SMS text pre-notification and delivery of reminder e-mails to increase response rates to postal questionnaires in the SUSPEND trial: a factorial design, randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Starr, Kathryn; McPherson, Gladys; Forrest, Mark; Cotton, Seonaidh C

2015-07-08

Patient-reported outcomes are vital in informing randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and health-care interventions and policies from the patient's perspective. However, participant non-response may introduce bias and can affect the generalisability of the trial. This study evaluates two interventions aimed at increasing response rates to postal questionnaires within a large, UK-wide RCT: pre-notification via short messenger service (SMS) text prior to sending the initial mailing of trial questionnaires versus no pre-notification; for non-responders to the initial mailing of the questionnaires, an e-mail reminder (containing a hyperlink to complete the questionnaire online) versus a postal reminder. This study is a 2 × 2 partial factorial design RCT nested within an RCT of medical expulsive therapy for ureteric stone disease. Participants who supplied a mobile telephone number were randomly assigned to receive an SMS text pre-notification of questionnaire delivery or no pre-notification. Those who supplied an e-mail address were randomly assigned to receive a questionnaire reminder by e-mail or post. Participants could be randomly assigned to the pre-notification comparison or the reminder comparison or both. The primary outcome measure was response rate at each questionnaire time point. Four hundred eighteen participants were randomly assigned to the SMS pre-notification comparison (80% were male, and the mean age was 41 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 11.1). The intervention had no effect on response rate at either questionnaire time point. In subgroup analyses, SMS pre-notification increased response rates in women but only at the first questionnaire time point. One hundred nineteen participants were randomly assigned to the reminder comparison (80% were male, and the mean age was 42 years with an SD of 12.1). There was no difference in response rate in those who received an e-mail reminder compared with those who received a postal reminder. SMS text pre-notification of questionnaire delivery and email delivery of questionnaire reminders did not improve response rates. There was some evidence to suggest that SMS text pre-notification may be effective in women, and further studies to investigate this may be warranted. E-mail reminders for participants to return their postal questionnaire could be advantageous given that response rates were similar following either type of reminder and the low cost of delivering an e-mail compared with a postal reminder. This is a substudy of the SUSPEND trial (ISCTRN69423238) (18 Nov. 2010).

Importance and Satisfaction of Preventive Health Strategies in Institutions for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Perspective of Institutional Directors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, J. D.; Yen, C. F.; Wu, J. L.

2005-01-01

Aim: To explore the perceptions of institutional directors on the preventive health strategies for people with intellectual disabilities in institutions. Methods: A structured questionnaire was conducted by a cross-sectional postal survey in all registered institutions in Taiwan in 2002. A total of 157 questionnaires were mailed, of which 121…

Evaluation of strategies for increasing response rates to postal questionnaires in quality control of nasal septal surgery.

PubMed

Egeland, Merete T; Tarangen, Magnus; Shiryaeva, Olga; Gay, Caryl; Døsen, Liv K; Haye, Rolf

2017-06-02

Postal questionnaires are often used to assess the results of nasal septoplasty, but response rates vary widely. This study assesses strategies designed to increase the response rate. Postoperative questionnaires using visual analogue scales (VAS) for nasal obstruction were mailed to 160 consecutive patients alternately allocated to one of two groups. Group A received the questionnaire in the usual manner and group B received a modified cover letter with hand-written name and signature and a hand-stamped return envelope. Of the 80 patients in each group, 47 (58.8%) in group A and 54 (67.5%) in group B returned the questionnaire (p = 0.25). There were no age or gender differences between the groups, nor did the pre- and postoperative VAS scores differ between the groups. The strategies used in this study increased the response rate to postal questionnaires by 8.7% points, but this was not a statistically significant or clinically meaningful improvement.

Investigating Respondents and Nonrespondents of a Postal Breast Cancer Questionnaire Survey Regarding Differences in Age, Medical Conditions, and Therapy.

PubMed

Frobeen, Anna L; Kowalski, Christoph; Weiß, Verena; Pfaff, Holger

2016-04-01

Collecting patient-reported data via postal questionnaires is a common and frequently used technique. Selection bias may occur through lost data from nonrespondents. This study investigated differences in characteristics between respondents and nonrespondents of a postal breast cancer survey. The investigation was based on a cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey for the mandatory annual routine (re-)certification of accredited breast centers in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2010. Out of 4,444 patients meeting the inclusion criteria who gave their consent to participate, 3,856 respondents sent back a questionnaire and 588 nonrespondents did not. Using logistic regression, differences between respondents and nonrespondents regarding information gathered through hospital staff concerning age, affected breast, UICC (Union for International Cancer Control) staging and grading, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classification, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and type of surgery were assessed. Very young and very old patients sent back their questionnaire significantly less frequently, as did patients who showed a later cancer stage and poorer general health and those who underwent mastectomy. Differences exist between respondents and nonrespondents with regard to age, disease, and therapy characteristics that need to be considered for the interpretation and generalizability of survey results due to selection bias.

The effect of two lottery-style incentives on response rates to postal questionnaires in a prospective cohort study in preschool children at high risk of asthma: a randomized trial.

PubMed

van der Mark, Lonneke B; van Wonderen, Karina E; Mohrs, Jacob; Bindels, Patrick Je; Puhan, Milo A; Ter Riet, Gerben

2012-12-18

In research with long-term follow-up and repeated measurements, quick and complete response to questionnaires helps ensure a study's validity, precision and efficiency. Evidence on the effect of non-monetary incentives on response rates in observational longitudinal research is scarce. To study the impact of two strategies to enhance completeness and efficiency in observational cohort studies with follow-up durations of around 2 years. METHOD AND INTERVENTION: In a factorial design, 771 children between 2 and 5 years old and their parents participating in a prospective cohort study were randomized to three intervention groups and a control group. Three types of lotteries were run: (i) daytrip tickets for the whole family to a popular amusement park if they returned all postal questionnaires, (ii) €12.50-worth gift vouchers for sending back the questionnaire on time after each questionnaire round and (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii). Primary outcome was the proportion of participants who returned all questionnaires without any reminder. Secondary outcomes were '100% returned with or without reminder', 'probability of 100% non-response', 'probability of withdrawal', 'proportion of returned questionnaires' and 'overall number of reminders sent'. After testing for interaction between the two lottery interventions, the two trials were analysed separately. We calculated risk differences (RD) and numbers needed to "treat" and their 95% confidence intervals. Daytrip nor voucher intervention had an effect on the proportion of participants who returned all questionnaires (RD -0.01; 95% CI-0.07 - 0.06) and (RD 0.02; 95% CI-0.50 - 0.08), respectively. No effects were found on the secondary outcomes. Our findings do not support the idea that lottery-style incentives lead to more complete response to postal questionnaires in observational cohort studies with repeated data collection and follow-up durations of around 2 years.

Application of summative content analysis to a postal questionnaire.

PubMed

Griffiths, Thomas Howard

2016-01-01

Content analysis of replies to closed questions in questionnaires can be undertaken to understand remarks that may explain the responses, provide illustrative examples of issues raised in the questionnaire, define new issues or issues of importance that were not covered in the questionnaire and inform the design of new questions in future surveys. To discuss the usefulness of summative content analysis to free text in postal questionnaires. Content analysis provides useful comparative insights between two respondent groups in the case example provided. Five themes emerged: poor understanding of the concept of 'patient lateral transfer work technique' and the direct instrument nursing observation (DINO) instrument's key directions; outcomes of patient transfer; positive responses; manual handling risk; and poor translation into English of DINO. Respondents need an opportunity to clarify their responses to questionnaires using free text, to provide insight into their understanding of the question being asked, understanding of the concept or construct being discussed, and data triangulation through the confirmation of item responses and free-text comments. Responses to questions in a postal questionnaire and the opportunity for free-text commentary by respondents enable the identification of hidden meanings behind tickbox responses to questions.

Effect of questionnaire length, personalisation and reminder type on response rate to a complex postal survey: randomised controlled trial

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Minimising participant non-response in postal surveys helps to maximise the generalisability of the inferences made from the data collected. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of questionnaire length, personalisation and reminder type on postal survey response rate and quality and to compare the cost-effectiveness of the alternative survey strategies. Methods In a pilot study for a population study of travel behaviour, physical activity and the environment, 1000 participants sampled from the UK edited electoral register were randomly allocated using a 2 × 2 factorial design to receive one of four survey packs: a personally addressed long (24 page) questionnaire pack, a personally addressed short (15 page) questionnaire pack, a non-personally addressed long questionnaire pack or a non-personally addressed short questionnaire pack. Those who did not return a questionnaire were stratified by initial randomisation group and further randomised to receive either a full reminder pack or a reminder postcard. The effects of the survey design factors on response were examined using multivariate logistic regression. Results An overall response rate of 17% was achieved. Participants who received the short version of the questionnaire were more likely to respond (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.07). In those participants who received a reminder, personalisation of the survey pack and reminder also increased the odds of response (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.95). Item non-response was relatively low, but was significantly higher in the long questionnaire than the short (9.8% vs 5.8%; p = .04). The cost per additional usable questionnaire returned of issuing the reminder packs was £23.1 compared with £11.3 for the reminder postcards. Conclusions In contrast to some previous studies of shorter questionnaires, this trial found that shortening a relatively lengthy questionnaire significantly increased the response. Researchers should consider the trade off between the value of additional questions and a larger sample. If low response rates are expected, personalisation may be an important strategy to apply. Sending a full reminder pack to non-respondents appears a worthwhile, albeit more costly, strategy. PMID:21548947

General Practitioners' Management of Psychostimulant Drug Misuse: Implications for Education and Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alkhamis, Ahmed; Matheson, Catriona; Bond, Christine

2009-01-01

Aims: To provide baseline data regarding GPs' knowledge, experience, and attitudes toward the management of PsychoStimulant Drug Misuse (PSDM) patients to inform future education and training initiatives. Methods: A structured cross-sectional postal questionnaire was developed following initial content setting interviews, piloted then sent to a…

Postal urine specimens: are they a feasible method for genital chlamydial infection screening?

PubMed Central

Macleod, J; Rowsell, R; Horner, P; Crowley, T; Caul, E O; Low, N; Smith, G D

1999-01-01

BACKGROUND: A United Kingdom (UK) screening programme for Chlamydia trachomatis has recently been announced. Pilot projects involving the opportunistic testing of women attending health facilities are due to commence in several sites. There is a danger that this approach will fail to obtain adequate population coverage. The alternative--true systematic population screening--is generally assumed to be unfeasible. Studies in Denmark using postal urine specimens have challenged this assumption. No such studies have been reported from the UK. AIM: To assess the potential of urine specimens sent by post as the basis for a UK population screening strategy for genital chlamydial infection. METHOD: Two hundred patients (100 men, 100 women) aged 18 to 45 years were randomly sampled from the list of one urban group practice. Subjects were mailed an explanatory letter, a urine sample container, a sexual lifestyle questionnaire, and a prepaid return envelope. Non-responders were contacted by telephone; persistent non-responders were visited at home. Samples were tested for Chlamydia by DNA amplification and enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Sixty-four (32%) subjects were no longer living at their GP registered address. Of the remaining 136, 126 (93%) responded to the survey and 113 (83%) accepted the request for a urine sample and completed a questionnaire. Acceptance rates were similar for men and women and across age groups. Four samples (3%) were Chlamydia positive. CONCLUSION: Home mailed urine specimen collection in conjunction with a self-completed postal questionnaire is feasible. This could provide a viable basis both for determining population Chlamydia prevalence and for a UK Chlamydia population screening strategy. Overall cost effectiveness of such a strategy will depend on the cost of the test used. Comparative performance characteristics of the different currently available tests in this setting have yet to be fully determined. PMID:10562745

The development of two postnatal health instruments: one for mothers (M-PHI) and one for fathers (F-PHI) to measure health during the first year of parenting.

PubMed

Jones, G L; Morrell, C J; Cooke, J M; Speier, D; Anumba, D; Stewart-Brown, S

2011-09-01

To develop and psychometrically evaluate two questionnaires measuring both positive and negative postnatal health of mothers (M-PHI) and fathers (F-PHI) during the first year of parenting. The M-PHI and the F-PHI were developed in four stages. Stage 1: Postnatal women's focus group (M-PHI) and postnatal fathers' postal questionnaire (F-PHI); Stage 2: Qualitative interviews; Stage 3: Pilot postal survey and main postal survey; and Stage 4: Test-retest postal survey. The M-PHI consisted of a 29-item core questionnaire with six main scales and five conditional scales. The F-PHI consisted of a 27-item questionnaire with six main scales. All scales achieved good internal reliability (Cronbach's α 0.66-0.87 for M-PHI, 0.72-0.90 for F-PHI). Intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated high test-retest reliability (0.60-0.88). Correlation coefficients supported the criterion validity of the M-PHI and the F-PHI when tested against the Short-Form-12 (SF-12), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). The M-PHI and F-PHI are valid, reliable, parent-generated instruments. These unique instruments will be invaluable for practitioners wishing to promote family-centred care and for trialists and other researchers requiring a validated instrument to measure both positive and negative health during the first postnatal year, as to date no such measurement has existed.

A Qualitatively Different Experience: Mainstreaming Pupils with a Visual Impairment in Northern Ireland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gray, Colette

2009-01-01

This paper reports the experiences of special education needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) on the inclusion of pupils with a visual impairment (VI) in mainstream schools in Northern Ireland. A mixed method approach (postal questionnaire survey (n=113) and interviews (n=6)) was utilised to triangulate the findings. The results indicate an inverse…

Physical and Psychological Health of Family Carers Co-Residing with an Adult Relative with an Intellectual Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grey, Jillian M.; Totsika, Vasiliki; Hastings, Richard P.

2018-01-01

Background: Providing long-term care to an adult relative with intellectual disability can impact negatively on caregivers' health and well-being. Methods: Data were collected via online and postal questionnaires on 110 family carers' physical and psychological health, family stress and perceived positive gains from caring. Psychological…

Early life factors, childhood cognition and postal questionnaire response rate in middle age: the Aberdeen Children of the 1950s study.

PubMed

Nishiwaki, Yuji; Clark, Heather; Morton, Susan M; Leon, David A

2005-05-05

Little is known about the relationship between early life factors and survey response in epidemiological studies of adults. The Children of the 1950s cohort is composed of 12,150 children (boys 51.7%) born in Aberdeen 1950-56 and in primary schools in the city in 1962. Information on birth weight, gestational age, growth, behaviour and socio-economic position at birth and in childhood were obtained from contemporaneous records. Cognitive test scores at ages 7,9 and 11 years were also available from school records. The outcome was response to a postal questionnaire sent (2001-2003) to surviving cohort members in middle age. Of 11,282 potentially mailed subjects, 7,183 (63.7%) returned questionnaires. Response rates were highest among females, and those whose parents were married at birth, were in a non-manual social class at birth or in childhood, had fewer siblings, were taller and heavier in childhood for their age and had lower Rutter B behavioural scores. Childhood cognitive test scores at every age were strongly and positively related to the response rate to a postal questionnaire independently of other early life factors monotonically across the entire range of test scores. Those in the bottom fifth at age 11 had a response rate of 49% while those in the top fifth 75%. The strength and consistency of the association of childhood cognition with questionnaire response rate in middle age is surprisingly large. It suggests that childhood cognition across the entire normal range is a powerful influence on the complex set of later behaviours that comprise questionnaire response. The extent of possible response bias in epidemiological studies of the associations between childhood characteristics (particularly those related to cognition) and later health is probably larger than is generally realised, at least in situations where the survey instrument is a postal questionnaire.

Policy, Service Pathways and Mortality: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study of People with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hogg, James; Juhlberg, K.; Lambe, L.

2007-01-01

Background: One hundred and forty-two children and adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities were identified in 1993 in a single Scottish region on whom detailed information was collected via a postal questionnaire survey. Methods: They were followed up in 2003. The time spanned represented a period of significant policy change…

The Identification of Attention Complaints in the General Population and Their Effect on Quality of Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scholtissen-In de Braek, Dymphie M. J. M.; Hurks, Petra P. M.; van Boxtel, Martin P. J.; Dijkstra, Jeanette B.; Jolles, Jelle

2011-01-01

Objective: To provide more insight into subjective attention complaints in a healthy adult and elderly population and how these affect Quality of Life (QoL). Method: A group of 1,550 healthy Dutch participants complete a postal questionnaire including items from the Maastricht Attention and Memory Checklist (MAC). The impact of attention…

The effect of postal questionnaire burden on response rate and answer patterns following admission to intensive care: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Hatch, Robert; Young, Duncan; Barber, Vicki; Harrison, David A; Watkinson, Peter

2017-03-27

The effects of postal questionnaire burden on return rates and answers given are unclear following treatment on an intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to establish the effects of different postal questionnaire burdens on return rates and answers given. Design: A parallel group randomised controlled trial. We assigned patients by computer-based randomisation to one of two questionnaire packs (Group A and Group B). Patients from 26 ICUs in the United Kingdom. Patients who had received at least 24 h of level 3 care and were 16 years of age or older. Patients did not know that there were different questionnaire burdens. The study included 18,490 patients. 12,170 were eligible to be sent a questionnaire pack at 3 months. We sent 12,105 questionnaires (6112 to group A and 5993 to group B). The Group A pack contained demographic and EuroQol group 5 Dimensions 3 level (EQ-5D-3 L) questionnaires, making four questionnaire pages. The Group B pack also contained the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List-Civilian (PCL-C) questionnaires, making eight questionnaire pages in total. Questionnaire return rate 3 months after ICU discharge by group. In group A, 2466/6112 (40.3%) participants responded at 3 months. In group B 2315/ 5993 (38.6%) participants responded (difference 1.7% CI for difference 0-3.5% p = 0.053). Group A reported better functionality than group B in the EQ-5D-3 L mobility (41% versus 37% reporting no problems p = 0.003) and anxiety/depression (59% versus 55% reporting no problems p = 0.017) domains. In survivors of intensive care, questionnaire burden had no effect on return rates. However, questionnaire burden affected answers to the same questionnaire (EQ-5D-3 L). ISRCTN69112866 (assigned 02/05/2006).

Promoting Sun Safety Among US Postal Service Letter Carriers: Impact of a 2-Year Intervention

PubMed Central

Mayer, Joni A.; Slymen, Donald J.; Clapp, Elizabeth J.; Pichon, Latrice C.; Eckhardt, Laura; Eichenfield, Lawrence F.; Elder, John P.; Sallis, James F.; Weinstock, Martin A.; Achter, April; Balderrama, Cynthia; Galindo, Gabriel R.; Oh, Sam S.

2007-01-01

Objectives. We examined whether US Postal Service letter carriers who received a sun safety intervention would wear wide-brim hats and sunscreen significantly more often than those who did not receive the intervention. Methods. We used a 2-group randomized design with 2662 evaluation cohort participants from 70 US postal stations. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Questionnaire items assessed occupational use of sun-screen and wide-brim hats. The 2-year sun safety intervention included the provision of wide-brim hats, accessible sunscreen, reminders, and 6 educational sessions. Results. At the 3-month follow-up evaluations, the odds ratio (OR) for regular sun-screen use was 2.8 times higher among the intervention group than among the control group (95% confidence interval [CI]=2.2, 3.5); at the 2-year follow-up evaluations, the rate was still significantly higher (OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.6, 2.6). Intervention group participants also had significantly higher rates of hat use, with the differences remaining consistent across all follow-ups (OR=2.9; 95% CI=2.3, 3.6). Conclusions. The intervention should be disseminated to postal stations nationwide and possibly to other occupational groups that work outdoors. PMID:17267715

Strategies to improve retention in randomised trials: a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Brueton, V C; Tierney, J F; Stenning, S; Meredith, S; Harding, S; Nazareth, I; Rait, G

2014-01-01

Objective To quantify the effect of strategies to improve retention in randomised trials. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Sources searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, DARE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, C2-SPECTR, ERIC, PreMEDLINE, Cochrane Methodology Register, Current Controlled Trials metaRegister, WHO trials platform, Society for Clinical Trials (SCT) conference proceedings and a survey of all UK clinical trial research units. Review methods Included trials were randomised evaluations of strategies to improve retention embedded within host randomised trials. The primary outcome was retention of trial participants. Data from trials were pooled using the fixed-effect model. Subgroup analyses were used to explore the heterogeneity and to determine whether there were any differences in effect by the type of strategy. Results 38 retention trials were identified. Six broad types of strategies were evaluated. Strategies that increased postal questionnaire responses were: adding, that is, giving a monetary incentive (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.28) and higher valued incentives (RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.22). Offering a monetary incentive, that is, an incentive given on receipt of a completed questionnaire, also increased electronic questionnaire response (RR 1.25; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.38). The evidence for shorter questionnaires (RR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.08) and questionnaires relevant to the disease/condition (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14) is less clear. On the basis of the results of single trials, the following strategies appeared effective at increasing questionnaire response: recorded delivery of questionnaires (RR 2.08; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.87); a ‘package’ of postal communication strategies (RR 1.43; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.67) and an open trial design (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.63). There is no good evidence that the following strategies impact on trial response/retention: adding a non-monetary incentive (RR=1.00; 95% CI 0.98 to 1.02); offering a non-monetary incentive (RR=0.99; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.03); ‘enhanced’ letters (RR=1.01; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.05); monetary incentives compared with offering prize draw entry (RR=1.04; 95% CI 0.91 to 1.19); priority postal delivery (RR=1.02; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.09); behavioural motivational strategies (RR=1.08; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.24); additional reminders to participants (RR=1.03; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.06) and questionnaire question order (RR=1.00, 0.97 to 1.02). Also based on single trials, these strategies do not appear effective: a telephone survey compared with a monetary incentive plus questionnaire (RR=1.08; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.24); offering a charity donation (RR=1.02, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.32); sending sites reminders (RR=0.96; 95% CI 0.83 to 1.11); sending questionnaires early (RR=1.10; 95% CI 0.96 to 1.26); longer and clearer questionnaires (RR=1.01, 0.95 to 1.07) and participant case management by trial assistants (RR=1.00; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.04). Conclusions Most of the trials evaluated questionnaire response rather than ways to improve participants return to site for follow-up. Monetary incentives and offers of monetary incentives increase postal and electronic questionnaire response. Some strategies need further evaluation. Application of these results would depend on trial context and follow-up procedures. PMID:24496696

How should hearing screening tests be offered?

PubMed

Koopman, Jan; Davey, Elizabeth; Thomas, Neil; Wittkop, Thomas; Verschuure, Hans

2008-05-01

This paper deals with the question of how the general public should be addressed when offering hearing screening. Postal-based questionnaires in the United Kingdom, Germany, and The Netherlands were sent to users of hearing devices, those that are in the process of obtaining one, or those that have indicated that they have special interest in hearing. Results of the survey indicated that respondents were enthusiastic about the idea of being able to carry out hearing self-screening tests via the internet, telephone, or questionnaires. A questionnaire as a method to screen on hearing was generally preferred above using the internet, which was preferred over using the telephone for the test. About 27% of the respondents indicated to use exclusively one method. Most respondents indicated that either method provided would be of interest (41%), 17% indicated not to be interested in conducting screening tests using the internet.

Personally addressed hand-signed letters increase questionnaire response: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

PubMed Central

Scott, Pippa; Edwards, Phil

2006-01-01

Background Postal questionnaires are commonly used to collect data for health studies, but non-response reduces study sample sizes and can introduce bias. Finding ways to increase the proportion of questionnaires returned would improve research quality. We sought to quantify the effect on response when researchers address participants personally by name on letters that accompany questionnaires. Methods All randomised controlled trials in a published systematic review that evaluated the effect on response of including participants' names on letters that accompany questionnaires were included. Odds ratios for response were pooled in a random effects meta-analysis and evidence for changes in effects over time was assessed using random effects meta-regression. Results Fourteen randomised controlled trials were included covering a wide range of topics. Most topics were unrelated to health or social care. The odds of response when including participants' names on letters were increased by one-fifth (pooled OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.34; p = 0.015). When participants' names and hand-written signatures were used in combination, the effect was a more substantial increase in response (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.66; p < 0.001), corresponding to an absolute increase in the proportion of questionnaires returned of between 4% and 10%, depending on the baseline response rate. There was no evidence that the magnitude of these effects had declined over time. Conclusion This meta-analysis of the best available evidence indicates that researchers using postal questionnaires can increase response by addressing participants by name on cover letters. The effect appears to be enhanced by including hand-written signatures. PMID:16953871

Effect of Web-Based Versus Paper-Based Questionnaires and Follow-Up Strategies on Participation Rates of Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

van Dulmen-den Broeder, Eline; van der Pal, Helena J; Hollema, Nynke; Kremer, Leontien C; van den Heuvel-Eibrink, Marry M; van Leeuwen, Flora E

2015-01-01

Background Questionnaires are widely used in survey research, especially in cohort studies. However, participation in questionnaire studies has been declining over the past decades. Because high participation rates are needed to limit the risk of selection bias and produce valid results, it is important to investigate invitation strategies which may improve participation. Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Web-based versus paper-based questionnaires on participation rates in a questionnaire survey on late effects among childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). Methods A total of 750 CCSs were randomized across 3 study arms. The initial invitation in study arms 1 and 2 consisted of a Web-based questionnaire only, whereas in study arm 3 this invitation was complemented with a paper-based version of the questionnaire. The first postal reminder, sent to the nonresponding CCSs in all 3 study arms, consisted of either a reminder letter only (study arms 1 and 3) or a reminder letter complemented with a paper-based questionnaire (study arm 2). The second postal reminder was restricted to CCSs in study arms 1 and 2, with only those in study arm 1 also receiving a paper-based questionnaire. CCSs in study arm 3 received a second reminder by telephone instead of by mail. In contrast to CCSs in study arm 3, CCSs in study arms 1 and 2 received a third reminder, this time by telephone. Results: Overall, 58.1% (436/750) of the CCSs participated in the survey. Participation rates were equal in all 3 study arms with 57.4% (143/249) in arm 1, 60.6% (152/251) in arm 2, and 56.4% (141/250) in arm 3 (P=.09). Participation rates of CCSs who received an initial invitation for the Web-based questionnaire only and CCSs who received an invitation to complete either a paper-based or Web-based questionnaire did not differ (P=.55). After the first postal reminder, participation rates of CCSs invited for the Web-based questionnaire only also did not differ compared with CCSs invited for both the Web-based and paper-based questionnaires (P=.48). In general, CCSs preferred the paper-based over the Web-based questionnaire, and those completing the paper-based questionnaire were more often unemployed (P=.004) and lower educated (P<.001). Conclusion Invitation strategies offering a Web-based questionnaire without a paper-based alternative at first invitation can be used without compromising participation rates of CCS. Offering the choice between paper- and Web-based questionnaires seems to result in the highest accrual participation rate. Future research should look into the quality of the data delivered by both questionnaires filled in by respondents themselves. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 84711754; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN84711754 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6c9ZB8paX) PMID:28410161

Response rate, response time, and economic costs of survey research: A randomized trial of practicing pharmacists.

PubMed

Hardigan, Patrick C; Popovici, Ioana; Carvajal, Manuel J

2016-01-01

There is a gap between increasing demands from pharmacy journals, publishers, and reviewers for high survey response rates and the actual responses often obtained in the field by survey researchers. Presumably demands have been set high because response rates, times, and costs affect the validity and reliability of survey results. Explore the extent to which survey response rates, average response times, and economic costs are affected by conditions under which pharmacist workforce surveys are administered. A random sample of 7200 U.S. practicing pharmacists was selected. The sample was stratified by delivery method, questionnaire length, item placement, and gender of respondent for a total of 300 observations within each subgroup. A job satisfaction survey was administered during March-April 2012. Delivery method was the only classification showing significant differences in response rates and average response times. The postal mail procedure accounted for the highest response rates of completed surveys, but the email method exhibited the quickest turnaround. A hybrid approach, consisting of a combination of postal and electronic means, showed the least favorable results. Postal mail was 2.9 times more cost effective than the email approach and 4.6 times more cost effective than the hybrid approach. Researchers seeking to increase practicing pharmacists' survey participation and reduce response time and related costs can benefit from the analytical procedures tested here. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Survey Methods to Optimize Response Rate in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

PubMed

Funkhouser, Ellen; Vellala, Kavya; Baltuck, Camille; Cacciato, Rita; Durand, Emily; McEdward, Deborah; Sowell, Ellen; Theisen, Sarah E; Gilbert, Gregg H

2017-09-01

Surveys of health professionals typically have low response rates, and these rates have been decreasing in the recent years. We report on the methods used in a successful survey of dentist members of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. The objectives were to quantify the (1) increase in response rate associated with successive survey methods, (2) time to completion with each successive step, (3) contribution from the final method and personal contact, and (4) differences in response rate and mode of response by practice/practitioner characteristics. Dentist members of the network were mailed an invitation describing the study. Subsequently, up to six recruitment steps were followed: initial e-mail, two e-mail reminders at 2-week intervals, a third e-mail reminder with postal mailing a paper questionnaire, a second postal mailing of paper questionnaire, and staff follow-up. Of the 1,876 invited, 160 were deemed ineligible and 1,488 (87% of 1,716 eligible) completed the survey. Completion by step: initial e-mail, 35%; second e-mail, 15%; third e-mail, 7%; fourth e-mail/first paper, 11%; second paper, 15%; and staff follow-up, 16%. Overall, 76% completed the survey online and 24% on paper. Completion rates increased in absolute numbers and proportionally with later methods of recruitment. Participation rates varied little by practice/practitioner characteristics. Completion on paper was more likely by older dentists. Multiple methods of recruitment resulted in a high participation rate: Each step and method produced incremental increases with the final step producing the largest increase.

Factors influencing the response to postal questionnaire surveys about respiratory symptoms.

PubMed

Hazell, Michelle L; Morris, Julie A; Linehan, Mary F; Frank, Peter I; Frank, Timothy L

2009-09-01

Response rates to postal questionnaires have been falling in recent years. To examine factors affecting the response to five postal respiratory questionnaire surveys. Cross sectional study. General practice. Five surveys were conducted in all adults registered with two UK general practices using an ECRHQ-based questionnaire, with two reminders at 4-week intervals. Response rates declined over time (1993 - 71.2%; 1995 - 70.5%; 1999 - 65.5%; 2001 - 65.3%; 2004 - 46.9%). Age and gender of non-responders were available for 2001 and 2004: responders were older (mean 48.8 years vs 37.6, p<0.001; 50.5 vs 38.8, p<0.001) and more likely to be female (54.9% vs 44.9%, p<0.001; 55.3% vs 48.5%, p<0.001). The response rate was increased by 18% (2004) and 23% (2001) by the use of two reminders. Early responders were older and more likely to be females, but were less likely to smoke than late responders after reminders. There was no important association between respiratory symptoms and associated feature prevalence and stage of response. Declining response rates may represent reduced motivation and reluctance to share personal information. Qualitative exploration of late/non-response could help reduce bias when planning and analysing such surveys. The use of two reminders is an important factor in improving response.

75 FR 34074 - Postal Pricing Methods

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-16

... Methods AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The... price sensitivity (elasticity) to volumes actually mailed during the rebate program. This method is... indicated by the market elasticity. Mitchell Comments at 4-6. Postal Service method. In its data collection...

Patient satisfaction with large-scale out-of-hours primary health care in The Netherlands: development of a postal questionnaire.

PubMed

Moll van Charante, Eric; Giesen, Paul; Mokkink, Henk; Oort, Frans; Grol, Richard; Klazinga, Niek; Bindels, Patrick

2006-08-01

Since the turn of the millennium, out-of-hours primary health care in The Netherlands has faced a substantial change from small locum groups towards large GP cooperatives. Improving the quality of care requires evaluation of patient satisfaction. To develop a reliable postal questionnaire for wide-scale use by patients contacting their out-of-hours GP cooperative and to present the results of a national survey. Literature review and interviews with both patients and health carers were carried out to identify issues of potential relevance, followed by two postal pilot studies and additional interviews to remove or rephrase items. Finally, postal questionnaires were sent to 14,400 people who contacted one of 24 GP cooperatives in The Netherlands. Overall response was 52.2% for all types of contact. Three scales were identified prior to the field phase and confirmed by principal components analysis: telephone nurse, doctor and organization. Reliability was high, with Cronbach's alphas and intraclass correlation coefficients exceeding 0.70 for all scales. Only items in the organization scale showed clear differences among the participating cooperatives. Respondents receiving telephone advice showed lower levels of satisfaction than respondents with other types of contact (P < 0.001); centre consultation scored lower than home visit (P < 0.030 or less for all differences). A reliable measure of patient satisfaction has been developed that can also be used for the comparison of GP cooperatives on an organizational level. Overall satisfaction was high, showing highest levels for home visit and lowest levels for telephone advice.

Effects of a Financial Incentive on Health Researchers’ Response to an Online Survey: a Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Petticrew, Mark; Calnan, Mike; Nazareth, Irwin

2010-01-01

Background Nonresponse to questionnaires can affect the validity of surveys and introduce bias. Offering financial incentives can increase response rates to postal questionnaires, but the effect of financial incentives on response rates to online surveys is less clear. Objective As part of a survey, we aimed to test whether knowledge of a financial incentive would increase the response rate to an online questionnaire. Methods A randomized controlled trial of 485 UK-based principal investigators of publicly funded health services and population health research. Participants were contacted by email and invited to complete an online questionnaire via an embedded URL. Participants were randomly allocated to groups with either “knowledge of” or “no knowledge of” a financial incentive (£10 Amazon gift voucher) to be provided on completion of the survey. At the end of the study, gift vouchers were given to all participants who completed the questionnaire regardless of initial randomization status. Four reminder emails (sent from the same email address as the initial invitation) were sent out to nonrespondents at one, two, three, and four weeks; a fifth postal reminder was also undertaken. The primary outcome measure for the trial was the response rate one week after the second reminder. Response rate was also measured at the end of weeks one, two, three, four, and five, and after a postal reminder was sent. Results In total, 243 (50%) questionnaires were returned (232 completed, 11 in which participation was declined). One week after the second reminder, the response rate in the “knowledge” group was 27% (66/244) versus 20% (49/241) in the “no knowledge” group (χ21 = 3.0, P = .08). The odds ratio for responding among those with knowledge of an incentive was 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95 - 2.21). At the third reminder, participants in the “no knowledge” group were informed about the incentive, ending the randomized element of the study. However we continued to follow up all participants, and from reminder three onwards, no significant differences were observed in the response rates of the two groups. Conclusions Knowledge of a financial incentive did not significantly increase the response rate to an online questionnaire. Future surveys should consider including a randomized element to further test the utility of offering incentives of other types and amounts to participate in online questionnaires. Trial Registration ISRCTN59912797; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN59912797 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5iPPLbT7s) PMID:20457556

Strategies to improve retention in randomised trials.

