Empirically Validated Treatments: Health Psychology Interventions

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-8
Author(s):  
Jack E. James
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Behaviour Pattern ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Psychological Practice ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Whereas King's (1977) focus was clinical psychology, the present commentary considers empirical validation of psychological practice in health settings. Comparisons are made with the fact that most diagnostic and therapeutic medical practices in use have yet to be empirically validated. At the population level, modern medicine does not appear to have had a large impact on any of the major causes of premature death, past or present. Conversely, there is strong evidence that all current major causes of death are closely related to behaviour pattern. However, there are formidable obstacles to the uptake and future development of behavioural interventions in health settings. Issues subsumed under the rubric of quality of care are particularly important, including appropriateness (treatment should not be applied when it is not needed — avoidance of overservicing), and necessity (treatment should be available to persons in need — avoidance of underservicing). The general public, health practitioners, and health policy makers are relatively uninformed about relevant psychological practices and about the central role of psychological processes in all aspects of human health.

scholarly journals Current issues in Scandinavian acute psychiatric wards

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torleif Ruud ◽  
Nils Lindefors ◽  
Anne Lindhardt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Psychiatric Units ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Wards ◽  
Field Information ◽  
The Right

AbstractThe aim of the paper is to provide an overview of some of the most important issues faced by acute inpatient facilities in three Scandinavian countries, including reflections and critical remarks for discussion in this field. Information was drawn from scientific articles and official reports published in recent years, as well as the authors' own knowledge of acute facilities in their home countries. Acute inpatient facilities, including General Hospital Psychiatric Units (GHPUs), in all Scandinavian countries have several issues and problems in common, which include the organisation and capacity of acute services, the assessment of dangerousness and suicidality, the use of coercion and efforts to reduce coercion, the need to define and improve the quality of acute services, and the necessity to improve collaboration and continuity between acute services and other services. Although the emphasis some of these issues receive can vary across the three countries, Scandinavian mental health professionals (and policy makers) have begun to systematically share their experiences in developing a growing spirit of collaboration. Despite the role of welfare state and the deployment of substantial resources in Scandinavian countries, mental health practitioners are struggling to implement best practices in acute wards, to develop differentiated forms of acute services, and to reach the right balance and coordination between acute services and other services.

Dietary Modifications in Fissure-in-ano: A Qualitative Study Based on Persian Medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 860-865
Author(s):  
Sedigheh Tavakoli-Dastjerdi ◽  
Mandana Tavakkoli-Kakhki ◽  
Ali R. Derakhshan ◽  
Azam Teimouri ◽  
Malihe Motavasselian
Keyword(s):  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Fissure In Ano ◽  
High Fiber ◽  
Baked Goods ◽  
Persian Medicine

Background: Anal fissure (AF) is a common disease associated with severe pain and reduced quality of life. Factors related to lifestyle, including diet and bowel habits, play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Most of the chronic fissures are not responsive to drugs and more likely to recur. Given the significance of diet in Persian medicine (PM), investigation on physiopathology and appropriate foods can be useful for decreases in AF symptoms and consequences. Objective: This study was intended to evaluate the role of diet in the formation and progression of AF from the perspective of PM. Methods: In this study, the most important resources of PM dating back to thousands of years were reviewed. All these textbooks contained a section on AF, its causes, and treatment. Further analysis was performed on these resources in comparison with databank and resources of modern medicine to develop a food-based strategy for AF management. Results: From the view of PM, the warmth and dryness of anus temperament accounted for AF. Both Persian and modern medicine identified constipation as another cause for AF. Therefore, avoidance from some foods and commercial baked goods was recommended. Both Persian and modern medicine forbad the following foods: potato, cabbage, cauliflower, pasta, beef, fish, and so forth. High fiber and oligo-antigen diets with some limitations have garnered more attention. Conclusion: An integrative approach is recommended employing both Persian and modern medicine for AF. There have been some evidence in this regard, however standardized clinical trials are required for future research.

