Dexamethasone and hiccups: a 2000-patient, telephone-based study

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2021-003474
Author(s):  
Christopher J Ehret ◽  
Jennifer G Le-Rademacher ◽  
Nichole Martin ◽  
Aminah Jatoi
Keyword(s):  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Single Item ◽  
Scale Item ◽  
English Speaking

ObjectivesDexamethasone causes hiccups in an undefined percentage of patients, and these hiccups are often ignored (‘My doctors just shook their heads like I was joking …’). This study sought to learn the percentage of dexamethasone-treated patients who develop hiccups and to explore patients’ responses to the availability of educational materials on hiccups.MethodsEnglish-speaking, adult outpatients treated with oral, intravenous or epidural dexamethasone 2 weeks prior were contacted by phone and asked about hiccups. Educational materials were offered, and patients were queried on their opinion of the availability of such materials.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-seven patients or 11% (95% CI 9% to 13%) reported hiccups. This percentage was derived from 1186 reachable patients from 2000 total patients. Fifty-four (43%) of those with hiccups desired to learn about educational materials. Of these, 49 completed a single-item, 5-point scale item: 21 (43%) viewed the availability of educational materials ‘extremely helpful,’ providing a 5 rating; 8 (16%) provided a 4; 4 (8%) provided a 3; and 1 (4%) provided a 2.ConclusionsDexamethasone-induced hiccups occur in a small percentage of patients. The fact that most patients responded favourably to learning about the availability of educational materials suggests some have unmet needs.

Assessment of Intelligibility in Children with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency: The Relationship between Intelligibility in Context Scale and Experimental Measures

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Hedieh Hashemi Hosseinabad ◽  
Karla N. Washington ◽  
Suzanne E. Boyce ◽  
Noah Silbert ◽  
Ann W. Kummer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Application ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Indirect Measure ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Parental Reports ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Children's Speech

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical application of the Intelligibility in Context Scale (ICS) instrument in children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). This study investigated the relationship between clinical speech outcomes and parental reports of speech intelligibility across various communicative partners. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The ICS was completed by the parents of 20 English-speaking children aged 4–12 years diagnosed with VPI. The parents were asked to rate their children’s speech intelligibility across communication partners using a 5-point scale. Clinical metrics obtained using standard clinical transcription on the Picture-Cued SNAP-R Test were: (1) percentage of consonants correct (PCC), (2) percentage of vowels correct (PVC), and (3) percentage of phonemes correct (PPC). Nasalance from nasometer data was included as an indirect measure of nasality. Intelligibility scores obtained from naive listener’s transcriptions and speech-language pathologists’ (SLP) ratings were compared with the ICS results. <b><i>Result:</i></b> Greater PCC, PPC, PVC, and transcription-based intelligibility values were significantly associated with higher ICS values, respectively (<i>r</i>[20] = 0.84, 0.82, 0.51, and 0.70, respectively; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05 in all cases). There was a negative and significant correlation between ICS mean scores and SLP ratings of intelligibility (<i>r</i> = –0.74; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). There was no significant correlation between ICS values and nasalance scores (<i>r</i>[20] = –0.28; <i>p</i> = 0.22). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The high correlations obtained between the ICS with PCC and PPC measures indicate that articulation accuracy has had a great impact on parents’ decision-making regarding intelligibility in this population. Significant agreement among ICS scores with naive listener transcriptions and clinical ratings supports use of the ICS in practice.

