SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Mail Distribution”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Coping style, health beliefs, and breast self-examination.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of coping style in women's practice of breast self-examination (BSE). The framework was adapted from the Cognitive Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and the Health Belief Model. The convenience sample consisted of 269 women recruited from an employee list of a medical center and a membership list of a professional nurses' group. Survey booklets were distributed via interdepartmental or U.S. mail and contained measures of trait anxiety and defensiveness and questions related to health beliefs, BSE practice, and demographics. The sample was categorized by coping style (i.e., repressive, true high anxious, defensive high anxious, or true low anxious), and data were analyzed via MANOVAs, ANOVAs, and hierarchical regression. Results indicated that coping style predicted BSE practice (i.e., proficiency, frequency) and health beliefs of barriers, confidence, seriousness, and susceptibility. The findings provide nurses with information for developing interventions to foster BSE.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1999

Food hygiene and hazard analysis critical control point in the United Kingdom food industry: practices, perceptions, and attitudes.

A mail survey was designed and distributed to 1,650 managers of food businesses across the manufacturing, retail, and catering sectors of the United Kingdom food industry. Respondents were asked about the food hygiene practices of their business, their use of systems such as hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP), and their attitudes toward a range of food hygiene-related issues. Complete responses were received from 254 businesses, a response rate of 15.3%. The results showed that 69% of manufacturers were using HACCP systems, significantly more than the 13% and 15% in the retail and catering sectors, respectively (P < 0.05); 53% of manufacturing, 59% of retail, and 48% of catering managers thought that their business represented a low risk to food safety. Among businesses using HACCP, specific training in the system was significantly related to the likelihood that businesses had adopted all seven of the HACCP principles (P < 0.05). Business size was a significant factor in the use of HACCP in both the manufacturing and retail sectors. Higher levels of food hygiene qualifications among business managers, business status, and higher perceptions among managers of the risk to food safety of the business were also significantly related to HACCP use in all sectors (P < 0.05). The results from this survey have implications for the future development of HACCP, particularly within the UK retail and catering sectors. Risk communication and training are highlighted as areas of concern for marketing HACCP within these industry sectors.

Food Inspection↗

PubMed2001

National practice characteristics and utilization of pathologists' assistants.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain descriptive information regarding the practice characteristics and utilization of US pathologists' assistants. DESIGN: A self-administered, mailed, voluntary, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to a cross-sectional sample of 515 US pathologists' assistants registered as members of the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants. The questionnaire contained items relating to subject demographics, practice characteristics, specific task performance, and amount of time spent per day on the performance of specific tasks. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data in terms of measures of central tendency and dispersion. RESULTS: The response rate was 66.8%. The majority of questionnaires sent and received were from East Coast regions. Of all respondents, 46.6% were women, 57.6% were less than 40 years old, and 60.0% had been practicing 10 years or less. Over half (54.0%) had a master's degree. Almost the entire sample reported working 30 or more hours per week, with 43.4% reporting working more than 40 hours per week. The majority reported earning annual salaries between $56 000 and $75 000. Although task analysis of responses revealed a wide range of responses, the majority of the sample reported spending most of their daily time performing surgical specimen gross examinations (median 300 min/d). Approximately half of respondents also reported spending up to 90 minutes per day on nonspecific tasks such as logging specimens and answering the phone. Most respondents reported spending more daily time on such nonspecific tasks than on autopsy prosection or research. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this national survey provides the first description of pathologists' assistants across the United States. These data provide a useful tool for tracking changes in the profession.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

PubMed2003

Pathology resident attitudes and opinions about pathologists' assistants.

CONTEXT: Changes in health care economics and organization have resulted in increased use of nonphysician providers in most health care settings. Attitudinal acceptance of nonphysician providers is important in the current health care environment. OBJECTIVES: To obtain descriptive information regarding pathology resident attitudes and opinions about pathologists' assistants in anatomic pathology practice and to assess the implications of resident attitudes and opinions for pathology practice and training. DESIGN: A self-administered, mailed, voluntary, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to a cross-sectional sample of pathology residents in the United States (2531 pathology residents registered as resident members of one of the national pathology professional organizations). The questionnaire contained (1) items relating to resident demographics and program characteristics, (2) Likert-scale response items containing positive and negative statements about pathologists' assistants, (3) a multiple-choice item related to pathologists' assistants scope of practice, and (4) an open-ended item inviting additional comments. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis of responses was performed. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 19.4% (n = 490); 50% of the respondents were women, and 77% reported use of pathologists' assistants in their program. Most respondents were 25 to 35 years old and in postgraduate years 3 through 5 of their training, and most were located in the Midwestern United States. The majority of residents expressed overall positive attitudes and opinions about pathologists' assistants and felt that pathologists' assistants enhanced resident training by optimizing resident workload. A minority (10%-20%) of residents expressed negative attitudes or opinions about pathologists' assistants. Additionally, some residents reported a lack of knowledge about pathologists' assistants' training or roles. CONCLUSIONS: Increased resident education and open discussion concerning pathologists' assistants may be beneficial for optimizing resident attitudes about and training experiences with pathologists' assistants.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Role perception of consultants in Iowa nursing homes.

