking and allowed a teleconsulting method to be defined that fits the specific needs of the technical-aid information service and improves quality.

Systems Architecture for a Nationwide Healthcare System.

PubMed

Abin, Jorge; Nemeth, Horacio; Friedmann, Ignacio

2015-01-01

From a national level to give Internet technology support, the Nationwide Integrated Healthcare System in Uruguay requires a model of Information Systems Architecture. This system has multiple healthcare providers (public and private), and a strong component of supplementary services. Thus, the data processing system should have an architecture that considers this fact, while integrating the central services provided by the Ministry of Public Health. The national electronic health record, as well as other related data processing systems, should be based on this architecture. The architecture model described here conceptualizes a federated framework of electronic health record systems, according to the IHE affinity model, HL7 standards, local standards on interoperability and security, as well as technical advice provided by AGESIC. It is the outcome of the research done by AGESIC and Systems Integration Laboratory (LINS) on the development and use of the e-Government Platform since 2008, as well as the research done by the team Salud.uy since 2013.

Quality of travel health advice in a French travel medicine and vaccine center: a prospective observational study.

PubMed

Bouldouyre, Marie-Anne; De Verdière, Nathalie Colin; Pavie, Juliette; De Castro, Nathalie; Ponscarme, Diane; Hamane, Samia; Rachline, Anne; Ferret, Samuel; Molina, Jean-Michel

2012-01-01

The number of international trips undertaken by French citizens is rising and we wished to assess the appropriateness of advices given to travelers in a vaccine and travel medicine center in France. We conducted a 3-month prospective study in one center in Paris where prescriptions and advice to travelers are given by trained physicians in travel medicine who have access to a computerized decision support system (Edisan). A questionnaire was used to record trip characteristics, patients' demographics, and prescriptions. Main outcome measure was the adequacy of prescriptions for malaria prophylaxis, yellow fever, and hepatitis A vaccines to French guidelines. A total of 730 subjects were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 28 years. Travel destinations were sub-Saharan Africa (58%), Asia (21%), and South America (18%). Among the 608 patients (83%) traveling to malaria-endemic areas, malaria prophylaxis was in accordance with guidelines in 578/608 patients (95.1%, 95% CI: 93-96.5), and doxycycline was the regimen of choice (48%). Inappropriate malaria prophylaxis was given to eight patients, one of whom developed plasmodium falciparum malaria. All 413 patients (100%, 95% CI: 99-100) traveling to yellow fever-endemic areas who needed vaccination were correctly vaccinated. However, three patients received yellow fever vaccination without indication. Also, 442 of 454 patients (97.4%, 95% CI: 95.4-98.5) eligible to receive hepatitis A vaccination were immunized. Appropriate advice for malaria prophylaxis, yellow fever, and hepatitis A vaccinations was provided in a travel medicine and vaccine center where trained physicians used a computerized decision support system. Even in this setting, however, errors can occur and professional practices should be regularly assessed to improve health care. © 2012 International Society of Travel Medicine.

Computer decision support as a source of interpretation error: the case of electrocardiograms.

PubMed

Tsai, Theodore L; Fridsma, Douglas B; Gatti, Guido

2003-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine the effect that the computer interpretation (CI) of electrocardiograms (EKGs) has on the accuracy of resident (noncardiologist) physicians reading EKGs. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in a laboratory setting from February through June 2001, using a two-period crossover design with matched pairs of subjects randomly assigned to sequencing groups. Subjects' interpretive accuracy of discrete, cardiologist-determined EKG findings were measured as judged by a board-certified internist. Without the CI, subjects interpreted 48.9% (95% confidence interval, 45.0% to 52.8%) of the findings correctly. With the CI, subjects interpreted 55.4% (51.9% to 58.9%) correctly (p < 0.0001). When the CIs that agreed with the gold standard (Correct CIs) were not included, 53.1% (47.7% to 58.5%) of the findings were interpreted correctly. When the correct CI was included, accuracy increased to 68.1% (63.2% to 72.7%; p < 0.0001). When computer advice that did not agree with the gold standard (Incorrect CI) was not provided to the subjects, 56.7% (48.5% to 64.5%) of findings were interpreted correctly. Accuracy dropped to 48.3% (40.4% to 56.4%) when the incorrect computer advice was provided (p = 0.131). Subjects erroneously agreed with the incorrect CI more often when it was presented with the EKG 67.7% (57.2% to 76.7%) than when it was not 34.6% (23.8% to 47.3%; p < 0.0001). Computer decision support systems can generally improve the interpretive accuracy of internal medicine residents in reading EKGs. However, subjects were influenced significantly by incorrect advice, which tempers the overall usefulness of computer-generated advice in this and perhaps other areas.

Computer Decision Support as a Source of Interpretation Error: The Case of Electrocardiograms

PubMed Central

Tsai, Theodore L.; Fridsma, Douglas B.; Gatti, Guido

2003-01-01

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect that the computer interpretation (CI) of electrocardiograms (EKGs) has on the accuracy of resident (noncardiologist) physicians reading EKGs. Design: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in a laboratory setting from February through June 2001, using a two-period crossover design with matched pairs of subjects randomly assigned to sequencing groups. Measurements: Subjects' interpretive accuracy of discrete, cardiologist-determined EKG findings were measured as judged by a board-certified internist. Results: Without the CI, subjects interpreted 48.9% (95% confidence interval, 45.0% to 52.8%) of the findings correctly. With the CI, subjects interpreted 55.4% (51.9% to 58.9%) correctly (p < 0.0001). When the CIs that agreed with the gold standard (Correct CIs) were not included, 53.1% (47.7% to 58.5%) of the findings were interpreted correctly. When the correct CI was included, accuracy increased to 68.1% (63.2% to 72.7%; p < 0.0001). When computer advice that did not agree with the gold standard (Incorrect CI) was not provided to the subjects, 56.7% (48.5% to 64.5%) of findings were interpreted correctly. Accuracy dropped to 48.3% (40.4% to 56.4%) when the incorrect computer advice was provided (p = 0.131). Subjects erroneously agreed with the incorrect CI more often when it was presented with the EKG 67.7% (57.2% to 76.7%) than when it was not 34.6% (23.8% to 47.3%; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Computer decision support systems can generally improve the interpretive accuracy of internal medicine residents in reading EKGs. However, subjects were influenced significantly by incorrect advice, which tempers the overall usefulness of computer-generated advice in this and perhaps other areas. PMID:12807810

Teledermatologist expert skin advice: A unique model of care for managing skin disorders and adverse drug reactions in hepatitis C patients.

PubMed

Charlston, Samuel; Siller, Gregory

2018-03-23

To conduct an audit of teledermatologist expert skin advice, a store and forward tele-dermatological service, to determine its effectiveness and user satisfaction in managing cutaneous adverse drug reactions in patients with hepatitis C, and to demonstrate a unique collaborative model of care for patients receiving specialised drug therapy. A retrospective analysis of data on teledermatologist expert skin advice referrals from January 2014 to December 2015 was performed. The primary outcomes assessed included number of referrals, referral locations, diagnoses, response times, quality of clinical information provided and user satisfaction ratings. Altogether 43 consultations from 29 referring sites were received from Australian metropolitan and rural settings. Of the patients, 43 were diagnosed with an adverse drug reaction related to the use of either telaprevir or simeprevir. The average time taken for the dermatologist to reply electronically with a final diagnosis and management plan was 1 h 57 min. As many as 26% of referrals required additional photos to establish a diagnosis due to poor-quality images or insufficient detail. Altogether 18 clinicians completed the customer satisfaction survey, all of whom rated teledermatologist expert skin advice nine or above on a scale of one to 10. Teledermatologist expert skin advice was regarded by clinicians as a valuable patient care service. The platform is a novel modality that supports patients undergoing specialised treatments at risk of cutaneous adverse drug reaction. © 2018 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Toward advocacy in cancer care for older adults: survivors have cautious personal actions but bold advice for others.

PubMed

Kahana, Eva; Kahana, Boaz; Kelley-Moore, Jessica; Adams, Scott A; Hammel, Rachel; Kulle, Diana; Brown, Jane A; King, Cathie

2009-11-01

To examine narratives of personal coping with the cancer experience and compare them with narratives of advice offered to other cancer patients by community-dwelling elderly cancer survivors. Qualitative and quantitative mixed methods. Community. Interviews were conducted with 100 elderly adults who had reported cancer diagnosis from among participants of a panel study of 1,107 community-dwelling elderly adults. Mean age of the sample was 78.7+/-6.8; 62% were female, and 62% were married. Three raters identified consistent themes through content analyses of interviews using a staged content analysis process. Themes reporting personal coping were coded separately from advice respondents would offer to others. Respondents reported themes of personal coping that corresponded well to previously established modes of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. Themes for personal coping primarily reflected reframing, normalizing, and obtaining social support. Assertive healthcare consumerism and self-care were seldom reported as personal coping strategies but emerged as important coping approaches, along with positive attitude maintenance, in advice offered to others. Length of survivorship was unrelated to coping strategies. Elderly cancer survivors use passive modes of coping and rely on physicians, family, or cognitive acceptance in coping with cancer, but they offer far more proactive advice to other cancer patients. These findings underscore the importance of physician encouragement of older cancer patient initiative and proactivity in expressing views and preferences. Physicians should offer reassurance that elderly patients' questions and initiatives are welcomed.

Capturing Accurate and Useful Information on Medication-Related Telenursing Triage Calls.

PubMed

Lake, R; Li, L; Baysari, M; Byrne, M; Robinson, M; Westbrook, J I

2016-01-01

Registered nurses providing telenursing triage and advice services record information on the medication related calls they handle. However the quality and consistency of these data were rarely examined. Our aim was to examine medication related calls made to the healthdirect advice service in November 2014, to assess their basic characteristics and how the data entry format influenced information collected and data consistency. Registered nurses selected the patient question type from a range of categories, and entered the medications involved in a free text field. Medication names were manually extracted from the free text fields. We also compared the selected patient question type with the free text description of the call, in order to gauge data consistency. Results showed that nurses provided patients with advice on medication-related queries in a timely matter (the median call duration of 9 minutes). From 1835 calls, we were able to identify and classify 2156 medications into 384 generic names. However, in 204 cases (11.2% of calls) no medication name was entered. A further 308 (15.0%) of the medication names entered were not identifiable. When we compared the selected patient question with the free text description of calls, we found that these were consistent in 63.27% of cases. Telenursing and triage advice services provide a valuable resource to the public with quick and easily accessible advice. To support nurses provide quality services and record accurate information about the queries, appropriate data entry format and design would be beneficial.

Effects of Advice to Drink 8 Cups of Water per Day in Adolescents With Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Wong, Julia M W; Ebbeling, Cara B; Robinson, Lisa; Feldman, Henry A; Ludwig, David S

2017-05-01

Health care professionals commonly recommend increased water consumption, typically to 8 cups per day, as part of a weight-reducing diet. However, this recommendation is based on limited evidence and virtually no experimental data from the pediatric population. To compare 2 standardized weight-loss diets among adolescents with overweight or obesity, either with or without additional advice and behavioral support to increase habitual water intake to 8 cups per day. A randomized clinical, parallel-group trial was conducted between February 2, 2011, and June 26, 2014, at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, among 38 adolescents with overweight or obesity who reported drinking 4 cups or less of water per day. All participants in both groups received similar weight-reducing interventions, differentiated by advice about water intake (the water group received advice to increase water intake to 8 cups per day; the control group did not receive such advice) but controlled for other dietary recommendations and treatment intensity. The interventions included dietary counseling, daily text messages, and a cookbook with health guides. To support adherence to 8 cups of water per day, the water group received well-defined messages about water through counseling and daily text messages, a water bottle, and a water pitcher with filters. The primary outcome was 6-month change in body mass index z score. Data analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. All 38 participants (27 girls and 11 boys; mean [SD] age, 14.9 [1.7] years) completed the study. Both groups reported drinking approximately 2 cups of water per day at baseline. Self-reported change in water intake at 6 months was greater in the water group (difference from baseline, 2.8 cups per day [95% CI, 1.8 to 3.8]; P < .001) compared with that in the control group (difference from baseline, 1.2 cups per day [95% CI, 0.2 to 2.2]; P = .02) (difference between groups, 1.6 cups per day [95% CI, 0.2 to 3.0 cups per day]; P = .03). The 6-month change in body mass index z score did not differ between the water group (difference from baseline, -0.1 [95% CI, -0.2 to -0.0]; P = .005) and the control group (difference from baseline, -0.1 [95% CI, -0.2 to -0.0]; P = .008) (difference between groups, -0.0 [95% CI, -0.1 to 0.1]; P = .88). Advice and behavioral supports to consume 8 cups of water per day in the context of a weight-reducing diet did not affect body weight among adolescents with overweight or obesity. Despite intensive behavior supports, few adolescents achieved the target of 8 cups of water per day. Environmental interventions to reduce barriers to water consumption at school may be necessary in future research of the feasibility and effectiveness to achieve the target of an intake of 8 cups of water per day in adolescents. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01044134.

What to Know About Medicines With New Active Ingredients Approved in FY 2016 / 2016 in Japan and EU: A Brief Comparison of New Medicines Approved in Japan and the EU in 2016.

PubMed

Kondo, Hideyuki; Saint-Raymond, Agnès; Yasuda, Naoyuki

2018-03-01

The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have a long-standing experience of reviews of new medicines, and they meet their target pre-market review periods. In FY 2016 / 2016, 112 and 83 new medicines were approved in Japan and EU, respectively. Out of these medicines, 41 and 27 medicines containing new active ingredients were approved with total pre-market review periods of 209 days and 428 days in Japan and EU, respectively. Approximately one-third of these medicines were reviewed by the Agencies in close timing, within 1 year between pre-market review applications in Japan and in EU. Taking into account the increasing number of global clinical trials and constant number of consultations or scientific advice related to global clinical trials in Japan, it is clear that the importance of the continuous, collaborative relationship between EMA and PMDA is more and more crucial, as it does facilitate close and timely exchange of information and opinions on products and technologies under development. There already are effective collaborative frameworks between PMDA and EMA in addition to daily communication, and our findings support the development and best use of regulatory tools such as consultation services and scientific advice/protocol assistance for the benefit of the pharmaceutical industry but mostly of patients.

Physical activity promotion in general practice--patient attitudes.

PubMed

Elley, Carolyn Raina; Dean, Sarah; Kerse, Ngaire

2007-12-01

Long term adherence to primary care physical activity intervention is poor. This study explored attitudes and subjective experiences of those who received such an intervention. Nested qualitative study within mixed methods approach, involving 15 sedentary adults from urban and rural general practices in New Zealand. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analysed using an inductive approach to identify themes. Four themes emerged including: tailoring of advice given; barriers to physical activity such as weather, physical environment, time, health and psychological limitations; internal motivators such as immediate or long term psychological, health or spiritual benefits, commitment, and guilt; and the role of significant others such as health and exercise professionals in initiating advice and continuing support, social interaction and commitment or contracts made to others. This study highlights the need for a personalised approach, continued structured external support and the need to focus on barriers and facilitators.

Recent Weather Technologies Delivered to America's Space Program by the Applied Meteorology Unit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauman, WIlliam, H., III; Crawford, Winifred

2009-01-01

The Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) is a unique joint venture of NASA, the Air Force and the National Weather Service (NWS) and has been supporting the Space Program for nearly two decades. The AMU acts as a bridge between the meteorological research community and operational forecasters by developing, evaluating and transitioning new technology and techniques to improve weather support to spaceport operations at the Eastern Range (ER) and Kennedy Space Center. Its primary customers are the 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), the Spaceflight Meteorology Group at Johnson Space Center and the National Weather Service Office in Melbourne, FL. Its products are used to support NASA's Shuttle and ELV programs as well as Department of Defense and commercial launches from the ER. Shuttle support includes landing sites beyond the ER. The AMU is co-located with the Air Force operational forecasters at CCAFS to facilitate continuous two-way interaction between the AMU and its operational customers. It is operated under a NASA, Air Force, and NWS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by a competitively-selected contractor. The contract, which is funded and managed by NASA, provides five full time professionals with degrees in meteorology or related fields, some of whom also have operational experience. NASA provides a Ph.D.- level NASA civil service scientist as Chief of the AMU. The AMU is tasked by its customers through a unique, nationally recognized process. The tasks are limited to development, evaluation and operational transition of technology to improve weather support to spaceport operations and providing expert advice to the customers. The MOU expressly forbids using the AMU resources to conduct operations or do basic research. The presentation will provide a brief overview of the AMU and how it is tasked by its customers to provide high priority products and services. The balance of the presentation will cover a sampling of products delivered over the last 18 years that are currently in operational use. Each example will describe the problem to be solved, the solution provided, and the operational benefits of implementing that solution.

