Digital Commons Network^™

Barriers To Communication In Healthcare: Perceptions Of The Rural Elderly, Nicole Arachikavitz

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

There is presently a lack of research on the types of communication barriers faced by the rural elderly when accessing health care. Furthermore, much of the research on the rural elderly is old and outdated. Thus, this thesis research sought to identify and explore communication barriers faced by the rural elderly when accessing healthcare. Specifically, the research in this thesis seeks to answer the following research questions: What types of communication barriers do rural elderly face when seeking health care? More specifically, what sorts of patient-provider communication barriers will the rural elderly of South Central Kentucky identify? An interview guide …

Analysis Of Soil Lead Levels In An Historic District Of A South Central Kentucky City, Robert Cummins

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Lead in soil has been shown to be a significant pathway of lead exposure in children. Several factors including age of housing units, exterior composition, and paint loading may affect the amount of lead present in the soil. The purpose of this study was to analyze soil lead levels on properties located in an historic district and relate those levels to the variables previously mentioned. A total of 30 soil samples were collected from housing units in a nationally recognized historic district. Concentrations of lead in the soil were analyzed using a NITON X-ray Fluorescence Spectrum Analyzer, following EPA Method …

Predictors That Affect The Caregiver's Health Status And The Role Of Social Support On The Caregiver's Health Status, Hong Wang

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines whether the caregiver's self-rated health status is affected by the caregiver's demographic characteristics (age, education level, and income), caregiver's stressor (the number of ADL and IADL), mediating variables of the caregiver's appraisal (willingness to help non-family members, level satisfaction with life, and financial burden), of and mediating variable of social support (information and/or advice from other family members or friends). Data were drawn from Chronic Illness and Caregiving, a national telephone survey conducted by Harris Interactive Inc. on behalf of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, and Partnership for Solutions. The sample size of caregivers …

The Relationship Of Attitude, Social Influence, And Self-Efficacy To Diabetes Type Ii Outcomes, Autumn L. Keefer-Ward

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Attitude-Social Influence-Self Efficacy model and its relationship to Type II diabetes outcomes. One hundred-twelve adults ages 55-75 with Type II diabetes were recruited from a physician's office in West Central Indiana. Participants completed instruments that assessed (a) attitude, (b) social influence of the physician, (c) diabetes-specific self-efficacy, and (d) diabetes-specific quality oflife. A measurement of metabolic control was also obtained. Multiple regressions were performed using ( a) quality of life, and (b) metabolic control as criterion variables. Only one subscale of the self-efficacy variable scale, Managing the Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes, …

People With Disabilities On Tribal Lands: Education, Health Care, Vocational Rehabilitation, And Independent Living, A. Kauffman, M. Whelshula, V. Paternoster, T. Spellman, W. Thompson, A. Walline

Native Health Database Full Text

This project examined research on health, rehabilitation, independent living, and education issues that affect people with disabilities living in Indian Country. The report discusses views and perspectives of American Indialaska Native people with disabilities, tribal leaders, and federal agency representatives identified as productive in meeting the needs of people with disabilities residing in tribal lands. This report also assesses and recommends government-to-government (state to sovereign tribal to U.S. government) improvements in relationships needed for effective coordination across existing federally funded projects/programs. In addition, a Toolkit guide providing resource information was developed for use by consumers, tribal communities, and people at …

Dose Coefficients For Radionuclides Produced In A Spallation Neutron Source, John P. Shanahan

Transmutation Sciences Physics (TRP)

Internal and external dose coefficient values have been calculated for 14 anthropogenic radionuclides which are not currently presented in Federal Guidance Reports No. 11, 12, and 13 or Publications 68 and 72 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Internal dose coefficient values are reported for inhalation and ingestion of 1 μm and 5 μm particulates along with the f1 values and absorption types for the adult worker. Internal dose coefficient values are also reported for inhalation and ingestion of 1 μm particulates as well as the f1 values and absorption types for members of the public. Additionally, external dose …

Next-Of-Kin Perceptions Of Physician Responsiveness To Symptoms Of Hospitalized Patients Near Death, Joel C. Cantor, Jan Blustein, Matthew J. Carlson, David A. Gould

Sociology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Many different medical providers visit critically ill patients during a hospitalization, and patients and family members may not feel any physician is truly in charge of care. This study explores whether perceiving that a physician was clearly in charge is associated with reports by surviving next of kin about the responsiveness of physicians to symptoms in hospitalized patients near the end of life. We conducted telephone interviews with surviving next of kin of adult patients (n = 1107) who died in one of five New York City teaching hospitals between April 1998 and June 1999 after a minimum 3-day inpatient …

