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Biomedical subjects

R Cockerill

Publications and source records attributed to R Cockerill.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

A survey of workload measurement systems: the occupational therapy manager's perspective.

Interest in measuring workload for budget specific purposes has increased in recent years as health care managers are being forced to cope with the demands of cost containment and fiscal accountability. This paper reports on a survey of senior occupational therapy managers of Ontario facilities accredited by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). Respondents were surveyed on their experiences with, and attitudes toward, occupational therapy workload measurement systems and the ability of these systems to assist in management activities. The survey found that most departments were using the National Hospital Productivity Improvement Program (NHPIP) system. Seventy eight percent of managers indicated they were somewhat or very satisfied with the system, but 60% also indicated that it did not adequately meet all of their management needs. In terms of desirable features of a revised workload system, 87% of managers reported wanting a system based on diagnostic or case mix group recording. Client variables (91%), physical and psychosocial aspects of client care (89%) and therapist variables (85%) were also rated as important factors to address in developing new workload systems.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1993

Surviving the management game: workload measurement systems in a cost-conscious environment.

Using a procedure-based occupational therapy workload measurement system developed at, and applied by, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, this paper explores the objectives of such a system from the point of view of the occupational therapy manager. It also takes into account the synergistic relationship between the occupational therapist and the administrative/business aspect of health care, paying special attention to past and present trends in health-care accountability. In this paper it is argued that occupational therapy managers must relate their procedures and overhead costs to actual client care, if they are to be included in programme management and client costing. The process used by occupational therapy to describe its own procedures for the system is outlined. The system was then developed in conjunction with other institutional, financial and management tools for the client cost conversion process. By using a procedure based workload measurement system, occupational therapy is able to accurately describe client costing, thereby articulating our role in client care.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1992

Different systems, different costs? An examination of the comparability of workload measurement systems.

This study examines the equivalence of the hours of care estimates of four patient classification/workload measurement systems. Although the hours of care estimates of the systems were similar, differences between the estimates could be as great as 4.53 hours per day for the same patient. The researchers developed relational statements that made hours of care estimates equivalent for all systems studied. System differences can have a profound impact on nursing unit and department budgets, if not adjusted.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1991

Emotional stress and coping in multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations.

Ninety-five pairs of MS patients in exacerbation and remission were compared on emotional stress in the previous three months. Patients in exacerbation scored higher on emotional disturbance and intensity of stressful events than patients in remission, but lower on frequency of compensating uplifts. There was also a tendency for more patients in exacerbation than remission to favour emotion-focused coping techniques over problem-solving or social support. Whether patients building to an exacerbation over-react to various events or unresolved emotional stress precipitates exacerbations, MS patients might benefit from counselling in stress reduction techniques.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Risk factors by onset age in multiple sclerosis.

Some investigators have suggested that there are different forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) based on onset age, and that each has a different etiology. 173 Canadian MS patients were matched to controls on age, gender, race and risk zone prior to age 15. Data were collected on: age at onset, gender, initial symptom, disability level, residence history and family background. Three onset age subgroups (early, intermediate and late) were derived. Matched-pair logistic regression analysis indicated that rural residence, use of well water and an MS family history distinguished between patients and controls overall, but showed no significant interaction with onset age. A family history of diabetes distinguished between patients and controls with evidence of age interaction, in that this risk factor decreased in importance as onset age increased.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Regulation and hospital strategic planning in Canada.

Constraints on resources push hospitals into strategic planning. Although this process is accelerating in the United States, Canadian hospitals need to approach planning according to the provincial structure. This study included a literature and policy review as well as interviews of key stakeholders. Decisions toward centralized planning versus hospital-initiated development were found to depend on the availability of planning and policy staff, and the views of the elected representatives. Implications for Canadian health care planners were offered.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual partnering and risk of HIV/STD among Aboriginals.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the contribution of patterns of sexual partnering to the spread of HIV/STD infection between communities. METHODS: 651 randomly selected Aboriginals from 11 reserve communities in Ontario were interviewed. This analysis included those who had sex in the previous 12 months. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses identified associations with patterns of sexual partnering. RESULTS: 22% reported having partners from both within and outside the community, 51% from within only, and 27% from outside only. Those with partners from both within and outside were more likely to be male, unmarried, from a remote community, have more sexual partners and perceive that their behaviour placed them at higher risk of HIV/STD infection. They were least likely to perceive their community to be at risk from their behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that Aboriginal communities are not insulated and that HIV could spread rapidly if introduced.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring nursing workload for case costing.

It is important for nurse executives to understand the consequences of different methods of measuring nursing costs in determining total patient care costs. Nursing is the largest component of a case cost and the study reported in this article examined the impact of using different nursing workload measurement systems in developing case costs and how they relate to nurse executives. The considerable consequences of these findings for case costing are discussed.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