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Biomedical subjects

N E Penn

Publications and source records attributed to N E Penn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

A comparison of breast self-examination and clinical examination.

Twenty-six female college students were trained to examine their breasts using the Mammacare Method. After training, participants were asked to demonstrate their breast self-examination technique for a competency evaluation. On average, 85% of the components of the palpation technique were correctly included in the participants' self-examinations, indicating that they had been trained competently. Breast self-examiners then were asked to palpate three breast models in search of embedded lumps. Thirteen health professionals were asked to examine the same breast models for lumps. The examination of the models by self-examiners was compared to that by health professionals. Breast self-examiners took longer to examine each model, and on average correctly identified significantly more lumps than health professionals. The two groups did not differ in number of false-positive findings. These results indicate that women adequately trained to perform breast self-examination can perform breast examinations at least as accurately as health professionals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Effects of cognitive style and maintenance strategies on breast self-examination (BSE) practice by African American women.

A convenience sample of 159 African American women, 18-45 years old, was trained to perform breast self-examination (BSE) and was categorized according to the participants' cognitive style (monitors/blunters). Participants were then randomly assigned to one of four groups differing in BSE maintenance strategy (self-management, positive reinforcement, both, or neither). Self-reported monthly compliance with BSE was subsequently assessed during a 9-month period. A significant interaction between maintenance strategies and cognitive style was found. For blunters, the highest compliance rates and the highest competency scores occurred in the group with no maintenance strategy, whereas for monitors, the highest compliance rates and competency scores were found in the groups receiving positive reinforcement and/or self-management strategies. Additional results indicate that high levels of BSE competency were achieved across conditions and that competency improved over time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Breast self-examination: knowledge, attitudes, and performance among black women.

This survey assessed the reported frequency of breast self-examination (BSE): the knowledge of the technique and attitudes regarding the self-exam of 180 black women. Most respondents indicated having practiced the exam during the previous year, and 50% reported practicing it monthly or more often. Less than half of the sample indicated performing the exam according to American Cancer Society guidelines, although 92% reported being either very confident or somewhat confident of their performance ability. Attitudinal and demographic variables were tested for significant relationships with BSE practice. Compared with nonperformers, BSE performers were older, had higher annual incomes, and were more likely to believe in the benefits of BSE, to perceive social approval for BSE practice, to have been taught to perform BSE, to have had a Pap smear, a clinical breast exam, and a general physical exam within one year, and to visit a physician in a private office or clinic (as opposed to a hospital emergency room). Frequency of self-examination was significantly associated with the performer's competency level, age, belief in the benefits of performing BSE, perceived social approval for practice, having been taught to perform the exam, and level of confidence in ability to perform it.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Comparison between Gorham's Proverbs Test and the revised Shipley Institute of Living Scale for a black population.

A total of 278 black women (183) and men (95) were administered the Gorham's Proverbs Test and the Shipley Institute of Living Scale (revised). This study compared Abstract scores on the Gorham's Proverbs Test with Vocabulary and Abstract scores on the Shipley Institute of Living Scale. The two tests were remarkably similar in terms of score distributions and susceptibility to the effects of age, perceived socioeconomic level during childhood, education, and perceived quality of education. Analysis also showed that abstract reasoning, as measured by these tests, is not free from the effects of vocabulary skills. Mean scores on both tests were within the range of mean scores previously reported in the literature.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Familiarity with proverbs and performance of a black population on Gorham's Proverbs Test.

The Gorham Proverbs Test was administered to 278 black participants residing in a large metropolitan area in Southern California. Respondents were also asked to indicate whether they were familiar with each of the 40 proverbs in the test. Scores were significantly affected by respondents' ages, education, and perceived childhood socioeconomic status. Familiarity with a proverb increased the probability of its correct interpretation. Familiarity of proverbs and attempts to interpret them were significantly associated, that is, respondents tended not to attempt interpretation of unfamiliar proverbs. The number of familiar proverbs per test was not significantly associated with respondents' test scores. The mean Abstract score obtained in this study was comparable to mean scores previously reported in the literature, suggesting that ethnic differences do not significantly affect performance on the Proverbs Test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The need and value of breast self-examination.