E-Learning Localized

2011 ◽  
pp. 168-186
Author(s):  
Meng-Fen (Grace) Lin ◽  
Mimi Miyoung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
E Learning ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
China Region

The power of Internet provides unprecedented opportunities for learners to obtain diverse content and for educators to quickly distribute resources. In the increasing globalized learning environment, OpenCourseWare (OCW) is one of the recent movements to utilize the Internet in making educational materials freely available to the world. However, the fact that these materials are offered mainly in English poses challenges to the non-English speaking population in many parts of the world. In response to such concern in the Great China Region, a localization project called the Opensource OpenCourseWare Prototype System (OOPS) was born in Taiwan in February, 2004 (Lin & Chu, 2005). OOPS aims to break the language barrier and deliver the openly-accessible English educational materials to the Chinese-speaking audience in their native language. This chapter presents the detailed background and history of this project, and highlights three challenges that OOPS has faced in its early stage of development. They are: (1) access to materials, (2) issues about translation, and (3) complexity of intra-cultural communication. Based on the first author’s direct experience with the project, suggestions and implications for future research are also offered.

The Sydney 'PLAY IT SAFE' Program: An Evaluation of an HIV/AIDS Awareness Raising Program for Men from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Ann-Marie Elias-Schneider ◽  
Julia Marthenas
Keyword(s):  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Migrant Communities ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Innovative Program ◽  
Aids Awareness ◽  
Aids Risk ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Hiv Aids

The relatively low rates of HIV/AIDS in Australia can be attributed to extensive and well publicised prevention programs. However, it is not known if there are differential risks of HIV/AIDS for people from non-English speaking backgrounds, particularly given the reluctance in some migrant communities to discuss HIV/AIDS issues. An innovative program was implemented with soccer clubs in Sydney, which have a very high proportion of followers from non-English speaking backgrounds. Educational materials were distributed to male spectators at games, a high profile sticker and poster campaign was implemented and clubs supported the project in a number of ways after extensive liaison. Two hundred and one male spectators aged 18 to 50 years, and generally from non-English speaking backgrounds, were selected randomly (44% response rate) at three games and asked a series of questions about recall of project messages and HIV/AIDS risk behaviour. Recall of the project slogan 'PLAY IT SAFE' was high (66%) and significantly higher among frequent game attenders. Twenty per cent of respondents were considered at potentially elevated risk of HIV/AIDS, with older men and smokers significantly more likely to be at potentially elevated risk. Ethnicity was not associated with greater risk.

scholarly journals How Do Subjective Health Literacy Measures Work in Young Adults? Specifying “Online” or “Paper-Based” Forms Impacts Results

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 238146832092467
Author(s):  
Mary C. Politi ◽  
Courtney M. Goodwin ◽  
Kimberly A. Kaphingst ◽  
Xuechen Wang ◽  
Angela Fagerlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Single Item ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
No Gold Standard ◽  
Electronic Health Information

Purpose. There is no gold-standard health literacy measure. The Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS) and Subjective Literacy Screener (SLS) ask people to self-report ability to understand health information. They were developed in older adults, before common use of electronic health information. This study explored whether the SILS and SLS related to objective literacy, numeracy, and comprehension among young adults, and whether specifying “online” or “paper-based” wording affected these relationships. Methods. Eligible individuals (18–35 years of age, English-speaking, US residents) from an online survey company were randomized to 1) original measures; 2) measures adding “paper-based” to describe health information/forms; or 3) measures adding “online” to describe health information/forms. We examined how each measure related to e-Health Literacy (eHEALS), subjective numeracy (SNS), objective numeracy (ONS), and comprehension of a short passage. Results. A total of 848/1342 respondents correctly answered attention-checks and were analyzed. The validated SILS related to comprehension ( P = 0.003), eHEALS ( P = 0.04), and ONS ( P < 0.001) but not SNS ( P = 0.44). When adding “paper-based,” SILS related to eHEALS ( P < 0.001) and ONS ( P = 0.003) but did not relate to comprehension ( P = 0.25) or SNS ( P = 0.35). When adding “online,” SILS related to comprehension ( P < 0.001), eHEALS ( P < 0.001), ONS ( P = 0.005), and SNS ( P = 0.03). The validated SLS related to comprehension ( P < 0.001), eHEALS ( P < 0.001), ONS ( P < 0.001), and SNS ( P < 0.001). When adding “paper-based,” the SLS only related to eHEALS ( P = <0.001) and comprehension ( P = 0.03) but did not relate to ONS ( P = 0.13) or SNS ( P = 0.33). When adding “online,” the SLS related to comprehension ( P < 0.001), eHEALS ( P < 0.001), and SNS ( P = 0.03) but not ONS ( P = 0.06). Conclusions. Young adults might interpret subjective health literacy measures differently when prompted to think about electronic or paper-based information. Researchers should consider clearer instructions or modified wording when using these measures in this population.

