JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 4 2002
Christina B. Gee
This study tested whether the observed marital interactions of partners follwing a marriage checkup predicted marital satisfaction 2 years later. In addition, this study examined whether recommendations to pursue therapy predicted subsequent treatment seeking and whether changes in marital distress follwing the checkup remained stable over 2 years. Results suggest that the affective tone of a couple's interaction predicts later marital satisfaction. Further, receiving a treatment recommendation predicted subsequent treatment seeking for wives. Finally, support was found for the hypothesis that changes in marital distress are self-sustaining. [source]

WHY DOES PROACTIVE PERSONALITY PREDICT EMPLOYEE LIFE SATISFACTION AND WORK BEHAVIORS?

PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
A FIELD INVESTIGATION OF THE MEDIATING ROLE OF THE SELF-CONCORDANCE MODEL
We integrated the proactive personality and the self-concordance model literatures to hypothesize and test a model that explicates the processes through which proactive personality relates to employee life satisfaction, in-role performance, and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Across 3 time periods, data were collected from 165 employees and their supervisors. Results indicated that more proactive individuals were more likely to set self-concordant goals and attain their goals, which in turn predicted psychological need satisfaction. Psychological need satisfaction subsequently predicted employee life satisfaction, in-role performance, and OCBs. Further, goal attainment directly predicted employee life satisfaction. Our results also indicated that proactive personality's relations with employee life satisfaction, in-role performance, and OCBs were entirely indirect through goal self-concordance, goal attainment, and psychological need satisfaction. [source]

SATISFACTION, CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIORS, AND PERFORMANCE IN WORK UNITS: A META-ANALYSIS OF COLLECTIVE CONSTRUCT RELATIONS

PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
DANIEL S. WHITMAN
This paper offers theoretical development clarifying the structure and function of collective job satisfaction and uses meta-analytic methods (k,= 73) to examine the satisfaction,performance relationship when both constructs are construed at the work unit level. Overall, our results suggest that the relationship between unit-level job satisfaction and unit-level performance is significant (,= .34). Specifically, significant relationships were found between unit-level job satisfaction and unit-level criteria, including productivity, customer satisfaction, withdrawal, and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB). Furthermore, the satisfaction-performance relationship was moderated by the strength of unit consensus, performance criteria, industry type, and whether the sample was U.S. based. Although these moderators were identified, collective satisfaction positively predicted performance across all levels of moderators. In addition, results indicate that unit-level OCB has a moderately strong relationship with unit-level performance. Only limited support was found for the notion that OCB is a route through which satisfaction has an impact on performance. We elaborate on these findings and attempt to provide a more clear direction for future research in this area. [source]

EMPLOYEE ATTRIBUTIONS OF THE "WHY" OF HR PRACTICES: THEIR EFFECTS ON EMPLOYEE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS, AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
LISA H. NISHII
The construct of human resource (HR) attributions is introduced. We argue that the attributions that employees make about the reasons why management adopts the HR practices that it does have consequences for their attitudes and behaviors, and ultimately, unit performance. Drawing on the strategic HR literature, we propose a typology of 5 HR-attribution dimensions. Utilizing data collected from a service firm, we show that employees make varying attributions for the same HR practices, and that these attributions are differentially associated with commitment and satisfaction. In turn, we show that these attitudes become shared within units and that they are related to unit-level organizational citizenship behaviors and customer satisfaction. Findings and implications are discussed. [source]

A LONGITUDINAL EXAMINATION OF CONCOMITANT CHANGES IN TEAM LEADERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
ALAN G. WALKER
For each of three 1-year time periods, we examined the relationship between changes in the team leadership of branch managers (as measured by employee ratings) and concomitant changes in customer satisfaction for branches of a regional bank. Specifically, for the time period 2001,2002, we examined concomitant changes in team leadership and customer service satisfaction with 68 branch managers; between 2002,2003 and 2003,2004 we examined these relationships for 46 and 40 of the remaining 68 branch managers, respectively. We expected that improvements (declines) in team leadership ratings would be accompanied by concomitant changes (i.e., improvement or decline) in customer satisfaction ratings. We found that, in 2 of the 3 time periods we examined, improvements (declines) in team leadership were related to improvements (declines) in customer satisfaction. We interpret these findings using the service climate literature. [source]