PubMed

Brueton, Valerie C; Tierney, Jayne; Stenning, Sally; Harding, Seeromanie; Meredith, Sarah; Nazareth, Irwin; Rait, Greta

2013-12-03

Loss to follow-up from randomised trials can introduce bias and reduce study power, affecting the generalisability, validity and reliability of results. Many strategies are used to reduce loss to follow-up and improve retention but few have been formally evaluated. To quantify the effect of strategies to improve retention on the proportion of participants retained in randomised trials and to investigate if the effect varied by trial strategy and trial setting. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, DARE, CINAHL, Campbell Collaboration's Social, Psychological, Educational and Criminological Trials Register, and ERIC. We handsearched conference proceedings and publication reference lists for eligible retention trials. We also surveyed all UK Clinical Trials Units to identify further studies. We included eligible retention trials of randomised or quasi-randomised evaluations of strategies to increase retention that were embedded in 'host' randomised trials from all disease areas and healthcare settings. We excluded studies aiming to increase treatment compliance. We contacted authors to supplement or confirm data that we had extracted. For retention trials, we recorded data on the method of randomisation, type of strategy evaluated, comparator, primary outcome, planned sample size, numbers randomised and numbers retained. We used risk ratios (RR) to evaluate the effectiveness of the addition of strategies to improve retention. We assessed heterogeneity between trials using the Chi(2) and I(2) statistics. For main trials that hosted retention trials, we extracted data on disease area, intervention, population, healthcare setting, sequence generation and allocation concealment. We identified 38 eligible retention trials. Included trials evaluated six broad types of strategies to improve retention. These were incentives, communication strategies, new questionnaire format, participant case management, behavioural and methodological interventions. For 34 of the included trials, retention was response to postal and electronic questionnaires with or without medical test kits. For four trials, retention was the number of participants remaining in the trial. Included trials were conducted across a spectrum of disease areas, countries, healthcare and community settings. Strategies that improved trial retention were addition of monetary incentives compared with no incentive for return of trial-related postal questionnaires (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.28, P value < 0.0001), addition of an offer of monetary incentive compared with no offer for return of electronic questionnaires (RR 1.25; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.38, P value < 0.00001) and an offer of a GBP20 voucher compared with GBP10 for return of postal questionnaires and biomedical test kits (RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.22, P value < 0.005). The evidence that shorter questionnaires are better than longer questionnaires was unclear (RR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.08, P value = 0.07) and the evidence for questionnaires relevant to the disease/condition was also unclear (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14). Although each was based on the results of a single trial, recorded delivery of questionnaires seemed to be more effective than telephone reminders (RR 2.08; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.87, P value = 0.02) and a 'package' of postal communication strategies with reminder letters appeared to be better than standard procedures (RR 1.43; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.67, P value < 0.0001). An open trial design also appeared more effective than a blind trial design for return of questionnaires in one fracture prevention trial (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.63, P value = 0.0003).There was no good evidence that the addition of a non-monetary incentive, an offer of a non-monetary incentive, 'enhanced' letters, letters delivered by priority post, additional reminders, or questionnaire question order either increased or decreased trial questionnaire response/retention. There was also no evidence that a telephone survey was either more or less effective than a monetary incentive and a questionnaire. As our analyses are based on single trials, the effect on questionnaire response of using offers of charity donations, sending reminders to trial sites and when a questionnaire is sent, may need further evaluation. Case management and behavioural strategies used for trial retention may also warrant further evaluation. Most of the retention trials that we identified evaluated questionnaire response. There were few evaluations of ways to improve participants returning to trial sites for trial follow-up. Monetary incentives and offers of monetary incentives increased postal and electronic questionnaire response. Some other strategies evaluated in single trials looked promising but need further evaluation. Application of the findings of this review would depend on trial setting, population, disease area, data collection and follow-up procedures.

Sun safety knowledge and practice in UK postal delivery workers.

PubMed

Houdmont, J; Davis, S; Griffiths, A

2016-06-01

Postal delivery workers spend a large proportion of their work time outdoors, placing them at increased risk of skin cancer. To date, no studies have examined occupational sun safety knowledge and practice within this group in the UK. To describe the occupational sun safety knowledge and practice of UK postal delivery workers and to investigate the association of demographic, personal and occupational factors with knowledge and practice in order to identify potential strategies for improving sun safety in this occupational group. Postal delivery workers completed a questionnaire that collected data on occupational sun safety knowledge and practice in addition to demographic, personal and workplace characteristics. One-way analysis of variances were applied to assess differences in knowledge and practice by these characteristics. A total of 1153 postal delivery workers completed the questionnaire, a 60% response rate. Thirty-three per cent reported receiving sun safety training within the previous 12 months. The majority of respondents reported correct knowledge on three of the six domains and good practice on four of the six behavioural domains. However, only one-fifth of respondents reported wearing sunglasses and ensuring a plentiful intake of water. Knowledge and practice differed significantly according to demographic, personal and workplace characteristics. There is a need to raise the profile of occupational skin cancer in this occupational group and to increase the priority given to occupational sun safety policies alongside targeted and tailored interventions, the effect of which can be evaluated. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine.

77 FR 56176 - Analytical Methods Used in Periodic Reporting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-12

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 39 CFR Part 3001 [Docket No. RM2012-7; Order No. 1459] Analytical Methods Used in Periodic Reporting AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed... analytical methods approved for use in periodic reporting.\\1\\ \\1\\ Petition of the United States Postal...

Validity of two simple measures for estimating life-course socio-economic position in cross-sectional postal survey data in an older population: results from the North Staffordshire Osteoarthritis Project (NorStOP)

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Since few cohorts encompass the whole life-course, many studies that measure socio-economic position (SEP) across the life-course rely on participant recall of SEP measures from cross-sectional postal or interview surveys. It is also particularly important that SEP measures should be appropriate for the age of the population studied, as the level of missing data has been shown to increase in older people. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of recall of two SEP measures in older adults, age left school and longest job, by examining their validity in a general population postal survey in North Staffordshire, UK. Methods Sets of questions on education and longest job were included in a questionnaire at different stages of the study. All patients aged 50+ registered with three general practices were sent a baseline Health Questionnaire. 6 years later, 3410 responders were mailed a follow-up Health Questionnaire; a sub-sample of these participants took part in independent qualitative interviews. Validity was assessed by: percentage completion; internal percentage agreement within each set of questions; percentage agreement of qualitative and quantitative data for age left school and longest job; comparing recall of age left school with historical change in legal school leaving age; comparing frequency of pottery job titles with those in 1981 Census data for Stoke-on-Trent. Results The adjusted response to different stages of the study was 71–85%. Completion of questions was 83–98%. Internal agreement was 84–97% (education) and 95–100% (longest job). Comparison of survey and interview data showed 86% agreement (± 1 year) for age left school and 91% agreement for longest job. The change in age left school data concurred with the historical shift in legal school leaving age. 11% of job titles were pottery in NorStOP data and 15% in Stoke-on-Trent Census data. Conclusions The results from this study provide evidence for the accuracy of recall of two simple measures of SEP (age left school and longest job) in a postal survey of older adults. Consistency with evidence from external datasets indicated the potential validity of these measures for studying life-course SEP in population surveys. PMID:22738317

Systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of sample size maintenance programs in studies involving postal questionnaires reveals insufficient economic information.

PubMed

David, Michael C; Bensink, Mark; Higashi, Hideki; Boyd, Roslyn; Williams, Lesley; Ware, Robert S

2012-10-01

To identify and assess the existing cost-effectiveness evidence for sample size maintenance programs. Articles were identified by searching Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Embase, CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science from 1966 to July 2011. Randomized controlled trials in which investigators evaluated program cost-effectiveness in postal questionnaires were eligible for inclusion. Fourteen studies from 13 articles, with 11,165 participants met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-one distinct programs were identified; each incorporated at least one strategy (reminders, incentives, modified questionnaires, or types of postage) aimed at minimizing attrition. Reminders, in the form of replacement questionnaires and cards, were the most commonly used strategies, with 15 and 11 studies reporting their usage, respectively. All strategies improved response, with financial incentives being the most costly. Heterogeneity between studies was too great to allow for meta-analysis of the results. The implementation of strategies such as no-obligation incentives, modified questionnaires, and personalized reply paid postage improved program cost-effectiveness. Analyses of attrition minimization programs need to consider both cost and effect in their evaluation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Measure the Intervention Process? An Assessment of Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Data Collection in the Process Evaluation of Organizational Interventions

PubMed Central

Abildgaard, Johan S.; Saksvik, Per Ø.; Nielsen, Karina

2016-01-01

Organizational interventions aiming at improving employee health and wellbeing have proven to be challenging to evaluate. To analyze intervention processes two methodological approaches have widely been used: quantitative (often questionnaire data), or qualitative (often interviews). Both methods are established tools, but their distinct epistemological properties enable them to illuminate different aspects of organizational interventions. In this paper, we use the quantitative and qualitative process data from an organizational intervention conducted in a national postal service, where the Intervention Process Measure questionnaire (N = 285) as well as an extensive interview study (N = 50) were used. We analyze what type of knowledge about intervention processes these two methodologies provide and discuss strengths and weaknesses as well as potentials for mixed methods evaluation methodologies. PMID:27713707

How to Measure the Intervention Process? An Assessment of Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Data Collection in the Process Evaluation of Organizational Interventions.

PubMed

Abildgaard, Johan S; Saksvik, Per Ø; Nielsen, Karina

2016-01-01

Organizational interventions aiming at improving employee health and wellbeing have proven to be challenging to evaluate. To analyze intervention processes two methodological approaches have widely been used: quantitative (often questionnaire data), or qualitative (often interviews). Both methods are established tools, but their distinct epistemological properties enable them to illuminate different aspects of organizational interventions. In this paper, we use the quantitative and qualitative process data from an organizational intervention conducted in a national postal service, where the Intervention Process Measure questionnaire ( N = 285) as well as an extensive interview study ( N = 50) were used. We analyze what type of knowledge about intervention processes these two methodologies provide and discuss strengths and weaknesses as well as potentials for mixed methods evaluation methodologies.

Health Professionals' Responses to Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse History: Female Child Sexual Abuse Survivors' Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGregor, Kim; Julich, Shirley; Glover, Marewa; Gautam, Jeny

2010-01-01

This study reports on a postal questionnaire, conducted in 2004, with female survivors of historic child sexual abuse. The questionnaire explored their experiences of health professionals' responsiveness to disclosure of child sexual abuse history. Of 61 participants, aged between 22 and 65, 69% had disclosed to health professionals. Those who had…

The requirement for prior consent to participate on survey response rates: a population-based survey in Grampian

PubMed Central

Angus, Val C; Entwistle, Vikki A; Emslie, Margaret J; Walker, Kim A; Andrew, Jane E

2003-01-01

Background A survey was carried out in the Grampian region of Scotland with a random sample of 10,000 adults registered with a General Practitioner in Grampian. The study complied with new legislation requiring a two-stage approach to identify and recruit participants, and examined the implications of this for response rates, non-response bias and speed of response. Methods A two-stage survey was carried out consistent with new confidentiality guidelines. Individuals were contacted by post and asked by the Director of Public Health to consent to receive a postal or electronic questionnaire about communicating their views to the NHS. Those who consented were then sent questionnaires. Response rates at both stages were measured. Results 25% of people returned signed consent forms and were invited to complete questionnaires. Respondents at the consent stage were more likely to be female (odds ratio (OR) response rate of women compared to men = 1.5, 95% CI 1.4, 1.7), less likely to live in deprived postal areas (OR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.45, 0.78) and more likely to be older (OR for people born in 1930–39 compared to people born in 1970–79 = 2.82, 95% CI 2.36, 3.37). 80% of people who were invited to complete questionnaires returned them. Response rates were higher among older age groups. The overall response rate to the survey was 20%, relative to the original number approached for consent (1951/10000). Conclusion The requirement of a separate, prior consent stage may significantly reduce overall survey response rates and necessitate the use of substantially larger initial samples for population surveys. It may also exacerbate non-response bias with respect to demographic variables. PMID:14622444

On the qi deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine.

PubMed

Chiang, Hui-Chu; Chang, Hen-Hong; Huang, Po-Yu; Hsu, Mutsu

2014-09-01

Qi deficiency (QD), one of the most common disorders in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is relevant to many disorders in obstetrics and gynecology. This study aimed to identify the common processes and criteria for diagnosing QD among contemporary proficient TCM practitioners. Steps of decision tree analysis and modified Delphi method were merged together into four-round postal questionnaires to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Open-ended questions and content analysis were used to explore the proficient TCM practitioners' cognitive activities used for diagnosis. The statements obtained from the qualitative responses were used to develop the items for subsequent questionnaires. Based on the TCM practitioners' responses, the diagnostic processes and criteria for making diagnosis were generated. Twenty-eight out of the 30 participants completed all four questionnaires from June 2007 to January 2010. The 11 diagnostic procedures identified in the returned first round of questionnaires were used as the alternatives to select and rank for all the steps to diagnose QD. After three more rounds of postal surveys, an algorithm with a five-stage diagnostic process as well as sets of decision criteria were identified. Although the priorities of procedures and descriptions of reasoning were varied, the content revealed the major themes in the model. The criteria to differentiate signs and symptoms (S/S) included five principles for correlating S/S with QD, and 17 S/S should be differentiated carefully. The results demonstrate that the TCM practitioners precisely diagnosed QD using a number of specific procedures and criteria that could be used as a reference to understand women complaining of S/S that could be similar to QD. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of Refresher Training on Job-Task Typewriting Performance

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-10-01

preceded by some blank space. How much space? The scanner requires not less than a sixth nor more than a half inch of space. The postal department stresses ...postal department stresses that the code be not less than two nor more than six spaces away from the state. INSERT NEW PAPER AND BEGIN TYPING WITH THE...Questionnaire Project 2 Home 1. Name Phone Work 2. Social Security Number i 3. NOS 4. Time in 0S Months 5. Location of AIT 6. Sex 7. Grade(circle one) El E2 E3 E4

Developing an Assessment Method of Active Aging: University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale.

PubMed

Rantanen, Taina; Portegijs, Erja; Kokko, Katja; Rantakokko, Merja; Törmäkangas, Timo; Saajanaho, Milla

2018-01-01

To develop an assessment method of active aging for research on older people. A multiphase process that included drafting by an expert panel, a pilot study for item analysis and scale validity, a feedback study with focus groups and questionnaire respondents, and a test-retest study. Altogether 235 people aged 60 to 94 years provided responses and/or feedback. We developed a 17-item University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale with four aspects in each item (goals, ability, opportunity, and activity; range 0-272). The psychometric and item properties are good and the scale assesses a unidimensional latent construct of active aging. Our scale assesses older people's striving for well-being through activities pertaining to their goals, abilities, and opportunities. The University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale provides a quantifiable measure of active aging that may be used in postal questionnaires or interviews in research and practice.

Strategies to improve retention in randomised trials

PubMed Central

Brueton, Valerie C; Tierney, Jayne; Stenning, Sally; Harding, Seeromanie; Meredith, Sarah; Nazareth, Irwin; Rait, Greta

2013-01-01

Background Loss to follow-up from randomised trials can introduce bias and reduce study power, affecting the generalisability, validity and reliability of results. Many strategies are used to reduce loss to follow-up and improve retention but few have been formally evaluated. Objectives To quantify the effect of strategies to improve retention on the proportion of participants retained in randomised trials and to investigate if the effect varied by trial strategy and trial setting. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, DARE, CINAHL, Campbell Collaboration's Social, Psychological, Educational and Criminological Trials Register, and ERIC. We handsearched conference proceedings and publication reference lists for eligible retention trials. We also surveyed all UK Clinical Trials Units to identify further studies. Selection criteria We included eligible retention trials of randomised or quasi-randomised evaluations of strategies to increase retention that were embedded in 'host' randomised trials from all disease areas and healthcare settings. We excluded studies aiming to increase treatment compliance. Data collection and analysis We contacted authors to supplement or confirm data that we had extracted. For retention trials, we recorded data on the method of randomisation, type of strategy evaluated, comparator, primary outcome, planned sample size, numbers randomised and numbers retained. We used risk ratios (RR) to evaluate the effectiveness of the addition of strategies to improve retention. We assessed heterogeneity between trials using the Chi2 and I2 statistics. For main trials that hosted retention trials, we extracted data on disease area, intervention, population, healthcare setting, sequence generation and allocation concealment. Main results We identified 38 eligible retention trials. Included trials evaluated six broad types of strategies to improve retention. These were incentives, communication strategies, new questionnaire format, participant case management, behavioural and methodological interventions. For 34 of the included trials, retention was response to postal and electronic questionnaires with or without medical test kits. For four trials, retention was the number of participants remaining in the trial. Included trials were conducted across a spectrum of disease areas, countries, healthcare and community settings. Strategies that improved trial retention were addition of monetary incentives compared with no incentive for return of trial-related postal questionnaires (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.28, P value < 0.0001), addition of an offer of monetary incentive compared with no offer for return of electronic questionnaires (RR 1.25; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.38, P value < 0.00001) and an offer of a GBP20 voucher compared with GBP10 for return of postal questionnaires and biomedical test kits (RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.22, P value < 0.005). The evidence that shorter questionnaires are better than longer questionnaires was unclear (RR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.08, P value = 0.07) and the evidence for questionnaires relevant to the disease/condition was also unclear (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14). Although each was based on the results of a single trial, recorded delivery of questionnaires seemed to be more effective than telephone reminders (RR 2.08; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.87, P value = 0.02) and a 'package' of postal communication strategies with reminder letters appeared to be better than standard procedures (RR 1.43; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.67, P value < 0.0001). An open trial design also appeared more effective than a blind trial design for return of questionnaires in one fracture prevention trial (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.63, P value = 0.0003). There was no good evidence that the addition of a non-monetary incentive, an offer of a non-monetary incentive, 'enhanced' letters, letters delivered by priority post, additional reminders, or questionnaire question order either increased or decreased trial questionnaire response/retention. There was also no evidence that a telephone survey was either more or less effective than a monetary incentive and a questionnaire. As our analyses are based on single trials, the effect on questionnaire response of using offers of charity donations, sending reminders to trial sites and when a questionnaire is sent, may need further evaluation. Case management and behavioural strategies used for trial retention may also warrant further evaluation. Authors' conclusions Most of the retention trials that we identified evaluated questionnaire response. There were few evaluations of ways to improve participants returning to trial sites for trial follow-up. Monetary incentives and offers of monetary incentives increased postal and electronic questionnaire response. Some other strategies evaluated in single trials looked promising but need further evaluation. Application of the findings of this review would depend on trial setting, population, disease area, data collection and follow-up procedures. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Methods that might help to keep people in randomised trials Background Most trials follow people up to collect data through personal contact after they have been recruited. Some trials get data from other sources, such as routine collected data or disease registers. There are many ways to collect data from people in trials, and these include using letters, the internet, telephone calls, text messaging, face-to-face meetings or the return of medical test kits. Most trials have missing data, for example, because people are too busy to reply, are unable to attend a clinic, have moved or no longer want to participate. Sometimes data has not been recorded at study sites, or are not sent to the trial co-ordinating centre. Researchers call this 'loss to follow-up', 'drop out' or 'attrition' and it can affect the trial's results. For example, if the people with the most or least severe symptoms do not return questionnaires or attend a follow-up visit, this will bias the findings of the trial. Many methods are used by researchers to keep people in trials. These encourage people to send back data by questionnaire, return to a clinic or hospital for trial-related tests, or be seen by a health or community care worker. Study characteristics This review identified methods that encouraged people to stay in trials. We searched scientific databases for randomised studies (where people are allocated to one of two or more possible treatments in a random manner) or quasi-randomised studies (where allocation is not really random, e.g. based on date of birth, order in which they attended clinic) that compared methods of increasing retention in trials. We included trials of participants from any age, gender, ethnic, cultural, language and geographic groups. Key results The methods that appeared to work were offering or giving a small amount of money for return of a completed questionnaire and enclosing a small amount of money with a questionnaire with the promise of a further small amount of money for return of a filled in questionnaire. The effect of other ways to keep people in trials is still not clear and more research is needed to see if these really do work. Such methods are shorter questionnaires, sending questionnaires by recorded delivery, using a trial design where people know which treatment they will receive, sending specially designed letters with a reply self addressed stamped envelope followed by a number of reminders, offering a donation to charity or entry into a prize draw, sending a reminder to the study site about participants to follow-up, sending questionnaires close to the time the patient was last followed-up, managing peoples' follow-up, conducting follow-up by telephone and changing the order of questionnaire questions. Quality of evidence The methods that we identified were tested in trials run in many different disease areas and settings and, in some cases, were tested in only one trial. Therefore, more studies are needed to help decide whether our findings could be used in other research fields. PMID:24297482

Assessing patient acceptance of virtual clinics for diabetic retinopathy: a large scale postal survey.

PubMed

Ahnood, Dana; Souriti, Ahmad; Williams, Gwyn Samuel

2018-06-01

To explore the views of patients with diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy on their acceptance of virtual clinic review in place of face-to-face clinic appointments. A postal survey was mailed to all 813 patients under the care of the diabetic eye clinic at Singleton Hospital with 7 questions, explanatory information, and a stamped, addressed envelope available for returning completed questionnaires. Four hundred and ninety-eight questionnaires were returned indicating that 86.1% were supportive of the idea of virtual clinics, although only 56.9% were prepared for every visit to be virtual. Of respondents, 6.6% not happy to attend any virtual clinic. This is by far the largest survey of patients' attitudes regarding attending virtual clinics and confirms that the vast majority are supportive of this mode of health care delivery. Copyright © 2018 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

39 CFR 501.11 - Reporting Postage Evidencing System security weaknesses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... postal administration; or has been submitted for approval by the provider to the Postal Service or other foreign postal administration(s). (2) All potential security weaknesses or methods of tampering with the... security breaches of the Computerized Meter Resetting System (CMRS) or databases housing confidential...

39 CFR 501.11 - Reporting Postage Evidencing System security weaknesses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... postal administration; or has been submitted for approval by the provider to the Postal Service or other foreign postal administration(s). (2) All potential security weaknesses or methods of tampering with the... security breaches of the Computerized Meter Resetting System (CMRS) or databases housing confidential...

"Do I really want to do this?" Longitudinal cohort study participants' perspectives on postal survey design: a qualitative study

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Randomised controlled trials have investigated aspects of postal survey design yet cannot elaborate on reasons behind participants' decision making and survey behaviour. This paper reports participants' perspectives of the design of, and participation in, a longitudinal postal cohort survey. It describes strengths and weaknesses in study design from the perspectives of study participants and aims to contribute to the: 1) design of future cohort surveys and questionnaires generally and, 2) design of cohort surveys for people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) specifically. Methods In-depth interviews explored the design of postal surveys previously completed by participants. Interviews used open ended questioning with a topic guide for prompts if areas of interest were not covered spontaneously. Thematic data analysis was undertaken based on the framework method. A second researcher verified all coding. Results Data from fourteen interviews were analysed within three main themes; participation, survey design and survey content. One of the main findings was the importance of clear communication aimed at the correct audience both when inviting potential participants to take part and within the survey itself. Providing enough information about the study, having a topic of interest and an explanation of likely benefits of the study were important when inviting people to participate. The neutrality of the survey and origination from a reputable source were both important; as was an explanation about why information was being collected within the survey itself. Study findings included participants' impressions when invited to take part, why they participated, the acceptability of follow-up of non-responders and why participants completed the follow-up postal survey. Also discussed were participants' first impression of the survey, its length, presentation and participants' views about specific questions within the survey. Conclusions Ideas generated in this study provide an insight into participants' decision making and survey behaviour and may enhance the acceptability of future surveys to potential participants. As well as clear communication, participants valued incentives and survey questions that were relevant to them. However, opinions varied as to the preferred format for responses with some advising more opportunity for open-ended feedback. We also found that some standard format questions can raise quandaries for individual participants. PMID:21269515

Is it time to abandon paper? The use of emails and the Internet for health services research--a cost-effectiveness and qualitative study.

PubMed

Hunter, Jennifer; Corcoran, Katherine; Leeder, Stephen; Phelps, Kerryn

2013-10-01

A multidisciplinary primary care clinic in Sydney, Australia, was planning to use electronic questionnaires to measure patient-reported outcomes. Semi-structured interviews with 20 patients were undertaken to explore, among other things, practical issues regarding different questionnaire formats. The response rates and costs of email versus postal invitations were also evaluated. Compared with postal invitations, email invitations offered a cost-effective and practical alternative, with a greater proportion of patients volunteering for an interview. Assuming the interface is well-designed and user-friendly, many patients were happy to use the Internet to answer questionnaires. Most patients thought alternate formats should also be offered. Patients discussed advantages and disadvantages of the Internet format. Although more younger patients and females had given the clinic an email address; both sexes, and young and old patients, expressed strong preferences for either wanting or not wanting to use the Internet. Researchers should consider using email invitations as a cost-effective first-line strategy to recruit patients to participate in health services research. Internet questionnaires are potentially cheaper than paper questionnaires, and the format is acceptable to many patients. However, for the time being, concurrent alternate formats need to be offered to ensure wider acceptability and to maximize response rates. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Increasing response rates to lifestyle surveys: a pragmatic evidence review.

PubMed

McCluskey, S; Topping, A E

2011-03-01

Lifestyle surveys are often a key component of a local Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), undertaken to inform public health planning. They are usually administered to a large number of people in order to provide a comprehensive profile of population health. However, declining response rates coupled with the under-representation of certain population groups in lifestyle survey data has led to doubts concerning the reliability of findings. In order to inform the design of their own lifestyle survey, NHS Calderdale commissioned an evidence-based review of the methodological literature relating to the administration of lifestyle surveys, with the specific aim of identifying practical and resource-efficient strategies shown to be effective for maximizing whole-population response rates. A pragmatic review of the published literature was undertaken, specifically to explore the most practical and resource-efficient ways to maximize lifestyle survey response rates to the most commonly used methods (postal surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews and electronic surveys). Electronic databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, DARE, EMBASE and PsychINFO were searched. Empirical evidence published in the last 10 years was identified and citation tracking performed on all retrieved articles. An internet search for 'grey literature' was also conducted. The postal questionnaire remains an important lifestyle survey tool, but reported response rates have decreased rapidly in recent years. Interviews and telephone surveys are recommended in order to supplement data from postal questionnaires and increase response rates in some population groups, but costs may be prohibitive. Electronic surveys are a cheaper alternative, but the empirical evidence on effectiveness is inconclusive. Careful planning and tailoring of survey design to the characteristics of target populations can increase response rates and representativeness of lifestyle survey data. The results of this pragmatic review could provide a valuable resource for those involved in the design and administration of lifestyle surveys.

Guide to the design and application of online questionnaire surveys.

PubMed

Regmi, Pramod R; Waithaka, Elizabeth; Paudyal, Anjana; Simkhada, Padam; van Teijlingen, Edwin

2016-12-01

Collecting research data through traditional approaches (face-to-face, postal or telephone survey) can be costly and time consuming. The emerging data collection approach based on internet/e-based technologies (e.g. online platforms and email), is a relatively cost effective survey alternative. These novel data collection strategies can collect large amounts of data from participants in a short time frame. Similarly, they also seem to be feasible and effective in collecting data on sensitive issues or with samples they are generally hard to reach, for example, men who have sex with men (MSM) or migrants. As a significant proportion of the population currently in the world are digitally connected, the shift from postal (paper-pencil) or telephone towards online survey use in research is in the interests of researchers in academia as well as in the commercial world. However, compared to designing and executing paper version of the questionnaire, there is limited literature to help a starting researcher with the design and a use of online questionnaires. This short paper highlights issues around: a) methodological aspect of online questionnaire survey; b) online survey planning and management; and c) ethical concerns that may arise while using this option. We believe that this paper will be useful for researchers who want to gain knowledge or apply this approach in their research.

Lottery ticket was more effective than a prize draw in increasing questionnaire response among cancer survivors.

PubMed

Drummond, Frances J; O'Leary, Eamonn; Sharp, Linda

2015-07-01

Compare the effect of financial incentives on response to a cancer survivors' postal questionnaire. Prostate cancer survivors in Ireland, 1.5-18 years after diagnosis, were randomized to the (1) "lottery" arm [a € 1 lottery scratch card sent with the questionnaire (n = 2,413)] or (2) "prize" arm [entry into a draw on return of a completed questionnaire (n = 2,407)]. Impact of interventions on response overall and by survival period ("short term": < 5 years after diagnosis; "long term": ≥ 5 years after diagnosis) was compared as was cost-effectiveness. Adjusted response rate was 54.4%. Response was higher among younger men (P < 0.001) and those with earlier stage disease (P = 0.002). A modest 2.6% higher response rate was observed in the lottery compared with the prize arm [multivariate relative risk (RR) = 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.11]. When stratified by survival period, higher response in the lottery arm was only observed among long-term survivors (multivariate RR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.19; short-term survivors: RR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.09). Costs per completed questionnaire were € 4.54 and € 3.57 for the lottery and prize arms, respectively. Compared with the prize arm, cost per additional questionnaire returned in the lottery arm was € 25.65. Although more expensive, to optimize response to postal questionnaires among cancer survivors, researchers might consider inclusion of a lottery scratch card. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The clinical assessment study of the foot (CASF): study protocol for a prospective observational study of foot pain and foot osteoarthritis in the general population

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) affects approximately 10% of adults aged over 60 years. The foot joint complex is commonly affected by OA, yet there is relatively little research into OA of the foot, compared with other frequently affected sites such as the knee and hand. Existing epidemiological studies of foot OA have focussed predominantly on the first metatarsophalangeal joint at the expense of other joints. This three-year prospective population-based observational cohort study will describe the prevalence of symptomatic radiographic foot OA, relate its occurrence to symptoms, examination findings and life-style-factors, describe the natural history of foot OA, and examine how it presents to, and is diagnosed and managed in primary care. Methods All adults aged 50 years and over registered with four general practices in North Staffordshire, UK, will be invited to participate in a postal Health Survey questionnaire. Respondents to the questionnaire who indicate that they have experienced foot pain in the preceding twelve months will be invited to attend a research clinic for a detailed clinical assessment. This assessment will consist of: clinical interview; physical examination; digital photography of both feet and ankles; plain x-rays of both feet, ankles and hands; ultrasound examination of the plantar fascia; anthropometric measurement; and a further self-complete questionnaire. Follow-up will be undertaken in consenting participants by postal questionnaire at 18 months (clinic attenders only) and three years (clinic attenders and survey participants), and also by review of medical records. Discussion This three-year prospective epidemiological study will combine survey data, comprehensive clinical, x-ray and ultrasound assessment, and review of primary care records to identify radiographic phenotypes of foot OA in a population of community-dwelling older adults, and describe their impact on symptoms, function and clinical examination findings, and their presentation, diagnosis and management in primary care. PMID:21892960

"Do I really want to do this?" Longitudinal cohort study participants' perspectives on postal survey design: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Harcombe, Helen; Derrett, Sarah; Herbison, Peter; McBride, David

2011-01-27

Randomised controlled trials have investigated aspects of postal survey design yet cannot elaborate on reasons behind participants' decision making and survey behaviour. This paper reports participants' perspectives of the design of, and participation in, a longitudinal postal cohort survey. It describes strengths and weaknesses in study design from the perspectives of study participants and aims to contribute to the: 1) design of future cohort surveys and questionnaires generally and, 2) design of cohort surveys for people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) specifically. In-depth interviews explored the design of postal surveys previously completed by participants. Interviews used open ended questioning with a topic guide for prompts if areas of interest were not covered spontaneously. Thematic data analysis was undertaken based on the framework method. A second researcher verified all coding. Data from fourteen interviews were analysed within three main themes; participation, survey design and survey content. One of the main findings was the importance of clear communication aimed at the correct audience both when inviting potential participants to take part and within the survey itself. Providing enough information about the study, having a topic of interest and an explanation of likely benefits of the study were important when inviting people to participate. The neutrality of the survey and origination from a reputable source were both important; as was an explanation about why information was being collected within the survey itself. Study findings included participants' impressions when invited to take part, why they participated, the acceptability of follow-up of non-responders and why participants completed the follow-up postal survey. Also discussed were participants' first impression of the survey, its length, presentation and participants' views about specific questions within the survey. Ideas generated in this study provide an insight into participants' decision making and survey behaviour and may enhance the acceptability of future surveys to potential participants. As well as clear communication, participants valued incentives and survey questions that were relevant to them. However, opinions varied as to the preferred format for responses with some advising more opportunity for open-ended feedback. We also found that some standard format questions can raise quandaries for individual participants.

Recall of past use of mobile phone handsets.

PubMed

Parslow, R C; Hepworth, S J; McKinney, P A

2003-01-01

Previous studies investigating health effects of mobile phones have based their estimation of exposure on self-reported levels of phone use. This UK validation study assesses the accuracy of reported voice calls made from mobile handsets. Data collected by postal questionnaire from 93 volunteers was compared to records obtained prospectively over 6 months from four network operators. Agreement was measured for outgoing calls using the kappa statistic, log-linear modelling, Spearman correlation coefficient and graphical methods. Agreement for number of calls gained moderate classification (kappa = 0.39) with better agreement for duration (kappa = 0.50). Log-linear modelling produced similar results. The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.48 for number of calls and 0.60 for duration. Graphical agreement methods demonstrated patterns of over-reporting call numbers (by a factor of 1.7) and duration (by a factor of 2.8). These results suggest that self-reported mobile phone use may not fully represent patterns of actual use. This has implications for calculating exposures from questionnaire data.

76 FR 297 - Periodic Reporting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-04

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 39 CFR Part 3050 [Docket No. RM2011-5; Order No. 625] Periodic... certain analytical methods used in periodic reporting. This action responds to a Postal Service rulemaking... changes in the analytical methods approved for use in periodic reporting.\\1\\ Four separate proposals...

Social and Economic Costs of Food Allergies in Europe: Development of a Questionnaire to Measure Costs and Health Utility

PubMed Central

Fox, Margaret; Voordouw, Jantine; Mugford, Miranda; Cornelisse, Judith; Antonides, Gerrit; Frewer, Lynn

2009-01-01

Objectives To develop a questionnaire to measure the additional social costs of food allergies (FAs). Data Source and Study Setting People with FAs and sampled members of the general population (with and without FAs) in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom in 2006. Study Design (1) Literature review. (2) Focus group to identify key costs of FAs and seek views on the questionnaires. (3) Pilot survey to test the questionnaires in cases and controls. Data Collection Twenty-eight participants in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands with clinically or self-diagnosed FAs took part in one of five focus groups. A case–control postal survey was conducted in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands (with 125 FA cases and 62 controls). Principal Findings Methods exist to measure social costs in chronic illness, but not FAs. Focus groups found features of FAs likely to impact costs of living. Pilot results suggest higher costs of living and health care costs, and well-being in FAs. Conclusion The questionnaire is proposed for use in wider European and other comparative studies of FAs. PMID:19619251

Quality of life in adults with Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Few studies have used standardized QOL instruments to assess the quality of life (QOL) in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS) patients. This work investigates the QOL of adult GTS patients and examines the relationships between physical and psychological variables and QOL. Methods Epidemiological investigation by anonymous national postal survey of QOL of patients of the French Association of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (AFGTS) aged 16 years or older. The clinical and QOL measures were collected by four questionnaires: a sociodemographic and GTS-related symptoms questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality Of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-26), the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ), and a self-rating questionnaire on psychiatric symptoms (SCL-90), all validated in French. We used stepwise regression analysis to explicitly investigate the relationships between physical and psychological variables and QOL domains in GTS. Results Questionnaires were posted to 303 patients, of whom 167 (55%) completed and returned them. Our results, adjusted for age and gender, show that patients with GTS have a worse QOL than the general healthy population. In particular, the “Depression” psychological variable was a significant predictor of impairment in all WHOQOL-26 domains, psychological but also physical and social. Conclusions The present study demonstrates a strong relationship between QOL in GTS and psychiatric symptoms, in particular those of depression. PMID:22888766

Leadership Learning: A Development Initiative for Experienced New Zealand Principals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cardno, Carol; Fitzgerald, Tanya

2005-01-01

Purpose: During the 2000-2004 period, one New Zealand tertiary institution provided a management development programme for experienced secondary school principals. Aims to determine the extent to which the learning had been sustained beyond the formal programme. Design/methodology/approach: A postal questionnaire was administered to 80…

Internet-based treatment of stress urinary incontinence: 1- and 2-year results of a randomized controlled trial with a focus on pelvic floor muscle training.

