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Biomedical subjects

T A Conine

Publications and source records attributed to T A Conine.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Effectiveness: a neglected dimension in the assessment of rehabilitation devices and equipment.

Effectiveness is a term used by research methodologists when referring to the attributes of a new health care intervention (e.g. device, medication, or procedure) which if lacking may result in its rejection despite its efficacy and efficiency. Administrators and consumers increasingly require evidence to ensure that a proposed new product or manoeuvre not only 'works' (efficacy, efficiency) but is 'practical' (effective). Yet, effectiveness data are rarely described in research literature or adequately measured. Common effectiveness qualities that might be considered in the formal evaluation of new rehabilitation devices and equipment are cost, convenience to the user ('user-friendliness'), and compliance with the local standards. This article identifies some of the most important variables related to these attributes and suggests strategies for appropriate data collection and analysis. A comparison of two products evaluated in an institutional setting is used to illustrate the suggested method.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1990

The role of alternating air and Silicore overlays in preventing decubitus ulcers.

Patients with chronic neurological diseases who were at high risk of decubitus ulcers were randomly assigned to alternating air on silicore mattress overlays for a period of 3 months. Of 148 subjects who completed the trial, more than 50% in each group developed one or more ulcers. No statistically significant differences between groups were found in the incidence, severity, healing duration or the location of the ulcers; with the exception of a significant difference (p less than 0.001) in the categorical location of the trochanters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Effect of serial casting for the prevention of equinus in patients with acute head injury.

Ten adults with traumatic head injury received serial casts within 14 days of injury for the prevention or correction of equinus. Eighteen limbs (16 bilateral) with spasticity were involved. An average of five casts for a total duration of four to 64 days were used for each limb. Comparisons of passive dorsiflexion measures before and after casting showed a mean gain of 21 degrees (paired t-test, P less than .05). Of the 18 limbs, 13 reached a passive dorsiflexion of 0 degrees or more (ie, no equinus) which could be maintained without force for at least one hour. The procedures appeared safe and the results of the trial were clinically judged to be favorable. There is a need to further assess the efficacy of serial casting through randomized controlled trials and long-term followups.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The Vancouver microstomia orthosis.

Eighteen microstomia orthoses are compared with respect to their characteristics, use, and limitations. A new prosthesis, the Vancouver microstomia orthosis, was designed to incorporate the advantages of many of the orthoses and eliminate some drawbacks. Ten adults with microstomia secondary to second- or third-degree circumoral flame burns were fitted with the prosthesis and observed over a 12-month period. In 9 weeks or less, microstomia was corrected with an average gain of 7 mm in the horizontal and 13 mm in the vertical active range of motion. The measures before and after this treatment were statistically significant for increase in both dimensions (paired t-test, p less than .01).

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Prevention instead of remediation: changing the nature of faculty development.

This article suggests preventive measures for the elimination of continuous and costly faculty development remediation programs. Directors and deans may consider clear and reinforced communication of expectations, appropriate selection and hiring practices, identifying mentors, creating suitable role models, encouraging collaborative networks, and offering incentives as faculty motivators. The success-oriented faculty member should actively adopt effective preventive measures against failure by seeking continuous appraisal, formulating goals, arranging for a planned positive socialization process, and documenting achievements.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Clinical trial of foam cushions in the prevention of decubitis ulcers in elderly patients.

Polyurethane foam cushions in a slab form or a customized contoured form are commonly used in wheelchairs to prevent the development of decubitus ulcers (DU) in elderly chronically ill persons. Sixty-two consenting subjects, 60 years or older, were randomly assigned to sit on one of the two types of cushions for 3 or more hours daily for 5 months. A total of 72 DU developed in the 52 subjects who completed the study. These were mostly in the areas of ischial tuberosities, buttocks, and thighs; were of persistent erythema level in severity; and took an average of 6 to 8 weeks to heal. No statistically significant differences were found in the incidence, location, severity, or healing time of the sores that developed in the subjects who used the slab (N = 26) and those who used the contoured (N = 26) cushions. But, more severe sores did develop among the slab cushion group in the area of ischial tuberosities. It appears that foam customization for elderly persons could be justified only if DU have been a particular problem in this region. Incontinence as a contributory factor to DU formation should receive careful attention with respect to prevention. The trials described are being continued, using a larger number of subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Static orthoses for the management of microstomia.

Microstomia is a complication of facial burns, traumatic injuries, scleroderma, or surgical reconstructions involving the oral aperture. A variety of orthoses for the correction or prevention of microstomia are offered by dentists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other specialists. This paper provides an overview of the structural and clinical features of 12 common tissue-borne or tooth-borne microstomia appliances. The review is intended to facilitate the selection of suitable orthoses, and to indicate the need for interdisciplinary management of microstomia patients.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Dynamic orthoses for the management of microstomia.

