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Biomedical subjects

C Cronin

Publications and source records attributed to C Cronin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A comparison of whole-body MRI and CT for the staging of lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare whole-body MRI and CT for the staging of lymphoma. CONCLUSION: Whole-body MRI represents an alternative to CT in the staging of lymphoma, with an ability to stage disease, identify lymph nodes greater than 1.2 cm, and the additional ability to evaluate for the presence or absence of disease spread to bone marrow. CT allows detection of more nodes (< 1.2 cm) than MRI but this does not alter tumor stage.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effective delivery of neonatal stabilization education using videoconferencing in Manitoba.

We compared face-to-face and videoconference delivery of an education programme for health professionals on the subject of neonatal stabilization skills. A pre-test/post-test control group design was used to compare knowledge acquisition and satisfaction between the two modalities. There were no statistically significant differences between delivery modalities for knowledge acquisition. Both groups showed significant gains in knowledge when pre- and post-test scores were compared. Responses to most of the items in a survey of satisfaction with the course did not differ significantly between the two groups. Face-to-face participants expressed higher levels of comfort in interacting with the presenter, and those in the videoconference group were more willing to receive the course via videoconference in the future. Videoconferencing provided an effective and acceptable way of delivering neonatal stabilization skills.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

Videoconferencing can be used to assess neonatal resuscitation skills.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that an instructor in a remote site can accurately assess the practical skills of a provider performing a simulated neonatal resuscitation (megacode) using videoconferencing. METHODS: Using volunteer NRP providers and instructors, two local telemedicine sites were linked using six telephone lines. Camera angles, sound settings and equipment placement were optimized. Instructors tested providers at the other site. Instructors recorded their observations on checklists based on those of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), and all participants completed feedback forms and gave verbal feedback. Based on the results of the pilot study, the protocol and recording tools were developed, and providers at a rural centre were tested. Tests were carried out with local and remote instructors. Observations of local and remote instructors were collected independently, and compared. Opinions of providers were also collected. RESULTS: Observations of the local and remote instructors on the performances of the providers were consistent; 15 of 18 megacodes reached the required standard. Six telephone lines were required for transmission without noticeable delay in sound transmission. Viewing quality was sufficient for remote instructors to provide feedback on ventilation technique. Providers indicated that videoconferencing did not interfere with their performance and would willingly repeat the experience. Cronbach's alpha for assessment of the technical features was 0.80 or greater for all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Videoconferencing can be used to test resuscitation providers in remote centres. It can enhance neonatal resuscitation education in areas where experienced instructors are in short supply.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2001

How do nurses deal with their emotions on a burn unit? Hermeneutic inquiry.

Burn unit nurses work in an emotionally exhausting environment and are frequently exposed to emotional trauma. Emotion is a difficult concept to define. This study used a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach to establish the experiences of nurses working on a burn unit to find out how they deal with their emotions. The findings suggest that nurses have little or no time to deal with their emotional experiences. This study has shown that current support services might be ineffective. Nurses realize that they have emotions. They also recognize the need to address these emotions. Recommendations for nursing practice are made as a result of these findings.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Using the Internet to educate consumers about health care choices.

Employers are increasingly using the internet to distribute comparative information to employees, dependents and retirees as it is often more cost-effective and can be easily updated and customized to meet users' needs. Health Pages, a New York City-based consumer health information publisher, has been working with employers to distribute health education articles and comparative information nationwide. Working with employers such as General Motors, Boeing/McDonnell Douglas, US WEST and Southern California Edison, Health Pages has created customized websites providing a variety of benefit and comparative managed care plan/physician information via corporate intranets. To reach a broader audience, Health Pages also works with newspapers and magazines. Future activities in information dissemination will include aggregating performance information into simpler categories and allowing greater user interactivity.

Choice Behavior↗
PubMed1998

Endomysial antibody detection using human umbilical cord tissue as substrate: reactivity of cells in Wharton's jelly.

The measurement of immunoglobulin A (IgA) endomysial antibodies is now established as an important diagnostic test in gluten-sensitive disease. Monkey oesophagus is the commonly used tissue substrate, but it has been proposed that human umbilical cord tissue may be a suitable alternative for antibody detection. In this study, we report a modified method of examining endomysial antibody reactivity with cord tissue. This involves examination of antibody reactivity with cells in Wharton's jelly, and with umbilical cord blood vessel. A total of 370 patients being investigated for coeliac disease were studied and this diagnosis was established in 42. Endomysial antibodies were found in all 42 using umbilical cord tissue, and the test results were confirmed with monkey oesophagus substrate. In three of the remaining 328 non-coeliacs, a false-positive endomysial antibody test was noted and small intestine histology was normal in these patients. All positive sera were found to react with cells in Wharton's jelly, and reticular staining of blood vessels was also present. Examination for immunofluorescence in both Wharton's jelly and blood vessel components of cord tissue greatly simplified test interpretation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Microalbuminuria in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus relates to nocturnal systolic blood pressure.

