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Biomedical subjects

D Lazovich

Publications and source records attributed to D Lazovich.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Knowledge and preference for breast conservation therapy among women without breast cancer.

We interviewed 419 adult women in Minnesota, who were selected at random and without a history of breast cancer, to ascertain what percentage could correctly report that cure was the same for breast conservation therapy and mastectomy, what percentage would state a preference for breast conservation therapy rather than mastectomy, and characteristics associated with these outcomes. Nearly all women (n = 360; 86%) had heard of both mastectomy and breast conservation therapy; among these women, 37% correctly reported that the two treatments were equally efficacious. Given a scenario where they were diagnosed with breast cancer amenable to either treatment, 58% of participants stated a preference for breast conservation therapy. Older women were less likely than younger women to know that cure was the same for breast conservation therapy and mastectomy (adjusted OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2, 1.0), and women residing in urban areas were more likely to prefer breast conservation therapy over mastectomy compared to rural residents (adjusted OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1. 3, 3.8). Comparing these findings to women diagnosed with breast cancer in Minnesota, breast conservation therapy was found to be performed less frequently than preference for such therapy among women in our study would suggest. Educating women prior to diagnosis about breast cancer treatment options, and exploring reasons for the gap between actual utilization of breast conservation therapy and prediagnosis preference, may be indicated.

Adult↗

Inhalable dust exposures, tasks, and use of ventilation in small woodworking shops: a pilot study.

Measures of workers' inhalable dust exposures, tasks, and ventilation use were made in five small woodworking shops prior to the start of an intervention effectiveness study aimed at lowering personal wood dust exposures. The data were used to (1) design a sampling protocol for an intervention success measure, (2) identify targets for intervention among the tasks and activities responsible for high dust levels, and (3) develop shop-level measures as tools for tailoring intervention activities. Geometric mean dust concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 9.9 mg/m3 in the five shops, with the highest levels occurring in a cabinet shop. All shops had centralized dust collection systems and workers generally used dust control on stationary tools (60-100% of the time) when it was available. Sanding with both stationary and handheld powered tools, cleaning with methods that can disperse dust (e.g., brushes, compressed air), and miscellaneous tasks were all responsible for significant personal exposures. The positive association between miscellaneous tasks and exposures probably reflects the high background levels generated by nearby processes. Sanding with both stationary tools and handheld powered tools represents the most significant influence on personal exposures in small woodworking shops. The authors conclude that pilot studies are useful tools for designing occupational health and safety intervention effectiveness studies.

Dust↗

Implementing a dietary intervention in primary care practice: a process evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Physicians acknowledge the need to advise their patients about dietary habits, but they may not have the training or tools to do this efficiently. In the context of a randomized trial, we investigated the feasibility of enlisting physicians to implement a dietary intervention in the primary care setting. METHODS: Physicians from 14 primary care practices were assigned via randomization to introduce a self-help booklet to promote dietary change at routine appointments. Delivery of the booklet was recorded by these intervention physicians at the clinic appointment; intervention participants were asked 3 months later in a telephone interview about whether they received and used the booklet. RESULTS: According to physician documentation, 95% of intervention participants who kept an appointment (n = 935) received the booklet; among participants completing a 3-month interview (n = 890), 96% reported the same. However, only about 50% of participants reported receiving the booklet from their physician; the remainder received the booklet from other clinic staff. Overall, 93% reported reading at least part of the booklet. Use of the booklet varied little whether it was delivered by a physician or staff person, but it was more likely to be read as time spent discussing the booklet increased. CONCLUSIONS: Physician cooperation and evidence of intervention effectiveness support the use of primary care for the delivery of interventions to change diet; training the entire health team and repeating dietary advice at subsequent visits may improve the success of such interventions.

Diet Surveys↗

Effect of health lifestyle pattern on dietary change.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of lifestyle on the effectiveness of a low-intensity dietary intervention. DESIGN: A secondary data analysis was performed using data from the Eating Patterns Study, a randomized controlled trial that found that self-help materials with physician advice was effective in changing dietary intake and behavior. SETTING: Primary care clinics in a large health maintenance organization. SUBJECTS: A total of 2111 patients with a routine scheduled appointment with their primary care physicians. MEASURES: Participants were grouped into one of six health lifestyle patterns based on similarities in baseline measures of alcohol intake, smoking, diet quality, and exercise. Within each lifestyle pattern, changes from baseline in usual fat and fiber intake (based on a food frequency) and a fat and fiber behavior score were compared at 3 months and 12 months for intervention vs. control participants. INTERVENTION: Self-help materials delivered by a physician with advice to change diet. RESULTS: Intervention participants in the fitness lifestyle group made the largest changes relative to controls for each dietary outcome at 3 and 12 months. For intervention participants defined by their alcohol intake or current smoking, either no changes in diet were observed compared with controls, or early changes were not sustained over time. Intervention-control comparisons within the remaining lifestyle patterns showed smaller dietary changes compared with the fitness lifestyle. This finding was similar to previously published results. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized controlled trial had limited power to detect subgroup differences; however, these results suggest that lifestyle patterns may be useful in the development of effective, targeted interventions to change behavior.

Data Collection↗

Impact of the Mammography Quality Standards Act on access in Minnesota.

OBJECTIVES: The Minnesota Department of Health surveyed registered mammography facilities to assess their accreditation status prior to full implementation of the Federal Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), which mandated accreditation of all mammography facilities by October 1994; to strategize on the steps that might be taken to avoid closure of facilities; and to evaluate the ultimate impact of the law on the availability of mammography in Minnesota. METHODS: Mammography facilities registered with the Radiation Control Section of the state health department were surveyed five months prior to and four months after the October 1994 deadline. Data collected included accreditation status, plans for continuing service, number of mammograms performed, and areas in which technical assistance was needed. In October 1995, the number and distribution of facilities were determined from the Radiation Control Section registration database. RESULTS: The pre-MQSA survey of 182 respondents found that 96% planned to continue mammography services but only 49% were accredited. The remaining 51% had applications in progress. In the post-MQSA survey, 70% of 182 facilities were found to be accredited, and 30% were operating under provisional certification. As of October 1995, although six facilities had closed, there was a net gain of four mammography facilities providing on-site service. CONCLUSIONS: Despite fears to the contrary, access to mammography in the state of Minnesota was not adversely affected by full implementation of the Mammography Quality Standards Act.

Accreditation↗