The incidence of breast cancer is higher for black women aged less than 40 years than for white women aged less than 40; however, both black and white women aged less than 35 years have the lowest breast cancer survival rates of all age groups. The issue of breast self-examination (BSE) efficacy has special implications for these women because the BSE and the clinical breast examination (CBE) are the only early detection techniques recommended to them. Breast self-examination is even more important for black women because CBE might not be accessible to them for economic or other reasons.Studies relating BSE practice to tumor stage were reviewed. Most of the evidence was favorable, although it was not obtained with the most scientific methodologic approach. The negative evidence, on the other hand, came from studies with additional methodologic and conceptual problems, and should have little impact when evaluating BSE efficacy.Competence of performance has been shown to affect the efficacy of the self-examination. Most studies on BSE value, however, did not assess the examiner's competence. Because data obtained elsewhere show that most women performing BSE do not perform it competently, the significance of the positive evidence on BSE value is heightened. Most breast tumors are self-discovered, and encouraging competent BSE performance will give more women better means to discover tumors earlier.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Affirmative action at work: a survey of graduates of the University of California, San Diego, Medical School.

Reported here are the results of a mail survey of 113 graduates from the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. Fifty-seven had been admitted with assistance of the Special Admissions Subcommittee (SAS) and 56 had been admitted through the traditional Recruitment and Admissions Committee mechanisms. SAS graduates see more patients daily, and practice more often in primary care specialties in rural and inner-city areas, providing medical care for ethnic minorities from lower socioeconomic strata.

California↗
PubMed1982

Personality traits of surgical house officers: faculty and resident views.

Resident evaluation is highly subjective and continues to be a problem. Personality traits and characteristics account for 28% of factors considered; deficits in this area account for 22% of advanced residency terminations. Sixty-four faculty members and 51 residents in six university surgical departments were surveyed to determine differences in the perceived importance of 35 traits on a standard assertiveness scale. Each respondent was asked to score the importance of the traits on an unstructured list. Factors were then ranked in order of increasing mean score by group and compared. Traits with the lowest mean scores and least variance for both groups, indicating agreement, were: admits error, is well disciplined, considers all facts, is highly motivated and consistent, and listens. These are self-sufficiency and "internal discipline" traits. Nineteen of 35 traits had a mean score of 2.00 or less. For some general personality traits (e.g., decisiveness, fairness, good team participation, flexibility) there is excellent score and rank agreement, while others prompted disagreement (e.g., priority setting, independence, purposefulness). The correlation disagreement (e.g., priority setting, independence, purposefulness). The correlation between faculty and resident scores (r = 0.94) for all traits is excellent. "Independence" scored the greatest disagreement; residents ranked it 7 and faculty ranked it 14. Faculty and residents perceive similar traits as important and agree on their significance. Faculty select "like personalities" for their programs, supporting the notion of a "surgical personality." This personality is assertive in a positive manner.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMed1981

Sleep paralysis among medical students.

Sleep paralysis is a sensation of an inability to speak or move other muscles when falling asleep or awakening. Sleep paralysis by itself has been reported as occurring infrequently and many clinicians are uncertain of its significance. In contrast, sleep paralysis in conjunction with sleep attacks has been reported as a concomitant of narcolepsy. To further examine the incidence of sleep paralysis, the responses of 80 first-year medical students, 16.25% had experienced predormital, postdormital, or both types of sleep paralysis. These episodes occurred infrequently--only once or twice for most of these students. Reports of sleep paralysis were not associated with sleep attacks or cataplexy. These results support two previous studies which found that sleep paralysis alone occurs frequently among normals.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Community mental health ideology scale: social work norms.

The present study reports mean scores obtained by two groups of professionals deeply involved in the community mental health movement on the Community Mental Health Ideology Scale. Professional social workers and social work graduate students were not included in the scale makers original criterion group. The high mean scores obtained by these groups led the authors to the conclusion that social workers show the potential for a strong role in the "third phase" of mental health care and delivery.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