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Effectiveness of lifestyle counseling by certified expert nurse of Japan for non-insulin-treated diabetic outpatients: a 1-year randomized controlled trial.

We examine whether one-to-one lifestyle counseling for non-insulin-treated diabetic outpatients by a Certified Expert Nurse (CEN) can improve patients' health outcomes. Participants were randomly assigned to a 1-year lifestyle intervention (n=67) or to a usual care group (n=67). Main outcome measures were changes from baseline in: HbA(1C) and score of health related quality of life scales (SF-36 and Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale). Cognitive/behavioral modification for 1 year and satisfaction in CEN counseling was also measured by self-produced items. We found no significant differences in HbA(1C), BMI, blood pressure, serum lipids, or health related quality of life over 1 year between the two groups. Patients in the intervention group, however, showed modest but more favorable modification of cognition (p=0.004) and behavior (p<0.001) than subjects in usual care group. The low attrition rate (9%), more frequent hospital visit (12+/-2 times versus 11+/-3 times; p=0.03) and high degree of satisfaction (95%) in the intervention group indicate feasibility of the monthly CEN counseling in the outpatient settings of Japanese hospitals. Future research should confirm the long-term effectiveness of the CEN counseling on clinical outcomes and the cost effectiveness of a possibly time-consuming intervention.

Aged↗

Cancer counseling by telephone help-line: the UCLA Psychosocial Cancer Counseling Line.

This paper describes the Psychosocial Cancer Counseling Line (PCCL) of the University of California at Los Angeles, a National Cancer Institute-supported communications project in which the feasibility of providing psychological support to cancer patients and their significant others by telephone has been explored. Staffed by a combination of professional and paraprofessional volunteer counselors, the PCCL provides (a) direct telephone counseling to cancer patients, their families, and their friends; (b) referrals, when necessary, to community resources relevant to the psychosocial needs of callers; and (c) telephone consultation and information to health professionals. Call-record data reveal that the service is used mainly by family and friends of patients (45 percent of callers) and by patients themselves (23 percent), who represent a wide range of cancer diagnoses. Demographically, the modal caller is a well-educated, white, non-Hispanic woman in her thirties. Among the many different psychosocial concerns presented by callers, the most frequently discussed issues are requests for referral to a support group, anxiety associated with the disease or its treatment, family problems engendered or exacerbated by illness, and difficulties in doctor-patient communications. On the basis of the PCCL experience, the author argues that a telephone counseling service can perform important functions within the broad spectrum of psychosocial services needed by cancer patients and their families. These functions include provision of information, needs assessment, linkage to health professionals, psychological interventions during intervals between in-person contacts, provision of continuing emotional support not available elsewhere, and outreach to psychologically underserved populations.

Adult↗

Factors associated with colon cancer screening: the role of patient factors and physician counseling.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of colon cancer screening is nationally low. The relative contribution of patient factors and physician counseling patterns to the low prevalence of screening is unclear. METHODS: We used multivariable analysis to examine the prevalence of colon cancer screening nationally and the reasons for this low prevalence using data from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally generalizable survey of US households. RESULTS: Among 11,427 respondents to the Cancer Control Supplement, 16% reported annual fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and 29% reported having undergone a sigmoidoscopy in the last 5 years or a colonoscopy in the last 10 years. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), healthcare access, and region of the country, Hispanics were less likely to undergo FOBT [OR 0.7 (95% CI 0.6-0.9)] and sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy [OR 0.8 (95% CI 0.7-0.9)] compared to Whites. Respondents with lower education levels were also less likely to undergo screening. These factors were not associated with being less adherent to physician recommendations for screening. Nevertheless, non-Whites and those less educated were less likely to receive counseling from their health provider about colon cancer screening. Among respondents who did not undergo FOBT, 64% were unaware they needed the test; only 2% cited pain and discomfort as a deterrent, but 94% were not counseled by their physician about the test. Among those who did not undergo sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, 72% were unaware that they needed the test and only 1% was deterred by pain and discomfort; 92% were not counseled by their physician. CONCLUSION: The low prevalence of screening for colorectal cancer appears to be due to lack of awareness and inadequate provider counseling rather than poor patient acceptance for screening. Systematic counseling about colorectal cancer screening will likely improve screening rates and reduce disparities by race/ethnicity and education.

