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Biomedical subjects

R M Rippey

Publications and source records attributed to R M Rippey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

A computerized cancer information system.

Cancer information was made available via a computer to patients visiting the University of Connecticut Dental Clinics. The computer program was menu driven. An option allowed users to leave messages for the system owners. The computer program generated a log of usage, user comments and items chosen. The user could choose from the following topics: (1) general information on cancer; (2) diet, nutrition and cancer; (3) smoking; (4) the environment, occupations and cancer; and (5) physical checkups. An option to leave a message for the system operators was the option chosen least. Analysis of the usage log shows that the system was used substantially while people were waiting in the clinic and that at least three or four individuals used the system every clinic day. Such information systems can provide important information to the public. The novelty of the system and the lack of supervision did not deter public use.

Connecticut↗
PubMed1989

Methods used by urban, low-income minorities to care for their arthritis.

The purpose of this study is to describe the current treatment methods minorities use and believe are effective in relieving the pain and discomfort of arthritis. One hundred sixty subjects from two urban, low-income minority communities reported to case finders that they had some form of arthritis. Subsequently they were interviewed and examined by a rheumatologist. Sixty-six percent were black, and 34% were Hispanic. The study found that 83% had some type of rheumatic disease. Differences existed between the black and Hispanic samples in age, rheumatic disease distribution, and methods of care. The majority of black respondents were older, with a frequent diagnoses of osteoarthritis, compared to the Hispanics, who reported fibrositis as their dominant rheumatic problem. An array of conventional and nonconventional therapies were used by both groups to care for their arthritis. Prayer (92%), equipment (70%), and heat (33%) were reported as "most helpful" for the blacks. Hispanics reported prayer (50%), heat (40%), and topical ointments as "most helpful." In order to communicate and provide optimal care to patients from divergent cultural backgrounds, it is important to understand both likenesses and differences, and to be sensitive to the patient's belief system and health care practices.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Unfavourable outcomes of drug therapy--subjective probability versus confidence intervals.

To investigate how individual predictions compare with confidence intervals, we asked 50 medical residents and 28 graduate students with biostatistics training to estimate unfavourable outcomes of drug therapy (therapeutic failures and side-effects) in groups of 10 and 20 patients. The predictions made by physicians and graduate students were similar for both sample sizes and types of outcome. The majority (58%) of estimates were greater than the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval, a bias that may hamper the correct interpretation of therapeutic risks in medical decision-making.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Computer-based patient education for older persons with osteoarthritis.

A program of 8 lessons on various aspects of osteoarthritis (OA), its treatment, and patient self-care was prepared on an Apple IIc computer. The courses were then field-tested and evaluated by 72 older (age range 52-88) OA patients in community centers for senior citizens. Statistical analysis of the findings showed significant increases in knowledge and significant self-reported, beneficial behavior changes, including increased exercise, use of heat, and rest. Our findings demonstrate that older persons can use the computer to learn to cope with OA when a thoughtfully planned program is made available in a community setting.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Low level X-radiation effects on carcinogenesis by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in Syrian hamster cheek pouch epithelium: acute vs fractionated radiation dose studies.

Studies examined the effects of acute and fractionated low to moderate level X-ray exposures on hamster cheek pouch carcinogenesis in vivo by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Animals were grouped by treatment as follows: acute doses of 0.85-3.40 Gy X rays; 17 once weekly doses of 0.01-0.20 Gy X rays (fractionated radiation); topical DMBA for 10 weeks; DMBA plus fractionated radiation starting together; DMBA plus acute radiation in Week 1 or 10 of DMBA treatments; and sham irradiation, DMBA vehicle, or anesthesia controls. After 44 weeks, hamsters were sacrificed, and their cheek pouches were excised, serially sectioned, and examined by light microscopy for histopathology. No histologic changes were observed in radiation-only hamsters. Carcinoma incidences in DMBA-only groups ranged from 45 to 60%. Carcinoma incidences were greater in groups receiving DMBA plus fractionated radiation than in groups receiving either acute radiation + DMBA or DMBA alone. Carcinoma incidences in acute radiation plus DMBA groups were lower than those in DMBA-only groups. These results suggest complex interactions between radiation and DMBA, perhaps with radiogenic cell killing being a principal factor in acute radiation + DMBA groups, and reciprocal additive or synergistic effects of radiation and DMBA on cancer induction and manifestation in fractionated radiation + DMBA groups.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗
PubMed1975

Student evaluations of professors: are they of value?

Recent studies of the validity of student ratings of teaching leave much to be desired. Five of these studies are evaluated on the basis of adequacy of design, validity, and generalizability; and one of the studies is used as a model for further inquiry in this area. It is then argued that student evaluations of teaching can provide useful information relevant to the improvement of instruction. However, in order to use such evaluations, improved methods of data collection and analysis are needed. A primary improvement would be in the area of generalizability. A plan for expanding the use of student evaluations from personal utility to general applicability is outlined.

Achievement↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Premature conclusions in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia: cause and effect.

Case records of patients with iron-deficiency anemia were audited using a computer-based algorithm. In 24 of 35 cases, the diagnostic conclusion seemed unjustified and characteristic of premature closure, one of four recurring errors in diagnostic reasoning described previously. Premature closure appeared to originate from subjects at all levels of training, to be easily and unquestioningly accepted by other physicians, and to inappropriately condition diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Heuristics and biases described by Tversky and Kahneman are considered as contributory factors and patient care and teaching implications are discussed.

Adult↗