PURPOSE: Microalbuminuria predicts early mortality in non-insulin-dependent-diabetes mellitus patients (NIDDM). Our objective in the present study was to compare and assess the relationship between 24-hour, day and nocturnal ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE) in microalbuminuric and normoalbuminuric NIDDM and in normal control subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the present cross-sectional study, 24 hour ambulatory BP (daytime BP and nocturnal BP) and HbA1c were compared in microalbuminuric (n = 10) and nonmicroalbuminuric NIDDM patients (n = 10) and in nondiabetic controls (n = 9). None of the patients were taking antihypertensive agents. RESULTS: In the microlbuminuric group, whereas 24 hour and daytime systolic BP differed significantly from control values (P < 0.025 and P < 0.05 respectively), there was no difference between diabetic groups. However, nocturnal systolic BP in the microalbuminuric group was significantly higher than in the normoalbuminuric diabetic patients (139 vs. 125) (P < 0.05) and a significant difference was also found between the NIDDM patients and the control group (139, 125 vs. 114) (P < 0.025). In multiple regression analysis, only nocturnal systolic BP showed a significant relationship with UAE (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the higher nocturnal systolic blood pressure seen in our microalbuminuric NIDDM patients may contribute to the increased morbidity in this group.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Reasons for drinking versus outcome expectancies in the prediction of college student drinking.

This study developed a Reasons for Drinking Scale (RFD) with three factorially derived subscales, Social Camaraderie, Mood Enhancement, and Tension Reduction, among a university student sample. These scales were then compared to a measure of alcohol expectancies, the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ), as predictors of several measures of alcohol use. The RFD accounted for more of the variance on all alcohol measures than the AEQ. Results are discussed in terms of reasons for drinking as a more direct assessment of cognitive motivations for drinking than outcome expectancies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Harm reduction for alcohol-use-related problems among college students.

Traditionally, the college Spring Break in the U.S. is used by a significant number of university students as an opportunity for excessive alcohol use. Thus, this fairly discreet time period lends itself to the introduction of a harm reduction intervention for problems related to alcohol use. During the week prior to the Spring Break, university students completed a diary for the eight days of the break (Saturday to Saturday). Students were asked to predict their alcohol consumption and the frequency and type of alcohol problems they would experience during the Spring Break. These same students were then asked to complete the diary one week after the Spring Break reporting their actual consumption and alcohol problems. A control group also completed the diary after Spring Break. Although consumption rates for beer, wine and liquor did not differ between groups, students who completed the diary before Spring Break reported a significantly lower frequency of alcohol problems for the eight day period. Results are discussed in terms of harm reduction strategies for high risk periods and targeting alcohol problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia: the Delfia Screening Test overestimates serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) levels measured by quantitative serum radioimmunoassay (RIA), including an extraction step, and by screening fluoroimmunoassay (FIA) on blood spots in preterm infants. METHODS: Subjects were 39 healthy infants born at less than 31 weeks' gestational age. Each infant had weekly blood sampling, and RIA and FIA were performed on each sample. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-seven samples were taken at 28 to 41 weeks' postconceptional age. Mean +/- SD 17-OHP measured by RIA was 11.4 +/- 11.1 nmol/L (0.4 +/- 0.4 micrograms/dL), and decreased over time. Mean +/- SD 17-OHP measured by FIA was 38.96 +/- 37.3 nmol/L, greater than 17-OHP (RIA). Log(delta FIA-RIA) was inversely related to postconceptional age (R2 = .39). CONCLUSION: Screening FIA of blood spots overestimates levels of 17-OHP in preterm infants and should not be used to determine the likelihood of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in this population. We have abandoned FIA screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia in infants weighing less than 1500 g.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1995

Religiosity, religious affiliation, and alcohol and drug use among American college students living in Germany.

The influence of religious values and religious affiliation on alcohol and drug use among American college students living in Germany is examined. Religious affiliation differentiates among Protestant, Catholic, and nonaffiliated groups for reported high school alcohol use but not for collegiate alcohol consumption. Groups defined by the importance of religious values differ on reported high school and college alcohol and drug use. Implications for prevention and future research are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Business coalitions on health: their activities and impact.

BACKGROUND: Business coalitions on health-generally nonprofit, community-based membership organizations primarily composed of local employers-attempt to manage the cost and quality of health care delivery. They are also active in other areas, including member education, data collection, and selective contracting. ISSUES: With reference to projects related to public accountability for hospital quality of care, coalitions have been involved in legislative support of state public databases, efforts to develop severity-adjusted information on hospital quality, group purchasing from selected hospitals based on cost and quality-an activity conducted in more than 20 locales, and consumer education. CONCLUSIONS: With health care reform, coalitions will need to shift from looking solely at individual physicians and hospitals to looking at them in the context of managed care. Balancing the tension between continuous quality improvement activities and public accountability will also be an important issue for coalitions. The future of coalitions after health care reform is uncertain, with scenarios ranging from their demise to their expansion as active purchasing coalitions or their assumption of new roles and activities. Whatever the future viability and focus of health care coalitions, they have effectively served as change agents in their communities.

Consumer Advocacy↗