SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “User experiences”

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 1,225 records · Page 68Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

4-MTA: a new synthetic drug on the dance scene.

4-MTA (p-methylthioamphetamine) is a new synthetic sulphur derivative of amphetamine that has been associated with six deaths since it was first identified in Europe in 1997. Sold as 'ecstasy' or 'Flatliners', the drug like MDMA is a potent serotonin releaser. Using a self-nominated sampling methodology we accessed over 1000 dance drug users through a magazine survey. Ten percent of respondents thought that they had used 4-MTA. Those with experience of 4-MTA tended to come from a sub-population of heavy 'ecstasy'-users. Responses to the effects of the drug were mixed, although about a quarter of those who believed that they had tried 4-MTA thought that they would use it again.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Gastrointestinal side-effects of traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and new formulations.

Although adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) occur in only a small proportion of users, the widespread use of these drugs has resulted in a substantial overall number of affected persons who experience serious gastrointestinal complications. Dyspeptic symptoms are estimated to occur in 10-60% of NSAID users and lead to discontinuation of treatment in 5-15% of rheumatoid arthritis patients taking NSAIDs. It is now well established that the point prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in patients receiving conventional NSAID therapy ranges between 10 and 30%, representing a 10-30-fold increase over that found in the general population. One of 175 users of conventional NSAIDs in the USA will be hospitalized each year for NSAID-induced gastrointestinal damage. The mortality of hospitalized patients remains about 5-10%, with an expected annual death rate of 0.08%. The selective COX-II inhibitors (rofecoxib, celecoxib, parecoxib, etoricoxib, valdecoxib, lumiracoxib) show consistently comparable efficacy to that of conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, but have a significantly reduced propensity to cause gastrointestinal toxicity. In many cases, the gastric effects of therapeutically active doses of COX-II inhibitors are indistinguishable from placebo. The safety benefits of COX-2 inhibitors given alone appear similar to combined therapy with conventional NSAIDs and gastroprotective agents. These findings warrant the consideration of COX-II inhibitors as first-line therapy in patients requiring long-term pain control.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1996

[Reduced prescription of benzodiazepine preparations in general practice. Much to gain with little effort].

Many patients experience side effects from prolonged use of benzodiazepines and analgesics containing codeine. Therefore 66 daily users of these drugs (average dose before intervention 34 DDD/month) were encouraged to take part in a cessation experiment. They were told that a large share of their symptoms which were the indication for benzodiazepines and analgesics might be side effects from this medication. They were also given a cessation plan. Over two years the prescriptions (measured in DDD) for this group were reduced by 57%, and 26% of the patients stopped taking these medicines. A strategy is proposed for cessation of use of benzodiazepines and codeine-containing analgesics in general practice.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Psychometric properties of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) for substance users.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the psychometric properties of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), an established self-report measure of alexithymia, for a substance user sample participating in a clinical trial of outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapies (N=230). METHODS: Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were used to determine the number and nature of the factors underlying the TAS-20 in a sample of substance users. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the predictive validity of the TAS-20. RESULTS: A factor structure comparable, but not identical, with TAS-20 psychometric results with other populations was found; alpha coefficients were .88 for the feelings factor, .62 for the external thinking factor, and .87 for the total score. Although, on average, the substance users did not appear to have elevated alexithymia scores compared with the undergraduate students, alexithymia predicted less treatment engagement, i.e., fewer sessions attended and weaker helping alliance. Alexithymia also predicted alcohol use outcomes but not drug use outcomes. The relation between alexithymia and drinking outcome was conditional on whether the patient was using solely alcohol at baseline. CONCLUSION: The TAS-20 has reasonably good psychometric properties in this sample, which might be improved by dropping several marginal questionnaire items. Alexithymia appears to attenuate substance abuse treatment engagement. More clinical and research experience with this construct and specific instrument in substance user samples is needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Common errors of intraoperative navigation in lateral skull base surgery].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The knowledge of disturbing factors for navigated surgical procedures in lateral skull base surgery will help the user to identify, avoid, and correct these errors. PATIENTS/METHODS: Based on our experiences with 85 patients undergoing surgery of the lateral skull base, errors of hard- and software, of image acquisition and image transfer, of patient registration, user-related errors as well as strategic errors were analyzed. RESULTS: Any impairment of the camera field leads to functional limitation of optical systems to the same extent as electromagnetic systems can be affected by ferromagnetic materials. Standard patient registration procedures as well as the lack of compensation for soft tissue shift may cause problems. CONCLUSIONS: While dealing with navigation devices in lateral skull base surgery, the user must pay critical attention to certain details in order to recognize and interpret possible malfunction.