A study comparing the differences between consultant dietitians' and foodservice supervisors' perceptions of the role of the consultant dietitian was conducted. Since it was believed that the role of the consultant could vary with the nursing home, 150 facilities were randomly selected from the population of 419 licensed intermediate-care facilities in Iowa. The administrator of each of the nursing homes was contacted by mail and was asked to distribute questionnaires to the consultant dietitian and foodservice supervisor in the facility. Consultant dietitians (no. = 69) indicated desired and actual frequency of performance of 46 selected duties. Foodservice supervisors (no. = 84) indicated desired frequency for consultant dietitian performance for the same 46 duties. Significant differences were found between actual and desired frequency of performance for 32 duties. For all of those duties except one, the desired mean was greater than the actual mean. The reasons for those differences need to be determined. Significant differences were found between the means for frequency of performance for 21 duties desired by the foodservice supervisors and desired by the consultant dietitians. The one duty with a higher foodservice supervisor mean could indicate an area in which assistance is needed from the consultants. When means for frequency of performance of duties desired by foodservice supervisors and actually carried out by consultant dietitians were compared, significant differences were found for 13 duties. Of them, 6 had a higher foodservice supervisor mean. That could also indicate areas in which consultants need to provide assistance to the supervisors. With additional data, the role of the consultant dietitian may be defined in terms of the 46 duties in this study.

Consultants↗

PubMed1978

Some correlates of the maintenance of weight lost through behavior modification.

Using a mail and in-class distributed survey, data were collected from 721 members of Weight Watchers classes some 15 months after they reached their goal weights. The group averaged 73.2 kg (162.1 lb) before losing 19.0 percent of their body weight to reach goal weights averaging 59.6 kg (131.2 lb) in an average of 31 weeks. Fifteen months after reaching goal, 24.6 percent were below goal, 28.9 were within 5 percent of their goal, 17.5 percent were from 6--10 percent above their goal and 28.9 percent were 11 percent or more above goal. Those who maintained their goal weight, as opposed to those who regained, tended to have several things in common: they attended classes after reaching goal weight in the same locations and with the same lecturers that assissted their weight loss; they had lower initial weights: they conceived of themselves as 'overweight' when they were approximately three pounds above goal; they had improved self-concepts; they made more lifestyle changes supporting weight maintenance; and they continued, after goal, use of many of the techniques used to reach goal weight. Each of these factors has implications for planning for more programs designed to produce more lasting weight losses.

Adult↗

PubMed1973

Use of mailed questionnaire data in a study of swine congenital malformations.

A study was designed to evaluate the representativeness and accuracy of data collected on swine birth defects by mailed questionnaire. The study was conducted in the three contiguous counties of Johnson, Lafayette and Pettis in west central Missouri. A personal interview survey and an examination of malformed pigs were used to validate mailed questionnaire data which estimated the frequency and distribution of malformations observed in pigs over a six month period. This period between April and September 1970 was defined as the study period. The results were compared to a previous six month period (April-September 1969), or baseline period, when only the mailed questionnaire was used. The frequency and distribution of the reported malformations by type did not differ significantly (at the p=0.05 level) between the study period (70.4% response) and the baseline period (31.3% response). Evaluation of this and additional data collected during the study suggested that the mailed questionnaire can be used effectively to estimate the frequency and distribution of swine malformations within a defined geographic area.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Mail versus telephone surveys on mammography utilization among women 50-75 years old.

Surveys are needed to monitor trends in mammography use and to evaluate intervention programs aimed at increasing breast cancer screening. In a community-based intervention project in Long Island (New York), estimated response rates were similar in separate random surveys of women 50-75 years old by mail and telephone. Respondents by mail (n = 2,368) and telephone (n = 1,011) were similar in distributions of age, marital status, and educational level, and mail respondents did not have higher income levels than telephone respondents. Reported utilization of breast cancer screening tests was similar by survey mode. A statistically significant positive association between mammography utilization and income level was evident in both mail and telephone surveys. These findings should promote the consideration of mail surveys in other studies of the utilization of breast cancer screening tests by various health care organizations.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Orthopedic trauma surgeons' attitudes and practices towards bloodborne pathogens.

