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Selected AbstractsConfirming the Theoretical Structure of the Japanese Version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire in Chronic PainPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 1 2001Mamoru Hasegawa MD Objective., Based upon a tripartite theoretical model of pain, the Pain Rating Index of the McGill Pain Questionnaire continues to be one of the most frequently used instruments to measure clinical pain. However, differences in languages and cultural backgrounds have hindered its wide use and standardization in Japan. Although a number of exploratory factor analytic studies have failed to consistently support the theoretical structure of the instrument, a few previous confirmatory factor analytic studies did statistically support the a priori model. The purpose of this study was to test the theoretical structure of a Japanese version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, which followed a format similar to the original questionnaire, through a confirmatory factor analysis. Design.,This study used confirmatory factor analysis on prospectively collected data from consecutive outpatients with chronic pain at a university hospital to test the hypothesis regarding the theoretical structure of the Japanese McGill Pain Questionnaire. Results and Conclusion.,The first 16 Pain Rating Index subclass scores were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis procedures that yielded a well-fitting final model that explained 91% of the covariance in the observed data. The results approximately supported the hypothesis that the sensory, affective, and evaluative subscales of the Pain Rating Index are representative of the multidimensionality of the pain experience with minimal overlap but could not disregard relatively high intercorrelations among those subscales similar to the original McGill Pain Questionnaire. It is suggested that the theoretical structure of the McGill Pain Questionnaire is approximately kept in the Japanese McGill Pain Questionnaire used in this study. Therefore, the translation-based Japanese McGill Pain Questionnaire used in this study adequately permits comparison of studies from English-speaking and non-English-speaking populations, thus facilitating the first step toward international research exchange and communications. [source] Sampling Practices of Internal Auditors at Corporations on the Standard & Poor's Toronto Stock Exchange Composite Index,ACCOUNTING PERSPECTIVES, Issue 3 2009Michael Maingot ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to find out how often statistical and nonstatistical audit sampling practices are used by internal auditors in companies listed on the Standard and Poor's (S&P) Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) Composite Index and how such practices are related to the training and background of the respondents. We adapted the questionnaire used by Hall, Hunton, and Pierce (2002) in their survey of U.S. auditors in public accounting, industry, and government. Although 20 percent of companies responding do not have an internal audit department, the other 80 percent use statistical methods to plan sample sizes 15 percent (+5 percent) of the time, random sample selection methods 23 percent (+5 percent) of the time, but statistical evaluation methods only 10% (+4%) of the time. Despite the low percentage use, almost half of the respondents reported substantial training in statistical sampling and evaluation methods. Moreover, we found statistically significantly higher proportions of respondents with substantial training in audit sampling methods among companies cross-listed on U.S. exchanges compared with companies listed only on the TSX. Finally, respondents with a chartered accountant designation tend to have a negative impact on the use of statistical methods in audit sampling, and companies cross-listed on U.S. exchanges tend to have larger internal audit departments than companies listed only on the TSX. [source] What people with multiple sclerosis perceive to be important to meeting their needsJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2007Angus Forbes Abstract Title. What people with multiple sclerosis perceive to be important to meeting their needs Aim., This paper is a report of the findings of a survey in which people with multiple sclerosis identified what they believed would be helpful in meeting their current needs. Background., People with multiple sclerosis have low levels of satisfaction with the health and social care that they receive, but previous studies suggest that they have a broad range of physical, psychological and social needs. Method., A total of 714 people with different levels of disease impact who were participating in a prospective study evaluating multiple sclerosis specialist nurses were asked, ,What one thing would be most helpful in meeting your current needs?' The question was included in the postal questionnaire used for the study (mailed in 2001 and 2002). The overall response rate for usable returns (at both time points) was 42%. Descriptive statistics on the frequency of codes and categories generated by content analysis were compiled and compared in relation to demographic and disease characteristics. Findings., A total of 445 people responded to the question. Seven categories were identified: medical treatment (29%, n = 126); socio-environmental support and adaptation (19%, n = 81); enhanced care provision (18%, n = 79); information provision (9%, n = 38); rehabilitation therapies (7%, n = 29); non-professional care (6%, n = 28); and psychological support (3%, n = 15). Nine per cent of responses (n = 39) were not coded as their meanings were unclear. Socio-environmental support, rehabilitation and non-professional care were more frequently identified by those with greater disease impact. Information was identified as a