76 FR 45585 - Establishment of the Advisory Committee to the Deputy Director for Intramural Research

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-29

... Research and include (1) the Office of Intramural Training and Education; (2) the Office of Animal Care and... Technology Transfer; and (6) any other program located in the Office of Intramural Research. Advice provided... well as recommendations for future directions, the overall design, content, development and/or delivery...

The President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy: Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-06

History of Science and...committees, even though the office provides advice and assistance to the White House.2 This report will provide an overview of the history of science and...with the OSTP Director as a co-chair.6 4 Jeffrey K. Stine, A History of Science Policy

Proactively Teaching Technology Ethics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Doug

2004-01-01

This article presents certain advice to librarians on online ethical conduct. It is very important for librarians to talk to their students and clear the permissible limit of what is allowed and what is not. Librarians should teach some strategies about using clues in search results to discriminate between relevant and non-relevant Web sites.…

The Mediated Museum: Computer-Based Technology and Museum Infrastructure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sterman, Nanette T.; Allen, Brockenbrough S.

1991-01-01

Describes the use of computer-based tools and techniques in museums. The integration of realia with media-based advice and interpretation is described, electronic replicas of ancient Greek vases in the J. Paul Getty Museum are explained, examples of mediated exhibits are presented, and the use of hypermedia is discussed. (five references) (LRW)

Care and self-reported outcomes of care experienced by women with mental health problems in pregnancy: Findings from a national survey.

PubMed

Henderson, Jane; Jomeen, Julie; Redshaw, Maggie

2018-01-01

mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period are relatively common and, in pregnancy, are associated with an increase in adverse outcome. It is recommended that all women are asked about their emotional and mental health and offered treatment if appropriate. to describe the care received by women self-identifying with mental health problems in pregnancy, and to describe the effects of support, advice and treatment on outcomes in the postnatal period. this study used cross-sectional survey data collected in 2014 which described women's experience of maternity care. England PARTICIPANTS: a random sample of women who had a live birth in January 2014. the questionnaire asked about sociodemographic characteristics, whether women were asked about emotional and mental health in pregnancy, support and treatment offered, about postnatal wellbeing, and questions relating to attachment to their baby. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to examine the associations between mental health and outcomes taking account of sociodemographic characteristics. the survey response rate was 47%. Women with antenatal mental health problems were significantly more worried at the prospect of labour and birth, had lower satisfaction with the experience of birth, worse postnatal mental health, and indications of poorer attachment to their baby. They received substantially more care than other women but they did not always view this positively. Support, advice and treatment for mental health problems had mixed effects. this study describes the significant additional care provided to women self-identifying with mental health problems in pregnancy, the mixed effects of support, advice and treatment, and the poor perception of staff interaction among women with mental health problems. health care professionals may need additional training to effectively support women with mental health problems during the perinatal period. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

The potential of complementary and alternative medicine in promoting well-being and critical health literacy: a prospective, observational study of shiatsu.

PubMed

Long, Andrew F

2009-06-18

The potential contribution of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities to promote and support critical health literacy has not received substantial attention within either the health promotion or the CAM literature. This paper explores the potential of one CAM modality, shiatsu, in promoting well-being and critical health literacy. Data are drawn from a longitudinal, 6 months observational, pragmatic study of the effects and experience of shiatsu within three European countries (Austria, Spain and the UK). Client postal questionnaires included: advice received, changes made 6 months later, clients 'hopes' from having shiatsu and features of the client-practitioner relationship. At baseline, three-quarters of clients (n = 633) received advice, on exercise, diet, posture, points to work on at home or other ways of self-care. At 6 months follow-up, about four-fifths reported making changes to their lifestyle 'as a result of having shiatsu treatment', including taking more rest and relaxation or exercise, changing their diet, reducing time at work and other changes such as increased body/mind awareness and levels of confidence and resolve. Building on the findings, an explanatory model of possible ways that a CAM therapy could contribute to health promotion is presented to guide future research, both within and beyond CAM. Supporting individuals to take control of their self-care requires advice-giving within a supportive treatment context and practitioner relationship, with clients who are open to change and committed to maintaining their health. CAM modalities may have an important role to play in this endeavour.

Health professionals' advice for breastfeeding problems: Not good enough!

PubMed Central

Amir, Lisa H; Ingram, Jennifer

2008-01-01

Jane Scott and colleagues have recently published a paper in the International Breastfeeding Journal showing that health professionals are still giving harmful advice to women with mastitis. We see the management of mastitis as an illustration of health professionals' management of wider breastfeeding issues. If health professionals don't know how to manage this common problem, how can they be expected to manage less common conditions such as a breast abscess or nipple/breast candidiasis? There is an urgent need for more clinical research into breastfeeding problems and to improve the education of health professionals to enable them to promote breastfeeding and support breastfeeding women. PMID:18786249

Health professionals' advice for breastfeeding problems: not good enough!

PubMed

Amir, Lisa H; Ingram, Jennifer

2008-09-11

Jane Scott and colleagues have recently published a paper in the International Breastfeeding Journal showing that health professionals are still giving harmful advice to women with mastitis. We see the management of mastitis as an illustration of health professionals' management of wider breastfeeding issues. If health professionals don't know how to manage this common problem, how can they be expected to manage less common conditions such as a breast abscess or nipple/breast candidiasis? There is an urgent need for more clinical research into breastfeeding problems and to improve the education of health professionals to enable them to promote breastfeeding and support breastfeeding women.

"What Are All These Dogs Doing at School?" Using Therapy Dogs to Promote Children's Reading Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jalongo, Mary Renck

2005-01-01

This article discusses how registered therapy dogs can motivate and support children as they practice reading aloud in the company of the dog and with the support of the dog's handler. It also offers practical advice to educators, librarians, administrators, and community members seeking to implement such a program in their communities.

Promoting Access to Quality Child Care: Critical Steps in Conducting Market Rate Surveys and Establishing Rate Policies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stoney, Louise

This report is designed to help policymakers, child care providers, and advocates establish child care rate support policies that support high quality in the context of government-subsidized, privately-provided child care. It also provides advice on the development and interpretation of market rate surveys of local child care fees. Part 1…

Parental Involvement in Selection: Mandated or Our Choice?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harer, John B.

2009-01-01

In the author's early days of school librarianship, it did not take long for him to realize that this was not the time to first think of how to involve parents in support of his selections for the library. A lot of good advice exists that suggests ways for parents to be involved that will help support intellectual freedom, as well as lessons…

Death from cancer at home: the carers' perspective.

PubMed Central

Jones, R V; Hansford, J; Fiske, J

1993-01-01

OBJECTIVES--To collect information from principal carers of people who had died at home with cancer; to identify areas of support which need improvement. DESIGN--Semistructured interviews with carers two to four months after the death. SETTING--38 general practices in the Exeter, Torbay, and Plymouth health districts. SUBJECTS--207 carers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Services received by carers and quality of support. RESULTS--161 of 207 patients were aged 60 or over. 88 carers were aged under 60, 110 were 60-80, and 9 were > 80. Carers had difficulty in getting urgent professional help in only 15 out of 177 cases. 124 carers were not given advice on financial help and 174 were not told of support available from local charities. Although pain was well controlled, 25% of patients had no relief of other symptoms. Overall, 150 carers considered the support excellent, 45 good, 8 moderate, 2 poor, and 2 had no comment. CONCLUSIONS--Although care has improved in recent years, health professionals need to give carers more advice about help available outside health services. Domestic help was often needed earlier. Better appreciation of carers' problems is needed. Images p251-a PMID:8443527

Broad Overview of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Opportunities for Department of Defense Installations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anderson, E.; Antkowiak, M.; Butt, R.

The Strategic Environmental Research and Developmental Program (SERDP)/Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) is the Department of Defense?s (DOD) environmental science and technology program focusing on issues related to environment and energy for the military services. The SERDP/ESTCP Office requested that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provide technical assistance with strategic planning by evaluating the potential for several types of renewable energy technologies at DOD installations. NREL was tasked to provide technical expertise and strategic advice for the feasibility of geothermal resources, waste-to-energy technology, photovoltaics (PV), wind, microgrids, and building system technologies on military installations. This technical report ismore » the deliverable for these tasks.« less

PREFACE: APCTP-ASEAN Workshop on Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology (AMSN08)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Hieu, Nguyen

2009-09-01

Dear friends To contribute to the enhancement of the international scientific cooperation of the ASEAN countries and in reply to the proposal of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), the Asia-Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP) and the Sub Committee on Materials Science and Technology (SCMST) of the ASEAN Committee of Science and Technology (ASEAN COST) agreed to organize this APCTP-ASEAN Workshop on Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology with the participation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Rencontres du Vietnam, the Vietnam Physical Society, the Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam National University in Hanoi. As well as the participants from 9 of the 10 ASEAN countries and many other countries/regions of APCTP (Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Korea) we warmly welcome the guests from Europe, the United States, Canada and Israel. Without the financial support of the Asia-Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics APCTP, Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics ICTP, the Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development AOARD, the US Office of Naval Research Global-Asia ONRG, the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam MOST, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology VAST, the Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City VNU HCMC and other Sponsors, we would have been unable to hold this Workshop. On behalf of the International and Local Organizing Committees I would like to express our deep gratitude to the Sponsors. We highly appreciate the support and advice of the members of the International Advisory Committee, the scientific contribution of the invited speakers and all participants. We acknowledge the warm reception of the Khanh Hoa province Administration and citizens, and the hard work of the VAST staff for the success of the Workshop. We cordially wish all participants lively scientific discussions and enjoyable meetings at the Workshop and a pleasant stay in beautiful Nha Trang. We do hope that all foreign participants will take away good impressions of Vietnamese hospitality. Nguyen Van Hieu VAST and APCTP Chairman of the Workshop

Expertise on Call.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jordan, Ronald R.

1996-01-01

College and university planned giving program administrators are advised to establish an advisory committee of financial professionals (attorneys, certified public accountants, brokers, investment advisors, financial planners, trust officers, insurance professionals) to act as a source of referrals, advice, and program support. Member selection,…

Computer Based Expert Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parry, James D.; Ferrara, Joseph M.

1985-01-01

Claims knowledge-based expert computer systems can meet needs of rural schools for affordable expert advice and support and will play an important role in the future of rural education. Describes potential applications in prediction, interpretation, diagnosis, remediation, planning, monitoring, and instruction. (NEC)

Patient Portal Use and Experience Among Older Adults: Systematic Review

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Background The older adult population (65 years or older) in the United States is growing, and it is important for communities to consider ways to support the aging population. Patient portals and electronic personal health records (ePHRs) are technologies that could better serve populations with the highest health care needs, such as older adults. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the existing research landscape related to patient portal and ePHR use and experience among older adults and to understand the benefits and barriers to older adults’ use and adoption of patient portals and ePHRs. Methods We searched six pertinent bibliographic databases for papers, published from 2006 to 2016 and written in English, that focused on adults 60 years or older and their use of or experience with patient portals or ePHRs. We adapted preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to review papers based on exclusion and inclusion criteria. We then applied thematic analysis to identify key themes around use, experience, and adoption. Results We retrieved 199 papers after an initial screening and removal of duplicate papers. Then we applied an inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in a final set of 17 papers that focused on 15 separate projects. The majority of papers described studies involving qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups. They looked at the experience and use of ePHRs and patient portals. Overall, we found 2 main barriers to use: (1) privacy and security and (2) access to and ability to use technology and the Internet. We found 2 facilitators: (1) technical assistance and (2) family and provider advice. We also reported on older adults’ experience, including satisfaction with the system and improvement of the quality of their health care. Several studies captured features that older adults wanted from these systems such as further assistance managing health-related tasks and contextual health advice and tips. Conclusions More research is needed to better understand the patient portal experience among older adults from initial use to adoption. There are also opportunities to explore the role of design in addressing barriers and supporting facilitators to patient portal and ePHR use. Finally, the future use of these systems by older adults should be anticipated and considered in the design process. PMID:29038093

Effects of advice to drink 8 cups of water per day in adolescents with overweight or obesity: a randomized trial

PubMed Central

Wong, Julia MW; Ebbeling, Cara B; Robinson, Lisa; Feldman, Henry A; Ludwig, David S

2017-01-01

Importance Healthcare professionals commonly recommend increased water consumption, typically to 8 cups/d, as part of a weight-reducing diet. However, this recommendation is based on limited evidence and virtually no experimental data in the pediatric age range. Objective The aim of this study was to compare two standard weight-loss diets, either with (Water) or without (Control) additional advice and behavioral support to increase habitual water intake to 8 cups/d. Design 6-month randomized controlled parallel-group design. Setting The trial was conducted at Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, between February 2011 and June 2014. Participants 38 overweight and obese adolescents who reported drinking ≤4 cups of water/d. Intervention Both groups received similar weight-reducing interventions, differentiated by water messages but controlled for other dietary recommendations and treatment intensity. The interventions included dietary counseling, daily text messages, and a cookbook with health guides. To support adherence to 8 cups water/d, the Water group received well-defined water messages through counseling and daily text messages, a water bottle, and a water pitcher with filters. The Control group received no specific advice on water consumption. Main Outcome and Measures Primary outcome was 6-month change in body mass index (BMI) z-score. Results All randomized participants completed the study. Both groups reported drinking ~2 cups/d water at baseline. Self-reported change in water intake was greater in the Water Group compared to the Control Group (difference between groups, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.2 to 3.0 cups/d; P=0.03). The 6-month change in BMI z-score did not differ between groups (−0.0; 95% CI, −0.1 to 0.1; P=0.88). Conclusions and Relevance Contrary to hypothesis, advice and behavioral supports to consume 8 cups water/d in the context of a weight-reducing diet did not affect body weight among overweight and obese adolescents. Despite intensive behavior supports, few achieved the 8 cups/d water target. Environmental interventions to reduce barriers to water consumption at school may be necessary in future research of feasibility and effectiveness to achieve the target of an 8-cup/d intake of water in adolescents. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01044134, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01044134 PMID:28264082

Pokémon Go: Ubiquitous Computing Delivering Better Health or Co-Incidental Health Benefits from Technology Use? A Participatory Observational Study.

PubMed

Yee, Kwang Chien; Wong, Ming Chao; Turner, Paul

2017-01-01

Stimulating sustained behavioural change through information and technology has been an aim of much health informatics research. Traditional approaches use technology to mediate communications between health professionals and patients. More recent lifestyle technologies engage the patient directly with information and advice - but what of the phenomena that is Pokémon Go - does it point to another way of achieving health benefits through fun? This paper aims to explore some of the conceptual questions for health informatics stimulated by the phenomenal popularity of Pokémon Go. The paper is grounded analysis of data generated through a preliminary participatory observational study in Australia.

Older adults' readiness to engage with eHealth patient education and self-care resources: a cross-sectional survey.

PubMed

Gordon, Nancy P; Hornbrook, Mark C

2018-03-27

This study examined access to digital technologies, skills and experience, and preferences for using web-based and other digital technologies to obtain health information and advice among older adults in a large health plan. A primary aim was to assess the extent to which digital divides by race/ethnicity and age group might affect the ability of a large percentage of seniors, and especially those in vulnerable groups, to engage with online health information and advice modalities (eHIA) and mobile health (mHealth) monitoring tools. A mailed survey was conducted with age-sex stratified random samples of English-speaking non-Hispanic white, African-American/black (black), Hispanic/Latino (Latino), Filipino-American (Filipino), and Chinese-American (Chinese) Kaiser Permanente Northern California members who were aged 65-79 years. Respondent data were weighted to the study population for the cross-sectional analyses. Older seniors and black, Latino, and Filipino seniors have less access to digital tools, less experience performing a variety of online tasks, and are less likely to believe that they would be capable of going online for health information and advice compared to younger and white Non-Hispanic seniors. Consequently, they are also less likely to be interested in using eHIA modalities. The same subgroups of seniors that have previously been shown to have higher prevalence of chronic conditions and greater difficulties with healthcare access are also less likely to adopt use of eHIA and mHealth monitoring technologies. At the patient population level, this digital divide is important to take into account when planning health information and chronic disease management programs. At the individual patient level, to provide good patient-centered care, it is important for providers to assess rather than assume digital access, eHealth skills, and preferences prior to recommending use of web-based resources and mHealth tools.

Prevalence and Correlates of Smoking among Low-Income Adults Residing in New York City Public Housing Developments-2015.

PubMed

Feinberg, A; Lopez, P M; Wyka, K; Islam, N; Seidl, L; Drackett, E; Mata, A; Pinzon, J; Baker, M R; Lopez, J; Trinh-Shevrin, C; Shelley, D; Bailey, Z; Maybank, K A; Thorpe, L E

2017-08-01

To guide targeted cessation and prevention programming, this study assessed smoking prevalence and described sociodemographic, health, and healthcare use characteristics of adult smokers in public housing. Self-reported data were analyzed from a random sample of 1664 residents aged 35 and older in ten New York City public housing developments in East/Central Harlem. Smoking prevalence was 20.8%. Weighted log-binomial models identified to be having Medicaid, not having a personal doctor, and using health clinics for routine care were positively associated with smoking. Smokers without a personal doctor were less likely to receive provider quit advice. While most smokers in these public housing developments had health insurance, a personal doctor, and received provider cessation advice in the last year (72.4%), persistently high smoking rates suggest that such cessation advice may be insufficient. Efforts to eliminate differences in tobacco use should consider place-based smoking cessation interventions that extend cessation support beyond clinical settings.

