Color as a variable in making an erotic film more arousing

Eight adult male subjects participated in a counterbalanced, repeated-measures design to determine the relative efficacy of color and black-and-white visual sexual stimuli in eliciting sexual arousal, as objectively measured by a mercury-in-rubber strain gauge transducer. There were no consistent or significant differences in either the intensity or the pattern of penile responding during color and black-and-white presentations of the same film.This investigation is based in part on a thesis submitted by the senior author to the Behavior Modification Program and the Graduate School of Southern Illinois University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. A. degree.     

Successful strategic planning: creating clarity

Most healthcare organizations have a strategic plan of some kind. Many of these organizations also have difficulty translating their strategic plan into specific actions that result in successful performance. In the worst cases, this can jeopardize the viability of the organization. The trouble lies in a lack of clarity in what a strategic plan is and what it should do for the organization. This article will answer key questions such as: What is strategy and how does it fit with other commonly used constructs such as mission, vision, and goals? What criteria can be used to determine if something is truly strategic to the organization? What are the phases of the strategy lifecycle? How do approaches for dealing with uncertainty, such as scenario planning, fit with organizational strategic planning? How can a meaningful IT strategy be developed if the organization strategy is lacking? What principles should guide a good IT planning process?     

Rethinking the objectives of decision aids: a call for conceptual clarity.

Health decision aids are a potentially valuable adjunct to patient-physician communication and decision making. Although the overarching goal of decision aids--to help patients make informed, preference-sensitive choices--is widely accepted, experts do not agree on the means to achieve this end. In this article, the authors critically examine the theoretical basis and appropriateness of 2 widely accepted criteria used to evaluate decision aids: values clarification and reduction of decisional conflict. First, they argue that although clarifying values is central to decision making under uncertainty, it is not clear that decision aids--as they have been conceived and operationalized so far--can and should be used to achieve this goal. The pursuit of clarifying values, particularly values clarification exercises, raises a number of ethical, methodological, and conceptual issues, and the authors suggest research questions that should be addressed before values clarification is routinely endorsed. Second, the authors argue that the goal of reducing decisional conflict is conceptually untenable and propose that it be eliminated as an objective of decision aids.     

Survey revealed a lack of clarity about recommended methods for meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy data

ObjectivesTo collect reasons for selecting the methods for meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy from authors of systematic reviews and improve guidance on recommended methods.Study Design and SettingOnline survey in authors of recently published meta-analyses of diagnostic accuracy.ResultsWe identified 100 eligible reviews, of which 40 had used more advanced methods of meta-analysis (hierarchical random-effects approach), 52 more traditional methods (summary receiver operating characteristic curve based on linear regression or a univariate approach), and 8 combined both. Fifty-nine authors responded to the survey; 29 (49%) authors had used advanced methods, 25 (42%) authors traditional methods, and 5 (9%) authors combined traditional and advanced methods. Most authors who had used advanced methods reported to do so because they believed that these methods are currently recommended (n = 27; 93%). Most authors who had used traditional methods also reported to do so because they believed that these methods are currently recommended (n = 18; 75%) or easy to understand (n = 18; 75%).ConclusionAlthough more advanced methods for meta-analysis are recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration, both authors using these methods and those using more traditional methods responded that the methods they used were currently recommended. Clearer and more widespread dissemination of guidelines on recommended methods for meta-analysis of test accuracy data is needed.     

Systems thinking, boundaries, and role clarity

Confused or ambiguous expectations among healthcare professionals, and between them and patients, can result in reduced quality of care. Conversely, clear role expectations have benefited, specifically, improved communication and information provided to physicians, and generally have benefited overall healthcare system flexibility and responsiveness. Such benefits are not confined to patient-care teams alone, but can accrue to teams in all phases of healthcare practice and support.     

Management consultancy. Faith, hype and clarity

When should managers trust consultants' advice about computer procurement? Michael Cross discovers new guidance.