stronger need for those in lower disease impact groups. Conclusion., The findings could provide the basis for developing a multiple sclerosis-specific service satisfaction tool. This could be helpful in assessing the quality of provision, given current variations in the coverage and quality of care provided. Nurses could use such a tool to assess the quality of care in a given population, thereby highlighting gaps in service provision. [source] Frequency of nurses' smoking cessation interventions: report from a national surveyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 14 2009Linda Sarna Aims and objectives., To describe the frequency of nurses' delivery of tobacco cessation interventions (,Five A's': Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) and to determine the relationship of interventions to nurses' awareness of the Tobacco Free Nurses initiative. Background., Tobacco cessation interventions can be effectively provided by nurses. The delivery of smoking cessation interventions by healthcare providers is mandated by several organisations in the USA and around the world. Lack of education and resources about tobacco cessation may contribute to the minimal level of interventions. The Tobacco Free Nurses initiative was developed to provide nurses with easy access to web-based resources about tobacco control. Design., Cross-sectional survey of nurses (n = 3482) working in 35 Magnet-designated hospitals in the USA (21% response rate). Method., A valid and reliable questionnaire used in previous studies to assess the frequency of the nurse's delivery of smoking cessation interventions (,Five A's') was adapted for use on the web. Results., The majority of nurses asked (73%) and assisted (73%) with cessation. However, only 24% recommended pharmacotherapy. Only 22% referred to community resources and only 10% recommended use of the quitline. Nurses familiar with TFN (15%) were significantly more likely to report delivery of all aspects of interventions, including assisting with cessation (OR = 1·55, 95% CI 1·27, 1·90) and recommending medications (OR = 1·81, 95% CI 1·45, 2·24). Conclusions., Nurses' delivery of comprehensive smoking cessation interventions was suboptimal. Awareness of Tobacco Free Nurses was associated with increased interventions. Relevance to clinical practice., Further efforts are needed to ensure that nurses incorporate evidence-based interventions into clinical practice to help smokers quit. These findings support the value of Tobacco Free Nurses in providing nurses with information to support patients' quit attempts. [source] Assessing chimpanzee personality and subjective well-being in JapanAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Alexander Weiss Abstract We tested whether the cultural background of raters influenced ratings of chimpanzee personality. Our study involved comparing personality and subjective well-being ratings of 146 chimpanzees in Japan that were housed in zoos, research institutes, and a retirement sanctuary to ratings of chimpanzees in US and Australian zoos. Personality ratings were made on a translated and expanded version of a questionnaire used to rate chimpanzees in the US and Australia. Subjective well-being ratings were made on a translated version of a questionnaire used to rate chimpanzees in the US and Australia. The mean interrater reliabilities of the 43 original adjectives did not markedly differ between the present sample and the original sample of 100 zoo chimpanzees in the US. Interrater reliabilities of these samples were highly correlated, suggesting that their rank order was preserved. Comparison of the factor structures for the Japanese sample and for the original sample of chimpanzees in US zoos indicated that the overall structure was replicated and that the Dominance, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness domains clearly generalized. Consistent with earlier studies, older chimpanzees had higher Dominance and lower Extraversion and Openness scores. Correlations between the six domain scores and subjective well-being were comparable to those for chimpanzees housed in the US and Australia. These findings suggest that chimpanzee personality ratings are not affected by the culture of the raters. Am. J. Primatol. 71:283,292, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,COUPLES' SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a Shared Sexual Concern of Couples I: Couple Conceptions of EDTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009William A. Fisher PhD ABSTRACT Introduction., Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be regarded as a shared sexual concern with a significant negative impact on both patients and their partners. Aim., The current research sought to explore the degree of concordance or divergence of couple members' perceptions of the specific functional impairments characterizing the man's ED, and the concordance or discordance of their attitudes, beliefs and experiences about the male partner's erectile difficulty. Methods., Questionnaires were sent to partners of men who participated in the Men's Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) 2004 study, who consented to their partner's involvement. A modified version of the questionnaire used in the MALES study was employed, adapted to reflect the female partner's perspective. Questionnaire responses were analyzed in relation to responses provided by male study participants. Main Outcome Measure., A 65-item questionnaire assessing women's perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes regarding aspects of ED. Results., High levels of concordance between couple members were observed across almost all items. Women's perceptions of both the specific functional impairments characterizing their partner's ED and the frequency of the partner's erection difficulty were strongly associated with assessments the men themselves had made. Significant associations were also observed between couple members' responses relating to their beliefs about the causes of ED, effects of ED on the relationship, communication about ED, finding a solution to ED, and attitudes toward medication. A number of specific male,female discordant perceptions and attitudes were also identified. Conclusions., Findings of this study demonstrate a high degree of concordance in couple members' perceptions of the male partner's ED, and in their attitudes and beliefs about ED. Specific instances of discordance between couple members may contribute to treatment avoidance or couple conflict. Fisher WA, Eardley I, McCabe M, and Sand M. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a shared sexual concern of couples I: Couple conceptions of ED. J Sex Med 2009;6:2746,2760. [source] Genital heat stress in men of barren couples: a prospective evaluation by means of a questionnaireANDROLOGIA, Issue 6 2002A. Jung Summary. Exposure to genital heat stress among men of barren couples was evaluated in a prospective study. Five hundred and forty-two consecutive patients referred for andrological examination were asked to complete a specific questionnaire at their first visit. For 449 patients who answered all questions, the individual score values could be calculated by scoring each answer with points. Patients with ,idiopathic' oligoasthenoteratozoospermia had significantly higher score values when compared with men showing normozoospermia (P < 0.01), ,symptomatic' oligoasthenoteratozoospermia as a result of defined andrological disorders (P < 0.01), cryptozoospermia (P < 0.01) or other pathological semen profiles (P < 0.05). These data support the hypothesis that patients with ,idiopathic' oligoasthenoteratozoospermia are more exposed to genital heat stress than normozoospermic men. Moreover, in patients with a varicocele impairment semen quality was associated with significantly higher score values compared with the subgroup of men with normal semen profiles (P < 0.05). In contrast, the score values did not significantly differ between equivalent subgroups of men with a history of a retractile testis. Our observations indicate that the questionnaire used in the present study allows an integrative assessment of genital heat stress, which is superior to single factor analysis. Notably, the group of men with ,idiopathic' oligoasthenoteratozoospermia showed the highest mean score values for 10 of the 18 questions compared with the other groups. Prolonged sitting in a vehicle represented the only single factor with significantly different score values in patients with ,idiopathic' oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and those with normozoospermia (P < 0.05). [source] Parents as experts: the position of parents of children with profound multiple disabilitiesCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2002K. I. De Geeter Abstract Background Parents of children with disabilities are increasingly considered as experts in the field of care. Their expertise can deliver an important contribution towards planning their child's care and education. The law is increasingly taking this factor into consideration. On the one hand, parents already possess an abundance of know-how; on the other, they still have to increase their knowledge and sometimes their skills too. Aim The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the supposition that co-operation between parents and professionals must meet certain criteria if parents are to receive a proper chance of using their existing knowledge, while at the same time adding to their skills. Design A questionnaire was sent to 723 parents of children with profound multiple disabilities enquiring about their relationship with the professionals at their child's school for special education. Subsequently, for one group of parents, a method that recognizes the parents' expertise and assigns them a formal role was introduced. For the other group, no change in method occurred. Results The results demonstrate that parents regard co-operation in a favourable light. Comparing both groups after a year, the expected effect of the method (a better rating of the co-operation by the parents) could not be demonstrated. This is probably a result of a problem with the questionnaire used in this study. Conclusion Other studies, however, appear to support our supposition. [source] Sudden infant death syndrome risk questionnaire: a mirror of parental awareness rather than a prospective diagnostic toolACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2004H Zotter Aim: In 1989, a scoring system that aimed to identify infants at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by a structured questionnaire [SIDS risk questionnaire (SRQ)] consisting of 25 items was introduced in Styria (Austria). It was the aim of the study to compare SIDS rates in the population that had access to the SRQ with the population that had no access. Furthermore, for the population receiving the SRQ, the responding (compliant) and non-responding (non-compliant) groups were compared concerning the incidence of SIDS. Methods: Within the study period, 53 865 births and 57 SIDS cases were recorded (incidence 1.06/1000) and analysed retrospectively. Results: The incidence of SIDS was significantly higher in the non-responding population (2.36/1000) than in the responding group (0.81/1000, p < 0.001). However, the incidence of SIDS was not significantly different in the population that had access to the risk questionnaire (1.29/1000) and the group without access (0.86/1000, p= 0.145). Conclusion: The value of any questionnaire used for SIDS prevention may be limited by the existence of a non-compliant population which represents a risk group and should be targeted by other preventive measures. [source] Why are we ,weighting'?COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004An