La politica dei Cluster in Europa: tendenze e criticitŕ emergenti

ARGOMENTI ◽  
2009 ◽  
pp. 99-122
Author(s):  
Alessandro Minello
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Triple Helix ◽  
Cluster Policy ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Complex Adaptive

- Cluster policy today represent one of the main elements of the European agenda, both for policy makers and for practitioners. In the last decade an extensive-type cluster policy has produced a proliferation of clusters all over the Europe, but the generated quality of clusters created has not always been quite satisfactory. Following the input by the European commission, currently is underway a qualitative review of the goals and processes of European cluster policy. This paper aims at presenting such changes in the European cluster policy, beside the main lessons that can be learned. The analysis emphasizes some critical elements of the current process of "clustering" and highlights the role of the institutions, besides the market, in the planning of new clusters and the strengthening of those existing. The final message is that Europe needs a better cluster policy, rather than more clusters, according to the growing complexity and dynamism of clusters.Parole chiave: cluster, politica dei cluster, approccio triple-helix, sistemi adattivi complessi.Keywords: cluster, cluster policy, triple helix approach, complex adaptive systems.

scholarly journals Teacher Standards and Professionalism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Pauline Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Secondary School Teachers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Collective Responsibility ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Teacher Professionalism ◽  
Policy Makers

<p>The focus of this research is teacher professionalism in New Zealand and the possible role of the ‘Standards for the Teaching Profession’ that were released in 2017, in strengthening the quality of teaching. Evidence suggests that the quality of teachers’ work is an important factor in students’ success. So, a challenge for education policy-makers is to create a system that encourages and enables teachers to be high quality and motivated to keep improving. The literature suggests a strategy to enable this is to encourage a mature profession, where teachers take collective responsibility for improvement. Standards for teachers can be a positive influence on improving teacher practice when their use is balanced between regulatory and development functions, so that they are a catalyst for professional development. This research involved 45 teachers in English Medium settings participating in sector specific focus groups for early childhood, primary school and secondary school teachers, a review of policy documents and secondary data from Education Council workshops. The analysis suggests that aspects of organisational professionalism influence the environment, although most teachers did not consciously align themselves to this discourse. There appeared to be some differences between sectors, with those in early childhood aligning more closely to their organisation than other teachers and feeling like they were not accepted as a legitimate part of the teaching profession. Although teachers were generally positive about the new standards, few teachers considered using them for reflection or professional conversations outside of formal appraisal. The aspiration presented in literature of a mature profession that works collaboratively with a mix of stakeholders to combine expertise, ask tough questions to create solutions and grows professional knowledge was not apparent, however teachers identified opportunities to shift the profession towards this discourse.</p>

Active Commuting to School Among 36, 781 Spanish Children and Adolescents: A Temporal Trend Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Gálvez-Fernández ◽  
Manuel Herrador-Colmenero ◽  
Irene Esteban-Cornejo ◽  
José Castro-Piñero ◽  
Javier Molina-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Abstract Background Active commuting to school (ACS) is an important source to increase the total daily physical activity in youth and improve their health. How the ACS rates change along the time is of interest. The objective of this study was to examine trends in the rates of ACS in a large sample of Spanish children and adolescents aged 6–18 years from 2010 to 2017. The study period included the economic crisis in Spain (2008 to 2013) and secondary analysis was conducted to compare ACS rates during and after the economic crisis. Methods To investigate trends in ACS among Spanish children and adolescents, data were obtained from 28 studies conducted across Spain. The study sample comprised 18,343 children (6 to 11.9 years old; 50.5% girls) and 18,438 adolescents (12 to 18 years old; 49.5% girls). The overall trends in ACS were evaluated using multilevel logistic regression analysis. Results The rates of ACS in Spanish children and adolescents did not change significantly during the 2010–2017 period, except a sporadic increase in the rate of ACS in adolescents in 2012–2013. No significant association between the ACS and the economic crisis time period in either children or adolescents were found. These findings are in contrast to recently reported declines in ACS rates in other countries. Conclusions Strong partnerships between researchers, public health practitioners, policy-makers and communities, as well as long-term commitment and evaluations of interventions aiming to increase ACS are necessary to ensure positive results in the long term.