A 'mystery shopper' project to evaluate sexual health and contraceptive services for young people in Croydon.

PubMed

Sykes, Susie; O'Sullivan, Karin

2006-01-01

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accessibility of, and advice provided by, sexual health and advice services for young people in Croydon, UK using a 'mystery shopper' approach. Nineteen young people aged 13-21 years were trained as mystery shoppers. The group developed a set of standards, based in part on existing guidelines of best practice, that should be met when working with young people. The group accessed local sexual health services in pairs posing as genuine patients. Using one of four scenarios, the mystery shoppers assessed the service they received against the predefined standards. The main access difficulties occurred in the reception area. Confidentiality was a major concern and was frequently not explained. The advice and information received was generally clearly given and with an appropriate level of detail. Additional training and support needs to be offered to receptionists. Confidentiality policies and statements need to be more effectively communicated.

Development and evaluation of an online, interactive information and advice tool for pre-registration nursing students.

PubMed

Ryan, Gemma Sinead; Davies, Fiona

2016-03-01

Attrition rates for student nurses on academic programmes is a challenge for UK Higher Education Institutions. Reasons for leaving a programme of study include personal, financial issues or practice placement experiences. Research has shown systematic and integrated support mechanisms may improve attrition rates and student experience. This project explored the sources of, and support needs of nursing and allied health students, develop and evaluate and interactive online tool: 'SignpOSt'. Enabling students to access 'the right support, at the right time, from the right place'. Focus groups were carried out with 14, 3rd year students and 8 academic staff including personal tutors, programme/module leaders. Thematic analysis of transcribed data under four key themes for support and advice: 1. Financial 2. Programme 3. Personal 4. Study/academic, found poor student knowledge and little clarity of responsibilities of academic staff and services leads to students sourcing support from the wrong place at the wrong time. Students valued the speed and accessibility of information from informal, programme specific Facebook groups. Conversely, there were also concerns about the accuracy of these. Further research into the use of informal Facebook groups may be useful along with additional evaluation of the SOS tool. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improving the delivery of brief interventions for heavy drinking in primary health care: outcome results of the Optimizing Delivery of Health Care Intervention (ODHIN) five-country cluster randomized factorial trial.

PubMed

Anderson, Peter; Bendtsen, Preben; Spak, Fredrik; Reynolds, Jillian; Drummond, Colin; Segura, Lidia; Keurhorst, Myrna N; Palacio-Vieira, Jorge; Wojnar, Marcin; Parkinson, Kathryn; Colom, Joan; Kłoda, Karolina; Deluca, Paolo; Baena, Begoña; Newbury-Birch, Dorothy; Wallace, Paul; Heinen, Maud; Wolstenholme, Amy; van Steenkiste, Ben; Mierzecki, Artur; Okulicz-Kozaryn, Katarzyna; Ronda, Gaby; Kaner, Eileen; Laurant, Miranda G H; Coulton, Simon; Gual, Toni

2016-11-01

To test if training and support, financial reimbursement and option of referring screen-positive patients to an internet-based method of giving advice (eBI) can increase primary health-care providers' delivery of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)-C-based screening and advice to heavy drinkers. Cluster randomized factorial trial with 12-week implementation and measurement period. Primary health-care units (PHCU) in different locations throughout Catalonia, England, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. A total of 120 PHCU, 24 in each of Catalonia, England, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. PHCUs were randomized to one of eight groups: care as usual, training and support (TS), financial reimbursement (FR) and eBI; paired combinations of TS, FR and eBI, and all of FR, TS and eBI. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of eligible adult (age 18+ years) patients screened during a 12-week implementation period. Secondary outcome measures were proportion of screen-positive patients advised; and proportion of consulting adult patients given an intervention (screening and advice to screen-positives) during the same 12-week implementation period. During a 4-week baseline measurement period, the proportion of consulting adult patients who were screened for their alcohol consumption was 0.059 per PHCU (95% CI 0.034 to 0.084). Based on the factorial design, the ratio of the logged proportion screened during the 12-week implementation period was 1.48 (95% CI = 1.13-1.95) in PHCU that received TS versus PHCU that did not receive TS; for FR, the ratio was 2.00 (95% CI = 1.56-2.56). The option of referral to eBI did not lead to a higher proportion of patients screened. The ratio for TS plus FR was 2.34 (95% CI = 1.77-3.10), and the ratio for TS plus FR plus eBI was1.68 (95% CI = 1.11-2.53). Providing primary health-care units with training, support and financial reimbursement for delivering Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-C-based screening and advice to heavy drinkers increases screening for alcohol consumption. Providing primary health-care units with the option of referring screen-positive patients to an internet-based method of giving advice does not appear to increase screening for alcohol consumption. © 2016 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Disordered eating and group membership among members of a pro-anorexic online community.

PubMed

Rodgers, Rachel F; Skowron, Sabrina; Chabrol, Henri

2012-01-01

The objective of this study was to explore motivations to become a member of a French-language 'pro-ana' online community, perceptions of support provided by other members and the nature of the information provided. A sample of 29 members of an online community were assessed for disordered eating and responded to open-ended questions exploring perceptions of the online community. All participants reported high levels of disordered eating (Eating Attitudes Test > 30). The main motive for joining the online community was to be provided with both advice regarding weight loss and support. The majority of them equated thinness with happiness and were satisfied with their membership. Participants also described the types of advice that they had received concerning weight loss. Members of pro-ana online communities are likely to display high levels of disordered eating. Furthermore, membership to the online community was motivated not only by weight concerns but also by the support provided. Our findings confirmed the role of these online communities in encouraging harmful weight-loss and weight-control practices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

How primary health care staff working in rural and remote areas access skill development and expertise to support health promotion practice.

PubMed

McFarlane, Kathryn A; Judd, Jenni; Wapau, Hylda; Nichols, Nina; Watt, Kerrianne; Devine, Sue

2018-05-01

Health promotion is a key component of comprehensive primary health care. Health promotion approaches complement healthcare management by enabling individuals to increase control over their health. Many primary healthcare staff have a role to play in health promotion practice, but their ability to integrate health promotion into practice is influenced by their previous training and experience. For primary healthcare staff working in rural and remote locations, access to professional development can be limited by what is locally available and prohibitive in terms of cost for travel and accommodation. This study provides insight into how staff at a large north Queensland Aboriginal community controlled health service access skill development and health promotion expertise to support their work. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted. Small group and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff at Apunipima Cape York Health Council (n=9). A purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants from a number of primary healthcare teams that were more likely to be involved in health promotion work. Both on-the-ground staff and managers were interviewed. All participants were asked how they access skill development and expertise in health promotion practice and what approaches they prefer for ongoing health promotion support. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. All participants valued access to skill development, advice and support that would assist their health promotion practice. Skill development and expertise in health promotion was accessed from a variety of sources: conferences, workshops, mentoring or shared learning from internal and external colleagues, and access to online information and resources. With limited funds and limited access to professional development locally, participants fostered external and internal organisational relationships to seek in-kind advice and support. Irrespective of where the advice came from, it needed to be applicable to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote communities. To improve health outcomes in rural and remote communities, the focus on health promotion and prevention approaches must be strengthened. Primary healthcare staff require ongoing access to health promotion skill development and expertise to increase their capacity to deliver comprehensive primary health care. Practice-based evidence from staff working in the field provides a greater understanding of how skill development and advice are accessed. Many of these strategies can be formalised through organisational plans and systems, which would ensure that a skilled health promotion workforce is sustained.

Managing Injuries of the Neck Trial (MINT): a randomised controlled trial of treatments for whiplash injuries.

PubMed

Lamb, S E; Williams, M A; Williamson, E M; Gates, S; Withers, E J; Mt-Isa, S; Ashby, D; Castelnuovo, E; Underwood, M; Cooke, M W

2012-01-01

To examine the clinical effectiveness of a stepped care approach over a 12-month period after an acute whiplash injury; to estimate the costs and cost-effectiveness of each strategy including treatments and subsequent health-care costs; and to gain participants' perspective on experiencing whiplash injury, NHS treatment, and recovery within the context of the Managing Injuries of the Neck Trial (MINT). Two linked, pragmatic, randomised controlled trials. In Step 1, emergency departments (EDs) were cluster randomised to usual care advice (UCA) or The Whiplash Book advice (WBA)/active management advice. In Step 2, participants were individually randomised to either a single session of advice from a physiotherapist or a physiotherapy package of up to six sessions. An economic evaluation and qualitative study were run in parallel with the trial. Twelve NHS trusts in England comprising 15 EDs. People who attended EDs with an acute whiplash injury of whiplash-associated disorder grades I-III were eligible for Step 1. People who had attended EDs with whiplash injuries and had persistent symptoms 3 weeks after ED attendance were eligible for Step 2. In Step 1, the control intervention was UCA and the experimental intervention was a psycho-educational intervention (WBA/active management advice). In Step 2 the control treatment was reinforcement of the advice provided in Step 1 and the experimental intervention was a package of up to six physiotherapy treatments. The primary outcome was the Neck Disability Index (NDI), which measures severity and frequency of pain and symptoms, and a range of activities including self-care, driving, reading, sleeping and recreation. Secondary outcomes included the mental and physical health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) subscales of the Short Form questionnaire-12 items (SF-12) and the number of work days lost. A total of 3851 patients were recruited to Step 1 of the trial. 1598 patients attending EDs were randomised to UCA, and 2253 were randomised to WBA/active management. Outcome data were obtained at 12 months for 70% and 80% of participants at Step 1 and Step 2, respectively. The majority of people recovered from the injury. Eighteen per cent of the Step 1 cohort had late whiplash syndrome. There was no statistically or clinically significant difference observed in any of the outcomes for participants attending EDs randomised to UCA or active management advice [difference in NDI 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.8 to 2.8]. In Step 2 the physiotherapy package resulted in improvements in neck disability at 4 months compared with a single advice session, but these effects were small at the population level (difference in NDI -3.2, 95% CI -5.8 to -0.7). The physiotherapy package was accompanied by a significant reduction in the number of work days lost at 4-month follow-up (difference -40.2, 95% CI -44.3 to -35.8). MINT suggests that enhanced psycho-educational interventions in EDs are no more effective than UCA in reducing the burden of acute whiplash injuries. A physiotherapy package provided to people who have persisting symptoms within the first 6 weeks of injury produced additional short-term benefits in neck disability compared with a single physiotherapy advice session. However, from a health-care perspective, the physiotherapy package was not cost-effective at current levels of willingness to pay. Both experimental treatments were associated with increased cost with no discernible gain in health-related quality of life. However, an important benefit of the physiotherapy package was a reduction in work days lost; consequently, the intervention may prove cost-effective at the societal level. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN33302125. This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 16, No. 49. See the HTA programme website for further project information.

Falling Particles: Concept Definition and Capital Cost Estimate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stoddard, Larry; Galluzzo, Geoff; Adams, Shannon

2016-06-30

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Renewable Power (ORP) has been tasked to provide effective program management and strategic direction for all of the DOE’s Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) renewable power programs. The ORP’s efforts to accomplish this mission are aligned with national energy policies, DOE strategic planning, EERE’s strategic planning, Congressional appropriation, and stakeholder advice. ORP is supported by three renewable energy offices, of which one is the Solar Energy Technology Office (SETO) whose SunShot Initiative has a mission to accelerate research, development and large scale deployment of solar technologies in the United States. SETO hasmore » a goal of reducing the cost of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) by 75 percent of 2010 costs by 2020 to reach parity with base-load energy rates, and to reduce costs 30 percent further by 2030. The SunShot Initiative is promoting the implementation of high temperature CSP with thermal energy storage allowing generation during high demand hours. The SunShot Initiative has funded significant research and development work on component testing, with attention to high temperature molten salts, heliostats, receiver designs, and high efficiency high temperature supercritical CO 2 (sCO2) cycles.« less

A framework for the implementation of new radiation therapy technologies and treatment techniques in low-income countries.

PubMed

Brown, Derek W; Shulman, Adam; Hudson, Alana; Smith, Wendy; Fisher, Brandon; Hollon, Jon; Pipman, Yakov; Van Dyk, Jacob; Einck, John

2014-11-01

We present a practical, generic, easy-to-use framework for the implementation of new radiation therapy technologies and treatment techniques in low-income countries. The framework is intended to standardize the implementation process, reduce the effort involved in generating an implementation strategy, and provide improved patient safety by reducing the likelihood that steps are missed during the implementation process. The 10 steps in the framework provide a practical approach to implementation. The steps are, 1) Site and resource assessment, 2) Evaluation of equipment and funding, 3) Establishing timelines, 4) Defining the treatment process, 5) Equipment commissioning, 6) Training and competency assessment, 7) Prospective risk analysis, 8) System testing, 9) External dosimetric audit and incident learning, and 10) Support and follow-up. For each step, practical advice for completing the step is provided, as well as links to helpful supplementary material. An associated checklist is provided that can be used to track progress through the steps in the framework. While the emphasis of this paper is on addressing the needs of low-income countries, the concepts also apply in high-income countries. Copyright © 2014 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

European Code against Cancer 4th Edition: Process of reviewing the scientific evidence and revising the recommendations.

PubMed

Minozzi, Silvia; Armaroli, Paola; Espina, Carolina; Villain, Patricia; Wiseman, Martin; Schüz, Joachim; Segnan, Nereo

2015-12-01

The European Code Against Cancer is a set of recommendations to give advice on cancer prevention. Its 4th edition is an update of the 3rd edition, from 2003. Working Groups of independent experts from different fields of cancer prevention were appointed to review the recommendations, supported by a Literature Group to provide scientific and technical support in the assessment of the scientific evidence, through systematic reviews of the literature. Common procedures were developed to guide the experts in identifying, retrieving, assessing, interpreting and summarizing the scientific evidence in order to revise the recommendations. The Code strictly followed the concept of providing advice to European Union citizens based on the current best available science. The advice, if followed, would be expected to reduce cancer risk, referring both to avoiding or reducing exposure to carcinogenic agents or changing behaviour related to cancer risk and to participating in medical interventions able to avert specific cancers or their consequences. The information sources and procedures for the review of the scientific evidence are described here in detail. The 12 recommendations of the 4th edition of the European Code Against Cancer were ultimately approved by a Scientific Committee of leading European cancer and public health experts. Copyright © 2015 International Agency for Research on Cancer. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

77 FR 13295 - Subcommittee Meeting of the Board of Advisors to the President of the Naval War College Subcommittee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-06

... is to advise and assist the President, NWC in educational and support areas, providing independent advice and recommendations on items such as, but not limited to, organizational management, curricula...

21 CFR 208.20 - Content and format of a Medication Guide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... there are data to support the advice, and where the wrong behavior could cause harm or lack of effect...) A statement of the risks to mothers and fetuses from the use of the drug during pregnancy, if...

The effects of various diets on glycemic outcomes during pregnancy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

PubMed

Ha, Vanessa; Bonner, Ashley J; Jadoo, Jaynendr K; Beyene, Joseph; Anand, Sonia S; de Souza, Russell J

2017-01-01

Evidence to support dietary modifications to improve glycemia during pregnancy is limited, and the benefits of diet beyond limiting gestational weight gain is unclear. Therefore, a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials was conducted to compare the effects of various common diets, stratified by the addition of gestational weight gain advice, on fasting glucose and insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in pregnant women. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane database, and reference lists of published studies were searched through April 2017. Randomized trials directly comparing two or more diets for ≥2-weeks were eligible. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed for fasting glucose. Owing to a lack of similar dietary comparisons, a standard pairwise meta-analysis for the other glycemic outcomes was performed. The certainty of the pooled effect estimates was assessed using the GRADE tool. Twenty-one trials (1,865 participants) were included. In general, when given alongside gestational weight gain advice, fasting glucose improved in most diets compared to diets that gave gestational weight gain advice only. However, fasting glucose increased in high unsaturated or monounsaturated fatty acids diets. In the absence of gestational weight gain advice, fasting glucose improved in DASH-style diets compared to standard of care. Although most were non-significant, similar trends were observed for these same diets for the other glycemic outcomes. Dietary comparisons ranged from moderate to very low in quality of evidence. Alongside with gestational weight gain advice, most diets, with the exception of a high unsaturated or a high monounsaturated fatty acid diet, demonstrated a fasting glucose improvement compared with gestational weight gain advice only. When gestational weight gain advice was not given, the DASH-style diet appeared optimal on fasting glucose. However, a small number of trials were identified and most dietary comparisons were underpowered to detect differences in glycemic outcomes. Further studies that are high in quality and adequately powered are needed to confirm these findings. PROSPERO CRD42015026008.