assessment of a self-weighting approach to measuring oral health-related quality of life Abstract ,,, Objective: To determine whether or not self-weighting at an item level contributes to the performance of an oral health-related quality-of-life measure. Design: Data were collected in two national surveys conducted a month apart, one using the ,weighted' measure and the other an ,unweighted' version of the UK oral health-related quality-of-life measure. In addition, sociodemographic and self-reported oral health status were recorded. Results: The UK oral health-related quality-of-life measure discriminated between groups based on age group (<65, 65 and older) and social class (higher and lower) irrespective of the version of the questionnaire used. Both versions also showed significant associations with self-reported oral health: denture status (P < 0.01) and number of teeth possessed (P < 0.01). In addition, both versions demonstrated predictive ability in identifying those in prosthetic need (<20 teeth and without recourse to a denture, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Weighting the UK oral health-related quality-of-life instrument does not improve the psychometric properties of the instrument and thus raises questions about the value of self-weighting at an item level. [source] A systematic review of health-related quality of life instruments used for people with venous ulcers: an assessment of their suitability and psychometric propertiesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 19-20 2010Simon J Palfreyman Aims and objectives., To review the quality of life questionnaires used to measure the impact of venous ulceration and to evaluate their psychometric properties. Background., Venous leg ulcers have a negative impact on quality of life. Health-related quality of life can be measured using structured questionnaires. Nurses are the primary care providers for patients with venous ulceration and are ideally placed to assess and develop these types of questionnaires. There may also be an opportunity to use such quality of life instruments to measure the impact of nursing interventions in other areas where nurses are the key care providers. Design., Systematic review. Method., Studies were sought that used quality of life instruments to evaluate the impact of venous ulceration. Fourteen electronic bibliographical databases and 11 Internet-based health services research related resources were searched. In addition, grey literature was sought and the reference lists of relevant articles checked. Data were extracted regarding the type of instrument used, sample, number of items and domains and psychometric performance of the instrument. Results., The initial search identified a total of 338 potential citations. After review, a total of 31 studies were included: 17 used generic and 14 used disease-specific instruments. Five different types of generic and seven disease-specific instruments were identified. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies in terms of study design, aetiology of ulceration and times of assessment. The disease-specific instruments showed limitations in relation to their applicability to venous ulcer patients because of flaws in design or validation. Conclusions., The literature on quality of life related to venous ulceration failed to sufficiently distinguish between those with different causes of leg ulceration. There appeared to be problems with the ability of current quality of life instruments to detect changes in quality of life related to ulcer healing. Relevance to clinical practice., There appears to be an opportunity for nurses to develop a health-related quality of life health-related quality of life instruments to evaluate their impact on patient outcomes. Such instruments could potentially allow nursing interventions to be assessed more effectively than the recently proposed nursing metrics. [source] Identifying the core components of cultural competence: findings from a Delphi studyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 18 2009Maria Jirwe Aim., To identify the core components of cultural competence from a Swedish perspective. Background., The cultural diversity of Swedish society raises challenges for nursing practice. Nurses need to be culturally competent, i.e. demonstrate the effective application of knowledge, skills and attitudes to practice safely and effectively in a multicultural society. Existing frameworks of cultural competence reflect the socio-cultural, historical and political context they were developed in. To date, there has been no research examining cultural competence within a Swedish context. Design., A Delphi survey. Methods., A purposeful sample of 24 experts (eight nurses, eight researchers and eight lecturers) knowledgeable in multicultural issues was recruited. Interviews were undertaken to identify the knowledge, skills and attitudes that formed the components of cultural competence. Content analysis yielded statements which were developed into a questionnaire. Respondents scored questionnaire items in terms of perceived importance. Statements which reached consensus were removed from questionnaires used in subsequent rounds. Three rounds of questionnaires were distributed during 2006. Results., A total of 118 out of 137 components reached a consensus level of 75%. The components were categorised into five areas, cultural sensitivity, cultural understanding, cultural encounters, understanding of health, ill-health and healthcare and social and cultural contexts with 17 associated subcategories. Conclusions., There are some similarities between the issues raised in the current study and existing frameworks of cultural competence from the USA and the UK. However, Swedish experts placed less emphasis on ethnohistory and on developing skills to challenge discrimination and racism. Relevance to clinical practice., This