PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

M T Matteson

Publications and source records attributed to M T Matteson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Developing a resident assistance program. Beyond the support group model.

BACKGROUND: A program designed to identify and address specific evolving needs of residents throughout their first year has been implemented in our department of medicine. The average annual participation is 55 residents. The program includes a detailed and structured curriculum with topics and activities aimed at improving nonclinical skills that help residents function effectively during residency. METHODS: The program was developed based on a careful analysis of problems reported by graduating residents. It consists of 12 sessions in which the residents are presented with typical difficult situations they are likely to encounter during the year. At the end of each session they are provided with strategies to help them deal with the problems or even prevent problems in some cases. An important aspect of the program is the training and utilization of senior residents as group leaders. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of the first-year residents have actively participated in the program since July 1989 despite its voluntary nature. Participants reported that the program greatly accelerated their adaptation and helped them function more effectively in the system. Senior residents recognized benefits for their professional development as well. CONCLUSIONS: The collective wisdom of past generations is often not effectively communicated to post-graduate year 1 residents. They are left to reinvent the wheel, not always with the best results. As a consequence, a great deal of stress that can be minimized is introduced into the training process. This program shows promise as an effective mechanism to deal with these challenges.

Adaptation, Psychological

Type A behavior, job satisfaction, and stress among black professionals.

Most studies of work-related Type A behavior have been conducted with samples of white men. Using a mail questionnaire to assess Type A behavior, job satisfaction, and daily stress and tension among 250 black men and 233 black women public accountants, the prevalence of Type A behavior and its relationship with satisfaction and stress were highly consistent with those reported for other samples of white men and women.

Adult

Worksite stress management interventions.

Despite the general agreement that stress plays a role in everyday life, there continues to be substantial controversy about how stress can be managed at the worksite. During the last decade, our knowledge of stress management interventions has increased substantially. Despite this improvement, deficiencies in the literature exist. In this article, we offer a framework that may be used for viewing organizational stress interventions, briefly review some of the stress management intervention literature in the context of this framework, and identify future needs that may be particularly appropriate for organizational psychologists to address.

Accidents, Occupational

Type A behaviour and the healthy individual.

The Type A behaviour pattern (TABP) is an interesting and controversial construct that has generated debate, empirical testing, and behavioural modification attempts. TABP is depicted as consisting of impatient or hurried behaviour, a strong orientation toward work responsibilities and task completion, and intensive competitive behaviour in situations that involve evaluation. Recently, the importance of what is called the anger/hostility dimension has been emphasized in research studies. After more than two decades of debate, testing, and attempting to modify the entire TABP there is now a growing acceptance of the proposition that a major overhaul or change in the TABP is not necessary or even feasible. The Type A person is also now being presented as possessing many desirable characteristics and healthy behaviours that are worth reinforcing. The present paper provides a brief review of the contradictory research evidence surrounding the Type A syndrome. Theorists, researchers, and organizational practitioners are encouraged to seek improvements in understanding the TABP through improved assessment and how it can be modified in generally healthy individuals. A theoretical model to guide improvement efforts in measurement and intervention is provided as a viable framework to examine causal pathways between antecedents, Type A core behaviours, responses, and consequences.

Coronary Disease

A test of the cognitive social learning model of type A behavior.

Portions of the cognitive social learning model proposed by Price as an explanation for the development and maintenance of Type A behavior were examined empirically. Specifically, the hypothesis that Type A behavior is fostered by various beliefs and fears and that these same beliefs and fears arise, in part, as the result of certain parental characteristics was investigated. A questionnaire assessing Type A behavior and the beliefs, fears, and parental characteristics proposed by Price was constructed and administered to a sample of males and females. The results indicated moderate associations between the variables examined for both males and females, with no significant gender differences in the pattern of relationships. The findings are congruent with relationships proposed by Price's model. Implications of the model are discussed in terms of additional research needed.

Adult

Type A and B behavior patterns and self-reported health symptoms and stress: examining individual and organizational fit.

This article describes a preliminary investigation of the proposition that organizations, as well as people, can be classified along a Type A and B behavior pattern dimension and that the resulting match or lack thereof between individual and organizational behavior patterns is related to various health indices. A sample of 315 medical technologists were classified as either Type As or Bs and as working in either Type A or B environments. Results supported the hypotheses that (1) Type Bs in B organizations report the fewest negative health symptoms; (2) Type As in A organizations report the most; and (3) Type Bs in A organizations and Type As in B organizations report an intermediate level of symptoms. The results are treated within the framework of a person-environment fit model and the implications of the findings are discussed.

Absenteeism

Occupational stress, Type A behavior, and physical well being.

In the context of a person-environment fit framework, organizational level and the Type A behavior pattern of managers were found to moderate the stressor, satisfaction, and physiology associations. For nurses, Type A behavior pattern was a much more significant moderator of the person-environment fit than were the nurses' specialty work activities.

Administrative Personnel

Stress and the medical technologist: I. A general overview.

Up to 682 medical technologists were surveyed twice at a six month interval regarding a number of factors dealing with job-related stress, nonjob-related stress, personality factors and general health conditions and behaviors. This report summarizes the first data collection period. Overall work stress was found to be associated with a number of specific job and organizational stress sources. Additionally, those high in work stress differed from those low in work stress on a number of personality and health characteristics. Some additional differences were found in comparisons of supervisory and non-supervisory employees, and among those working different shifts.

Allied Health Personnel

Stress and the medical technologist: II. Sources and coping mechanisms.

Up to 682 medical technologists were surveyed twice at a six month interval regarding a number of factors dealing with job-related stress, nonjob-related stress, personality factors and general health conditions and behaviors. This report summarizes the second data collection period. Overall, pressure for immediate results was found to be the most frequent source of stress, lack of communications the most intense stressor, confronting the stressor the most preferred method of dealing with stress, and complaining to someone the most frequently used coping method. Some differences in preferences and behavior were found between low- and high-stress groups. High-stress respondents were found to have increased likelihood of health problems in a six month period following reporting of their stress levels.

Adaptation, Psychological

Optimizing human resources: a case for preventive health and stress management.

Traditionally, medical treatment in this country has focused on treatment of problems and illness after they've reached the point of crisis and pain. But now, managers are beginning to realize that preventive health and stree management can save money for the organization while improving the quality of worklife for employees.

Health Promotion