A survey was conducted to determine orthopedic trauma surgeons' attitudes and practices towards occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens. The survey was distributed to orthopedic trauma surgeons either by mail or through participation at the annual 1993 OTA meeting or the 1994 update meetings. Of the 1,058 surveys distributed, 504 were successfully completed (48%). The majority of respondents were attendings (72%) who performed at least 100 orthopedic procedures annually. Of the respondents, 74% reported they were moderately to very concerned about acquiring HIV at work. Despite their concern, 42% reported not routinely wearing gloves when changing would dressings. Of the 340 respondents who have access to maximum barrier protection, 83% reported not wearing it to nail a femur fracture and 33% reported not wearing it when operating on an HIV+ patient. At an institutional level, almost one-third of those surveyed did not believe their facility promoted safe work practices. Facilities judged by respondents to promote safe practices were significantly more likely to have resources available and infection control policies in place compared to facilities judged not to promote safe practices. Orthopedic trauma surgeons need to improve their compliance with infection control recommendations. Further efforts by individuals and their institutions are warranted.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗

PubMed1998

Effect of training on general practitioners' use of a brief intervention for excessive drinkers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine among general practitioners (GPs) the effect of three different types of training on utilisation of a brief, controlled drinking intervention. DESIGN: A non-randomised intervention study. Setting, participants: 96 GPs (64%) within the South Eastern Sydney Division of General Practice participated; 35 chose workshop training, 39 one-to-one training and 22 received a special kit by mail. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification by GPs of excessive drinkers by practice audits; use of the program determined by the number of patients recruited in 3 months and by GPs' use of the intervention 6 months after training. RESULTS: 41 (43%) GPs conducted practice audits, identifying 15.1% of males and 6.6% of females as excessive drinkers (regular excessive weekly consumption and/or binge). 179 patients were recruited by 36 GPs over 3 months, and 32% of these patients reported a reduction of alcohol consumption. 63% who attended workshop training, 57% who received one-to-one training, and 36% who received the kit by mail reported they were current users of the program at 6 months. Significantly fewer GPs who received the kit by mail reported ever using the program (59%) compared to the other groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This naturalistic study found that workshops and one-to-one training sessions in doctors' surgeries achieved greater uptake of a brief intervention for problem drinkers than distribution of a special kit by mail.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Pharmacists' perceptions of the effectiveness of antimicrobial control programs.

PURPOSE: The perceptions of the effectiveness of antimicrobial control programs (ACPs) among infectious diseases (ID) pharmacists were studied. METHODS: A survey asking pharmacists to characterize the ACP in their hospitals and rate the program's effectiveness was distributed electronically in 1999 and by regular mail in 2000 to all 365 members of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists residing in North America. RESULTS: Of the 365 surveys distributed, 323 (88.5%) were completed, 233 of which were eligible for analysis. Most respondents (99%) indicated the use of one or more ACP components (mean +/- S.D., 4.3 +/- 1.9) in their hospitals. The ACP components used most frequently included prescriber education, review of patient medical records, formularies, prior authorization, infectious diseases consultation, and clinical practice guidelines. A similar percentage of respondents indicated that ID pharmacists and ID physicians directly participated in implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of ACPs (57% and 58%, respectively). Of the 231 respondents whose hospitals had an ACP, 73% perceived that their ACP effectively addressed antimicrobial resistance, patient outcomes, or costs, with cost reduction viewed as being accomplished more often than the improvement of patient outcomes or containment of antimicrobial resistance (62%, 35%, and 38%, respectively; p < 0.001). Many indicated uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of their ACP, with a substantial percentage of respondents believing that the level of support for these programs was inadequate. CONCLUSION: ID pharmacists in 231 North American hospitals perceived that their ACP was not sufficiently effective at improving patient outcomes, containing antimicrobial resistance, and decreasing medication costs, possibly due to inadequate institutional support for the program.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed2005