PubMed

Sjöström, Malin; Umefjord, Göran; Stenlund, Hans; Carlbring, Per; Andersson, Gerhard; Samuelsson, Eva

2015-12-01

To evaluate the long-term effects of two non-face-to-face treatment programmes for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) based on pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). The present study was a randomized controlled trial with online recruitment of 250 community-dwelling women aged 18-70 years with SUI ≥ one time/week. Diagnosis was based on validated self-assessed questionnaires, 2-day bladder diary and telephone interview with a urotherapist. Consecutive computer-generated block randomization was carried out with allocation by an independent administrator to 3 months of treatment with either an internet-based treatment programme (n = 124) or a programme sent by post (n = 126). Both interventions focused mainly on PFMT. The internet group received continuous e-mail support from a urotherapist, whereas the postal group trained on their own. Follow-up was performed after 1 and 2 years via self-assessed postal questionnaires. The primary outcomes were symptom severity (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form [ICIQ-UI SF]) and condition-specific quality of life (ICIQ-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life [ICIQ-LUTSqol]). Secondary outcomes were the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, health-specific quality of life (EQ-visual analogue scale [EQ-VAS]), use of incontinence aids, and satisfaction with treatment. There was no face-to-face contact with the participants at any time. Analysis was based on intention-to-treat. We lost 32.4% (81/250) of participants to follow-up after 1 year and 38.0% (95/250) after 2 years. With both interventions, we observed highly significant (P < 0.001) improvements with large effect sizes (>0.8) for symptoms and condition-specific quality of life (QoL) after 1 and 2 years, respectively. No significant differences were found between the groups. The mean (sd) changes in symptom score were 3.7 (3.3) for the internet group and 3.2 (3.4) for the postal group (P = 0.47) after 1 year, and 3.6 (3.5) for the internet group and 3.4 (3.3) for the postal group (P = 0.79) after 2 years. The mean changes (sd) in condition-specific QoL were 5.5 (6.5) for the internet group and 4.7 the for postal group (6.5) (P = 0.55) after 1 year, and 6.4 (6.0) for the internet group and 4.8 (7.6) for the postal group (P = 0.28) after 2 years. The proportions of participants perceiving they were much or very much improved were similar in both intervention groups after 1 year (internet, 31.9% [28/88]; postal, 33.8% [27/80], P = 0.82), but after 2 years significantly more participants in the internet group reported this degree of improvement (39.2% [29/74] vs 23.8% [19/80], P = 0.03). Health-specific QoL improved significantly in the internet group after 2 years (mean change in EQ-VAS, 3.8 [11.4], P = 0.005). We found no other significant improvements in this measure. At 1 year after treatment, 69.8% (60/86) of participants in the internet group and 60.5% (46/76) of participants in the postal group reported that they were still satisfied with the treatment result. After 2 years, the proportions were 64.9% (48/74) and 58.2% (46/79), respectively. Non-face-to-face treatment of SUI with PFMT provides significant and clinically relevant improvements in symptoms and condition-specific QoL at 1 and 2 years after treatment. © 2015 The Authors BJU International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of BJU International.

Reliability and validity of the Attributional Style Questionnaire- Survey in people with multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Kneebone, Ian I.; Dewar, Sophie J.

2016-01-01

Background: The current study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of an attributional style measure that can be administered remotely, to people who have multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: A total of 495 participants with MS were recruited. Participants completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire-Survey (ASQ-S) and two comparison measures of cognitive variables via postal survey on three occasions, each 12 months apart. Internal reliability, test-retest reliability and congruent validity were considered. Results: The internal reliability of the ASQ-S was good (α > 0.7). The test-retest correlations were significant, but failed to reach the 0.7 set. The congruent validity of the ASQ-S was established relative to the comparisons. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the ASQ-S indicate that it shows promise as a tool for researchers investigating depression in people with MS and is likely sound to use clinically in this population. PMID:28450893

The gains and pains of being a cancer support group leader: a qualitative survey of rewards and challenges.

PubMed

Butow, Phyllis; Beeney, Linda; Juraskova, Ilona; Ussher, Jane; Zordan, Rachel

2009-01-01

Rewards derived from leading a cancer support group are poorly understood yet may be crucial to offset the challenges and difficulties of this role. This study sought to obtain the views of a representative sample of Australian cancer support group leaders (CSGLs) concerning the perceived rewards and challenges of their role. All CSGLs identified by the state-based Cancer Councils were invited to participate by postal questionnaire. Qualitative methods were used to analyze responses to open-ended questions concerning rewards and challenges. A total of 300 CSGLs returned the questionnaire (response rate = 66%) with 272 providing qualitative comments. Four parallel themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (i) Personal, (ii) Relationship, (iii) Group, and (iv) Community rewards and challenges. These were integrated into a model depicting key positive and negative aspects of the CSGL's role, to provide direction for future training and ongoing support of CSGLs.

Statistical Study to Investigate Women’s Preference in the Phraseology of Lifetime and Age Specific Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-25

anxiety, hypochondriasis, low self - esteem and a hypervigilant style of information processing, referred to as monitoring [7], have been associated with...collected through self -completed, postal questionnaires and responses were received from 137 out of 175 distributed questionnaires. Respondents had a...referral guidelines for family histories of breast cancer are [2]: • 1st degree relative (i.e. mother, sister) younger than 40; • 2nd degree paternal

39 CFR 777.27 - Last resort housing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Housing. The Postal Service has broad latitude in implementing this section, but implementation must be on... barriers to the handicapped. (8) Any other method determined by the Postal Service to be reasonable. (d...

Identifying dyspepsia in the Greek population: translation and validation of a questionnaire

PubMed Central

Anastasiou, Foteini; Antonakis, Nikos; Chaireti, Georgia; Theodorakis, Pavlos N; Lionis, Christos

2006-01-01

Background Studies on clinical issues, including diagnostic strategies, are considered to be the core content of general practice research. The use of standardised instruments is regarded as an important component for the development of Primary Health Care research capacity. Demand for epidemiological cross-cultural comparisons in the international setting and the use of common instruments and definitions valid to each culture is bigger than ever. Dyspepsia is a common complaint in primary practice but little is known with respect to its incidence in Greece. There are some references about the Helicobacter Pylori infection in patients with functional dyspepsia or gastric ulcer in Greece but there is no specific instrument for the identification of dyspepsia. This paper reports on the validation and translation into Greek, of an English questionnaire for the identification of dyspepsia in the general population and discusses several possibilities of its use in the Greek primary care. Methods The selected English postal questionnaire for the identification of people with dyspepsia in the general population consists of 30 items and was developed in 1995. The translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire has been performed according to international standards. For the validation of the instrument the internal consistency of the items was established using the alpha coefficient of Chronbach, the reproducibility (test – retest reliability) was measured by kappa correlation coefficient and the criterion validity was calculated against the diagnosis of the patients' records using also kappa correlation coefficient. Results The final Greek version of the postal questionnaire for the identification of dyspepsia in the general population was reliably translated. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was good, Chronbach's alpha was found to be 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81–0.93), suggesting that all items were appropriate to measure. Kappa coefficient for reproducibility (test – retest reliability) was found 0.66 (95% CI: 0.62–0.71), whereas the kappa analysis for criterion validity was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.36–0.89). Conclusion This study indicates that the Greek translation is comparable with the English-language version in terms of validity and reliability, and is suitable for epidemiological research within the Greek primary health care setting. PMID:16515708

Should breast reduction surgery be rationed? A comparison of the health status of patients before and after treatment: postal questionnaire survey.

PubMed

Klassen, A; Fitzpatrick, R; Jenkinson, C; Goodacre, T

1996-08-24

To assess the health status of patients before and after breast reduction surgery and to make comparisons with the health status of women in the general population. Postal questionnaire survey sent to patients before and six months after surgery. The three plastic surgery departments in the Oxford Regional Health Authority, during April to August 1993. 166 women (over the age of 16 years) referred for breast reduction; scores from the "short form 36" (SF-36) health questionnaire completed by women in the 1991-2 Oxford healthy life survey. Health status of breast reduction patients before and after surgery as assessed by the SF-36, the 28 item general health questionnaire, and Rosenberg's self esteem scale; comparisons between the health status of breast reduction patients and that of women in the general population; outcome of surgery as assessed retrospectively by patients. Differences between the health status of breast reduction patients and that of women in the general population were detected by the SF-36 both before and after surgery. Breast reduction surgery produced substantial change in patients' physical, social, and psychological function. The proportion of cases of possible psychiatric morbidity according to the general health questionnaire fell from 41% (22/54) before surgery to 11% (6/54) six months after treatment. Eighty six per cent (50/58) of patients expressed great satisfaction with the surgical result postoperatively. The study provides empirical evidence that supports the inclusion of breast reduction surgery in NHS purchasing contracts.

Should breast reduction surgery be rationed? A comparison of the health status of patients before and after treatment: postal questionnaire survey.

PubMed Central

Klassen, A.; Fitzpatrick, R.; Jenkinson, C.; Goodacre, T.

1996-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To assess the health status of patients before and after breast reduction surgery and to make comparisons with the health status of women in the general population. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire survey sent to patients before and six months after surgery. SETTING: The three plastic surgery departments in the Oxford Regional Health Authority, during April to August 1993. SUBJECTS: 166 women (over the age of 16 years) referred for breast reduction; scores from the "short form 36" (SF-36) health questionnaire completed by women in the 1991-2 Oxford healthy life survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health status of breast reduction patients before and after surgery as assessed by the SF-36, the 28 item general health questionnaire, and Rosenberg's self esteem scale; comparisons between the health status of breast reduction patients and that of women in the general population; outcome of surgery as assessed retrospectively by patients. RESULTS: Differences between the health status of breast reduction patients and that of women in the general population were detected by the SF-36 both before and after surgery. Breast reduction surgery produced substantial change in patients' physical, social, and psychological function. The proportion of cases of possible psychiatric morbidity according to the general health questionnaire fell from 41% (22/54) before surgery to 11% (6/54) six months after treatment. Eighty six per cent (50/58) of patients expressed great satisfaction with the surgical result postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The study provides empirical evidence that supports the inclusion of breast reduction surgery in NHS purchasing contracts. PMID:8776311

The oral health of people with learning disabilities - a user-friendly questionnaire survey.

PubMed

Owens, J; Jones, K; Marshman, Z

2017-03-01

To conduct a user-friendly questionnaire survey of the oral health and service needs of adults with learning disabilities. Researchers collaborated with local self-advocacy services to develop a questionnaire adapted from one used in a regional postal survey. The questionnaire, which covered dental status, oral health and dental services use, was sent to a random sample of people from the learning disability case register. Of 2,000 questionnaires mailed, 117 were returned undelivered and 625 were completed (response rate 31.3%). The self-reported dental status of people with learning disabilities appeared similar to that of the 2008 postal survey of the general population in Sheffield. The major difference in dental status was 11.5% of people with learning disabilities wore upper dentures and 7.2% wore lower dentures, compared to 21.2% and 12.1% of the general population in Sheffield. Using the case register as a recruitment instrument may have excluded people with learning disabilities not registered. Time and finances only permitted one mailing. Analysis on the basis of deprivation could not be conducted. Contrary to current practice, it is possible to include people with learning disabilities in oral health surveys. A multidisciplinary team was essential for enabling the progression and implementation of inclusive research and for people with learning disabilities and their supporters to engage meaningfully. This level of collaboration appears necessary if we are committed to ensuring that people with learning disabilities and their supporters are made visible to policy and decision-makers. Copyright© 2017 Dennis Barber Ltd

The Utility of Electronic Mail Follow-Ups for Library Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roselle, Ann; Neufeld, Steven

1998-01-01

A survey of academic librarians determined that the use of e-mail in the follow-up stage of a library research project using mailed questionnaires was as effective as postal mail in speed and size of response. Discusses additional benefits (interpersonal communication, reduced time and costs) and drawbacks (time spent identifying messages…

ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN PERSONNEL AND TRAINING NEEDS OF IOWA INDUSTRIES.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

WEEDE, GARY DEAN

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO PROVIDE DATA FOR USE IN DEVELOPING OR IMPROVING ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. A POSTAL CARD QUESTIONNAIRE WAS SENT TO 678 MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING INDUSTRIES IN IOWA EMPLOYING MORE THAN 50 PERSONS AND ALL ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC, AND PRECISION INSTRUMENT MANUFACTURERS EMPLOYING FEWER THAN 50 PERSONS. DATA WERE…

The Economic Consequences of Autistic Spectrum Disorder among Children in a Swedish Municipality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jarbrink, Krister

2007-01-01

In this study, the societal economic consequences of autistic spectrum disorder were investigated using a sample of parents of children identified with the disorder and living in a Swedish municipality. Cost information was collected using a postal questionnaire that was developed through experiences gained from an earlier study. Using…

Immunising Children in Primary Care in the UK--What Are the Concerns of Principal Immunisers?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maconachie, Moira; Lewendon, Gill

2004-01-01

Objective: To determine the levels of concern about risks associated with childhood immunisations among principal immunisers in general practice. Design: Self-administered postal questionnaire survey. Setting: South & West Devon Health Authority. Participants: Eighty-eight/102 general practices: 78 practice nurses, 7 general practitioners, 3…

User-experience surveys with maternity services: a randomized comparison of two data collection models.

PubMed

Bjertnaes, Oyvind Andresen; Iversen, Hilde Hestad

2012-08-01

To compare two ways of combining postal and electronic data collection for a maternity services user-experience survey. Cross-sectional survey. Maternity services in Norway. All women who gave birth at a university hospital in Norway between 1 June and 27 July 2010. Patients were randomized into the following groups (n= 752): Group A, who were posted questionnaires with both electronic and paper response options for both the initial and reminder postal requests; and Group B, who were posted questionnaires with an electronic response option for the initial request, and both electronic and paper response options for the reminder postal request. Response rate, the amount of difference in background variables between respondents and non-respondents, main study results and estimated cost-effectiveness. The final response rate was significantly higher in Group A (51.9%) than Group B (41.1%). None of the background variables differed significantly between the respondents and non-respondents in Group A, while two variables differed significantly between the respondents and non-respondents in Group B. None of the 11 user-experience scales differed significantly between Groups A and B. The estimated costs per response for the forthcoming national survey was €11.7 for data collection Model A and €9.0 for Model B. The model with electronic-only response option in the first request had lowest response rate. However, this model performed equal to the other model on non-response bias and better on estimated cost-effectiveness, and is the better of the two models in large-scale user experiences surveys with maternity services.

A nationwide postal questionnaire survey: the presence of airway guidelines in anaesthesia department in Sweden

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background In Sweden, airway guidelines aimed toward improving patient safety have been recommended by the Swedish Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. Adherence to evidence-based airway guidelines is known to be generally poor in Sweden. The aim of this study was to determine whether airway guidelines are present in Swedish anaesthesia departments. Methods A nationwide postal questionnaire inquiring about the presence of airway guidelines was sent out to directors of Swedish anaesthesia departments (n = 74). The structured questionnaire was based on a review of the Swedish Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care voluntary recommendations of guidelines for airway management. Mean, standard deviation, minimum/maximum, percentage (%) and number of general anaesthesia performed per year as frequency (n), were used to describe, each hospital type (university, county, private). For comparison between hospitals type and available written airway guidelines were cross tabulation used and analysed using Pearson’s Chi-Square tests. A p- value of less than 0 .05 was judged significant. Results In total 68 directors who were responsible for the anaesthesia departments returned the questionnaire, which give a response rate of 92% (n 68 of 74). The presence of guidelines showing an airway algorithm was reported by 68% of the departments; 52% reported having a written patient information card in case of a difficult airway and guidelines for difficult airways, respectively; 43% reported the presence of guidelines for preoperative assessment; 31% had guidelines for Rapid Sequence Intubation; 26% reported criteria for performing an awake intubation; and 21% reported guidelines for awake fibre-optic intubation. A prescription for the registered nurse anaesthetist for performing tracheal intubation was reported by 24%. The most frequently pre-printed preoperative elements in the anaesthesia record form were dental status and head and neck mobility. Conclusions Despite recommendations from the national anaesthesia society, the presence of airway guidelines in Swedish anaesthesia departments is low. From the perspective of safety for both patients and the anaesthesia staff, airway management guidelines should be considered a higher priority. PMID:24708670

Best practice guidance for the use of strategies to improve retention in randomized trials developed from two consensus workshops

PubMed Central

Brueton, Valerie; Stenning, Sally P.; Stevenson, Fiona; Tierney, Jayne; Rait, Greta

2017-01-01

Objectives To develop best practice guidance for the use of retention strategies in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Study Design and Setting Consensus development workshops conducted at two UK Clinical Trials Units. Sixty-six statisticians, clinicians, RCT coordinators, research scientists, research assistants, and data managers associated with RCTs participated. The consensus development workshops were based on the consensus development conference method used to develop best practice for treatment of medical conditions. Workshops commenced with a presentation of the evidence for incentives, communication, questionnaire format, behavioral, case management, and methodological retention strategies identified by a Cochrane review and associated qualitative study. Three simultaneous group discussions followed focused on (1) how convinced the workshop participants were by the evidence for retention strategies, (2) barriers to the use of effective retention strategies, (3) types of RCT follow-up that retention strategies could be used for, and (4) strategies for future research. Summaries of each group discussion were fed back to the workshop. Coded content for both workshops was compared for agreement and disagreement. Agreed consensus on best practice guidance for retention was identified. Results Workshop participants agreed best practice guidance for the use of small financial incentives to improve response to postal questionnaires in RCTs. Use of second-class post was thought to be adequate for postal communication with RCT participants. The most relevant validated questionnaire was considered best practice for collecting RCT data. Barriers identified for the use of effective retention strategies were: the small improvements seen in questionnaire response for the addition of monetary incentives, and perceptions among trialists that some communication strategies are outdated. Furthermore, there was resistance to change existing retention practices thought to be effective. Face-to-face and electronic follow-up technologies were identified as retention strategies for further research. Conclusions We developed best practice guidance for the use of retention strategies in RCTs and identified potential barriers to the use of effective strategies. The extent of agreement on best practice is limited by the variability in the currently available evidence. This guidance will need updating as new retention strategies are developed and evaluated. PMID:28546093

Best practice guidance for the use of strategies to improve retention in randomized trials developed from two consensus workshops.

PubMed

Brueton, Valerie; Stenning, Sally P; Stevenson, Fiona; Tierney, Jayne; Rait, Greta

2017-08-01

To develop best practice guidance for the use of retention strategies in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Consensus development workshops conducted at two UK Clinical Trials Units. Sixty-six statisticians, clinicians, RCT coordinators, research scientists, research assistants, and data managers associated with RCTs participated. The consensus development workshops were based on the consensus development conference method used to develop best practice for treatment of medical conditions. Workshops commenced with a presentation of the evidence for incentives, communication, questionnaire format, behavioral, case management, and methodological retention strategies identified by a Cochrane review and associated qualitative study. Three simultaneous group discussions followed focused on (1) how convinced the workshop participants were by the evidence for retention strategies, (2) barriers to the use of effective retention strategies, (3) types of RCT follow-up that retention strategies could be used for, and (4) strategies for future research. Summaries of each group discussion were fed back to the workshop. Coded content for both workshops was compared for agreement and disagreement. Agreed consensus on best practice guidance for retention was identified. Workshop participants agreed best practice guidance for the use of small financial incentives to improve response to postal questionnaires in RCTs. Use of second-class post was thought to be adequate for postal communication with RCT participants. The most relevant validated questionnaire was considered best practice for collecting RCT data. Barriers identified for the use of effective retention strategies were: the small improvements seen in questionnaire response for the addition of monetary incentives, and perceptions among trialists that some communication strategies are outdated. Furthermore, there was resistance to change existing retention practices thought to be effective. Face-to-face and electronic follow-up technologies were identified as retention strategies for further research. We developed best practice guidance for the use of retention strategies in RCTs and identified potential barriers to the use of effective strategies. The extent of agreement on best practice is limited by the variability in the currently available evidence. This guidance will need updating as new retention strategies are developed and evaluated. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Management of bladder dysfunction and satisfaction of life after spinal cord injury in Norway

PubMed Central

Hagen, Ellen Merete; Rekand, Tiina

2014-01-01

Background There is limited knowledge about bladder dysfunction and bladder management in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) after discharge from the hospital in Norway. The impact of bladder dysfunction on satisfaction of life has been rarely explored. Setting Community-based survey from Norway. Methods An anonymous cross-sectional postal survey. A questionnaire was sent to the registered members of the Norwegian Spinal Cord Injuries Association. A total of 400 participants, with traumatic or non-traumatic SCI, received the questionnaire. Results A total of 248 subjects (62%), 180 men and 68 women, answered the questionnaire. Mean age was 54 years and mean time since injury 13.4 years. A total of 164 participants (66.1%) used intermittent catheterization for bladder emptying (48.5% women versus 72.8% men); more paraplegics than tetraplegics (77.2% versus 55.7%). Recommendations given at the Spinal Cord Units were thoroughly followed by persons who had used catheters more than 5 years. Use of incontinence pads were associated with reduced satisfaction of life. Conclusions The most common method of management of bladder dysfunction is clean intermittent catheterization in Norway. Recommendations were followed more thoroughly by persons who have used intermittent catheterization for more than 5 years. Spinal Cord Units are important source for information and guidance. PMID:24621024

Recruiting migrants for health research through social network sites: an online survey among chinese migrants in australia.

PubMed

Hu, Jie; Wong, Kam Cheong; Wang, Zhiqiang

2015-04-27

Traditionally, postal surveys or face to face interviews are the main approaches for health researchers to obtain essential research data. However, with the prevalence of information technology and Internet, Web-based surveys are gaining popularity in health research. This study aims to report the process and outcomes of recruiting Chinese migrants through social network sites in Australia and to examine the sample characteristics of online recruitment by comparing the sample which was recruited by an online survey to a sample of Australian Chinese migrants collected by a postal survey. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe and compare the process and outcomes of online recruitment with postal survey questionnaires. Chi square tests and t tests were performed to assess the differences between the two samples for categorical and continuous variables respectively. In total, 473 Chinese migrants completed the online health survey from July to October 2013. Out of 426 participants recruited through the three Chinese social network sites in Australia, over 86.6% (369/426) were recruited within six weeks. Participants of the Web-based survey were younger, with a higher education level or had resided in Australia for less time compared to those recruited via a postal survey. However, there was no significant difference in gender, marital status, and professional occupation. The recruitment of Chinese migrants through social network sites in our online survey was feasible. Compared to a postal survey of Chinese migrants, the online survey attracted different group of Chinese migrants who may have diverse health needs and concerns. Our findings provided insightful information for researchers who are considering employing a Web-based approach to recruit migrants and ethnic minority participants.

Barriers and Enablers to Clinical Fieldwork Education in Rural Public and Private Allied Health Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maloney, Phoebe; Stagnitti, Karen; Schoo, Adrian

2013-01-01

There is a need to maximise rural clinical fieldwork placement to build health workforce capacity. This study investigated allied health professionals' (AHPs) experience of supervising students as part of work-integrated learning in public and private rural health settings. An anonymous postal questionnaire with 30 questions was used to collect…

Supported Housing for People with Down's Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cumella, Stuart; Heslam, Sheila

2014-01-01

There has been limited research on the attitudes of family carers and the part they play in helping people with a learning disability choose accommodation. A postal questionnaire was sent to family carers of people with Down's Syndrome, to identify their attitudes to supported living, their experience of the application process, and the…

Impact of Death by Suicide of Patients on Thai Psychiatrists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomyangkoon, Prakarn; Leenaars, Antoon

2008-01-01

The objective of this study was to identify the impact of a patient's suicide on psychiatrists in Thailand. A confidential coded postal questionnaire survey was sent to 320 eligible psychiatrists; with a response rate of 52.18%. The results showed that 94 (56.28%) of responding psychiatrists had a patient die by suicide, consistent with high rates…

Cataract surgery in the United Kingdom: a postal survey.

PubMed

Olali, Carpi A; Priya, Anita; Gupta, Mohit; Ahmed, Sohail

2010-01-01

A postal questionnaire study to evaluate the current practice of cataract surgery delivery in the United Kingdom including strategies for postoperative review was performed. A cataract questionnaire was sent to all hospital departments delivering ophthalmic services in the United Kingdom based on a list from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. It included questions about the staffing level, number of cases operated on per list, and the different strategies employed postoperatively. The results were statistically analyzed. A total of 248 questionnaires were sent and 106 (43%) replies were received. The mean number of consultant teams was 11 (2-20). The average number of cases per list was 6-7 (range 4-9). In 65 hospitals, all patients are reviewed postoperatively in the hospital and some consultant teams review patients postoperatively in 18 hospitals. In 15 hospitals, patients were seen by the community optician. Most hospitals review their patients postoperatively within the first 3 weeks with more hospitals seeing them at 2-3 weeks. A wide variety of health professionals review the postoperative cases and they include doctors, nurses, and opticians (in house and community). There are varied practices for cataract surgery in the United Kingdom including the number of cases on the list and postoperative review protocols. There is room for better service organization in some hospitals in terms of patient flow and better use of medical staff time to improve output.

Comparison of response rates and cost-effectiveness for a community-based survey: postal, internet and telephone modes with generic or personalised recruitment approaches

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Epidemiological research often requires collection of data from a representative sample of the community or recruitment of specific groups through broad community approaches. The population coverage of traditional survey methods such as mail-outs to residential addresses, and telephone contact via public directories or random-digit-dialing is declining and survey response rates are falling. There is a need to explore new sampling frames and consider multiple response modes including those offered by changes in telecommunications and internet technology. Methods We evaluated response rates and cost-effectiveness for three modes of survey administration (postal invitation/postal survey, postal invitation/internet survey and postal invitation/telephone survey) and two styles of contact approach (personalised and generic) in a community survey of greywater use. Potential respondents were contacted only once, with no follow up of non-responders. Results The telephone survey produced the highest adjusted response rate (30.2%), followed by the personalised postal survey (10.5%), generic postal survey (7.5%) and then the internet survey (4.7% for the personalised approach and 2.2% for the generic approach). There were some differences in household characteristics and greywater use rates between respondents to different survey modes, and between respondents to personalised and generic approaches. These may be attributable to the differing levels of motivations needed for a response, and varying levels of interest in the survey topic among greywater users and non-users. The generic postal survey had the lowest costs per valid survey received (Australian $22.93), followed by the personalised postal survey ($24.75). Conclusions Our findings suggest that postal surveys currently remain the most economic option for population-based studies, with similar costs for personalised and generic approaches. Internet surveys may be effective for specialised groups where email lists are available for initial contact, but barriers other than household internet access still exist for community-based surveys. Given the increasing recruitment challenges facing community-based studies, there is an imperative to gather contemporary comparative data on different survey modes and recruitment approaches in order to determine their strengths, limitations and costs. Researchers also need to document and report on the potential biases in the target and respondent populations and how this may affect the data collected. PMID:22938205

Timeliness of electronic reporting and acceptability of public health follow-up of routine nonparatyphoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella infections, London and South East England, 2010 to 2011.

PubMed

Severi, E; Dabrera, G; Boxall, N; Harvey-Vince, L; Booth, L; Balasegaram, S

2014-01-01

Nonparatyphoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections are major causes of food poisoning in England. Diagnostic laboratories and clinicians have a statutory responsibility to report NTS infection cases to the Health Protection Agency via various means, with electronic reporting encouraged as the universal method. The Health Protection Agency (Public Health England since 1 April 2013) refers cases to environmental health departments for follow-up. Timeliness of reporting and adequacy of NTS infection case follow-up are key factors in the implementation of public health actions. Laboratories, health protection units, and environmental health departments in London and South East (SE) regions of England completed three surveys between December 2010 and April 2011, collecting data about the NTS infection case reporting methods and the time elapsed between symptom onset and public health actions. The median period between symptom onset and public health investigation was 25 days in London and 23 days in SE when electronic reporting was used and 12 days in London and 11 days in SE when other means of reporting were used. The most common follow-up method was a telephone questionnaire in London (53%) and a postal questionnaire in SE (52%). The telephone questionnaire had the highest response rate (98% in London; 96% in SE). Timeliness and efficiency of electronic NTS infection case reports can be improved by decreasing the electronic laboratory report period and using telephone-administered questionnaires to maximize the public health benefit when following up single cases of NTS infection.

Internet-based treatment of stress urinary incontinence: a randomised controlled study with focus on pelvic floor muscle training

PubMed Central

Sjöström, Malin; Umefjord, Göran; Stenlund, Hans; Carlbring, Per; Andersson, Gerhard; Samuelsson, Eva

2013-01-01

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects 10–35% of women, and it is sometimes very distressful. Pelvic floor exercises are the first line of treatment, but access barriers or embarrassment may prevent women from seeking help. There is a need for new, simple, and effective ways to deliver treatment. Management of SUI without face-to-face contact is possible, and Internet-based treatment is a new, promising treatment alternative. Objective To compare two treatment programmes for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) without face-to-face contact: one Internet-based and one sent by post. Patients and Methods Randomised, controlled trial conducted in Sweden 2009–2011. Computer-generated block-randomisation, allocation by independent administrator. No ‘blinding’. The study included 250 community-dwelling women aged 18–70 years, with SUI ≥1 time/week. Consecutive online recruitment. The women had 3 months of either; (i) An Internet-based treatment programme (124 women), including e-mail support and cognitive behavioural therapy assignments or (ii) A treatment programme sent by post (126). Both programmes focused mainly on pelvic floor muscle training. Primary outcomes: symptom-score (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, ICIQ-UI SF) and condition-specific quality of life (ICIQ-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life, ICIQ-LUTSQoL). Secondary outcomes: (i) Patient Global Impression of Improvement, (ii) Incontinence aids, (iii) Patient satisfaction, (iv) Health-specific QoL (EQ5D-Visual Analogue Scale), and (v) Incontinence episode frequency. Follow-up after 4 months via self-assessed postal questionnaires. Results In all, 12% (30 women) were lost to follow-up. Intention-to-treat analysis showed highly significant improvements (P < 0.001) with large effect sizes (>0.8) with both interventions, but there were no significant differences between groups in primary outcomes. The mean (sd) changes in symptom-score were: Internet 3.4 (3.4), Postal 2.9 (3.1) (P = 0.27). The mean (sd) changes in condition-specific QoL were: Internet 4.8 (6.1), Postal 4.6 (6.7) (P = 0.52). Compared with the postal-group, more participants in the Internet-group perceived they were much or very much improved (40.9% (43/105) vs 26.5% (30/113), P = 0.01), reported reduced usage of incontinence aids (59.5% (47/79) vs 41.4% (34/82), P = 0.02) and were satisfied with the treatment programme (84.8% (89/105) vs 62.9% (71/113), P < 0.001). Health-specific QoL improved in the Internet-group (mean change 3.7 (10.9), P = 0.001), but not in the postal-group (1.9 (13.0), P = 0.13). Overall, 69.8% (120/172) of participants reported complete lack of leakage or reduced number of leakage episodes by >50%. Conclusions Concerning primary outcomes, treatment effects were similar between groups whereas for secondary outcomes the Internet-based treatment was more effective. Internet-based treatment for SUI is a new, promising treatment alternative. PMID:23350826

Ages and Stages Questionnaires: feasibility of postal surveys for child follow-up.

PubMed

Troude, Pénélope; Squires, Jane; L'Hélias, Laurence Foix; Bouyer, Jean; de La Rochebrochard, Elise

2011-10-01

The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), completed by parents and caregivers, has been shown to be an accurate tool for screening children who need further developmental assessment. To assess the feasibility of using the French Canadian translation of the ASQ in an epidemiological cohort of children from the French general population. Follow-up study by postal questionnaire at 12 and 36 months, using the ASQ. 339 French families recruited at the birth of their child in 2006 in two hospitals in the Paris suburbs. Response rates and French ASQ results at 12 and 36 months. The ASQ was scored as indicated in the manual. A high response rate of 79% was observed at the children's 1st and 3rd birthdays. Parents were enthusiastic about participating; half of them wrote comments on the questionnaires, most of them positive. Low scores at the 12-month assessment were associated with birth characteristics such as prematurity and transfer to the neonatology unit after birth, whereas at 36 months they tended to be associated with both birth and family socio-demographic characteristics. Use of the French ASQ in a research cohort appears feasible as response rates were high. Moreover, known links between child development measured by ASQ and birth and social characteristics were observed. However, further French studies are needed to understand differences observed in 12-month ASQ gross motor scores compared with US norms. For research purposes, further analysis of the ASQ in innovative, quantitative approaches, is needed. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Digital Game Playing Motives among Adolescents: Relations to Parent-Child Communication, School Performance, Sleeping Habits, and Perceived Health

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wallenius, Marjut; Rimpela, Arja; Punamaki, Raija-Leena; Lintonen, Tomi

2008-01-01

The aims of this research were to describe Finnish adolescents' different motives for digital game playing, and to examine relations between digital game playing and parent-child communication, school performance, sleeping habits, and perceived health. A questionnaire was used to assess a nationwide postal sample of 12-18-year-old Finns (6761…

Cervical Screening for Women with Learning Disability: Current Practice and Attitudes within Primary Care in Edinburgh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, Rachael; Douglas, Margaret

2007-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate current practice in, and to explore primary care professionals' views about, providing cervical screening to women with learning disability, in two areas of Edinburgh. A postal questionnaire was sent to all 24 GP practices in the project area: 20 responded. Seven respondents were invited to participate in follow up…

Family Carers and the Prevention of Heroin Overdose Deaths: Unmet Training Need and Overlooked Intervention Opportunity of Resuscitation Training and Supply of Naloxone

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strang, John; Manning, Victoria; Mayet, Soraya; Titherington, Emily; Offor, Liz; Semmler, Claudia; Williams, Anna

2008-01-01

Aim: To assess (a) carers' experiences of witnessing overdose; (b) their training needs; and (c) their interest in receiving training in overdose management. Design: Postal questionnaire distributed through consenting participating local carer group coordinators in England. Sample: 147 carers attending local support groups for friends and families…

Room for improvement? Leadership, innovation culture and uptake of quality improvement methods in general practice.

PubMed

Apekey, Tanefa A; McSorley, Gerry; Tilling, Michelle; Siriwardena, A Niroshan

2011-04-01

Leadership and innovation are currently seen as essential elements for the development and maintenance of high-quality care. Little is known about the relationship between leadership and culture of innovation and the extent to which quality improvement methods are used in general practice. This study aimed to assess the relationship between leadership behaviour, culture of innovation and adoption of quality improvement methods in general practice. Self-administered postal questionnaires were sent to general practitioner quality improvement leads in one county in the UK between June and December 2007. The questionnaire consisted of background information, a 12-item scale to assess leadership behaviour, a seven-dimension self-rating scale for culture of innovation and questions on current use of quality improvement tools and techniques. Sixty-three completed questionnaires (62%) were returned. Leadership behaviours were not commonly reported. Most practices reported a positive culture of innovation, featuring relationship most strongly, followed by targets and information but rated lower on other dimensions of rewards, risk and resources. There was a significant positive correlation between leadership behaviour and the culture of innovation (r = 0.57; P < 0.001). Apart from clinical audit and significant event analysis, quality improvement methods were not adopted by most participating practices. Leadership behaviours were infrequently reported and this was associated with a limited culture of innovation in participating general practices. There was little use of quality improvement methods beyond clinical and significant event audit. Practices need support to enhance leadership skills, encourage innovation and develop quality improvement skills if improvements in health care are to accelerate. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

77 FR 5470 - Periodicals-Recognition of Distribution of Periodicals via Electronic Copies

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-03

... Electronic Copies AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes to....6, to allow publishers who use electronic distribution methods to report such circulation as paid or... publications through various electronic media channels. According to the standards that govern the Periodicals...

Using anonymized reflection to teach ethics: a pilot study.

PubMed

Kyle, Gaye

2008-01-01

Anonymized reflection was employed as an innovative way of teaching ethics in order to enhance students' ability in ethical decision making during a Care of the Dying Patient and Family' module. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from the first two student cohorts who experienced anonymized reflection ( n = 24). The themes identified were the richness and relevance of scenarios, small-group work and a team approach to teaching. Students indicated that they preferred this style of teaching. This finding was verified by a postal questionnaire conducted four months later. The conclusions drawn from this study suggest that using anonymized reflection is an effective method for teaching ethics to nurses and indicates that learning about ethical issues in this way reduces uncertainties.

A comparison of the efficacy of three intervention trial types: postal, group, and one-to-one facilitation, prior management and the impact of message framing and repeat messages on the flock prevalence of lameness in sheep.