PAY SATISFACTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOMES

PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
STEVEN C. CURRALL
Using multi level and multi method data, we investigated the relationship between pay satisfaction and outcomes at the organizational level of analysis. Individual-level survey data on pay satisfaction (including satisfaction with pay level, satisfaction with pay structure, satisfaction with pay raises, and benefits) were collected from 6,394 public school teachers. Organizational-level outcome data, both survey and archival, were collected from the 117 public school districts employing these teachers. With respect to its influence on organizational outcomes, pay satisfaction was positively related to school district-level academic performance and negatively related to average teacher intention to quit. We also explored the relationship between district-level union satisfaction and pay satisfaction, which was found to be positive. We discuss implications of our findings for for-profit companies that are knowledge based and human capital intensive (e.g., the service sector) and address possible future directions for research on pay satisfaction. [source]

PATTERNS OF INTERDEPENDENCE IN WORK TEAMS: A TWO-LEVEL INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONS WITH JOB AND TEAM SATISFACTION

PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2001
GERBEN S. VAN DER VEGT
A questionnaire study in 17 school and 24 engineering teams examined affective reactions to task and goal interdependence at the group and individual level of analysis. Group-level task interdependence was positively related to group members' job and team satisfaction. Within-group differences in the degree of task interdependence were unrelated to affective responses. Interactions revealed that within-group task interdependence is positively related to both job and team satisfaction only if the degree of goal interdependence in the work team is high. [source]

WAGES, HOURS OF WORK AND JOB SATISFACTION OF RETIREMENT-AGE WORKERS,

THE JAPANESE ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 2 2005
ISAO OHASHI
I analyse, theoretically and empirically, the effects of pension benefits, family conditions and the personal characteristics of older individuals on their labour supply, wages, hours worked and job satisfaction, in the framework of the Nash bargaining condition whereby an older worker and a firm bargain over employment conditions such as wages, hours of work and job investment. It is stressed that as workers become older they tend to give greater priority to the number of hours worked, work environment and type of job than to wages, and try to improve these through job investment, even at the cost of lower wages. [source]

RURAL DOCTORS, SATISFACTION IN JAPAN: A NATIONWIDE SURVEY

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2004
Masatoshi Matsumoto
Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to discover to what degree Japanese rural doctors are satisfied with various aspects of their jobs and lives, and to find out whether they intend to continue their rural careers. Design: Nationwide postal survey Setting: Public clinics or hospitals in municipalities that are authorised as ,rural' by the national government. Subjects: A total of 4896 doctors working for public clinics or hospitals. Interventions: Self-evaluation questionnaires were mailed. The rural doctors were asked to evaluate their satisfaction with 19 items related to their job conditions and 10 items concerning life conditions, using a four-point scale. They also were asked to evaluate their intent to stay in rural practice until retirement. Results: The response rate was 64%. Overall, rural doctors were satisfied with both their work and life conditions. However, only 27% of respondents hoped to continue rural practice beyond the usual age of retirement. Among job-related items, continuing medical education and interactions with municipal governments were rated as least satisfactory. Among lifestyle-related items, duration of holidays and workload were unsatisfactory. Subgroup analysis revealed male doctors showed greater intent to stay in rural practice. Doctors aged > 50 years were more satisfied with most aspects of their job and lifestyle than younger doctors. A strong correlation was found between the degree of intent to stay and several items such as interactions with municipal government, human interactions salary and job fulfilment. Conclusions: Strategies, based on the results of this survey, should be implemented. Particularly in Japan, positive interaction between doctors and municipal governments is crucial. [source]

VICTORIAN WORKCOVER AUTHORISED AGENTS' SATISFACTION WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ADL ASSESSMENTS

AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2004
Rachael Mason
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

The Impact of a Brief Expectation Survey on Parental Satisfaction in the Pediatric Emergency Department

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2006
Christopher D. Spahr MD
Abstract Objectives To determine the effect of physician knowledge of parental expectations on satisfaction with emergency department (ED) care. Methods This was a prospective, controlled, interventional trial involving parents of children presenting to a children's hospital ED. Parents completed an expectation survey on arrival, which was either immediately placed back in the enrollment envelope (control) or shown to the physician caring for the child (intervention). The physician was instructed to initial the expectation survey to acknowledge receipt of the survey. Parents then completed a satisfaction survey at discharge. The primary outcomes were differences in satisfaction with physician review of the expectation survey, as measured by 1) parental ratings of overall care and 2) their willingness to recommend the ED to others. A third (baseline) group completed only a satisfaction survey at discharge. Results A total of 614 (66%) of the 930 enrolled parents completed the study. Intention-to-treat analysis did not show a significant increase in parental satisfaction ratings for either overall care or recommend the ED; however, only 42% of the intervention group surveys had documented physician review. When these initialed surveys were compared with the control group in a per-protocol analysis, there was a significant improvement in parental satisfaction. There were no differences between the control and baseline groups, indicating no effect of the expectation survey completion on satisfaction. Conclusions Physician knowledge of written parental expectations may improve parental satisfaction during an ED visit. Further work is needed to overcome the barriers to physician review of the expectation survey to maximize parent satisfaction. [source]

Service Personnel, Technology, and Their Interaction in Influencing Customer Satisfaction,

DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 1 2006
Craig M. Froehle
ABSTRACT Managing both the technologies and the personnel needed for providing high-quality, multichannel customer support creates a complex and persistent operational challenge. Adding to this difficulty, it is still unclear how service personnel and these new communication technologies interact to influence the customer's perceptions of the service being provided. Motivated by both practical importance and inconsistent findings in the academic literature, this exploratory research examines the interaction of media richness, represented by three different technology contexts (telephone, e-mail, and online chat), with six customer service representative (CSR) characteristics and their influences on customer satisfaction. Using a large-sample customer survey data set, the article develops a multigroup structural equation model to analyze these interactions. Results suggest that CSR characteristics influence customer service satisfaction similarly across all three technology-mediated contexts. Of the characteristics studied, service representatives contribute to customer satisfaction more when they exhibit the characteristics of thoroughness, knowledgeableness, and preparedness, regardless of the richness of the medium used. Surprisingly, while three other CSR characteristics studied (courtesy, professionalism, and attentiveness) are traditionally believed to be important in face-to-face encounters, they had no significant impact on customer satisfaction in the technology-mediated contexts studied. Implications for both practitioners and researchers are drawn from the results and future research opportunities are discussed. [source]

The Role of Clinical and Process Quality in Achieving Patient Satisfaction in Hospitals

DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 3 2004
Kathryn A. Marley
ABSTRACT Managers constantly struggle with where to allocate their resources and efforts in managing the complex service delivery system called a hospital. In the broadest sense, their decisions and actions focus on two important aspects of health care,clinical or technical medical care that emphasizes "what" the patient receives and process performance that emphasizes "how" health care services are delivered to patients. Here, we investigate the role of leadership, clinical quality, and process quality on patient satisfaction. A causal model is hypothesized and evaluated using structural equation modeling for a sample of 202 U.S. hospitals. Statistical results support the idea that leadership is a good exogenous construct and that clinical and process quality are good intermediate outcomes in determining patient satisfaction. Statistical results also suggest that hospital leadership has more influence on process quality than on clinical quality, which is predominantly the doctors' domain. Other results are discussed, such as that hospital managers must be mindful of the fact that process quality is at least as important as clinical quality in predicting patient satisfaction. The article concludes by proposing areas for future research. [source]

The Determinants of Students' Perceived Learning Outcomes and Satisfaction in University Online Education: An Empirical Investigation,

