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Biomedical subjects

A E Maxwell

Publications and source records attributed to A E Maxwell.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Coefficients of agreement between observers and their interpretation.

The measurement of agreement between ratings of patient symptomatology by two or more psychiatrists is discussed. It is noted that coefficients which allow for possible chance agreement are to be preferred, but they involve assumptions about the way in which chance factors may operate. Assumptions which involve prior probabilities of the incidence of a symptom appear to be too stringent, and a new coefficient, called the RE coefficient, is recommended in which is assumed to operate in a purely random way. Binary scales are discussed in detail, but methods of dealing with scales of wider range are also referred to.

Diagnosis, Differential

The learning of motor movements: a neurostatistical approach.

From a factor analysis of data from a learning experiment evidence is presented which appears to support the Blomfield-Marr thesis that in the learning of motor actions the cerebellum operates by the turning off of incorrect movements rather than by the turning on of correct ones. The factor model employed is that due to Godfrey Thomson which gives a neurostatistical explanation of the origin of mental factors.

Cerebellum

Effects of a social support group, as an adjunct to diabetes training, on metabolic control and psychosocial outcomes.

The purpose of this present study was to evaluate a social support group as an adjunct to an intensive outpatient diabetes training program. Insulin-treated and non-insulin-treated patients (n = 204) were randomized into two groups: the control group received the training program only, whereas the experimental group was offered the same program plus eight support group meetings. At the 7-month follow-up, patients in both groups showed improved metabolic control, diabetes knowledge, frequency of practicing recommended diabetes management behaviors, and emotional adjustment. Although no additional improvement was seen in those outcome measures in patients who attended support group meetings, results of a subjective evaluation of the support group showed that patients experienced positive feelings in the groups that may contribute to patient health. A better understanding of the possible contribution of support groups to health is necessary before such groups are routinely recommended to patients.

Adult