scholarly journals One State’s Use of Program Evaluation to Improve Correctional Practices

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Brusman Lovins ◽  
Edward J. Latessa
Keyword(s):  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Residential Treatment ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
The State ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Risk Principle

Trends in criminal justice programming can sometimes lead one to question the direction the field is taking related to rehabilitation. This article presents one state’s attempt to evaluate the quality of residential treatment services in the state across a primary and then follow-up outcome evaluation. This article outlines study results specific to treatment effects by risk. The study finds consistent evidence in support of the risk principle across both studies. The article also outlines what the state did with the recommendations from these studies, and how that affected the delivery of correctional programming in that state.

Rethinking Homeless People’s Punishments

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-98
Author(s):  
Terry Skolnik
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
The State ◽  
Property Right ◽  
Public Property

This article argues that we should rethink homeless people’s punishments for violating quality-of-life ordinances. Those ordinances prohibit acts that are deemed to constitute urban nuisances—urban camping, public urination, and sleeping on sidewalks among them. Violating quality-of-life ordinances can result in expensive fines, administrative fees, and civil consequences for unpaid fines. In line with other scholars’ work, this article demonstrates how our current punishment scheme entrenches individuals in homelessness and operates like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Lacking a private property right and stuck in a cycle of homelessness, homeless people will continue to alleviate their needs on public property and be subject to further coercion and punishment. Homeless people’s punishments for violating quality-of-life offenses are also objectionable because they violate three types of proportionality constraints: the gravity of the prohibited conduct, the homeless person’s moral blameworthiness, and their personal situation. This article proposes an alternate punishment scheme that minimizes the prospect of entrenchment in homelessness and remedies those three proportionality concerns. It argues that the state should adopt a day-fine model for financial penalties, implement criminal justice debt absolution frameworks, and rethink the civil and criminal consequences associated with unpaid fines. A more proportional punishment scheme is neither a solution to the reality of homelessness nor a substitute for the state’s responsibility to ensure better access to housing. However, this article’s proposals can mitigate the gravest consequences associated with homeless people’s punishments, prevent entrenchment in homelessness, and ensure homeless people are treated with greater respect.

Health-related quality of life measures in routine clinical care: Can FACT-Fatigue help to assess the management of fatigue in cancer patients?

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (01) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria-Jose Santana ◽  
Heather-Jane Au ◽  
Melina Dharma-Wardene ◽  
Joanne D. Hewitt ◽  
David Dupere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Routine Clinical Care ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Objectives:Fatigue is the most common symptom reported by cancer patients. The inclusion of health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures in routine clinical care of cancer patients may improve the management of fatigue. The primary objective of this study is to provide evidence on the magnitude of change in fatigue subscale scores using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F) that is clinically important.Methods:Consecutive patients with advanced primary lung cancer attending a Canadian tertiary care cancer and, prior to undergoing palliative chemotherapy, were enrolled in the study. Patients completed a battery of questionnaires [FACT-F, Qualitative Patients Self-report of Fatigue Level (QPSRF)] at baseline, follow-up and 2 weeks after their final cycle of chemotherapy. Clinicians assessed the patients using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status Scale at baseline and each follow-up visit. FACT-F change scores were computed as the mean change in score (end of study score minus baseline score).Results:A total of 43 patients with mean age of 59 years were enrolled in the study. Results revealed a mean change in FACT-F subscale score of 5.0 (SE 1.06) for those who rated themselves as more tired, 1.28 (SE 1.00) for those who rated themselves as the same (no change), and −1.52 (SE 0.84) for those patients who rated themselves as less tired.Conclusions:We provide evidence on the magnitude of change in FACT-F score that is associated with the perception by patients of improvement in fatigue and magnitude of change in score that is associated with worsening in fatigue.

scholarly journals The evaluation of treatment services and systems for substance use disorders

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Rush
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Treatment Service ◽  
Treatment Services

Scientific research and program evaluation have not played a major role in shaping the development of treatment services and systems in most countries. This has led to disparities in the development, management and monitoring of national treatment systems. In the evaluation of treatment for substance use disorders, the evaluation practitioner will usually be working at one of five levels: single case, treatment activity, treatment service, treatment agency or treatment system. One of the major barriers to undertaking internal program evaluation is the belief that it is a complicated research process best left to those with specific research training. Program managers and staff can plan and initiate an evaluation process for their program if they have access to research expertise when needed for certain parts of the process. There are seven main components of an evaluation process that can be planned and implemented: need assessment; evaluation planning, process evaluation, cost analysis, client satisfaction evaluation, outcome evaluation and economic evaluation. However, evaluation is more than the techniques and technology required to implement these types of activities. It also involves the routine questioning of current practice even if the feedback may be less positive than anticipated. A healthy culture for evaluation is one in which feedback loops are woven into the fabric of the treatment service or system. There are many barriers to evaluation in substance abuse services but these barriers can be overcome with careful planning and commitment to the delivery of evidence-based services.

