Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Introduction To The Sustainable Developmental Goals Through The Lens Of Dewroze, Obidimma Ezezika, Kishif Fatima, Umayangga Yogalingam, Mona Jarrah, Suzanne Sicchia

Health Studies Publications

The following interactive discussion questions are based on a fictional animated storyline by Chapter 1 of the third edition of An Introduction to Global Health. The animated storyline and questions are intended to provide students with the opportunity to understand global health, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and barriers related to the social determinants of health, in the context of a developing country.

Students will be introduced to the fictional village of Dewroze where they will learn how poverty shapes vulnerabilities that lead to health inequities. In this village, students will meet Ada, Ada’s father, Ada’s mother who is pregnant, …

Global Alliance For The Promotion Of Physical Activity: The Hamburg Declaration., Jürgen M Steinacker, Willem Van Mechelen, Wilhelm Bloch, Mats Börjesson, Maurizio Casasco, Bernd Wolfarth, Carolin Knoke, Theodora Papadopoulou, Janine Wendt, Hashel Al Tunaiji, Dietrich Andresen, Olena Andrieieva, Norbert Bachl, Victoriya Badtieva, Friedhelm J Beucher, Cheri A Blauwet, Jose-Antonio Casajus Mallen, Ju-Ho Chang, German Clénin, Naama Constantini, Demitri Constantinou, Luigi Di Luigi, Lukas Declercq, Stephane Doutreleau, Svitlana Drozdovska, Martine Duclos, Andrea Ermolao, Thomas Fischbach, Anastasia N Fischer, Chiara Fossati, Jeorge Franchella, Mark Fulcher, Jan C Galle, Christian Gerloff, Evelina Georgiades, Boris Gojanovic, Marcela González Gross, Andy Grote, Martin Halle, Hans Hauner, Matthew Payton Herring, Mikio Hiura, Kerstin Holze, Gerhard Huber, David Hughes, Mark R Hutchinson, Anca Ionescu, Dina Christina Janse Van Rensburg, Anna Jegier, Natasha Jones, Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, Monika Kellerer, Yutaka Kimura, Agrita Kiopa, Bernd Kladny, Gerhard Koch, Elin Kolle, Greg Kolt, Yiannis Koutedakis, Stephan Kress, Susi Kriemler, Jens Kröger, Christian Kuhn, Roman Laszlo, Ralph Lehnert, François J Lhuissier, Kerstin Lüdtke, Shigeru Makita, Pedro Manonelles Marqueta, Winfried März, Kirill Micallef-Stafrace, Mike Miller, Melita Moore, Erich Müller, Daniel Neunhäuserer, I Renay Onur, Vahur Ööpik, Malgorzata Perl, Anastassios Philippou, Hans-Georg Predel, Sebastien Racinais, Algirdas Raslanas, Ruediger Reer, Klaus Reinhardt, Claus Reinsberger, Sandra Rozenstoka, Robert Sallis, Luis B Sardinha, Martin Scherer, Jasper Schipperijn, Romain Seil, Benedict Tan, Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss, Nils Schumacher, Bernhard Schwaab, Ansgar Schwirtz, Masato Suzuki, Jeroen Swart, Ralph Tiesler, Ulf Tippelt, Eleanor Tillet, Jane Thornton, Bulent Ulkar, Eve Unt, Evert Verhagen, Thomas Weikert, Roberto Vettor, Sheng Zeng, Richard Budgett, Lars Engebretsen, Ugur Erdener, Fabio Pigozzi, Yannis P Pitsiladis

Family Medicine Publications

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression and cancers, are on the rise worldwide and are often associated with a lack of physical activity (PA). Globally, the levels of PA among individuals are below WHO recommendations. A lack of PA can increase morbidity and mortality, worsen the quality of life and increase the economic burden on individuals and society. In response to this trend, numerous organisations came together under one umbrella in Hamburg, Germany, in April 2021 and signed the 'Hamburg Declaration'. This represented an international commitment to take all necessary actions to …

Using Machine Learning To Assist Auditory Processing Evaluation, Hasitha Wimalarathna, Sangamanatha Veeranna, Minh Vu Duong, Chris Allan Prof, Sumit K. Agrawal, Prudence Allen, Jagath Samarabandu, Hanif M. Ladak

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

Introduction: Approximately 0.2–5% of school-age children complain of listening difficulties in the absence of hearing loss. These children are often referred to an audiologist for an auditory processing disorder (APD) assessment. Adequate experience and training is necessary to arrive at an accurate diagnosis due to the heterogeneity of the disorder.

