Statewide survey on the management of psychosocial distress by oncologists

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8601-8601
Author(s):  
W. F. Pirl ◽  
A. Muriel ◽  
L. Schapia ◽  
V. Hwang ◽  
C. Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Clinical Encounter ◽  
Screening Instrument ◽  
Psychosocial Distress ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Spam Filters ◽  
Almost All ◽  
E Mail

8601 Background: Although the NCCN has published guidelines for the management of psychosocial distress, no data exists on how oncologists manage it in clinical practice. This study surveyed oncologists in Massachusetts on their estimated rates of distress in their patients, beliefs about distress, and practice patterns. Methods: All Massachusetts oncologists belonging to ASCO were e-mailed an electronic survey up to three times. Survey completion was anonymous and a small incentive was offered for participation. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations were compiled. Chi-squared analyses investigated differences in rates. Results: 393 e-mail addresses were identified. 338 surveys were delivered, but the e-mail survey could be blocked by SPAM filters. Ninety-nine responses were obtained yielding a response rate of 29%. Oncologists estimated that 77% (sd=23%) of their patients experience distress, but only 33% (sd=20%) have distress that warrants treatment. Emotional problems unrelated to illness, practical problems, and coping with illness were the three most frequently encountered forms of distress. Sixty-five percent of oncologists reported that they routinely screened for psychosocial distress, but only 3% use a screening instrument. Almost all reported that they would at least consider using a brief screening instrument (93%). Lack of time was identified as the main barrier to screening, but lack of knowledge about treatment of distress was the only variable that predicted lower rates of screening (p=.03). While reported rates of referrals to mental health professionals were high, the majority (85%) reported that they directly address the psychosocial distress in their practice and almost half reported that they initiate psychotropic medications (45%). Conclusions: The majority of oncologists report that they do some screening and management of psychosocial distress in their clinical practices. Although screening appears to mainly be done through the usual clinical encounter, research has shown that this method has a poor rate of detection for psychological disorders. Despite the fact that the NCCN recommends the use of screening instruments and most oncologists report interest in using them, oncologists rarely actually use such measures. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Factors driving changes to remuneration policies in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Bussin
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Merit Pay ◽  
Drivers Of Change ◽  
Retention Strategies ◽  
Retention Strategy ◽  
Remuneration Policy ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Firm Data ◽  
E Mail

This study was conducted in 2012 and replicates Bussin and Huysamen’s (2004) work, conducted in 2003, on remuneration policies. It investigates the factors driving remuneration policy in South Africa and determines whether these factors have changed since 2003. Anonymous e-mail questionnaires were received from 131 senior company representatives. All participating companies were members of the South African Reward Association (SARA) or clients of a large remuneration consulting firm. Data were analysed using a chi-squared test and factor analysis. Results support Bussin and Huysamen’s study, which found that the two main drivers of change in policy were the retention of talented staff and the financial results of the organisation. However, three components of remuneration are receiving greater prominence than they did in 2003: governance in the organisation, merit pay and retention strategies. These findings suggest a greater shareholder expectation that pay should be linked to performance, and that pay acts as a retention strategy for critical staff.

scholarly journals An explanatory study of the use of e-mail investor communication by South African listed companies

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roelof Baard ◽  
George Nel
Keyword(s):  
Listed Companies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Contact Method ◽  
Interactive Communication ◽  
Handling Performance ◽  
Corporate Websites ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Cost ◽  
E Mail

Background: Although research shows that almost all listed companies have corporate websites with dedicated investor relations (IR) sections that enable companies to ‘push’ information to investors, it was argued that such an asymmetrical approach to communication is insufficient for companies wishing to exercise good IR. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of the Internet to act as a mechanism to achieve more interactive communication between companies and investors.Objectives: The objectives of the study were to measure the responsiveness, timeliness and relevance of companies’ responses to e-mail requests, and to test for the determinants (size, market-to-book ratio, profitability, leverage and liquidity) thereof.Method: The mystery investor approach and a content analysis were used to study the e-mail handling performance of companies. The associations between company-specific characteristics were statistically tested.Results: It was found that the e-mail handling performance of companies in this study was poor compared with previous studies. Significant relationships between company size and responsiveness and relevance, and between market-to-book ratio and relevance were reported, as well as between the contact method used to request information and relevance and the use of social media and timeliness.Conclusion: Specific areas where companies could improve their investor communications were identified. The need for further research was discussed to explain some of the relationships found, as well as those not found, in contrast to what was expected. Future research is warranted to examine the relationship between the e-mail handling performance of companies and information asymmetry and the cost of equity of companies.

