Project description:ObjectiveTo compare two models of revalidation for general practitioners.DesignRandomised comparison of two revalidation models.SettingPrimary care in Tayside, Scotland.Participants66 Tayside general practitioners (principals and non-principals), 53 of whom completed the revalidation folders. Interventions Two revalidation models: a minimum criterion based model with revalidation as the primary purpose, and an educational outcome model with emphasis on combining revalidation with continuing professional development.Main outcome measuresFeasibility and acceptability of each approach and effect on the doctor's continuing professional development. The ability to make a summative judgment on completed models and whether either model would allow patient groups to have confidence in the revalidation process.ResultsThe criterion model was preferred by general practitioners. For both models doctors reported making changes to their practice and felt a positive effect on their continuing professional development. Summative assessment of the folders showed reasonable inter-rater reliability.ConclusionsThe criterion model provides a practical and acceptable model for general practitioners to use when preparing for revalidation.
Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence of cancer increases every year, leading to a growing population of patients and survivors in need for care. To achieve good quality care, a patient-centered approach is essential. Correct and timely detection of needs throughout the different stages of the care trajectory is crucial and can be supported by the use of screening and assessment in a stepped-care approach. The Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES) is a valuable and comprehensive quality of life and needs assessment instrument. For use in Flemish research and clinical practice, the CARES tool was translated for the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium (Flanders) from its original English format. This protocol paper describes the translation and revalidation of this Flemish CARES version.MethodsAfter forward-backward translation of the CARES into Flemish we aim to recruit 150 adult cancer patients with a primary cancer diagnosis (stage I, II or III) for validation. In this study with a combination of qualitative and a quantitative approach, qualitative data will be collected through focus groups and supplemented by two phases of quantitative data collection: i) an initial patient survey containing questions on socio-demographic and medical data, the CARES and seven concurrent instruments; and ii) a second survey administered after 1 week containing the CARES and supplementary questions to explore their impressions on the content and the feasibility of the CARES.DiscussionWith this extensive data collection process, psychometric validity of the Flemish CARES can be tested thoroughly using classical test theory. Internal consistency of summary scales, test-retest reliability, content validity, construct validity, concurrent validity and feasibility of the instrument will be examined. If the Flemish CARES version is found reliable, valid and feasible, it will be used in future research and clinical practice. Comprehensive assessment with the CARES in a stepped-care approach can facilitate timely identification of cancer patients' psychosocial concerns and care needs so it can contribute to efficient provision of patient-centered quality care.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02282696 (July 16, 2014).
Project description:BackgroundMedical revalidation decisions need to be reliable if they are to reassure on the quality and safety of professional practice. This study tested an innovative method in which general practitioners (GPs) were assessed on their reflection and response to a set of externally specified feedback.Setting and participants60 GPs and 12 GP appraisers in the Tayside region of Scotland, UK.MethodsA feedback dataset was specified as (1) GP-specific data collected by GPs themselves (patient and colleague opinion; open book self-evaluated knowledge test; complaints) and (2) Externally collected practice-level data provided to GPs (clinical quality and prescribing safety). GPs' perceptions of whether the feedback covered UK General Medical Council specified attributes of a 'good doctor' were examined using a mapping exercise. GPs' professionalism was examined in terms of appraiser assessment of GPs' level of insightful practice, defined as: engagement with, insight into and appropriate action on feedback data. The reliability of assessment of insightful practice and subsequent recommendations on GPs' revalidation by face-to-face and anonymous assessors were investigated using Generalisability G-theory.Main outcome measuresCoverage of General Medical Council attributes by specified feedback and reliability of assessor recommendations on doctors' suitability for revalidation.ResultsFace-to-face assessment proved unreliable. Anonymous global assessment by three appraisers of insightful practice was highly reliable (G=0.85), as were revalidation decisions using four anonymous assessors (G=0.83).ConclusionsUnlike face-to-face appraisal, anonymous assessment of insightful practice offers a valid and reliable method to decide GP revalidation. Further validity studies are needed.