Computer Systems↗

PubMed2003

Sex in Australia: contraceptive practices among a representative sample of women.

OBJECTIVES: To document the use of contraception by a representative sample of Australian women aged 16-59 years. METHOD: Between mid-2001 and mid-2002, computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by 9,134 women aged 16-59 years from all States and Territories selected by modified random-digit dialling of households (response rate 77.6%). Respondents were asked about contraceptive methods used in their current regular relationship(s) and during recent sexual encounters, or in general, or their reasons for non-use. Responses were allocated to 14 categories. RESULTS: 70.8% of respondents were using a method of contraception, over 95% of those apparently at risk of pregnancy. Most common reasons for non-use were not having intercourse (41.6%) and being past menopause (21.6%). Among those apparently at risk of unplanned pregnancy (i.e. who were heterosexually active and fertile but not pregnant or trying to become pregnant; 13.0% of non-users), the most common reasons for non-use were experience of side-effects or contra-indications (23.0%), leaving it to chance (20.2%), forgetting/not caring (18.9%), breast feeding (16.5%) and believing it unnatural/unhealthy (13.7%). No women cited religious objections or lack of access to services. The most used methods were oral contraceptives (33.6% of users), tubal ligation/hysterectomy (22.5%), condom (21.4%) and vasectomy of partner (19.3%). Tubal ligation rates were higher and condom use lower in regional and remote areas. CONCLUSION: Given the high levels of use and knowledge and lack of evidence of unmet service need, most unplanned pregnancies in Australian adults are likely to be attributable to method failure or inconsistent use.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Formative evaluation of a prototype system for automated analysis of mass spectrometry data.

Mass Spectrometry (MS) is emerging as a breakthrough mass-throughput technology capable of producing powerful clinical diagnostic and prognostic models and of identifying important disease biomarkers. Few individuals possess the necessary skills to carry out MS analyses competently, and access to such individuals is limited in most settings, hindering progress in this field. We seek to ease this burden by creating a fully automated system (FAST-AIMS) capable of analyzing mass spectra to produce high-quality diagnostic and outcome prediction models and identify related biomarkers. In the present report we introduce the system and conduct a formative evaluation in which 6 users apply it to a challenging dataset. FAST-AIMS' performance is compared to that of an expert statistician as well as to a previously published analysis by an independent group. In our experiments FAST-AIMS when used by both MS-sophisticated users (n=4) and naïve users (n=2) achieves performance (a) comparable to our human expert, and (b) superior to the previously published manual analysis; in addition (c) the system's estimates future performance accurately, thus avoiding overfitting.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The meaning of communication: experiences with augmentative communication devices.