The effects of various diets on glycemic outcomes during pregnancy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Ha, Vanessa; Bonner, Ashley J.; Jadoo, Jaynendr K.; Beyene, Joseph; Anand, Sonia S.

2017-01-01

Aims Evidence to support dietary modifications to improve glycemia during pregnancy is limited, and the benefits of diet beyond limiting gestational weight gain is unclear. Therefore, a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials was conducted to compare the effects of various common diets, stratified by the addition of gestational weight gain advice, on fasting glucose and insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in pregnant women. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane database, and reference lists of published studies were searched through April 2017. Randomized trials directly comparing two or more diets for ≥2-weeks were eligible. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed for fasting glucose. Owing to a lack of similar dietary comparisons, a standard pairwise meta-analysis for the other glycemic outcomes was performed. The certainty of the pooled effect estimates was assessed using the GRADE tool. Results Twenty-one trials (1,865 participants) were included. In general, when given alongside gestational weight gain advice, fasting glucose improved in most diets compared to diets that gave gestational weight gain advice only. However, fasting glucose increased in high unsaturated or monounsaturated fatty acids diets. In the absence of gestational weight gain advice, fasting glucose improved in DASH-style diets compared to standard of care. Although most were non-significant, similar trends were observed for these same diets for the other glycemic outcomes. Dietary comparisons ranged from moderate to very low in quality of evidence. Conclusion/Interpretation Alongside with gestational weight gain advice, most diets, with the exception of a high unsaturated or a high monounsaturated fatty acid diet, demonstrated a fasting glucose improvement compared with gestational weight gain advice only. When gestational weight gain advice was not given, the DASH-style diet appeared optimal on fasting glucose. However, a small number of trials were identified and most dietary comparisons were underpowered to detect differences in glycemic outcomes. Further studies that are high in quality and adequately powered are needed to confirm these findings. Registration PROSPERO CRD42015026008 PMID:28771519

Using an online service for breastfeeding support: what mothers want to discuss.

PubMed

Cowie, Genevieve A; Hill, Sophie; Robinson, Priscilla

2011-08-01

There is little research on how the establishment and maintenance of breastfeeding and other early parenting skills is assisted by the use of electronic peer support groups. In what ways do parents use a popular peer-moderated online resource and what topics do they choose to discuss? The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the main uses of an electronic discussion board hosted by a prominent Australian lay breastfeeding advocacy organisation. Three consecutive days of conversations on the discussion board were followed. Using content analysis, the messages were coded and analysed statistically for the ways the board was used and which topics were and were not present. The discussion board almost universally gave emotional support to the participants and most users expressed their emotions in their messages. The giving of factual advice or opinions was a much less frequent use of the discussion board as was the clear seeking of emotional support and general facts or advice. The range of topics discussed was dominated by general parenting followed by various breastfeeding topics as well as much discussion related to general social support. The lay-moderated discussion board can be a worthwhile resource for parents in need of reassurance, information or general social support. It may also be useful to expand the amount of breastfeeding and parenting information available on the organisation's main website.

A scientific assessment of a new technology orbital telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

As part of a program designed to test the Alpha chemical laser weapons system in space, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) developed components of an agile, lightweight, 4-meter telescope, equipped with an advanced active-optics system. BMDO had proposed to make space available in the telescope's focal plane for instrumentation optimized for scientific applications in astrophysics and planetary astronomy for a potential flight mission. Such a flight mission could be undertaken if new or additional sponsorship can be found. Despite this uncertainty, BMDO requested assistance in defining the instrumentation and other design aspects necessary to enhance the scientific value of a pointing and tracking mission. In response to this request, the Space Studies Board established the Task Group on BMDO New Technology Orbital Observatory (TGBNTOO) and charged it to: (1) provide instrumentation, data management, and science-operations advice to BMDO to optimize the scientific value of a 4-meter mission; and (2) support a space studies board assessment of the relative scientific merit of the program. This report deals with the first of these tasks, assisting the Advanced Technology Demonstrator's (ATD's) program scientific potential. Given the potential scientific aspects of the 4-meter telescope, this project is referred to as the New Technology Orbital Telescope (NTOT), or as the ATD/NTOT, to emphasize its dual-use character. The task group's basic conclusion is that the ATD/NTOT mission does have the potential for contributing in a major way to astronomical goals.

Flow Cytometry Scientist | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Basic Science Program (BSP) pursues independent, multidisciplinary research in basic and applied molecular biology, immunology, retrovirology, cancer biology, and human genetics. Research efforts and support are an integral part of the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR). KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES The Flow Cytometry Core (Flow Core) in the Cancer and Inflammation Program (CIP) is a service core which supports the research efforts of the CCR by providing expertise in the field of flow cytometry (using analyzers and sorters) with the goal of gaining a more thorough understanding of the biology of the immune system, cancer, and inflammation processes. The Flow Core provides service to 12-15 CIP laboratories and more than 22 non-CIP laboratories. Flow core staff provide technical advice on the experimental design of applications, which include immunological phenotyping, cell function assays, and cell cycle analysis. Work is performed per customer requirements, and no independent research is involved. The Flow Cytometry Scientist will be responsible for: Daily management of the Flow Cytometry Core, to include the supervision and guidance of technical staff members Monitor performance of and maintain high dimensional flow cytometer analyzers and cell sorters Operate high dimensional flow cytometer analyzers and cell sorters Provide scientific expertise to the user community and facilitate the development of cutting edge technologies Interact with Flow Core users and customers, and provide technical and scientific advice, and guidance regarding their experiments, including possible collaborations Train staff and scientific end users on the use of flow cytometry in their research, as well as teach them how to operate and troubleshoot the bench-top analyzer instruments Prepare and deliver lectures, as well as one-on-one training sessions, with customers/users Ensure that protocols are up-to-date, and appropriately adhered to Experience with sterile technique and tissue culture

Plastic surgery and the biometric e-passport: implications for facial recognition.

PubMed

Ologunde, Rele

2015-04-01

This correspondence comments on the challenges of plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery on the facial recognition algorithms employed by biometric passports. The limitations of facial recognition technology in patients who have undergone facial plastic surgery are also discussed. Finally, the advice of the UK HM passport office to people who undergo facial surgery is reported.

User Interface Preferences in the Design of a Camera-Based Navigation and Wayfinding Aid

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arditi, Aries; Tian, YingLi

2013-01-01

Introduction: Development of a sensing device that can provide a sufficient perceptual substrate for persons with visual impairments to orient themselves and travel confidently has been a persistent rehabilitation technology goal, with the user interface posing a significant challenge. In the study presented here, we enlist the advice and ideas of…

A Tech-Happy Professor Reboots after Hearing His Teaching Advice Isn't Working

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Jeffrey R.

2012-01-01

Michael Wesch has been on the lecture circuit for years touting new models of active teaching with technology. The associate professor of cultural anthropology at Kansas State University has given TED talks. "Wired" magazine gave him a Rave Award. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching once named him a national professor…

United States Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Annual Report, 1985-1986. Fifteen Years of Service.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, Washington, DC.

Activities of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) for fiscal year 1985-1986 are reported under four broad headings--Improving Library and Information Services To Meet Changing Needs; Access to Information; Information Technology and Productivity; and Policy, Planning, and Advice. Activities reported under the first…

Our Compulsory Goals: Effective Teaching and Meaningful Learning through Powerful Cultural Tools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilhelm, Jeffrey D., Ed.

2012-01-01

Wilhelm asks, "But are new literacies just fun?" Then he immediately answers, "Absolutely not--if we as teachers provide the right context and conditions of their use." Offering research-based advice on incorporating technology to increase motivation and deepen learning, Wilhelm boils it down to this bottom line: it's engaged, substantive,…

Distance Education Technology for the New Millennium Compressed Video Teaching. ZIFF Papiere 101.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keegan, Desmond

This monograph combines an examination of theoretical issues raised by the introduction of two-way video and similar systems into distance education (DE) with practical advice on using compressed video systems in DE programs. Presented in the first half of the monograph are the following: analysis of the intrinsic links between DE and technology…

The Plugged-In Parent: What You Should Know about Kids and Computers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bennett, Steve

On the premise that it is the parents' responsibility to ensure that computer technology enriches their children's lives rather than displaces traditional pursuits, this book provides advice to families regarding computer use at home. The book is designed to help parents set realistic expectations for the role of computers in their children's…

Building Villages To Raise Our Children: Staffing. Guides to Comprehensive Family Support Services.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hochberg, Mona R.

This volume, part five of a six-part report, is a three-part guide that offers practical advice for recruiting, training, and managing staff for a family-support program; it includes discussions about typical problems and the ways practitioners have chosen to resolve them. Part 1 discusses how to determine the type of staff needed and how to hire…

Identifying Resources That Support Research and Publication in the Field of Early Childhood Education: Advice from an Education Librarian

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heider, Kelly L.

2013-01-01

Drawing on her experience and expertise as an education librarian the author of this article pinpoints some of the best resources that support research and publication in the field of early childhood education. Free and subscription-based databases are described, as well as print books, ebooks, and websites that cover a wide range of topics. This…

Supporting Primary Care Practices in Building Capacity to Use Health Information Data

PubMed Central

Fernald, Douglas; Wearner, Robyn; Dickinson, W. Perry

2014-01-01

Introduction: Our objective was to describe essential support resources and strategies in order to advance the pace and scope of the use of health information technology (HIT) data. Background and Context: Primary data were collected between January 2011 and October 2012. The primary study population comprised 51 primary care practices enrolled in the Colorado Beacon Consortium in western Colorado. Methods: We used qualitative methods embedded in a mixed-method evaluation: monthly narrative reports from practices; interviews with providers and staff; and focused, group discussions with quality improvement (QI) advisors and staff from the Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center. Findings: Practices valued effective support strategies to assist with using HIT, including the following: translating rules and regulations into individual practice settings; facilitating peer-to-peer connections; providing processes and tools for practice improvement; maintaining accountability and momentum; and providing local electronic health record (EHR) technical expertise. Benefits of support included improved quality measures, operational improvements, increased provider and staff engagement, and deeper understanding of EHR data. Discussion: The findings affirm the utility of practice facilitation for HIT-focused aims with personalized attention and cross-fertilization among practices for improvements. Facilitation to sustain ongoing improvements and prepare for future HIT-intensive improvement activities was highly valued. In addition to the general practice facilitator, an EHR technical expert was critical to improving practice capacity to use electronic clinical data. Collaborative learning expands the pool of mentors and teachers, who can further translate their own lessons into practical advice for their peers, yielding the emergence of a stronger sense of community among the practices. Conclusions: Using HIT more effectively in primary care will require sustained, focused efforts by practices as regulations, incentives and HIT evolve. Ongoing support for community-based practice facilitators; collaborative learning; and local, personalized EHR advisors will help practices care for patients while more effectively deploying HIT to improve care. PMID:25848621

Patient-oriented Computerized Clinical Guidelines for Mobile Decision Support in Gestational Diabetes.

PubMed

García-Sáez, Gema; Rigla, Mercedes; Martínez-Sarriegui, Iñaki; Shalom, Erez; Peleg, Mor; Broens, Tom; Pons, Belén; Caballero-Ruíz, Estefanía; Gómez, Enrique J; Hernando, M Elena

2014-03-01

The risks associated with gestational diabetes (GD) can be reduced with an active treatment able to improve glycemic control. Advances in mobile health can provide new patient-centric models for GD to create personalized health care services, increase patient independence and improve patients' self-management capabilities, and potentially improve their treatment compliance. In these models, decision-support functions play an essential role. The telemedicine system MobiGuide provides personalized medical decision support for GD patients that is based on computerized clinical guidelines and adapted to a mobile environment. The patient's access to the system is supported by a smartphone-based application that enhances the efficiency and ease of use of the system. We formalized the GD guideline into a computer-interpretable guideline (CIG). We identified several workflows that provide decision-support functionalities to patients and 4 types of personalized advice to be delivered through a mobile application at home, which is a preliminary step to providing decision-support tools in a telemedicine system: (1) therapy, to help patients to comply with medical prescriptions; (2) monitoring, to help patients to comply with monitoring instructions; (3) clinical assessment, to inform patients about their health conditions; and (4) upcoming events, to deal with patients' personal context or special events. The whole process to specify patient-oriented decision support functionalities ensures that it is based on the knowledge contained in the GD clinical guideline and thus follows evidence-based recommendations but at the same time is patient-oriented, which could enhance clinical outcomes and patients' acceptance of the whole system. © 2014 Diabetes Technology Society.

Doctors' experience with handheld computers in clinical practice: qualitative study

PubMed Central

McAlearney, Ann Scheck; Schweikhart, Sharon B; Medow, Mitchell A

2004-01-01

Objective To examine doctors' perspectives about their experiences with handheld computers in clinical practice. Design Qualitative study of eight focus groups consisting of doctors with diverse training and practice patterns. Setting Six practice settings across the United States and two additional focus group sessions held at a national meeting of general internists. Participants 54 doctors who did or did not use handheld computers. Results Doctors who used handheld computers in clinical practice seemed generally satisfied with them and reported diverse patterns of use. Users perceived that the devices helped them increase productivity and improve patient care. Barriers to use concerned the device itself and personal and perceptual constraints, with perceptual factors such as comfort with technology, preference for paper, and the impression that the devices are not easy to use somewhat difficult to overcome. Participants suggested that organisations can help promote handheld computers by providing advice on purchase, usage, training, and user support. Participants expressed concern about reliability and security of the device but were particularly concerned about dependency on the device and over-reliance as a substitute for clinical thinking. Conclusions Doctors expect handheld computers to become more useful, and most seem interested in leveraging (getting the most value from) their use. Key opportunities with handheld computers included their use as a stepping stone to build doctors' comfort with other information technology and ehealth initiatives and providing point of care support that helps improve patient care. PMID:15142920

Implementing referral to an electronic alcohol brief advice website in primary healthcare: results from the ODHIN implementation trial.

PubMed

Bendtsen, Preben; Müssener, Ulrika; Karlsson, Nadine; López-Pelayo, Hugo; Palacio-Vieira, Jorge; Colom, Joan; Gual, Antoni; Reynolds, Jillian; Wallace, Paul; Segura, Lidia; Anderson, Peter

2016-06-16

The objective of the present study was to explore whether the possibility of offering facilitated access to an alcohol electronic brief intervention (eBI) instead of delivering brief face-to-face advice increased the proportion of consulting adults who were screened and given brief advice. The study was a 12-week implementation study. Sixty primary healthcare units (PHCUs) in 5 jurisdictions (Catalonia, England, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden) were asked to screen adults who attended the PHCU for risky drinking. A total of 120 primary healthcare centres from 5 jurisdictions in Europe. 746 individual providers (general practitioners, nurses or other professionals) participated in the study. Change in the proportion of patients screened and referred to eBI comparing a baseline 4-week preimplementation period with a 12-week implementation period. The possibility of referring patients to the eBI was not found to be associated with any increase in the proportion of patients screened. However, it was associated with an increase in the proportion of screen-positive patients receiving brief advice from 70% to 80% for the screen-positive sample as a whole (p<0.05), mainly driven by a significant increase in brief intervention rates in England from 87% to 96% (p<0.01). The study indicated that staff displayed a low level of engagement in this new technology. Staff continued to offer face-to-face advice to a larger proportion of patients (54%) than referral to eBI (38%). In addition, low engagement was seen among the referred patients; on average, 18% of the patients logged on to the website with a mean log-on rate across the different countries between 0.58% and 36.95%. Referral to eBI takes nearly as much time as brief oral advice and might require more introduction and training before staff are comfortable with referring to eBI. NCT01501552; Post-results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Online Mentoring.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duff, Carole

2000-01-01

When Urseline Academy girls need career advice, academic guidance, or personal support, they e-mail their mentors--professional women in the Dallas area whose "real-world" knowledge helps the students make informed choices. The program is an outgrowth of a summer internship program stressing student-centered learning. (MLH)

The Healthy Hearts and Kidneys (HHK) study: Design of a 2×2 RCT of technology-supported self-monitoring and social cognitive theory-based counseling to engage overweight people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease in multiple lifestyle changes.