Project description:ObjectivesThe Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS) is a comprehensive measure of menstrual self-care experience including access to sufficient, comfortable materials to catch or absorb bleeding, supportive spaces for managing menstruation and for disposal and laundering of used materials. It addresses a critical measurement gap to improve quantitative menstrual health research and programme evaluation. The scale was validated in a population of adolescent schoolgirls. This study appraises its performance among adult women.DesignCross-sectional survey.Setting and participantsSeven cognitive interviews provided insights into the interpretability of scale items. A survey of 525 working women who had menstruated in the past 6 months (435 working in markets, 45 in schools and 45 working in healthcare facilities) in Mukono District, Uganda was used to test the dimensionality, reliability and validity of the measure.ResultsThe 36 scale items were well understood by the study population. Dimensionality was tested for the 28 items relevant to women disposing of menstrual materials and 32 items relevant to those washing and reusing materials. The original subscale structure fit with the data, however, fell short of recommended thresholds for those disposing of materials (root mean squared error of approximation, RMSEA=0.069; Comparative Fit Index, CFI=0.840; Trucker-Lewis Index, TLI=0.824). An alternative subscale structure was an acceptable fit for those disposing (RMSEA=0.051; CFI=0.911; TLI=0.897) and reusing materials (RMSEA=0.053; CFI=0.915; TLI=0.904). MPNS total and subscale scores demonstrated acceptable internal consistency. Higher scores reflected more positive menstrual experiences and were associated with well-being (total score r=0.24, p<0.001), not missing work due to the last menstrual period (total score OR=2.47 95% CI 1.42 to 4.30) and confidence to manage menstruation.ConclusionsThe MPNS offers a valid and reliable way to assess menstrual health needs. The revised factor structure can be used for samples of adult workers. Findings also highlight challenges in assessing the variety of experiences relevant to managing menstrual bleeding.
Project description:Citharoceps Chamberlin was diagnosed by the presence of a very distinctive stridulatory apparatus composed of two patches of ridges on the sides of the cephalic region, and a stridulatory thorn on the prolateral region of the femur I. Currently, this genus is a junior synonym of Ariadna Audouin, with the assumption that the stridulatory apparatus could constitute an exclusive feature of its unique known species, Citharocepsfidicina Chamberlin, currently senior synonym of Citharocepscalifornica Chamberlin & Ivie. In the present study, Citharoceps is revalidated and redescribed based on the occurrence of the stridulatory apparatus in Citharocepsfidicina and Segestriacruzana Chamberlin & Ivie, and also on the presence of distinguishable characters, such as the length of the labium-sternum junction, ventral median spine on male metatarsi I, and strong sclerotized interpulmonary fold in females, forming a conspicuous median flap. Segestriacruzana is transfered to Citharoceps, with Citharocepscalifornica removed from the synonym of Citharocepsfidicina, and proposed as a junior synonym of Citharocepscruzana, due to the similarity between the additional material examined and the original description. Males of Citharocepsfidicina and Citharocepscruzana are described for the first time.
Project description:A central feature of Darwin's theory of natural selection is that it explains the purpose of biological adaptation. Here, I: emphasize the scientific importance of understanding what adaptations are for, in terms of facilitating the derivation of empirically testable predictions; discuss the population genetical basis for Darwin's theory of the purpose of adaptation, with reference to Fisher's 'fundamental theorem of natural selection'; and show that a deeper understanding of the purpose of adaptation is achieved in the context of social evolution, with reference to inclusive fitness and superorganisms.
Project description:ObjectiveHaving a sense of purpose is associated with a wide variety of positive health outcomes, largely because purposeful individuals appear to take better care of themselves physically. However, work is limited regarding the role of purpose during health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodThe current cross-sectional study investigated whether having a sense of purpose was associated COVID-19 vaccination rates and willingness, among a Swiss adult sample (n = 2328, Mean = 52.33 years), after accounting for participants' trust in different institutions.ResultsResults found that adults with higher levels of institutional trust were more likely to be vaccinated (rs range from 0.06 to 0.13) or were willing to do so (rs range from 0.22 to 0.39). Sense of purpose was associated modestly with greater vaccination status (r = 0.06). However, sense of purpose moderated several associations between trust and vaccination outcomes. Namely, sense of purpose was associated with greater likelihood for vaccination when individuals reported greater trust in university research centers and political institutions.ConclusionFindings are discussed with respect to how they shape our understanding of purpose-health associations.