scholarly journals Development and Evaluation of a Training Program on Whole Farm Nutrient Planning for Organic Farms

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 500-503
Author(s):  
Elsa S. Sánchez ◽  
Heather D. Karsten
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Nutrient Sources ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Organic Nutrient ◽  
Agricultural Educators ◽  
Computer Based

Organic growers have indicated a need for help with the challenge of nutrient management. To address this challenge, an intensive training program for agricultural educators was convened to study this issue. Through the program, existing soil and compost analysis recommendations were modified to make them more relevant for organic growers; computer-based whole farm nutrient planning tools were evaluated using situations common to organic farms; and educational materials on using organic nutrient sources were developed for grower audiences. Educational workshops, presentations, and farm visits reached 714 growers and publications reached over 2575 people. Survey respondents of the intensive training program rated their ability to help organic growers with nutrient management as 3.50 before and 5.50 (7-point scale, with 7 = excellent) after the sessions. About 1 year later, all survey respondents rated their ability to help growers using organic nutrient sources as excellent or above average. Grower knowledge of using organic nutrient sources improved to 5.92 from 3.92 as a result of a workshop and to 5.62 from 3.89 (7-point scale, with 7 = excellent) after a 1-day class developed by intensive training participants. Methodology used allowed for expansion of individual and collective knowledge of a complicated topic and development of high impact, relevant, and effective educational programming for clientele.

scholarly journals LINGUISTIC TEXTBOOK OF THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE IN THE SYSTEN OF TEACHING RUSSIAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (34) ◽  
Author(s):  
O.V BONDAREVA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Russian Language ◽  
Language Transfer ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Adequate Understanding ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Approach To Teaching ◽  
The Russian Language

The article deals with the issue of linguistic-oriented teaching of Russian as a foreign language. The features of the methodological concept of the national-linguistic orientation of language teaching are described, the advantages of this approach to teaching are formulated. As an illustrative example, a description of a textbook on the Russian language for English-speaking students is given. Some illustrative fragments of the textbook and ways of presenting language material are presented. Analyzed the scientific works of modern methodologists on this topic. Revealed the urgency of the problem, which is associated with the need to create educational materials of a linguistic nature for a different contingent of students, studying the interaction of languages in the minds of students, ways of representing linguistic phenomena, taking into account the general and specific features of contacting language systems, difficulties in teaching Russian due to the originality of the native language, transfer current rules, programs of speech behavior from the native language into the studied (Russian) language. A linguistic textbook on the Russian language must certainly take into account the peculiarities of the studied language through the prism of the native language and consciously rely on it, but not by comparing the systems of two languages, but by including educational comments, increased attention to a particular language fact that causes special difficulties, and the choice of semantization techniques lexical units, the sequence of studying the material and certain ways of presenting the material. Taking into account the above factors contributes to a quick and adequate understanding of the facts of the studied language, a solid assimilation of the material.

scholarly journals Exploring a core psychopathology in disordered eating: the feelings of fat scale

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yichelle Y. Zhang ◽  
Bruce D. Burns ◽  
Stephen Touyz
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Single Item ◽  
Undergraduate Women ◽  
High Coherence ◽  
A Current

