Biomedical subjects

Virginia Walther

Publications and source records attributed to Virginia Walther.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Screening risks for intimate partner violence and primary care settings: implications for future abuse.

Most health care intervention models for intimate partner violence (IPV) are crisis driven and targeted to survivors of injury following episodes of physical violence. Knowledge about anticipatory and preventive approaches with women who are at risk for abuse is scarce, limiting professionals' ability to respond fully and effectively to this problem. This paper describes a retrospective, practice-based research study of social work interventions in two hospital-based primary care practices. A total of 431 female patients completed a self-administered questionnaire developed for the early detection of IPV risk factors during routine health care visits. The study showed surprisingly high rates of multiple risk markers in an urban primary care population whose medical presentations ordinarily would not raise provider suspicion about abuse. Findings confirmed the willingness of primary care populations to freely partake in routine screening and support the value of early identification and intervention with populations at risk. Practice implications are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Integrating mental health screening and abnormal cancer screening follow-up: an intervention to reach low-income women.

The results of implementing mental health screening within cancer screening and diagnostic programs serving low-income ethnic minority women are reported. Multi-phased screening for anxiety and depression was provided as part of structured health education and intensive case management services to improve abnormal mammogram or Pap test follow-up. Seven hundred fifty-three women were enrolled in the Screening Adherence Follow-up Program. Ten percent (n = 74) met criteria for depressive or anxiety disorder. Women with depressive or anxiety disorders were more likely to have cancer, significant psychosocial stress, fair or poor health status, a comorbid medical problem, and limitation in functional status. Forty-seven women with disorders were receiving no depression care.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Abnormal mammogram follow-up: a pilot study women with low income.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test an intervention (the Screening Adherence Follow-up Program [SAFe]) that was designed to reduce the number of known barriers to diagnostic follow-up adherence and initiation of treatment among women with low incomes who had abnormal mammogram findings. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: The investigators developed and implemented a highly structured, theory- and evidence-based intervention that combined health education, counseling, and systems navigation, which was delivered by a team consisting of a peer counselor and a social worker who held a masters degree. A scripted baseline telephone interview identified potential barriers to follow-up adherence and provided counseling interventions for each patient. Patients were assigned to different service intensities based on the level of risk for nonadherence. Patients with significant mental health symptoms, psychosocial stressors, or who had received a diagnosis of cancer were referred to the team social worker for further assessment and intervention. Patients also received reinforcing telephone follow-up calls at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: An observational pilot study of SAFe (N = 605) in two large urban diagnostic centers showed that 71% of women receiving SAFe were Hispanic, 18% were Black, and 11% were from other ethnic backgrounds. Adherence rates through diagnostic resolution and the initiation of treatment for women who had received a diagnosis of cancer were 93% and 90%, respectively, at the two study sites. Rates of adherence among women who could not be located or who refused study consent were significantly lower (72% and 69%, respectively). The rate of timely adherence was also higher among the women served. Patient satisfaction with SAFe was generally high. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Study results support the combining of interventions and the practical utility of a clinical decision-making algorithm to determine individualized nonadherence risk and to assign service intensity based on individual need. Problems in locating women for enrollment were experienced.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Preparing children and families for surgery: Mount Sinai's multidisciplinary perspective.

Upon learning that they must undergo surgery, children experience a range of emotions including fear, anger, guilt, and sadness. It has been demonstrated that children who are prepared for surgery and who have support throughout their hospitalization recover more quickly and have fewer emotional problems, such as separation anxiety and sleep disturbances, than those who are not prepared. Pre-surgical preparation programs allow children and their families the opportunity to preview the hospital experience in a supportive environment to reduce anxiety, increase knowledge, and enhance coping. Meet Me at Mount Sinai (MMAMS) is an innovative preoperative preparation program for children and their families that seeks to provide comprehensive emotional and cognitive preparation for surgery. MMAMS is led by a multi-disciplinary team of health care providers including a pediatric surgery nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, a social worker, and a child life specialist. The program utilizes a culturally-sensitive, multimodality preparation model to prepare children and families for the surgical experience.

Adaptation, Psychological↗