PubMed

Sevick, Mary Ann; Woolf, Kathleen; Mattoo, Aditya; Katz, Stuart D; Li, Huilin; St-Jules, David E; Jagannathan, Ram; Hu, Lu; Pompeii, Mary Lou; Ganguzza, Lisa; Li, Zhi; Sierra, Alex; Williams, Stephen K; Goldfarb, David S

2018-01-01

Patients with complex chronic diseases usually must make multiple lifestyle changes to limit and manage their conditions. Numerous studies have shown that education alone is insufficient for engaging people in lifestyle behavior change, and that theory-based behavioral approaches also are necessary. However, even the most motivated individual may have difficulty with making lifestyle changes because of the information complexity associated with multiple behavior changes. The goal of the current Healthy Hearts and Kidneys study was to evaluate, different mobile health (mHealth)-delivered intervention approaches for engaging individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and concurrent chronic kidney disease (CKD) in behavior changes. Participants were randomized to 1 of 4 groups, receiving: (1) a behavioral counseling, (2) technology-based self-monitoring to reduce information complexity, (3) combined behavioral counseling and technology-based self-monitoring, or (4) baseline advice. We will determine the impact of randomization assignment on weight loss success and 24-hour urinary excretion of sodium and phosphorus. With this report we describe the study design, methods, and approaches used to assure information security for this ongoing clinical trial. Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT02276742. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Systems for SMD Mission Needs. Technology Infusion Study.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, David

2014-01-01

Two presentations for SBAG and OPAG meetings: 1) Solar Electric Propulsion Systems for SMD Missions, and 2) Technology Infusion Study - Draft Findings Recommendation Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) meeting is January 9th in Washington D.C., and the Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) meeting is January 23-14 in Tucson, AZ. NASA sponsors these assessment groups, through the NRC, for the science community to assess and provide advice. These talks are to provide a status of 2 NASA activities, and to seek feedback from the respective science communities.

In Brief: NASA Advisory Council structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2009-11-01

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has added four new committees to the NASA Advisory Council in the areas of commercial space, education and public outreach, information technology infrastructure, and technology and innovation, the agency announced on 2 November. Other committees are in the areas of aeronautics; audit, finance, and analysis; exploration; science; and space operations. The council, which provides advice and makes recommendations to the administrator about agency programs, policies, plans, financial controls, and other matters, holds its next meeting on 18-19 February 2010. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/offices/nac/home/index.html.

Cancer-Related Fatigue in Adolescents and Young Adults After Cancer Treatment: Persistent and Poorly Managed.

PubMed

Spathis, Anna; Hatcher, Helen; Booth, Sara; Gibson, Faith; Stone, Paddy; Abbas, Laura; Barclay, Matt; Brimicombe, James; Thiemann, Pia; McCabe, Martin G; Campsey, Rachel; Hooker, Louise; Moss, Wendy; Robson, Jane; Barclay, Stephen

2017-09-01

Cancer-related fatigue is the most prevalent and distressing symptom experienced by adolescents and young adults (AYAs). An electronic survey was undertaken to ascertain current fatigue management and perceptions of its effectiveness. Eighty-five percent of responders (68/80) experienced fatigue, and it was worse more than 1 year after cancer treatment ended, compared to <1 year (p = 0.007). Forty-one percent received no fatigue management. Although advice to exercise was the most frequent intervention, the greatest impact of fatigue was on the ability to exercise and most did not find exercise advice helpful. Early intervention is warranted, supporting AYAs to persevere with increasing activity.

Early dialogue between the developers of new technologies and pricing and reimbursement agencies: a pilot study.

PubMed

Backhouse, Martin E; Wonder, Michael; Hornby, Edward; Kilburg, Anne; Drummond, Michael; Mayer, Friedrich Karl

2011-06-01

It is common practice for developers of new health care technologies to engage in early dialogue with the major regulatory agencies; such discussions frequently center around the proposed clinical trial designs to support the registration of new interventions and suggestions on their improvement. Pricing and reimbursement agencies are increasingly using the results from health technology assessments to inform their decision making for new technologies. Such assessments are invariably underpinned by the phase 3 clinical trial evidence which may not provide answers to the key questions. Technology developers are beginning to realize that direct, early dialogue on the evidence requirements of the major pricing and reimbursement agencies, before phase 3 clinical trial designs for their key development compounds have been finalized, may be beneficial. This article reports on the pioneering efforts of one technology developer in seeking early dialogue with seven pricing and reimbursement agencies in five countries globally in 2007-2008 on their likely evidence requirements for a new oral treatment for patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. The pilot project demonstrated that a feasible process of early dialogue could be established, through a face-to-face meeting with prior circulation of a briefing book. Although there was some variation in the advice the similarities far outweighed the differences. More experience of early dialogue needs to be accumulated, involving a wider range of pricing and reimbursement agencies and compounds. The conclusion of this study, however, was that early dialogue can be a worthwhile process for all parties and can lead to a common understanding about evidence development for market access. Copyright © 2011 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES DURING AIR TRAVEL: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEIR SUPPORTING EVIDENCE.

PubMed

Pavela, James; Suresh, Rahul; Blue, Rebecca S; Mathers, Charles H; Belalcazar, L Maria

2018-02-01

Individuals with diabetes are increasingly seeking pretravel advice, but updated professional recommendations remain scant. We performed a systematic review on diabetes management during air travel to summarize current recommendations, assess supporting evidence, and identify areas of future research. A systematic review of the English literature on diabetes management during air travel was undertaken utilizing PubMed and MEDLINE. Publications regarding general travel advice; adjustment of insulin and noninsulin therapies; and the use of insulin pumps, glucometers and subcutaneous glucose sensors at altitude were included. Gathered information was used to create an updated summary of glucose-lowering medication adjustment during air travel. Sixty-one publications were identified, most providing expert opinion and few offering primary data (47 expert opinion, 2 observational studies, 2 case reports, 10 device studies). General travel advice was uniform, with increasing attention to preflight security. Indications for oral antihyperglycemic therapy adjustments varied. There were few recommendations on contemporary agents and on nonhypoglycemic adverse events. There was little consensus on insulin adjustment protocols, many antedating current insulin formulations. Most publications advocated adjusting insulin pump time settings after arrival; however, there was disagreement on timing and rate adjustments. Glucometers and subcutaneous glucose sensors were reported to be less accurate at altitude, but not to an extent that would preclude their clinical use. Recommendations for diabetes management during air travel vary significantly and are mostly based on expert opinion. Data from systematic investigation on glucose-lowering medication adjustment protocols may support the development of a future consensus statement. CSII = continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (device) DPP-4 = dipeptidyl peptidase 4 EGA = error grid analysis GDH = glucose dehydrogenase GOX = glucose oxidase GLP1 = glucagon-like peptide-1 NPH = neutral protamine Hagedorn SGLT2 = sodium-glucose cotransporter-2.

Develop a Prototype Personal Health Record Application (PHR-A) that Captures Information About Daily Living Important for Diabetes and Provides Decision Support with Actionable Advice for Diabetes Self Care

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

designed an Internet-based and mobile application (software) to assist with the following domains pertinent to diabetes self-management: 1...management that provides education, reminders, and support. The new tool is an internet-based and mobile application (software), now called Tracking...is mobile , provides decision support with actionable options, and is based on user input, will enhance diabetes self-care, improve glycemic control

"The right help at the right time": Positive constructions of peer and professional support for breastfeeding.

PubMed

Burns, Elaine; Schmied, Virginia

2017-10-01

Support during the early establishment phase of breastfeeding is important but women report that health professionals can undermine their confidence with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding support provided in fragmented hospital based models of care predominantly reflect authoritative expert advice-giving which women describe as conflicting and unsupportive. Women show a preference for support from a known midwife, or a peer supporter, or a combination of the two. Peer support counsellors and privately practicing midwives approached breastfeeding support in a similar way. They interacted with women as a ‘knowledgeable friend’ and normalised breastfeeding challenges which enhanced women’s confidence with breastfeeding.

Cultural differences in the impact of social support on psychological and biological stress responses.

PubMed

Taylor, Shelley E; Welch, William T; Kim, Heejung S; Sherman, David K

2007-09-01

Social support is believed to be a universally valuable resource for combating stress, yet Asians and Asian Americans report that social support is not helpful to them, resist seeking it, and are underrepresented among recipients of supportive services. We distinguish between explicit social support (seeking and using advice and emotional solace) and implicit social support (focusing on valued social groups) and show that Asians and Asian Americans are psychologically and biologically benefited more by implicit social support than by explicit social support; the reverse is true for European Americans. Our discussion focuses on cultural differences in the construal of relationships and their implications for social support and delivery of support services.

Computer-Tailored Student Support in Introductory Physics

PubMed Central

Huberth, Madeline; Chen, Patricia; Tritz, Jared; McKay, Timothy A.

2015-01-01

Large introductory courses are at a disadvantage in providing personalized guidance and advice for students during the semester. We introduce E2Coach (an Expert Electronic Coaching system), which allows instructors to personalize their communication with thousands of students. We describe the E2Coach system, the nature of the personalized support it provides, and the features of the students who did (and did not) opt-in to using it during the first three terms of its use in four introductory physics courses at the University of Michigan. Defining a ‘better-than-expected’ measure of performance, we compare outcomes for students who used E2Coach to those who did not. We found that moderate and high E2Coach usage was associated with improved performance. This performance boost was prominent among high users, who improved by 0.18 letter grades on average when compared to nonusers with similar incoming GPAs. This improvement in performance was comparable across both genders. E2Coach represents one way to use technology to personalize education at scale, contributing to the move towards individualized learning that is becoming more attainable in the 21st century. PMID:26352403

Is "treat your child normally" helpful advice for parents of survivors of treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome?

PubMed

Rempel, Gwen R; Harrison, Margaret J; Williamson, Deanna L

2009-04-01

Developing technology affords children with complex congenitally malformed hearts a chance for survival. Parents gratefully pursue life-saving options on behalf of their children, despite the risks to the life of their child, and uncertainty about outcomes. Little is known about how mothers and fathers experience parenting a child whose new state as a survivor may include less than optimal developmental sequels. Our study involved multiple interactive interviews with 9 mothers and 7 fathers of infants and preschool children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who had survived the Norwood surgical approach. Qualitative methodology included grounded theory methods of simultaneous collection and analysis of data, and we used open and selective coding of transcribed interviews. Parents used normalization in the context of uncertainty regarding the ongoing survival of their child. Parents described their underweight children as being on their own growth curve, and viewed their developmental progress, however delayed, as reason for celebration, as they had been prepared for their child to die. There is growing evidence that children with congenitally malformed hearts who require surgical intervention during the first year of life may experience developmental delay. The use of normalization by their parents may be effective in decreasing their worry regarding the uncertain future faced by their child, but may negatively affect the developmental progress of the child if they do not seek resources to assist development. Advice from paediatric specialists for parents to view their children as normal needs to be balanced with assistance for parents to access services to support optimal growth and development of their child.

Parenting on Your Own. Circulars 1245-1258.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Robert, Jr.; And Others

These 14 circulars for single parents provide advice about several aspects of parenting. Contents discuss developing self-esteem, conquering loneliness, managing stress, obtaining social support, managing time, controlling finances, getting and using credit, developing job-readiness skills, searching for a job, disciplining children effectively,…

Mothers in Honors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Killinger, Mimi; Binder-Hathaway, Rachel; Mitchell, Paige; Patrick, Emily

2013-01-01

This article describes the experiences of four honors mothers as they offer sage advice. They argue convincingly that they are motivated, focused students who bring rich diversity to college programs. They further report disturbing marginalization and isolation that could be ameliorated with support and increased sensitivity on the part of…

Effective Classroom Discipline: Advice for Educators.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fuhr, Don

1993-01-01

The need for properly administered classroom discipline is manifested by misbehaving students desiring structure that reveals the importance of managing time, distinguishes between right and wrong, and supports the notion of perseverance. Top performers in administration and teaching understand and practice effective discipline by reinforcing and…

Groups for Parents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Analysis of Experiences.

PubMed

Gustavsson, Marie; Starke, Mikaela

2017-07-01

Parents with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are often socially isolated and need support. This qualitative study is based on participant observations of a group for parents with with intellectual disabilities. Data were categorized and interpreted in the framework of social capital and symbolic interactionism. Being a part of the parent group provided parents with a social network, which had the potential to be supportive in everyday life. The social workers in the group were seen as allies, and parents appeared to trust them and felt they could seek advice and tell them about their personal problems. The parents sometimes asked for advice about how to handle contacts with other professionals in their everyday life. The parents valued the social contact with the other parents. The group provided the parents with the opportunity to meet both other parents and two social workers. The group gave a greater number of social relations, adding to the parents' social capital and helping to reduce social isolation. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Online Learning in Divorce: How the Formation of a Community of Practice in a Divorce Support Website Enables and Inhibits Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paechter, Carrie

2012-01-01

This article is about the informal learning that took place in an online divorce support and advice forum. In it, the author discusses the formation of a community of practice among the members during the first nine months of the site's operation. The author shows how the key markers of mutual engagement, joint enterprise and shared repertoire…

The influence of primary health care professionals in encouraging exercise and physical activity uptake among White and South Asian older adults: experiences of young older adults.

PubMed

Horne, Maria; Skelton, Dawn; Speed, Shaun; Todd, Chris

2010-01-01

To explore the influence of primary health care professionals in increasing exercise and physical activity among 60-70-year-old White and South Asian community dwellers. Fifteen focus groups and 40 in-depth interviews with community dwelling White and South Asian 60-70-year olds. The sample was selected to include people with very different experiences of participation and non-participation in exercise and physical activity. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Primary health care professionals' advice and support was found to be a motivator to the initiation of exercise and physical activity. However, this was usually in relation to advice on weight reduction, cardiac conditions and mobility issues, but not generally to improve or increase activity levels. An underlying attitude of genuine interest and empathy was valued and shaped decisions about initiating and/or increasing activity levels. Primary health care professionals should be encouraged to show interest and empathy with older people about the positive benefits of exercise and physical activity to them individually. This advice needs to be tailored to the older adult's symptoms. Primary health care professionals need to be able to provide specific advice as to the quantity (frequency, duration, intensity and type) of exercise or physical activity to undertake. Practitioners need to listen to their patients' needs, show empathy and avoid ageism during consultations.

Pleased to Tweet You: Making a Case for Twitter in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Messner, Kate

2009-01-01

As the ranks of educators on Twitter grow, more and more are heard about the importance of their "PLNs" (a term reportedly coined by educational technology guru David Warlick). A PLN, or Personal Learning Network, is a group of like-minded professionals with whom one can exchange ideas, advice, and resources. So why shouldn't students have PLNs of…

Domesticating the Personal Computer: The Mainstreaming of a New Technology and the Cultural Management of a Widespread Technophobia, 1964-.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reed, Lori

2000-01-01

Uses discourses on "computer-phobia" and "computer addiction" to describe the cultural work involved and marketing strategies used between 1960s-1990s regarding management of computer fear. Draws on popular discourses, advertisements, and advice literature to explore how the personal computer was successfully connected to middle-class family…

Application of Advanced Sensor Technology to DoD Soil Vapor Intrusion Problems

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

19 Figure 10. Photographs of: a) Layton , Utah, ASU SERDP project study house and b) basement...relative to sub-slab; line). ..................... 24 Figure 18. Spatial distributions of TCE in Layton , Utah, house without VI and emplaced indoor...technical advice and use of ASU’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) VI study house in Layton , Utah, is very

[Scientific advice by the nationally competent authority and by the EMEA on the conduct of clinical trials].

PubMed

Dejas-Eckertz, P; Schäffner, G

2005-04-01

Scientific advice for potential applicants for marketing authorization for medicinal products has been part of the tasks of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) ever since its establishment in 1995, and has been of increasing significance. Based on Article 56(3) of Regulation (EC) No. 726/2004, this task is now the responsibility of an independent working group of the EMEA, the Scientific Advice Working Party (SAWP). National scientific and regulatory advice has also been part of the work of two national authorities in Germany, the Federal Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (BfArM) and the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) for several years, but has gained in significance especially over the past 3 years. The basis for advice at a national level is Article 71c of the Law on Administrative Procedures (Verwaltungs-Verfahrensgesetz), the Drug Law, the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (Arzneimittelprufrichtlinien), and relevant guidelines defining the scientific state of the art. A company developing medicinal products may consult the EMEA or the national authority at any time in order to obtain opinions on the investigations and studies on the pharmaceutical, preclinical and clinical development required for a particular stage of development. In this context, the focus is exclusively on the data required for the planned authorization and the assessment of the evaluation strategy suggested by the company itself. The agreement between the company and the regulatory authority prior to marketing approval is designed to achieve a more effective development of the product and to obtain a more rapid decision on a future authorization procedure. An important component of the scientific advice procedure is the discussion between the company and the agencies. The results of this oral exchange is always summarised in writing. Advice is available for all medicinal products, including "orphan drugs". At the European level, the authorization procedure is prepared with the EMEA which provides administrative and legal support, whereas the scientific opinion itself is elaborated by the members of SAWP, and is adopted by CHMP after a maximum of 3 months following the application. In addition to the written opinions elaborated by two members of SAWP, acting as coordinators, and the internal discussion, the exchange of positions within a "discussion meeting" is also an important part of the European procedure. Scientific advice is a fee-paying procedure, with certain exceptions. Experience from previous advice from the EMEA and the BfArM has shown a certain acceleration in subsequent procedures. This experience, however, also shows very clearly that it is the data actually established in the investigation, especially on efficacy and safety, which are important for a successful and fast approval procedure.

