SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Problem Solving”

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 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Improving physical therapy students' clinical problem-solving skills: an analytical questioning model.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a model for teaching problem-solving skills to first-year physical therapy students using the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (CTA) and participant feedback. We used a pretest-posttest control group design. Subjects were 31 first-year physical therapy students divided into a Control Group (n = 15) and an Experimental Group (n = 16). Students in the Experimental Group used the problem-solving model during a four-week clerkship. No difference was found between the Experimental and Control Groups' performance on the CTA. Subjectively, students in the Experimental Group and their Clinical Instructors found the model to be an effective tool that aided students' understanding of patient assessment and treatment program planning. The need for an objective assessment tool of problem-solving models in physical therapy is discussed.

Clinical Clerkship↗

PubMed2003

Function of hippocampus in "insight" of problem solving.

Since the work of Wolfgang Kohler, the process of "insight" in problem solving has been the subject of considerable investigation. Yet, the neural correlates of "insight" remain unknown. Theoretically, "insight" means the reorientation of one's thinking, including breaking of the unwarranted "fixation" and forming of novel, task-related associations among the old nodes of concepts or cognitive skills. Processes closely related to these aspects have been implicated in the hippocampus. In this research, the neural correlates of "insight" were investigated using Japanese riddles, by imaging the answer presentation and comprehension events, just after participants failed to resolve them. The results of event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis demonstrated that the right hippocampus was critically highlighted and that a wide cerebral cortex was also involved in this "insight" event. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first neuroimaging study to have investigated the neural correlates of "insight" in problem solving.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A complexity theory model in science education problem solving: random walks for working memory and mental capacity.

The present study examines the role of limited human channel capacity from a science education perspective. A model of science problem solving has been previously validated by applying concepts and tools of complexity theory (the working memory, random walk method). The method correlated the subjects' rank-order achievement scores in organic-synthesis chemistry problems with the subjects' working memory capacity. In this work, we apply the same nonlinear approach to a different data set, taken from chemical-equilibrium problem solving. In contrast to the organic-synthesis problems, these problems are algorithmic, require numerical calculations, and have a complex logical structure. As a result, these problems cause deviations from the model, and affect the pattern observed with the nonlinear method. In addition to Baddeley's working memory capacity, the Pascual-Leone's mental (M-) capacity is examined by the same random-walk method. As the complexity of the problem increases, the fractal dimension of the working memory random walk demonstrates a sudden drop, while the fractal dimension of the M-capacity random walk decreases in a linear fashion. A review of the basic features of the two capacities and their relation is included. The method and findings have consequences for problem solving not only in chemistry and science education, but also in other disciplines.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Child problem solving competence, behavioral adjustment and adherence to lipid-lowering diet.

Dietary problem solving competence, behavioral adjustment and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) changes were evaluated in a cross-sectional study of 55 hyperlipidemic children and adolescents more than 12 months after they had been prescribed lipid-lowering diets. Adolescents who were able to generate multiple ways to cope with dietary temptations described in hypothetical vignettes evidenced better dietary adherence than adolescents who could produce fewer coping strategies. Observation of parent-child interaction during a standard menu planning task revealed that child satisfaction with the diet was positively associated with parental attempts to solicit and reinforce the child's involvement in meal planning. Findings raise the possibility that behavioral problem solving training might improve long term dietary adherence in adolescents and encourage further research on families' responses to nutritional counseling.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development of the diabetes problem-solving measure for adolescents.

PURPOSE: This paper describes the development and psychometric properties of the Diabetes Problem-Solving Measure for Adolescents (DPSMA). METHODS: The DPSMA is a structured, interview-based questionnaire that examines how adolescents with type 1 diabetes solve diabetes-related self-management problems. Seventeen diabetes-related self-management problem vignettes were derived from a survey of adolescents and their parents. The vignettes were reviewed and finalized by a multidisciplinary team of diabetes experts. A sample of 43 adolescents, 13 to 17 years old, with type 1 diabetes, was used to establish the psychometric properties of the instrument. RESULTS: The scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and interrater reliability. Predicted relationships with scores on concurrently administered measures of adherence, diabetes quality of life, and metabolic control provided support for construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the DPSMA has acceptable internal consistency, interrater reliability, and construct validity. It may be a useful tool to help healthcare providers understand the diabetes-related problem-solving abilities of their adolescent patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Incentives improve performance on both incremental and insight problem solving.

An increasing number of studies are showing a connection between emotion and motivation and cognitive processes. Most of these studies, however, have been correlational in nature, limiting the conclusions that can be drawn. We directly manipulated motivation through the use of an incentive and investigated its effects on insight and incremental problem solving. In four experiments we found that an incentive (the opportunity to leave the experiment early) increased problem-solving performance for all problems presented, regardless of problem type. Additionally, we found evidence that the incentive increased recall memory, indicating more thorough processing for participants in the incentive condition. This study provides evidence that incentives influence problem solving and implies that motivation should not be ignored when investigating cognitive processes.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Tool use and mechanical problem solving in apraxia.