Oral wounds and burns may result in microstomia with significant management problems. An important early management decision involves the selection of an appliance capable of applying forces that will halt and reverse the condition. A selection appropriate to the patient may be based on the need for teeth suitably placed to retain and position a particular device. Limited access to the patient's mouth because of recent trauma, surgery, wiring, inability to tolerate anesthetic, etc., may further restrict choices. Thus, the process of selection involves a weighing of the specific patient's condition and program of treatment against an understanding of the unique features, including complexity of fabrication and durability, of the range of prostheses available. This article provides an overview of the structural and clinical characteristics of seven dynamic intraoral and extraoral microstomia appliances. The need for interdisciplinary management of microstomia with appliances has been noted, and opportunities for research have been pointed out.

Humans↗
PubMed1985

Special mattresses: effectiveness in preventing decubitus ulcers in chronic neurologic patients.

Thirty-two chronic neurologic patients between 19 and 60 years of age were randomly assigned, for a period of three months, to either an alternating air mattress or a silicore mattress to test the preventive qualities of special mattresses in the occurrence of decubitus ulcers. The two groups were comparable on the variables of age, weight, diagnoses, history of disease process, history of being wheelchair bound, history of previous pressures, and mean scores on Norton's scale of risk, which is based on the subject's physical condition, mental alertness, ambulation, mobility and incontinence. No significant differences were observed in the preventive qualities of the two types of special mattresses in terms of the incidence, location, severity, or healing duration of the subjects' decubitus ulcers. Improved studies of common special mattresses are suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The relative importance of supportive data for promotion and tenure reviews.

Tenured and tenure-track faculty in 21 schools of allied health in the Midwest were surveyed by a questionnaire to identify (1) the relative importance of the variety of documents allied health faculty may submit for promotion and tenure reviews and (2) the congruence between the real and ideal value of the major areas of faculty responsibility. The responses indicated that of 48 examples of documents faculty may submit, only ten were considered to be essential or to have a desirable effect on pursuits, but none to teaching, public service, or patient care. The most important activity contributing toward advancement was reported to be research/publication, even though faculty believed it should be teaching. The results of the study will be valuable to candidates preparing dossiers for promotion and tenure and to administrators and other educators involved in advising faculty.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed1979

Physical therapists' knowledge of sexuality of adults with spinal cord injury.

Helping the adult with spinal cord injury to adjust to sexual limitations is an important and neglected part of his rehabilitation. Health professionals of all fields have been perceived to be deficient in their knowledge of the sexuality of the adult with spinal cord injury. A test with 40 statements reflecting myths, misconceptions, and truths about the effect of spinal cord injury on sexual function was administered to 30 physical therapists responsible for rehabilitating these adults. At least 28 of the 40 items were missed by 10 percent or more of the therapists. Experience and participation in educational programs appeared to contribute to the respondents' knowledge, as reflected by the test, but only experience was a statistically significant variable.

Attitude↗
PubMed1979

An assessment of occupational therapists' roles and attitudes toward sexual rehabilitation of the disabled.

Sexual adjustment is believed to be a fundamental aspect of the medical and psychosocial rehabilitation of the disabled and chronically ill. A sample of 26 occupational therapists involved in adult rehabilitation services were given a list of specific tasks identified in the literature to be related to medical (physical) aspects of sexual rehabilitation. The results indicated that a small percentage of occupational therapists participate in these tasks. The majority believed that the tasks were important in occupational therapy but that their preparation to perform the tasks was inadequate. The subjects, as a group, held positive attitudes toward sexual rehabilitation and considered it a legitimate aspect of health care for which an appropriate content should be integrated into the basic curricula in occupational therapy.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1979

Outcomes of teacher preparation in allied health sciences.

Formal preparation of allied health instructors for responsibilities of teaching and educational leadership has been encouraged through substantial federal grants, institutional funds and university programming. A review of the literature reveals very little regarding formal measurements of outcomes in terms of career progress of the graduates their professional activities and their level of satisfaction with the educational content and preparation as a teacher. This study focuses on the achievements and opinions of 106 graduates of a master's degree teacher preparation program. Graduates were found to be employed in positions commensurate with their preparation, and rewarded by their employers with career advancement, salary increases and promotions. The graduates believed that they had gained the skills needed. They also identified the strengths and weaknesses of the program. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Career Mobility↗
PubMed1977

Empathy: can it be learned and retained?

The effects of a one-semester course aimed at empathic discrimination and communication was measured 18 months after its completion. An experimental group of physical therapy students who had participated in the course and a control group who had not were given the Allied Health Professions Empathy Discrimination index and the Cartoon Listening Test. The results indicate that students who participated in the course were better able to respond empathically. Formal preparation in communication skills as described was both effective and lasting.

Empathy↗
PubMed1976

Listening in the helping relationship.

Physical therapists have been reported to spend nearly one-quarter of their time with patients in listening or talking. Listening is an important tool for observation and a valuable information gathering medium. Interference with effective listening occurs when 1) the listener is unwilling to listen, 2) the listener attends only to what he wishes to hear, 3) the listener's thoughts wander, and 4) a language difference exists. Guidelines are provided for control of these problems within the context of physical therapy.

Attitude↗