This study is a secondary analysis of data collected from end-users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices as part of a project of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer (T2RERC). The original data, obtained from a Web-based focus group, were used to identify unmet consumer needs in existing AAC devices. The purpose of the secondary analysis was to give context to the original study through phenomenological interpretation of the narratives, thereby gaining an understanding of the common meanings and shared experiences and practices of people who use AAC technology. Underlying this study is the interpretive approach of Heideggerian hermeneutics; through reflective thinking, understanding of the human situation of AAC users in everyday life is uncovered or extended. Six themes and one constitutive pattern emerged to explain the participants' experiences with AAC devices: (a) maintaining effective communication, (b) interacting in various situations, (c) AAC device-imposing limitations, (d) wading through prepackaged technology, (e) AAC device giving more than a voice, (f) accepting the AAC device. The constitutive pattern was communication technology enables humanness. This information will make rehabilitation nurses aware of the value of the AAC device for the users and the limitations that the technology may impose on the users, as well as the need for others to accept the device. Nurses gaining this understanding may facilitate integration of AAC systems and the development of patient/nurse communication partnerships.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Preparing for communication interactions: the value of anticipatory strategies for adults with hearing impairment.

Some people with hearing impairment may use anticipatory strategies to prepare for an upcoming communication interaction, such as a doctor's appointment. They may consider vocabulary and statements that might occur, and they may practice speechreading a partner saying the items. Experiment 1 evaluated the effectiveness of two types of anticipatory strategies: workbook activities and situation-specific lipreading practice. Two groups of normal-hearing subjects were asked to prepare for a communication interaction in a bank setting where they would be required to recognize speech using only the visual signal. Each group was assigned to one type of anticipatory strategy. A third group served as a control group. Experiment 2 evaluated whether multifaceted anticipatory practice improved cochlear implant users' ability to recognize statements and words audiovisually that might occur in a doctor's office, bank, movie theater, and gas station. One group of implanted subjects received 4 days of training, 1 day for each setting, and a second group served as a control group. In both experiments, subjects who used anticipatory strategies did not improve their performance on situation-specific sentence tests more than the control subjects.

Cochlear Implants↗

PubMed2002

Adaptive user interface customization through browsing knowledge capitalization.

Hypermedia data browsing is a mean for improving information access. However, the overload and the heterogeneity of medical information, as well as the multitude of possible navigational paths, turn the consultation of data into a difficult task. We present in this paper a solution for the development of adaptive user interfaces in a hypermedia data browsing environment. It is based on the capitalization of the users knowledge in the decision-making process, expressed in terms of navigational paths and of data presentation modes that are customized to the user's preferences and practice. This capitalization offers the user a way to automatically store and reuse the experience accumulated in browsing through patient records. We illustrate our approach with the implementation of HEMA, a clinical workstation prototype that we have specialized for the cardiology domain.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMed2001

Cross-modal plasticity underpins language recovery after cochlear implantation.

Postlingually deaf subjects learn the meaning of sounds after cochlear implantation by forming new associations between sounds and their sources. Implants generate coarse frequency responses, preventing place-coding fine enough to discriminate sounds with similar temporal characteristics, e.g., buck/duck. This limitation imposes a dependency on visual cues, e.g., lipreading. We hypothesized that cross-modal facilitation results from engagement of the visual cortex by purely auditory tasks. In four functional neuroimaging experiments, we show recruitment of early visual cortex (V1/V2) when cochlear implant users listen to sounds with eyes closed. Activity in visual cortex evolved in a stimulus-specific manner as a function of time from implantation reflecting experience-dependent adaptations in the postimplant phase.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2003

CELT: a computerised evaluative learning tool for continuing professional development.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a computerised, evaluative learning tool (CELT) designed to encourage self-directed learning and help users make changes in practice following learning. The study aimed to evaluate how CELT was used and to ascertain user perceptions of the program. DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of interviews and quantitative analysis of entries made using the software. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: West of Scotland region, comprising six Health Board areas with a total of 2176 general practitioners (GPs), 39 of whom took part in the study. RESULTS: Of the 39 GPs who started on the project, 34 used CELT. Of these 34, 28 GPs sent in files and six did not. Of the 28 GPs who sent in files, 25 entered data and 76% (22/29) considered the program easy to use. The program was used 7 days a week during the day and night. It raised participants' awareness of the educational value of everyday experiences and led to increased thought about learning. In 41% (45/111) of entries there was evidence that some action had been initiated by users as a result of learning. CONCLUSIONS: CELT was designed to encourage self-directed learning and help users make changes in practice following learning. The study has shown that it can be used to deliver individual continuing professional development. It encourages a disciplined approach to learning, promotes thought about learning needs and increases the ability of GPs to learn from everyday experiences. In some instances, users were able to apply what had been learned.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The HMMTOP transmembrane topology prediction server.

