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Biomedical subjects

D M Pedersen

Publications and source records attributed to D M Pedersen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Somatic illness in psychiatric patients].

Psychiatric patients are a vulnerable group in society and have been shown to suffer from a wide range of somatic diseases when admitted to the psychiatric department. During a three month period we examined 174 newly admitted psychiatric patients with the purpose of investigating 1) the frequency of somatic illness, 2) the value of routine blood tests as a screening tool for somatic illness and 3) a possible causality between somatic disease and psychiatric illness. Fifty percent of the patients suffered from a somatic disease and 31% of the patients had a previously undiagnosed disease. The somatic disease was found to be the main cause of admission in 16% of the patients. Older patients and patients with alcohol abuse were found to have the highest prevalence of somatic disease. In conclusion, we found no indication for a screening programme of blood tests, but recommend that selected blood tests based on the clinical examination and history of the individual patient should be taken. Psychiatric patients have a high prevalence of somatic disease, and it is important to direct clinical attention towards this when giving care to psychiatric patients.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1997

A measure of stress for athletic performance.

The Athlete Stress Inventory of 49 items was developed. Using factor analysis on the intercorrelations of responses of 148 women student-athletes, four orthogonal factors of stress in athletes were identified-Negative Mood, Team Compatibility, Physical Well-being, and Academic Efficacy. Scales for these factors were reliable and valid. The predictive validity of these scores was investigated by correlations with the athletic performance of 32 women athletes on three intercollegiate teams-tennis, gymnastics, and basketball. Stress scores (except Emotional Mood) reported four days prior to competition tended to be significantly correlated with performance for the individual sports (tennis and gymnastics) but not for the group sport (basket-ball). The correlation involving Physical Well-being was not significant for gymnasts.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Perceived traits of male and female athletes.

Profiles of personality traits for male and female athletes were obtained from 133 men and 71 women raters. Traits were rated using a 7-point semantic differential with 11 bipolar items. A profile analysis showed that the profiles of the traits were distinct. There were no significant differences in the ratings by men and women raters. Male athletes were rated as more active, aggressive, competitive, dominating, controlling, instrumental, and public. Female athletes were rated as more goal-oriented, organized, and rule-governed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Perceptions of high risk sports.

High risk sports were rated as to risk, appeal, and likelihood of participation by 282 men and 162 women. Ascending order of perceived risk was skiing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, motorcycle racing, hang gliding, cliff jumping, and skydiving. Profile analysis showed stated likelihood of participation to be directly related to appeal and inversely related to perceived risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Essential health education for deployment in underdeveloped countries.

Educating personnel regarding issues related to health and foreign travel has always been an important deployment concern. This article provides general health education guidelines pertinent to any deployment, but especially foreign deployment. The report is intended as a vehicle for initiating the health education process of nonmedical personnel prior to deployment.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1990

Perception of enclosure effects of architectural surfaces in a large scale interior space.

It was hypothesized that the perceived enclosure effect of spaces would be dependent upon the explicitness of presented architectural surfaces according to the 1961-1970 model of Thiel. It was also hypothesized that the contribution of the surfaces would adhere to theoretical weights proposed by Thiel. It was further hypothesized that the perceived contribution of the surfaces to enclosure would be similar for men and women. 20 women and 10 men were presented 24 line drawings in one-point, eye-level perspective of the same furnished and occupied interior space. The line drawings differed only in the absence or presence of floor, wall, or ceiling surfaces. On an initial task the spaces represented by the drawings were ordered by the subjects from least enclosed (most open) to most enclosed (least open). In a second task the surfaces in a diagram were ranked according to their relative importance in determining the perception of the enclosing effect. The hypotheses were confirmed, and so provided support for the model that the explicitness of perceived surfaces contribute differentially to the perception of the openness of an environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Prevention and emergency field management of venomous snakebites during military exercises.

Summer exercises in the continental United States bring many military personnel in contact with our four types of indigenous venomous snakes. Personnel with a knowledge of these snakes, their habits, and habitat, and who exercise common sense are much less likely to fall victim to a venomous bite. When a bite does occur, timely and appropriate first aid can help to reduce the sequelae of an envenomation. Military medical personnel should be prepared to discuss snakebite prevention and field management with all personnel taking to the field this summer.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Quantitative muscle strength testing: a comparison of job strength requirements and actual worker strength among military technicians.

In this study the authors investigate the percentage of mismatch between job demands and worker physical capacity in Utah National Guard mechanics. This population had demonstrated a higher incidence of low back trouble than other job descriptions reviewed. The authors utilized onsite still and videotape photography and a computerized biomechanical strength prediction model to assess loads on the lumbosacral spine due to various job tasks. Job demands were then compared to the actual physical capacity of the individual workers based on static strength testing in job-related positions. A load cell on the testing apparatus entered the force generated into a computer which averaged the force of the last three seconds of a five-second lift. It was determined that as much as a 38% mismatch existed within this population for some job tasks which these workers were exposed to. Suggestions for preventing job-related low back cumulative trauma disorders are presented, including: engineering redesign, worker selection programs, work hardening, and others.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1989

Malignant lesions of the eyelid.

Malignant tumors of the eyelid and ocular adnexa are often detected during routine examinations. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of these tumors, followed by squamous cell carcinoma. Sebaceous gland carcinoma and malignant melanoma are seen less frequently. Malignant eyelid tumors may mimic a number of benign conditions. Early diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion, and biopsy of the lesion is often necessary.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1986

Effects of an observer on conformity to handwashing norm.

Women were observed after elimination in a public restroom to determine the effects of the presence or absence of an observer upon the likelihood of handwashing. 18 of 20 subjects in the presence of another and 3 of 19 who were not observed washed. The difference in frequency of handwashing between the two groups was clearly significant.

Female↗
PubMed1983

Perception of spatial and social density.

The effects of family size on the perception of three abstract rooms that differed in social and spatial density were studied. The rooms were rated on the dimensions, evaluation, spirituality, activity, and aesthetic appeal. Of the 48 subjects half were from large families with six or more members, and half were from smaller families. Family size had no effect on the perception of the rooms. The room low in spatial density was perceived most favorably, and there was no difference in the perception of a room high in social density and one high in spatial density.

Crowding↗