DECISION SCIENCES JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, Issue 2 2006
Sean B. Eom
ABSTRACT In this study, structural equation modeling is applied to examine the determinants of students' satisfaction and their perceived learning outcomes in the context of university online courses. Independent variables included in the study are course structure, instructor feedback, self-motivation, learning style, interaction, and instructor facilitation as potential determinants of online learning. A total of 397 valid unduplicated responses from students who have completed at least one online course at a university in the Midwest were used to examine the structural model. The results indicated that all of the antecedent variables significantly affect students' satisfaction. Of the six antecedent variables hypothesized to affect the perceived learning outcomes, only instructor feedback and learning style are significant. The structural model results also reveal that user satisfaction is a significant predictor of learning outcomes. The findings suggest online education can be a superior mode of instruction if it is targeted to learners with specific learning styles (visual and read/write learning styles) and with timely, meaningful instructor feedback of various types. [source]

Nonverbal behavioral similarity between patients with depression in remission and interviewers in relation to satisfaction and recurrence of depression

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 4 2006
Erwin Geerts Ph.D.
Abstract Unsatisfying interpersonal relationships are involved in the onset and course of depression. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. In this study we investigated the nonverbal communication between 101 patients with remitted depression and interviewers. We related the interaction between the patients' and interviewers' behavior to patients' satisfaction with the interview and to the risk of recurrence of depression. We registered the patients' and interviewers' nonverbal displays of involvement during a clinical interview and assessed the patients' satisfaction with the interview. Possible recurrence of depression was assessed within a 2-year follow-up. Based on findings in healthy people, we hypothesized that the more similar the levels of the patients' and interviewers' behavior became during the interview, the more satisfied the patients would turn out to be. Furthermore, we hypothesized that lack of similarity in the levels of the patients' and interviewers' involvement behavior would predict recurrence of depression. Our hypotheses were confirmed: The more the patients' and interviewers' behavior converged, the more satisfied the patients were with the interview and the lower the risk of recurrence of depression. Satisfaction did not mediate the association between convergence and risk of recurrence. Also, no gender effects were found. We conclude that nonverbal communication processes are involved in the risk of recurrence of depression. Remitted people's difficulties in reaching nonverbal convergence with others may hamper them in their interpersonal functioning and, as a consequence, may put them at risk for new episodes of depression. Depression and Anxiety 23:200,209, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Patient Satisfaction and Reported Long-Term Therapeutic Efficacy Associated with 1,320 nm Nd:YAG Laser Treatment of Acne Scarring and Photoaging

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2006
ASHISH C. BHATIA
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Nonablative laser treatments have become increasingly used for the treatment of acne scarring and photoaging. While nonablative laser treatments are more convenient and relatively safer than ablative laser resurfacing, efficacy and patient satisfaction with the level of improvement of textural abnormalities in acne scarring and rhytids associated with photoaging needs further study. DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS Structured interviews were performed with 34 patients from a referral-based academic practice who each previously received a series of 6 monthly treatments with a 1,320 nm neodymium:yttrium,aluminum,garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for treatment of acne scarring or photoaging. Topical anesthesia was applied 1 hour before each treatment. Patients were interviewed at least 3 months after cessation of treatment (range 3,12 months). RESULTS Patients tolerated the treatments well. Combined results for acne scarring and photoaging patients were as follows: (a) patient satisfaction with treatment was rated at 62%, and (b) textural improvement was reported at 31% at the end of the six treatments, and 30% at the date of interview. When results were stratified by diagnosis, patient satisfaction was slightly higher for treatment of acne scarring than for photoaging. Overall degree of improvement on a 1,10 scale was 5.4 for acne scarring and 3.8 for wrinkling. CONCLUSION Nonablative treatment with the 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser induced significant patient-reported improvement in both acne scarring and photoaging. The majority of patients reported satisfaction with the degree of improvement. [source]

