Aims: In neuropsychological evaluations, it is often difficult to ascertain whether poor performance on measures of validity is due to poor effort or malingering, or whether there is genuine cognitive impairment. Dunham and Denney created an algorithm to assess this question using the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT). We assessed the ability of their algorithm to detect poor validity versus probable impairment, and concordance of failure on the MSVT with other freestanding tests of performance validity.
Methods: Two previously published datasets (n?=?153 and n?=?641, respectively) from outpatient neuropsychological evaluations were used to test Dunham and Denney’s algorithm, and to assess concordance of failure rates with the Test of Memory Malingering and the forced choice measure of the California Verbal Learning Test, two commonly used performance validity tests.
Results: In both datasets, none of the four cutoff scores for failure on the MSVT (70%, 75%, 80%, or 85%) identified a poor validity group with proportionally aligned failure rates on other freestanding measures of performance validity. Additionally, the protocols with probable impairment did not differ from those with poor validity on cognitive measures.
Conclusions: Despite what appeared to be a promising approach to evaluating failure on the easy MSVT subtests when clinical data are unavailable (as recommended in the advanced interpretation program, or advanced interpretation [AI], of the MSVT), the current findings indicate the AI remains the gold standard for doing so. Future research should build on this effort to address shortcomings in measures of effort in neuropsychological evaluations. 相似文献
One approach to boost influenza vaccination coverage has been to expand immunization authority. In 2012, the province of Ontario gave community pharmacists the authority to administer the influenza vaccine.
Objective
This study investigates the perspectives of Ontario pharmacy patrons, who had not recently received this vaccine from a pharmacist, regarding this pharmacist service.
Methods
A survey was administered in six Ontario community pharmacies to pharmacy patrons who had not received an influenza vaccination from a pharmacist during the previous year. The instrument included questions about influenza vaccination, and knowledge of and attitudes toward vaccines and pharmacist-administered immunization.
Results
A total of 541 pharmacy patrons completed the survey (53.9% response rate). About one-third (30.5%) of respondents were not aware that pharmacists could give the influenza vaccine, with younger individuals being less likely to be aware (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29–0.77, p?<?0.05) and less likely to receive the vaccine annually (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.19–0.42, p?<?0.05). Leading reasons respondents gave as to why they did not receive their influenza vaccine from a pharmacist included not wanting or feeling they needed to be immunized (41.6%) and being used to receiving the vaccine from a physician (16.5%). Concerns about the experience and training of pharmacists and lack of privacy in a community pharmacy were uncommon.
Conclusion
Reduced awareness of the availability of pharmacist-provided influenza vaccine is still common. Pharmacists have a significant opportunity to address lack of awareness and vaccine hesitancy issues. They can promote this service to increase influenza vaccination rates among pharmacy patrons who do not utilize this professional service. 相似文献
Rates of smoking during pregnancy remain high in Canada, and cessation rates are low among women who are younger than 24 years and who are socially disadvantaged, that is, have few social and economic resources because of poverty, violence, or mental health issues. On the basis of findings from literature reviews and consultation with policy makers, we developed and operationalized four approaches that can be used by health care providers to tailor interventions for tobacco use in pregnancy. These four approaches are woman centered, trauma informed, harm reducing, and equitable. Public health initiatives that address smoking in young and socially disadvantaged women could be more sharply focused by shifting to such tailored approaches that are grounded in social justice aims, span pre- and postpregnancy periods, and can be used to address women’s social contexts and concerns. 相似文献
Using the SF-12 to measure physical and mental functioning, the authors examine the intra-individual changes in health-related
quality of life (HRQOL) 6 months post-discharge for depressed older adults. In addition, they examine three sets of predictors
that might influence these changes. The sample of depressed older adults was recruited from an inpatient geropsychiatry unit.
Although their physical and mental health scores on the SF-12 were lower than comparable norms, the sample showed an average
increase in their mental functioning but a decrease in the physical functioning over the 6 months. Negative life-events were
significant predictors of people who reported no change in their mental health functioning and decreases in their physical
health functioning. Interestingly, those who experienced positive life events were more likely to report declines and younger
participants were more likely to report no change in their physical functioning. The findings indicate that the effects of
depression on HRQOL can have enduring effects on a sample of previously hospitalized older adults. The significance of life
event changes might signify the importance of taking into account non-traditional areas of medical interventions. Further,
the findings indicate the usefulness of the SF-12 quantifying HRQOL outcomes. 相似文献
For patients who receive a liver transplant (LTX) for alcoholic liver disease (ALD), investigators are focusing beyond survival to determine specific alcohol use outcomes. Studies suggest the use of alcohol ranges from 8 to 22% for the first post-transplant year with cumulative rates reaching 30 to 40% by 5 years following transplantation. Yet while investigators are interested in determining specific rates of alcohol use and predictors of use, only three studies since 1990 have been prospective. In 1998, we began a prospective study of post-LTX alcohol consumption in ALD recipients using multiple repeated measures of alcohol use. After 5 years of follow-up, we found that 22% had used any alcohol by the first year and 42% had a drink by 5 years. By 5 years, 26% drank at a heavier use (binge) pattern and 20% drank in a frequent pattern. In a univariate model, predictors of alcohol use included pre-transplant length of sobriety, a diagnosis of alcohol dependence, a history of other substance use, and prior alcohol rehabilitation. 相似文献
Severe persistent asthma can have a substantial impact on a patient's health-related quality of life (HRQL), both as a result of symptoms and from side effects of treatment. The HRQL impact of two doses (400 and 800 microg twice daily) of mometasone furoate dry powder inhaler (MF DPI) was compared with placebo in patients with severe persistent asthma previously maintained on oral steroids as a component of a previously published randomized, 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. A 9-month open-label extension (OLE), with all patients treated with MF DPI, followed. Patients 12 years of age or older completed a generic HRQL measure, the Medical Outcomes Trust Short Form-36 (SF-36), and an asthma-specific measure, the Marks Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ-M), at baseline, at endpoint (last evaluable visit) of the double-blind phase (EODBP), and after the first 3 months of the OLE. Of 132 patients enrolled in the study, 128 provided HRQL data at baseline and at EODBP. Mean SF-36 scores at baseline showed significant HRQL impairment compared with U.S. general population norms. With treatment, the reduction in oral corticosteroid (OCS) requirements of the MF-DPI-treated groups was accompanied by significant (p < 0.05) improvement over placebo in the physical domain of HRQL (SF-36 physical component summary score and the physical function subscale) at EODBP. MF-DPI-treated patients also showed significant improvements at EODBP in each of the four subscales of the AQLQ-M (p<0.05). From EODBP to the OLE 3-month endpoint, patients treated with MF DPI twice daily maintained, or improved, SF-36 scores in most domains. Symptomatic improvement and reduction in OCS use with MF DPI were accompanied by significant improvement in HRQL in patients with severe persistent asthma. These improvements were maintained during the 3-month period of the OLE in which HRQL was evaluated. 相似文献