Practitioner and lay perspectives of the service provision of nutrition information leaflets in primary care.

PubMed

McClinchy, Jane; Dickinson, Angela; Barron, Duncan; Thomas, Hilary

2011-12-01

In primary care, leaflets are often used to communicate health information. Increasingly, primary healthcare practitioners need to provide dietary advice. There is limited research exploring how nutrition information leaflets are used in primary care. The present study explored practitioner and lay experiences with respect to providing and receiving nutrition information in primary care, focusing in particular on the use of leaflets for nutrition information. A qualitative design was used incorporating focus groups with 57 practitioners based at seven general practitioner practices and a purposive sample of 30 lay participants attending six Consumer Health Organisations within one primary care trust. Focus groups were taped and transcribed verbatim and data were analysed thematically, assisted by computer software n6® (QSR International Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia). Practitioners discussed barriers to giving nutritional advice, access to leaflets, lay receptiveness to advice and their perceptions about the value of leaflets to lay people. Food was not considered in terms of its nutritional components by lay participants and the need for nutritional information was not perceived to be relevant until they had received a medical diagnosis. Lay participants discussed the importance of receiving nutritional advice relating to their medical diagnosis and the altered status of written information that was delivered personally. Practitioner and lay groups suggested improvements to ensure that nutritional advice be supported by relevant and appropriate written information. This research has underlined the continuing importance of nutrition information leaflets and concludes that there is particular value in involving lay participants in the development of nutrition information leaflets. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics © 2011 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.

Evaluation of a smartphone nutrition and physical activity application to provide lifestyle advice to pregnant women: The SNAPP randomised trial.

PubMed

Dodd, Jodie M; Louise, Jennie; Cramp, Courtney; Grivell, Rosalie M; Moran, Lisa J; Deussen, Andrea R

2018-01-01

Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a smartphone application as an adjunct to face-to-face consultations in facilitating dietary and physical activity change among pregnant women. This multicentre, nested randomised trial involved pregnant women with a body mass index ≥18.5 kg/m 2 , with a singleton pregnancy between 10 and 20 weeks' gestation, and participating in 2 pregnancy nutrition-based randomised trials across metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. All women participating in the SNAPP trial received a comprehensive dietary, physical activity, and behavioural intervention, as part of the GRoW or OPTIMISE randomised trials. Women were subsequently randomised to either the "Lifestyle Advice Only Group," where women received the above intervention, or the "Lifestyle Advice plus Smartphone Application Group," where women were additionally provided access to the smartphone application. The primary outcome was healthy eating index (HEI) assessed by maternal food frequency questionnaire completed at trial entry, and 28 and 36 weeks' gestation. Analyses were performed using intention-to-treat principles, with statistical significance at p = .05. One hundred sixty-two women participated: 77 allocated to the Lifestyle Advice plus Smartphone Application Group and 85 to the Lifestyle Advice Only Group. Mean difference in HEI score at 28 weeks of pregnancy was 0.01 (CI [-2.29, 2.62]) and at 36 weeks of pregnancy -1.16 (CI [-4.60, 2.28]). There was no significant additional benefit from the provision of the smartphone application in improving HEI score (p = .452). Although all women improved dietary quality across pregnancy, use of the smartphone application was poor. Our findings do not support addition of the smartphone application. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Sickness certification for common mental disorders and GP return-to-work advice.

PubMed

Gabbay, Mark; Shiels, Chris; Hillage, Jim

2016-09-01

Aim To report the types and duration of sickness certification for different common mental disorders (CMDs) and the prevalence of GP advice aimed at returning the patient to work. In the United Kingdom, common mental health problems, such and depression and stress, have become the main reasons for patients requesting a sickness certificate to abstain from usual employment. Increasing attention is being paid to mental health and its impact on employability and work capacity in all parts of the welfare system. However, relatively little is known about the extent to which different mental health diagnoses impact upon sickness certification outcomes, and how the GP has used the new fit note (introduced in 2010) to support a return to work for patients with mental health diagnoses. Sickness certification data was collected from 68 UK-based general practices for a period of 12 months. Findings The study found a large part of all sickness absence certified by GPs was due to CMDs (29% of all sickness absence episodes). Females, younger patients and those living in deprived areas were more likely to receive a fit note for a CMD (compared with one for a physical health problem). The highest proportion of CMD fit notes were issued for 'stress'. However, sickness certification for depression contributed nearly half of all weeks certified for mental health problems. Only 7% of CMD fit notes included any 'may be fit' advice from the GP, with type of advice varying by mental health diagnostic category. Patients living in the most socially deprived neighbourhoods were less likely to receive 'may be fit' advice on their CMD fit notes.

Rationale, design and methods of the Study of Work and Pain (SWAP): a cluster randomised controlled trial testing the addition of a vocational advice service to best current primary care for patients with musculoskeletal pain (ISRCTN 52269669)

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Musculoskeletal pain is a major contributor to short and long term work absence. Patients seek care from their general practitioner (GP) and yet GPs often feel ill-equipped to deal with work issues. Providing a vocational case management service in primary care, to support patients with musculoskeletal problems to remain at or return to work, is one potential solution but requires robust evaluation to test clinical and cost-effectiveness. Methods/Design This protocol describes a cluster randomised controlled trial, with linked qualitative interviews, to investigate the effect of introducing a vocational advice service into general practice, to provide a structured approach to managing work related issues in primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain who are absent from work or struggling to remain in work. General practices (n = 6) will be randomised to offer best current care or best current care plus a vocational advice service. Adults of working age who are absent from or struggling to remain in work due to a musculoskeletal pain problem will be invited to participate and 330 participants will be recruited. Data collection will be through patient completed questionnaires at baseline, 4 and 12 months. The primary outcome is self-reported work absence at 4 months. Incremental cost-utility analysis will be undertaken to calculate the cost per additional QALY gained and incremental net benefits. A linked interview study will explore the experiences of the vocational advice service from the perspectives of GPs, nurse practitioners (NPs), patients and vocational advisors. Discussion This paper presents the rationale, design, and methods of the Study of Work And Pain (SWAP) trial. The results of this trial will provide evidence to inform primary care practice and guide the development of services to provide support for musculoskeletal pain patients with work-related issues. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN52269669. PMID:25012813

Rationale, design and methods of the Study of Work and Pain (SWAP): a cluster randomised controlled trial testing the addition of a vocational advice service to best current primary care for patients with musculoskeletal pain (ISRCTN 52269669).

PubMed

Bishop, Annette; Wynne-Jones, Gwenllian; Lawton, Sarah A; van der Windt, Danielle; Main, Chris; Sowden, Gail; Burton, A Kim; Lewis, Martyn; Jowett, Sue; Sanders, Tom; Hay, Elaine M; Foster, Nadine E

2014-07-10

Musculoskeletal pain is a major contributor to short and long term work absence. Patients seek care from their general practitioner (GP) and yet GPs often feel ill-equipped to deal with work issues. Providing a vocational case management service in primary care, to support patients with musculoskeletal problems to remain at or return to work, is one potential solution but requires robust evaluation to test clinical and cost-effectiveness. This protocol describes a cluster randomised controlled trial, with linked qualitative interviews, to investigate the effect of introducing a vocational advice service into general practice, to provide a structured approach to managing work related issues in primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain who are absent from work or struggling to remain in work. General practices (n = 6) will be randomised to offer best current care or best current care plus a vocational advice service. Adults of working age who are absent from or struggling to remain in work due to a musculoskeletal pain problem will be invited to participate and 330 participants will be recruited. Data collection will be through patient completed questionnaires at baseline, 4 and 12 months. The primary outcome is self-reported work absence at 4 months. Incremental cost-utility analysis will be undertaken to calculate the cost per additional QALY gained and incremental net benefits. A linked interview study will explore the experiences of the vocational advice service from the perspectives of GPs, nurse practitioners (NPs), patients and vocational advisors. This paper presents the rationale, design, and methods of the Study of Work And Pain (SWAP) trial. The results of this trial will provide evidence to inform primary care practice and guide the development of services to provide support for musculoskeletal pain patients with work-related issues. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN52269669.

Mexican American family processes: nurturing, support, and socialization.

PubMed

Niska, K J

1999-04-01

The purpose of this ethnographic study with Mexican American families was to document characteristics of Mexican American family processes of nurturing, support, and socialization. Audiotaped conversations with participants were transcribed verbatim in Spanish or English. Content analysis was used to derive characteristics of family processes. Family nurturing was characterized by being kin-based and intimate in nature. Family support was kin-based, with material support oriented toward household needs; with emotional support grounded in shared stories, problem solving, and prayer; and with informational support offered in consejos (wisdom sayings and words of advice), stories, and guidance. Family socialization was kin-based, hierarchical, and ritualistic.

Nickel hydrogen battery expert system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shiva, Sajjan G.

1991-01-01

The Hubble Telescope Battery Testbed at MSFC uses the Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) Battery Expert System (NICBES-2) which supports the evaluation of performance of Hubble Telescope spacecraft batteries and provides alarm diagnosis and action advice. NICBES-2 provides a reasoning system along with a battery domain knowledge base to achieve this battery health management function. An effort is summarized which was used to modify NICBES-2 to accommodate Nickel Hydrogen (NiH2) battery environment now in MSFC testbed. The NICBES-2 is implemented on a Sun Microsystem and is written in SunOS C and Quintus Prolog. The system now operates in a multitasking environment. NICBES-2 spawns three processes: serial port process (SPP); data handler process (DHP); and the expert system process (ESP) in order to process the telemetry data and provide the status and action advice. NICBES-2 performs orbit data gathering, data evaluation, alarm diagnosis and action advice and status and history display functions. The adaptation of NICBES-2 to work with NiH2 battery environment required modification to all of the three component processes.

The importance of dietary change for men diagnosed with and at risk of prostate cancer: a multi-centre interview study with men, their partners and health professionals.

PubMed

Avery, Kerry N L; Donovan, Jenny L; Horwood, Jeremy; Neal, David E; Hamdy, Freddie C; Parker, Chris; Wade, Julia; Lane, Athene

2014-05-03

The diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) can provide a trigger for dietary change, and there is evidence that healthier diets may improve quality of life and clinical outcomes. However, men's views about dietary change in PC survivorship are largely unknown. This multi-centre qualitative interview study explored men's views about dietary change in PC survivorship, to better understand motivations for, and barriers to, achieving desired changes. The role of radical and active surveillance treatments on dietary change and the influence of men's partners were examined. Focus groups also evaluated stakeholder opinion, including healthcare professionals, about the provision of dietary advice to PC patients. A multi-centre interview study explored views about diet and motivations for, and barriers to, dietary change in men at elevated risk or diagnosed with PC following prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. 58 men and 11 partners were interviewed. Interviews and focus groups were undertaken with 11 healthcare professionals, 5 patients and 4 partners to evaluate stakeholders' opinions about the feasibility and acceptability of providing dietary advice to PC patients. Data were analysed using methods of constant comparison and thematic analysis. Over half of diagnosed men reported making dietary changes, primarily to promote general or prostate health or facilitate coping, despite their uncertainty about diet-PC links. Interest in dietary advice was high. Information needs varied depending on treatment received, with men on active surveillance more frequently modifying their diet and regarding this as an adjunct therapy. Men considered their partners integral to implementing changes. Provision of dietary advice to men diagnosed with PC was considered by healthcare professionals and men to be feasible and appropriate in the context of a holistic 'care package'. Many men make positive dietary changes after PC diagnosis, which are perceived by men and their partners to bring psychological and general health benefits and could help future dietary intervention trials. Men and their partners desire more and better dietary information that may support PC survivorship, particularly among those embarking on active surveillance/monitoring programmes. There are opportunities for healthcare professionals to support PC patients both clinically and psychologically by the routine integration of healthy eating advice into survivorship care plans.

Patient-centred advice is effective in improving adherence to medicines.

PubMed

Clifford, Sarah; Barber, Nick; Elliott, Rachel; Hartley, Elaine; Horne, Rob

2006-06-01

To assess the effects of pharmacists giving advice to meet patients' needs after starting a new medicine for a chronic condition. A prospective health technology assessment including a randomised controlled trial of a pharmacist-delivered intervention to improve adherence using a centralised telephone service to patients at home in England. Patients were eligible for recruitment if they were receiving the first prescription for a newly prescribed medication for a chronic condition and were 75 or older or suffering from stroke, cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. Incidence of non-adherence, problems with the new medicine, beliefs about the new medicine, safety and usefulness of the interventions. Five hundred patients consented and were randomised. At 4-week follow-up, non-adherence was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to control (9% vs. 16%, P = 0.032). The number of patients reporting medicine-related problems was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control (23% vs. 34%, P = 0.021). Intervention group patients also had more positive beliefs about their new medicine, as shown by their higher score on the "necessity-concerns differential" (5.0 vs. 3.5, P = 0.007). The phone calls took a median of 12 min each. Most advice was judged by experts to be safe and helpful, and patients found it useful. Overall, these findings show benefits from pharmacists meeting patients' needs for information and advice on medicines, soon after starting treatment. While a substantially larger trial would be needed to confirm that the effect is real and sustained, these initial findings suggest the service may be safe and useful to patients.

The Use of Online Health Forums by Patients With Chronic Cough: Qualitative Study

PubMed Central

Porter, Tom; Wilson, Andrew

2018-01-01

Background Online health discussion forums are used by different patient groups for sharing advice and information. Chronic cough is a common problem, and people with chronic cough use online health forums alongside formal medical therapies. Objective The objective of this study was to assess how chronic cough sufferers use online health forums, including the treatment advice they share with one another and the possible clinical uses of online forums in chronic cough. Methods Three open-access health forums were searched for threads related to chronic cough. Identified threads were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria adapted from the British Thoracic Society (BTS) Guidelines related to chronic cough diagnosis. Included data were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis. All study data were cross-validated by a second author and discrepancies were resolved. Results In total, 96 threads were included in the analysis, consisting of posts by 223 forum users. Three main themes were identified: the effect of chronic cough on the lives of patients, the treatment advice shared between users, and the provision of support within forums. Conclusions Chronic cough symptoms had impacts on multiple aspects of patients’ health and well-being. To try and combat these issues, forum users suggested a variety of treatments to one another, ranging from mainstream traditional therapies to odd alternative remedies. The provision of support and empathy were also prominent themes in discussion threads. Online forums themselves may provide increasing benefit to users through the addition of a moderator. PMID:29367181

Attitudes and beliefs to the uptake and maintenance of physical activity among community-dwelling South Asians aged 60-70 years: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Horne, M; Skelton, D A; Speed, S; Todd, C

2012-05-01

To identify the attitudes and beliefs associated with the uptake and adherence of physical activity among community-dwelling South Asians aged 60-70 years. A qualitative research study using an ethnographic approach. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted to explore motivational factors associated with initiating and maintaining physical activity. Data analysis followed the framework approach. Health, maintaining independence and social support were important in terms of initiating physical activity. Social support, psychosocial elements of activity, health and integrating physical activity within everyday activities were important for adherence to physical activity. The need for gendered physical activity sessions was important to initiating exercise among Muslim South Asians aged 60-70 years. Promoting active lifestyles and building physical activity in and around day-to-day activities are important strategies in increasing activity levels. However, the needs for culturally appropriate facilities, peer mentors who could assist those with language barriers, specific tailored advice, advice on integrating physical activity in everyday life and general social support could promote uptake and subsequent adherence among this population group. Copyright © 2012 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pressure ulcer prevention: the role of the multidisciplinary team.

PubMed

Samuriwo, Ray

Pressure ulcer prevention has long been a priority for health professionals; however, poor pressure-ulcer-related practices like poor documentation continue to be identified. Research has shown that the attitude and behaviour of some nurses towards pressure ulcer prevention are not conducive to the best possible patient outcomes.This article reviews the findings of a Straussian grounded theory study, which sought to ascertain the value that is placed on pressure ulcer prevention by nurses, but also revealed the role that other health professionals in the multidisciplinary team play in the maintenance of skin integrity. The findings of this study which are presented in this paper highlight a number of important issues. Firstly, nurses are expected to know how to prevent and manage pressure ulcers, but in reality they are very reliant on the advice and support of other health professionals to maintain their patients' skin integrity. In addition,the level of support that nurses get from other health professionals in the multidisciplinary varies tremendously. Therefore, nurses in clinical practice need to be proactive in seeking input from other health professionals, as there are many members of the multidisciplinary team who are able to give them the advice and support that they need in prevention and management.

The European Union, Education Governance and International Education Surveys

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Volante, Louis; Ritzen, Jo

2016-01-01

The European Union--comprising 28 member states with individual sovereignty in the formation and implementation of education policy--has developed research and communication strategies to facilitate the exchange of best practices, gathering and dissemination of education statistics and, perhaps most importantly, advice and support for national…

75 FR 81280 - Office of Head Start; Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-27

... Head Start). OHS develops legislative and budgetary proposals; identifies areas for research... systems, and electronic mail requests; (c) providing management and administrative services and advice, by... support through: (a) The oversight of information resources management (IRM) systems, including the Early...