Development of the Facial Lines Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire and Initial Results for Botulinum Toxin Type A,Treated Patients

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 5 2003
Sue Ellen Cox MD
Background. Botulinum toxin type A treatment is a safe and effective treatment for facial lines. Patient satisfaction with treatment has not yet been systematically measured and reported. Objective. To create a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction with facial line treatment and to assess treatment satisfaction in facial line patients. Methods. Development of the Facial Line Treatment Satisfaction (FTS) Questionnaire followed the five-step process recommended by the Patient Reported Outcomes Harmonization Committee. Results. One hundred fifty-two pilot test participants received botulinum toxin type A treatment alone or in combination with a minimally invasive facial line treatment and were satisfied or very satisfied with their facial lines treatment. Conclusion. The FTS is a valid and reliable 14-item questionnaire that measures an aesthetic patient's satisfaction with facial line treatment. The FTS can be used in clinical practice or clinical trials of facial line treatments. Botulinum toxin type A treatment is associated with high patient satisfaction. [source]

The Mathematics of Brand Satisfaction

DESIGN MANAGEMENT REVIEW, Issue 2 2008
Chris Rockwell President
First page of article [source]

Long-term use of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of epilepsy

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 12 2006
Darcy K Groesbeck BS
Long-term outcomes of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of epilepsy have not previously been reported. A retrospective chart review of children treated with the ketogenic diet for more than 6 years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital was performed. The response was documented at clinic visits and by telephone contacts; laboratory studies were obtained approximately every 6 to 12 months. Satisfaction and tolerability were assessed by means of a brief parental telephone questionnaire. In all, 28 patients (15 males, 13 females), currently aged 7 to 23 years, were identified. The median baseline seizure frequency per week at diet onset was 630 (range 1,1400). Diet duration ranged from 6 to 12 years; 19 remain on the diet currently. After 6 years or more, 24 children experienced a more than 90% decrease in seizures, and 22 parents reported satisfaction with the diet's efficacy. Ten children were at less than the 10th centile for height at diet initiation; this number increased to 23 at the most recent follow-up (p=0.001). Kidney stones occurred in seven children and skeletal fractures in six. After 6 years or more the mean cholesterol level was 201mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein was 54mg/dl, low-density lipoprotein was 129mg/dl, and triglycerides were 97mg/dl. Efficacy and overall tolerability for children are maintained after prolonged use of the ketogenic diet. However, side effects, such as slowed growth, kidney stones, and fractures, should be monitored closely. [source]

Near patient testing for glycated haemoglobin in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus managed in primary care: acceptability and satisfaction

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 7 2007
M. A. Stone
Abstract Aims To assess the acceptability of and satisfaction with near patient testing for glycated haemoglobin in primary care in patients and health professionals. Methods A questionnaire survey and qualitative study were nested within a randomized controlled trial conducted in eight general practices in Leicester-shire, UK. Satisfaction with diabetes care was compared in the intervention group (near patient test) and in the control subjects (usual laboratory test), using the Diabetes Clinic Satisfaction Questionnaire. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of patients and healthcare professionals and analysed using thematic coding and framework charting. Results Questionnaire data for 344 patients were analysed and interviews were conducted with 15 patients and 11 health professionals. Interviews indicated that the near patient test was highly acceptable to patients and staff and confirmed that there may be potential benefits such as time saving, reduced anxiety and impact on patient management and job satisfaction. However, both the survey and the interviews identified high pre-existing levels of satisfaction with diabetes care in both intervention and control group patients and survey results failed to confirm increased patient satisfaction as a result of rapid testing. Limited patient understanding of glycated haemoglobin testing was noted. Conclusions We were unable to confirm actual rather than potential advantages of the near patient test. Widespread adoption in primary care cannot be recommended without further evidence of benefit. [source]