Objectives: The main goal of the study was to determine if machine learning (ML) can be used to analyze data from the APD clinical test battery to accurately categorize children with suspected APD into clinical sub-groups, similar to expert labels.

Methods: The study retrospectively collected data from 134 children referred …

Knowledge, Behaviours, And Training Related To 2slgbtqia+ Health Education Amongst Entry-Level Physiotherapy Students In Canada: Results Of A Nationwide, Cross-Sectional Survey, Codie A Primeau, Holly T Philpott, Kyle Vader, Janelle Unger, Christina Y Le, Trevor B Birmingham, Joy C Macdermid

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ report worse health outcomes than heterosexual/cisgender counterparts, in part due to poor experiences with healthcare professionals. This may stem from inadequate 2SLGBTQIA+ health and inclusiveness training in health professional student education. The purpose of the study was to evaluate knowledge, behaviours, and training related to 2SLGBTQIA+ health education and inclusiveness for entry-level physiotherapy students in Canada.

METHODS: We conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional survey with physiotherapy students from accredited Canadian physiotherapy programs. We administered the survey through Qualtrics and recruited students through targeted recruitment emails and social media posts on Twitter and Instagram between August …

Interdisciplinary Pedagogy Through Problem-Based Learning: A Case Study In Global Health Education, Mona Jarrah, Bethlehem Girmay, Obidimma Ezezika

Health Studies Publications

This case study piloted an interdisciplinary Problem-Based Learning course, utilizing Hung’s (2006) 3C3R model. We explain the course design, curriculum, and implementation. We collected qualitative written questionnaires from students who participated in the course to investigate their learning experiences. As a result, students shed light on lessons they learned throughout the course, which led to the creation of a lessons learned guide for future instructors. This guide encompasses 8 lessons that were gleaned by both qualitative student feedback and instructor reflections from the course. These lessons include allocating in-class time to work on projects, using a modular approach in the …

Female Athlete Health Domains: A Supplement To The International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement On Methods For Recording And Reporting Epidemiological Data On Injury And Illness In Sport., Isabel S Moore, Kay M Crossley, Kari Bo, Margo Mountjoy, Kathryn E Ackerman, Juliana Da Silva Antero, Jorunn Sundgot Borgen, Wendy J Brown, Caroline S Bolling, Benjamin Clarsen, Wayne Derman, Paul Dijkstra, Amber Donaldson, Kirsty J Elliott-Sale, Carolyn A Emery, Lene Haakstad, Astrid Junge, Nonhlanhla S Mkumbuzi, Sophia Nimphius, Debbie Palmer, Mireille Van Poppel, Jane S Thornton, Rita Tomás, Phathokuhle C Zondi, Evert Verhagen

Family Medicine Publications

The IOC made recommendations for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injuries and illness in sports in 2020, but with little, if any, focus on female athletes. Therefore, the aims of this supplement to the IOC consensus statement are to (i) propose a taxonomy for categorisation of female athlete health problems across the lifespan; (ii) make recommendations for data capture to inform consistent recording and reporting of symptoms, injuries, illnesses and other health outcomes in sports injury epidemiology and (iii) make recommendations for specifications when applying the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology-Sport Injury and Illness Surveillance (STROBE-SIIS) …

The Multidimensional Symptom Index: User Manual And Questionnaire, David Walton

Physical Therapy Publications

The user manual for the MultiDimensional Symptom Index, including hard copy versions in both English and Canadian French translations.

