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Biomedical subjects

M Wakefield

Publications and source records attributed to M Wakefield.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Stages of readiness to quit smoking: population prevalence and correlates.

We examined the population prevalence and correlates of stages in smokers' readiness to quit, using data from 1,048 smokers recruited in a self-weighting, multistage, systematic clustered area sample from 0.44% of South Australian dwellings, with an 89% response rate. Smokers in the precontemplation stage comprised 24.1% of the sample, smokers in the contemplation stage comprised 47.2%, and smokers in the preparation stage comprised 28.7%. No sociodemographic variables (i.e., age, sex, marital status, educational level) were found to be significant independent predictors of membership in the different stages. The five significant independent predictors of being in the precontemplation stage (vs. the contemplation stage) were (a) having a higher confidence of quitting, (b) seeing fewer health risks associated with smoking, (c) not having made an attempt to quit, (d) seeing quitting as more difficult, and (e) smoking 25 or more cigarettes a day. The two significant independent predictors of being in the contemplation stage (vs. the preparation stage) were (a) having lower confidence of quitting and (b) not having tried to quit. We discuss implications for the understanding of smoking behavior in populations and also consider how cessation campaigns might address the factors associated with different stages of readiness to quit.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

Rural America. Unique opportunities for health care delivery and health services research.

A general deterioration is occurring in the quality of life of rural Americans, and it is affecting the quality of health and mental health service delivery. About 24% of the U.S. population lives in nonmetropolitan areas where the citizens are older, less well educated, have lower incomes, and are more homogeneous in terms of race and ethnicity. Medicare and private insurance discriminate against rural services in their reimbursement policies, and there is a shortage of health personnel in rural areas. However, there has been renewed congressional action to meet rural needs. Both the House and Senate have established rural caucuses, and an Office of Rural Health Policy has been established in the federal executive branch. Legislative successes were achieved between 1985 and 1988. Rural initiatives will provide psychology with unique opportunities in the next several years.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1986

Smokers' understandings of cigarette yield labels.

An important part of public health policy on the control of smoking is the promotion of a reduction in intake of tar by persons who continue to smoke. One method that may contribute towards such a reduction is to encourage smokers to choose cigarette brands that contain low tar levels. This in turn might be promoted by the comprehensible labelling of cigarette packets with tar yields. We tested our hypothesis that the current information about tar yield on cigarette packets is incomprehensible to smokers on a sample of 498 persons (original sample, 500) who smoked. Only 10 (2%) smokers were able to state the correct tar content of their cigarette. On a scaled range of tar levels in all cigarette brands that are available in Australia, 344 (69.1%) smokers underestimated the level in their cigarette brand. On this scale, 280 (56%) smokers placed randomly chosen tar levels in the wrong category. It was agreed by 360 (72%) smokers that comparative tar yields should be displayed at all points of tobacco sale. It is recommended that a condition of issuing a licence to retail tobacco should be that the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide yield information for all cigarette brands that are available in a national market should be displayed prominently to the consumer by the retailer.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patient safety and the need for professional and educational change.

Questionable quality of health care delivered in the United States has become a front-line issue, taking a strong place alongside more traditional concerns such as increasing costs and access to care. Given that nurses comprise the largest component of the health care workforce, safety and error reduction in health care are central concerns for the profession.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Building health services research capacity in nursing: views from members of nursing's leadership [interview by Candice Cook Bowman and Deborah Gardner].

BACKGROUND: Despite a short history that dates back to the 1960s, health services research (HSR) has become an important force in shaping the delivery system in the current health care environment. Nursing has been noticeably absent from this endeavor, and if it does not increase its presence, it risks missing an important opportunity to influence future directions of health care delivery. PURPOSE: Our purpose was to evaluate the state of nursing's HSR contributions and to consider ways to increase its capacity in this arena. METHOD: An interview with four members from nursing's leadership was conducted. DISCUSSION: Nurses can increase the capacity by becoming better collaborators with those who are currently contributing to HSR, both nurses and members of other healthcare disciplines. Also, by reshaping undergraduate and graduate curricula and creating mentorships, nursing can increase its involvement through an informed workforce. CONCLUSIONS: Solutions that were offered in this discussion are presented.

Curriculum↗