Biomedical subjects

Dianne V Jewell

Publications and source records attributed to Dianne V Jewell.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

A method for predicting a student's risk for academic probation in a professional program in allied health.

Identification of students at risk for academic difficulty in a physical therapy program would provide opportunities to implement preemptive measures designed to enhance successful academic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine if a method advocated for use in evidence-based practice could be adapted for use in predicting probationary status for students in a program in allied health, specifically physical therapy. Preadmission combined math and science grade point average; cumulative grade point average (TGPA); verbal Graduate Record Examination score (VGRE), quantitative Graduate Record Examination score (QGRE), and analytic Graduate Record Examination score; and probation status were obtained for 305 students (mean age, 25.5 years; SD, 4.14) accepted into one physical therapy program from 1995 to 2000. Predictors of probation were identified using stepwise logistic regression. Likelihood ratios were calculated for three score intervals derived from receiver operating characteristic analysis. TGPA, VGRE, and QGRE were significant predictors in the regression model (p < 0.05). VGRE was the only variable that consistently showed predictive capability (likelihood ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-6.9). Quantitative preadmission data can be used in combination to improve the predictive power of estimates of probation risk. We contend that the analytic methods illustrated in this report could be used in academic programs to assist faculty with management of students who are at risk for academic difficulties.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Interventions that increase or decrease the likelihood of a meaningful improvement in physical health in patients with sciatica.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to determine whether physical therapy interventions predicted meaningful short-term improvement in physical health for patients diagnosed with sciatica. SUBJECTS: We examined data from 1,804 patients (age: mean=52.1 years, SD=15.6 years; 65.7% female, 34.3% male) who had been diagnosed with sciatica and who had completed an episode of outpatient physical therapy. METHODS: Principal components factor analysis was used to define intervention categories from specific treatments applied during the plan of care. A nested-model logistic regression analysis identified intervention categories that predicted meaningful improvement in physical health. Meaningful improvement was defined as a change of 14 or more points on the Physical Component Scale-12 (PCS-12) summary score. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent (n=473) of patients had a meaningful improvement in physical health. Improvement was more likely in patients receiving joint mobility interventions (odds ratio [OR]=2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.5-4.4) or general exercise (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.2-2.0). Patients who received spasm reduction interventions were less likely to improve (OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.60-0.98). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Physical therapists should emphasize the use of joint mobility interventions and exercise when treating patients with sciatica, whereas interventions for spasm reduction should be avoided.

Activities of Daily Living↗