Click here for a direct link to an online interactive version of the MSI: dwalton5.pythonanywhere.com

Telehealth Experiences In Canadian Veterans: Associations, Strengths And Barriers To Care During The Covid-19 Pandemic., Deanna L Walker, M S Nouri, R A Plouffe, J J W Liu, T Le, C A Forchuk, D Gargala, K St Cyr, A Nazarov, Don Richardson

MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre

INTRODUCTION: Identifying barriers to care in veteran populations is critical, as veterans face increased social isolation, relationship strains and financial insecurities. For Canadian veterans experiencing barriers to accessing healthcare, telehealth may be a promising alternative with comparable effectiveness to in-person services; however, the potential benefits and limitations of telehealth require further examination to determine its long-term utility, and to inform health policy and planning. The goal of the present research was to identify predictors and barriers to telehealth usage in Canadian veterans in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: Data were drawn from baseline data of a longitudinal survey …

Exploring Quality Improvement For Diabetes Care In First Nations Communities In Canada: A Multiple Case Study., Meghan Fournie, Shannon L. Sibbald, Stewart B. Harris

Health Studies Publications

BACKGROUND: Indigenous peoples in Canada experience higher rates of diabetes and worse outcomes than non-Indigenous populations in Canada. Strategies are needed to address underlying health inequities and improve access to quality diabetes care. As part of the national FORGE AHEAD Research Program, this study explores two primary healthcare teams' quality improvement (QI) process of developing and implementing strategies to improve the quality of diabetes care in First Nations communities in Canada.

METHODS: This study utilized a community-based participatory and qualitative case study methodology. Multiple qualitative data sources were analyzed to understand: (1) how knowledge and information was used to inform …

A Review Of The Neural Basis Underlying The Acoustic Startle Response With A Focus On Recent Developments In Mammals, Alice Zheng, Susanne Schmid

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

The startle response consists of whole-body muscle contractions, eye-blink, accelerated heart rate, and freezing in response to a strong, sudden stimulus. It is evolutionarily preserved and can be observed in any animal that can perceive sensory signals, indicating the important protective function of startle. Startle response measurements and its alterations have become a valuable tool for exploring sensorimotor processes and sensory gating, especially in the context of pathologies of psychiatric disorders. The last reviews on the neural substrates underlying acoustic startle were published around 20 years ago. Advancements in methods and techniques have since allowed new insights into acoustic startle …

The Impact Of Maternal Diabetes On Birth To Placental Weight Ratio And Umbilical Cord Oxygen Values With Implications For Fetal-Placental Development, Sheryl Choo, Barbra De Vrijer, Timothy R H Regnault, Hilary K Brown, Larry Stitt, Bryan S Richardson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Introduction

We determined the impact of gestational diabetes (GDM) and pre-existing diabetes (DM) on birth/placental weight and cord oxygen values with implications for placental efficiency and fetal-placental growth and development.

Methods

A hospital database was used to obtain birth/placental weight, cord PO₂ and other information on patients delivering between Jan 1, 1990 and Jun 15, 2011 with GA >34 weeks (N = 69,854). Oxygen saturation was calculated from the cord PO₂ and pH data, while fetal O₂ extraction was calculated from the oxygen saturation data. The effect of diabetic status on birth/placental weight and cord oxygen values …

Comparator Groups In Icu-Based Studies Of Physical Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review Of 125 Studies, Heather K O'Grady, Julie C Reid, Christopher Farley, Quincy E B Hanna, Janelle Unger, David J Zorko, Jackie Bosch, Lyn S Turkstra, Michelle E Kho

Physical Therapy Publications

OBJECTIVES: To characterize comparator groups (CGs) in ICU-based studies of physical rehabilitation (PR), including the type, content, and reporting.

DATA SOURCES: We followed a five-stage scoping review methodology, searching five databases from inception to June 30, 2022. Study selection and data extraction were completed independently, in duplicate.

STUDY SELECTION: We screened studies by title and abstract, then full-text. We included prospective studies with greater than or equal to two arms enrolling mechanically ventilated adults (≥ 18 yr), with any planned PR intervention initiated in the ICU.