Age Distribution↗

Does nutrition influence quality of life in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy?

PURPOSE: To investigate in cancer patients referred for radiotherapy (RT): (1) quality of life (QoL), nutritional status and nutrient intake, at the onset and at the end of RT; (2) whether individualised nutritional counselling, despite symptoms, was able to enhance nutrient intake over time and whether the latter influenced the patient's QoL; and (3) which symptoms may anticipate poorer QoL and/or reduced nutritional intake. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five patients with tumours of the head-neck/gastrointestinal tract (high-risk: HR), prostate, breast, lung, brain, gallbladder, uterus (low-risk: LR) were evaluated before and at the end of RT. Nutritional status was evaluated by Ottery's Subjective Global Assessment, nutritional intake by a 24-h recall food questionnaire and QoL by two instruments: EUROQOL and the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30. RESULTS: Baseline malnutrition was prevalent in HR vs. LR (P=0.02); nutritional intake was associated with nutritional status (P=0.007); the latter did not change significantly during RT. In LR, baseline energy intake was higher than EER (P=0.001), and higher than HR' intake (P=0.002); the latter increased (P<0.03), in spite of symptom increase anew and/or in severity (P=0.0001). According to both instruments, QoL was always better in LR vs. HR (P=0.01); at the end of RT, QoL improvement in HR was correlated with increased nutritional intake (P=0.001), both remained stable in LR. CONCLUSIONS: Individualised nutritional counselling accounting for nutritional status and clinical condition, was able to improve nutritional intake and patients' QoL, despite self-reported symptoms.

Adult↗

[Effect of the early intervention of oral habits on the development of dental occlusion].

BACKGROUND: Sucking habits are related to malocclusion. AIM: To evaluate the effect of a counseling interview about inhibiting this oral habit and, its influence on dental occlusion and labial-lingual posture. METHOD: 40 children (mean age = three years), with a sucking habit and anterior open bite, received counseling aiming for the interruption of this habit. Measurements of the open bite were made, as well as a myofunctional evaluation, prior to counseling and, three and six months after it. RESULTS: 26 children stopped with the habit of sucking, with 25 children presenting a reduction of the open bite. No change was observed in labial-lingual posture. CONCLUSION: The counseling interview favored the interruption of the oral habit and the correction of the open bite.

Bottle Feeding↗

A randomised controlled trial of three pragmatic approaches to initiate increased physical activity in sedentary patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but it is unclear what combination of feasible approaches, using existing resources in primary care, work best to initiate increased physical activity. AIM: To assess three approaches to initiate increased physical activity. DESIGN OF STUDY: Randomised controlled (2 X 2 X 2) factorial trial. SETTING: Four general practices. METHOD: One hundred and fifty-one sedentary patients with computer documented risk factors for cardiovascular disease were randomised to eight groups defined by three factors: prescription by general practitioners (GPs) for brisk exercise not requiring a leisure facility (for example, walking) 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week; counselling by practice nurses, based on psychological theory to modify intentions and perceived control of behaviour, and using behavioural implementation techniques (for example, contracting, 'rehearsal'); use of the Health Education Authority booklet 'Getting active, feeling fit'. RESULTS: Single interventions had modest effects. There was a trend from the least intensive interventions (control +/- booklet) to the more intensive interventions (prescription and counselling combined +/- booklet) for both increased physical activity and fitness (test for trend, P = 0.02 and P = 0.05, respectively). Only with the most intense intervention (prescription and counselling combined) were there significant increases in both physical activity and fitness from baseline (Godin score = 14.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.8 to 21, which was equivalent to three 15-minute sessions of brisk exercise and a 6-minute walking distance = 28.5 m, respectively, 95% CI = 11.1 to 45.8). Counselling only made a difference among those individuals with lower intention at baseline. CONCLUSION: Feasible interventions using available staff, which combine exercise prescription and counselling explicitly based on psychological theory, can probably initiate important increases in physical activity.