Moorlaas (1928) proposed that apraxic patients can identify objects and can remember the purpose they have been made for but do not know the way in which they must be used to achieve that purpose. Knowledge about the use of objects and tools can have two sources: It can be based on retrieval of instructions of use from semantic memory or on a direct inference of function from structure. The ability to infer function from structure enables subjects to use unfamiliar tools and to detect alternative uses of familiar tools. It is the basis of mechanical problem solving. The purpose of the present study was to analyze retrieval of instruction of use, mechanical problem solving, and actual tool use in patients with apraxia due to circumscribed lesions of the left hemisphere. For assessing mechanical problem solving we developed a test of selection and application of novel tools. Access to instruction of use was tested by pantomime of tool use. Actual tool use was examined for the same familiar tools. Forty two patients with left brain damage (LBD) and aphasia, 22 patients with right brain damage (RBD) and 22 controls were examined. Only LBD patients differed from controls on all tests. RBD patients had difficulties with the use but not with the selection of novel tools. In LBD patients there was a significant correlation between pantomime of tool use and novel tool selection but there were single cases who scored in the defective range on one of these tests and normally on the other. Analysis of LBD patients' lesions suggested that frontal lobe damage does not disturb novel tool selection. Only LBD patients who failed on pantomime of object use and on novel tool selection committed errors in actual use of familiar tools. The finding that mechanical problem solving is invariably defective in apraxic patients who commit errors with familiar tools is in good accord with clinical observations, as the gravity of their errors goes beyond what one would expect as a mere sequel of loss of access to instruction of use.

Adult↗

PubMed1963

Problem-solving.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗

PubMed2000

Social problem solving in children with acquired brain injuries.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of children with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) on a measure of social problem solving and to examine the relationships between participant characteristics and performance on the Social Knowledge Interview (SKI) and between parent-reported child behavior and performance on the SKI. DESIGN: Between-group comparisons using correlational analyses, matched pairs t-tests, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one children 6-12 years old with ABI and 31 control participants, matched on age and sex. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The SKI, a measure of social problem-solving skills. RESULTS: Using matched pairs t-tests and ANCOVA, groups were compared on several SKI measures, including the number of unique responses generated for each problem scenario, the quality of those responses, and the ability to select the best response from a set of alternatives. When equated for socioeconomic status (SES), ABI and control participants performed similarly on the SKI; however, a trend for children with ABI to generate more assertive responses was observed. Performance on the SKI was positively correlated with IQ and related to parent-reported adaptive behavior. In children with ABI, performance was also related to primary lesion location and treatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Children with ABI are as capable of judging the appropriateness of behavior and generating response options on an analog measure of social problem solving as were their typically developing peers. However, those individual children with ABI who are more likely to have social problems may be identified by the qualitative aspects of their responses on analog tasks. These findings have implications for the identification of children with social skills deficits following ABI and for the development of effective rehabilitation strategies.

Brain Injuries↗

PubMed2005

Effectiveness of education and problem solving work group on nursing practices to prevent needlestick and sharp injury.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of an education program and problem solving work group on nursing practices for prevention of needlestick and sharp injury. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A quasi-experimental study design with a control group was conducted at the emergency and labor rooms in Sermngam Hospital, Lampang. All healthcare workers (HCWs) in the emergency and labor room were randomly assigned to the experimental and control group from April 17, 2002 to September 3, 2002. Data collection included demographics, a participatory problem solving plan, and safety nursing practice observation recording form. The present study was divided into a two months observation period, followed by a one month intervention period and a two month post-intervention observation period. Interventions included education and posters to promote safe nursing practices, peer reminders to avoid unsafe nursing practices, providing devices for recapping needles and small-sized trays to facilitate one-handed recapping, and making a hole in the lid of a sharp container Nursing practices on prevention of needlestick and sharp injury were prospectively monitored. RESULTS: Twelve HCWs (12/24; 50%) were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 12 (12/24; 50%) were assigned to the control group. There was no difference with respects to demographic and safety nursing practices on prevention of needlestick and sharp injury during the pre-interventional period among these groups. Compared to the pre-interventional period, significant improvement on safety nursing practices for all nursing practice categories were observed in the experimental group after the intervention (P=0.001). Compared to the control group, all safety nursing practice categories were performed more often in the experimental group (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The educational and problem solving work group on nursing practices to prevent needlestick and sharp injury were effective and should be considered as an intervention to reduce needlestick and sharp injury in emergency and labor rooms at Sermngarm Hospital.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Physiological patterns accompanying complex problem solving during warning and nonwarning conditions.