PubMed

Grant, Claire; Kaler, Jasmeet; Ferguson, Eamonn; O'Kane, Holly; Green, Laura Elizabeth

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three knowledge-transfer intervention trial types (postal, group, one-to-one) to promote best practice to treat sheep with footrot. Further aims were to investigate whether farmer behaviour (i.e. management of lameness) before the trial was associated with uptake of best practice and whether the benefits of best practice framed positively or negatively influenced change in behaviour. The intervention was a message developed from evidence and expert opinion. It was entitled "Six steps to sound sheep" and promoted (1) catch sheep within three days of becoming lame, (2) inspect feet without foot trimming, (3) correctly diagnose the cause, (4) treat sheep lame with footrot or interdigital dermatitis with antibiotic injection and spray without foot trimming, (5) record the identity of treated sheep, (6) cull repeatedly lame sheep. In 2013, 4000 randomly-selected English sheep farmers were sent a questionnaire, those who responded were recruited to the postal (1081 farmers) or one-to-one intervention (32 farmers) trials. A random sample of 400 farmers were invited to join the group trial; 78 farmers participated. A follow-up questionnaire was sent to all participants in summer 2014. There were 72%, 65% and 91% useable responses for the postal, group and one-to-one trials respectively. In both 2013 and 2014, the prevalence of lameness was lower in flocks managed by LC1 farmers than LC2 and LC3 farmers. Between 2013 and 2014, the reduction in geometric mean (95% CI) period prevalence of lameness, proportional between flock reduction in lameness and within flock reduction in lameness was greatest in the one-to-one (7.6% (7.1-8.2%) to 4.3% (3.6-5.0%), 35%, 72%) followed by the group (4.5% (3.9-5.0%) to 3.1% (2.4-3.7%), 27%, 55%) and then the postal trial (from 3.5% (3.3-3.7%) to 3.2% (3.1-3.4%), 21%, 43%). There was a marginally greater reduction in lameness in farmers using most of Six steps but slow to treat lame sheep pre-trial than those not using Six steps at all. There was no significant effect of message framing. The greatest behavioural change was a reduction in therapeutic and routine foot trimming and the greatest attitude change was an increase in negative attitudes towards foot trimming. We conclude that all three intervention trial approaches were effective to promote best practice to treat sheep with footrot with one-to-one facilitation more effective than group and postal intervention trials. Results suggest that farmers' behaviour change was greater among those practising aspects of the intervention message before the trial began than those not practising any aspect. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

39 CFR 265.13 - Compliance with subpoenas, summonses, and court orders by postal employees within the Inspection...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... assigned to the Postal Inspection Service, student interns, contractors and employees of contractors who... or testimony fails to cooperate in good faith, preventing Inspection Service legal counsel from... disruptive methods to the employee's official duties. Testimony may, for example, be provided by affidavits...

Associations between Beliefs about Medicines and Medicines Education: A Survey among Finnish Comprehensive School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siitonen, Piia; Vainio, Kirsti; Keinonen, Tuula; Kiviniemi, Vesa; Hämeen-Anttila, Katri

2015-01-01

Objective: To describe the association between teachers' beliefs about medicines and teaching about illnesses and medicines-related topics by Finnish comprehensive school teachers. Design: A nationwide postal survey. Setting: Finnish primary and lower secondary school teachers. Method: Data were collected using a nationwide postal survey from a…

Organizational commitment among general practitioners: a cross-sectional study of the role of psychosocial factors.

PubMed

Kuusio, Hannamaria; Heponiemi, Tarja; Sinervo, Timo; Elovainio, Marko

2010-06-01

To examine whether general practitioners (GP) working in primary health care have lower organizational commitment compared with physicians working in other health sectors. The authors also tested whether psychosocial factors (job demands, job control, and colleague consultation) explain these differences in commitment between GPs and other physicians. Cross-sectional postal questionnaire. Setting and participants. A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of physicians (n = 5000) drawn from the Finnish Association database in 2006. A total of 2841 physicians (response rate 57%) returned the questionnaire, of which 2657 (545 GPs and 2090 other physicians) fulfilled all the participant criteria. Organizational commitment was measured with two different indicators: intention to change jobs and low affective commitment. GPs were less committed to their organizations than other physicians. Work-related psychosocial factors (high job demands, low job control, and poor colleague consultation) were all significant risk factors for low organizational commitment. The evidence collected suggests that policies that reduce psychological demands, such as job demands and low control, may contribute to better organizational commitment and, thus, alleviate the shortages of physicians in primary care. Furthermore, giving GPs a stronger say in decisions concerning their work and providing them with more variety in work tasks may even improve the quality of primary care. The strategies for workplace development should focus on redesigning jobs and identifying GPs at higher risk, such as those with especially high job strain.

Modified mercalli intensities for nine earthquakes in central and western Washington between 1989 and 1999

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brocher, Thomas M.; Dewey, James W.; Cassidy, John F.

2017-08-15

We determine Modified Mercalli (Seismic) Intensities (MMI) for nine onshore earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 and larger that occurred in central and western Washington between 1989 and 1999, on the basis of effects reported in postal questionnaires, the press, and professional collaborators. The earthquakes studied include four earthquakes of M5 and larger: the M5.0 Deming earthquake of April 13, 1990, the M5.0 Point Robinson earthquake of January 29, 1995, the M5.4 Duvall earthquake of May 3, 1996, and the M5.8 Satsop earthquake of July 3, 1999. The MMI are assigned using data and procedures that evolved at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and its Department of Commerce predecessors and that were used to assign MMI to felt earthquakes occurring in the United States between 1931 and 1986. We refer to the MMI assigned in this report as traditional MMI, because they are based on responses to postal questionnaires and on newspaper reports, and to distinguish them from MMI calculated from data contributed by the public by way of the internet. Maximum traditional MMI documented for the M5 and larger earthquakes are VII for the 1990 Deming earthquake, V for the 1995 Point Robinson earthquake, VI for the 1996 Duvall earthquake, and VII for the 1999 Satsop earthquake; the five other earthquakes were variously assigned maximum intensities of IV, V, or VI. Starting in 1995, the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) published MMI maps for four of the studied earthquakes, based on macroseismic observations submitted by the public by way of the internet. With the availability now of the traditional USGS MMI interpreted for all the sites from which USGS postal questionnaires were returned, the four Washington earthquakes join a rather small group of earthquakes for which both traditional USGS MMI and some type of internet-based MMI have been assigned. The values and distributions of the traditional MMI are broadly similar to the internet-based PNSN intensities; we discuss some differences in detail that reflect differences in data-sampling procedure, differences in the procedure used to assign intensity numbers from macroseismic observations, and differences in how intensities are mapped.

An randomized controlled trial of Post-it® notes did not increase postal response rates in older depressed participants.

PubMed

Lewis, Helen; Keding, Ada; Bosanquet, Katharine; Gilbody, Simon; Torgerson, David

2017-02-01

Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Post-it® note to increase response rates and shorten response times to a 4-month postal follow-up questionnaire sent to participants taking part in the Collaborative Care in Screen-Positive Elders (CASPER) trials. Our trial was a two-arm randomized controlled trial comparing response rates to questionnaires with a printed Post-it® note (intervention) and without (control), nested in multi centred randomized controlled trials of older people with varying levels of depressive symptoms; the CASPER + and CASPER Self Help for those At Risk of Depression (SHARD) trials. A total of 611 participants were eligible and randomized. The primary outcome was response rates, secondary outcomes were time to response and need for a reminder. Of 297 participants, 266 (89.6%) returned their 4-month questionnaire in the post-it note arm, compared with 282 of 314 participants (89.8%) in the control arm (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.65, P = 0.913). There were no statistically significant differences in time to respond or the need to be sent a reminder. Patients with a major depressive episode were more likely to return questionnaires with post-it notes (P of interaction = .019). There was no significant difference in response rates, time to response, or the need for a reminder between the intervention and control at 4-month follow up for older people with depressive symptoms. However, there was a significant interaction between the Post-it® note group and level of depression. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

39 CFR 1.1 - Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. 1.1 Section 1.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL POLICY (ARTICLE I) § 1.1 Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service is...

39 CFR 1.1 - Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. 1.1 Section 1.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL POLICY (ARTICLE I) § 1.1 Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service is...

39 CFR 1.1 - Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. 1.1 Section 1.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL POLICY (ARTICLE I) § 1.1 Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service is...

39 CFR 1.1 - Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. 1.1 Section 1.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL POLICY (ARTICLE I) § 1.1 Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service is...

39 CFR 1.1 - Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. 1.1 Section 1.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL POLICY (ARTICLE I) § 1.1 Establishment of the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service is...

Medico-legal and ethical aspects in the management of wandering patients following brain injury: questionnaire survey.

PubMed

Gaber, Tarek A-Z K

2006-11-30

Different methods are often used to deter head injury patients, who have a tendency to wander, from leaving the rehabilitation wards. The extent to which these patients could be restrained is controversial. Despite the fact that the majority of these patients lack mental capacity, Mental Health Act sections are rarely invoked. Under common law, informal patients should have the right to refuse treatment and to leave the hospital whenever they like. To examine the current practice in the management of wandering patients following brain injury in rehabilitation units in the UK and to formulate practical guidelines based on this common practice. A postal survey in the form of a structured questionnaire was sent to 58 consultants in Rehabilitation Medicine and Neuropsychologists based at different neurological rehabilitation units in the UK. A total of 30 clinicians (52%) completed the questionnaire. One-to-one supervision was the method most commonly used to manage wandering patients (83%) followed by implementation of a structured daily routine (73%) and the use of different medications (70%). Only 17% would lock the door without giving the patient lock combination/key and another 17% would physically restrain the patient without invoking mental health act (MHA) section; 60% would consider MHA section with great variability in the mental health team response time and the place where patient is managed once under MHA section. The questionnaire showed great variations in the methods and the medico-legal framework used in the management of wandering patients. There was, however, a tendency to avoid physical restraint which may reflect the recognition of the unlawfulness of detaining informal patients.

Electronic mail was not better than postal mail for surveying residents and faculty.

PubMed

Akl, Elie A; Maroun, Nancy; Klocke, Robert A; Montori, Victor; Schünemann, Holger J

2005-04-01

To compare response rate, time to response, and data quality of electronic and postal surveys in the setting of postgraduate medical education. A randomized controlled trial in a university-based internal medicine residency program. We randomized 119 residents and 83 faculty to an electronic versus a postal survey with up to two reminders and measured response rate, time to response, and data quality. For residents, the e-survey resulted in a lower response rate than the postal survey (63.3% versus 79.7%; difference -16.3%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -32.3% to -0.4%%; P=.049), but a shorter mean response time, by 3.8 days (95% CI 0.2-7.4; P=.042). For faculty, the e-survey did not result in a significantly lower response rate than the postal survey (85.4% vs. 81.0%; difference 4.4%, 95% CI -11.7 to 20.5%; P=.591), but resulted in a shorter average response time, by 8.4 days (95% CI 4.4 to 12.4; P < 0.001). There were no differences in the quality of data or responses to the survey between the two methods. E-surveys were not superior to postal surveys in terms of response rate, but resulted in shorter time to response and equivalent data quality.

39 CFR 255.9 - Other postal regulations; authority of postal managers and employees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... managers and employees. 255.9 Section 255.9 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND... ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY § 255.9 Other postal regulations; authority of postal managers and... repeal, modify, or amend any other postal regulation, to authorize any postal manager or employee to...

39 CFR 601.104 - Postal purchasing authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... in writing local buying authority throughout the Postal Service. ... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Postal purchasing authority. 601.104 Section 601.104 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE...

Reducing questionnaire length did not improve physician response rate: a randomized trial.

PubMed

Bolt, Eva E; van der Heide, Agnes; Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje D

2014-04-01

To examine the effect of reducing questionnaire length on the response rate in a physician survey. A postal four double-page questionnaire on end-of-life decision making was sent to a random sample of 1,100 general practitioners, 400 elderly care physicians, and 500 medical specialists. Another random sample of 500 medical specialists received a shorter questionnaire of two double pages. After 3 months and one reminder, all nonresponding physicians received an even shorter questionnaire of one double page. Total response was 64% (1,456 of 2,269 eligible respondents). Response rate of medical specialists for the four double-page questionnaire was equal to that of the two double-page questionnaire (190 and 191 questionnaires were returned, respectively). The total response rate increased from 53% to 64% after sending a short one double-page questionnaire (1,203-1,456 respondents). The results of our study suggest that reducing the length of a long questionnaire in a physician survey does not necessarily improve response rate. To improve response rate and gather more information, researchers could decide to send a drastically shortened version of the questionnaire to nonresponders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

76 FR 49511 - Postal Service Initiative on Retail Postal Locations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-10

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. N2011-1; Order No. 778] Postal Service Initiative on Retail Postal Locations AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice; correction. SUMMARY: The... Postal Service request for an advisory opinion on an initiative involving examination of the continuation...

76 FR 55619 - Performance Measurement for Special Postal Services

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-08

..., Corporate & Postal Business Law, United States Postal Service to Shoshana M. Grove, Secretary, Postal... & Postal Business Law, United States Postal Service. III. Background of Postal Service Proposals A...), Public Law 109-435, 120 Stat. 3198 (2006). The proposed rules described herein would establish reporting...

Survey of dental radiographic services in private dental clinics in Damascus, Syria.

PubMed

Salti, L; Whaites, E J

2002-03-01

To perform a radiographic survey of private dental clinics in Damascus, Syria using a postal questionnaire to produce recommendations for improving the quality of dental radiographic services and education in Syria. Three hundred private dental clinics in Damascus were surveyed using a postal questionnaire (in English and Arabic) containing 27 questions on demographic information, equipment, techniques, selection criteria, frequency of examinations, and undergraduate/ postgraduate education. Two hundred and two (67%) dentists responded of which 95% graduated in Syria. The results showed a general lack of knowledge and understanding of dental radiography. Sixty four per cent did not know the kVp setting of their equipment, 73% used D-speed film, 57% did not use film holders and beam aiming devices, 25% did not use a viewing box. In addition, 45% of known equipment operated at 50 kVp or less and 16% was over 20 years old. No meaningful selection criteria existed with a wide variation in type and frequency of radiographs used for different clinical conditions. Syrian undergraduate training in dental radiology was minimal and there was no postgraduate education in the speciality. Several areas of the radiographic service in Damascus fall short of current recommendations on good practice. Recommendations are made to improve the service, the quality of undergraduate education and to establish postgraduate education.

Medicine or ecstasy? The importance of the logo.

PubMed

Daveluy, Amélie; Miremont-Salamé, Ghada; Rahis, Anne-Cécile; Delile, Jean-Michel; Bégaud, Bernard; Gachie, Jean-Pierre; Haramburu, Françoise

2010-04-01

Some pharmaceutical tablets have an appearance that resembles that of ecstasy (a logo and often a name referring to it, a given shape and/or a colour). These are sometimes sold in the street as 'ecstasy'. In order to assess the knowledge of this phenomenon, surveys were conducted among designer drug users (DDUsers), pharmacists and pharmaceutical firms. Three surveys were conducted: the first one was conducted among DDUsers by means of an anonymous questionnaire; the second one consisted of a 1-month postal survey within a network of 155 community pharmacies in the Aquitaine region, Southwestern France and the third one consisted of a postal questionnaire sent to 71 pharmaceutical firms. Nineteen users, 77 pharmacists and 25 pharmaceutical firms participated in the surveys. All DDUsers knew the existence of what they call ecstasy 'swindles', but less than one quarter of the pharmacists and one third of pharmaceutical firms were aware of the potential recreational and involuntary misuse of medicines. The phenomenon of 'swindle' in the illicit market is not new. However, the sale of medicines because of their appearance or logo seems to be quite rare. In order to limit this diversion, prevention should be reinforced. In addition, recommendations on the appearance of medicine tablets should be set up by regulatory agencies in charge of medicine approval.

Referral for secondary restorative dental care in rural and urban areas of Scotland: findings from the Highlands Et Islands Teledentistry Project.

PubMed

Nuttall, N M; Steed, M S; Donachie, M A

2002-02-23

To compare the reported level of use of secondary care services for restorative dental care in rural and urban areas of Scotland. Postal questionnaire survey Postal questionnaire sent to all dentists in the Highland region, the island regions in Scotland and Dumfries Et Galloway (n = 150) and an equal number were sampled from the remainder of Scotland stratified by health board area. Non-respondents were sent 2 reminders after which 62% of the sample had responded. Most dentists (85%) who practised in what they considered were urban areas of Scotland said they felt that they had good access to a secondary referral service. Whereas most of those who practised in what they considered were rural areas either said they had no access to such a service (26%) or that access was difficult (53%), only 3% of those in urban areas said they had no access to a secondary restorative consultative service compared with 14% of dentists practising in rural areas of mainland Scotland and 54% of those practising on Scottish islands. The survey suggests the people of the Scottish islands and some of the remoter parts of the Scottish mainland would be among those who might benefit from improvement in access to a restorative dentistry consultant service.

39 CFR 762.28 - Release of original disbursement postal money orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Release of original disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Endorsements, Payment, Guaranties, Warranties and Processing of Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.28 Release of original disbursement postal...

39 CFR 762.28 - Release of original disbursement postal money orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Release of original disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Endorsements, Payment, Guaranties, Warranties and Processing of Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.28 Release of original disbursement postal...

39 CFR 762.28 - Release of original disbursement postal money orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Release of original disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Endorsements, Payment, Guaranties, Warranties and Processing of Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.28 Release of original disbursement postal...

39 CFR 762.28 - Release of original disbursement postal money orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Release of original disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Endorsements, Payment, Guaranties, Warranties and Processing of Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.28 Release of original disbursement postal...

39 CFR 221.1 - The United States Postal Service.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false The United States Postal Service. 221.1 Section 221.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION GENERAL ORGANIZATION § 221.1 The United States Postal Service. The United States Postal Service was established as an...

39 CFR 762.43 - Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Issuance of Substitutes for Lost, Destroyed, Mutilated, and Defaced Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.43 Issuance of substitute disbursement postal...

39 CFR 762.43 - Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Issuance of Substitutes for Lost, Destroyed, Mutilated, and Defaced Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.43 Issuance of substitute disbursement postal...

39 CFR 762.43 - Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Issuance of Substitutes for Lost, Destroyed, Mutilated, and Defaced Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.43 Issuance of substitute disbursement postal...

39 CFR 762.43 - Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Issuance of Substitutes for Lost, Destroyed, Mutilated, and Defaced Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.43 Issuance of substitute disbursement postal...

39 CFR 762.43 - Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Issuance of substitute disbursement postal money...; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Issuance of Substitutes for Lost, Destroyed, Mutilated, and Defaced Disbursement Postal Money Orders § 762.43 Issuance of substitute disbursement postal...

Using risk factor surveillance as a basis for mixed-methodology research: an example from Australia using food intake and anthropometric measures.

PubMed

Daly, Alison M; Parsons, Jacqueline E; Wood, Nerissa A; Gill, Tiffany K; Taylor, Anne W

2010-12-01

Risk factor surveillance is an integral part of public health, and can provide a ready-made sample for further research. This study assessed the utility of mixed-methodology research using telephone and postal surveys. Adult respondents to telephone surveys in South Australia and Western Australia were recruited to a postal survey about food consumption, in particular, relating to fruit and vegetables. Responses to the two surveys were compared. Around 60% of eligible telephone survey respondents participated in the postal survey. There was fair to poor agreement between the results from the two methods for serves of fruit and vegetables consumed. There was excellent agreement between the two methods for self-reported height and weight. The telephone survey was a useful way to recruit people to the postal survey; this could be due to the high level of trust gained through the telephone interview, or social desirability bias. It is difficult to ascertain why different results on fruit and vegetable intake were obtained, but it may be associated with understanding of the parameters of a 'serve', recall bias or the time taken to calculate an answer.

The swindon foot and ankle questionnaire: is a picture worth a thousand words?

PubMed

Waller, Rosemary; Manuel, Peter; Williamson, Lyn

2012-01-01

Objectives. Despite increased awareness of the high prevalence and significance of foot and ankle problems in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), feet remain neglected. Reasons may include the perception that feet are difficult to assess, they are not included in the DAS28, and lack of freely available foot screening tools specific for RA. Methods. The Swindon Foot and Ankle Questionnaire (SFAQ) is a simply worded 10-point foot and ankle screening questionnaire with diagrams of feet and ankles for use in general rheumatology outpatients. All RA patients on our electronic database were invited to complete the questionnaire and attend clinic for assessment. Patients assessed clinically were scored out of 10 using the parameters from the questionnaire. The SFAQ was compared to the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI), DAS28, HAQ, HAD, and OSRA scores. Results. 597 questionnaires were sent, 301 (50%) returned, and 137 seen in clinic. There was good correlation between the postal SFAQ score, clinic score (r = 0.63), and the MFPDI (r = 0.65). Neither of the foot scores correlated with other RA disease outcome measures. 75% patients completed the picture. 73% corresponded to clinical findings. 45% of patients required an intervention following clinical review and trended towards higher scores. Conclusions. The SFAQ was quick to complete and correlated with the MFPDI. Lack of association with standard RA outcome measures suggests that relying on these scores alone may miss foot pathology. The diagrams were a useful complement. This simple screening tool could aid identification of RA foot and ankle problems.

Determinants of response to a parent questionnaire about development and behaviour in 3 year olds: European multicentre study of congenital toxoplasmosis

PubMed Central

Salt, A; Freeman, K; Prusa, A; Ferret, N; Buffolano, W; Malm, G; Schmidt, D; Tan, HK; Gilbert, RE

2005-01-01

Background We aimed to determine how response to a parent-completed postal questionnaire measuring development, behaviour, impairment, and parental concerns and anxiety, varies in different European centres. Methods Prospective cohort study of 3 year old children, with and without congenital toxoplasmosis, who were identified by prenatal or neonatal screening for toxoplasmosis in 11 centres in 7 countries. Parents were mailed a questionnaire that comprised all or part of existing validated tools. We determined the effect of characteristics of the centre and child on response, age at questionnaire completion, and response to child drawing tasks. Results The questionnaire took 21 minutes to complete on average. 67% (714/1058) of parents responded. Few parents (60/1058) refused to participate. The strongest determinants of response were the score for organisational attributes of the study centre (such as direct involvement in follow up and access to an address register), and infection with congenital toxoplasmosis. Age at completion was associated with study centre, presence of neurological abnormalities in early infancy, and duration of prenatal treatment. Completion rates for individual questions exceeded 92% except for child completed drawings of a man (70%), which were completed more by girls, older children, and in certain centres. Conclusion Differences in response across European centres were predominantly related to the organisation of follow up and access to correct addresses. The questionnaire was acceptable in all six countries and offers a low cost tool for assessing development, behaviour, and parental concerns and anxiety, in multinational studies. PMID:15998464

Enhanced skills in periodontology: evaluation of a pilot scheme for general dental practitioners and dental care professionals in London.

PubMed

Ghotane, S G; Harrison, V; Radcliffe, E; Jones, E; Gallagher, J E

2017-05-12

Background The need for periodontal management is great and increasing; thus, the oral and dental workforce should be suitably equipped to deliver contemporary care. Health Education London developed a training scheme to extend the skills of dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs).Aim To examine the feasibility of assessing a skill-mix initiative established to enhance skills in clinical periodontology involving the views of patients, clinicians and key stakeholders, together with clinical and patient outcomes in London.Methods This mixed methods feasibility and pilot study involved four parallel elements: a postal questionnaire survey of patients; analysis of clinical logbooks; self-completion questionnaire survey of clinicians; and semi-structured interviews of key stakeholders, including clinicians.Results Twelve of the 19 clinicians participated in the evaluation, returning completed questionnaires (63%) and providing access to log diaries and patients. Periodontal data from 42 log-diary cases (1,103 teeth) revealed significant improvement in clinical outcomes (P = 0.001 for all). Eighty-four percent (N = 99) of the 142 patients returning a questionnaire reported improved dental health; however, responses from hospital patients greatly exceeded those from dental practice. Interviews (N = 22) provided evidence that the programme contributed to professional healthcare across four key domains: 'service', 'quality care', 'professional' and 'educational'. Clinicians, while supportive of the concept, raised concerns regarding the mismatch of their expectations and its educational and service outcomes.Discussion The findings suggest that it is feasible to deliver and evaluate inter-professional extended skills training for dentists and dental care professionals, and this may be evaluated using mixed methods to examine outcomes including clinical log diaries, patient questionnaires and stakeholder interviews. This inter-professional course represents a positive development for patient care using the expertise of different members of the dental team; however, its formal integration to the health and educational sectors require further consideration.

Scanning for satisfaction or digging for dismay? Comparing findings from a postal survey with those from a focus group-study.

PubMed

Carlsen, Benedicte; Glenton, Claire

2012-09-03

Despite growing support for mixed methods approaches we still have little systematic knowledge about the consequences of combining surveys and focus groups. While the methodological aspects of questionnaire surveys have been researched extensively, the characteristics of focus group methodology are understudied. We suggest and discuss whether the focus group setting, as compared to questionnaire surveys, encourages participants to exaggerate views in a negative direction. Based on an example from our own research, where we conducted a survey as a follow up of a focus group study, and with reference to theoretical approaches and empirical evidence from the literature concerning survey respondent behaviour and small group dynamics, we discuss the possibility that a discrepancy in findings between the focus groups and the questionnaire reflects characteristics of the two different research methods. In contrast to the survey, the focus group study indicated that doctors were generally negative to clinical guidelines. We were not convinced that this difference in results was due to methodological flaws in either of the studies, and discuss instead how this difference may have been the result of a general methodological phenomenon. Based on studies of how survey questionnaires influence responses, it appears reasonable to claim that surveys are more likely to find exaggerated positive views. Conversely, there are some indications in the literature that focus groups may result in complaints and overly negative attitudes, but this is still an open question. We suggest that while problematic issues tend to be under-communicated in questionnaire surveys, they may be overstated in focus groups.We argue for the importance of increasing our understanding of focus group methodology, for example by reporting interesting discrepancies in mixed methods studies. In addition, more experimental research on focus groups should be conducted to advance the methodology and to test our hypothesis.

Scanning for satisfaction or digging for dismay? Comparing findings from a postal survey with those from a focus group-study

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Despite growing support for mixed methods approaches we still have little systematic knowledge about the consequences of combining surveys and focus groups. While the methodological aspects of questionnaire surveys have been researched extensively, the characteristics of focus group methodology are understudied. We suggest and discuss whether the focus group setting, as compared to questionnaire surveys, encourages participants to exaggerate views in a negative direction. Discussion Based on an example from our own research, where we conducted a survey as a follow up of a focus group study, and with reference to theoretical approaches and empirical evidence from the literature concerning survey respondent behaviour and small group dynamics, we discuss the possibility that a discrepancy in findings between the focus groups and the questionnaire reflects characteristics of the two different research methods. In contrast to the survey, the focus group study indicated that doctors were generally negative to clinical guidelines. We were not convinced that this difference in results was due to methodological flaws in either of the studies, and discuss instead how this difference may have been the result of a general methodological phenomenon. Summary Based on studies of how survey questionnaires influence responses, it appears reasonable to claim that surveys are more likely to find exaggerated positive views. Conversely, there are some indications in the literature that focus groups may result in complaints and overly negative attitudes, but this is still an open question. We suggest that while problematic issues tend to be under-communicated in questionnaire surveys, they may be overstated in focus groups. We argue for the importance of increasing our understanding of focus group methodology, for example by reporting interesting discrepancies in mixed methods studies. In addition, more experimental research on focus groups should be conducted to advance the methodology and to test our hypothesis. PMID:22943658

Outcome measurement in Australian rehabilitation environments.

PubMed

Douglas, Heather; Swanson, Cheryl; Gee, Travis; Bellamy, Nicholas

2005-09-01

To determine the frequency and pattern of methods of outcome assessment used in Australian physical rehabilitation environments. Postal survey. A questionnaire on service type, staffing, numbers of adults treated and outcome measures used for 7 conditions related to injury and road trauma as well as stroke and neuromuscular disorders was sent to 973 services providing adult physical rehabilitation treatment. Questionnaires were completed by 440 service providers for a response rate of 45%, similar to that reported in a recent European survey reported in this journal. A small number of measures were reported as in use by most respondents, while a large number of measures were used by a few respondents. Measures of physical changes were used more frequently than those of generic well-being or quality of life. Ease of use and reporting to other professionals were cited as the most important reasons in selection of outcome measures. This Australian-wide survey detected considerable heterogeneity in outcome measurement procedures used in rehabilitation environments. While the goal of measurement may vary between providers and differ between conditions, the results highlight opportunities for harmonization, bench-marking and measurement of health-related quality of life.

39 CFR 761.8 - Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities; payment of interest, payment at maturity or upon...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities... POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL SERVICE DEBT OBLIGATIONS; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES § 761.8 Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities; payment of interest, payment at maturity or upon...

39 CFR 761.8 - Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities; payment of interest, payment at maturity or upon...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities... POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL SERVICE DEBT OBLIGATIONS; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES § 761.8 Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities; payment of interest, payment at maturity or upon...

39 CFR 761.8 - Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities; payment of interest, payment at maturity or upon...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities... POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL SERVICE DEBT OBLIGATIONS; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES § 761.8 Servicing book-entry Postal Service securities; payment of interest, payment at maturity or upon...

Management of bladder dysfunction and satisfaction of life after spinal cord injury in Norway.

PubMed

Hagen, Ellen Merete; Rekand, Tiina

2014-05-01

There is limited knowledge about bladder dysfunction and bladder management in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) after discharge from the hospital in Norway. The impact of bladder dysfunction on satisfaction of life has been rarely explored. Community-based survey from Norway. An anonymous cross-sectional postal survey. A questionnaire was sent to the registered members of the Norwegian Spinal Cord Injuries Association. A total of 400 participants, with traumatic or non-traumatic SCI, received the questionnaire. A total of 248 subjects (62%), 180 men and 68 women, answered the questionnaire. Mean age was 54 years and mean time since injury 13.4 years. A total of 164 participants (66.1%) used intermittent catheterization for bladder emptying (48.5% women versus 72.8% men); more paraplegics than tetraplegics (77.2% versus 55.7%). Recommendations given at the Spinal Cord Units were thoroughly followed by persons who had used catheters more than 5 years. Use of incontinence pads were associated with reduced satisfaction of life. The most common method of management of bladder dysfunction is clean intermittent catheterization in Norway. Recommendations were followed more thoroughly by persons who have used intermittent catheterization for more than 5 years. Spinal Cord Units are important source for information and guidance.

75 FR 67147 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-01

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2011-1; Order No. 551] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal....'' Id. The Postal Service concludes that its filings demonstrate that the new GREP contract complies...

Can we use postal surveys with anonymous testing to monitor chlamydia prevalence in young women in England? Pilot study incorporating randomised controlled trial of recruitment methods.

PubMed

Woodhall, Sarah C; Nichols, Tom; Alexander, Sarah; da Silva, Filomeno Coelho; Mercer, Catherine H; Ison, Catherine; Gill, O Noel; Soldan, Kate

2015-09-01

Chlamydia prevalence in the general population is a potential outcome measure for the evaluation of chlamydia control programmes. We carried out a pilot study to determine the feasibility of using a postal survey for population-based chlamydia prevalence monitoring. Postal invitations were sent to a random sample of 2000 17-year-old to 18-year-old women registered with a general practitioner in two pilot areas in England. Recipients were randomised to receive either a self-sampling kit (n=1000), a self-sampling kit and offer of £5 voucher on return of sample (n=500) or a self-sampling kit on request (n=500). Participants returned a questionnaire and self-taken vulvovaginal swab sample for unlinked anonymous Chlamydia trachomatis testing. Non-responders were sent a reminder letter 3 weeks after initial invitation. We calculated the participation rate (number of samples returned/number of invitations sent) and cost per sample returned (including cost of consumables and postage) in each group. A total of 155/2000 (7.8%) samples were returned with consent for testing. Participation rates varied by invitation group: 7.8% in the group who were provided with a self-sampling kit, 14% in the group who were also offered a voucher and 1.0% in the group who were not sent a kit. The cost per sample received was lowest (£36) in the group who were offered both a kit and a voucher. The piloted survey methodology achieved low participation rates. This approach is not suitable for population-based monitoring of chlamydia prevalence among young women in England. (UKCRN ID 10913). Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Identifying dyspepsia in the Greek population: translation and validation of a questionnaire.

PubMed

Anastasiou, Foteini; Antonakis, Nikos; Chaireti, Georgia; Theodorakis, Pavlos N; Lionis, Christos

2006-03-04

Studies on clinical issues, including diagnostic strategies, are considered to be the core content of general practice research. The use of standardised instruments is regarded as an important component for the development of Primary Health Care research capacity. Demand for epidemiological cross-cultural comparisons in the international setting and the use of common instruments and definitions valid to each culture is bigger than ever. Dyspepsia is a common complaint in primary practice but little is known with respect to its incidence in Greece. There are some references about the Helicobacter Pylori infection in patients with functional dyspepsia or gastric ulcer in Greece but there is no specific instrument for the identification of dyspepsia. This paper reports on the validation and translation into Greek, of an English questionnaire for the identification of dyspepsia in the general population and discusses several possibilities of its use in the Greek primary care. The selected English postal questionnaire for the identification of people with dyspepsia in the general population consists of 30 items and was developed in 1995. The translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire has been performed according to international standards. For the validation of the instrument the internal consistency of the items was established using the alpha coefficient of Chronbach, the reproducibility (test - retest reliability) was measured by kappa correlation coefficient and the criterion validity was calculated against the diagnosis of the patients' records using also kappa correlation coefficient. The final Greek version of the postal questionnaire for the identification of dyspepsia in the general population was reliably translated. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was good, Chronbach's alpha was found to be 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81-0.93), suggesting that all items were appropriate to measure. Kappa coefficient for reproducibility (test - retest reliability) was found 0.66 (95% CI: 0.62-0.71), whereas the kappa analysis for criterion validity was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.36-0.89). This study indicates that the Greek translation is comparable with the English-language version in terms of validity and reliability, and is suitable for epidemiological research within the Greek primary health care setting.

75 FR 8758 - New Postal Product

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76 FR 49798 - New Postal Product

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2011-08-11

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39 CFR 447.52 - Holding of State or local office by Postal Service employees.

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2010-07-01

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39 CFR 762.28 - Release of original disbursement postal money orders.

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2010-07-01

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2010-07-01

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39 CFR 3055.91 - Consumer access to postal services.

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39 CFR 255.3 - Nondiscrimination under any program or activity conducted by the Postal Service.

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39 CFR 211.2 - Regulations of the Postal Service.

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2011-07-01

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HIV and measures to control infection in general practice.