DATA EXTRACTION: We conducted a quantitative content analysis of authors' description of CG type …

Variability And Magnitude Of Brain Glutamate Levels In Schizophrenia: A Meta And Mega-Analysis., Kate Merritt, Robert A Mccutcheon, André Aleman, Sarah Ashley, Katherine Beck, Wolfgang Block, Oswald J N Bloemen, Faith Borgan, Christiana Boules, Juan R Bustillo, Aristides A Capizzano, Jennifer M Coughlin, Anthony David, Camilo De La Fuente-Sandoval, Arsime Demjaha, Kara Dempster, Kim Q Do, Fei Du, Peter Falkai, Beata Galińska-Skok, Jürgen Gallinat, Charles Gasparovic, Cedric E Ginestet, Naoki Goto, Ariel Graff-Guerrero, Beng-Choon Ho, Oliver Howes, Sameer Jauhar, Peter Jeon, Tadafumi Kato, Charles A Kaufmann, Lawrence S Kegeles, Matcheri S Keshavan, Sang-Young Kim, Bridget King, Hiroshi Kunugi, J Lauriello, Pablo León-Ortiz, Edith Liemburg, Meghan E Mcilwain, Gemma Modinos, Elias Mouchlianitis, Jun Nakamura, Igor Nenadic, Dost Öngür, Miho Ota, Lena Palaniyappan, Christos Pantelis, Tulsi Patel, Eric Plitman, Sotirios Posporelis, Scot E Purdon, Jürgen R Reichenbach, Perry F Renshaw, Francisco Reyes-Madrigal, Bruce R Russell, Akira Sawa, Martin Schaefer, Dikoma C Shungu, Stefan Smesny, Jeffrey A Stanley, James Stone, Agata Szulc, Reggie Taylor, Katharine N Thakkar, Jean Theberge, Philip G Tibbo, Thérèse Van Amelsvoort, Jerzy Walecki, Peter C Williamson, Stephen J Wood, Lijing Xin, Hidenori Yamasue, Philip Mcguire, Alice Egerton

Department of Medicine Publications

Glutamatergic dysfunction is implicated in schizophrenia pathoaetiology, but this may vary in extent between patients. It is unclear whether inter-individual variability in glutamate is greater in schizophrenia than the general population. We conducted meta-analyses to assess (1) variability of glutamate measures in patients relative to controls (log coefficient of variation ratio: CVR); (2) standardised mean differences (SMD) using Hedges g; (3) modal distribution of individual-level glutamate data (Hartigan's unimodality dip test). MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to September 2022 for proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) studies reporting glutamate, glutamine or Glx in schizophrenia. 123 studies reporting on …

Inaugural Artificial Intelligence For Public Health Practice (Ai4php) Retreat: Ontario, Canada, Jacqueline K. Kueper, Laura C. Rosella, Richard G. Booth, Brent D. Davis, Sarah Nayani, Maxwell J. Smith, Dan Lizotte

Computer Science Publications

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Public Health Practice Retreat was a hybrid event held in October 2022 in London, Ontario to achieve three main goals: 1) Identify both the goals of public health practitioners and the tasks that they undertake as part of their practice to achieve those goals that could be supported by AI, 2) Learn from existing examples and the experience of others about facilitators and barriers to AI for public health, and 3) Support new and strengthen existing connections between public health practitioners and AI researchers. The retreat included a keynote presentation, group brainstorming exercises, breakout group …

Comparing Individual Versus Team Decision-Making Using Simulated Exercises In A Master Of Public Health Program, Shannon L. Sibbald, Nicole Campbell, Cecilia Flores-Sandoval, Mark Speechley

Health Studies Publications

In line with the complex modern health care system and the increasing importance of interprofessional teams, a powerful strategy to facilitate the acquisition of essential teamwork skills and expose students to complex decision-making processes is learning in teams. The purpose of our study was to obtain empirical evidence of superior decision-making by teams versus individuals in two simulated decision-making exercises conducted 4 months apart. We collected quantitative data from three cohorts of Master of Public Health students to determine if teams make better decisions than individuals (“team effect”) between September and January. Students completed simulated emergency survival exercises requiring them …

Spatial Characteristics Of Reactive Stepping Among People Living With Chronic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, Matthew G Heffernan, Jae Woung Lee, Katherine Chan, Janelle Unger, Susan Marzolini, Timothy N Welsh, Kei Masani, Kristin E Musselman

Physical Therapy Publications

Objective: Compare the spatial characteristics of reactive stepping between individuals with chronic motor incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI) and able-bodied (AB) individuals.