Physiological responses of 48 subjects were studied during both a warning and a nonwarning condition and during anagram problem solving. The warning condition was associated with heart rate deceleration and increased occurrence of galvanic skin responses (GSR), of skin conductance, and of tonic galvanic skin potentials (GSP). The warning condition also resulted in significantly faster solution rates. Problem solving was associated with increases in heart rate, occurrence of GSR, and skin conductance. The occurrence of phasic GSP habituated, but the occurrence of tonic GSP maintained a significant response frequency. Large increases in tonic GSP, with minimal phasic increases during problem solving, reflected the bidimensionality of electrodermal activity as a function of the task. These findings were interpreted to support Lacey's hypothesis of response fractionation and suggest the utility of physiological measures in the study of putative attentional functioning.

Attention↗

PubMed1991

A two-year longitudinal study of stressful life events, social support, and social problem-solving skills: contributions to children's behavioral and academic adjustment.

We investigated the contributions of stressful life events and resources (social support and social problem-solving skills) to predicting changes in children's adjustment. At Time 1, 361 third through fifth graders completed measures of social support and social problem-solving skills. Their parents completed a stressful life events scale and a child behavior rating measure. The children's teachers provided ratings of behavioral and academic adjustment. 2-year follow-up data (Time 2) were obtained for approximately half of the sample on the same measures. Time 1 stressful life events and resources showed some significant but modest zero-order correlations with the Time 2 adjustment indices. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed prospective effects for Time 1 social support on later teacher-rated competencies and grade-point average. In addition, increases over time in social support and social problem-solving skills (a composite score) were significantly related to improvement in behavioral and academic adjustment, whereas stressful life events were not predictive of adjustment.

Achievement↗

PubMed2001

Short-term memory, working memory, and inhibitory control in children with difficulties in arithmetic problem solving.

The relations between short-term memory, working memory, inhibitory control, and arithmetic word problem solution were studied in children who were poor in arithmetic problem solving (n = 23). The children were compared with a group of good problem solvers (n = 26), matched for vocabulary, age, and gender. The results corroborate the hypothesis of poor problem solvers' general deficit in inhibitory processes. They had lower scores and made more intrusion errors in a series of working memory tasks requiring inhibition of irrelevant information. The results showed that problem solving performance is related to the ability of reducing the accessibility of nontarget and irrelevant information in memory. Span tasks that imply passive storage of information showed that poor problem solvers were impaired when they have to retain numerical information, but they did not differ from children who did not have difficulty with mathematics when the material included words.

Child↗

PubMed1986

The effects of nicotine upon memory and problem solving performance.

This study examined the effects of 4 mg nicotine and placebo upon problem solving performance in word and number tasks, and subsequent recall and recognition of the answers to these problems. The results demonstrated that the drug had no effect upon the subject's ability to generate the correct answers to the problems, but that immediate and delayed recall and recognition were significantly impaired. These data clearly do not support the view that nicotine, without exception, enhances information processing, and it was suggested that the effects of nicotine upon information retrieval may be specific to tasks which assess episodic memory in the absence of retrieval cues or a problem solving context.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Facilitative effects of haptic training on children's visual problem solving.

39 fourth grade children exposed to a haptic (active touch) match-to-sample task made significantly fewer posttest errors, relative to control subjects, on a visual problem-solving task. Further, this reduction in errors was comparable to that shown by children who had received specific training in reflective problem-solving. The results were discussed in terms of the possible facilitative effects exposure to a haptic task can have on children's visual problem-solving.

Child↗

PubMed1988

Consequences for medical education of problem-solving in science and medicine.

The problem-solving process used by scientists and by clinicians is compared and contrasted. The most creative step for both groups is the ability to make an association between some external stimulus or situation and concepts stored in memory. Medical education must put more emphasis on teaching that improves students' abilities to make these associations. Two teaching methods that can promote development of the necessary association skills in clinical contexts--"wait time" and "concept mapping"--are briefly reviewed. Concept mapping consists of connecting words that represent concepts with lines that represent relationships and then labeling the lines. Wait time is waiting three to five seconds between asking a group of students a question and calling on a student to answer or waiting three to five seconds before responding to the student's answer.

Association↗

PubMed1993

Problem-solving in general practice.

OBJECTIVE: To identify problem solving strategies in general practice. BASIC PROCEDURES: Three styles of scientific reasoning were defined and modelled on the medical environment. These models were tested in a simulated doctor-patient encounter. MAIN FINDINGS: According to the definitions contained in the models a deductive or hypotheticodeductive strategy could not be discovered. All participants used exclusively the inductive method and, more specifically, the speculative variant. This variant may be best described as a process of iterative pattern recognition. CONCLUSIONS: The manifest utilization of the inductive method carries many implications among which are the irretraceability and irreproducibility of the process. The speculative form approaches the conception of art rather than science. This is exactly what most doctors try to tell: medicine is an art. The strategy allows for flexibility and quick response to the patient's needs.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

The impact of problem-solving styles of NE-CEO pairs on nurse executive effectiveness.

The problem-solving styles of the nurse executive and chief executive officer pair affects nurse executive job tenure. This investigation tested if the style differences also influence nurse executives' effectiveness. The author provides suggestions to help nurse executives use more innovative behaviors and work more effectively with chief executive officers with different problem-solving styles.

Chief Executive Officers, Hospital↗