PubMed Central

Foy, C; Gallagher, M; Rhodes, T; Setters, J; Philips, P; Donaldson, C; Bond, J; Moore, M; Naji, S

1990-01-01

OBJECTIVE--To assess the impact of HIV on procedures to control infection in general practices. DESIGN--A postal questionnaire survey. SETTING--General practices throughout Britain. SUBJECTS--5359 General practitioners, 3429 (63.9%) of whom returned the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Response to questionnaire on knowledge about HIV and policies for controlling infection. RESULTS--Most doctors (2018) had started to wear gloves when taking blood. Almost half (1510) had not resheathed needles previously but a further 776 had adopted this policy because of HIV. Over half of the doctors did not know or were unsure about the risk of infection from needlestick injuries, and 1759 had no practice policy for controlling infection. CONCLUSIONS--Many doctors are uncertain about measures to control infection in general practice. More information and advice are needed to help doctors develop policies to protect patients and staff. PMID:2344517

The psychometric properties of three self-report screening instruments for identifying frail older people in the community

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Frailty is highly prevalent in older people. Its serious adverse consequences, such as disability, are considered to be a public health problem. Therefore, disability prevention in community-dwelling frail older people is considered to be a priority for research and clinical practice in geriatric care. With regard to disability prevention, valid screening instruments are needed to identify frail older people in time. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the psychometric properties of three screening instruments: the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and the Sherbrooke Postal Questionnaire (SPQ). For validation purposes the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) was added. Methods A questionnaire was sent to 687 community-dwelling older people (≥ 70 years). Agreement between instruments, internal consistency, and construct validity of instruments were evaluated and compared. Results The response rate was 77%. Prevalence estimates of frailty ranged from 40% to 59%. The highest agreement was found between the GFI and the TFI (Cohen's kappa = 0.74). Cronbach's alpha for the GFI, the TFI and the SPQ was 0.73, 0.79 and 0.26, respectively. Scores on the three instruments correlated significantly with each other (GFI - TFI, r = 0.87; GFI - SPQ, r = 0.47; TFI - SPQ, r = 0.42) and with the GARS (GFI - GARS, r = 0.57; TFI - GARS, r = 0.61; SPQ - GARS, r = 0.46). The GFI and the TFI scores were, as expected, significantly related to age, sex, education and income. Conclusions The GFI and the TFI showed high internal consistency and construct validity in contrast to the SPQ. Based on these findings it is not yet possible to conclude whether the GFI or the TFI should be preferred; data on the predictive values of both instruments are needed. The SPQ seems less appropriate for postal screening of frailty among community-dwelling older people. PMID:20353611

The Contribution of Social Networks to the Health and Self-Management of Patients with Long-Term Conditions: A Longitudinal Study

PubMed Central

Reeves, David; Blickem, Christian; Vassilev, Ivaylo; Brooks, Helen; Kennedy, Anne; Richardson, Gerry; Rogers, Anne

2014-01-01

Evidence for the effectiveness of patient education programmes in changing individual self-management behaviour is equivocal. More distal elements of personal social relationships and the availability of social capital at the community level may be key to the mobilisation of resources needed for long-term condition self-management to be effective. Aim To determine how the social networks of people with long-term conditions (diabetes and heart disease) are associated with health-related outcomes and changes in outcomes over time. Methods Patients with chronic heart disease (CHD) or diabetes (n = 300) randomly selected from the disease registers of 19 GP practices in the North West of England. Data on personal social networks collected using a postal questionnaire, alongside face-to-face interviewing. Follow-up at 12 months via postal questionnaire using a self-report grid for network members identified at baseline. Analysis Multiple regression analysis of relationships between health status, self-management and health-economics outcomes, and characteristics of patients' social networks. Results Findings indicated that: (1) social involvement with a wider variety of people and groups supports personal self-management and physical and mental well-being; (2) support work undertaken by personal networks expands in accordance with health needs helping people to cope with their condition; (3) network support substitutes for formal care and can produce substantial saving in traditional health service utilisation costs. Health service costs were significantly (p<0.01) reduced for patients receiving greater levels of illness work through their networks. Conclusions Support for self-management which achieves desirable policy outcomes should be construed less as an individualised set of actions and behaviour and more as a social network phenomenon. This study shows the need for a greater focus on harnessing and sustaining the capacity of networks and the importance of social involvement with community groups and resources for producing a more desirable and cost-effective way of supporting long term illness management. PMID:24887107

Supporting deployed operations: are military nurses gaining the relevant experience from MDHUs to be competent in deployed operations?

PubMed

Beaumont, Steven P; Allan, Helen T

2014-01-01

To explore how peacetime employment of military nurses in the UK National Health Service Medical Defence Hospital Units prepares them to be competent to practise in their role on deployment. Military secondary care nurses are employed within UK National Health Service Trusts to gain clinical experience that will be relevant to their military nursing role. A two-stage grounded theory study using mixed methods: postal questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. In stage one a postal questionnaire was distributed to all serving military nurses. Stage two involved 12 semi-structured interviews. The data from both parts of the study were analysed using grounded theory. Four categories and one core category were identified, which suggested that participants did not feel fully prepared for deployment. Their feelings of preparedness increased with deployment experience and decreased when the nature of injuries seen on deployment changed. Respondents argued that even when unprepared, they did not feel incompetent. The findings suggest that the peacetime clinical experience gained in the National Health Service did not always develop the necessary competencies to carry out roles as military nurses on deployment. This study highlights the unique role of military nurses. We discuss these findings in the light of the literature on competency and expertise. The military nurses in this study did not feel fully prepared for deployed operations. We propose a new model for how military nurses could gain relevant experience from their National Health Service placements. National Health Service clinical placements need to be reassessed regularly to ensure that they are meeting military nurses' clinical requirements. Experiences of nurses returning from deployment could be shared and used as a basis for reflection and learning within National Health Service Trusts and also inform decisions regarding the appropriateness of clinical placements for qualified military nurses. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

A Proven Method for Meeting Export Control Objectives in Postal and Shipping Sectors

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-02-01

months, the USPIS team developed and implemented an export screening standard operating procedure, implemented new and updated processes and systems ...support and protect the U.S. Postal Service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail system ...the incidence of mail shipments violating export control laws, regulations, and standards . • Evaluate current processes and systems and identify

Development of the Oxford Participation and Activities Questionnaire: constructing an item pool

PubMed Central

Kelly, Laura; Jenkinson, Crispin; Dummett, Sarah; Dawson, Jill; Fitzpatrick, Ray; Morley, David

2015-01-01

Purpose The Oxford Participation and Activities Questionnaire is a patient-reported outcome measure in development that is grounded on the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The study reported here aimed to inform and generate an item pool for the new measure, which is specifically designed for the assessment of participation and activity in patients experiencing a range of health conditions. Methods Items were informed through in-depth interviews conducted with 37 participants spanning a range of conditions. Interviews aimed to identify how their condition impacted their ability to participate in meaningful activities. Conditions included arthritis, cancer, chronic back pain, diabetes, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injury. Transcripts were analyzed using the framework method. Statements relating to ICF themes were recast as questionnaire items and shown for review to an expert panel. Cognitive debrief interviews (n=13) were used to assess items for face and content validity. Results ICF themes relevant to activities and participation in everyday life were explored, and a total of 222 items formed the initial item pool. This item pool was refined by the research team and 28 generic items were mapped onto all nine chapters of the ICF construct, detailing activity and participation. Cognitive interviewing confirmed the questionnaire instructions, items, and response options were acceptable to participants. Conclusion Using a clear conceptual basis to inform item generation, 28 items have been identified as suitable to undergo further psychometric testing. A large-scale postal survey will follow in order to refine the instrument further and to assess its psychometric properties. The final instrument is intended for use in clinical trials and interventions targeted at maintaining or improving activity and participation. PMID:26056503

Stress, burnout and doctors' attitudes to work are determined by personality and learning style: A twelve year longitudinal study of UK medical graduates

PubMed Central

McManus, IC; Keeling, A; Paice, E

2004-01-01

Background The study investigated the extent to which approaches to work, workplace climate, stress, burnout and satisfaction with medicine as a career in doctors aged about thirty are predicted by measures of learning style and personality measured five to twelve years earlier when the doctors were applicants to medical school or were medical students. Methods Prospective study of a large cohort of doctors. The participants were first studied when they applied to any of five UK medical schools in 1990. Postal questionnaires were sent to all doctors with a traceable address on the current or a previous Medical Register. The current questionnaire included measures of Approaches to Work, Workplace Climate, stress (General Health Questionnaire), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), and satisfaction with medicine as a career and personality (Big Five). Previous questionnaires had included measures of learning style (Study Process Questionnaire) and personality. Results Doctors' approaches to work were predicted by study habits and learning styles, both at application to medical school and in the final year. How doctors perceive their workplace climate and workload is predicted both by approaches to work and by measures of stress, burnout and satisfaction with medicine. These characteristics are partially predicted by trait measures of personality taken five years earlier. Stress, burnout and satisfaction also correlate with trait measures of personality taken five years earlier. Conclusions Differences in approach to work and perceived workplace climate seem mainly to reflect stable, long-term individual differences in doctors themselves, reflected in measures of personality and learning style. PMID:15317650

[Nursing activities in family medicine groups for patients with chronic pain].

PubMed

Bergeron, Dave A; Bourgault, Patricia; Gallagher, Frances

2015-01-01

Thousands of people treated in primary care are currently experiencing chronic pain (CP), for which management is often inadequate. In Quebec, nurses in family medicine groups (FMGs) play a key role in the management of chronic health problems. The present study aimed to describe the activities performed by FMG nurses in relation to CP management and to describe barriers to those activities. A descriptive correlational cross-sectional postal survey was used. The accessible population includes FMG nurses on the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec list. All nurses on the list who provided consent to be contacted at home for research purposes were contacted. A self-administered postal questionnaire (Pain Management Activities Questionnaire) was completed by 53 FMG nurses. Three activities most often performed by nurses were to establish a therapeutic relationship with the client; discuss the effectiveness of therapeutic measures with the physician; and conduct personalized teaching for the patient. The average number of individuals seen by interviewed nurses that they believe suffer from CP was 2.68 per week. The lack of knowledge of possible interventions in pain management (71.7%) and the nonavailability of information on pain management (52.8%) are the main barriers perceived by FMG nurses. FMG nurses are currently performing few activities in CP management. The nonrecognition of CP may explain this situation.

Can self-care health books affect amount of contact with the primary health care team? A randomized controlled trial in general practice.

PubMed

Platts, Amanda; Mitton, Rosly; Boniface, David; Friedli, Karin

2005-09-01

To investigate the effects of two differently styled self-care health books in general practice on the frequency and duration of patients' consultations and their views of the books. Random allocation of patients to either a descriptive or a decision-tree based self-care health book, or a no-book control condition. Three- and 12-months follow-up by postal questionnaire and monitoring of consultations. A large general practice in the South East of England. A total of 1967 volunteer, adult patients who attended the practice in 2001 participated. Demographics; health problems; use of health services; use and perceptions of the trial book; frequency and duration of consultations. Response rates to postal questionnaires at 3 and 12 months were 80% and 74%. In all, 48% consulted their allocated book, compared with 25% who consulted any healthcare book in the Control group. Those reporting health problems were more likely to have consulted their allocated book; 60% reported that the allocated book made them more likely to deal with a problem themselves and 40% reported themselves less likely to consult the practice. However, there were no differences in consultation rates or durations of consultations between the three groups. Handing out of self-care health books may provide qualitative benefits for patients but is unlikely to reduce attendance at the GP practice.

Back pain in the German adult population: prevalence, severity, and sociodemographic correlates in a multiregional survey.

PubMed

Schmidt, Carsten Oliver; Raspe, Heiner; Pfingsten, Michael; Hasenbring, Monika; Basler, Heinz Dieter; Eich, Wolfgang; Kohlmann, Thomas

2007-08-15

A population-based cross-sectional multiregion postal survey. To provide a descriptive epidemiology of the prevalence and severity of back pain in German adults and to analyze sociodemographic correlates for disabling back pain within and across regions. Back pain is a leading health problem in Germany. However, comprehensive population-based evidence on the severity of back pain is still fragmentary for this country. Despite earlier findings concerning large prevalence differences across regions, systematic explanations remain to be ascertained. Questionnaire data were collected for 9263 subjects in 5 German cities and regions (population-based random samples, postal questionnaire). Point, 1-year, and lifetime prevalence were assessed using direct questions, and graded back pain was determined using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. Poststratification was applied to adjust for cross-regional sociodemographic differences. Point-prevalence was 37.1%, 1-year prevalence 76.0%, and lifetime prevalence 85.5%. A substantial minority had severe (Grade II, 8.0%) or disabling back pain (Grade III-IV, 11.2%). Subjects with a low educational level reported substantially more disabling back pain. This variable was an important predictor for large cross-regional differences in the burden of back pain. Back pain is a highly prevalent condition in Germany. Disabling back pain in this country may be regarded as part of a social disadvantage syndrome. Educational level should receive greater attention in future cross-regional comparisons of back pain.

76 FR 11532 - New Postal Product

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2011-03-02

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Assessing obstetric patient experience: a SERVQUAL questionnaire.

PubMed

Garrard, Francesca; Narayan, Harini

2013-01-01

Across health services, there is a drive to respond to patient feedback and to incorporate their views into service improvement. The SERVQUAL method has been used in several clinical settings to quantify whether services meet patient expectations. However, work has been limited in the obstetric population. This paper seeks to address these issues. This study used an adapted SERVQUAL questionnaire to assess a reconfigured antenatal clinic service. The most important care aspects, as rated by patients, were used to construct the SERVQUAL questions. The questionnaire was administered to eligible women in two parts. The first was completed before their first hospital antenatal appointment and the second either at home (a postal-chasing exercise) or while waiting for their next appointment. Only fully completed questionnaires (both parts) were analysed. Service strengths included staff politeness, patient respect and privacy. Areas for improvement included hand cleanliness, women's involvement in decision making and communicating risk. However, the low variability in patient responses makes concrete conclusions difficult and methodological issues complicate evaluating hand cleanliness. The new antenatal clinic service received low negative weighted and un-weighted overall scores. The SERVQUAL measure was developed from patient feedback and used to further improve services. The SERVQUAL-based measure allowed an internal evaluation of patient experience and highlighted areas for improvement. However, without validation, the questionnaire cannot be used as an outcome measure and variation between published SERVQUAL questionnaires makes comparisons difficult. This highlights an important balance in patient evaluation measures--between locally responsive and externally comparable. The SERVQUAL approach allows healthcare teams to evaluate patient experience, while accounting for variation in their expectations and priorities. The study highlights several areas that are important to obstetric patients, where expectation scores are high. However, the similar means and small samples left little difference between excellence and room for improvement.

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2013-06-20

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2013-07-19

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76 FR 67496 - New Postal Product

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2011-11-01

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Satisfaction rates with the current Special Type Consultation (STC) reimbursement scheme among General Practitioners - A Mixed Methods Study.

PubMed

Kiely, A; O'Meara, S; Fitzgerald, N; Regan, A M; Durcan, P; McGuire, G; Kelly, M E

2017-03-10

The Special Type Consultation (STC) scheme is a fee-for-service reimbursement scheme for General Practitioners (GPs) in Ireland. Introduced in 1989, the scheme includes specified patient services involving the application of a learned skill, e.g. suturing. This study aims to establish the extent to which GPs believe this scheme is appropriate for current General Practice. This is an embedded mixed-methods study combining quantitative data on GPs working experience of and qualitative data on GPs attitudes towards the scheme. Data were collected by means of an anonymous postal questionnaire. The response rate was 60.4% (n=159.) Twenty-nine percent (n=46) disagreed and 65% (n=104) strongly disagreed that the current list of special items is satisfactory. Two overriding themes were identified: economics and advancement of the STC process. This study demonstrates an overwhelming consensus among GPs that the current STC scheme is outdated and in urgent need of revision to reflect modern General Practice.

Psychiatric research: what ethical concerns do LRECs encounter? A postal survey. Local research ethics committees.

PubMed

Osborn, D P J; Fulford, K W M

2003-02-01

Psychiatric research can occasionally present particular ethical dilemmas, but it is not clear what kind of problems local research ethics committees (LRECs) actually experience in this field. We aimed to assess the type of problems that committees encounter with psychiatric research, using a postal survey of 211 LRECs. One hundred and seven (51%) of those written to replied within the time limit. Twenty eight (26%) experienced few problems with psychiatric applications. Twenty six (24%) emphasised the value of a psychiatric expert on the committee. The most common issues raised were informed consent (n=64, 60%) and confidentiality (n=17, 16%). The use of placebos (and washout periods) (n=18, 17%), the validity of psychiatric questionnaires (n=16, 15%) and overuse of psychiatric "jargon" (n=14, 13%) in psychiatric applications also raised concern. Our results suggest that LRECs have specific concerns regarding methodology, consent, and confidentiality in psychiatric research, and that they find psychiatric input invaluable.

A nationwide postal questionnaire survey: the presence of airway guidelines in anaesthesia department in Sweden.

PubMed

Knudsen, Kati; Pöder, Ulrika; Högman, Marieann; Larsson, Anders; Nilsson, Ulrica

2014-01-01

In Sweden, airway guidelines aimed toward improving patient safety have been recommended by the Swedish Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. Adherence to evidence-based airway guidelines is known to be generally poor in Sweden. The aim of this study was to determine whether airway guidelines are present in Swedish anaesthesia departments. A nationwide postal questionnaire inquiring about the presence of airway guidelines was sent out to directors of Swedish anaesthesia departments (n = 74). The structured questionnaire was based on a review of the Swedish Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care voluntary recommendations of guidelines for airway management. Mean, standard deviation, minimum/maximum, percentage (%) and number of general anaesthesia performed per year as frequency (n), were used to describe, each hospital type (university, county, private). For comparison between hospitals type and available written airway guidelines were cross tabulation used and analysed using Pearson's Chi-Square tests. A p- value of less than 0 .05 was judged significant. In total 68 directors who were responsible for the anaesthesia departments returned the questionnaire, which give a response rate of 92% (n 68 of 74). The presence of guidelines showing an airway algorithm was reported by 68% of the departments; 52% reported having a written patient information card in case of a difficult airway and guidelines for difficult airways, respectively; 43% reported the presence of guidelines for preoperative assessment; 31% had guidelines for Rapid Sequence Intubation; 26% reported criteria for performing an awake intubation; and 21% reported guidelines for awake fibre-optic intubation. A prescription for the registered nurse anaesthetist for performing tracheal intubation was reported by 24%. The most frequently pre-printed preoperative elements in the anaesthesia record form were dental status and head and neck mobility. Despite recommendations from the national anaesthesia society, the presence of airway guidelines in Swedish anaesthesia departments is low. From the perspective of safety for both patients and the anaesthesia staff, airway management guidelines should be considered a higher priority.

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2010-09-17

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2010-12-23

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2011-02-16

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2013-12-17

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2010-12-23

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77 FR 58185 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-19

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2012-56; Order No. 1464] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add a Global Expedited Package Services contract to the competitive product list. This...

78 FR 77172 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-20

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2014-13; Order No. 1907] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning a contract with Canada for the delivery of inbound Expedited Parcels USA and Express...

77 FR 50729 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-22

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2012-44; Order No. 1435] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request for two related changes to the product lists. The changes involve removing one product...

78 FR 42566 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-16

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2013-72; Order No. 1775] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service... Agreement; revisions to several existing articles; and new, deleted, and renumbered articles. Id. at 3-7...

77 FR 37077 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-20

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2012-25 and CP2012-33; Order No. 1369] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a...). The Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new product. Id...

76 FR 7883 - Postal Service Rate Adjustment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-11

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. R2011-4; Order No. 663] Postal Service Rate Adjustment AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request concerning a Type 2 rate adjustment. This notice addresses procedural steps...

75 FR 27375 - Postal Rate Case Management

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-14

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. PI2010-3; Order No. 456] Postal Rate Case Management AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is seeking comments relevant to management of an anticipated exigent postal rate case. It has scheduled a technical conference...

75 FR 23824 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-04

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. MC2009-19; Order No. 449] New Postal Products AGENCY... Service request to add postal products to the Mail Classification Schedule. This notice addresses... postal services to the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) product lists.\\1\\ In approving these additions...

78 FR 70968 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-27

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2014-7 and CP2014-8; Order No. 1888] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing recent Postal Service filings requesting the addition of Priority Mail Contract 69 to the competitive product...

78 FR 70970 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-27

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2014-6 and CP2014-7; Order No. 1887] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing recent Postal Service filings requesting the addition of Priority Mail Contract 68 to the competitive product...

Living wills and the Mental Capacity Act: a postal questionnaire survey of UK geriatricians.

PubMed

Schiff, Rebekah; Sacares, Peter; Snook, Jane; Rajkumar, Chakravarthi; Bulpitt, Christopher J

2006-03-01

To determine geriatricians' experience of and views on living wills, National Health Service Trusts' support of advance end-of-life health care planning and geriatricians' views on related legal changes in the Mental Capacity Act. Anonymous postal questionnaire survey of all 1,426 British Geriatrics Society members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A total of 842 (59%) questionnaires were returned. Of 811 geriatricians, 454 (56%) had cared for patients with living wills. Of the 280 who cared for patients when the living will had come into effect, 108 (39%) had changed treatment because of the living will and 84 (78%) of those felt that decisions had been easier to make. Living wills not already in effect made discussions with patients [171 of 178 (96%)] and families [135 of 178 (76%)] easier. Of 779 geriatricians, 713 (92%) saw advantages of older people using living wills; 467 of these also expressed concerns. Only 16 (2%) geriatricians who had concerns said that there were no advantages. A total of 214 (27%) were aware that their Trust had a form to help with discussions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Fewer [126 of 781 (16%)] were aware of a Trust policy on living wills. The proposal, in the Mental Capacity Bill, for advance refusals of treatment was supported by 59% (476 of 801), yet the proposal for a lasting power of attorney (LPA) covering health care was only supported by 47% (382 of 806). Many geriatricians have positive experiences of caring for patients with living wills. Despite recognising potential problems, most geriatricians support the use of living wills by older people. However, most believe that their Trust does not have a policy to support advance health care planning. Geriatricians have reservations about LPAs covering health care.

Senior house officers in medicine: postal survey of training and work experience.

PubMed Central

Baldwin, P. J.; Newton, R. W.; Buckley, G.; Roberts, M. A.; Dodd, M.

1997-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To describe working conditions for senior house officers in medicine in Scotland and to relate these to the quality of clinical training they receive. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire survey. SUBJECTS: All senior house officers in medicine and related specialties in post in Scotland in October 1995 (n = 437); 252 (58%) respondents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Questionnaires covered hours, working patterns, measures of workload, an attitudes to work scale, and experience of education and training. RESULTS: In the week before the questionnaire, doctors on rotas had worked a mean of 7.4 (95% confidence interval 5.8 to 9.0) hours in excess of their contracts, compared with 3.7 (2.0 to 5.5) hours for those on partial shifts. The most common reason for this was "the needs of the patients or the service." Those on partial shifts reported significantly less continuity of care with patients than those on rotas (Mann-Whitney U test, z = -4.2, P < 0.0001) or full shifts (z = -2.08, P = 0.03). Doctors in general medicine reported significantly higher measures of workload (number of acute admissions, number of times called out, and fewest hours' uninterrupted sleep) than those in subspecialties. Consultants' clinical teaching and style of conducting a ward round were significantly related to factors extracted from the attitudes to work scale. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of senior house officers' training is detrimentally affected by a variety of conditions, especially the need for closer support and supervision, the need for greater feedback, and the lack of time that consultants have to dedicate to clinical training. Efforts should be made to improve these conditions and to reinforce a close working relationship between trainee and supervising consultant. PMID:9116556

[Results of a randomised controlled trial on the acceptance and the outcomes of a counselling on medical inpatient rehabilitation in gainfully employed members of statutory health insurances with rheumatoid arthritis (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00229541)].

PubMed

Schlademann, S; Hüppe, A; Raspe, H

2007-06-01

In a randomised controlled trial we examined the influence of a counselling (and implementation) of an inpatient rehabilitation programme on the somatic, mental and sociomedical course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in employees. Additionally, the recruitment of a study population via routine data of statutory health insurances was tested. Potential study participants were identified by health insurances via RA-specific data on work disability, hospital stays and medical prescriptions. These insurants entered a two-stage selection process (postal screening questionnaire, experts). Eligible participants completed a postal questionnaire on their subjective health status, the responders were randomised into intervention group (IG) and control group (CG), respectively. The IG was offered a counselling on medical rehabilitation, CG members received usual care. Pension funds and health insurances transferred data on sick leaves (cases, days), hospital treatment, disability pension and medical rehabilitation (primary outcomes). Twelve months after baseline, again a questionnaire on subjective health status was completed (secondary outcomes). Data were analysed on an intention to treat and as actual basis. Whilst the offered counselling was accepted very well (IG: 84.4%), the attendance in a medical inpatient rehabilitation was low (IG: 31.3%). Neither an intention to treat analysis (IG vs. CG) nor an as actual analysis (rehabilitation vs. no rehabilitation) perceived significant differences in the course of sick leave, hospital treatment or parameters of subjective health. The study showed the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial in rehabilitation-related Health Services Research. Recruitment via routine data of health insurances showed limitations. The low acceptance of a medical inpatient rehabilitation emphasises the need to establish alternative rehabilitative programs focussing on employed RA patients.

Provision of emergency contraception in general practice and confidentiality for the under 16's: results of a postal survey by general practitioners in Avon.

PubMed

Graham, A; Moore, L; Sharp, D

2001-10-01

To describe the provision of emergency contraception and confidentiality for the under 16's by general practitioners (GPs) in Avon, in order to inform the development of a health promotion intervention in schools in Avon. Confidential postal questionnaire survey. All principals in general practice in Avon Health Authority, South West England. Five hundred and eighty general practice principals were sent the questionnaire. Four hundred and eighty-six (84%) principals in general practice responded to the questionnaire. Only three (0.6%) GPs did not provide hormonal emergency contraception. Nearly half (232, 47.7%) would fit the intrauterine device (IUD) as emergency contraception. Fitting an IUD was associated with female gender of the GP (OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.53-3.71), and whether the GP had a family planning qualification (OR = 4.55, 95% CI 2.41-8.60). Three hundred and fifty-two (72%) respondents would provide emergency contraception on a Sunday if requested to do so by a 14-year-old who reported having had unprotected sex the night before. Practice nurses in 26 (5%) of the respondent's practices were available to provide advice and tablets for patients requesting hormonal emergency contraception. However, 74 (21%) respondents employed a family planning trained practice nurse who was not involved in any way in the provision of emergency contraception. Practice nurses remain an under used resource in this area. Our findings suggest that most GPs provide hormonal emergency contraception. Only eight (1.6%) of respondents would need to ask for parental consent prior to providing hormonal emergency contraception to a 14-year old-girl. Young people need to be informed of GPs widespread adherence to current confidentiality guidelines.

77 FR 76095 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-26

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2013-24 and CP2013-32; Order No. 1586] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add First-Class Package Service Contract 34 to the competitive...

77 FR 42341 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-18

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. MC2012-31; Order No. 1399] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add Every Door Direct Mail-Retail (EDDM-R) to the market dominant product list. This...

75 FR 67146 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-01

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2011-13 Through CP2011-18; Order No. 559] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... 4. The Postal Service concludes that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts...

75 FR 26812 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-12

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2010-47; Order No. 454] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add a Global Direct Contracts 1 (MC2010-17) negotiated service agreement to the...

75 FR 66677 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-29

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 39 CFR Part 3020 [Docket Nos. MC2010-34, et al.] New Postal Products AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Commission is updating the postal product lists. This action reflects the disposition of recent dockets, as reflected in Commission orders...

75 FR 53216 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-31

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 39 CFR Part 3020 [Docket Nos. MC2009-19, et al.] New Postal Products AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Commission is updating the postal product lists. This action reflects the disposition of recent dockets, as reflected in Commission orders...

76 FR 394 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-04

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2011-52; Order No. 624] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add a Global Direct Contracts 1 contract to the competitive product list. This notice...

77 FR 1089 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-09

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2012-9; Order No. 1096] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add a Global Direct Contracts 1 contract to the competitive product list. This notice...

76 FR 396 - Product Change-Priority Mail-Non-Published Rates

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-04

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Priority Mail--Non-Published Rates AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Postal Service notice of filing of a request with the Postal Regulatory... States Postal Service Concerning Priority Mail--Non-Published Rates and Notice of Filing Materials Under...

75 FR 43581 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-26

... Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing... the competitive product list. The Postal Service has also filed related contracts. This notice... Paragraphs I. Introduction The Postal Service seeks to add a new product, Global Plus 1A, to the competitive...

78 FR 56248 - Product Change-Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-12

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal... States Postal Service to Add Parcel Select Contract 7 to Competitive Product List. Documents are...

39 CFR Appendix A to Part 3002 - Postal Regulatory Commission, Mission Statement of the Office of the Consumer Advocate

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Postal Regulatory Commission, Mission Statement of the Office of the Consumer Advocate A Appendix A to Part 3002 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL ORGANIZATION Pt. 3002, App. A Appendix A to Part 3002—Postal Regulatory Commission, Mission Statement of the Office of the Consumer...

General practitioners' conceptions about treatment of depression and factors that may influence their practice in this area. A postal survey

PubMed Central

Andersson, Stig J; Troein, Margareta; Lindberg, Gunnar

2005-01-01

Background The way GPs work does not appear to be adapted to the needs of depressive patients. Therefore we wanted to examine Swedish GPs' conceptions of depressive disorders and their treatment and GPs' ideas of factors that may influence their manner of work with depressive patients. Methods A postal questionnaire to a stratified sample of 617 Swedish GPs. Results Most respondents assumed antidepressive drugs effective and did not assume that psychotherapy can replace drugs in depression treatment though many of them looked at psychotherapy as an essential complement. Nearly all respondents thought that clinical experiences had great importance in decision situations, but patients' own preferences and official clinical guidelines were also regarded as essential. As influences on their work, almost all surveyed GPs regarded experiences from general practice very important, and a majority also emphasised experiences from private life. Courses arranged by pharmaceutical companies were seen as essential sources of knowledge. A majority thought that psychiatrists did not provide sufficient help, while most respondents perceived they were well backed up by colleagues. Conclusion GPs tend to emphasize experiences, both from clinical work and private life, and overlook influences of collegial dealings and ongoing CME as well as the effects of the pharmaceutical companies' marketing activities. Many GPs appear to need more evidence based knowledge about depressive disorders. Interventions to improve depression management have to be supporting and interactive, and should be combined with organisational reforms to improve co-operation with psychiatrists. PMID:15904500

75 FR 65531 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-25

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2011-3 and CP2011-4; Order No. 556] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently... Postal Service contemporaneously filed a contract related to the proposed new product pursuant to 39 U.S...

75 FR 65532 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-25

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2011-2 and CP2011-3; Order No. 555] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently... Postal Service contemporaneously filed a contract related to the proposed new product pursuant to 39 U.S...

75 FR 67148 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-01

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2011-5 Through CP2011-12; Order No. 557] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a.... at 4. The Postal Service concludes that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts...

78 FR 39783 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-02

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2013-54 and CP2013-70; Order No. 1764] New Postal... recently-filed Postal Service request to add a new product to the competitive product list. This document...-54. The Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new...

76 FR 592 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-05

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2011-55; Order No. 633] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal... demonstrate that the new GREP contract complies with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and is functionally...

78 FR 67951 - Price Cap Rules for Certain Postal Rate Adjustments; Corrections

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-13

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 39 CFR Part 3010 [Docket No. RM2013-2; Order No. 1786] Price Cap Rules for Certain Postal Rate Adjustments; Corrections AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Correcting amendments. SUMMARY: The Postal Regulatory Commission published a document in the Federal Register...

76 FR 47275 - Postal Service Initiative on Retail Postal Locations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-04

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. N2011-1; Order No. 778] Postal Service Initiative on... noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request for an advisory opinion on an initiative involving... centrally directed Retail Access Optimization (RAO) initiative for examining the continuation of service at...

39 CFR 762.11 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... of Postal Service obligations. Disbursement Postal Money Orders are distinguishable on their face... of negotiability—“Pay to the order of”—printed on their face, while other postal money orders simply bear the words “Pay to” on their face; (b) Disbursement Postal Money Orders, unlike other postal money...

39 CFR 762.11 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... of Postal Service obligations. Disbursement Postal Money Orders are distinguishable on their face... of negotiability—“Pay to the order of”—printed on their face, while other postal money orders simply bear the words “Pay to” on their face; (b) Disbursement Postal Money Orders, unlike other postal money...

39 CFR 762.11 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... of Postal Service obligations. Disbursement Postal Money Orders are distinguishable on their face... of negotiability—“Pay to the order of”—printed on their face, while other postal money orders simply bear the words “Pay to” on their face; (b) Disbursement Postal Money Orders, unlike other postal money...

39 CFR 762.11 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... of Postal Service obligations. Disbursement Postal Money Orders are distinguishable on their face... of negotiability—“Pay to the order of”—printed on their face, while other postal money orders simply bear the words “Pay to” on their face; (b) Disbursement Postal Money Orders, unlike other postal money...

39 CFR 762.11 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... of Postal Service obligations. Disbursement Postal Money Orders are distinguishable on their face... of negotiability—“Pay to the order of”—printed on their face, while other postal money orders simply bear the words “Pay to” on their face; (b) Disbursement Postal Money Orders, unlike other postal money...

77 FR 66193 - Product Change-Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-02

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal... Postal Service To Add Parcel Select Contract 6 to Competitive Product List. Documents are available at...

77 FR 42780 - Product Change-Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-20

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service\\TM\\. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal... Postal Service to Add Parcel Select Contract 3 to Competitive Product List. Documents are available at...

77 FR 42780 - Product Change-Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-20

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service\\TM\\. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal... Postal Service to Add Parcel Select Contract 4 to Competitive Product List. Documents are available at...

77 FR 42780 - Product Change-Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-20

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal... Postal Service to Add Parcel Select Contract 5 to Competitive Product List. Documents are available at...

Computer Skills and Internet Use in Adults Aged 50-74 Years: Influence of Hearing Difficulties

PubMed Central

Clark, Daniel P A; Kang, Sujin; Ferguson, Melanie A

2012-01-01

Background The use of personal computers (PCs) and the Internet to provide health care information and interventions has increased substantially over the past decade. Yet the effectiveness of such an approach is highly dependent upon whether the target population has both access and the skill set required to use this technology. This is particularly relevant in the delivery of hearing health care because most people with hearing loss are over 50 years (average age for initial hearing aid fitting is 74 years). Although PC skill and Internet use by demographic factors have been examined previously, data do not currently exist that examine the effects of hearing difficulties on PC skill or Internet use in older adults. Objective To explore the effect that hearing difficulty has on PC skill and Internet use in an opportunistic sample of adults aged 50-74 years. Methods Postal questionnaires about hearing difficulty, PC skill, and Internet use (n=3629) were distributed to adults aged 50-74 years through three family physician practices in Nottingham, United Kingdom. A subsample of 84 respondents completed a second detailed questionnaire on confidence in using a keyboard, mouse, and track pad. Summed scores were termed the “PC confidence index.” The PC confidence index was used to verify the PC skill categories in the postal questionnaire (ie, never used a computer, beginner, and competent). Results The postal questionnaire response rate was 36.78% (1298/3529) and 95.15% (1235/1298) of these contained complete information. There was a significant between-category difference for PC skill by PC confidence index (P<.001), thus verifying the three-category PC skill scale. PC and Internet use was greater in the younger respondents (50-62 years) than in the older respondents (63-74 years). The younger group’s PC and Internet use was 81.0% and 60.9%, respectively; the older group’s PC and Internet use was 54.0% and 29.8%, respectively. Those with slight hearing difficulties in the older group had significantly greater odds of PC use compared to those with no hearing difficulties (odds ratio [OR]=1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.30, P=.02). Those with moderate+ hearing difficulties had lower odds of PC use compared with those with no hearing difficulties, both overall (OR=0.58, 95% CI 0.39-0.87, P=.008) and in the younger group (OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.86, P=.008). Similar results were demonstrated for Internet use by age group (older: OR=1.57, 95% CI 0.99-2.47, P=.05; younger: OR=0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.62, P=.001). Conclusions Hearing health care is of particular relevance to older adults because of the prevalence of age-related hearing loss. Our data show that older adults experiencing slight hearing difficulty have increased odds of greater PC skill and Internet use than those reporting no difficulty. These findings suggest that PC and Internet delivery of hearing screening, information, and intervention is feasible for people between 50-74 years who have hearing loss, but who would not typically present to an audiologist. PMID:22954484

39 CFR 761.2 - Authority of Reserve Banks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Authority of Reserve Banks. 761.2 Section 761.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL SERVICE DEBT OBLIGATIONS; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES § 761.2 Authority of Reserve Banks. Each Reserve Bank is hereby authorized...

39 CFR 761.2 - Authority of Reserve Banks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Authority of Reserve Banks. 761.2 Section 761.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL SERVICE DEBT OBLIGATIONS; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES § 761.2 Authority of Reserve Banks. Each Reserve Bank is hereby authorized...

76 FR 29013 - Change in Postal Prices

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-19

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2009-61; Order No. 729] Change in Postal Prices AGENCY... Postal Service filed notice that prices under Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Contract 2 filed in... approved by the Commission. Id. \\1\\ Notice of United States Postal Service of Change in Prices Pursuant to...

75 FR 44138 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-28

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 30 CFR Part 3020 [Docket Nos. MC2010-21; CP2010-36 and MC2010-20] New Postal Products AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Commission is updating postal product lists. This action reflects the disposition of recent dockets, as set out in two...

76 FR 12141 - New Postal Product and New Price Category

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-04

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2011-23 and CP2011-62; Order No. 683] New Postal Product and New Price Category AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The... competitive product list. The Postal Service also states that it has established a new price category under...

75 FR 17175 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-05

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-33, CP2010-34 and CP2010-35; Order No. 431] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing... differences. Id. at 6. The Postal Service contends that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 2...

39 CFR 281.2 - Action required by processing postal officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... center director of customer services at the office of mailing. The notification should include, but not... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Action required by processing postal officials. 281.2 Section 281.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION FIRM...

