A multi-component stair climbing promotional campaign targeting calorific expenditure for worksites; a quasi-experimental study testing effects on behaviour, attitude and intention

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Accumulation of lifestyle physical activity is a current aim of health promotion, with increased stair climbing one public health target. While the workplace provides an opportunity for regular stair climbing, evidence for effectiveness of point-of-choice interventions is equivocal. This paper reports a new approach to worksite interventions, aimed at changing attitudes and, hence, behaviour. METHODS: Pre-testing of calorific expenditure messages used structured interviews with members of the public (n = 300). Effects of multi-component campaigns on stair climbing were tested with quasi-experimental, interrupted time-series designs. In one worksite, a main campaign poster outlining the amount of calorific expenditure obtainable from stair climbing and a conventional point-of-choice prompt were used (Poster alone site). In a second worksite, additional messages in the stairwell about calorific expenditure reinforced the main campaign (Poster + Stairwell messages site). The outcome variables were automated observations of stair and lift ascent (28,854) and descent (29,352) at baseline and for three weeks after the intervention was installed. Post-intervention questionnaires for employees at the worksites assessed responses to the campaign (n = 253). Analyses employed Analysis of variance with follow-up Bonferroni t-tests (message pre-testing), logistic regression of stair ascent and descent (campaign testing), and Bonferroni t-tests and multiple regression (follow-up questionnaire). RESULTS: Pre-testing of messages based on calorific expenditure suggested they could motivate stair climbing if believed. The new campaign increased stair climbing, with greater effects at the Poster + Stairwell messages site (OR = 1.52, 95 % CI = 1.40-1.66) than Posters alone (OR = 1.24, 95 % CI = 1.15-1.34). Follow-up revealed higher agreement with two statements about calorific outcomes of stair climbing in the site where they were installed in the stairwell, suggesting more positive attitudes resulted from the intervention. Future intentions for stair use were predicted by motivation by the campaign and beliefs that stair climbing would help weight control. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-component campaigns that target attitudes and intentions may substantially increase stair climbing at work.     

Depression and Anxiety Predict Decline in Physical Health Functioning in Patients with Heart Failure

Background  

Few studies have examined the prospective influences of depression and anxiety on physical health functioning in heart failure (HF) patients. Prior studies were also limited by employing psychological measures containing somatic items confounded with HF symptoms.     

Endovascular laser detachment of platinum alloy microcoils: Principle and initial experimental experience

Abstract

The aim of the investigation was the technical realization and approval of a new method for insertion and detachment of platinum alloy microcoils and other vascular implants via standard microcatheters. Flexible lightconducting fibers, 105 μm in diameter were connected to platinum alloy microcoils. It was examined whether an insertion wire, a lightconducting fiber and a platinum alloy microcoil could be advanced through a Tracker-18 (Target) microcatheter. The detachment of the attached coil from the lightconducting fiber was investigated. Platinum alloy microcoils can be attached to available lightconducting fibers in a reliable and reproduceable manner. Together with the fiber they can be advanced via a Tracker-18 microcatheter. Only extremely tortuous vessels may increase the friction to critical values. A Ho-YAG laser source was used. This allowed the instantaneous detachment of microcoils from laser fibers. In contrast to electrolytical detachment; no foreign substances are released to the blood stream. The detachment does not require waiting time and does not activate thrombus formation. Due to specific technical features, injuries of the vessel wall are avoided. After further miniaturization and adaption of the lightconducting fibers to the required characteristics; I aster detachment may have the potential to replace current methods such as electrolytical and mechanical coil detachment. [Neurol Res 1996; 18: 256–258]     

Stratification of Gallstones in the Gallbladder

A clinical approach to the diagnosis of congenital cardiac malformations is described which the authors have found effective in exposing the important signs and their significance. Each available diagnostic method is evaluated separately before all data are correlated.

Clinical diagnosis based on history, physical examination, roentgenography and electrocardiography was 94 per cent accurate in a series of cases seen in office consultation and 90 per cent accurate in a series of hospital cases reviewed. The significance of the various signs and symptoms that are routinely searched for in the physical examination is discussed.

The salient points in the clinical diagnosis of the common entities are presented.     

A call to action: The controversy of and rationale for competency-based medical education

Although medical education has enjoyed many successes over the last century, there is a recognition that health care is too often unsafe and of poor quality. Errors in diagnosis and treatment, communication breakdowns, poor care coordination, inappropriate use of tests and procedures, and dysfunctional collaboration harm patients and families around the world. These issues reflect on our current model of medical education and raise the question: Are physicians being adequately prepared for twenty-first century practice? Multiple reports have concluded the answer is “no.” Concurrent with this concern is an increasing interest in competency-based medical education (CBME) as an approach to help reform medical education. The principles of CBME are grounded in providing better and safer care. As interest in CBME has increased, so have criticisms of the movement. This article summarizes and addresses objections and challenges related to CBME. These can provide valuable feedback to improve CBME implementation and avoid pitfalls. We strongly believe medical education reform should not be reduced to an “either/or” approach, but should blend theories and approaches to suit the needs and resources of the populations served. The incorporation of milestones and entrustable professional activities within existing competency frameworks speaks to the dynamic evolution of CBME, which should not be viewed as a fixed doctrine, but rather as a set of evolving concepts, principles, tools, and approaches that can enable important reforms in medical education that, in turn, enable the best outcomes for patients.     

Bed occupancy rates and hospital-acquired infections—should beds be kept empty?

There is growing evidence that bed occupancy (BO) rates, overcrowding and understaffing influence the spread of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). In this article, a systematic review of the literature is presented, summarizing the evidence on the adverse effects of high BO rates and overcrowding in hospitals on the incidence of HAIs. A Pubmed database search identified 179 references, of which 44 were considered to be potentially relevant for full-text review. The majority (62.9%) focused on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-associated infection or colonization. Only 12 studies were found that provided a statistical analysis of the impact of BO on HAI rates. The median BO rate of the analysed studies was 81.2%. The majority of studies (75%) indicated that BO rates and understaffing directly influence the incidence of HAIs. Only three studies showed no significant association between BO rates and the incidence of HAIs. Interestingly, only one of the included studies detected a seasonal trend in the BO rate. The present review shows an association between BO rates and the spread of HAIs in various settings. Because the evidence on this topic is limited, we conclude that further research is needed in order to analyse the rationale of a threshold BO rate, because keeping beds empty is comparatively costly.