scholarly journals Patients’ Perceived Satisfaction Through Telephone-Assisted Tele-Consultation During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Period: Observational Single-Centre Study at a Tertiary-Referral Colorectal Surgery Department

2021 ◽  
pp. 155335062110080
Author(s):  
Lara Blanco Terés ◽  
Carlos Cerdán Santacruz ◽  
Javier García Septiem ◽  
Rocío Maqueda González ◽  
José María Lopesino González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Job Status ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction ◽  
The Future ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Single Centre Study ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Surgery Department

Introduction: The pandemic produced by SARS-CoV-2 has obliged us to set up the tele-assistance to offer a continuity of care. This implies an innovation, being the degree of satisfaction of patients unknown. Methods: A telephonic survey was conducted with the validated in the Spanish tool Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (Telehealth Usability Questionnaire; rating from 1-7) of all candidate patients assisted consecutively in the Coloproctology Unit. We included demographic variables, education level, job status, diagnosis and consultation type. A descriptive study was done. The relationship between the willingness of consultation model in the future (telemedicine vs traditional) and the categorical variables was analysed through the chi-squared test. Results: A total of 115 patients were included. The average age was 59.9 years, being 60% women. The average score in each of the survey items was higher than 6 in all the questions but 1. 26.1% of the surveyed patients confessed being advocated to tele-assistance in the future. The only factors related to greater willingness to tele-assistance were male gender (37% vs 18.8%; P = .03) and a higher academic preparation level in favour of higher technical studies (35.9%) and university studies (32.4%) opposite to the rest ( P = .043). The rest of variables studied, job status, labour regimen, diagnostic group and consultation type did not show any relationship. Conclusions: A vast majority of patients answered favourably to almost all the items of the survey. However, only 26.1% of them would choose a model of tele-assistance without restrictions.

scholarly journals A "miracle" cancer drug in the era of social media: A survey of Brazilian oncologists' opinions and experience with phosphoethanolamine

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77
Author(s):  
Juliana Florinda M. Rêgo ◽  
◽  
Gilberto Lopes ◽  
Rachel P. Riechelmann ◽  
Cinthya Sternberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brazilian Society ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Summary Introduction: Patients who are treating cancer have often used alternative therapies. In the internet era, information can be broadcasted widely, and this happened with phosphoethanolamine in Brazil, where this substance was claimed by the population to be the "cure for cancer." Method: This is a cross-sectional study developed by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC). An objectively structured questionnaire was sent by e-mail and SMS to active MDs members of the SBOC. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the data. Statistical significance between the variables was tested by Pearson's Chi-squared test (p<0.05 was considered significance). Results: The survey was sent to 1,072 oncologists, and 398 (37.1%) answered at least part of it. One hundred and fifteen (28.9%) had followed patients who had used phosphoethanolamine. Among these, 14 (12.2%) observed adverse events and four (3.5%) attributed clinical benefit to the substance. Most of the oncologists (n=331; 83.2%) believe that it should only be used as part of a clinical trial protocol. Most physicians did not recommend this drug to their patients (n=311; 78.1%). Oncologists in Southeast, South and Midwest Brazil were more likely to have patients taking the drug compared to the Northern and Northeastern regions. Conclusion: This is the first survey to assess the opinion and experience of oncologists about this alternative therapy. Most oncologists in Brazil do not believe that synthetic phosphoethanolamine is active in cancer treatment, do not recommend its use without proper evaluation, and state that it should only be available to patients in the context of clinical trials.

The Need for Routine Bleomycin Test Dosing in the 21st Century

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1897-1902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masha SH Lam
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Test Dose ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
High Grade Fever ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
E Mail

OBJECTIVE To review the clinical evidence for routine use of bleomycin test dosing. DATA SOURCES English-language review articles, references from retrieved articles, case reports, and clinical trials were identified from a MEDLINE literature search (1966–July 2005). Key search terms included bleomycin, test dose, anaphylactic reactions, and hypersensitivity. Information from an unpublished E-mail survey, the manufacturer, and the Internet was also used. DATA SYNTHESIS Early clinical trials and isolated case reports suggest that bleomycin-induced acute hypersensitivity reactions occur in 1% of patients with lymphoma and <0.5% of those with solid tumors. The reactions are mainly characterized by high-grade fever, chills, hypotension, and in a few cases, cardiovascular collapse, which can lead to death. The exact mechanism of these reactions is unclear, but is thought to be related to the release of endogenous pyrogens from the host cells. Evidence does not suggest any correlation between doses and the onset or severity of the reactions. Supportive care, including hydration, steroids, antipyretics, and antihistamines, may resolve the symptoms. However, it may not completely prevent recurrences. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of acute hypersensitivity or hyperpyrexic reactions associated with bleomycin is very low, but the reaction is potentially fatal. Clinicians should monitor their patients for any signs and symptoms of acute hyperpyrexic reactions during bleomycin administration. Since the onset of the reactions can occur with any dose of bleomycin and at any time, routine test dosing does not seem to predict when drug reactions may occur.