Measuring stroke impact with the stroke impact scale: telephone versus mail administration in veterans with stroke.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine response rate, mode effects, and reliability of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) in a veteran stroke population using mail and telephone modes of administration. METHODS: Patients who had suffered a stroke were identified using national VA administrative data and International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes in 13 participating Veterans Affairs hospital. Stroke was confirmed by reviewing electronic medical records. Patients were randomized to SIS administration by mail or telephone at 12-weeks after their stroke. Comparison of response rate, nonresponse bias, domain scores, administration costs, and instrument reliability were performed. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-eight patients with stroke were identified, validated, and randomly assigned into 2 administration groups. No significant cluster effect was observed. Response rates for mail and telephone were 45% and 69%, respectively. Mail nonresponders were more likely to have had severe stokes, cognitive deficits, and be unmarried. No difference was observed between telephone responders and nonresponders. Responders in mail and telephone modes were not different, and the SIS score distribution did not indicate the presence of mode effects. Test-retest reliability was good to excellent in the mail group (0.77-0.99) except social participation (0.62). Test retest reliability was excellent in the telephone mode (0.90-0.99) except emotion (0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Telephone mode of survey administration yielded a higher response rate, less bias in responder selection, and higher test-retest reliability. The cost of telephone administration was 2 times the cost of mail. Mode effects in SIS score distribution were not observed in this study but additional research with larger sample sizes is needed to provide more definitive evidence.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The emergency contraception collaborative prescribing experience in Washington State.

OBJECTIVE: To describe how prescribers and pharmacists view the Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) program, and to evaluate pharmacists' performance through the use of a consumer survey. DESIGN: Self-administered provider satisfaction surveys were mailed 6 months after the program's inception. Consumer satisfaction surveys were distributed at the point of ECP service for return by mail. SETTING: The program encouraged pharmacists and prescribers in western Washington to enter into collaborative prescribing agreements, increasing consumers' access to ECP. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Pharmacists who had attended ECP training sessions, prescribers who had authorized pharmacists to prescribe ECP, and women who had been prescribed ECP by pharmacists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Providers' reasons for participating, attitudes toward the ECP program, and experiences with ECP as a result of the program; feedback from women receiving ECP from pharmacists. RESULTS: 309 pharmacist surveys and 55 prescriber surveys were sent, of which 159 (51%) and 27 (49%), respectively, were returned. Meeting patient needs and having a professional responsibility to participate were commonly reported reasons for ECP program involvement. Both pharmacists and prescribers (92%) reported being "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their prescribing agreements. On the 470 consumer surveys returned out of 7,000 distributed (6.5%), pharmacists were rated highly satisfactory for their interactions with patients and the quality of information about ECP use given, but less satisfactory for information about adverse effects, recognition and follow-up of ECP failure, and regular contraceptive methods. CONCLUSION: All participants expressed satisfaction with the ECP program. This example should support the initiation of similar programs in other states.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Alternatives to pharmaceutical distribution and reimbursement].

In Spain pharmaceutical distribution is carried out mainly thorugh the 20,000 independent pharmacies located throughout the country. This situation contrasts with that in other countries where other health care providers play a major role in drug dispensation or where pharmacies form part of industrial conglomerates or commercial chains. We describe the pharmaceutical distribution chain in Spain wholesale and through the pharmacies and place particular emphasis on five aspects of relevance when considering alternatives: ownership of the pharmacy and norms of professional service, criteria for setting up a pharmacy, monopoly on dispensing, automatic ageement with the Spanish national health system and reimbursement system. Several alternatives found in comparable countries are described: mail order and on-line distribution, sale of over-the counter pharmaceutical products in establishments other than pharmacies, the estabilishment of pharmaceutical chains, dispensing by providers, the repercussions of electronic prescribing and the possibilities of the still-emerging Pharmacuetical Care. The characteristics of pharmacy reimbursement systems are also reviewed. We recommend modification of limitations on ownership of pharmacies, the establishment of optional agreements between pharmacies and the Spanish national health system and the authorization of alternative or complementary channels of distribution for some products. We propose a mixed model of reimbursement that would include: a) a ficed price for dispensing; b) almost total return of the cost of the product; c) reimbursement for services explicity defined by the financer, and d) the possibility of a selective fixed payment for certain situations depending on the agreed services or a guaranteed minimum income.