39 CFR 602.1 - General principles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false General principles. 602.1 Section 602.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY... is the policy of the Postal Service to secure full ownership rights for its intellectual properties...

39 CFR 602.1 - General principles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false General principles. 602.1 Section 602.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY... is the policy of the Postal Service to secure full ownership rights for its intellectual properties...

39 CFR 602.1 - General principles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false General principles. 602.1 Section 602.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY... is the policy of the Postal Service to secure full ownership rights for its intellectual properties...

39 CFR 3.3 - Matters reserved for decision by the Board.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Postal Service's independent, certified public accounting firm. (d) Authorization of the Postal Service... an advisory opinion on a proposed change in the nature of postal services which will generally affect... Postal Service whose positions are included in Level II of the Postal Career Executive Service. (k...

39 CFR 10.1 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Applicability. 10.1 Section 10.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR POSTAL SERVICE GOVERNORS (ARTICLE X) § 10.1 Applicability. This part contains rules of conduct for the...

A review of how to conduct a surgical survey using a questionnaire.

PubMed

Hing, C B; Smith, T O; Hooper, L; Song, F; Donell, S T

2011-08-01

Health surveys using questionnaires facilitate the acquisition of information on the knowledge, behaviour, attitudes, perceptions and clinical history of a selected population. Their internal and external validities are threatened by poor design and low response rates. Numerous studies have investigated survey design and administration but care should be taken when generalising findings in different clinical and cultural settings. The current evidence-base suggests that no single mode of survey administration, such as postal, electronic or telephone, is superior to another. Whilst there is no evidence of an ideal response rate relationship to survey validity, response rates can be enhanced by including monetary incentives, providing a time cue, and repeat contact with non-responders. Unlike other modes of experimental data collection, few guidelines currently exist for survey and questionnaire design and response rate should not be considered a direct measure of a survey's quality. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A 6-year review of the outcome of endometrial ablation.

PubMed

Tsaltas, J; Taylor, N; Healey, M

1998-02-01

In June, 1995 a postal questionnaire was distributed to all 232 women who had an endometrial ablation at Monash Medical Centre between July, 1989 and December, 1994. Data was analyzed from the 149 who responded. Length of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 6 years 6 months. Of these 78% were satisfied with their ablation and 84% found their menses to be lighter or to have stopped. The repeat ablation rate was 13% and the hysterectomy rate was 17%.

75 FR 3383 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-21

...] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Commission.... Introduction The Postal Service seeks to add a new product identified as Express Mail [[Page 3384

39 CFR 762.25 - Reclamation of amounts of paid disbursement postal money orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... paid disbursement postal money orders. The Postal Service shall have the right to demand refund from the presenting bank of the amount of a paid Disbursement Postal Money Order if after payment the... another for a deceased payee where the right to the proceeds of such Disbursement Postal Money Orders...

39 CFR 3001.72 - Filing of formal requests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Requests for Changes in the Nature of Postal Services § 3001.72 Filing of formal requests. Whenever the... in the nature of postal services subject to this subpart, the Postal Service shall file with the... Postal Service proposes to make effective the change in the nature of postal services involved. Within 5...

39 CFR 10.4 - Financial disclosure reports.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Financial disclosure reports. 10.4 Section 10.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR POSTAL SERVICE GOVERNORS (ARTICLE X) § 10.4 Financial disclosure reports. (a) Requirement of...

39 CFR 10.2 - Advisory service.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Advisory service. 10.2 Section 10.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR POSTAL SERVICE GOVERNORS (ARTICLE X) § 10.2 Advisory service. (a) The General Counsel is the Ethical...

39 CFR 10.3 - Post-employment activities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Post-employment activities. 10.3 Section 10.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR POSTAL SERVICE GOVERNORS (ARTICLE X) § 10.3 Post-employment activities. Governors are subject...

Mobbing Exposure of Anaesthesiology Residents in Turkey

PubMed Central

Aykut, Gülnihal; Efe, Esra Mercanoğlu; Bayraktar, Selcan; Şentürk, Sinem; Başeğmez, İrem; Özkumit, Özlem; Kabak, Elmas; Yavaşçaoğlu, Belgin; Bilgin, Hülya

2016-01-01

Objective In recent years, psychological problems that are caused by working conditions, like burn out syndrome, are more commonly observed. In our study, we aimed to evaluate mobbing exposure, factors causing mobbing and precautions for mobbing in residency students who are educated in anaesthesiology and reanimation clinics in Turkey. Methods After obtaining consent from the ethics committee, we sent our questionnaires to the secretariats of the departments by postal mail. Completed questionnaires were collected in our department’s secretariat blindly and randomly mixed. One hundred and one participants were returned the questionnaires. Data was statistically analysed in SPSS 21.0 software programme. Results During residency programme, sated to have experienced mobbing one or more time. Interestingly, 5.9% participants complained of physical mobbing. Mobbing exposure was more common in females. The most serious new onset psychosomatic symptoms stated during residency were committing suicide (2%), addiction (16%), severe depression (18%), panic attack (8%), more accidents (7%) and tendency of violence (15%). In mobbing group there was statistically significant dissatisfaction rate. Conclusion In professions where mobbing is common, incidences of psychiatric diseases and suicide attempts are high are increased. Who are under risk for experiencing mobbing should be noticed carefully to ensure good judgement and problems should be inspected objectively in a detailed manner. Anesthesiology societies and other medical professional societies should establish mobbing committees. Thus, mobbing problems can be resolved and healthy career oppurtunities can be presented to residents. PMID:27909591

Attitudes, knowledge and behavior of Japanese physical therapists with regard to evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines: a cross-sectional mail survey

PubMed Central

Fujimoto, Shuhei; Kon, Noriko; Takasugi, Jun; Nakayama, Takeo

2017-01-01

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate Japanese physical therapists’ attitudes of evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines. [Subjects and Methods] In 2014, a cross-sectional postal mail survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Of 2,982 physical therapists belonging to the Chiba Prefecture Physical Therapist Association, 1,000 were randomly selected. The questionnaire comprised 42 items pertaining to the attitudes of and behavior toward evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines. It was investigated to reveal the relationship between clinical practice guidelines/evidence-based practice and therapist characteristics. [Results] The response rate was 39.6%, and 384 questionnaires were available. The main results were as follows: 83.3% participants agreed to the importance of evidence-based practice, 77.1% agree to that evidence-based practice supports clinical decision of physical therapists, and about 11% agreed to have been educated about evidence-based practice. Then, 29.2% used, 54.9% agreed to the importance of, and 13.3% agreed to the utility of clinical practice guidelines. An important factor related mostly to a positive attitude, knowledge and behavior of evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines was participating in research activities. [Conclusion] Many of physical therapists do not use and understand the importance of clinical practice guidelines. Participating in research activities may partially contribute to improving these conditions. PMID:28265139

Utilization of patient classification systems in Swedish hospitals and the degree of satisfaction among nursing staff.

PubMed

Perroca, Marcia Galan; Ek, Anna-Christina

2007-07-01

Although patient classification tools have been used in Sweden since the 1980s, few studies have examined how they are utilized and monitored. This paper investigates the patient classification systems implemented in hospitals in the country as well as the level of satisfaction of nurses with the implemented instrument. A postal survey method was used in which a total of 128 questionnaires were sent to nurse managers. Twenty-three hospitals were identified with patient classification systems currently in operation. The Zebra and Beakta systems are the most commonly used instruments. Nurse managers appear to be satisfied with the patient classification systems in use on their wards as a whole except for their inability to measure the quality of care provided, the time spent to use the instruments and the fact that the administration do not estimate nursing staff requirements using the system.

Workplace stress, mental health, and burnout of veterinarians in Australia.

PubMed

Hatch, P H; Winefield, H R; Christie, B A; Lievaart, J J

2011-11-01

To determine the frequency of the states of depression, anxiety, stress and burnout using internationally validated methods and to relate these to the demographic characteristics of veterinarians in Australia. A postal survey of registered veterinarians with at least one year's experience and whose address was available; 1947 returned the questionnaire providing data for analysis. Overall, veterinarians describe higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress and burnout than the general population. The severity of these states was determined by gender, background, type of practice and years after graduation. Modifying the curricula of veterinary schools to include the teaching of personal cognitive and coping skills to undergraduate veterinary students, the provision of the opportunity to enhance these skills throughout their veterinary career and changes in the veterinary workplace could result in improved mental health, increased job engagement and work satisfaction. © 2011 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal © 2011 Australian Veterinary Association.

39 CFR 2.2 - Agent for receipt of process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Agent for receipt of process. 2.2 Section 2.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL PROVISIONS (ARTICLE II) § 2.2 Agent for receipt of process. The General Counsel of the Postal...

39 CFR 2.2 - Agent for receipt of process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Agent for receipt of process. 2.2 Section 2.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL PROVISIONS (ARTICLE II) § 2.2 Agent for receipt of process. The General Counsel of the Postal...

39 CFR 2.2 - Agent for receipt of process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Agent for receipt of process. 2.2 Section 2.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL PROVISIONS (ARTICLE II) § 2.2 Agent for receipt of process. The General Counsel of the Postal...

39 CFR 2.2 - Agent for receipt of process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Agent for receipt of process. 2.2 Section 2.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL PROVISIONS (ARTICLE II) § 2.2 Agent for receipt of process. The General Counsel of the Postal...

39 CFR 2.2 - Agent for receipt of process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Agent for receipt of process. 2.2 Section 2.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL PROVISIONS (ARTICLE II) § 2.2 Agent for receipt of process. The General Counsel of the Postal...

39 CFR 3050.20 - Compliance and other analyses in the Postal Service's section 3652 report.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... PERSONNEL PERIODIC REPORTING § 3050.20 Compliance and other analyses in the Postal Service's section 3652 report. (a) The Postal Service's section 3652 report shall include an analysis of the information that it... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Compliance and other analyses in the Postal...

39 CFR 3050.20 - Compliance and other analyses in the Postal Service's section 3652 report.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... PERSONNEL PERIODIC REPORTING § 3050.20 Compliance and other analyses in the Postal Service's section 3652 report. (a) The Postal Service's section 3652 report shall include an analysis of the information that it... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Compliance and other analyses in the Postal...

75 FR 70754 - Postal Classification Changes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-18

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. MC2011-5; Order No. 583] Postal Classification Changes...-filed Postal Service request announcing a classification change affecting bundle and container charges... Commission announcing a classification change [[Page 70755

Improving access for patients – a practice manager questionnaire

PubMed Central

Meade, James G; Brown, James S

2006-01-01

Background The administrative and professional consequences of access targets for general practices, as detailed in the new GMS contract, are unknown. This study researched the effect of implementing the access targets of the new GP contract on general practice appointment systems, and practice manager satisfaction in a UK primary health care setting. Methods A four-part postal questionnaire was administered. The questionnaire was modified from previously validated questionnaires and the findings compared with data obtained from the Western Health and Social Services Board (WHSSB) in N Ireland. Practice managers from the 59 general practices in the WHSSB responded to the questionnaire. Results There was a 94.9% response rate. Practice managers were generally satisfied with the introduction of access targets for patients. Some 57.1% of responding practices, most in deprived areas (Odds ratio 3.13 -95% CI 1.01 – 9.80, p = 0.0256) had modified their appointment systems. Less booking flexibility was reported among group practices (p = 0.006), urban practices (p < 0.001) and those with above average patient list sizes (p < 0.001). Receptionists had not received training in patient appointment management in a quarter of practices. Practices with smaller list sizes were more likely than larger ones to utilise nurses in seeing extra patients (p = 0.007) or to undertake triage procedures (p = 0.062). Conclusion The findings demonstrated the ability of general practices within the WHSSB to adjust to a demanding component of the new GP contract. Issues relating to the flexibility of patient appointment booking systems, receptionists' training and the development of the primary care nursing role were highlighted by the study. PMID:16784530

Use of strategies to improve retention in primary care randomised trials: a qualitative study with in-depth interviews

PubMed Central

Brueton, V C; Stevenson, F; Vale, C L; Stenning, S P; Tierney, J F; Harding, S; Nazareth, I; Meredith, S; Rait, G

2014-01-01

Objective To explore the strategies used to improve retention in primary care randomised trials. Design Qualitative in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. Participants 29 UK primary care chief and principal investigators, trial managers and research nurses. Methods In-depth face-to-face interviews. Results Primary care researchers use incentive and communication strategies to improve retention in trials, but were unsure of their effect. Small monetary incentives were used to increase response to postal questionnaires. Non-monetary incentives were used although there was scepticism about the impact of these on retention. Nurses routinely used telephone communication to encourage participants to return for trial follow-up. Trial managers used first class post, shorter questionnaires and improved questionnaire designs with the aim of improving questionnaire response. Interviewees thought an open trial design could lead to biased results and were negative about using behavioural strategies to improve retention. There was consensus among the interviewees that effective communication and rapport with participants, participant altruism, respect for participant's time, flexibility of trial personnel and appointment schedules and trial information improve retention. Interviewees noted particular challenges with retention in mental health trials and those involving teenagers. Conclusions The findings of this qualitative study have allowed us to reflect on research practice around retention and highlight a gap between such practice and current evidence. Interviewees describe acting from experience without evidence from the literature, which supports the use of small monetary incentives to improve the questionnaire response. No such evidence exists for non-monetary incentives or first class post, use of which may need reconsideration. An exploration of barriers and facilitators to retention in other research contexts may be justified. PMID:24464427

[Assessment of health-related quality of life with the German SF-8. A comparison of telephone and postal survey modes].

PubMed

Erhart, M; Wetzel, R; Krügel, A; Ravens-Sieberer, U

2005-12-01

Within a comprehensive comparison of telephone and postal survey methods the SF-8 was applied to assess adult's health-related quality of life. The 1690 subjects were randomly assigned to a telephone survey and a postal survey. Comparisons across the different modes of administration addressed the response rates, central tendency, deviation, ceiling and floor effects observed in the SF-8 scores as well as the inter-item correlation. The importance of age and gender as moderating factors was investigated. Results indicate no or small statistically significant differences in the responses to the SF-8 depending on the actual mode of administration and the health aspect questioned. It was concluded that further investigations should focus on the exact nature of these deviations and try to generate correction factors.

Assessing the work of medical audit advisory groups in promoting audit in general practice.

PubMed

Baker, R; Hearnshaw, H; Cooper, A; Cheater, F; Robertson, N

1995-12-01

Objectives--To determine the role of medical audit advisory groups in audit activities in general practice. Design--Postal questionnaire survey. Subjects--All 104 advisory groups in England and Wales in 1994. Main measures--Monitoring audit: the methods used to classify audits, the methods used by the advisory group to collect data on audits from general practices, the proportion of practices undertaking audit. Directing and coordinating audits: topics and number of practices participating in multipractice audits. Results--The response rate was 86-5%. In 1993-4, 54% of the advisory groups used the Oxfordshire or Kirklees methods for classifying audits, or modifications of them. 99% of the advisory groups collected data on audit activities at least once between 1991-2 and 1993-4. Visits, questionnaires, and other methods were used to collect information from all or samples of practices in each of the advisory group's areas. Some advisory groups used different methods in different years. In 1991-2, 57% of all practices participated in some audit, in 1992-3, 78%, and in 1993-4, 86%. 428 multipractice audits were identified. The most popular topic was diabetes. Conclusions--Advisory groups have been active in monitoring audit in general practice. However, the methods used to classify and collect information about audits in general practices varied widely. The number of practices undertaking audit increased between 1991-2 and 1993 1. The large number of multipractice audits supports the view that the advisory groups have directed and coordinated audit activities. This example of a national audit programme for general practice may be helpful in other countries in which the introduction of quality assurance is being considered.

Pain rather than self-reported sedentary time explains variation in perceived health and activity limitation in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross sectional study in Sweden.

PubMed

Demmelmaier, Ingrid; Åsenlöf, Pernilla; Bergman, Patrick; Nordgren, Birgitta; Opava, Christina H

2017-06-01

To investigate (1) the amount of self-reported time spent sedentary among a large cohort of persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and (2) the contribution of sedentary time to explain perceived health and activity limitation in RA beyond that of previously known correlates. This cross-sectional study used data from a postal questionnaire and the Swedish Rheumatology Quality registers (SRQ). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess sedentary time (sitting) and moderate, vigorous and walking activity (MVPA). Sociodemographics, pain, fatigue, fear-avoidance beliefs, anxiety/depression, disease duration, MVPA and sedentary time were included in multiple regression models with perceived health (Visual Analogue Scale 0-100) and activity limitation (Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire) as dependent variables. In all 3152 (59%) of 5391 persons identified as eligible from the SRQ, responded to the questionnaire. 2819 individuals with complete data on all study variables were analysed. Mean time (SD) spent sedentary was 257 (213) minutes per day. Sedentary time did not contribute significantly to explain perceived health and only minimally to explain activity limitation. Instead, variation was mainly explained by pain; for perceived health (Beta = 0.780, p < 0.001) and for activity limitation (Beta = 0.445, p < 0.001).The results indicate a non-significant role of sedentary time and a need for increased focus on pain in the management of RA. Future studies should use prospective designs and objective assessment methods to further investigate the associations between sedentary time and health outcomes in persons with RA.

Internet-based treatment of stress urinary incontinence: a randomised controlled study with focus on pelvic floor muscle training.

PubMed

Sjöström, Malin; Umefjord, Göran; Stenlund, Hans; Carlbring, Per; Andersson, Gerhard; Samuelsson, Eva

2013-08-01

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects 10-35% of women, and it is sometimes very distressful. Pelvic floor exercises are the first line of treatment, but access barriers or embarrassment may prevent women from seeking help. There is a need for new, simple, and effective ways to deliver treatment. Management of SUI without face-to-face contact is possible, and Internet-based treatment is a new, promising treatment alternative. To compare two treatment programmes for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) without face-to-face contact: one Internet-based and one sent by post. Randomised, controlled trial conducted in Sweden 2009-2011. Computer-generated block-randomisation, allocation by independent administrator. No 'blinding'. The study included 250 community-dwelling women aged 18-70 years, with SUI ≥1 time/week. Consecutive online recruitment. The women had 3 months of either; (i) An Internet-based treatment programme (124 women), including e-mail support and cognitive behavioural therapy assignments or (ii) A treatment programme sent by post (126). Both programmes focused mainly on pelvic floor muscle training. symptom-score (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, ICIQ-UI SF) and condition-specific quality of life (ICIQ-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life, ICIQ-LUTSQoL). (i) Patient Global Impression of Improvement, (ii) Incontinence aids, (iii) Patient satisfaction, (iv) Health-specific QoL (EQ5D-Visual Analogue Scale), and (v) Incontinence episode frequency. Follow-up after 4 months via self-assessed postal questionnaires. In all, 12% (30 women) were lost to follow-up. Intention-to-treat analysis showed highly significant improvements (P < 0.001) with large effect sizes (>0.8) with both interventions, but there were no significant differences between groups in primary outcomes. The mean (sd) changes in symptom-score were: Internet 3.4 (3.4), Postal 2.9 (3.1) (P = 0.27). The mean (sd) changes in condition-specific QoL were: Internet 4.8 (6.1), Postal 4.6 (6.7) (P = 0.52). Compared with the postal-group, more participants in the Internet-group perceived they were much or very much improved (40.9% (43/105) vs 26.5% (30/113), P = 0.01), reported reduced usage of incontinence aids (59.5% (47/79) vs 41.4% (34/82), P = 0.02) and were satisfied with the treatment programme (84.8% (89/105) vs 62.9% (71/113), P < 0.001). Health-specific QoL improved in the Internet-group (mean change 3.7 (10.9), P = 0.001), but not in the postal-group (1.9 (13.0), P = 0.13). Overall, 69.8% (120/172) of participants reported complete lack of leakage or reduced number of leakage episodes by >50%. Concerning primary outcomes, treatment effects were similar between groups whereas for secondary outcomes the Internet-based treatment was more effective. Internet-based treatment for SUI is a new, promising treatment alternative. © 2013 BJU International.

39 CFR 601.106 - [Reserved

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false [Reserved] 601.106 Section 601.106 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.106 [Reserved] ...

39 CFR 601.106 - [Reserved

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false [Reserved] 601.106 Section 601.106 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.106 [Reserved] ...

75 FR 1280 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-11

...] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Commission... competitive products is also consistent with new requirements in the law. DATES: Effective January 11, 2010... V. Ordering Paragraphs I. Introduction The Postal Service seeks to add a new product identified as...

77 FR 4376 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-27

... Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add Priority Mail Contract 38 to the competitive product list... 38 to the competitive product list.\\1\\ Priority mail contracts enable the Postal Service to provide...

77 FR 67839 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-14

... Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning the addition of Priority Mail Contract 48 to the competitive product... Mail Contract 48 to the competitive product list.\\1\\ The Postal Service indicates that the instant...

Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms six months after bacterial gastroenteritis and risk factors for development of the irritable bowel syndrome: postal survey of patients.

PubMed Central

Neal, K. R.; Hebden, J.; Spiller, R.

1997-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms six months after bacterial gastroenteritis and determine risk factors and associations with postdysenteric symptoms. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire. SETTING: Nottingham Health Authority. SUBJECTS: 544 people with microbiologically confirmed bacterial gastroenteritis between July 1994 and December 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and relative risks for development of the irritable bowel syndrome and self reported altered bowel habit. RESULTS: A quarter of subjects reported persistence of altered bowel habit six months after an episode of infective gastroenteritis. Increasing duration of diarrhoea, younger age, and female sex increased this risk, whereas vomiting as part of the illness reduced the risk. One in 14 developed the irritable bowel syndrome with an increased risk seen in women (relative risk 3.4: 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 9.8) and with duration of diarrhoea (6.5; 1.3 to 34 for 15-21 days). CONCLUSIONS: Persistence of bowel symptoms commonly occurs after bacterial gastroenteritis and is responsible for considerable morbidity and health care costs. PMID:9080994

78 FR 16213 - Refunds and Exchanges

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-14

... POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 111 Refunds and Exchanges AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Postal Service TM proposes to revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) 604.9, and other DMM sections, to remove obsolete standards...

39 CFR 265.4 - Inquiries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Inquiries. 265.4 Section 265.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.4 Inquiries. Inquiries regarding the availability of Postal Service records should be directed to the appropriate records...

39 CFR 265.4 - Inquiries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Inquiries. 265.4 Section 265.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.4 Inquiries. Inquiries regarding the availability of Postal Service records should be directed to the appropriate records...

39 CFR 265.4 - Inquiries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Inquiries. 265.4 Section 265.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.4 Inquiries. Inquiries regarding the availability of Postal Service records should be directed to the appropriate records...

39 CFR 265.4 - Inquiries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Inquiries. 265.4 Section 265.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.4 Inquiries. Inquiries regarding the availability of Postal Service records should be directed to the appropriate records...

39 CFR 265.4 - Inquiries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Inquiries. 265.4 Section 265.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.4 Inquiries. Inquiries regarding the availability of Postal Service records should be directed to the appropriate records...

78 FR 63519 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-24

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2014-1 and CP2014-1; Order No. 1849] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new product. Id. Attachment B. The instant...

75 FR 57303 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-20

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-105 through CP2010-115; Order No. 535] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... concludes that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the requirements...

39 CFR 255.1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Purpose. 255.1 Section 255.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION ACCESS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO POSTAL SERVICE PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, FACILITIES, AND ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY § 255.1 Purpose. (a...

75 FR 40853 - Postal Rate Changes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-14

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Order No. 485; Docket No. R2010-4] Postal Rate Changes AGENCY... implementing rate changes for market dominant postal products, which include First- Class Mail, was adopted. In general, the new approach envisions annual rate adjustments based on changes in a specified Consumer Price...

39 CFR 776.4 - Scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Scope. 776.4 Section 776.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS FLOODPLAIN AND WETLAND PROCEDURES Floodplain Management § 776.4 Scope. (a) The regulations in this subpart are applicable to the following proposed postal...

76 FR 22739 - Postal Service Market Test

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-22

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. MT2011-4; Order No. 717] Postal Service Market Test...-filed Postal Service proposal to conduct a limited market test involving a postage-refund guarantee for certain senders of First-Class Mail and Standard Mail. This document describes the proposed test...

77 FR 65023 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-24

... follows: Attachment A--a redacted copy of Governors' Decision No. 11-6, authorizing the new product... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2013-4 and MC2013-4; Order No. 1504] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a...

39 CFR 262.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Purpose and scope. 262.1 Section 262.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT... information management terms that are frequently used throughout Postal Service regulations and directives. ...

78 FR 52223 - Change in Postal Rates

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-22

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2013-77; Order No. 1812] Change in Postal Rates AGENCY... Service filing concerning the Postal Service's intention to change rates for Inbound International... intention to change rates for Inbound International Expedited Services 2, effective January 1, 2014.\\1\\ The...

75 FR 44819 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-29

... Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service filing to add Priority Mail Contract 27 to the competitive product list. The... to add Priority Mail Contract 27 to the competitive product list.\\1\\ The Postal Service asserts that...

78 FR 37851 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-24

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2013-68; Order No. 1750] New Postal Product AGENCY... filing concerning the addition of Global Expedited Package Services 3 Contract to the competitive product... GEPS 3 product. Notice at 2. \\1\\ Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing a Functionally...

A consensus process on management of major burns accidents: lessons learned from the café fire in Volendam, The Netherlands.

PubMed

Welling, L; Boers, M; Mackie, D P; Patka, P; Bierens, J J L M; Luitse, J S K; Kreis, R W

2006-01-01

The optimum response to the different stages of a major burns incident is still not established. The fire in a café in Volendam on New Year's Eve 2000 was the worst incident in recent Dutch history and resulted in mass burn casualties. The fire has been the subject of several investigations concerned with organisational and medical aspects. Based on the findings in these investigations, a multidisciplinary research group started a consensus study. The aim of this study was to further identify areas of improvement in the care after mass burns incidents. The consensus process comprised three postal rounds (Delphi Method) and a consensus conference (modified nominal group technique). The multidisciplinary panel consisted of 26 Dutch-speaking experts, working in influential positions within the sphere of disaster management and healthcare. In response to the postal questionnaires, consensus was reached for 66 per cent of the statements. Six topics were subsequently discussed during the consensus conference; three topics were discussed within the plenary session and three during subgroup meetings. During the conference, consensus was reached for seven statements (one subject generated two statements). In total, the panel agreed on 21 statements. These covered the following topics: registration and evaluation of disaster care, capacity planning for disasters, pre hospital care of victims of burns disasters, treatment and transportation priorities, distribution of casualties (including interhospital transports), diagnosis and treatment and education and training. In disaster medicine, the paper shows how a consensus process is a suitable tool to identify areas of improvement of care after mass burns incidents.

39 CFR 957.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Definitions. 957.3 Section 957.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO DEBARMENT AND... purchasing authority in the Postal Service or the Vice President's representative for the purpose of carrying...

77 FR 25596 - Inspection Service Authority; Seizure and Forfeiture

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-01

... POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 233 Inspection Service Authority; Seizure and Forfeiture AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising its regulations with regard to... FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. Emmett Mattes III, Chief Counsel, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, 202-268...

39 CFR 267.4 - Information security standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Information security standards. 267.4 Section 267.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION PROTECTION OF INFORMATION § 267.4 Information security standards. (a) The Postal Service will operate under a uniform set of...

39 CFR 267.4 - Information security standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Information security standards. 267.4 Section 267.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION PROTECTION OF INFORMATION § 267.4 Information security standards. (a) The Postal Service will operate under a uniform set of...

39 CFR 267.4 - Information security standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Information security standards. 267.4 Section 267.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION PROTECTION OF INFORMATION § 267.4 Information security standards. (a) The Postal Service will operate under a uniform set of...

39 CFR 267.4 - Information security standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Information security standards. 267.4 Section 267.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION PROTECTION OF INFORMATION § 267.4 Information security standards. (a) The Postal Service will operate under a uniform set of...

39 CFR 267.4 - Information security standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Information security standards. 267.4 Section 267.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION PROTECTION OF INFORMATION § 267.4 Information security standards. (a) The Postal Service will operate under a uniform set of...

76 FR 9381 - Change in Contractual Priority Mail Postal Prices

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-17

... Mail Postal Prices AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is... prices. This document provides public notice of the changes and addresses related procedural steps. DATES... INFORMATION: I. Introduction On February 9, 2011, the Postal Service filed notice of a change in prices...

77 FR 64367 - Removal of International Restricted Delivery From the Competitive Product List

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-19

... POSTAL SERVICE Removal of International Restricted Delivery From the Competitive Product List AGENCY: Postal Service\\TM\\. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service hereby provides notice that it has filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to remove International Restricted Delivery...

78 FR 44438 - Notice of Organization Name and Address Change

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-24

... POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 501 Notice of Organization Name and Address Change AGENCY: Postal Service\\TM\\. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising the rules concerning... is the Office of Payment Technology (PT) or successor organization. All submissions to the Postal...

78 FR 70084 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-22

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2013-63 and CP2013-83; Order No. 1844] New Postal... (Request). The Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new... Governors' Decision No. 11-6, authorizing the new product; Attachment B--a redacted copy of the contract...

78 FR 76332 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-17

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2014-9 and CP2014-10; Order No. 1898] New Postal... (Request). The Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new... Governors' Decision No. 11-6, authorizing the new product; Attachment B--a redacted copy of the contract...

75 FR 80858 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-23

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2011-9 and CP2011-44; Order No. 610] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... Service contemporaneously filed a contract related to the proposed new product pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632...

39 CFR 775.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Policy. 775.2 Section 775.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT PROCEDURES § 775.2 Policy. It is the policy of the Postal Service to: (a) Interpret and administer applicable policies...

76 FR 34871 - Mobile Barcode Promotion

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-15

... POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 111 Mobile Barcode Promotion AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service... mailpieces with mobile barcodes must be one of the following: 1. Presorted or automation First-Class Mail...

78 FR 70967 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-27

...). The Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new product...: Attachment A--a redacted copy of Governors' Decision No. 11-6, authorizing the new product; Attachment B--a... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2014-8 and CP2014-9; Order No. 1889] New Postal...

39 CFR 261.3 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Policy. 261.3 Section 261.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT § 261.3 Policy. It is the policy of the Postal Service: (a) To, as appropriate, create, preserve, protect and...

39 CFR 261.3 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Policy. 261.3 Section 261.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT § 261.3 Policy. It is the policy of the Postal Service: (a) To, as appropriate, create, preserve, protect and...

39 CFR 261.3 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Policy. 261.3 Section 261.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT § 261.3 Policy. It is the policy of the Postal Service: (a) To, as appropriate, create, preserve, protect and...

39 CFR 261.3 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Policy. 261.3 Section 261.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT § 261.3 Policy. It is the policy of the Postal Service: (a) To, as appropriate, create, preserve, protect and...

39 CFR 261.3 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Policy. 261.3 Section 261.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT § 261.3 Policy. It is the policy of the Postal Service: (a) To, as appropriate, create, preserve, protect and...

77 FR 36585 - Postal Rate Changes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-19

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2012-32; Order No. 1367] Postal Rate Changes AGENCY... Service notice of rate and changes affecting Inbound Air Parcel Post at Universal Postal Union (UPU) rates... notice, in accordance with 39 CFR 3015.5, announcing changes in rates not of general applicability for...

39 CFR 267.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Purpose and scope. 267.1 Section 267.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION PROTECTION OF INFORMATION § 267.1... Postal Service throughout all phases of information flow and within all organization components, and...

78 FR 13713 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-28

... Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning the addition of Express Mail Contract 14 to the competitive product list... 14 to the competitive product list.\\1\\ The Postal Service asserts that Express Mail Contract 14 is a...

76 FR 2930 - Product Change-Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-18

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Postal Service notice of filing of a request with the Postal Regulatory... Add Parcel Select Contract 1 to Competitive Product List. Documents are available at http://www.prc...

77 FR 28410 - Product Change-Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-14

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service\\TM\\. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal... Select Contract 1 to Competitive Product List. Documents are available at www.prc.gov , Docket Nos...

Anaesthetic training programmes in the UK: the role of the programme director.

PubMed

Barker, I

1998-02-01

Schools of anaesthesia provide anaesthetic training in the UK. Each school has at least one programme director undertaking some or all of the management duties. Most programme directors appears to be unresourced volunteers whose roles have developed in response to local requirements. A postal questionnaire was sent to all anaesthetic training programme directors in the UK, asking about their role. Respondents had a wide variation in duties and responsibilities towards anaesthetic training schemes. Few had terms of reference, clear lines of responsibility, remuneration or resources to undertake the role.

77 FR 41336 - Analytical Methods Used in Periodic Reporting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-13

... Methods Used in Periodic Reporting AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of filing. SUMMARY... proceeding to consider changes in analytical methods used in periodic reporting. This notice addresses... informal rulemaking proceeding to consider changes in the analytical methods approved for use in periodic...

39 CFR 501.14 - Postage Evidencing System inventory control processes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Postage Evidencing System inventory control processes. 501.14 Section 501.14 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE POSTAGE PROGRAMS AUTHORIZATION... affect Postal Service revenues, or of any memory component, or that affects the accuracy of the registers...

39 CFR 601.102 - Revocation of prior purchasing regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Revocation of prior purchasing regulations. 601.102 Section 601.102 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.102...

39 CFR 601.110 - Payment of claims.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Payment of claims. 601.110 Section 601.110 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.110 Payment of claims. Any claim...

39 CFR 601.101 - Effective date.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Effective date. 601.101 Section 601.101 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.101 Effective date. These regulations...

39 CFR 601.101 - Effective date.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Effective date. 601.101 Section 601.101 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.101 Effective date. These regulations...

39 CFR 601.102 - Revocation of prior purchasing regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Revocation of prior purchasing regulations. 601.102 Section 601.102 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.102...

39 CFR 601.112 - Review of adverse decisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Review of adverse decisions. 601.112 Section 601.112 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.112 Review of adverse...

39 CFR 447.61 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false General. 447.61 Section 447.61 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PERSONNEL RULES OF CONDUCT FOR POSTAL EMPLOYEES Bribery, Undue Influence, or... employee to act or neglect to act in regard to his official responsibilities; and (2) Any information that...

39 CFR 960.17 - Settlement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Settlement. 960.17 Section 960.17 Postal Service... ACT IN POSTAL SERVICE PROCEEDINGS Procedures for Considering Applications § 960.17 Settlement. The applicant and the Postal Service may agree on a proposed settlement of the award before final action on the...

39 CFR 3002.2 - Statutory functions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Statutory functions. 3002.2 Section 3002.2 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL ORGANIZATION § 3002.2 Statutory functions. (a) Areas of jurisdiction. The Commission has jurisdiction over changes in postal rates and fees under 39 U.S.C. 3622, and...

39 CFR 447.21 - Prohibited conduct.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Prohibited conduct. 447.21 Section 447.21 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PERSONNEL RULES OF CONDUCT FOR POSTAL EMPLOYEES Employee Conduct... for an examination of the Office of Personnel Management or Board of Examiners for the Foreign Service...

76 FR 71087 - Market Test of Experimental Product: “First-Class Tracer”

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-16

... POSTAL SERVICE Market Test of Experimental Product: ``First-Class Tracer'' AGENCY: Postal Service \\TM\\. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of a market test of an experimental... ``First-Class Tracer'' experimental product on or after December 7, 2011. The Postal Service has filed...

39 CFR 912.14 - Conclusiveness of remedy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Conclusiveness of remedy. 912.14 Section 912.14 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES PROCEDURES TO ADJUDICATE CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL... of remedy. Payment by the Postal Service of the full amount claimed or acceptance by the claimant...

39 CFR 912.14 - Conclusiveness of remedy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Conclusiveness of remedy. 912.14 Section 912.14 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES PROCEDURES TO ADJUDICATE CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL... of remedy. Payment by the Postal Service of the full amount claimed or acceptance by the claimant...

39 CFR 3002.3 - Official seal.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Official seal. 3002.3 Section 3002.3 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL ORGANIZATION § 3002.3 Official seal. (a) Authority. The Seal described in this section is hereby established as the official seal of the Postal Rate Commission...