Analysis of Variance↗

What women believe about oral contraceptives and the effect of counseling.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate Canadian women' s knowledge of the risks, benefits and side effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) and the effect of counseling. STUDY DESIGN: Six-hundred and forty-nine Canadian women filling an OC prescription at Shopper's Drug Mart stores completed the survey. Respondents recorded whether or not they had discussed 12 separate issues about OC use with their healthcare provider. Optimal responses to multiple-choice questions were compared between those reporting counseling to those reporting no counseling, using Fisher's Exact Tests. Women were also questioned on what they were told about associated cancer risks. RESULTS: Eighty percent or more of the women selected the optimal response for the questions relating to dysmenorrhea, leg pain and co-medication. Less than half of survey respondents identified the optimal response for nausea, breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, acne, headaches and weight change. Counseling made a significant impact on selection of the optimal response for 7 of the 12 questions (p < 0.004, adjusted significance level). Fifty-two percent indicated that they did not know what they were told about the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer when on the pill. A significant proportion of women said they would phone their physician for relatively minor problems such as breakthrough bleeding (65%), breast tenderness (55%) and acne (54%). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge level of Canadian women on the pill regarding risks, benefits and side effects of the pill remains deficient in several key areas. Adequate counseling by healthcare providers can help women recognize the pill's positive health benefits, and may result in fewer unnecessary physician contacts and unwanted pregnancies.

Adolescent↗

Contraceptive counseling of diabetic women of reproductive age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of diabetes on provision of contraceptive counseling. METHODS: We compared counseling provided to diabetic and nondiabetic women on 40,304 visits made to U.S. ambulatory practices by nonpregnant women, 14-44 years of age, included in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 1997-2000. Logistic regression, adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, insurance status, and provider characteristics was used to estimate the relationship between provision of contraceptive counseling and diabetes. RESULTS: Visits made by diabetic women of reproductive age were significantly less likely to include contraceptive counseling than visits made by nondiabetic women of reproductive age (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-0.81). Visits made by diabetic women under 25 years of age were less likely to include contraceptive counseling than visits made by older diabetic women (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.54). Overall, only 4% of visits made by diabetic women documented contraceptive counseling. When family planning was the primary reason for a visit (OR 34.4, 95% CI 20.8-56.9) or women visited a gynecologist (OR 24.3, 95% CI 16.7-35.2), women were significantly more likely to receive contraceptive counseling. However, diabetic women made only 0.3% of all visits to gynecologists. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory physicians in the United States rarely provide contraceptive counseling to diabetic women. This may contribute to adverse birth outcomes for some diabetic mothers who conceive before optimal glucose control is obtained.

Adolescent↗

Do women change their drinking behaviors while trying to conceive? An opportunity for preconception counseling.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading cause of preventable mental retardation and developmental disabilities, including fetal alcohol syndrome. Current medical guidelines recommend that no alcohol should be consumed over the period of conception and throughout pregnancy. Although the majority of women reduce alcohol consumption when they realize they are pregnant, this recognition may not occur until well into the first trimester, potentially impacting embryonic development. OBJECTIVES: To describe and assess changes in patterns of women's alcohol use between the preconception, pre-pregnancy recognition and post-pregnancy recognition time periods. Secondly, to describe characteristics of women consuming any alcohol and those binge drinking during pre- and post-pregnancy recognition periods. METHODS: Computer assisted telephone interviews were conducted with 1042 women who had recently delivered a baby in urban Alberta, Canada. Differences in consumption patterns between time periods were analyzed using analysis of variance and Chi-square tests. Characteristics of those drinking both before and after pregnancy recognition were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Eighty percent of women reported alcohol consumption pre-conceptually, 50% pre-pregnancy recognition and 18% post-pregnancy recognition. Binge drinking was reported by 32%, 11% and 0% for preconception, pre-pregnancy recognition and post-pregnancy recognition periods, respectively. Alcohol consumption patterns (i.e., the mean number of drinks per drinking day and week) did not differ significantly between preconception and pre-pregnancy recognition periods but did significantly drop after pregnancy recognition (p<0.001). Alcohol use during the period of pre-pregnancy recognition was higher among those not planning a pregnancy, not using assisted reproductive technology, of higher income, without a history of miscarriage, who were Caucasian, and who used tobacco. Binge drinking was higher among women not planning a pregnancy, those who used tobacco, and those with low self-esteem. Women continuing to drink small amounts of alcohol after pregnancy recognition were more likely to be between the ages of 30-39 years, be Caucasian and use tobacco. CONCLUSION: Preconception and "well-women" counseling strategies would be improved by increasing the emphasis on the risks of alcohol use during periods when pregnancy can occur.