Pharmaceutical Preparations↗

PubMed2005

A community needs assessment for palliative care services from a hospice organization.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care is described as comprehensive care focused on preventing or relieving physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual suffering in patients with life-threatening illnesses. As national interest in increasing access to palliative care grows, hospice organizations may consider expanding their missions to provide palliative care to individuals with chronic and life-limiting illnesses who do not meet traditional hospice criteria. Before expanding operations, hospice organizations must know if there is need and support within the communities they serve. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess perceived need for palliative care services in a small metropolitan area in the Midwest served by a nonprofit community-based hospice organization. DESIGN: A survey approach was used. SETTINGS/SUBJECTS: Surveys were distributed to health care professionals and lay individuals in the community by mail or in person. A total of 576 surveys were distributed; 195 were completed and returned. RESULTS: While the majority of professionals reported being comfortable providing palliative care, services were not perceived as widely available. Both health care professional and lay respondents knew someone who could benefit from palliative care services and believed it would be helpful to develop or increase palliative care for persons with chronic illnesses who are not yet terminally ill. A majority of professionals reported they were willing to refer patients for services, but were concerned that patients would be hesitant to accept such care from a hospice organization. Lay individuals indicated they would be willing to accept such services, particularly if insurance covered the cost. CONCLUSIONS: Several issues need further exploration before hospice organizations expand their missions.

Data Collection↗

PubMed2005

Perioperative anticoagulation in patients with mechanical heart valves undergoing elective surgery: results of a survey conducted among Korean physicians.

The optimal perioperative anticoagulation management in patients on warfarin therapy is poorly defined due to the lack of randomized trials. Because guidelines are heterogeneous, it was hypothesized that "treatment strategies are not uniform in clinical practice". Between February 2003 and May 2003, a questionnaire with 4 different clinical scenarios was distributed to physicians by e-mail, or direct contact was made by a survey monitor. Two scenarios described the cases of patients with a mechanical heart valve (MHV) in the mitral position, with additional risk factors for a systemic embolism; one undergoing major (scenario 1) and the other minor surgery (scenario 3). Two scenarios described patients with an aortic MHV; one undergoing major (scenario 2) and the other minor (scenario 4) surgery. Different preoperative and postoperative management options were offered. The treatment options for all scenarios were the same. Of the 90 questionnaires distributed, 52 (57.8%) were returned. Hospitalization for full-dose intravenous unfractionated heparin (IV UH) was the most commonly selected strategy in the preoperative phase for scenarios 1 (59%), 2 (42%) and 3 (44%). In scenario 4, 34% chose IV UH. Outpatient, full- dose, subcutaneous UH or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was the most selected option in the postoperative phase for all scenarios, with the exception of number 4 (52.9% in scenario 1, 34% in scenario 2, 32%, in scenario 3 and 28% in scenario 4). Even among expert clinicians, the management of perioperative anticoagulation is heterogeneous. In particular, the definition of risk categories and the optimal intensity of antithrombotic drugs need to be defined by well-designed prospective studies.

Anticoagulants↗

PubMed1994

The role of an electronic mail system in the educational strategies of a residency in obstetrics and gynecology.

Computerized electronic mail (E-mail) systems provide a rapid means of data sharing and are used in a variety of commercial and industrial settings for the widespread distribution of memoranda. We adapted an E-mail system to our program to determine the feasibility of incorporating such a system into didactic resident education in obstetrics and gynecology and to assess resident response to this form of computer-based learning. The system was programmed to distribute one review question per day to 24 resident physicians for 60 days. Residents were given 24 hours to respond and comment. Each question was discussed and appropriate references distributed within 48 hours of presentation. All questions and responses were then stored in an electronic file folder for later review. An examination was given at completion of the project (post-test), and these scores were compared to performance during the project (pre-test). An anonymous questionnaire was distributed upon completion of the project to assess the residents' overall satisfaction with the program. The system was well received by the residents. On a scale of 1 to 6 (1 = lowest; 6 = highest), resident satisfaction was high, with an overall average rating of 5.0. Using this scale, residents assessed their frustration level as 1.5. Average daily participation was 85%. An average of 9 minutes was required to complete each question and review prior responses and discussion; this interval was not significantly different among the postgraduate years. Scores on the examination at project completion were significantly higher than performance during the project.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1999

Measuring study time distributions: implications for designing computer-based courses.

In both traditional lecture-test courses and courses delivered over the World-Wide Web (WWW), both beginning and experienced college students reported studying almost exclusively just before exams. Automatic measures (computer records, WWW page hits, and electronic mail archives) confirmed the self-reported distributions of study times. Weekly deadlines produced weekly volleys of taking on-line quizzes, a pattern that was reflected in self-reports of study times. However, on-line study materials were used primarily for review for regularly scheduled in-class exams. Thus, regardless of course format, students engaged in massed practice and did not experience study aids at appropriate times. Computer technology provides new forms of learning for students, as well as opportunities for instructors to observe patterns of student study time. Management of instructional contingencies will be necessary to bring students into contact with the rich cognitive aids enabled by technology.

Behavior↗