Design: Cross sectional.

Setting: Lyndhurst Centre.

Participants: Twelve individuals with iSCI (3 males, 53.6 ± 15.2 years old) and 11 age- and sex-matched AB individuals (3 males, 54.8 ± 14.0 years old).

Interventions: The Lean-and-Release test was used to elicit reactive stepping. A horizontal cable, attached at waist height, was released when 8-12% body weight was supported in a forward lean position. Participants underwent up to 10 Lean-and-Release trials in a session. Kinematic and …

Hockey Fans In Training (Hockey Fit): Rationale, Design, And Baseline Characteristics From A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial In Men With Overweight Or Obesity., Robert J Petrella, Dawn P Gill, Marisa Kfrerer, Brendan Riggin, Melissa Majoni, Wendy Blunt, Brooke Bliss, Narlon Cassio Boa Sorte Silva, Paul S Aspinall, Precious Adekoya, Matthew Dinunzio, Jacquelyn Marsh, Guangyong Zou, Jennifer D Irwin

Family Medicine Publications

BACKGROUND: Previous research highlights the need for effective lifestyle interventions for men. Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) was developed as a pragmatic healthy lifestyle program tailored to men with overweight or obesity. This paper overviews the rationale, program details, and design of a recently completed cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Hockey FIT. Participant engagement and baseline characteristics are also described.

METHODS: The RCT evaluated the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and implementation of Hockey FIT. Forty-two sites in Canada and the United States were randomized to either the Hockey FIT intervention group or wait-list control group. Participants were men, aged 35-65 …

The Need For Sharps Boxes To Be Offered In The Hospital Setting For People Who Use Substances: Removing Sharps Boxes Puts All Of Us At Risk., Cheryl Forchuk, Michael Silverman, Abraham Rudnick, Jonathan Serrato, Brenna Schmitt, Leanne Scott

Nursing Publications

INTRODUCTION: Substance use can occur in the hospital setting among people with substance use disorder, including intravenous use. However, the provision of sharps boxes is not typically offered in Canadian hospitals. This study set out to explore the current issues due to the lack of harm reduction in the hospital setting.

METHOD: Thirty-one health care professionals participated in virtual one-to-one interviews and focus groups regarding harm reduction in hospital. The issue of sharps box removal was highlighted as a concern. A secondary ethnographic thematic analysis explored this theme in more detail. A scoping review of the literature observed additional considerations. …

Spatiotemporally Dynamic Electric Fields For Brain Cancer Treatment: An In Vitro Investigation, Erin Iredale, Abdulla Elsaleh, Hu Xu, Paul Christiaans, Andrew Deweyert, John Ronald, Susanne Schmid, Matthew O Hebb, Terry M Peters, Eugene Wong

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Objective. The treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) using low intensity electric fields (∼1 V cm^-1) is being investigated using multiple implanted bioelectrodes, which was termed intratumoral modulation therapy (IMT). Previous IMT studies theoretically optimized treatment parameters to maximize coverage with rotating fields, which required experimental investigation. In this study, we employed computer simulations to generate spatiotemporally dynamic electric fields, designed and purpose-built an IMT device for in vitro experiments, and evaluated the human GBM cellular responses to these fields. Approach. After measuring the electrical conductivity of the in vitro culturing medium, we designed experiments to evaluate the …

Developmental Changes In Electrophysiological Properties Of Auditory Cortical Neurons In The Cntnap2 Knockout Rat, Rajkamalpreet S Mann, Brian L Allman, Susanne Schmid

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Disruptions in the CNTNAP2 gene are known to cause language impairments and symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Importantly, knocking out this gene in rodents results in ASD-like symptoms that include auditory processing deficits. This study used in vitro patch-clamp electrophysiology to examine developmental alterations in auditory cortex pyramidal neurons of Cntnap2^-/- rats, hypothesizing that CNTNAP2 is essential for maintaining intrinsic neuronal properties and synaptic wiring in the developing auditory cortex. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings were conducted in wildtype and Cntnap2^-/- littermates at three postnatal age ranges (P8-12, P18-21, and …

