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Biomedical subjects

H Benson

Publications and source records attributed to H Benson.

115 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Using a key function approach to performance improvement: a case study.

Assisting organizations with performance improvement planning is among the most important, challenging, and potentially rewarding responsibilities of the quality management professional. NorthCrest Medical Center, a 100-bed not-for-profit community hospital, developed a long-term vision for quality which was then supported through a unique model of performance improvement based on important functions. The resulting key function framework has helped the organization prepare for two successful Joint Commission surveys, relocate to a new facility, and survive in today's rapidly changing environment.

Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299↗

Anxiety is a good indicator for somatic symptom reduction through behavioral medicine intervention in a mind/body medicine clinic.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effect of anxiety on symptom reduction through a behavioral medicine intervention in a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic. METHOD: Participants were 1,312 outpatients attending a 10-week behavioral medicine intervention which included training in the relaxation response, cognitive restructuring, exercise and nutrition. All of the patients had physical symptoms and were referred to the clinic by their physician. The Medical Symptom Checklist (12 major symptoms), Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90R), Stress Perception Scale and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile were administered before and after the program. RESULTS: Of the sample, 1,012 patients completed the program, and 911 completed the posttreatment assessment. Self-reported frequency of medical symptoms, degree of discomfort and interference with daily activities were significantly reduced as a result of the program. Anxiety and other psychological distress as measured by the SCL-90R and stress perception scales also showed significant reductions. Furthermore, health-promoting lifestyle functioning significantly improved. High levels of pretreatment anxiety predicted a decrease in the total number of medical symptoms endorsed. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral medicine interventions are effective in reducing medical symptoms coinciding with improvement in anxiety. High anxiety at program entry may predict better outcome.

Adult↗

How much stress is too much?

"There is no question that a certain amount of stress is good," says one of the chief executives quoted in this article. "If I have a particularly easy week, I can feel an ache or pain, but if I get really busy, I feel really much better." But when managers feel themselves under too much stress, the executive adds pessimistically, then "not only will they burn out in time, but they get erratic and their judgment goes all to hell." These insights reflect one of the authors' main themes: medical research finds stress productive up to a point (which of course varies with the manager), but beyond that point it can be disastrous. The trouble in corporate life seems to be that leaders appreciate the first part of the relationship but not the second. As a consequence, both individiuals and organizations suffer--and suffer greatly. This penalty is unnecessary, the authors believe, because a newly tested, proved, and relatively simple approach to managing stress is available to any corporation that wants to use it.

Administrative Personnel↗