scholarly journals Improved Quality of Life Following Addiction Treatment Is Associated with Reductions in Substance Use

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1407
Author(s):  
Victoria Manning ◽  
Joshua B. B. Garfield ◽  
Tina Lam ◽  
Steve Allsop ◽  
Lynda Berends ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Addiction Treatment ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Study Patient ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Patient Pathways

People seeking treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) ultimately aspire to improve their quality of life (QOL) through reducing or ceasing their substance use, however the association between these treatment outcomes has received scant research attention. In a prospective, multi-site treatment outcome study (‘Patient Pathways’), we recruited 796 clients within one month of intake from 21 publicly funded addiction treatment services in two Australian states, 555 (70%) of whom were followed-up 12 months later. We measured QOL at baseline and follow-up using the WHOQOL-BREF (physical, psychological, social and environmental domains) and determined rates of “SUD treatment success” (past-month abstinence or a statistically reliable reduction in substance use) at follow-up. Mixed effects linear regression analyses indicated that people who achieved SUD treatment success also achieved significantly greater improvements in QOL, relative to treatment non-responders (all four domains p < 0.001). Paired t-tests indicated that non-responders significantly improved their social (p = 0.007) and environmental (p = 0.033) QOL; however, their psychological (p = 0.088) and physical (p = 0.841) QOL did not significantly improve. The findings indicate that following treatment, QOL improved in at least some domains, but that reduced substance use was associated with both stronger and broader improvements in QOL. Addressing physical and psychological co-morbidities during treatment may facilitate reductions in substance use.

scholarly journals An Outcome Evaluation of the Indianapolis Community Court

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Grommon ◽  
Natalie Kroovand Hipple ◽  
Bradley Ray
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Survival Models ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Community Court ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Community Courts

Seeking to alleviate traditional criminal justice system processing for low-level non-violent crimes, community courts have emerged as a viable alternative. These courts use innovative community-based efforts to address the needs of defendants charged with quality-of-life crimes and attempt to improve the surrounding community. Using a retrospective quasi-experimental design, this research examines recidivism outcomes for a sample of 574 defendants who were referred to the Indianapolis Community Court. Repeated-measures ANOVA models were used to assess 1- and 3-year follow-up intervals. Survival models were used to determine whether significant differences between groups exist on the timing of recidivism events. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between those individuals who were processed through community court and those processed through traditional courts. The implications of these findings for future research and community court policy and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Effect of Intradialytic Exercise on Hyperphosphatemia and Malnutrition

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nada Salhab ◽  
Mona Alrukhaimi ◽  
Jeroen Kooman ◽  
Enrico Fiaccadori ◽  
Harith Aljubori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Post Evaluation ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Intradialytic Exercise

Intradialytic exercise (IDE) is not routinely prescribed in hemodialysis (HD) units despite its potential benefits on patients’ outcomes. This study was the first in the United Arab Emirates to examine the effect of aerobic IDE on hyperphosphatemia, malnutrition, and other health outcomes among HD patients. Participants were chosen from the largest HD unit in Sharjah Emirate for a quasi-experimental intervention with pre and post evaluation. The study lasted for 12 months. Study parameters were collected at baseline, post intervention, and follow-up. The intervention included a moderate-intensity aerobic IDE of 45 min per HD session; intensity was assessed using the Borg Scale. Patients were educated on the importance of exercise. Study outcomes were serum phosphorus (P), malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), quality of life (QOL), and pertinent blood tests. Forty-one eligible consenting HD patients were included in the study. Results at follow-up showed a non-significant reduction in P (p = 0.06) in patients who were hyperphosphatemic at baseline, but not in the sample as whole. MIS did not deteriorate throughout the study (p = 0.97). IDE resulted in a non-significant increase in the QOL visual analogue scale (p = 0.34). To conclude, aerobic IDE for 45 min is safe and could be beneficial, especially for hyperphosphatemic patients.

scholarly journals Psychological, clinical, and therapeutic predictors of the outcome of detoxification in a large clinical population of medication-overuse headache: A six-month follow-up of the COMOESTAS Project