Insulin aspart vs. human insulin in the management of long-term blood glucose control in Type 1 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 11 2000
P. D. Home
SUMMARY Aims To compare the efficacy of insulin aspart, a rapid-acting insulin analogue, with that of unmodified human insulin on long-term blood glucose control in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods Prospective, multi-centre, randomized, open-labelled, parallel-group trial lasting 6 months in 88 centres in eight European countries and including 1070 adult subjects with Type 1 diabetes. Study patients were randomized 2:1 to insulin aspart or unmodified human insulin before main meals, with NPH-insulin as basal insulin. Main outcome measures were blood glucose control as assessed by HbA1c, eight-point self-monitored blood glucose profiles, insulin dose, quality of life, hypoglycaemia, and adverse events. Results After 6 months, insulin aspart was superior to human insulin with respect to HbA1c with a baseline-adjusted difference in HbA1c of 0.12 (95% confidence interval 0.03,0.22) %Hb, P < 0.02. Eight-point blood glucose profiles showed lower post-prandial glucose levels (mean baseline-adjusted ,0.6 to ,1.2 mmol/l, P < 0.01) after all main meals, but higher pre-prandial glucose levels before breakfast and dinner (0.7,0.8 mmol/l, P < 0.01) with insulin aspart. Satisfaction with treatment was significantly better in patients treated with insulin aspart (WHO Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) baseline-adjusted difference 2.3 (1.2,3.3) points, P < 0.001). The relative risk of experiencing a major hypoglycaemic episode with insulin aspart compared to human insulin was 0.83 (0.59,1.18, NS). Major night hypoglycaemic events requiring parenteral treatment were less with insulin aspart (1.3 vs. 3.4% of patients, P < 0.05), as were late post-prandial (4,6 h) events (1.8 vs. 5.0% of patients, P < 0.005). Conclusions These results show small but useful advantage for the rapid-acting insulin analogue insulin aspart as a tool to improve long-term blood glucose control, hypoglycaemia, and quality of life, in people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. [source]

Customer Satisfaction in a Large Urban Fire Department Emergency Medical Services System

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 1 2004
David E. Persse MD
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if emergency medical services (EMS) customer satisfaction could be assessed using telephone-survey methods. The process by which customer satisfaction with the EMS service in a large, fire department,based EMS system is reported, and five month results are presented. Methods: Ten percent of all patients transported during the period of October 15, 2001, through March 15, 2002, were selected for study. In addition, during the same period, all EMS incidents in which a patient was not transported were identified for contact. Customer-service representatives contacted patients via telephone and surveyed them from prepared scripts. Results: A total of 88,528 EMS incidents occurred during the study period. Of these, 53,649 resulted in patient transports and 34,879 did not. Ten percent of patients transported (5,098) were selected for study participation, of which 2,498 were successfully contacted; of these, 2,368 (94.8%) reported overall satisfaction with the service provided. Of the 34,879 incidents without transport, only 5,859 involved patients who were seen but not transported. All of these patients were selected for study. Of these, 2,975 were successfully contacted, with 2,865 (96.3%) reporting overall satisfaction. The most common reason given for nonsatisfaction in both groups was the perception of a long response time. Conclusions: It is possible to conduct a survey of EMS customer satisfaction using telephone-survey methods. Although difficulties exist in contacting patients, useful information is made available with this method. Such surveys should be an integral part of any EMS system's quality-improvement efforts. In this survey, the overwhelming majority of patients, both transported and not transported, were satisfied with their encounter with EMS. [source]