Adjusting For Non-Ignorable Verification Bias In Clinical Studies For Alzheimer’S Disease, Xiao-Hua Zhou, Pete Castelluccio

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

A common problem for comparing the relative accuracy of two screening tests for Alzheimer’s disease (D) in a two-stage design study is verification bias. If the verification bias can be assumed to be ignorable, Zhou and Higgs (2000) have proposed a maximum likelihood approach to compare the relative accuracy of screening tests in a two-stage design study. However, if the verification mechanism also depends on the unobserved disease status, the ignorable assumption does not hold. In this paper, we discuss how to use a profile likelihood approach to compare the relative accuracy of two screening tests for AD without assuming …

Obesity In America: A Growing Threat, Eileen Salinsky, Wakina Scott

National Health Policy Forum

This background paper seeks to clarify the nature and causes of the obesity epidemic in the United States and provides an overview of the associated economic and health costs. The paper summarizes existing federal programs and policies that address obesity and examines new and emerging policy strategies to battle the bulging American silhouette. Topics explored include population-based prevention, federal food- and nutrition-assistance programs, Medicare and Medicaid payment policies, school health initiatives, and publicly funded biomedical research.

Health Beliefs And Parenting Attitudes Influence Breastfeeding Patterns Among Low-Income African-American Women, Phyllis W. Sharpe, Ayman A.E. El-Mohandes, M. Nabil El-Khorazaty, Michele Kiely, Tessa Walker

Publications and Research

OBJECTIVE: To describe breastfeeding initiation among 210 urban African-American mothers with inadequate prenatal care.

METHODS: This study is a case–control study of postpartum mothers recruited from four large urban hospitals.

RESULTS: Mothers who chose to breastfeed were more educated, employed before birth, married, and using contraception postnatally. Regression model analysis controlling for demographic differences revealed that breastfeeding was significantly associated with a higher perception of severity of illness and higher confidence in the ability of health care to prevent illness. Breastfeeding mothers were less likely to reverse parent– child roles and had a lower perception of hassle from their infant’s …

The Geography Of Medicare: Explaining Differences In Payment And Costs, Nora Super

National Health Policy Forum

This issue brief examines the sources of variation in Medicare payment and costs across different geographic areas and different sites of care. It discusses the payment policies that address variation in the cost of providing care, such as input price adjustments and special payments to hospitals. It also considers differences due to beneficiaries’ health status and in physician practice patterns. Finally, it explores policy options to address Medicare geographic variation.

While Working, Don't Take The Fall!, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Falls

To prevent falls while working:

• Always use appropriate fall protection systems.
• Conduct a thorough assessment in and around the work area to identify existing and potential fall hazards.
• Both employers and subcontractors should provide comprehensive fall protection training for their employees, that is site specific.
• Place warning signs in front of work areas and around perimeters where fall hazards have been identified.
• Don’t place yourself in a potentially hazardous situation. Workers should always stay alert.

Mientras Trabaja, No Se Caiga!, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Falls

Para prevenir caídas durante en trabajo:

• Siempre use el sistema apropiado de caídas. Hacer una evaluación meticulosa dentro y alrededor del área de trabajo, para identificar los riesgos existentes y potenciales de caídas.
• Los empleadores y los subcontratistas deben proveer de un entrenamiento de protección de caídas a sus empleados, en un lugar en especifico.
• Poner señales de alerta enfrente del área de trabajo y alrededor de los perímetros donde el riesgo ha sido identificado.
• No se ubique en una situación de potencialmente riesgoso. Los trabajadores siempre necesitan estar alerta.

Drivers And Riders Need To Work Safely While In And Around Refuse Collection Vehicles, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent refuse collection injuries:

• Employers should provide comprehensive employee safety training programs including identification of hazards posed by other motor vehicles in the area, and by riding on or working near moving refuse collection vehicles.
• Employers and employees should have routine maintenance programs for refuse collection vehicles including proper condition of tires.
• Don’t place yourself in a potentially hazardous situation. Workers should always stay alert.

Tanto Conductores Como Recolectores Necesitan Trabajar Con Seguridad Al Situarse Cerca O Dentro De Vehículos De Recolección De Basura, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

Para prevenir lesiones en la labor de recolección de residuos:

Los empleadores deberán proporcionar programas de entrenamiento de seguridad adaptados a la labor de sus empleados que incluyan la identificación de los riesgos que suponen otros automotores movilizándose en el área, así como el desplazamiento sobre o cerca de vehículos de recolección de residuos en movimiento.

Tanto empleadores como empleados deben asistir a programas de recolección de residuos, con cursos que incluyan el mantenimiento apropiado de las llantas.

Evite exponerse usted mismo a situaciones potencialmente riesgosas. Los trabajadores siempre deben estar atentos.