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Biomedical subjects

E W Flaherty

Publications and source records attributed to E W Flaherty.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Defining drug use: a model for the integration of measures through the census tract.

The nature and severity of drug use has been measured both directly and indirectly by various studies employing different indicators, although the majority of studies still tend to use single measures of drug use. The need to employ multiple measures in examining drug abuse is constrained by the fact that available data may have been collected through diverse methodologies and measured on different levels or units. The purpose of this study was to develop and test in Philadelphia a model using qualitatively different types of data integrated by the common geographic unit of a census tract. The types of data used included: archival data, key informant data, and survey data. Using this approach the paper examines the relationships of drug use measures to each other, to the social environment, and to drug market factors. Major findings of the analysis indicate that there are several independent measures of drug use as reflected in five composite indicators which differentiate behavioral activities or consequences of drug use. Moreover, heroin use indicators exhibit relationships with social-environmental characteristics and drug market factors which are different from those existing with amphetamine or synthetic drug use.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Impact of federally mandated program evaluation.

A survey was conducted of 46 representatives from nine randomly selected community mental health centers to examine the impact of the requirements for self-evaluation in the 1975 Community Mental Health Centers Amendments (P.L. 94-63). Compliance was generally high, but considerable variability existed in the topics studied and in the amount of resources devoted to each study. The three conditions associated with the utility of a study were (1) the reason for conducting it (2) the topic of the study and (3) the role of the evaluator in disseminating the findings and making them useful. Respondents saw a need for federal evaluation requirements, but favoured self-selection of evaluation topic areas based on individual center needs.

Catchment Area, Health↗
PubMed1981

Citizen participation in CMHC program evaluation: a neglected potential.

A rationale for involving citizens in CMHC planning and evaluation is presented from three prospectives: (1) values, (2) responsiveness to the community, and (3) utilization of evaluative findings. Current practices in citizen involvement in CMHC evaluation are reviewed and several examples are given. Seven roles citizens can play in CMHC evaluation are described. Data indicating that citizens can provide useful, relevant information and recommendations which can lead to positive changes in the CMHC are offered. The paper concludes that citizen participation in CMHC evaluation occurs infrequently and presents suggestions as to how this situation can be remedied.

Community Mental Health Centers↗
PubMed1980

Predicting changes in drug use and treatment entry for local programs: a case study.

Recent sharp decline in treatment admissions by opiate abusers stimulated the conduct of a study designed to provide timely data to treatment system administrators for the next cycle of program and budgetary planning. The process of designing the study involved definition of required study characteristics, review of four categories of drug abuse research, and generation of seven locally relevant hypotheses. Interviews were conducted with 335 heroin adicts: 196 new admissions to treatment and 139 "street" addicts not currently in treatment. Major findings were a marked reduction in the quality, availability, and price of heroin; very negative perceptions of methadone maintenance, especially by female respondents; decline in heroin popularity and increase in reported use of alcohol, amphetamines, and barbiturates; and differing perceptions of treatment by sex of respondent. Response patterns suggest that users who are not entering treatment are less "strung-out than those entering treatment because of decline in availability and quality of heroin and consequent increased mixing of drugs. The emphasis in the report is on the conduct of a study which can be timely, feasible, and useful to local planners. The study weaknesses and recommended remedies are discussed, as well as the characteristics which made the findings immediately useful to administrators and planners.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

The process of development of interagency relationships.

Seven parameters of an interagency relationship were examined for their importance to the process and perceived effectiveness of the relationships between a new community agency and seven established agencies. Perceptions of performance of the new agency on these seven parameters changed over time, primarily in a positive direction. In the first 6 months of a relationship, the quality of planning for projects was correlated with perceived effectiveness. When a relationship was 12 to 18 months old, clarity of goals and of activities, presentation of the agency's mission, the agency's resources, and the agency's communications were related to perceived effectiveness. Implications for the development of interagency relations are discussed.

Child↗