Supporting Advice Sharing for Technical Problems in Residential Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poole, Erika Shehan

2010-01-01

Visions of future computing in residential settings often come with assumptions of seamless, well-functioning, properly configured devices and network connectivity. In the near term, however, processes of setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting are fraught with difficulties; householders regularly report these tasks as confusing, frustrating, and…

Providing a Home for Start-Ups.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoffman, Carl

2001-01-01

Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, in two Alabama locations, supports would-be entrepreneurs with extensive planning advice, rental space, loans, business training, and back-office infrastructure. The center favors business plans with the potential to create fairly high-paying jobs, a different focus from other businesses in the region, and an…

Development of the functional social network index for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

PubMed

Huang, I-Chan; Jones, Conor M; Brinkman, Tara M; Hudson, Melissa M; Srivastava, D Kumar; Li, Yuelin; Robison, Leslie L; Krull, Kevin R

2018-05-15

To the authors' knowledge, social network status in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors has not been adequately studied to date. The authors developed and validated a functional social network index (FSNI) for AYA survivors, and compared its performance with that of 2 traditional indices (density and betweenness centrality). A total of 102 AYA survivors and 102 noncancer controls who were matched for age, sex, and race were recruited from an Internet panel. Each participant reported relationships with up to 25 close friends and/or relatives. The authors developed a FSNI with reported marital status, contact frequency with friends/relatives, available resources for emotional and tangible support, and available resources for physical activity and weight management advice. Linear regression was used to analyze associations between the FSNI and cancer diagnoses, treatments, and coping skills. Based on the FSNI, survivors were found to have more available resources for emotional support (beta [b] = 3.02; P = .003), tangible support (b = 4.17; P<.001), physical activity advice (b = 3.94; P<.001), and weight management advice (b = 4.10; P<.001) compared with noncancer controls. Survivors of lymphoma had the largest FSNI, whereas survivors of central nervous system malignancies had the smallest (b = 2.77; P = .02). A higher FSNI was associated with better coping skills: less denial (b = 0.10; P = .01), using emotional support (b = 0.08; P = .04), using instrumental support (b = 0.12; P<.001), less behavioral disengagement (b = 0.08; P = .04), venting of emotions (b = 0.10; P = .004), positive reframing (b = 0.12; P = .003), planning for the future (b = 0.08; P = .03), and religious engagement (b = 0.16; P<.001). Density and betweenness centrality indices demonstrated neither significant differences in social networks between cancer survivors and controls (all P values >.05) nor significant associations with coping skills (all P values >.05). The FSNI appears to provide a better social network assessment for AYA cancer survivors than traditional indices. Cancer 2018;124:2220-7. © 2018 American Cancer Society. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Intervention quality is not routinely assessed in Cochrane systematic reviews of radiation therapy interventions.

PubMed

Abdul Rahim, Mohamad R; James, Melissa L; Hickey, Brigid E

2017-10-01

The aim of this study was to maximise the benefits from clinical trials involving technological interventions such as radiation therapy. High compliance to the quality assurance protocols is crucial. We assessed whether the quality of radiation therapy intervention was evaluated in Cochrane systematic reviews. We searched 416 published Cochrane systematic reviews and identified 67 Cochrane systematic reviews that investigated radiation therapy or radiotherapy as an intervention. For each systematic review, either quality assurance or quality control for the intervention was identified by a description of such processes in the published systematic reviews. Of the 67 Cochrane systematic reviews studied, only two mentioned quality assurance or quality control. Our findings revealed that 65 of 67 (97%) Cochrane systematic reviews of radiation therapy interventions failed to consider the quality of the intervention. We suggest that advice about the evaluation of intervention quality be added to author support materials. © 2017 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

75 FR 34520 - The Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC) Subcommittee on Labor and World-Class Workforce...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-17

...The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the Secretary of Transportation, announces a meeting of the FAAC Subcommittee on Labor and World-class Workforce, which will be held at 501 3rd Street NW., Washington, DC 20001. This notice announces the date, time, and location of the meeting, which will be open to the public. The purpose of the FAAC is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation to ensure the competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry and its capability to manage effectively the evolving transportation needs, challenges, and opportunities of the global economy. The Subcommittee is charged with ensuring the availability and quality of a workforce necessary to support a robust, expanding commercial aviation industry in light of the changing socio-economic dynamics of the world's technologically advanced economies. Among other matters, the Subcommittee will examine the future employment requirements of the aviation industry, its educational requirements, and the critical/technical skills that will be needed by our future aviation workforce.

System control module diagnostic Expert Assistant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flores, Luis M.; Hansen, Roger F.

1990-01-01

The Orbiter EXperiments (OEX) Program was established by NASA's Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) to accomplish the precise data collection necessary to support a complete and accurate assessment of Space Transportation System (STS) Orbiter performance during all phases of a mission. During a mission, data generated by the various experiments are conveyed to the OEX System Control Module (SCM) which arranges for and monitors storage of the data on the OEX tape recorder. The SCM Diagnostic Expert Assistant (DEA) is an expert system which provides on demand advice to technicians performing repairs of a malfunctioning SCM. The DEA is a self-contained, data-driven knowledge-based system written in the 'C' Language Production System (CLIPS) for a portable micro-computer of the IBM PC/XT class. The DEA reasons about SCM hardware faults at multiple levels; the most detailed layer of encoded knowledge of the SCM is a representation of individual components and layouts of the custom-designed component boards.

Tele-healthcare for diabetes management: A low cost automatic approach.

PubMed

Benaissa, M; Malik, B; Kanakis, A; Wright, N P

2012-01-01

In this paper, a telemedicine system for managing diabetic patients with better care is presented. The system is an end to end solution which relies on the integration of front end (patient unit) and backend web server. A key feature of the system developed is the very low cost automated approach. The front-end of the system is capable of reading glucose measurements from any glucose meter and sending them automatically via existing networks to the back-end server. The back-end is designed and developed using n-tier web client architecture based on model-view-controller design pattern using open source technology, a cost effective solution. The back-end helps the health-care provider with data analysis; data visualization and decision support, and allows them to send feedback and therapeutic advice to patients from anywhere using a browser enabled device. This system will be evaluated during the trials which will be conducted in collaboration with a local hospital in phased manner.

Implanon NXT: Expert tips for best-practice insertion and removal.

PubMed

Pearson, Suzanne; Stewart, Mary; Bateson, Deborah

2017-03-01

The single rod etonogestrel contraceptive implant is available in Australia as Implanon NXT. It is a highly effective, long-acting reversible contraceptive method, which is suitable for most women across the reproductive lifespan. This article provides practical advice for clinicians who already insert and remove the contraceptive implant, as well as advice for those who have not yet acquired this procedural skill. Contraceptive implant procedures are usually performed in the general practice setting. Clinicians can support women in making an informed choice to have an implant by providing information about their benefits, side effects and risks, and timely access to insertion. Training in the procedures and compliance with procedural instructions are essential to minimise risks, including deep insertion and damage to neurovascular structures.

Maintained physical activity and physiotherapy in the management of distal upper limb pain – a protocol for a randomised controlled trial (the arm pain trial)

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Distal upper limb pain (pain affecting the elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand) can be non-specific, or can arise from specific musculoskeletal disorders. It is clinically important and costly, the best approach to clinical management is unclear. Physiotherapy is the standard treatment and, while awaiting treatment, advice is often given to rest and avoid strenuous activities, but there is no evidence base to support these strategies. This paper describes the protocol of a randomised controlled trial to determine, among patients awaiting physiotherapy for distal arm pain, (a) whether advice to remain active and maintain usual activities results in a long-term reduction in arm pain and disability, compared with advice to rest; and (b) whether immediate physiotherapy results in a long-term reduction in arm pain and disability, compared with physiotherapy delivered after a seven week waiting list period. Methods/Design Between January 2012 and January 2014, new referrals to 14 out-patient physiotherapy departments were screened for potential eligibility. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups in equal numbers: 1) advice to remain active, 2) advice to rest, 3) immediate physiotherapy. Patients were and followed up at 6, 13, and 26 weeks post-randomisation by self-complete postal questionnaire and, at six weeks, patients who had not received physiotherapy were offered it at this time. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients free of disability at 26 weeks, as determined by the modified DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire. We hypothesise (a) that advice to maintain usual activities while awaiting physiotherapy will be superior than advice to rest the arm; and (b) that fast-track physiotherapy will be superior to normal (waiting list) physiotherapy. These hypotheses will be examined using an intention-to-treat analysis. Discussion Results from this trial will contribute to the evidence base underpinning the clinical management of patients with distal upper limb pain, and in particular, will provide guidance on whether they should be advised to rest the arm or remain active within the limits imposed by their symptoms. Trial registration Registered on http://www.controlled-trials.com (reference number: ISRCTN79085082). PMID:24612447

Maintained physical activity and physiotherapy in the management of distal upper limb pain - a protocol for a randomised controlled trial (the arm pain trial).

PubMed

Jones, Gareth T; Mertens, Kathrin; Macfarlane, Gary J; Palmer, Keith T; Coggon, David; Walker-Bone, Karen; Burton, Kim; Heine, Peter J; McCabe, Candy; McNamee, Paul; McConnachie, Alex

2014-03-10

Distal upper limb pain (pain affecting the elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand) can be non-specific, or can arise from specific musculoskeletal disorders. It is clinically important and costly, the best approach to clinical management is unclear. Physiotherapy is the standard treatment and, while awaiting treatment, advice is often given to rest and avoid strenuous activities, but there is no evidence base to support these strategies. This paper describes the protocol of a randomised controlled trial to determine, among patients awaiting physiotherapy for distal arm pain, (a) whether advice to remain active and maintain usual activities results in a long-term reduction in arm pain and disability, compared with advice to rest; and (b) whether immediate physiotherapy results in a long-term reduction in arm pain and disability, compared with physiotherapy delivered after a seven week waiting list period. Between January 2012 and January 2014, new referrals to 14 out-patient physiotherapy departments were screened for potential eligibility. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups in equal numbers: 1) advice to remain active, 2) advice to rest, 3) immediate physiotherapy. Patients were and followed up at 6, 13, and 26 weeks post-randomisation by self-complete postal questionnaire and, at six weeks, patients who had not received physiotherapy were offered it at this time. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients free of disability at 26 weeks, as determined by the modified DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire.We hypothesise (a) that advice to maintain usual activities while awaiting physiotherapy will be superior than advice to rest the arm; and (b) that fast-track physiotherapy will be superior to normal (waiting list) physiotherapy. These hypotheses will be examined using an intention-to-treat analysis. Results from this trial will contribute to the evidence base underpinning the clinical management of patients with distal upper limb pain, and in particular, will provide guidance on whether they should be advised to rest the arm or remain active within the limits imposed by their symptoms. Registered on http://www.controlled-trials.com (reference number: ISRCTN79085082).

A quantitative analysis of the quality and content of the health advice in popular Australian magazines.

PubMed

Wilson, Amanda; Smith, David; Peel, Roseanne; Robertson, Jane; Kypri, Kypros

2017-06-01

To examine how health advice is provided in popular magazines and the quality of that advice. A prospective quantitative analysis of the quality of health advice provided in Australian magazines between July and December 2011 was conducted. A rating instrument was adapted from the Media Doctor Australia rating tool used to assess quality of health news reporting. Criteria included: recommends seeing a doctor; advice based on reliable evidence; advice clear and easily applied; benefits presented meaningfully; potential harms mentioned; evidence of disease mongering; availability and cost of treatments; obvious advertising; vested interest, and anecdotal evidence. 163 health advice articles were rated showing a wide variation in the quality of advice presented between magazines. Magazines with 'health' in the title, rated most poorly with only 36% (26/73) of these articles presenting clear and meaningful advice and 52% (38/73) giving advice based on reliable evidence. Australian magazines, especially those with health in the title, generally presented poor quality, unreliable health advice. Teen magazine Dolly provided the highest quality advice. Consumers need to be aware of this when making health choices. © 2016 Public Health Association of Australia.

Benefits and burdens: family caregivers' experiences of assistive technology (AT) in everyday life with persons with young-onset dementia (YOD).

PubMed

Holthe, Torhild; Jentoft, Rita; Arntzen, Cathrine; Thorsen, Kirsten

2017-09-11

People with dementia and their family caregivers may benefit from assistive technology (AT), but knowledge is scarce about family carers' (FC) experiences and involvement in the use of AT in everyday life. To examine the FC roles and experiences with AT as means of supporting people with young onset-dementia (YOD). Qualitative interview study with follow-up design. Repeated semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 FC of people with YOD, participating in an ongoing intervention study investigating the families' use and experiences of AT in everyday life. Six main themes emerged: (1) timely information about AT; (2) waiting times; (3) AT incorporated into everyday living; (4) AT experienced as a relief and burden; (5) appraisal of AT qualities and (6) the committed caregiver. The study found benefits for the FC, especially with simply designed AT, but also several barriers for successful use. A committed caregiver is vital throughout the process. Users will need professional advice and support, and occupational therapists may have a significant role in the process. Interventions implementing AT must be based on analysis of the needs of the person with YOD and the carers: their capabilities, preferences, embodied habits, and coping strategies. Implications for Rehabilitation Committed family carers (FC) play an important, often decisive, role in providing support for the person with young-onset dementia (YOD, onset <65 years) to use and benefit from the AT. The simpler the AT, the better. The AT should be introduced at "the right time", before the cognitive and adaptive reduction is too great. The "window" for implementation may be short. AT has potential to ease caregiving and give relief for FC. However, many barriers, difficulties and problems must be attended to. A system for individualized support over time is necessary for implementing AT for this group.

An investigation of the early factors which influence women's career choices in physical science and technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Payne, Anneliese

The composition of the workforce has begun to undergo a change. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that women, minorities, and immigrants will constitute 80 percent of the additions to the labor force between 1987 and the year 2000 (Oakes, 1990). The National Science Foundation projects that the United States may have a shortfall of 400,000 scientists and over 250,000 engineers by the year 2006 (Argonne, 1990). Since women are among those who are significantly underrepresented among individuals preparing for a career in science, thirty women who are currently pursuing a successful career in physical science and technology were interviewed. This study determined participants' perceptions of the factors that first influenced an early interest in physical science and technology. The investigation included perceptions regarding: (1) whether certain identifiable events or experiences influenced the decision to pursue science as a career and what those events and experiences were; (2) at what age these events occurred; (3) whether an adult(s) was influential and which adult(s) it was; and (4) identification of where these events and experiences occurred. The interview technique was selected as the best research method for collecting the qualitative and demographic data needed for this study. The results represent the participants' recollections of out-of-school and in-school activities, family, friends and teacher support, self-image during the formative years, parents as the most important factor which influenced an interest in physical science, and major obstacles that had to be overcome by the participants in order to pursue successful careers in physical science and technology. Also included is participants' advice to parents and teachers who want to encourage females to pursue a career in physical science and technology.

Regional Brain Changes Occurring during Disobedience to “Experts” in Financial Decision-Making

PubMed Central

Suen, Victoria Y. M.; Brown, Matthew R. G.; Morck, Randall K.; Silverstone, Peter H.