Technology and Teenage Pregnancy

2019 ◽  
pp. 150-164
Author(s):  
Hatem Bata
Keyword(s):  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Media Communication ◽  
Internet Connection ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The World ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Technology plays a fundamental part in teenagers' lives since the majority of them are deemed digital natives having grown using communications, media, and digital technologies. As technology evolves, it becomes more available and more affordable to more young people. There are 104 countries where 80% of youth have internet connection. In Africa and Asia, there are more females online than males. Several educators, academics, and public health practitioners expect technology to be a remedy to all social problems or a cause for all evil in the world due to the ubiquity of technology. This chapter takes a skeptical outlook at technology by demonstrating how technology could be a cause of social problems and also be a part of the solution if used properly. The author attempts to refute the notion of technological determinism. This chapter aims to look at the role of media, communication, and educational technology, and their relationship with teenage pregnancy.

The roles of friends and neighbours in providing support for older people

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREW NOCON ◽  
MAGGIE PEARSON
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Frail Older People ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The People ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Published Research

Most published research on informal care for older people focuses on the support provided by relatives. The role of non-kin carers can, however, also be significant in supporting older people in their own homes. In this paper, we report the findings from an exploratory study of the support provided by friends and neighbours who are the main carers of frail older people. It draws on interviews with an opportunistic sample of friends, neighbours and older people, which explored their views about the support arrangements, the reasons why help was provided and any difficulties experienced. Several friends and neighbours provided intensive and frequent help, and some played a key role in co-ordinating other services. One of the main forms of direct support related to older people's quality of life, at a broader level than the practical help provided by statutory services. The flexibility of such support, and the friends' and neighbours' concern for older people as individuals, were particularly important to the people they helped. Nevertheless, such help was not provided without costs to the carers. The study highlights the need for policy-makers and practitioners not to take help from friends and neighbours for granted and, in line with the White Paper Modernising Social Services, to provide the support services they need.

scholarly journals Assessing trends of breast cancer and carcinoma in situ to monitor screening policies in developing settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Érika de Abreu Costa Brito ◽  
Marcela Sampaio Lima ◽  
Hianga Fayssa Fernandes Siqueira ◽  
Adriane Dórea Marques ◽  
Alex Rodrigues Moura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Joinpoint Regression ◽  
Mortality Trends ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Screening Strategies ◽  
Developing Settings

Abstract There have been arguments about the role of breast cancer screening at the population level, and some points of controversy have arisen, such the establishment of organized screening policies and the age at which to begin screening. The real benefit of screening has been questioned because the results of this practice may increase the diagnosis of indolent lesions without decreasing mortality due to breast cancer. The authors have proposed a study of incidence and mortality trends for breast cancer in a developing setting in Brazil to monitor the effectiveness of the official recommendations that prioritize the age group from 50 to 69 years. The database of the Cancer Registry and the Mortality Information System was used to calculate age-standardized and age-specific rates, which were then used to calculate incidence and mortality trends using the Joinpoint Regression Program. The results showed stability in trends across all ages and age-specific groups in both incidence and mortality. In conclusion, we found that incidence and mortality rates are compatible with those in regions with similar human development indexes, and trends have demonstrated stabilization. Thus, we do not endorse changes in the official recommendations to conduct screening for ages other than 50 to 69 years, nor should policy makers implement organized screening strategies.

Legal Preparedness for Obesity Prevention and Control: The Structural Framework and the Role of Government

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (S1) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Demetrios L. Kouzoukas
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
The Public ◽  
Legal Advice ◽  
Structural Framework ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Relationship

This paper discusses the relationship between obesity, law, and public health preparedness as well as the relevant roles of public health practitioners, policymakers, and lawyers. Each group believes they have a unique role in this relationship although there can be overlap and/or lack of clarity as to what that role may be.The role of the lawyer in the public policy process is to identify relevant legal issues, to analyze them and give advice on the risks of taking a given action, and to communicate legal advice in a clear manner. Simply put, the lawyer’s role is to dive deep into the law surrounding the topic at hand and to offer advice regarding the permissible limits of policymakers’ options and the associated risks.

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