Cephalalgia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bottiroli ◽  
Marta Allena ◽  
Grazia Sances ◽  
Roberto De Icco ◽  
Micol Avenali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Chronic Headache ◽  
Medication Overuse ◽  
Medication Overuse Headache ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Type Headache

Aim To identify factors that may be predictors of the outcome of a detoxification treatment in medication-overuse headache. Methods Consecutive patients entering a detoxification program in six centres in Europe and Latin America were evaluated and followed up for 6 months. We evaluated anxious and depressive symptomatology (though patients with severe psychiatric comorbidity were excluded), quality of life, headache-related disability, headache characteristics, and prophylaxis upon discharge. Results Of the 492 patients who completed the six-month follow up, 407 ceased overuse following the detoxification (non overusers), another 23 ceased overuse following detoxification but relapsed during the follow-up. In the 407 non-overusers, headache acquired an episodic pattern in 287 subjects (responders). At the multivariate analyses, lower depression scores (odds ratio = 0.891; p = 0.001) predicted ceasing overuse. The primary headache diagnosis – migraine with respect to tension-type headache (odds ratio = 0.224; p = 0.001) or migraine plus tension-type headache (odds ratio = 0.467; p = 0.002) – and the preventive treatment with flunarizine (compared to no such treatment) (odds ratio = 0.891; p = 0.001) predicted being a responder. A longer duration of chronic headache (odds ratio = 1.053; p = 0.032) predicted relapse into overuse. Quality of life and disability were not associated with any of the outcomes. Conclusions Though exploratory in nature, these findings point to specific factors that are associated with a positive outcome of medication-overuse headache management, while identifying others that may be associated with a negative outcome. Evaluation of the presence/absence of these factors may help to optimize the management of this challenging groups of chronic headache sufferers.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study On The Effect Of Telephone And SMS Follow-Up of An Empowerment Program On Quality of Life And Fatigue In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Three-Month RCT-Follow-Up Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Fathizadeh Dehkordi ◽  
Haydeh Haidari ◽  
Reza Masoudi ◽  
Morteza Sedhi ◽  
Fereydoon Khajeali
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
National Committee ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Important Principle ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Empowerment Program

Abstract Background: Due to their debilitating and progressive conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) can reduce patients' quality of life (QOL) and cause fatigue. This study aimed to compare the effect of telephone and SMS follow-up of an empowerment program on QOL and fatigue in patients with COPD.Methods: This non blind randomized clinical trial (RCT) study was conducted on 105 patients with COPD in 2016-2017 in Shahrekord city. First, the pulmonary empowerment program was implemented for six 90-min sessions. Then, the patients were randomly assigned to three control, telephone follow-up, and SMS follow-up groups (35 individuals in each group) using a random number table. Data were collected in the first and the sixth sessions of the empowerment program and at the end of the follow-up period by demographic, QOL, and fatigue questionnaires. Eventually, they were analyzed through correlation coefficient and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests using SPSS software (Ver. 20).Results: The study results on QOL showed that the groups were not significantly different before and after the empowerment (p > 0.05). However, they were statistically significant differences were observed between the groups at the end of the quarterly follow-up period (p < 0.001). ANOVA results for fatigue indicated no statistically significant differences between the groups before and after the empowerment (p > 0.05). The three groups were not significantly different after the intervention (p = 0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results, it is recommended to utilize follow-up as an important principle in empowerment using various technology methods and design more comprehensive empowerment to reduce patient fatigue.Trial registration: Iran National Committee for Ethics in Biomedical Research (IR.SKUMS.REC.1398.104) and the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20170122032101N4) (6/4/2020).

scholarly journals Quality of Life and Anxiety in Patients with First Diagnosed Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Who Receive Adjuvant Bladder Therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Alexandros Vaioulis ◽  
Konstantinos Bonotis ◽  
Konstantinos Perivoliotis ◽  
Yiannis Kiouvrekis ◽  
Stavros Gravas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
The State ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Muscle Invasive