An Evaluation Of The Carl Manikin For Use In "Patient-Free" Real Ear Measurement: Consistency And Comparison To Normative Data., Paula Folkeard, Muneeb Alam, Robert Koch, Parvaneh Abbasalipour, Susan Scollie

Communication Sciences and Disorders Publications

OBJECTIVE: Simulation-based learning experiences provide low-risk opportunities for procedural training and practice in audiology. A series of real ear measurements (REM) were completed using Clinical Assistant for Research and Learning (CARL) manikins to determine expected responses and to compare to normative data.

DESIGN: (1) Real-ear Unaided Response (REUR) curves were measured with one CARL and each of three ear styles. (2) Test/retest reliability was evaluated by repeating each REUR. (3) Real ear to coupler difference (RECD) values for foam-tip and custom earmolds were calculated. (4) The reliability across copies of the CARL heads was evaluated by comparing REUR measurement from …

The Satisfaction And Recovery Index, David Walton

Physical Therapy Publications

User Manual for the Satisfaction and Recover Index, including versions of the tool in English, French-Canadian, Persian, and Japanese translations

Families' Experiences In The Virtual Hanen More Than Words Program During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lauren Denusik, Michelle Servais, Danielle Glista, Kathryn Hatherly, Sheila Moodie, Janis Oram Cardy, Elaine Weitzman, Bj Cunningham

PRECISe Preschool Speech and Language Publications

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic required most pediatric rehabilitation programs to shift to a virtual delivery format without the benefits of evidence to support this transition. Our study explored families' experiences participating virtually in More Than Words, a program for parents of autistic children, with the goal of generating new evidence to inform both virtual service delivery and program development.

Method: Twenty-one families who recently completed a virtual More Than Words program participated in a semistructured interview. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed in NVivo using a top-down deductive approach that referenced a modified Dynamic Knowledge Transfer Capacity model. …

Ethics And Epidemiology Workshop Report: Towards Ethics-Informed Epidemiology And Epidemiology-Informed Ethics, Zoe Ritchie, Brendan T. Smith Phd, Maxwell J. Smith Phd

Health Studies Publications

Two key groups of researchers have worked in parallel to advance health equity—one on the descriptive component (those in public health sciences, e.g., epidemiologists) and one on the normative component (those in the humanities and social sciences, e.g., philosophers and ethicists). Yet a significant gulf exists between their respective research. Consequently, advances in thinking regarding the philosophical underpinnings and normative requirements of health equity have been largely divorced from the design of public health interventions that seek to reduce health inequities. As a consequence, public health interventions aiming to advance health equity may fail to target the most appropriate populations …

Differences In Startle And Prepulse Inhibition In Contactin-Associated Protein-Like 2 Knock-Out Rats Are Associated With Sex-Specific Alterations In Brainstem Neural Activity, Alice Zheng, Kaela E Scott, Ashley L Schormans, Rajkamalpreet Mann, Brian L Allman, Susanne Schmid

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

The contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) gene encodes for the CASPR2 protein, which plays an essential role in neurodevelopment. Mutations in CNTNAP2 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Rats with a loss of function mutation in the Cntnap2 gene show increased acoustic startle response (ASR) and decreased prepulse inhibition (PPI). The neural basis of this altered auditory processing in Cntnap2 knock-out rats is currently unknown. Auditory brainstem recordings previously revealed no differences between the genotypes. The next step is to investigate brainstem structures outside of the primary auditory pathway that mediate ASR and PPI, which are …

Patient And Physician Factors Associated With First Diagnosis Of Non-Affective Psychotic Disorder In Primary Care, Joshua C. Wiener, Rebecca Rodrigues, Jennifer N S Reid, Suzanne Archie, Richard G Booth, Chiachen Cheng, Saadia Hameed Jan, Paul Kurdyak, Arlene G Macdougall, Lena Palaniyappan, Bridget L Ryan, Kelly K. Anderson