Abstract Background Feelings of fat are common for people with eating disorders, but ways of measuring its intensity are needed. Therefore, our goal was to develop a self-report feelings of fat scale that asked participants to indicate how intensely they currently felt statements such as “I feel fat”. With such a scale we can determine how strongly feelings of fat relate to evidence of disordered eating. Methods We conducted three studies of eating disorders with undergraduate women taking introductory psychology classes. The combined sample was 472 participants. A previous eating disorder diagnosis was self-reported by 33 participants and a current diagnosis by 11. All participants completed the EDE-Q and the seven (Study 1) or nine item (Studies 2 and 3) “State Feelings of Fat” (SFF) scales we developed. Each item asked them to rate the intensity with which they felt statements such “I feel fat” on a seven-point scale from “not at all” to “the most I have ever felt”. Results Both the seven and nine item SFF scales were highly coherent (Cronbach’s α were .94, .95 and .94), but factor analysis supported the seven-item version. We found high correlations between SFF and EDE-Q scores (Study 1: .816; Study 2: .808; Study 3: .841). SFF scores distinguished participants self-reporting no eating disorder diagnosis from those with a former diagnosis, t (361) = 2.33, p = .021, who in turn were distinguished from those with a current diagnosis, t (42) = 2.09, p = .043. Due to the high coherence of the scale, the single item “I feel fat” captured most of the variance in EDE-Q scores (r [472] = .793). Conclusions We have constructed an eating disorders relevant feelings of fat scale. Given that the EDE-Q is considered a valid questionnaire for measuring severity of eating disorders, our findings suggests that feelings of fat are core to the psychopathology of eating disorders. To the extent that EDE-Q scores are stable it also suggests that feelings of fat are surprisingly stable. Furthermore, the single item “I feel fat” alone may capture most of what the EDE-Q measures.

Vaccine Risk/Benefit Communication: Effect of an Educational Package for Public Health Nurses

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 787-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry C. Davis ◽  
Doren D. Fredrickson ◽  
Estela M. Kennen ◽  
Sharon G. Humiston ◽  
Connie L. Arnold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Public Health Nurses ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Written Information ◽  
Educational Package ◽  
Communication Time ◽  
Communication Effect

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an in-service for public health nurses (PHNs) and accompanying educational materials could improve vaccine risk/benefit communication. The content and timing of vaccine communication were recorded during 246 pre-and 217 postintervention visits in two public health immunization clinics. Pre-/postintervention comparisons showed PHN communication of severe side effects (13% vs. 44%, p < .0001) and their management (29% vs. 60%, p < .0001) increased. There was no significant change in discussion of vaccine benefits (48% vs. 51%) or common side effects (91% vs. 92%),screening for contraindications (71% vs. 77%), or distribution of written information (89% vs. 92%). More parents initiated vaccine questions postintervention (27% vs. 39%,p < .01) and were more satisfied with vaccine-risk communication (8.1 vs. 8.9 on a 10-point scale, p < .01). Average vaccine communication time increased from 16 to 22 seconds (p < .01).

scholarly journals A Transmedia Storytelling Intervention With Interactive Elements to Benefit Latinas’ Mental Health: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. e47 ◽  
Author(s):  
MarySue V Heilemann ◽  
Patricia D Soderlund ◽  
Priscilla Kehoe ◽  
Mary-Lynn Brecht
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Interactive Video ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Latina Women ◽  
Single Item ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Transmedia Storytelling ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
English Speaking