2014-01-01

It is well recognized that individuals follow “Expert” advice, even when flawed and offers no advantage, and sometimes leads to disadvantages. The neurobiology underlying this is uncertain, and in particular there is an incomplete understanding of which brain regions are most involved when individuals chose to disobey an expert. To study this we examined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) differences during an investment game where subjects received differentially credible investment advice. Participants (n = 42; 32 males) played an investment game, in which they could Buy or Not Buy a sequence of stocks. The better they did, the more money they made. Participants received either “Expert” advice or “Peer” advice. Those receiving Expert advice were told the advice came from a certified financial “Expert”. Those receiving Peer Advice were told the advice was that of the student administering the scans, who deliberately dressed and acted casually. Both streams of advice were predetermined and identical. The advice was scripted to be helpful initially, but progressively worse as the task continued, becoming 100% wrong by the end of the task. Subjects receiving Expert Advice followed the advice significantly longer on average, even though this was progressively worse advice. Thus, following Expert advice had poorer consequences for individuals, but this did not dissuade them from continuing to follow the advice. In contrast, when subjects disobeyed Expert advice they exhibited significant anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and superior frontal gyrus activation relative to those disobeying Peer advice. These findings may suggest that in subjects who defy authority, or believe they are doing so (in this case by disobeying an “Expert”) there is increased activation of these two brain regions. This may have relevance to several areas of behavior, and the potential role of these two brain regions in regard to disobedience behavior requires further study. PMID:24475270

Smoothing the Path to Learning Success: A Student Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doucette, Colleen

2005-01-01

The education system invests time and resources in collaborative processes designed to improve its ability to support students as successful learners. Traditionally, it seeks the advice of educators, researchers, ministries and boards of education, parents, and the public at large in an ongoing effort to increase its effectiveness. Less…

Explorations in Course-Casting: Podcasts in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bongey, Sarah Bryans; Cizadlo, Gerald; Kalnbach, Lynn

2006-01-01

Purpose: To explore the benefits, challenges, and impact of podcasting in higher education and also to provide educators with anecdotal and practical advice and information on how to create and distribute podcasts. Design/methodology/approach: In support of a traditional college course, a biology professor implemented podcasts to explore the value…

Radiating Messages: An International Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Janet

2003-01-01

Negative messages about the detrimental impacts of divorce on children prompted urgent calls in the United Kingdom for a reinstatement of traditional family values. Suggests that although the effects of divorce are real, care should be taken to avoid exaggeration, thus moving the debate to one centered on providing better support, advice, and…

Let's Score One for Our Side!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hale, Ann

1985-01-01

Reviews an article in the January 1985 issue of "The Executive Educator" that contains sound advice to administrators on the responsibilities of and restrictions to their role with the student press. Urges journalism teachers and advisers to obtain a copy of the article for support of student press rights. (HTH)

Increasing Youth Physical Activity with Activity Calendars

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eckler, Seth

2016-01-01

Physical educators often struggle with ways to get their students to be active beyond the school day. One strategy to accomplish this is the use of physical activity calendars (PACs). The purpose of this article is to support the use of PACs and give practical advice for creating effective PACs.

Strengthen Your Principal's Resource Library

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lasky, Beth; Karge, Belinda Dunnick

2009-01-01

How many times do teachers wander into their principal's office for advice, support, guidance, or recommendations, only to find that those books on the shelf are outdated or obsolete? How many times have principals attended individualized education program (IEP) meetings and wished they understood all the new provisions of federal laws? And when…

Survival Guide for the First-Year Special Education Teacher. Revised Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cohen, Mary Kemper; And Others

This guidebook offers practical advice to support special education teachers in their first year of teaching. The first chapter, "Getting Ready To Teach," outlines preparations necessary before school begins, such as organizing the classroom and establishing planning and record-keeping strategies. "Tips for the Classroom" lists what teachers…

Gender Equity in the University: The Unmet Agenda

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roach, Virginia; El-Khawas, Elaine

2010-01-01

In 1991 Topside University established the University Committee on the Status of Women Faculty and Librarians (UCSWFL) to identify obstacles to the professional and personal development of women faculty and librarians and to provide advice and guidance concerning initiatives to support them throughout the University. The University has focused on…

Support for Families When a Child has Cancer

Cancer.gov

When a child has been diagnosed with cancer, parents need practical advice and information. Learn how to talk with your child and their siblings about cancer. Get answers to commonly asked questions from parents and children. Tips to help you talk with your child’s doctor, during treatment, are included.

IBE: Strategy & Programme of Work 2012-2017

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

UNESCO International Bureau of Education, 2013

2013-01-01

Education plays a fundamental role in the social and economic development of individuals and communities. As a centre of excellence as well as the UNESCO Institute specializing in curriculum, the International Bureau of Education (IBE) offers relevant advice, training and resources to help conceive and support efficiently processes of curricular…

Romantic Relationship Advice from Anonymous Online Helpers: The Peer Support Adolescents Exchange

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Jung-Eun; Weinstein, Emily C.; Selman, Robert L.

2017-01-01

This empirical study investigates adolescents' responses to peers' personal accounts of romantic relationship difficulties posted to an online forum. We analyze 440 anonymous responses to personal accounts of four romantic relationship issues: controlling partners, break-ups, trust issues, and partner cruelty. Responses were categorized, in order…

77 FR 60478 - Proposal Review Panel for Computing Communication Foundations; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-03

... assess the progress of the EIC Award: 1029711, ``Collaborative Research: Mining Climate and Ecosystem Data'', and to provide advice and recommendations concerning further NSF support for the Center. AGENDA... answer sessions. 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Closed Draft report on education and research activities. Wednesday...

76 FR 50329 - Request for Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee Membership Applications

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-12

... eight times per year. The United States Mint is responsible for providing the necessary support, technical services and advice to the CCAC. CCAC members are not paid for their time or services, but, consistent with Federal Travel Regulations, members are reimbursed for their travel and lodging expenses to...

Development of an Intelligent Instruction System for Mathematical Computation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Du Gyu; Lee, Jaemu

2013-01-01

In this paper, we propose the development of a web-based, intelligent instruction system to help elementary school students for mathematical computation. We concentrate on the intelligence facilities which support diagnosis and advice. The existing web-based instruction systems merely give information on whether the learners' replies are…

Establishing and Maintaining a Writing Center in the Junior or Community College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olson, Gary A.

Practical information and advice are presented on l6 considerations in the establishment of a campus writing center. First, six concerns related to planning are discussed: obtaining administrative and departmental support; securing funds from various internal and external sources; obtaining furniture, supplies, and instructional materials;…

Supporting Sustainability: Teachers' Advice Networks and Ambitious Instructional Reform

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coburn, Cynthia E.; Russell, Jennifer L.; Kaufman, Julia Heath; Stein, Mary Kay

2012-01-01

Scaling up instructional improvement remains a central challenge for school systems. While existing research suggests that teachers' social networks play a crucial role, we know little about what dimensions of teachers' social networks matter for sustainability. Drawing from a longitudinal study of the scale-up of mathematics reform, we use…

Parents in Reading: Parents' Booklet.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Truby, Roy

Intended for parents, this booklet offers advice and suggestions for developing a child's self-expression and providing a supportive environment for reading experiences at home. Various sections of the book discuss the following: (1) giving love and warmth to your child, (2) reading with your child, (3) listening to your child, (4) talking with…

Facing the Issues: Challenges, Censorship, and Reflection through Dialogue

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lent, ReLeah Cossett

2008-01-01

ReLeah Cossett Lent provides practical advice for ensuring that books are kept on shelves and in classrooms for students to read. She outlines steps for creating professional learning communities that engage with censorship issues and prepare schools to deal with book challenges in thoughtful, supportive ways. (Contains 4 figures.)

There's More to Retirement than Financial Security.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fetridge, Guild A.

1990-01-01

Since hobbies and recreational activities don't generate the intellectual satisfaction and adrenaline flow of a successful and challenging career, principals need to develop new midlife careers to replace some of the emotional supports that slip away after retirement. This article offers helpful advice on avoiding retirement pitfalls and pursuing…

77 FR 59202 - Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-26

...: Provide advice to the Acting Director, Center for Scientific Review (CSR), on matters related to planning, execution, conduct, support, review, evaluation, and receipt and referral of grant applications at CSR... Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3030, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301- 435-0695, [email protected]csr.nih.gov...

78 FR 19497 - Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-01

...: Provide advice to the Director, Center for Scientific Review (CSR), on matters related to planning, execution, conduct, support, review, evaluation, and receipt and referral of grant applications at CSR[email protected]csr.nih.gov . (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.306, Comparative Medicine; 93...

77 FR 22332 - Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-13

...: Provide advice to the Acting Director, Center for Scientific Review (CSR), on matters related to planning, execution, conduct, support, review, evaluation, and receipt and referral of grant applications at CSR[email protected]csr.nih.gov . Any interested person may file written comments with the committee by forwarding the...

A phenomenologic investigation of pediatric residents' experiences being parented and giving parenting advice.

PubMed

Bax, A C; Shawler, P M; Blackmon, D L; DeGrace, E W; Wolraich, M L

2016-09-01

Factors surrounding pediatricians' parenting advice and training on parenting during residency have not been well studied. The primary purpose of this study was to examine pediatric residents' self-reported experiences giving parenting advice and explore the relationship between parenting advice given and types of parenting residents received as children. Thirteen OUHSC pediatric residents were individually interviewed to examine experiences being parented and giving parenting advice. Phenomenological methods were used to explicate themes and secondary analyses explored relationships of findings based upon Baumrind's parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive). While childhood experiences were not specifically correlated to the parenting advice style of pediatric residents interviewed, virtually all reported relying upon childhood experiences to generate their advice. Those describing authoritative parents reported giving more authoritative advice while others reported more variable advice. Core interview themes related to residents' parenting advice included anxiety about not being a parent, varying advice based on families' needs, and emphasis of positive interactions and consistency. Themes related to how residents were parented included discipline being a learning process for their parents and recalling that their parents always had expectations, yet always loved them. Pediatric residents interviewed reported giving family centered parenting advice with elements of positive interactions and consistency, but interviews highlighted many areas of apprehension residents have around giving parenting advice. Our study suggests that pediatric residents may benefit from more general educational opportunities to develop the content of their parenting advice, including reflecting on any impact from their own upbringing.

Post-deployment screening for mental disorders and tailored advice about help-seeking in the UK military: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Rona, Roberto J; Burdett, Howard; Khondoker, Mizanur; Chesnokov, Melanie; Green, Kevin; Pernet, David; Jones, Norman; Greenberg, Neil; Wessely, Simon; Fear, Nicola T

2017-04-08

The effectiveness of post-deployment screening for mental disorders has not been assessed in a randomised controlled trial. We aimed to assess whether post-deployment screening for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, or alcohol misuse was effective. We defined screening as the presumptive identification of a previously unrecognised disorder using tests to distinguish those who probably had the disorder from those who probably did not so that those people with a probable disorder could be referred appropriately, and assessed effectiveness and consequences for help-seeking by the odds ratio at follow-up between those receiving tailored help-seeking advice and those who received general mental health advice. We did a cluster randomised controlled trial among Royal Marines and Army personnel in the UK military after deployment to Afghanistan. Platoons were randomly assigned (1:1 initially, then 2:1) by stratified block randomisation with randomly varying block sizes of two and four to the screening group, which received tailored help-seeking advice, or the control group, which received general mental health advice. Initial assessment took place 6-12 weeks after deployment; follow-up assessments were done 10-24 months later. Follow-up measures were the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), and self-reported help-seeking from clinical and welfare providers comparing those receiving tailored advice and those receiving only general advice. All participants and all investigators other than the person who analysed the data were masked to allocation. The primary outcomes were PTSD, depression or generalised anxiety disorder, and alcohol misuse at follow-up. A key secondary outcome was assessment of whether post-deployment screening followed by tailored advice would modify help-seeking behaviour. Comparisons were made between screening and control groups, with primary analyses by intention to treat. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry, number ISRCTN19965528. Between Oct 24, 2011, and Oct 31, 2014, 434 platoons comprising 10 190 personnel were included: 274 (6350 personnel) in the screening group and 160 (3840 personnel) in the control group. 5577 (88%) of 6350 personnel received screening and 3996 (63%) completed follow-up, whereas 3149 (82%) of 3840 received the control questionnaire and 2369 (62%) completed follow-up. 1958 (35%) of 5577 personnel in the screening group declined to see the tailored advice, but those with PTSD (83%) or anxiety or depression (84%) were more likely than non-cases (64%) to view the advice (both p<0·0001). At follow-up, there were no significant differences in prevalence between groups for PTSD (adjusted odds ratio 0·92, 95% CI 0·75-1·14), depression or anxiety (0·91, 0·71-1·16), alcohol misuse (0·88, 0·73-1·06), or seeking support for mental disorders (0·92, 0·78-1·08). Post-deployment screening for mental disorders based on tailored advice was not effective at reducing prevalence of mental health disorders nor did it increase help-seeking. Countries that have implemented post-deployment screening programmes for mental disorders should consider monitoring the outcomes of their programmes. The US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command-Military Operational Medicine Research Program (USAMRMC-MOMRP). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Informatics in Turkey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cakir, Serhat

1994-01-01

In the last twenty years the rapid change in the informatics sector has had economic and social impact on private and government activities. The Supreme Council for Science and Technology of Turkey assigned highest priority to the informatics in its meeting in February 1993. With this advice TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) intends to give a strong impulse to development of a research policy in this field.

Making good physics videos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lincoln, James

2017-05-01

Online videos are an increasingly important way technology is contributing to the improvement of physics teaching. Students and teachers have begun to rely on online videos to provide them with content knowledge and instructional strategies. Online audiences are expecting greater production value, and departments are sometimes requesting educators to post video pre-labs or to flip our classrooms. In this article, I share my advice on creating engaging physics videos.

Measuring Safety: A New Perspective on Outcomes of a Long-Term Intensive Case Management Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-05-01

treatment; complex treatment regimen, like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or new technologies; discharge against medical advice from inpatient...treatment; refractory to medication interventions; and need for therapy or psychiatric nursing in the home. While patients meeting the high acuity case...outpatient settings; individual, group, and family therapy ; and chemical dependency services. Exceptions to benefit limits were granted as needed, per

The Internet Playground: Children's Access, Entertainment, and Mis-Education. Second Printing. Popular Culture and Everyday Life Volume 10

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seiter, Ellen

2007-01-01

Based on four years of experience teaching computers to 8-12 year olds, media scholar Ellen Seiter offers parents and educators practical advice on what children need to know about the Internet and when they need to know it. "The Internet Playground" argues that, contrary to the promises of technology boosters, teaching with computers is…

Web-Based Intervention for Women With Type 1 Diabetes in Pregnancy and Early Motherhood: Critical Analysis of Adherence to Technological Elements and Study Design.

PubMed

Berg, Marie; Linden, Karolina; Adolfsson, Annsofie; Sparud Lundin, Carina; Ranerup, Agneta

2018-05-02

Numerous Web-based interventions have been implemented to promote health and health-related behaviors in persons with chronic conditions. Using randomized controlled trials to evaluate such interventions creates a range of challenges, which in turn can influence the study outcome. Applying a critical perspective when evaluating Web-based health interventions is important. The objective of this study was to critically analyze and discuss the challenges of conducting a Web-based health intervention as a randomized controlled trial. The MODIAB-Web study was critically examined using an exploratory case study methodology and the framework for analysis offered through the Persuasive Systems Design model. Focus was on technology, study design, and Web-based support usage, with special focus on the forum for peer support. Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis were used. The persuasive content and technological elements in the design of the randomized controlled trial included all four categories of the Persuasive Systems Design model, but not all design principles were implemented. The study duration was extended to a period of four and a half years. Of 81 active participants in the intervention group, a maximum of 36 women were simultaneously active. User adherence varied greatly with a median of 91 individual log-ins. The forum for peer support was used by 63 participants. Although only about one-third of the participants interacted in the forum, there was a fairly rich exchange of experiences and advice between them. Thus, adherence in terms of social interactions was negatively affected by limited active participation due to prolonged recruitment process and randomization effects. Lessons learned from this critical analysis are that technology and study design matter and might mutually influence each other. In Web-based interventions, the use of design theories enables utilization of the full potential of technology and promotes adherence. The randomization element in a randomized controlled trial design can become a barrier to achieving a critical mass of user interactions in Web-based interventions, especially when social support is included. For extended study periods, the technology used may need to be adapted in line with newly available technical options to avoid the risk of becoming outdated in the user realm, which in turn might jeopardize study validity in terms of randomized controlled trial designs. On the basis of lessons learned in this randomized controlled trial, we give recommendations to consider when designing and evaluating Web-based health interventions. ©Marie Berg, Karolina Linden, Annsofie Adolfsson, Carina Sparud Lundin, Agneta Ranerup. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 02.05.2018.

Scientific Integrity Policy Creation and Implementation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koizumi, K.

2017-12-01

Ensuring the integrity of science was a priority for the Obama Administration. In March 2009, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum that recognized the need for the public to be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions. In 2010, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued a Memorandum providing guidelines for Federal departments and agencies to follow in developing scientific integrity policies. This Memorandum describes minimum standards for: (1) strengthening the foundations of scientific integrity in government, including by shielding scientific data and analysis from inappropriate political influence; (2) improving public communication about science and technology by promoting openness and transparency; (3) enhancing the ability of Federal Advisory Committees to provide independent scientific advice; and (4) supporting the professional development of government scientists and engineers. The Memorandum called upon the heads of departments and agencies to develop scientific integrity policies that meet these requirements. At the end of the Obama Administration, 24 Federal departments and agencies had developed and implemented scientific integrity policies consistent with the OSTP guidelines. This year, there are significant questions as to the Trump Administration's commitment to these scientific integrity policies and interest in the Congress in codifying these policies in law. The session will provide an update on the status of agency scientific integrity policies and legislation.

21 CFR 14.174 - Advice and recommendations in writing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... § 14.174 Advice and recommendations in writing. Advice and recommendations given by a committee on a... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Advice and recommendations in writing. 14.174... of the advice and recommendations of the committee. ...

21 CFR 14.174 - Advice and recommendations in writing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... § 14.174 Advice and recommendations in writing. Advice and recommendations given by a committee on a... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Advice and recommendations in writing. 14.174... of the advice and recommendations of the committee. ...