Biomedical subjects

Joshua Fogel

Publications and source records attributed to Joshua Fogel.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Beliefs and attitudes associated with the intention to not accept the diagnosis of depression among young adults.

PURPOSE: Negative attitudes and beliefs about depression treatment may prevent many young adults from accepting a diagnosis and treatment for depression. We undertook a study to determine the association between depressive symptom severity, beliefs about and attitudes toward treatment, subjective social norms, and past behavior on the intent not to accept a physician's diagnosis of depression. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 10,962 persons aged 16 to 29 years who participated and had positive screening results on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) score in an Internet-based public health depression screening program. Participants reported whether they would accept their physician's diagnosis of depression. Based on the theory of reasoned action, we developed a multivariate model of the factors that predict intent not to accept a diagnosis of depression. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of the participants stated their intent not to accept their physician's diagnosis of depression. Disagreeing that medications are effective in treating depression (strongly disagree, odds ratio ( OR ) = 6.5, 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.6-9.3), that there is a biological cause for depression (strongly disagree, OR = 1.9, 95% CI, 1.3-2.7), and agreeing that you would be embarrassed if your friends knew you had depression were associated with the intent not to accept a diagnosis of depression (strongly agree, OR = 2.3, 95% CI, 1.8-2.9). Beliefs and attitudes, subjective social norms, and past behavior explained most of the variance in this model (84%). CONCLUSIONS: Negative beliefs and attitudes, subjective social norms, and lack of past helpful treatment experiences are associated with the intent to not accept the diagnosis of depression and may contribute to low rates of treatment among young adults.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Use of the Internet by women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recently, many cancer patients have been using the Internet for information with which to make informed choices. We are not aware of any studies that investigate this Internet use among breast cancer patients or women. OBJECTIVE: We investigate the prevalence and predictors of Internet use for medical information among women with breast cancer. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional design and approached 251 women with breast cancer being treated at a university-based hospital. We successfully interviewed 188 (74.9%), through mailed self-report questionnaires. Medical information was obtained from the hospital tumor registry. We used t tests and chi-square tests to assess differences in Internet use for breast health issues and binary logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for predictors of Internet use for breast health issues. RESULTS: In our sample, 41.5% of patients used the Internet for medical information. Internet users differed from nonusers on income level, educational level, and by race/ethnicity. After controlling for the other predictors, Internet users had a higher income (OR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.09-8.85) and tended to be more educated (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 0.87-7.74) than nonusers. There was also a suggestion that those of nonwhite ethnicity were less likely to use the Internet (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.14-1.11). Increasing age, length of time since diagnosis, and breast cancer stage had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of breast cancer patients used the Internet as a source of information. Patients with higher income or education, and patients of white race/ethnicity are more likely to use the Internet for breast health issues.

Attitude to Computers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Support networks used by African American breast cancer support group participants.

Informal and formal support networks are used by women to cope with the physical and psychological consequences of breast cancer. This study explored the support networks used by 43 southeastern United States African American women who participated in African American breast cancer support groups. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. African American women were found to rely more on God for support than either family or friends. Health care professionals and Internet use was reported less often as a source of support among these women. We conclude that support group use does not decrease African American women's strong reliance on God as a source of support.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

African American women with breast cancer and their spouses' perception of care received from physicians.

Several studies have been conducted which have examined the communication patterns and interpersonal relationships among minority patients and their physicians. These studies suggest that there are differences in the care received from physicians based on the racial and cultural background of the patient. However, little is known about the interpersonal relationships and communication patterns of AA couples coping with a breast cancer diagnosis and their physicians. This report presents the outcomes of a qualitative study undertaken to examine the perceptions of breast cancer care rendered by physicians to African American couples. The AA couples involved in the study reported that the care they received was compassionate, competent, comprehensive and comparable to other women. Each of these qualities was identified by as being essential to quality patient care.

Adaptation, Psychological↗