study identified the core components of cultural competence important to nurses practising within a multicultural society such as Sweden. Acquisition of the knowledge, skills and attitudes identified should enable nurses to meet the needs of patients from different cultural backgrounds. The components of cultural competence can form the basis of nursing curricula. [source] The qualitative research interviewMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2006Barbara DiCicco-Bloom Background, Interviews are among the most familiar strategies for collecting qualitative data. The different qualitative interviewing strategies in common use emerged from diverse disciplinary perspectives resulting in a wide variation among interviewing approaches. Unlike the highly structured survey interviews and questionnaires used in epidemiology and most health services research, we examine less structured interview strategies in which the person interviewed is more a participant in meaning making than a conduit from which information is retrieved. Purpose, In this article we briefly review the more common qualitative interview methods and then focus on the widely used individual face-to-face in-depth interview, which seeks to foster learning about individual experiences and perspectives on a given set of issues. We discuss methods for conducting in-depth interviews and consider relevant ethical issues with particular regard to the rights and protection of the participants. [source] Assessment of quality of life in adults receiving long-term growth hormone replacement compared to control subjectsCLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2003I. A. Malik Summary objective There are few studies of quality of life (QOL) in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) compared to matched control populations without GHD. These have shown impairments in a variety of QOL measures, which improve but do not normalize after short-term replacement with GH. There is little information on QOL in long-term treated GHD patients compared with controls without GHD. patients and methods A total of 120 adults with GHD who had received GH replacement for at least 1 year were identified from the neuroendocrine clinic. Patients were asked to complete eight QOL questionnaires and an Energy Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results were compared with 83 control subjects without GHD from the local population who agreed to complete seven of the QOL questionnaires (excluding Disease Impact scale) and the energy VAS. The eight questionnaires were a combination of generic and disease-specific questionnaires used to assess health related QOL, namely: Short Form-36 (SF-36), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Disease Impact, Life Fulfilment and Satisfaction scales, Mental Fatigue Questionnaire (MFQ) and Self Esteem scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale and QOL-AGHDA (assessment of GHD in adults). results Eighty-nine patients returned questionnaires and 85 (71%) had complete data for analysis. The mean (SD) duration of GH replacement was 36·0 ± 26·4 (range 13,159) months. Mean age was 43·9 ± 15·8 years (37 males) in treated GHD patients compared to a mean age 41·7 ± 10·5 years (32 males) in the controls. Mean IGF-1 levels were 22·5 ± 13·6 nmol/l in the GHD patients and the mean dose of GH replacement was 1·2 ± 0·4 IU daily. Analysis of the QOL questionnaires from the GH treated patients revealed highly significant impairments in all measures (most P , 0·0001, except life fulfilment-material, P = 0·33) compared to the control population. conclusions This large population with treated GH deficiency have significant impairments in multiple aspects of QOL despite replacement with GH and other pituitary hormones for at least 1 year (mean 3 years). It is likely therefore that other factors in addition to GH deficiency must influence QOL in these patients. Further strategies to improve QOL in these individuals should therefore be considered, e.g. psychological support and treatments and physical treatments (such as exercise programmes). [source] Psychological aspects of adductor spasmodic dysphonia: a prospective population controlled questionnaire studyCLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 1 2010A.A. Kaptein Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 31,38. Objective:, To examine psychosocial concomitants, illness perceptions, and treatment perceptions in patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Design:, Prospective controlled cohort study. Setting:, A tertiary care facility. Participants:, Forty-nine out-patients (38 women, 11 men; average age of 52 years) with adductor spasmodic dysphonia completed a battery of reliable and validated psychometric assessment instruments. Control patients' data were derived from scores in questionnaires by samples in the formal Manuals of the questionnaires used. Main outcome measures:, Psychosocial functioning, illness perceptions, and treatment perceptions. Results:, Scores on psychosocial measures were elevated in male patients especially, indicating levels of psychological morbidity significantly above those seen in the general population. Assessments of illness perceptions and treatment perceptions indicated that patients perceive that they have a very low degree of control over the disorder, and experience a high emotional impact from it. Voice Handicap Index scores illustrated substantial degrees of perceived handicap. Conclusions:, Adductor spasmodic dysphonia is associated with significant negative psychosocial concomitants, coupled with low perceived control over the condition. Future research should elucidate the implications of illness perceptions and treatment perceptions for the biopsychosocial care of persons with adductor spasmodic dysphonia in order to improve self-management and enhance quality of life. [source] |