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Publications

Primary care physicians play a central role in pathways to care for first-episode psychosis, and their increased involvement in early detection could improve service-related outcomes. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of psychosis first diagnosed in primary care, and identify associated patient and physician factors. We used linked health administrative data to construct a retrospective cohort of people aged 14-35 years with a first diagnosis of non-affective psychosis in Ontario, Canada between 2005-2015. We restricted the sample to patients with help-seeking contacts for mental health reasons in primary care in the six months prior to first …

Evaluating The Feasibility And Potential Impacts Of A Recovery-Oriented Psychosocial Rehabilitation Toolkit In A Health Care Setting In Kenya: A Mixed-Methods Study, Regina Casey, Joshua C. Wiener, Terry Krupa, Rosemary Lysaght, Marlene Janzen Le Ber, Ruth Ruhara, Elizabeth Price, Romaisa Pervez, Sean Kidd, Victoria Mutiso, David M Ndetei, Arlene G Macdougall

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Publications

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and potential impacts of delivering the Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Toolkit for people with serious mental illness within a health care setting in Kenya.

METHOD: This study used a convergent mixed-methods design. Participants were people with serious mental illness (n = 23), each with an accompanying family member, who were outpatients of a hospital or satellite clinic in semirural Kenya. The intervention consisted of 14 weekly group sessions of PSR cofacilitated by health care professionals and peers with mental illness. Quantitative data were collected from patients and family members using validated outcome measures before …

Family Physicians' Responses To Personal Protective Equipment Shortages In Four Regions In Canada: A Qualitative Study., Maria Mathews, Dana Ryan, Lindsay Hedden, Julia Lukewich, Emily Gard Marshall, Shabnam Asghari, Amanda Lee Terry, Richard Buote, Leslie Meredith, Lauren Moritz, Sarah Spencer, Judith B. Brown, Erin Christian, Thomas R. Freeman, Paul S. Gill, Shannon L. Sibbald, Eric Wong

Health Studies Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite well-documented increased demands and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) during previous disease outbreaks, health systems in Canada were poorly prepared to meet the need for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the primary care sector, PPE shortages impacted the delivery of health services and contributed to increased workload, fear, and anxiety among primary care providers. This study examines family physicians' (FPs) response to PPE shortages during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic planning.

METHODS: As part of a multiple case study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with FPs across four regions in …

Family Physicians' Responses To Personal Protective Equipment Shortages In Four Regions In Canada: A Qualitative Study., Maria Mathews, Dana Ryan, Lindsay Hedden, Julia Lukewich, Emily Gard Marshall, Shabnam Asghari, Amanda L. Terry Dr., Richard Buote, Leslie Meredith, Lauren Moritz, Sarah Spencer, Judith B Brown, Erin Christian, Thomas R Freeman, Paul S Gill, Shannon L Sibbald, Eric Wong

Health Studies Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite well-documented increased demands and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) during previous disease outbreaks, health systems in Canada were poorly prepared to meet the need for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the primary care sector, PPE shortages impacted the delivery of health services and contributed to increased workload, fear, and anxiety among primary care providers. This study examines family physicians' (FPs) response to PPE shortages during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic planning.

METHODS: As part of a multiple case study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with FPs across four regions in …

Characterizing Maternal Isolation-Induced Ultrasonic Vocalizations In A Gene-Environment Interaction Rat Model For Autism., Dorit Möhrle, Megan Yuen, Alice Zheng, Faraj L Haddad, Brian L Allman, Susanne Schmid

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Deficits in social communication and language development belong to the earliest diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorders. Of the many risk factors for autism spectrum disorder, the contactin-associated protein-like 2 gene, CNTNAP2, is thought to be important for language development. The present study used a rat model to investigate the potential compounding effects of autism spectrum disorder risk gene mutation and environmental challenges, including breeding conditions or maternal immune activation during pregnancy, on early vocal communication in the offspring. Maternal isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations from Cntnap2 wildtype and knockout rats at selected postnatal days were analyzed for their acoustic, temporal and …