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Biomedical subjects

A A Sorensen

Publications and source records attributed to A A Sorensen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Do HMOs reduce hospitalization of terminal cancer patients?

The ability of health maintenance organizations to contain the costs of their members' health care, largely through reduced hospitalization, has been documented. There are, however, no studies to investigate whether HMOs realize cost savings specifically for their terminally ill members. In this study, we examined hospital utilization and costs in a matched-pair comparison of HMO members and nonmembers under the age of 65 in Monroe County, New York, who died of cancer during 1976-1982. We found that the HMO members used somewhat fewer hospital days and had lower hospital costs than nonmembers, but the differences were not statistically significant. We also found significantly greater variance in the costs of care for nonmembers than for HMO members.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1982

Demographic characteristics and prior utilization experience of HMO disenrollees compared with total membership.

In the 2 months immediately after a premium rate increase, the Genesee Valley Group Health Association (Group Health) lost over 600 subscriber contracts. A survey was conducted to determine the reasons for disenrollment and compare the demographic and utilization characteristics of disenrollees with those of all members during the previous calendar year. The disenrollees were members of smaller families and were concentrated in a younger adult age group (15 to 35 years). The disenrollee ambulatory utilization rate was 14.5 per cent lower than for all members and their inpatient utilization (days/1,000) rate was 35 per cent lower. While maternity/nursery days were higher for disenrollees, medical/surgical days were 56 per cent lower. Age-adjusted medical/surgical days were 63.9 per cent lower. Although there was concern about possible adverse effects of a rate increase, the 1980 group Health inpatient utilization rates were virtually the same as for 1979, the year before the rate increase studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Survey findings of health education in Health Maintenance Organizations.

A questionnaire was mailed to all HMOs which were either federally qualified or applying for federal qualification, as of May 1978. The survey, which attained a 77% response rate, collected information on the frequency, providers, methods and health problem areas of health education programs in HMOs as well as other health education information. Survey findings show that certain program areas such as nutrition education and weight reduction programs have received greater emphasis than other patient education areas. Certain organizational factors are shown to be useful in describing differences in plans' commitments to health educations. Recommendations are made for further research to identify clearer relationships between health education and other HMO characteristics. HMOs are recommended to assess the health education needs of their memberships and to educate staff regarding their own health risks, health education skills and member expectations and rights.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1980

The labial gland system of larvae of the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Ultrastructure and enzyme analysis.

The authors describe the ultrastructure of the labial gland system in imported fire ant larvae, Solenopsis invicta Buren and present an enzyme analysis of enzymes in labial-gland secretions and midgut contents. The tubes of the labial gland produce and secrete a proteinaceous substance rich in digestive enzymes. The narrow cells of the reservoir of the gland have little or no secretory function but the lumen stores the proteinaceous secretion. The labial-gland enzymes include proteases and amylases, which function in extraintestinal digestion of solid food placed on the anteroventral body region of 4th-instar larvae by adult workers. The midgut contains proteases, amylases, and lipases. Lipids appear to be predigested by the workers before being fed to the larvae.

Amylases↗
PubMed1979

Appropriateness of vitamin and mineral prescription orders for residents of health related facilities.

A study was made of the medical charts of 433 elderly patients admitted to four Health Related Facilities in upper New York State, to determine whether the respective prescription orders for vitamins and minerals were appropriate to the given diagnoses and, if not, identify the variables correlated with inappropriateness. For 11.1 percent of the patients, vitamins or minerals were prescribed when there was no specific diagnostic indication, or they were not prescribed when the medical diagnosis indicated that they should have been. Women and medicaid patients were more likely than men and self-paying patients to be treated inappropriately with respect to vitamins and minerals, but the differences were not satistically significant.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

The tides of rural physicians: the ebb and flow, or why physicians move out of and into small communities.

To determine the characteristics of physicians who move into and out of rural areas, as well as their reasons for establishing or leaving such practices, we sent questionnaires to 67 physicians who began practice in selected rural counties in upstate New York and 88 physicians who left practices in roughly the same area. From the 52 physicians (77.6 per cent) who responded to the former survey we found that 1) good professional support is mandatory for maintaining a satisfying small community practice, 2) a predisposition to small community living is essential for physicians to be recruited for rural practice, and 3) there are substantial differences with respect to demographic characteristics among persons who share similar reasons for practicing medicine in this region. For the 68 physicians (72.0) per cent ) who responded to the latter survey, the reasons for leaving could be grouped in the following categories: economic, social, and professional logistic. Although all of these factors contribute to the decision to leave, physician geographical mobility seems to stem chiefly from an unsatisfactory professional situation. These findings suggest several strategies for improving the situations in which rural physicians practice, and thus altering the massive imbalance in physician:patient ratios in urban and rural areas.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