UNLABELLED: The HMMTOP transmembrane topology prediction server predicts both the localization of helical transmembrane segments and the topology of transmembrane proteins. Recently, several improvements have been introduced to the original method. Now, the user is allowed to submit additional information about segment localization to enhance the prediction power. This option improves the prediction accuracy as well as helps the interpretation of experimental results, i.e. in epitope insertion experiments. AVAILABILITY: HMMTOP 2.0 is freely available to non-commercial users at http://www.enzim.hu/hmmtop. Source code is also available upon request to academic users.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1995

Prudent expert systems with credentials: managing the expertise of decision support systems.

'Black box' expert systems (ES) are mistrusted by clinicians. Errors generated by medical ES are also a significant cause for concern. We report new ES properties--prudence and credentials--that improve error management and underpin a new approach for improving the credibility of ES for clinical users. Prudent ES modify their output according to past experience. For a knowledge base built from 1610 cases, feature exception prudence (FEP) detected all interpretation errors (100% sensitivity for error detection). Although the false positive rate for FEP was high (47%), the 100% sensitivity meant that the 53% of cases that did not produce flags could be exempted from human validation. As more cases are processed, fewer cases should need human validation. Feature recognition prudence (FRP), a property of ripple down rules (RDR), proposed the correct alternative conclusion in 14% of incorrectly interpreted cases. Human expert validation of the flagged cases enabled context-sensitive credentials (accuracy, incidence and specificity of a given conclusion) to accumulate. Credentials should enable the user to judge the credibility of the ES output. An error management strategy based on credentialed, prudent ES should reduce the impact of error in the clinical environment. The empowerment of clinicians to critically evaluate ES credibility may facilitate greater confidence in, and acceptance of, ES by clinicians.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMed2001

Psychological distress and quality of life in drug-using and non-drug-using HIV-infected women.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative research on women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has predominantly involved drug users. The present study assessed the psychosocial burden of HIV infection and identified some possible determinants in both drug-using and non-drug-using women. METHOD: Twenty-three hard-drug-using and 55 non-using HIV-positive women aged 18-64 years participated. Psychological distress (SCL-90, with eight scales and total score) and health-related quality of life (Rand SF-36, with eight scales and physical and psychosocial dimension) were measured. A cross-sectional comparison with reference groups (female general population, female psychiatric patients and HIV-positive homosexual men) was made. For analysis the t-test and multiple regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Compared to the general population, both HIV-positive groups had higher (i.e. unfavourable) SCL total scores (t = 8.33 and p < 0.001 and t = 4.97 and p < 0.001) and lower (i.e. unfavourable) Rand SF-36 scores (p < 0.001 on seven or more scales). Compared to psychiatric patients, drug users had similar (n.s.) and non-drug users had lower (t = -9.09 and p < 0.001) SCL scores. Both groups had lower SF-36 scores (p < 0.001 on seven or more scales). Compared to HIV-positive homosexuals, drug users had higher (t = 2.88 and p < 0.01) and non-drug users had similar SCL scores (n.s.). Psychosocial illness burden (SCL and Rand psychosocial dimension) was associated with low self-esteem, poverty, ethnic minority membership and illness stage (Rand only). Child care, drug use/prostitution and illness stage predicted high physical illness burden. CONCLUSION: Women with HIV/AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) experience considerable distress and poor quality of life, but drug users do more so than non-users. Drug- and gender-related lifestyles affect illness burden.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Transforming the patient experience in radiation therapy.