Background Latinos report higher rates of depression and anxiety than US whites but are less likely to receive care. Transmedia storytelling interventions accessible on the Internet via smartphones, tablets, and computers hold promise for reducing reluctance to explore or get help for symptoms because they are private, convenient, and can reach large numbers of people, including Latinas with mental health needs. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a mental health transmedia intervention for Latinas with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both. Methods A total of 28 symptomatic English-speaking Latina women aged 21 to 48 years participated in a 6-week study using a within-group design. All aspects of the study were completed via telephone or Internet. Participants used their personal devices to engage the Web-based transmedia intervention (in English) that included story-based videos, a data-informed psychotherapeutic video, an interactive video sequence, and a blog written from the point of view of one of the characters with links to mental health resources. Perceived confidence to get help and perceived importance for seeking immediate help were both measured using single-item questions. Participants completed surveys at baseline (via telephone) and 1 and 6 weeks after media engagement that measured various factors, including depression (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9 and PHQ-8) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale; GAD-7). A telephone interview was conducted within 72 hours of media engagement. Action taken or intentions to get help (single-item question) and talking about the videos with others (single-item question) were measured 1 and 6 weeks after media engagement. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess change in depression (PHQ-8) and anxiety (GAD-7) before transmedia engagement and 1 and 6 weeks after. Spearman correlations evaluated the association of confidence and importance of getting help with action taken, anxiety, and depression. Results All 28 Latinas (English speakers) who engaged with the transmedia remained in the 6-week study. Within 1 week of transmedia engagement, 39% of women took action to get help, and 82% discussed the media with others. Symptoms of depression (F2,54=9.0, P<.001) and anxiety (F2,54=18.7, P<.001) significantly reduced across time. Higher levels of confidence were significantly associated with actions taken at 1 (P=.005) and 6 weeks (P=.04), and higher levels of importance were significantly associated with actions taken at 1 (P=.009) and 6 weeks (P=.003). Higher levels of confidence were associated with lower levels of depression (P=.04) and anxiety (P=.01) at 6 weeks. Conclusions Preliminary findings indicate a culturally tailored mental health transmedia intervention is a feasible approach that holds promise for engaging large numbers of symptomatic English-speaking Latina women to begin the process of seeking help, as well as decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

scholarly journals Cameroon Coughs and Sneezes, Symptomatic of Catching Africa's Cold of Conflict: Dealing with the Dilemmas and Controversies of a Country Grappling with its History

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
Sylvester Tabe Arrey
Keyword(s):  
Unmet Needs ◽  
The State ◽  
Good Faith ◽  
The Other ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
The People ◽  
The Future ◽  
French Speaking ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
The One

This work examines events from Cameroon's life since becoming a nation to foster understanding of the worrisome political situation the country has been traversing since 2016. Bitter and unhappy with their treatment since joining the French-speaking part, many citizens of the minority English-speaking part feel fed up and desire a breakup. I show that apart from constituting an aspect of its pride, Cameroon's history is also a source of tricky challenges the country has been wrestling with since inception. I contend that issues of this kind will always be around if those in the country's cockpit fly it to a destination other than what satisfies and respects the two people – especially the one that moved the English-speaking part to opt for a joint destiny. Instead of toying with truth to score personal political points, authorities should yield to truth, operating in good faith to correct errors and heal hurt hearts so that both people will willingly, not by force, accept to work together. Contrary actions will risk the future. Happiness moves people to look at their history with pride finding things to build while pain stirs frustration and fury, moving them to search for flaws to fix or fight. I hold that both parts face almost the same challenges from unmet needs to emaciating struggles of survival. However, the English-speaking part has unique plaques that ache terribly and have nothing to do with the country’s general cry of lagging development. They touch on its identity and survival, unleashing pain many out of its shoes might fail to feel and so unable to understand the degree of excruciation. I caution that though it has been a show of two regions, the likelihood of someday evolving into a ten-region revolution is certain if wise and inclusive actions are not applied. Apart from groaning in their own pain, many among the other eight are sympathetic to the predicament of the lamenting two, expressing fury, first, against the denial by highly placed authorities of the existence of any problem, and second, in their ruthless and brutal treatment of those who complain or challenge their stance. Anger increased as people's patience waned. Their calm will not last if things stay unchanged. When arguments evolve and accommodate their worries they will get on board pushing the heat to levels officials will have problems containing without facing the temptation of fighting the people they are in office to protect. I end with recommendations the state and activists might find useful. They highlight measures that can help in a heterogeneous society like Cameroon to preserve peace and save it from becoming a scene of mayhem and butchery.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document