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies (4.5%of all newly diagnosed cases worldwide). Most of the new BC cases are diagnosed as non-muscle invasive BC (NMIBC), needing continuous follow up after primary endoscopic therapy. Adjuvant bladder therapy with chemo- or immuno- agents, apart from the initial diagnosis, the strict surveillance program and the risk of recurrence, may have a major impact on the patients’ physical and mental health. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated anxiety and quality of life (QoL) in patients who underwent surgery for NMIBC and followed a bladder instillation programme. METHODS: This is a prospective analysis of patients with histopathologically confirmed NMIBCs. Eligible were all adult patients with a single or multiple NMIBCs who underwent a transurethral tumor resection and followed a therapy with either BCG or Epirubicin instillations. The SF-36 questionnaire Physical and Mental health aspects were used for QoL assessment. Similarly, the STAI-Y was introduced for the state (STAI-Y1) and trait anxiety (STAI-Y2) evaluation. RESULTS: 117 eligible patients were screened, with 108 entering finally the study; 9 patients were excluded due to disease recurrence. 17 patients (15.7%) received Epirubicin (Ta-T1, Low Grade tumors), whereas 91 patients (84.3%) received BCG (T1, High Grade). Regarding SF-36 Physical a 6 months decrease was followed by an improvement at 12 months (p = 0.008). Similarly, an increase of the SF-36 Mental health score was identified (p = 0.03). In contrast to STAI-Y2 scores (p = 0.945), a long-term reduction of the state anxiety was identified (p = 0.001). Preoperative SF-36 Physical was inversely correlated with age (p = 0.029), while absence of alcohol was associated with lower mental health (p = 0.003). Overall, patient characteristics, habits and the administered treatment did not affect the postoperative QoL and anxiety. CONCLUSION: Patient QoL and anxiety improved during follow up. Still, further larger scale studies are required to support our findings.

scholarly journals Regulasi Perizinan Mendirikan Bangunan dalam Mendukung Kemudahan Berusaha Menuju Bangsa yang Adil dan Makmur

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 371
Author(s):  
Maret Priyanta
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
The State ◽  
Legal Research ◽  
Related Science ◽  
The Law ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Technical Considerations

Licensing is a process with the State unilaterally approving the community do to legally perform a deed or activity. In a sense, a process has the essence of a portion of a governing instrument of the State against citizens for the conduct of the follow-up activities that do not allow by the law and harming the others. One of the important infrastructures and almost always necessary and there are related activities all over the utilization of the environment building. The function of the building is good for the individual as a residential dwelling to the building for Office business activities, as well as supporting business activities in the field of natural resources become the main elements as supporting infrastructure. Research is conducted with normative legal research methods. The analysis is conducted thorough research on the principles and rules of law which are guidelines in the conduct of the related science. Policy settings set up buildings in the future to support ease of Trying Towards an independent Nation, advancing a prosperous, fair, and we recommend that you do not break the law, the technical aspects must remain referenced with continued development of science-supported technologies and human resources adequate to the abundance and quality of technical considerations override as in the OSS with conception of the permit that requires commitment and without commitment regarding the IMB must reconsideration.  Perizinan merupakan sebuah proses dengan negara secara sepihak memberikan persetujuan kepada masyarakat melakukan untuk secara legal melakukan perbuatan atau kegiatan. Dalam arti sebuah proses memiliki esensi sebagian sebuah instrument pengendali Negara terhadap tindak laku warga negaranya dalam kegiatan yang dilakukan tidak melanggar hukum serta merugikan orang lain. Salah satu prasarana yang penting dan hampir selalu diperlukan dan ada terkait seluruh kegiatan pemanfaatan lingkungan adalah bangunan. Fungsi bangunan baik bagi individu sebagai tempat tinggal perumahan hingga bangunan untuk kegiatan usaha, perkantoran serta pendukung kegiatan usaha pada bidang pengelolaan sumber daya alam menjadi unsur yang utama sebagai prasarana pendukung. Kebutuhan pengaturan yang diindikasikan tumpang tindih mengenai bangunan gedung perlu dilakukan pengkajian mengingat fungsi bangunan gedung serta wujudnya yang semakin berkembang seiiring perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi. Penelitian dilakukan dengan metode penelitian hukum normatif. Analisis dilakukan melalui penelitian terhadap asas dan kaidah hukum yang merupakan pedoman dalam berperilaku dengan bersumber dari ilmu pengetahuan terkait. Arah Kebijakan pengaturan mendirikan bangunan ke depan untuk Mendukung Kemudahan Berusaha Menuju Bangsa Yang Mandiri, Maju, Adil dan Makmur sebaiknya dilakukan dengan tidak melanggar hukum, aspek teknis harus tetap diacu dengan terus pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan yang didukung sumberdaya yang memadai dan berkualitas  Banyaknya pertimbangan teknis yang di kesampingkan seperti dalam OSS dengan konsepsi izin yang memerlukan komitmen dan tanpa komitmen berkenaan dengan IMB tentunya harus dipertimbangkan kembali. Berkaca pada penerapan perizinan terpadu satu pintu, banyak isu permasalahan yang sejak awal belum dapat diselesaikan khususnya kualitas sumber daya manusia khususnya di daerah.

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