Eat Smart! Ontario's Healthy Restaurant Program: A Survey of Participating Restaurant Operators

2003 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley A. Macaskill ◽  
John J.M. Dwyer ◽  
Connie L. Uetrecht ◽  
Carol Dombrow
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
First Year ◽  
Communication Education ◽  
Family Style ◽  
Quick Service ◽  
Almost All

Eat Smart! Ontario's Healthy Restaurant Program is a standard provincial health promotion program. Public health units grant an award of excellence to restaurants that meet designated standards in nutrition, food safety, and non-smoking seating. The purpose of this study was to assess whether program objectives for participating restaurant operators were achieved during the first year of program implementation, and to obtain operators’ recommendations for improving the program. Dillman's tailored design method was used to design a mail survey and implement it among participating operators (n = 434). The design method, which consisted of four mail-outs, yielded a 74% response rate. Fifty percent of respondents operated family-style or quick-service restaurants, and 82% of respondents learned about the program from public health inspectors. Almost all respondents (98%) participated in the program mainly to have their establishments known as clean and healthy restaurants, 65% received and used either point-of-purchase table stands or postcards to promote the program, and 98% planned to continue participating. The respondents’ suggestions for improving the program were related to the award ceremony and program materials, media promotion, communication, education, and program standards. Program staff can use the findings to enhance the program.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional technologies used for patient specific applications in orthopedics

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-85
Author(s):  
Flaviu Moldovan ◽  
Tiberiu Bataga
Keyword(s):  
Orthopedic Surgery ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Medical Application ◽  
Surgical Instruments ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Content Description ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Background: Three-dimensional (3D) technologies have numerous medical applications and have gained a lot of interest in medical world. After the advent of three-dimensional printing technology, and especially in last decade, orthopedic surgeons began to apply this innovative technology in almost all areas of orthopedic traumatic surgery. Objective: The aim of this paper is to give an overview of 3D technologies current usage in orthopedic surgery for patient specific applications. Methods: Two major databases PubMed and Web of Science were explored for content description and applications of 3D technologies in orthopedic surgery. It was considered papers presenting controlled studies and series of cases that include descriptions of 3D technologies compatible with applications to human medical purposes. Results: First it is presented the available three-dimensional technologies that can be used in orthopedic surgery as well as methods of integration in order to achieve the desired medical application for patient specific orthopedics. Technology starts with medical images acquisition, followed by design, numerical simulation, and printing. Then it is described the state of the art clinical applications of 3D technologies in orthopedics, by selecting the latest reported articles in medical literature. It is focused on preoperative visualization and planning, trauma, injuries, elective orthopedic surgery, guides and customized surgical instrumentation, implants, orthopedic fixators, orthoses and prostheses. Conclusion: The new 3D digital technologies are revolutionizing orthopedic clinical practices. The vast potential of 3D technologies is increasingly used in clinical practice. These technologies provide useful tools for clinical environment: accurate preoperative planning for cases of complex trauma and elective cases, personalized surgical instruments and personalized implants. There is a need to further explore the vast potential of 3D technologies in many other areas of orthopedics and to accommodate healthcare professionals with these technologies, as well as to study their effectiveness compared to conventional methods.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of Competitive Intelligence Practices between Two Retail Banks in Brazil and South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. A. Du Toit
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
South African ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Operational Risks ◽  
Retail Banks ◽  
E Mail

Using competitive intelligence (CI) can help developing countries to increase their competitiveness. This paper compares the CI activities between two retail banks in Brazil and South Africa. An e-mail survey in a sample of 2550 employees in a retail bank in Brazil and 847 employees in a retail bank in South Africa was carried out in which CI practices were measured. Respondents in both countries were not very effective to conduct effective CI analysis. Respondents from Brazil consider information on operational risks as the most important while for South African respondents the most important information was on changing regulatory requirements. Although there is a culture of competitiveness in both organizations, it is recommended that if they want to compete effectively in the global economy, they should create CI awareness by organizing CI training sessions for employees.

Patient-to-Patient E-Mail: Support for Clinical Practices

2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy A. Sansone
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practices ◽  
E Mail
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