39 CFR 3002.3 - Official seal.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Official seal. 3002.3 Section 3002.3 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL ORGANIZATION § 3002.3 Official seal. (a) Authority. The Seal described in this section is hereby established as the official seal of the Postal Rate Commission...

39 CFR 3020.33 - Docket and notice.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Docket and notice. 3020.33 Section 3020.33 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL PRODUCT LISTS Requests Initiated by the Postal Service To... on its Web site. The notice shall include: (a) The general nature of the proceeding; (b) A reference...

39 CFR 955.29 - Decisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Decisions. 955.29 Section 955.29 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF CONTRACT... the offices of the Board, and may be made available on its official Web site and to commercial...

39 CFR 3020.92 - Public input.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Service submissions pursuant to § 3020.91 on its Web site and provide interested persons with an... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Public input. 3020.92 Section 3020.92 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL PRODUCT LISTS Requests Initiated by the Postal Service to...

39 CFR 265.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Policy. 265.2 Section 265.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.2 Policy. (a) It is the policy of the Postal Service to make its official records available to the public to the maximum...

39 CFR 265.5 - Public reading rooms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Public reading rooms. 265.5 Section 265.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.5 Public reading rooms. The Library of the Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260...

39 CFR 265.5 - Public reading rooms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Public reading rooms. 265.5 Section 265.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.5 Public reading rooms. The Library of the Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260...

39 CFR 265.5 - Public reading rooms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Public reading rooms. 265.5 Section 265.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.5 Public reading rooms. The Library of the Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260...

39 CFR 265.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Policy. 265.2 Section 265.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.2 Policy. (a) It is the policy of the Postal Service to make its official records available to the public to the maximum...

39 CFR 265.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Policy. 265.2 Section 265.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.2 Policy. (a) It is the policy of the Postal Service to make its official records available to the public to the maximum...

39 CFR 265.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Policy. 265.2 Section 265.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.2 Policy. (a) It is the policy of the Postal Service to make its official records available to the public to the maximum...

39 CFR 265.5 - Public reading rooms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Public reading rooms. 265.5 Section 265.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.5 Public reading rooms. The Library of the Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260...

39 CFR 265.5 - Public reading rooms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Public reading rooms. 265.5 Section 265.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.5 Public reading rooms. The Library of the Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260...

39 CFR 265.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Policy. 265.2 Section 265.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.2 Policy. (a) It is the policy of the Postal Service to make its official records available to the public to the maximum...

76 FR 7114 - International Mail: Mailing Services Price Change

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-09

... POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 20 International Mail: Mailing Services Price Change AGENCY: Postal... States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]) for Mailing Services. This price change correlates to the Postal Service's January 13, 2011 filing of Docket No. R2011-2, Notice of Price Adjustment...

76 FR 48722 - Domestic Mail Manual; Incorporation by Reference

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-09

... POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR PART 111 Domestic Mail Manual; Incorporation by Reference AGENCY: Postal... 5, 2011, of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM... the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) was issued on July 5, 2011. This Issue of the DMM contains all Postal...

77 FR 64724 - International Mail Manual; Incorporation by Reference

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-23

... POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 20 International Mail Manual; Incorporation by Reference AGENCY: Postal... Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]) dated June 24, 2012... International Mail Manual was issued on June 24, 2012, and was updated with postal bulletin revisions through...

78 FR 77508 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-23

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2014-14; Order No. 1910] New Postal Product AGENCY... redacted copy of the new rates; and Attachment 4--a copy of the certification required under 39 CFR 3015.5...' Decision, the new rates and related financial information. Id. at 3. The Postal Service filed redacted...

75 FR 44292 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-28

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2010-32 and CP2010-77; Order No. 497] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... contract related to the proposed new product pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR 3015.5. The...

75 FR 65533 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-25

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2011-1 and CP2011-2; Order No. 554] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently... contemporaneously filed a contract related to the proposed new product pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR...

75 FR 80860 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-23

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2011-12 and CP2011-48; Order No. 613] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... filed a contract related to the proposed new product pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR 3015.5...

75 FR 54401 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-07

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-102 and CP2010-103; Order No. 529] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and is...

75 FR 18244 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-09

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2010-21 and CP2010-36; Order No. 437] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... contemporaneously filed a contract related to the proposed new product pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR...

75 FR 65676 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-26

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2010-28 and CP2011-20 through CP2011-25; Order No. 564] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is... demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and is...

78 FR 76334 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-17

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2014-10 and CP2014-11; Order No. 1899] New Postal...). The Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new product. Id...' Decision No. 11-6, authorizing the new product; Attachment B--a redacted copy of the contract; Attachment C...

75 FR 61785 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-06

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-119, CP2010-120, CP2010-121, CP2010-122, CP2010- 123, CP2010-124, and CP2010-125; Order No. 548] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory... Service concludes that its filings demonstrate that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the...

75 FR 35102 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-21

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-60 through CP2010-63; Order No. 472] New Postal... recently-filed Postal Service request to add new Global Expedited Package Services 2 products to the... Service also contends that its filing demonstrates that each of the new GEPS 2 contracts complies with the...

75 FR 57995 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-23

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2010-116, CP2010-117, and CP2010-118; Order No. 541] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is... that each of the new GEPS 3 contracts complies with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and is...

77 FR 304 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-04

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2012-3 and CP2012-7; Order No. 1072] New Postal Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a... proposed new product under 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR 3015.5. Id. Attachment B. The instant contract...

39 CFR 3010.29 - Transition rule.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Transition rule. 3010.29 Section 3010.29 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL REGULATION OF RATES FOR MARKET DOMINANT PRODUCTS Rules for Applying the Price Cap § 3010.29 Transition rule. If the Postal Service initial exercise of its authority...

39 CFR 20.1 - International Mail Manual; incorporation by reference.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... reference. 20.1 Section 20.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE INTERNATIONAL MAIL INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SERVICE § 20.1 International Mail Manual; incorporation by reference. (a) Section 552(a) of Title... provided in this part, the U.S. Postal Service hereby incorporates by reference its International Mail...

39 CFR 951.5 - Complaint of misconduct.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Complaint of misconduct. 951.5 Section 951.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES PROCEDURE GOVERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF PERSONS TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE § 951.5 Complaint of misconduct. (a) If the head of any department of...

39 CFR 951.5 - Complaint of misconduct.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Complaint of misconduct. 951.5 Section 951.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES PROCEDURE GOVERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF PERSONS TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE § 951.5 Complaint of misconduct. (a) If the head of any department of...

39 CFR 951.5 - Complaint of misconduct.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Complaint of misconduct. 951.5 Section 951.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES PROCEDURE GOVERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF PERSONS TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE § 951.5 Complaint of misconduct. (a) If the head of any department of...

39 CFR 951.5 - Complaint of misconduct.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Complaint of misconduct. 951.5 Section 951.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES PROCEDURE GOVERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF PERSONS TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE § 951.5 Complaint of misconduct. (a) If the head of any department of...

39 CFR 951.5 - Complaint of misconduct.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Complaint of misconduct. 951.5 Section 951.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES PROCEDURE GOVERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF PERSONS TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE § 951.5 Complaint of misconduct. (a) If the head of any department of...

39 CFR 268.1 - General principles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false General principles. 268.1 Section 268.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION PRIVACY OF INFORMATION-EMPLOYEE RULES OF CONDUCT § 268.1 General principles. In order to conduct its business, the Postal Service has the...

39 CFR 964.22 - Public information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Public information. 964.22 Section 964.22 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE GOVERNING DISPOSITION OF MAIL WITHHELD FROM DELIVERY PURSUANT TO 39 U.S.C. 3003, 3004 § 964.22 Public information. The Librarian of the Postal...

39 CFR 959.30 - Public information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Public information. 959.30 Section 959.30 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO THE PRIVATE EXPRESS STATUTES § 959.30 Public information. The Librarian of the Postal Service maintains for public...

39 CFR 965.14 - Public information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Public information. 965.14 Section 965.14 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO MAIL DISPUTES § 965.14 Public information. The Librarian of the Postal Service maintains for public inspection in the...

39 CFR 952.33 - Public information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Public information. 952.33 Section 952.33 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO FALSE REPRESENTATION AND LOTTERY ORDERS § 952.33 Public information. The Librarian of the Postal Service maintains for...

39 CFR 957.26 - Public information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Public information. 957.26 Section 957.26 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION FROM CONTRACTING § 957.26 Public information. The Librarian of the Postal Service shall maintain...

39 CFR 946.9 - Reconsideration of claims.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Reconsideration of claims. 946.9 Section 946.9 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PROCEDURE RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF STOLEN MAIL MATTER AND PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY THE POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE FOR USE AS EVIDENCE § 946.9...

39 CFR 946.9 - Reconsideration of claims.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Reconsideration of claims. 946.9 Section 946.9 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PROCEDURE RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF STOLEN MAIL MATTER AND PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY THE POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE FOR USE AS EVIDENCE § 946.9...

39 CFR 263.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Policy. 263.2 Section 263.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS RETENTION AND DISPOSITION § 263.2 Policy. It is the policy of the U.S. Postal Service to establish and maintain schedules specifying the...

39 CFR 263.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Policy. 263.2 Section 263.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS RETENTION AND DISPOSITION § 263.2 Policy. It is the policy of the U.S. Postal Service to establish and maintain schedules specifying the...

39 CFR 264.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Policy. 264.2 Section 264.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION VITAL RECORDS § 264.2 Policy. It is the policy of the U.S. Postal Service to ensure the availability of all records considered critical to the...

39 CFR 264.2 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Policy. 264.2 Section 264.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION VITAL RECORDS § 264.2 Policy. It is the policy of the U.S. Postal Service to ensure the availability of all records considered critical to the...

39 CFR 20.3 - Availability of the International Mail Manual.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Availability of the International Mail Manual. 20.3 Section 20.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE INTERNATIONAL MAIL INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SERVICE § 20.3 Availability of the International Mail Manual. Copies of the International Mail Manual may...

39 CFR 20.3 - Availability of the International Mail Manual.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Availability of the International Mail Manual. 20.3 Section 20.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE INTERNATIONAL MAIL INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SERVICE § 20.3 Availability of the International Mail Manual. Copies of the International Mail Manual may...

75 FR 4593 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-28

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2010-20; Order No. 397] New Postal Product AGENCY... Service request to add GEPS 2 (CP2009-50) to the Competitive Product List. The Postal Service has also... Global Expedited Package Services 2 to the Competitive Product List, August 28, 2009 (Order No. 290). \\4...

39 CFR 959.30 - Public information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Public information. 959.30 Section 959.30 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO THE PRIVATE EXPRESS STATUTES § 959.30 Public information. The Librarian of the Postal Service maintains for public...

39 CFR 952.33 - Public Information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Public Information. 952.33 Section 952.33 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO FALSE REPRESENTATION AND LOTTERY ORDERS § 952.33 Public Information. The Librarian of the Postal Service maintains for...

39 CFR 964.22 - Public information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Public information. 964.22 Section 964.22 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE GOVERNING DISPOSITION OF MAIL WITHHELD FROM DELIVERY PURSUANT TO 39 U.S.C. 3003, 3004 § 964.22 Public information. The Librarian of the Postal...

39 CFR 965.14 - Public Information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Public Information. 965.14 Section 965.14 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO MAIL DISPUTES § 965.14 Public Information. The Librarian of the Postal Service maintains for public inspection in the...

39 CFR 957.26 - Public information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Public information. 957.26 Section 957.26 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION FROM CONTRACTING § 957.26 Public information. The Librarian of the Postal Service shall maintain...

39 CFR 3050.13 - Additional documentation required in the Postal Service's section 3652 report.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Service's section 3652 report. 3050.13 Section 3050.13 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL PERIODIC REPORTING § 3050.13 Additional documentation required in the Postal Service's section... recent Annual Compliance Determination was issued and the reasons that those changes were accepted. ...

78 FR 63521 - Product Change-Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-24

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request... Request of the United States Postal Service to Add Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Contract 5 to...

77 FR 28409 - Product Change-Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-14

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service\\TM\\. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request... States Postal Service to Add Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Contract 3 to Competitive Product List...

77 FR 37078 - Product Change-Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-20

... POSTAL SERVICE Product Change--Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Service TM . ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives notice of filing a... Postal Service to Add Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Contract 4 to Competitive Product List...

Patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcomes after ear reconstruction with a Branemark-type, bone-anchored, ear prosthesis: a 16 year review.

PubMed

Younis, Ibby; Gault, David; Sabbagh, Walid; Kang, Norbert V

2010-10-01

Reconstruction of the human ear with a bone-anchored prosthesis is a widely accepted alternative when autologous reconstruction is technically impossible or declined by the individual. However, there are relatively few data in the literature documenting patient satisfaction with this form of reconstruction. This study examines different aspects of patient satisfaction using an eighteen-point postal questionnaire to measure patient outcomes against a Likert rating scale. The questionnaire was sent to 33 patients who completed prosthetic ear reconstruction over a 16 year period at a specialist plastic surgery unit in the United Kingdom. Medical case notes for these cases were also reviewed. Twenty completed questionnaires were returned. The response rate was 61%. The majority of patients were satisfied with the aesthetics, ease of handling and comfort of the bone-anchored implant and prosthesis. However, the majority of patients was only moderately satisfied or was dissatisfied with this method of reconstruction. Specifically, 15 of the respondents reported skin problems around the abutments of the bone-anchored implant with 10 patients reporting ongoing skin complications. Granulation tissue was the most common skin problem (12 cases) followed by local infection (10 cases). Interestingly, despite the chronic skin problems, most patients indicated that they would undergo the same procedure again or would recommend it to others. Our survey shows that patients fitted with a Branemark-type bone-anchored implant for ear reconstruction are pleased with the aesthetic appearance but experience multiple, chronic, skin complications and other implant related problems. These affect their satisfaction with this method of reconstruction. Our findings may have significant implications for patients and surgeons considering this form of reconstruction and for the institutions making decisions about funding this treatment. Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Audit of the annual reports of directors of public health: production methods.

PubMed

Sidhu, K S

1992-07-01

An audit of production methods used for the Directors of Public Health (DsPH) Annual Report of the health of their local population. Postal questionnaire survey. 23 Departments of Public Health in the West Midlands Region. Costs and problems relating to different production techniques used. The majority of DsPH favoured reports with figures and graphs. This led to most DsPH using in-house desktop publishing or employing external graphic designers. Those using the former technique had more problems related to computers and felt they spent too much medical time working on the document. However, they also valued the relative low cost, editorial freedom and the ability to correct mistakes easily. Departments which employed external graphic designers generally paid more, but appreciated the extra time made available by delegating the work. They also felt that the expertise was valuable in document design. However, inaccuracies were cited as being more difficult to correct. Perhaps the best way of producing an annual report is to amalgamate the two commonest production techniques (i.e. external graphic design and in-house desktop publishing).

Improving Population-Level Maternal Health: A Hard Nut to Crack? Long Term Findings and Reflections on a 16-Community Randomised Trial in Australia to Improve Maternal Emotional and Physical Health after Birth [ISRCTN03464021

PubMed Central

Small, Rhonda; Watson, Lyndsey; Gunn, Jane; Mitchell, Creina; Brown, Stephanie

2014-01-01

Background Community level interventions to improve maternal and child health have been supported and well evaluated in resource poor settings, but less so in developed countries. PRISM - Program of Resources, Information and Support for Mothers - was a primary care and community-based cluster-randomised trial in sixteen municipalities in Victoria, Australia, which aimed to reduce depression in mothers and improve their physical health. The aim of this paper is to report the longer term outcomes of PRISM and to reflect on lessons learned from this universal community intervention to improve maternal health. Methods Maternal health outcome data in PRISM were collected by postal questionnaire at six months and two years. At two years, the main outcome measures included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the SF-36. Secondary outcome measures included the Experience of Motherhood Scale (EOM) and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). A primary intention to treat analysis was conducted, adjusting for the randomisation by cluster. Results 7,169/18,424 (39%) women responded to the postal questionnaire at two years −3,894 (40%) in the intervention arm and 3,275 (38%) in the comparison arm. Respondents were mostly representative on available population data comparisons. There were no differences in depression prevalence (EPDS≥13) between the intervention and comparison arms (13.4% vs 13.1%; ORadj = 1.06, 95%CI 0.91–1.24). Nor did women's mental health (MCS: 48.6 vs 49.1) or physical health scores (PCS: 49.1 vs 49.0) on the SF-36 differ between the trial arms. Conclusion Improvement in maternal mental and physical health outcomes at the population level in the early years after childbirth remains a largely unmet challenge. Despite the lack of effectiveness of PRISM intervention strategies, important lessons about systems change, sustained investment and contextual understanding of the workability of intervention strategies can be drawn from the experience of PRISM. Trial Registration. Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN03464021 PMID:24586327

Clinical course, characteristics and prognostic indicators in patients presenting with back and leg pain in primary care. The ATLAS study protocol

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Low-back related leg pain with or without nerve root involvement is associated with a poor prognosis compared to low back pain (LBP) alone. Compared to the literature investigating prognostic indicators of outcome for LBP, there is limited evidence on prognostic factors for low back-related leg pain including the group with nerve root pain. This 1 year prospective consultation-based observational cohort study will describe the clinical, imaging, demographic characteristics and health economic outcomes for the whole cohort, will investigate differences and identify prognostic indicators of outcome (i.e. change in disability at 12 months), for the whole cohort and, separately, for those classified with and without nerve root pain. In addition, nested qualitative studies will provide insights on the clinical consultation and the impact of diagnosis and treatment on patients' symptom management and illness trajectory. Methods Adults aged 18 years and over consulting their General Practitioner (GP) with LBP and radiating leg pain of any duration at (n = 500) GP practices in North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, UK will be invited to participate. All participants will receive a standardised assessment at the clinic by a study physiotherapist and will be classified according to the clinically determined presence or absence of nerve root pain/involvement. All will undergo a lumbar spine MRI scan. All participants will be managed according to their clinical need. The study outcomes will be measured at 4 and 12 months using postal self-complete questionnaires. Data will also be collected each month using brief postal questionnaires to enable detailed description of the course of low back and leg pain over time. Clinical observations and patient interviews will be used for the qualitative aspects of the study. Discussion This prospective clinical observational cohort will combine self-reported data, comprehensive clinical and MRI assessment, together with qualitative enquiries, to describe the course, health care usage, patients' experiences and prognostic indicators in an adult population presenting in primary care with LBP and leg pain with or without nerve root involvement. PMID:22264273

The reduction of disability in community-dwelling frail older people: design of a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Metzelthin, Silke F; van Rossum, Erik; de Witte, Luc P; Hendriks, Marike R C; Kempen, Gertrudis I J M

2010-08-23

Frailty among older people is related to an increased risk of adverse health outcomes such as acute and chronic diseases, disability and mortality. Although many intervention studies for frail older people have been reported, only a few have shown positive effects regarding disability prevention. This article presents the design of a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and feasibility of a primary care intervention that combines the most promising elements of disability prevention in community-dwelling frail older people. In this study twelve general practitioner practices were randomly allocated to the intervention group (6 practices) or to the control group (6 practices). Three thousand four hundred ninety-eight screening questionnaires including the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) were sent out to identify frail older people. Based on their GFI score (≥5), 360 participants will be included in the study. The intervention will receive an interdisciplinary primary care intervention. After a comprehensive assessment by a practice nurse and additional assessments by other professionals, if needed, an individual action plan will be defined. The action plan is related to a flexible toolbox of interventions, which will be conducted by an interdisciplinary team. Effects of the intervention, both for the frail older people and their informal caregivers, will be measured after 6, 12 and 24 months using postal questionnaires and telephone interviews. Data for the process evaluation and economic evaluation will be gathered continuously over a 24-month period. The proposed study will provide information about the usefulness of an interdisciplinary primary care intervention. The postal screening procedure was conducted in two cycles between December 2009 and April 2010 and turned out to be a feasible method. The response rate was 79.7%. According to GFI scores 29.3% of the respondents can be considered as frail (GFI ≥ 5). Nearly half of them (48.1%) were willing to participate. The baseline measurements started in January 2010. In February 2010 the first older people were approached by the practice nurse for a comprehensive assessment. Data on the effect, process, and economic evaluation will be available in 2012. ISRCTN31954692.

Instrument development, data collection, and characteristics of practices, staff, and measures in the Improving Quality of Care in Diabetes (iQuaD) Study

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Type 2 diabetes is an increasingly prevalent chronic illness and an important cause of avoidable mortality. Patients are managed by the integrated activities of clinical and non-clinical members of primary care teams. This study aimed to: investigate theoretically-based organisational, team, and individual factors determining the multiple behaviours needed to manage diabetes; and identify multilevel determinants of different diabetes management behaviours and potential interventions to improve them. This paper describes the instrument development, study recruitment, characteristics of the study participating practices and their constituent healthcare professionals and administrative staff and reports descriptive analyses of the data collected. Methods The study was a predictive study over a 12-month period. Practices (N = 99) were recruited from within the UK Medical Research Council General Practice Research Framework. We identified six behaviours chosen to cover a range of clinical activities (prescribing, non-prescribing), reflect decisions that were not necessarily straightforward (controlling blood pressure that was above target despite other drug treatment), and reflect recommended best practice as described by national guidelines. Practice attributes and a wide range of individually reported measures were assessed at baseline; measures of clinical outcome were collected over the ensuing 12 months, and a number of proxy measures of behaviour were collected at baseline and at 12 months. Data were collected by telephone interview, postal questionnaire (organisational and clinical) to practice staff, postal questionnaire to patients, and by computer data extraction query. Results All 99 practices completed a telephone interview and responded to baseline questionnaires. The organisational questionnaire was completed by 931/1236 (75.3%) administrative staff, 423/529 (80.0%) primary care doctors, and 255/314 (81.2%) nurses. Clinical questionnaires were completed by 326/361 (90.3%) primary care doctors and 163/186 (87.6%) nurses. At a practice level, we achieved response rates of 100% from clinicians in 40 practices and > 80% from clinicians in 67 practices. All measures had satisfactory internal consistency (alpha coefficient range from 0.61 to 0.97; Pearson correlation coefficient (two item measures) 0.32 to 0.81); scores were generally consistent with good practice. Measures of behaviour showed relatively high rates of performance of the six behaviours, but with considerable variability within and across the behaviours and measures. Discussion We have assembled an unparalleled data set from clinicians reporting on their cognitions in relation to the performance of six clinical behaviours involved in the management of people with one chronic disease (diabetes mellitus), using a range of organisational and individual level measures as well as information on the structure of the practice teams and across a large number of UK primary care practices. We would welcome approaches from other researchers to collaborate on the analysis of this data. PMID:21658211

39 CFR 601.111 - Interest on claim amounts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Interest on claim amounts. 601.111 Section 601.111 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS PURCHASING OF PROPERTY AND SERVICES § 601.111 Interest on claim amounts...

39 CFR 927.3 - Other remedies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Other remedies. 927.3 Section 927.3 Postal Service... § 927.3 Other remedies. The procedures and other requirements of this part apply only where the Postal... remedies available to the Postal Service, including such remedies as summary action to withhold tender of...

39 CFR 927.3 - Other remedies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Other remedies. 927.3 Section 927.3 Postal Service... § 927.3 Other remedies. The procedures and other requirements of this part apply only where the Postal... remedies available to the Postal Service, including such remedies as summary action to withhold tender of...

39 CFR 233.7 - Forfeiture authority and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Forfeiture authority and procedures. 233.7 Section 233.7 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION INSPECTION SERVICE... behalf of the Postal Service and the Office of Inspector General to enforce 18 U.S.C. 981, 2254, and 21 U...

39 CFR 3007.10 - Submission of non-public materials under seal.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Submission of non-public materials under seal. 3007.10 Section 3007.10 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL TREATMENT OF NON-PUBLIC MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE § 3007.10 Submission of non-public materials under seal. (a) Non...

39 CFR 3007.30 - Termination of non-public status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Termination of non-public status. 3007.30 Section 3007.30 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL TREATMENT OF NON-PUBLIC MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE § 3007.30 Termination of non-public status. Ten years after the date of...

39 CFR 265.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Purpose and scope. 265.1 Section 265.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.1... section 552 of title 5, U.S.C., the “Freedom of Information Act,” insofar as it applies to the Postal...

39 CFR 265.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Purpose and scope. 265.1 Section 265.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.1... section 552 of title 5, U.S.C., the “Freedom of Information Act,” insofar as it applies to the Postal...

39 CFR 265.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Purpose and scope. 265.1 Section 265.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.1... section 552 of title 5, U.S.C., the “Freedom of Information Act,” insofar as it applies to the Postal...

39 CFR 265.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Purpose and scope. 265.1 Section 265.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.1... section 552 of title 5, U.S.C., the “Freedom of Information Act,” insofar as it applies to the Postal...

39 CFR 265.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Purpose and scope. 265.1 Section 265.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RELEASE OF INFORMATION § 265.1... section 552 of title 5, U.S.C., the “Freedom of Information Act,” insofar as it applies to the Postal...

39 CFR 955.21 - Nature of hearings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Nature of hearings. 955.21 Section 955.21 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS § 955.21 Nature of hearings. Hearings shall be as informal as may be reasonable and...

39 CFR 955.21 - Nature of hearings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Nature of hearings. 955.21 Section 955.21 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS § 955.21 Nature of hearings. Hearings shall be as informal as may be reasonable and...

75 FR 65675 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-26

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2010-37 and CP2010-126; Order No. 553] New Postal.... It is also noticing a contemporaneous Postal Service notice that new rates for inbound Express Mail... notice pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR 3015.5 that new rates for inbound Express Mail Service...

39 CFR 3001.5 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Definitions. 3001.5 Section 3001.5 Postal Service... § 3001.5 Definitions. Link to an amendment published at 79 FR 33406, June 10, 2014. (a) Act means title 39, United States Code, as amended. (b) Postal Service means the U.S. Postal Service established by...

39 CFR 111.4 - Approval of the Director of the Federal Register.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Approval of the Director of the Federal Register. 111.4 Section 111.4 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE POST OFFICE SERVICES [DOMESTIC MAIL] GENERAL INFORMATION ON POSTAL SERVICE § 111.4 Approval of the Director of the Federal Register...

39 CFR 501.5 - Burden of proof standard.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Burden of proof standard. 501.5 Section 501.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE POSTAGE PROGRAMS AUTHORIZATION TO MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE POSTAGE EVIDENCING SYSTEMS § 501.5 Burden of proof standard. The burden of proof is on the Postal Service...

77 FR 63898 - New Postal Product; Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-17

... Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new product under 39 U...: Attachment A--a redacted copy of Governors' Decision No. 11-6, authorizing the new product; Attachment B--a... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2013-1 and CP2013-1; Order No. 1492] New Postal...

39 CFR 4.1 - Chairman.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Chairman. 4.1 Section 4.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE OFFICIALS (ARTICLE IV) § 4.1... the Board. The Chairman: (1) Shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the Board, and shall...

39 CFR 955.21 - Nature of hearings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Nature of hearings. 955.21 Section 955.21 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS § 955.21 Nature of hearings. Hearings shall be as informal as may be reasonable and...

39 CFR 955.21 - Nature of hearings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Nature of hearings. 955.21 Section 955.21 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS § 955.21 Nature of hearings. Hearings shall be as informal as may be reasonable and...

39 CFR 955.21 - Nature of hearings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Nature of hearings. 955.21 Section 955.21 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCEDURES RULES OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS § 955.21 Nature of hearings. Hearings shall be as informal as may be reasonable and...

39 CFR 2.5 - Authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Authority. 2.5 Section 2.5 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL PROVISIONS (ARTICLE II) § 2.5 Authority. These bylaws are adopted by the Board under the authority conferred upon the...

75 FR 34182 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Proposed Mobile Fueling...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-16

... Mobile Fueling Operations, Nationwide AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a...) for the use of mobile fueling contractors to fuel postal vehicles on-site at selected Postal Service... utilize mobile fueling contractors to fuel vehicles on site at selected postal facilities located...

39 CFR 6.1 - Regular meetings, annual meeting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Regular meetings, annual meeting. 6.1 Section 6.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE MEETINGS (ARTICLE VI) § 6.1 Regular meetings, annual meeting. The Board shall meet regularly on a schedule...

Quality of life in adults with Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome.

PubMed

Jalenques, Isabelle; Galland, Fabienne; Malet, Laurent; Morand, Dominique; Legrand, Guillaume; Auclair, Candy; Hartmann, Andreas; Derost, Philippe; Durif, Franck

2012-08-13

Few studies have used standardized QOL instruments to assess the quality of life (QOL) in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS) patients. This work investigates the QOL of adult GTS patients and examines the relationships between physical and psychological variables and QOL. Epidemiological investigation by anonymous national postal survey of QOL of patients of the French Association of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (AFGTS) aged 16 years or older. The clinical and QOL measures were collected by four questionnaires: a sociodemographic and GTS-related symptoms questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality Of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-26), the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ), and a self-rating questionnaire on psychiatric symptoms (SCL-90), all validated in French. We used stepwise regression analysis to explicitly investigate the relationships between physical and psychological variables and QOL domains in GTS. Questionnaires were posted to 303 patients, of whom 167 (55%) completed and returned them. Our results, adjusted for age and gender, show that patients with GTS have a worse QOL than the general healthy population. In particular, the "Depression" psychological variable was a significant predictor of impairment in all WHOQOL-26 domains, psychological but also physical and social. The present study demonstrates a strong relationship between QOL in GTS and psychiatric symptoms, in particular those of depression.

Views of senior UK doctors about working in medicine: questionnaire survey

PubMed Central

Lambert, Trevor W; Goldacre, Michael J

2014-01-01

Summary Objectives We surveyed the UK medical qualifiers of 1993. We asked closed questions about their careers; and invited them to give us comments, if they wished, about any aspect of their work. Our aim in this paper is to report on the topics that this senior cohort of UK-trained doctors who work in UK medicine raised with us. Design Questionnaire survey Participants 3479 contactable UK-trained medical graduates of 1993. Setting UK. Main outcome measures Comments made by doctors about their work, and their views about medical careers and training in the UK. Method Postal and email questionnaires. Results Response rate was 72% (2507); 2252 were working in UK medicine, 816 (36%) of whom provided comments. Positive comments outweighed negative in the areas of their own job satisfaction and satisfaction with their training. However, 23% of doctors who commented expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of junior doctors’ training, the impact of working time regulations, and with the requirement for doctors to make earlier career decisions than in the past about their choice of specialty. Some doctors were concerned about government health service policy; others were dissatisfied with the availability of family-friendly/part-time work, and we are concerned about attitudes to gender and work-life balance. Conclusions Though satisfied with their own training and their current position, many senior doctors felt that changes to working hours and postgraduate training had reduced the level of experience gained by newer graduates. They were also concerned about government policy interventions. PMID:25408920

39 CFR 3050.26 - Documentation of demand elasticities and volume forecasts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Documentation of demand elasticities and volume forecasts. 3050.26 Section 3050.26 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL PERIODIC REPORTING § 3050.26 Documentation of demand elasticities and volume forecasts. By January 20 of each year, the Postal Service shall provide econometric...

77 FR 2573 - International Product Change-Global Plus 1C and 2C Negotiated Service Agreements

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-18

... POSTAL SERVICE International Product Change--Global Plus 1C and 2C Negotiated Service Agreements... a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add Global Plus 1C and 2C Negotiated Service... with the Postal Regulatory Commission, Requests of United States Postal Service to Add Global Plus 1C...

39 CFR 3007.33 - Standard for decision for early termination of non-public status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Standard for decision for early termination of non-public status. 3007.33 Section 3007.33 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL TREATMENT OF NON-PUBLIC MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE § 3007.33 Standard for decision for early...

39 CFR 3007.33 - Standard for decision for early termination of non-public status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Standard for decision for early termination of non-public status. 3007.33 Section 3007.33 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL TREATMENT OF NON-PUBLIC MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE § 3007.33 Standard for decision for early...

39 CFR 3007.31 - Request for early termination of non-public status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Request for early termination of non-public status. 3007.31 Section 3007.31 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL TREATMENT OF NON-PUBLIC MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE § 3007.31 Request for early termination of non-public status. (a...

39 CFR 3007.31 - Request for early termination of non-public status.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Request for early termination of non-public status. 3007.31 Section 3007.31 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL TREATMENT OF NON-PUBLIC MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE § 3007.31 Request for early termination of non-public status. (a...

39 CFR 230.3 - Cooperation with the Office of Inspector General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Cooperation with the Office of Inspector General. 230.3 Section 230.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL General Policy and Authority § 230.3 Cooperation with the Office of Inspector General. (a) All Postal Service employees shall...

39 CFR 3002.10 - The Commission and its offices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false The Commission and its offices. 3002.10 Section 3002.10 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL ORGANIZATION § 3002.10 The Commission and its offices. (a) The Commissioners. The Postal Regulatory Commission is an independent establishment of the executive branch of the U.S. Government...

39 CFR 6.2 - Special meetings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Special meetings. 6.2 Section 6.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE MEETINGS (ARTICLE VI) § 6.2 Special meetings. Consistent with the provisions of §§ 6.6 and 7.5 of these bylaws, the Chairman...

Detection of Orthopaedic Implants by Airport Metal Detectors

PubMed Central

Abbassian, Ali; Datla, Balarama; Brooks, RA

2007-01-01

INTRODUCTION We performed a questionnaire study to establish the frequency and consequences of the detection of orthopaedic implants by airport security and to help us advise patients correctly. All published literature on this subject is based on experimental studies and no ‘real-life’ data are available. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 200 patients with a variety of implants were identified. All patients were sent a postal questionnaire enquiring about their experience with airport security since their surgery. RESULTS Of the cohort, 154 (77%) patients responded. About half of the implants (47%) were detected, but the majority of patients (72%) were not significantly inconvenienced. When detected, only 9% of patients were asked for documentary evidence of their implant. We also found that patients with a total knee replacement (TKR) had a greater chance of detection as compared to those with a total hip replacement (THR; 71% versus 31%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS All patients, and in particular those with a TKR, can be re-assured that, although they have a fair chance of detection by airport security, a major disruption to their journey is unlikely. We advise that documentation to prove the presence of an orthopaedic implant should be offered to those who are concerned about the potential for inconvenience, but such documentation is not required routinely. PMID:17394716

Holiday travel and morbidity reported to general practitioners.

PubMed Central

Beale, N; Nethercott, S

1994-01-01

AIM. This study set out to explore the influence that holiday travel might have on the rate at which new episodes of illness are reported to general practitioners. METHOD. The study was carried out in a semi-rural practice of five doctors in Wiltshire in 1989. Details of patients' holiday travel were determined by postal questionnaire. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from the patients' medical records. RESULTS. The response rate to the questionnaire was 85%. The study subjects were divided into those who had taken their holiday abroad (n = 643), those who had taken their holiday in the United Kingdom (n = 973), and those who had taken no holiday (n = 668) during the study year. Interim assessment of clinical results revealed no changes in morbidity indices in relation to holiday intervals in any of the groups except for an apparent rise in the number of new episodes of illness presented in the month before departure by those about to go abroad. Further analysis showed that this was due to a significant 112% increase in the number of episodes of illness presented by this study group in the week before they left home. CONCLUSION. This study suggests that the present focus on the supposed excess morbidity of patients returning from foreign holidays is misplaced. PMID:8204316

Scope of practice and supervision of orthodontic therapists in the United Kingdom: Part 2: a national cross-sectional survey of orthodontic therapists.

PubMed

Ahmed, Farooq; Dugdale, Charlotte; Malik, Ovais; Waring, David

2018-03-01

Orthodontic therapists (OTs) are the most recent addition to the orthodontic clinical team. The General Dental Council (GDC) and the British Orthodontic Society have formulated guidance and guidelines relating to their scope of practice and level of supervision, however there has been no contemporary UK-based research investigating practice and supervision of OTs. The aim of this study was to investigate the scope of practice and level of supervision of OTs working in the UK. Ethical approval was received from the University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee. An anonymous postal questionnaire was dispatched using postal details acquired through the British Orthodontic Societies mailing list. Three mailings of the questionnaire were conducted. A 74% response rate was achieved. OTs routinely conducted 16 of the 20 procedures from their scope of practice. Uncommon procedures included fitting headgear (24%), lingual appliances (27%), inserting or removing temporary anchorage devices (20%), and taking facebow record (18%). A total of 62% of OTs took patient consent for treatment. 59% were supervised through a written prescription with no direct supervision. OTs were directly supervised for only a quarter of their clinical practice. Orthodontists viewing frequency for OTs varied significantly, and was found to be the following: every 2-4 visits (36%), every other visit (35%), and every visit (26%). OTs mostly carried out the scope of practice as permitted by the GDC. Procedures uncommon to routine orthodontic practice were also uncommon to Orthodontic therapist clinical practice. OTs work mostly through written prescription with no direct supervision.