Educational needs, metabolic control and self-reported quality of life

EUROPEAN DIABETES NURSING, Issue 1 2005
A study among people with type 2 diabetes treated in primary health care
Abstract The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing. In order to reduce long-term complications and to promote a better life for these patients, health care professionals are important advocates in education and counselling. More knowledge is therefore needed to explore the association between educational needs and quality of life. In total, 211 people with type 2 diabetes (response rate 48%) were recruited from general practices in a geographically well-defined district in Bergen, Norway. All participants completed a questionnaire measuring demographical and clinical variables, quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref), satisfaction with education and counselling, and symptoms related to the disease. A blood sample was taken from each patient for determination of HbA1c. The participants reported receiving most information on diet, physical activity and treatment and less information on foot care and long-term complications. Satisfaction with education was significantly positively correlated with self-reported overall quality of life, and quality of life within domains for psychological health, social relationships and environment. More intensive treatment was significantly associated with lower quality of life within the physical health and social relationships domains. For 32% of the participants, HbA1c values did not satisfy the Norwegian guidelines (adjusted for age). The results from the present study emphasise a need for health education in diabetes primary health care especially in relation to foot care and long-term complications. The association between satisfaction with education and quality of life makes it important to develop educational and counselling methods for nurses in primary health care. Copyright © 2005 FEND. [source]

Emergency Department Staff Satisfaction With Rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010
Aparajita Sohoni MD
Abstract Objectives:, The authors sought to determine staff satisfaction with an emergency department (ED) rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing program. Methods:, A survey was conducted in an urban ED that has provided rapid HIV testing (routine screening and physician-initiated testing) since August 2007. From May 1, 2008, to August 31, 2008, the survey was administered to all ED staff involved with HIV testing. The primary outcome was satisfaction, and secondary outcomes were the staff attitudes toward the program. Results:, Surveys were administered to 215 of the 217 staff members, and 207 surveys were returned (96% response rate); 201 surveys had complete data available for analysis. The response rate by staffing type was as follows: physicians 64/64 (100%), nurses 124/134 (93%), and registration staff 16/19 (84%). The majority of ED staff (99%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 95% to 100%) were satisfied with the HIV testing program. Physicians, however, rated the program more favorably than nurses or registration staff. Most staff members agreed that HIV testing improved overall care (93%; 95% CI = 89% to 96%) and felt that HIV testing did not interfere with their ability to provide care (82%; 95% CI = 76% to 87%). The majority of staff perceived that patients were satisfied with the procedures for obtaining consent (73%; 95% CI = 67% to 79%) and with the way HIV testing was performed (83%; 95% CI = 77% to 87%). Conclusions:, Emergency department staff satisfaction and overall attitudes with the HIV testing program is high. ED staff does not appear to be a barrier to program implementation. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:561,565 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source]

African American Women's Satisfaction with the Design and Marketing of Ready-to-Wear Clothing

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009
Nora M. MacDonald
The African American market has increased in terms of percentage of the United States population and income, with purchasing power estimated at more than $800 billion. This pilot study assessed older African American women's perception of how well their clothing needs were being met using focus group discussion methodology. The primary objective was to determine African American women's satisfaction with marketing clothing, clothing fit, cultural dress, and accessories. The dress-body clothing purchase decision-making factors model was used as the theoretical framework. Thirty-two African American women from the Charleston, West Virginia, area participated in the study. Results indicated dissatisfaction with the portrayal of African American females in targeted advertisements and the fit of clothing. Suggestions are provided to overcome these reservations. [source]

Redesigning Hospital Gowns to Enhance End Users' Satisfaction

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 4 2006
KyeongSook Cho
The design considerations for hospital gowns were investigated through a review of previous research and interviews with licensed practical nurses and patients who had been hospitalized and wore hospital gowns during their hospitalization. Two designs of prototype hospital gowns, Prototypes A and B, were proposed and users' comfort perceptions per prototype were compared to a conventional gown to evaluate their satisfaction through wear trials with 12 female participants. Prototype A featured a front opening and a back-slit overlap. Prototype B was composed of openings on the upper chest area and on the side and cap sleeves. Back opening with ties and raglan sleeves were the main features of the conventional gowns. Prototype A was more acceptable to the participants than the conventional gown. On the basis of the findings of this study, guidelines are provided for a hospital gown design to enhance the users' satisfaction. [source]

Attachment, Perceived Conflict, and Couple Satisfaction: Test of a Mediational Dyadic Model

FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 5 2009
Audrey Brassard
Attachment insecurities (anxiety and avoidance) are often associated with relationship dissatisfaction, but the mediators have been unclear. We examined the mediating role of perceived conflict in 274 French-Canadian couples who completed measures of attachment insecurities, perception of conflict, and relationship satisfaction. Partners' own attachment anxiety and avoidance predicted their experience of conflict. In addition, women's anxiety predicted men's experience of conflict, and men's avoidance predicted women's experience of conflict. The associations between attachment insecurities and relationship dissatisfaction were partially mediated by conflict. [source]

Marital Satisfaction Among African Americans and Black Caribbeans: Findings From the National Survey of American Life,

FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 2 2008
Chalandra M. Bryant
Abstract: This study examines the correlates of marital satisfaction using data from a national probability sample of African Americans (N = 962) and Black Caribbeans (N = 560). Findings reveal differences between African Americans and Black Caribbeans, and men and women within those groups, in the predictors of marital satisfaction. Black Caribbean women reported overall higher levels of marital satisfaction than African American women. The findings amply demonstrate the significance of ethnic diversity within the Black population in the United States. Difficulties with finances (budgeting, credit issues, and debt management) are one of the key issues that generate conflict in marriages; stress generated as a result of financial problems can lower marital satisfaction. Because these issues are salient for couples at any given time in the family life cycle, counseling at critical points in the marriage (birth of children, launching of children from home, and retirement) may be helpful. [source]

Adolescent Mothers' Perceptions of Fathers' Parental Involvement: Satisfaction and Desire for Involvement,

FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 3 2007
Melissa J. Herzog
Abstract: Grounded in family systems and ecological theories, this study examined teenage mothers' perceptions of fathers' parental involvement and the role of teenage mothers' gatekeeping beliefs. Fathers' involvement was perceived to be greater when teenage parents were romantically involved (n = 55). When they no longer shared a romantic relationship (n = 59), mothers' satisfaction with and desire for fathers' involvement (i.e., gatekeeping beliefs) mediated the association between mothers' perceptions of developmental and contextual factors and their perceptions of fathers' involvement. Overall, the proposed developmental-contextual model was not significant for romantically involved teenage parents. Findings underscore the need to account for and incorporate issues related to relationship status, grandparent support, historical support, and maternal gatekeeping beliefs when developing programs for adolescent parents. [source]

Formal support of stroke survivors and their informal carers in the community: a cohort study

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 6 2008
Chantal Simon PhD MSc MRCGP
Abstract This cohort study, aims to explore formal care provision to stroke survivors and their informal carers in the community in the UK. An initial cohort of 105 cohabitant carers of first-time stroke patients was recruited while the stroke patient was in hospital. Structured face-to-face interviews were carried out with carers prior to discharge of the stroke patient home, at 6 weeks after discharge, and 15 months after stroke. Questionnaires included measures of psychological health (CIS-R), physical health (self-rated health), social well-being (relationship quality and Sarason's social support questionnaire), handicap of the stroke survivor (Oxford Handicap Scale) and formal community support (amount of formal support and carer satisfaction). Multiple services were involved with most survivor,carer pairs (mean 5.4; range 2,9; SD = 1.7), and 74% of carers were satisfied with formal support provided. Number of services decreased with time (5.5 versus 4.1, t = 4.201, d.f. = 52, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 0.71,2.01) but not time allocated. Using stepwise linear regression, service provision early after discharge was predicted by: level of handicap, recruitment centre, carer self-rated health, number of informal supporters and other care commitments. Satisfaction was predicted by quality of informal support and activity restriction. Fifteen months after stroke, predictors of formal care were: level of handicap, quality of informal support and previous caring experience. Predictors of satisfaction were: quality of the relationship between the stroke survivor and carer, age and mood. Quality of services was good, but carers lacked information, had insufficient help and were not consulted enough. Carer distress is common, yet not currently a factor influencing support provision. Formal care provided adapts with time reflecting the importance of quality of support from friends and family rather than quantity of informal supporters. These factors should be taken into consideration when planning and providing formal support for stroke survivors and their carers. [source]