Healthcare providers are paying more attention to behavioral neuroscience research that confirms what patients intuitively know: physical environments deeply influence one's sense of well being. Recognizing the importance of comforting environments, healthcare providers have been working with architects to design new facilities around the patient's experience. This doesn't mean that functional and technical considerations are unimportant; it's just that the patient's experience comes first. The patient is the most important user of a healthcare facility, and yet is the only user not sitting at the table during design meetings. For this reason, some healthcare providers work with their architects to develop the conceptual design from the patient's standpoint before seeking detailed staff input. Many indignities experienced by patients may be unwittingly imposed by caring and dedicated professional staff. Medical clutter, waste containers, water coolers, coffee makers, personal displays and decorations add up to create a distressing level of visual chaos. Departments are required to eliminate clutter and maintain a calm, pleasing environment. Employees appreciate a well-designed physical environment, too. Facilities that reduce stress for patients have the same impact on staff, alleviating tension as they care for patients. Putting the patient's experience first need not add capital construction cost to a project. Rearranging spaces for the sake of the patient adds no more to floor area. Added windows, skylights and interior finishes can add cost, but the incremental cost of these amenities is small in proportion to the total project cost. Facilities project powerful visual dues about an institution's values. Providers who carefully plan for a positive patient experience traditionally enjoy strong reputations and exceptional customer loyalty. These providers know that good design is not simply wrapping a pretty facade around a building or decorating the lobby. Good design is the careful orchestration of uplifting and encouraging experiences for patients throughout their entire visit. For providers who achieve this, architecture becomes evidence that they put their patients first.

Architecture↗

PubMed1998

Striatal [125I]RTI-55 binding sites in cocaine-abusing humans.

1. Previous experiments in this laboratory found that striatal [3H]WIN 35428 binding was increased in post mortem specimens from human cocaine users (Little et al, 1993a). Although structurally similar, preliminary studies have suggested that [3H]WIN 35428 and the related cocaine congener [125I]RTI-55 differ in some respects pharmacologically. 2. The present experiments tested the hypothesis that striatal [125I]RTI-55 binding would be increased, as was [3H]WIN 35428 binding, in post mortem specimens from cocaine users compared to matched controls. 3. However, computer-generated parameters derived from saturation experiments found only trends toward increased Bmax and decreased affinity (increased KD) in the cocaine users. The magnitude of the increases were notably smaller than the statistically significant increases previously found in high affinity [3H]WIN 35428 binding in these same subjects. 4. Evidence from the present and earlier experiments suggests that cocaine exposure may induce conformational changes in the dopamine transporter.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Accelerated acquisition of high resolution triple-resonance spectra using non-uniform sampling and maximum entropy reconstruction.

Non-uniform sampling is shown to provide significant time savings in the acquisition of a suite of three-dimensional NMR experiments utilized for obtaining backbone assignments of H, N, C', CA, and CB nuclei in proteins : HNCO, HN(CA)CO, HNCA, HN(CO)CA, HNCACB, and HN(CO)CACB. Non-uniform sampling means that data were collected for only a subset of all incremented evolution periods, according to a user-specified sampling schedule. When the suite of six 3D experiments was acquired in a uniform fashion for an 11 kDa cytoplasmic domain of a membrane protein at 1.5 mM concentration, a total of 146 h was consumed. With non-uniform sampling, the same experiments were acquired in 32 h and, through subsequent maximum entropy reconstruction, yielded spectra of similar quality to those obtained by conventional Fourier transform of the uniformly acquired data. The experimental time saved with this methodology can significantly accelerate protein structure determination by NMR, particularly when combined with the use of automated assignment software, and enable the study of samples with poor stability at room temperature. Since it is also possible to use the time savings to acquire a greater numbers of scans to increase sensitivity while maintaining high resolution, this methodology will help extend the size limit of proteins accessible to NMR studies, and open the way to studies of samples that suffer from solubility problems.

Carbon Isotopes↗