Career choices for obstetrics and gynaecology: national surveys of graduates of 1974-2002 from UK medical schools.

PubMed

Turner, G; Lambert, T W; Goldacre, M J; Barlow, D

2006-03-01

To report the trends in career choices for obstetrics and gynaecology among UK medical graduates. Postal questionnaire surveys of qualifiers from all UK medical schools in nine qualification years since 1974. United Kingdom. All graduates from UK medical schools in 1974, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Postal questionnaire surveys. Career choices for obstetrics and gynaecology and factors influencing career choices for obstetrics and gynaecology. Seventy-four percent (24,623/33,417) and 73% (20,709/28,468) of doctors responded at 1 and 3 years after qualification. Choices for obstetrics and gynaecology fell sharply during the 1990s from 4.2% of 1996 qualifiers to 2.2% of 1999 qualifiers, and rose slightly to 2.8% of 2002 qualifiers. Only 0.8% of male graduates of 2002 chose obstetrics and gynaecology compared with 4.1% of women. Forty-six percent of those who chose obstetrics and gynaecology 1 year after qualification were working in it 10 years after qualifying. Experience of the subject as a student, and the influence of a particular teacher or department, affected long-term career choices more for obstetrics and gynaecology than for other careers. The unwillingness of young doctors to enter obstetrics and gynaecology may be attributable to concerns about workforce planning and career progression problems, rather than any lack of enthusiasm for the specialty. The number of men choosing obstetrics and gynaecology is now very small; the reasons and the future role of men in the specialty need to be debated.

How is the high vaginal swab used to investigate vaginal discharge in primary care and how do GPs' expectations of the test match the tests performed by their microbiology services?

PubMed

Noble, H; Estcourt, C; Ison, C; Goold, P; Tite, L; Carter, Y H

2004-06-01

To describe the management of vaginal discharge in general practice, with particular regard to the use of the high vaginal swab (HVS), and to compare GPs' expectations of this test with the processing and reporting undertaken by different laboratories. A postal questionnaire survey of 2146 GPs in the North Thames area and postal questionnaire study of the 22 laboratories serving the same GPs were carried out. GPs were asked how they would manage a young woman with vaginal discharge and what information they would like on an HVS report. Laboratories were asked how they would process and report on the HVS sample from the same patient. Response rate was 26%. 72% of GPs would take an HVS and 62% would refer on to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. 45% would offer empirical therapy and 47% of these would treat for candida initially. 75% of GPs routinely request "M,C&S" on HVS samples but 55% only want to be informed about specific pathogens. Routine processing of HVS samples varies widely between laboratories and 86% only report specific pathogens. 78% of GPs would like to be offered a suggested diagnosis on HVS reports, and 74% would like a suggested treatment. 43% of laboratories ever provide a diagnosis, and 14% provide a suggested treatment. GPs frequently manage vaginal discharge and most of them utilise the HVS. GPs' expectations of the test are not well matched to laboratory processing or reporting of the samples.

Precautions against cross-infection during operations for maxillofacial trauma.

PubMed

Pigadas, N; Avery, C M

2000-04-01

One hundred oral and maxillofacial units in the UK were sent a postal questionnaire. Surgical staff of all grades were asked which infection-control measures were taken during the treatment of maxillofacial fractures. Two hundred and ninety-four questionnaires were completed, a response rate of 49%. If the patient was known to be infected by a blood-borne viral disease, significantly more surgeons used standard barrier precautions such as eye protection, fluid-resistant gowns, drapes, ball-ended clips, adhesive tapes and intermediate trays (P<0.0001). Bone-plating techniques were used in preference to wire osteosynthesis (P<0.0001). Only 31 (10.5%) of surgeons routinely used double gloves but 250 (85%) did so if the patient was an infection risk (P<0.0001). Universal precautions were not applied equally to all patients. Copyright 2000.

The challenges of exposure assessment in health studies of Gulf War veterans

PubMed Central

Glass, Deborah C; Sim, Malcolm R

2006-01-01

A variety of exposures have been investigated in Gulf War veterans' health studies. These have most commonly been by self-report in a postal questionnaire but modelling and bio-monitoring have also been employed. Exposure assessment is difficult to do well in studies of any workplace environment. It is made more difficult in Gulf War studies where there are a number and variety of possible exposures, no agreed metrics for individual exposures and few contemporary records associating the exposure with an individual. In some studies, the exposure assessment was carried out some years after the war and in the context of media interest. Several studies have examined different ways to test the accuracy of exposure reporting in Gulf War cohorts. There is some evidence from Gulf War studies that self-reported exposures were subject to recall bias but it is difficult to assess the extent. Occupational exposure-assessment methodology can provide insights into the exposure-assessment process and how to do it well. This is discussed in the context of the Gulf War studies. Alternative exposure-assessment methodologies are presented, although these may not be suitable for widespread use in veteran studies. Due to the poor quality of and accessibility of objective military exposure records, self-assessed exposure questionnaires are likely to remain the main instrument for assessing the exposure for a large number of veterans. If this is to be the case, then validation methods with more objective methods need to be included in future study designs. PMID:16687267

39 CFR 3.3 - Matters reserved for decision by the Board.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Matters reserved for decision by the Board. 3.3 Section 3.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF GOVERNORS (ARTICLE III) § 3.3 Matters reserved for decision by the Board. The following matters...

39 CFR 3.3 - Matters reserved for decision by the Board.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Matters reserved for decision by the Board. 3.3 Section 3.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF GOVERNORS (ARTICLE III) § 3.3 Matters reserved for decision by the Board. The following matters...

39 CFR 3.3 - Matters reserved for decision by the Board.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Matters reserved for decision by the Board. 3.3 Section 3.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF GOVERNORS (ARTICLE III) § 3.3 Matters reserved for decision by the Board. The following matters...

39 CFR 3.3 - Matters reserved for decision by the Board.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Matters reserved for decision by the Board. 3.3 Section 3.3 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF GOVERNORS (ARTICLE III) § 3.3 Matters reserved for decision by the Board. The following matters...

39 CFR 6.6 - Quorum and voting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Quorum and voting. 6.6 Section 6.6 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE MEETINGS (ARTICLE VI) § 6.6 Quorum and voting. As provided by 39 U.S.C. 205(c), the Board acts by resolution upon a majority...

39 CFR 602.2 - Office of Licensing, Philatelic and Retail Services Department.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Office of Licensing, Philatelic and Retail Services Department. 602.2 Section 602.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OTHER THAN PATENTS § 602.2 Office of Licensing...

32 CFR 700.812 - Postal matters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... OFFICIAL RECORDS UNITED STATES NAVY REGULATIONS AND OFFICIAL RECORDS The Commanding Officer Commanding Officers in General § 700.812 Postal matters. Commanding officers shall ensure that mail and postal funds...

32 CFR 700.812 - Postal matters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... OFFICIAL RECORDS UNITED STATES NAVY REGULATIONS AND OFFICIAL RECORDS The Commanding Officer Commanding Officers in General § 700.812 Postal matters. Commanding officers shall ensure that mail and postal funds...

32 CFR 700.812 - Postal matters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... OFFICIAL RECORDS UNITED STATES NAVY REGULATIONS AND OFFICIAL RECORDS The Commanding Officer Commanding Officers in General § 700.812 Postal matters. Commanding officers shall ensure that mail and postal funds...

32 CFR 700.812 - Postal matters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... OFFICIAL RECORDS UNITED STATES NAVY REGULATIONS AND OFFICIAL RECORDS The Commanding Officer Commanding Officers in General § 700.812 Postal matters. Commanding officers shall ensure that mail and postal funds...

32 CFR 700.812 - Postal matters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... OFFICIAL RECORDS UNITED STATES NAVY REGULATIONS AND OFFICIAL RECORDS The Commanding Officer Commanding Officers in General § 700.812 Postal matters. Commanding officers shall ensure that mail and postal funds...

Development of the Oxford Participation and Activities Questionnaire: constructing an item pool.

PubMed

Kelly, Laura; Jenkinson, Crispin; Dummett, Sarah; Dawson, Jill; Fitzpatrick, Ray; Morley, David

2015-01-01

The Oxford Participation and Activities Questionnaire is a patient-reported outcome measure in development that is grounded on the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The study reported here aimed to inform and generate an item pool for the new measure, which is specifically designed for the assessment of participation and activity in patients experiencing a range of health conditions. Items were informed through in-depth interviews conducted with 37 participants spanning a range of conditions. Interviews aimed to identify how their condition impacted their ability to participate in meaningful activities. Conditions included arthritis, cancer, chronic back pain, diabetes, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury. Transcripts were analyzed using the framework method. Statements relating to ICF themes were recast as questionnaire items and shown for review to an expert panel. Cognitive debrief interviews (n=13) were used to assess items for face and content validity. ICF themes relevant to activities and participation in everyday life were explored, and a total of 222 items formed the initial item pool. This item pool was refined by the research team and 28 generic items were mapped onto all nine chapters of the ICF construct, detailing activity and participation. Cognitive interviewing confirmed the questionnaire instructions, items, and response options were acceptable to participants. Using a clear conceptual basis to inform item generation, 28 items have been identified as suitable to undergo further psychometric testing. A large-scale postal survey will follow in order to refine the instrument further and to assess its psychometric properties. The final instrument is intended for use in clinical trials and interventions targeted at maintaining or improving activity and participation.

The development and psychometric evaluation of a safety climate measure for primary care.

PubMed

de Wet, C; Spence, W; Mash, R; Johnson, P; Bowie, P

2010-12-01

Building a safety culture is an important part of improving patient care. Measuring perceptions of safety climate among healthcare teams and organisations is a key element of this process. Existing measurement instruments are largely developed for secondary care settings in North America and many lack adequate psychometric testing. Our aim was to develop and test an instrument to measure perceptions of safety climate among primary care teams in National Health Service for Scotland. Questionnaire development was facilitated through a steering group, literature review, semistructured interviews with primary care team members, a modified Delphi and completion of a content validity index by experts. A cross-sectional postal survey utilising the questionnaire was undertaken in a random sample of west of Scotland general practices to facilitate psychometric evaluation. Statistical methods, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach and Raykov reliability coefficients were conducted. Of the 667 primary care team members based in 49 general practices surveyed, 563 returned completed questionnaires (84.4%). Psychometric evaluation resulted in the development of a 30-item questionnaire with five safety climate factors: leadership, teamwork, communication, workload and safety systems. Retained items have strong factor loadings to only one factor. Reliability coefficients was satisfactory (α = 0.94 and ρ = 0.93). This study is the first stage in the development of an appropriately valid and reliable safety climate measure for primary care. Measuring safety climate perceptions has the potential to help primary care organisations and teams focus attention on safety-related issues and target improvement through educational interventions. Further research is required to explore acceptability and feasibility issues for primary care teams and the potential for organisational benchmarking.

Results of a quantitative survey to explore both perceptions of the purposes of follow-up and preferences for methods of follow-up delivery among service users, primary care practitioners and specialist clinicians after cancer treatment.

PubMed

Frew, G; Smith, A; Zutshi, B; Young, N; Aggarwal, A; Jones, P; Kockelbergh, R; Richards, M; Maher, E J

2010-12-01

To ascertain perceptions of reasons for follow-up after cancer treatment among service users (patients and carers), primary care practitioners and specialist clinicians (doctors and specialist nurses) and to identify levels of preference for different models of follow-up and the effect of an individual's experience on preferred models. A national survey designed to meet the needs of each key respondent group was carried out after a structured literature review, an extensive consultation process and a pilot scheme. Respondents were asked to assess their degree of preference for 10 pre-selected indications for follow-up. Eight models of follow-up were also identified and respondents were asked to state their experience and preference for each type. The questionnaire was distributed nationally via the 34 cancer networks in England and was available both online and in hard copy (postal). The uptake for the electronic format was in the main by primary care practitioners and specialist clinicians. Service users preferred the paper (postal) format. The survey was also publicised through the primary care and patient partnership forums at a Cancer Network Development event. In total, 2928 responses were received, comprising service users (21% of the sample), primary care practitioners (32%) and specialist clinicians (47%). Eighty-six per cent of responses were received from the 10 strategic health authorities in England, with the remaining 14% from Scotland, Wales and The Isle of Man. The responses from Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man generally occurred where they interfaced with English cancer networks or had been engaged through word of mouth by colleagues. Among all respondents the main aims of cancer follow-up were considered to be: (1) to monitor for early complications after treatment; (2) to detect recurrences early; (3) to detect late effects of treatment. The most commonly experienced method of follow-up among all respondent groups was outpatient review with a doctor. This was considered to be the most preferred follow-up option among service users (86%). The least preferred option among service users was postal follow-up (32%). Primary care practitioners and specialist clinicians were more likely than service users to have experienced alternative methods of follow-up, such as telephone follow-up, self-triggered referral and non-specialist follow-up. These models were highly rated by those who had experience of them. There was a reasonable level of consensus between service users, primary care practitioners and specialist clinicians as to the reasons for follow-up. Service users seemed to have higher expectations of follow-up, particularly in relation to detecting recurrences early. As respondents were more likely to prefer a method of follow-up delivery that they had experienced than one they had not; there could be resistance to change from established methods to new methods without adequate explanation. This suggests that the communication of new methods could be critical to their successful introduction. Copyright © 2010 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Effect of Low Survey Response Rates on Estimates of Alcohol Consumption in a General Population Survey

PubMed Central

Meiklejohn, Jessica; Connor, Jennie; Kypri, Kypros

2012-01-01

Background Response rates for surveys of alcohol use are declining for all modes of administration (postal, telephone, face-to-face). Low response rates may result in estimates that are biased by selective non-response. We examined non-response bias in the NZ GENACIS survey, a postal survey of a random electoral roll sample, with a response rate of 49.5% (n = 1924). Our aim was to estimate the magnitude of non-response bias in estimating the prevalence of current drinking and heavy episodic (binge) drinking. Methods We used the “continuum of resistance” model to guide the investigation. In this model the likelihood of response by sample members is related to the amount of effort required from the researchers to elicit a response. First, the demographic characteristics of respondents and non-respondents were compared. Second, respondents who returned their questionnaire before the first reminder (early), before the second reminder (intermediate) or after the second reminder (late) were compared by demographic characteristics, 12-month prevalence of drinking and prevalence of binge drinking. Results Demographic characteristics and prevalence of binge drinking were significantly different between late respondents and early/intermediate respondents, with the demographics of early and intermediate respondents being similar to people who refused to participate while late respondents were similar to all other non-respondents. Assuming non-respondents who did not actively refuse to participate had the same drinking patterns as late respondents, the prevalence of binge drinking amongst current drinkers was underestimated. Adjusting the prevalence of binge drinkers amongst current drinkers using population weights showed that this method of adjustment still resulted in an underestimate of the prevalence. Conclusions The findings suggest non-respondents who did not actively refuse to participate are likely to have similar or more extreme drinking behaviours than late respondents, and that surveys of health compromising behaviours such as alcohol use are likely to underestimate the prevalence of these behaviours. PMID:22532858

39 CFR 7.8 - Open meetings, Freedom of Information, and Privacy of Information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Open meetings, Freedom of Information, and Privacy of Information. 7.8 Section 7.8 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE PUBLIC OBSERVATION (ARTICLE VII) § 7.8 Open meetings, Freedom of Information, and Privacy of Information. The provisions o...

39 CFR 230.23 - May an Office of Inspector General employee testify as an expert or opinion witness?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false May an Office of Inspector General employee testify as an expert or opinion witness? 230.23 Section 230.23 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Rules Governing Compliance With Subpoenas, Summonses, and Court Orders by Postal...

39 CFR 762.27 - Processing of disbursement postal money orders by Federal Reserve Banks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., and its other depositors which guarantee all prior endorsements thereon; (2) Give immediate credit... DEBT OBLIGATIONS; DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS DISBURSEMENT POSTAL MONEY ORDERS Endorsements...

Is international travel useful for general practitioners? A survey of international travel scholarships.

PubMed Central

Holden, J; Evans, P

1998-01-01

BACKGROUND: The Royal College of General Practitioners has offered international travel scholarships for the past decade. Each year a number of general practitioners travel from the UK to work or study assisted by the scheme, while others come to this country for similar purposes. AIM: To investigate the value of international scholarships for recipients and others. METHOD: All those receiving awards in 1988-94 were surveyed by postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Fifty-one out of 58 award winners (88%) replied. Almost all cited some of a wide variety of personal benefits from international travel, and some established continuing links with colleagues overseas. Many gave examples of useful results for others, both patients and colleagues. Scholarships appear to have made a significant contribution to careers, especially for those based outside Britain. CONCLUSION: Relatively modest travel scholarships were viewed both favourably in hindsight and produced a wide range of benefits to recipients, colleagues, and patients. International travel should probably be considered more widely in career planning. PMID:9624751

Factors Associated With Reflection Among Students After an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) in Sweden

PubMed Central

Lindblad, Åsa Kettis; Gustavsson, Maria; Ring, Lena

2009-01-01

Objective To identify individual and social factors associated with pharmacy students' level of reflection in an advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE). Methods A postal questionnaire, including a reflective assignment, was sent to all pharmacy interns (n=262) at Uppsala University, Sweden, for 4 semesters in 2005-2007. Results In a univariate analysis, 7 factors were found to be associated with students' level of reflection. After controlling for covariates, 3 social factors were found to be independently associated with reflection: having a formal preceptor (OR=5.3), being at a small pharmacy (OR=19.8), and students' perception of the importance of discussing critical thinking with the preceptor (OR=1.2). No correlation could be observed between level of reflection and critical thinking, nor learning style. Conclusion Social components seem to be of higher importance than individual components in students' reflective levels after pharmacy internship experience. Trained preceptors are important to foster reflection skills. PMID:19885076

39 CFR 2.1 - Office of the Board of Governors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Office of the Board of Governors. 2.1 Section 2.1 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL PROVISIONS (ARTICLE II) § 2.1 Office of the Board of Governors. There shall be located in Washington, DC an Office of the Board of...

39 CFR 230.24 - How is a demand for employee documents or testimony made to the Office of Inspector General?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false How is a demand for employee documents or testimony made to the Office of Inspector General? 230.24 Section 230.24 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Rules Governing Compliance With Subpoenas, Summonses, and Court Orders by Postal...

Chest radiography practice in critically ill patients: a postal survey in the Netherlands

PubMed Central

Graat, Marleen E; Hendrikse, Karin A; Spronk, Peter E; Korevaar, Johanna C; Stoker, Jaap; Schultz, Marcus J

2006-01-01

Background To ascertain current chest radiography practice in intensive care units (ICUs) in the Netherlands. Methods Postal survey: a questionnaire was sent to all ICUs with > 5 beds suitable for mechanical ventilation; pediatric ICUs were excluded. When an ICU performed daily-routine chest radiographs in any group of patients it was considered to be a "daily-routine chest radiography" ICU. Results From the number of ICUs responding, 63% practice a daily-routine strategy, in which chest radiographs are obtained on a daily basis without any specific reason. A daily-routine chest radiography strategy is practiced less frequently in university-affiliated ICUs (50%) as compared to other ICUs (68%), as well as in larger ICUs (> 20 beds, 50%) as compared to smaller ICUs (< 20 beds, 65%) (P > 0.05). Remarkably, physicians that practice a daily-routine strategy consider daily-routine radiographs helpful in guiding daily practice in less than 30% of all performed radiographs. Chest radiographs are considered essential for verification of the position of invasive devices (81%) and for diagnosing pneumothorax, pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (82%, 74% and 69%, respectively). On demand chest radiographs are obtained after introduction of thoracic drains, central venous lines and endotracheal tubes in 98%, 84% and 75% of responding ICUs, respectively. Chest films are also obtained in case of ventilatory deterioration (49% of responding ICUs), and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (59%), tracheotomy (58%) and mini-tracheotomy (23%). Conclusion There is notable lack of consensus on chest radiography practice in the Netherlands. This survey suggests that a large number of intensivists may doubt the value of daily-routine chest radiography, but still practice a daily-routine strategy. PMID:16848892

Patients' quality of life after stopping plasma exchange: a pilot study.

PubMed

Dahlan, Randah; McCormick, Brendan B; Alkhattabi, Maan; Gallo, Kerri; Clark, William F; Rock, Gail

2014-10-01

Plasma exchange is being widely used to treat various serious medical conditions. There has been very little follow-up data to describe the quality of life (QOL) of plasma exchange-recipients after active plasma exchange has stopped. To assess the QOL of plasma exchange recipients after stopping plasma exchange. A pilot study, based on responses to a postal questionnaire and clinical data obtained from the patients' charts, was carried out. The scores were computed from questionnaire responses and analyzed. The response rate was 59% with 58 patients completing a questionnaire three months after their final plasma exchange therapy. We identified significant heterogeneity in the quality of life of plasma exchange recipients after stopping plasma exchange therapy. This could be driven by different patient co-morbidities. We recommend that during follow up visits, a multi-disciplinary approach including consultation with a social worker might be considered for patients who may continue to have some limitations in their psychosocial activities post-discontinuation of plasma exchange. The high response rate to the questionnaire indicates that PLEX patients are interested in being involved in QOL studies, which suggests potential support for a prospective study of QOL with pre and post questionnaires and more detailed tracking of baseline co-morbidities. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An intervention to support stroke survivors and their carers in the longer term (LoTS2Care): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial.

PubMed

Forster, Anne; Hartley, Suzanne; Barnard, Lorna; Ozer, Seline; Hardicre, Natasha; Crocker, Tom; Fletcher, Marie; Moreau, Lauren; Atkinson, Ross; Hulme, Claire; Holloway, Ivana; Schmitt, Laetitia; House, Allan; Hewison, Jenny; Richardson, Gillian; Farrin, Amanda

2018-06-11

Despite the evidence that many stroke survivors report longer term unmet needs, the provision of longer term care is limited. To address this, we are conducting a programme of research to develop an evidence-based and replicable longer term care strategy. The developed complex intervention (named New Start), which includes needs identification, exploration of social networks and components of problem solving and self-management, was designed to improve quality of life by addressing unmet needs and increasing participation. A multicentre, cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial designed to inform the design of a possible future definitive cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) and explore the potential clinical and cost-effectiveness of New Start. Ten stroke services across the UK will be randomised on a 1:1 basis either to implement New Start or continue with usual care only. New Start will be delivered by trained facilitators and will be offered to all stroke survivors within the services allocated to the intervention arm. Stroke survivors will be eligible for the trial if they are 4-6 months post-stroke and residing in the community. Carers (if available) will also be invited to take part. Invitation to participate will be initiated by post and outcome measures will be collected via postal questionnaires at 3, 6 and 9 months after recruitment. Outcome data relating to perceived health and disability, wellbeing and quality of life as well as unmet needs will be collected. A 'study within a trial' (SWAT) is planned to determine the most acceptable format in which to provide the postal questionnaires. Details of health and social care service usage will also be collected to inform the economic evaluation. The feasibility of recruiting services and stroke survivors to the trial and of collecting postal outcomes will be assessed and the potential for effectiveness will be investigated. An embedded process evaluation (reported separately) will assess implementation fidelity and explore and clarify causal assumptions regarding implementation. This feasibility trial with embedded process evaluation will allow us to gather important and detailed data regarding methodological and implementation issues to inform the design of a possible future definitive cRCT of this complex intervention. ISRCTN38920246 . Registered 22 June 2016.

39 CFR 262.2 - Officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT... ensure that record management practices are in compliance with the Privacy Act and FOIA. The Manager... postal facilities. (d) Information System Executive. The Postal Service official who prescribes the...

39 CFR 262.2 - Officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT... ensure that record management practices are in compliance with the Privacy Act and FOIA. The Manager... postal facilities. (d) Information System Executive. The Postal Service official who prescribes the...

39 CFR 262.2 - Officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT... ensure that record management practices are in compliance with the Privacy Act and FOIA. The Manager... postal facilities. (d) Information System Executive. The Postal Service official who prescribes the...

39 CFR 262.2 - Officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT... ensure that record management practices are in compliance with the Privacy Act and FOIA. The Manager... postal facilities. (d) Information System Executive. The Postal Service official who prescribes the...

39 CFR 262.2 - Officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT... ensure that record management practices are in compliance with the Privacy Act and FOIA. The Manager... postal facilities. (d) Information System Executive. The Postal Service official who prescribes the...

Volpe environmental partnership with U.S. Postal Service

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-01-01

The award winning environmental initiatives of the United States Postal Service make it one of the "greenest" of all federal government agencies. Given the size and scope of its operations, the Postal Service required outside technical support to qui...

78 FR 63520 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-24

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2013-64 and CP2013-84; Order No. 1850] New Postal... to the competitive product list and the inclusion of a related agreement within the new product. This... address a new GREP Contracts [[Page 63521

77 FR 10577 - International Mail Contract

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-22

...-filed Postal Service request to enter into an additional International Business Reply Service contract... additional International Business Reply Service (IBRS) contract.\\1\\ The Postal Service asserts that the... United States Postal Service Filing of a Functionally Equivalent International Business Reply Service...

39 CFR 3002.16 - Office of Inspector General. [Reserved

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Office of Inspector General. [Reserved] 3002.16 Section 3002.16 Postal Service POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION PERSONNEL ORGANIZATION §§ 3002.16 Office of Inspector General. [Reserved...

78 FR 43246 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-19

... Product AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning the addition of Priority Mail Contract 62 to the competitive product... the competitive product list.\\1\\ It asserts that Priority Mail [[Page 43247

School children's use of computers and teachers' education in computer ergonomics.

PubMed

Dockrell, S; Fallon, E; Kelly, M; Masterson, B; Shields, N

2007-10-01

A national survey to investigate the education of teachers in computer-related ergonomics was carried out by postal questionnaire. The use of computers by primary school children (age 4-12 years) was also investigated. Data were collected from a random sample of 25% (n = 830) of primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. Questionnaires (n = 1863) were returned from 416 schools giving a response rate of 50.1%. Almost all schools (99.7%) had computers for children's use. The computers were most often (69.8%) used in the classroom. The majority (56.3%) of children worked in pairs. Most teachers (89.6%) had received computer training, but few (17.6%) had received ergonomics information during the training. Respondents were not satisfied with their current knowledge of ergonomics. Over 90% stated that they would like to receive further information by printed format or during a training course, rather than by computer (web or CD-ROM).

Insecticides against headlice in Glasgow.

PubMed

Lindsay, S W; Peock, S

1993-08-01

A postal questionnaire for describing current practices of insecticide usage for the prevention and treatment of pediculosis was sent to 53 pharmacists in Glasgow. 91% returned completed questionnaires. Between 19,000 to 36,000 bottles of insecticide against headlice were bought by the public in Glasgow in 1991. Most of these were sold in small volumes (less than 100 ml) and sales were highest during the autumn. Although pharmacists sold a range of different classes of insecticide, the most popular were those that contained malathion, the treatment for pediculosis recommended by the Health Board. Choice of treatment was probably influenced by advice given to the public by pharmacists and general practitioners. Clients preferred shampoo formulations. There was evidence that treatments were used prophylactically against headlice. However, there was little indication of large scale resistance to insecticides in the louse population. The results indicate that headlice remain a persistent problem in Glasgow, despite the public adhering to the advice of health professionals.

Psychological and physical correlates of musculoskeletal symptoms in male professional divers and offshore workers

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Underwater divers are more likely to complain of musculoskeletal symptoms than a control population. Accordingly, we conducted a study to determine whether musculoskeletal symptoms reflected observable physical disorder, to ascertain the relationship between symptoms and measures of mood, memory and executive function and to assess any need for future screening. Methods A 10% random sample of responders to a prior postal health questionnaire was examined (151 divers, 120 non-diving offshore workers). Participants underwent physical examination and a neuropsychological test battery for memory and executive function. Participants also completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for anxiety (HADSa) and depression (HADSd), and questionnaires for physical health-related quality of life (SF36 PCS), mental health-related quality of life (SF36 MCS), memory (Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ)), executive function (dysexecutive syndrome questionnaire (DEX)), musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and general unrelated symptom reporting. Results Of participants with moderate/severe musculoskeletal symptoms, 52% had physical signs, and of participants with no symptoms, 73% had no physical signs. There was no difference in the prevalence of signs or symptoms between groups. Musculoskeletal symptoms were associated with lower SF36 PCS for both groups. In divers, musculoskeletal symptoms were associated with higher general unrelated symptom reporting and poorer scoring for HADSa, PRMQ, CFQ and DEX with scores remaining within the normative range. A positive physical examination was associated with general unrelated symptom reporting in divers. There were no differences in neuropsychological test scores attributable to either group or musculoskeletal symptoms. Conclusions Musculoskeletal symptoms were associated with physical signs, but this was not a strong effect. Reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms by the divers studied was also associated with a tendency to report symptoms generally or somatisation, and caution should be exercised regarding their interpretation as an indication of physical disease or their use for health screening. PMID:23849557

Computer skills and internet use in adults aged 50-74 years: influence of hearing difficulties.

PubMed

Henshaw, Helen; Clark, Daniel P A; Kang, Sujin; Ferguson, Melanie A

2012-08-24

The use of personal computers (PCs) and the Internet to provide health care information and interventions has increased substantially over the past decade. Yet the effectiveness of such an approach is highly dependent upon whether the target population has both access and the skill set required to use this technology. This is particularly relevant in the delivery of hearing health care because most people with hearing loss are over 50 years (average age for initial hearing aid fitting is 74 years). Although PC skill and Internet use by demographic factors have been examined previously, data do not currently exist that examine the effects of hearing difficulties on PC skill or Internet use in older adults. To explore the effect that hearing difficulty has on PC skill and Internet use in an opportunistic sample of adults aged 50-74 years. Postal questionnaires about hearing difficulty, PC skill, and Internet use (n=3629) were distributed to adults aged 50-74 years through three family physician practices in Nottingham, United Kingdom. A subsample of 84 respondents completed a second detailed questionnaire on confidence in using a keyboard, mouse, and track pad. Summed scores were termed the "PC confidence index." The PC confidence index was used to verify the PC skill categories in the postal questionnaire (ie, never used a computer, beginner, and competent). The postal questionnaire response rate was 36.78% (1298/3529) and 95.15% (1235/1298) of these contained complete information. There was a significant between-category difference for PC skill by PC confidence index (P<.001), thus verifying the three-category PC skill scale. PC and Internet use was greater in the younger respondents (50-62 years) than in the older respondents (63-74 years). The younger group's PC and Internet use was 81.0% and 60.9%, respectively; the older group's PC and Internet use was 54.0% and 29.8%, respectively. Those with slight hearing difficulties in the older group had significantly greater odds of PC use compared to those with no hearing difficulties (odds ratio [OR]=1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.30, P=.02). Those with moderate+ hearing difficulties had lower odds of PC use compared with those with no hearing difficulties, both overall (OR=0.58, 95% CI 0.39-0.87, P=.008) and in the younger group (OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.86, P=.008). Similar results were demonstrated for Internet use by age group (older: OR=1.57, 95% CI 0.99-2.47, P=.05; younger: OR=0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.62, P=.001). Hearing health care is of particular relevance to older adults because of the prevalence of age-related hearing loss. Our data show that older adults experiencing slight hearing difficulty have increased odds of greater PC skill and Internet use than those reporting no difficulty. These findings suggest that PC and Internet delivery of hearing screening, information, and intervention is feasible for people between 50-74 years who have hearing loss, but who would not typically present to an audiologist.

Validation of laboratory-scale recycling test method of paper PSA label products

Treesearch

Carl Houtman; Karen Scallon; Richard Oldack

2008-01-01

Starting with test methods and a specification developed by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Environmentally Benign Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Postage Stamp Program, a laboratory-scale test method and a specification were developed and validated for pressure-sensitive adhesive labels, By comparing results from this new test method and pilot-scale tests, which have been...

Current Status of Nursing Informatics Education in Korea

PubMed Central

Jeon, Eunjoo; Kim, Jeongeun; Lee, Ji-Hyun; Kim, Jungha; Jin, Meiling; Ahn, Shinae; Jun, Jooyeon; Song, Healim; On, Jeongah; Jung, Hyesil; Hong, Yeong Joo; Yim, Suran

2016-01-01

Objectives This study presents the current status of nursing informatics education, the content covered in nursing informatics courses, the faculty efficacy, and the barriers to and additional supports for teaching nursing informatics in Korea. Methods A set of questionnaires consisting of an 18-item questionnaire for nursing informatics education, a 6-item questionnaire for faculty efficacy, and 2 open-ended questions for barriers and additional supports were sent to 204 nursing schools via email and the postal service. Nursing schools offering nursing informatics were further asked to send their syllabuses. The subjects taught were analyzed using nursing informatics competency categories and other responses were tailed using descriptive statistics. Results A total of 72 schools (35.3%) responded to the survey, of which 38 reported that they offered nursing informatics courses in their undergraduate nursing programs. Nursing informatics courses at 11 schools were taught by a professor with a degree majoring in nursing informatics. Computer technology was the most frequently taught subject (27 schools), followed by information systems used for practice (25 schools). The faculty efficacy was 3.76 ± 0.86 (out of 5). The most frequently reported barrier to teaching nursing informatics (n = 9) was lack of awareness of the importance of nursing informatics. Training and educational opportunities was the most requested additional support. Conclusions Nursing informatics education has increased during the last decade in Korea. However, the proportions of faculty with degrees in nursing informatics and number of schools offering nursing informatics courses have not increased much. Thus, a greater focus is needed on training faculty and developing the courses. PMID:27200224

76 FR 11823 - New Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-03

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. MC2011-22; Order No. 681] New Postal Products AGENCY... new product to the competitive product list. This notice identifies preliminary procedural steps and... a new product, provisionally titled Lightweight Commercial Parcels, to the competitive product list...

39 CFR 273.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Definitions. 273.2 Section 273.2 Postal Service UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL... representation, certification, affirmation, document, record, or accounting or bookkeeping entry made: (1) With...

39 CFR 762.42 - Request for substitute disbursement postal money orders; requirements for undertaking of indemnity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... the following classes of cases: (1) If the Postal Service is satisfied that the loss, theft... Service is satisfied as to the identity of the Disbursement Postal Money Order presented and that any...

39 CFR 762.42 - Request for substitute disbursement postal money orders; requirements for undertaking of indemnity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... the following classes of cases: (1) If the Postal Service is satisfied that the loss, theft... Service is satisfied as to the identity of the Disbursement Postal Money Order presented and that any...

77 FR 2676 - Competitive Postal Products

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-19

... could give the Postal Service an artificial competitive advantage. The Commission gave considerable... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 39 CFR Part 3015 [Docket No. RM2012-3; Order No. 1108] Competitive... Commission is initiating a review to determine whether competitive products provide the appropriate minimum...

78 FR 19028 - Negotiated Service Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-28

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2013-54; Order No. 1681] Negotiated Service Agreement AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning a promotional program involving a temporary change in rates of general...

76 FR 25381 - Postal Service Market Test

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-04

... AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service motion for a temporary extension of the Collaborative Logistics experimental market test, pending Commission action on anticipated request for permanent status. This document grants a one...

77 FR 75678 - International Mail Contract

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-21

... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2013-27; Order No. 1582] International Mail Contract AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service notice concerning changes to Inbound Air Parcel Post (at UPU Rates). This document...

75 FR 65386 - New Postal Product

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-22

... Postal Service believes the instant contract is functionally equivalent to previously submitted GEPS... GEPS 1 as a product, also authorized functionally equivalent agreements to be included within the... Postal Service of Filing a Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 3 Negotiated Service...