Adult↗

The role of counsellors in general practice. A qualitative study.

Counselling services in general practice are now widespread but little is known about their nature or role. We therefore carried out in-depth telephone interviews with a representative sample of 72 general practitioners and 60 of their counsellors who had participated in a previous national survey of counselling services in England and Wales. Our aim was to gain greater insight into the functioning of these services in order to determine the most appropriate focus for future research and development. Interviews were semi-structured and focused on service initiation and duration; counsellors' background and training; working arrangements including sources of funding; types of clients; communication between general practitioners and counsellors; perceived advantages and disadvantages to general practitioners, counsellors, and clients; goals, barriers, and proposed changes. Approximately two thirds of counsellors were employed by district health authorities and attached to practices. One third were employed by the practice with the financial assistance of family health services authorities. Practice-employed counsellors appeared a relatively new service innovation whose growth was facilitated by the general practitioner contract of 1991. Practice-employed counsellors were preferred to practice-attached staff in that general practitioners had greater control over the selection of counsellors and their working arrangements. Problems with interprofessional communication were noted in relation to counsellors' wishes to maintain patient confidentiality by not exchanging information about patients with general practitioners. Counsellors received referrals principally from general practitioners and occasionally from other primary health care staff. Self-referral by patients was rare. The problems for which patients were most commonly referred were: stress/anxiety, relationship problems, depression, and bereavement. The principal therapeutic styles were Rogerian counselling, behavioural therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. A quarter described their style as 'eclectic'. Individual, not group, therapy was the norm. Sessions were usually 50 minutes in duration. However, waiting list times, the frequency of sessions, and overall duration of therapy varied enormously. Overall 28% of counsellors held no formal qualification in counselling or in any of the psychotherapies. Counsellors and general practitioners were generally satisfied with the service and identified a wide range of benefits with few disadvantages. The principal problem was said to be that demand exceeded capacity and the principal change proposed was expansion of the service. The findings provide the most comprehensive account to date of the present state and likely future direction of counselling services in general practice and point to the need to: 1. Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of counselling in the management of common psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression 2. Establish a national policy for the training and accreditation of counsellors working in general practice settings 3. Educate general practitioners about the organization and role of counselling services with particular attention to interprofessional communication and the maintenance of patient confidentiality.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Sugar consumption pattern of 13-year-old school children in Belgaum city, Karnataka.

To determine the sugar consumption pattern of the school children in Belgaum city and to organize for a diet-counseling program. Easy availability of sugar containing food and high consumption of these sweets if continued unabated, the dental caries among children would become a major public health problem. In this instance, Dietary counseling can be just appropriate to inhibit the carious process. 342 school children aged 13 years, from four schools in Belgaum city participated in the study. The pattern of sugar consumption was assessed using a 4-day diet diary. Analysis was done according to the method described by Nizel and Papas (Nutrition in clinical dentistry, 1989, 277) and the variables were: the sweet score, At meal sugar exposure (AMSE), Between meal sugar exposure (BMSE) and Total sugar exposure (TSE). The mean, standard deviation and/or frequency were calculated for all variables. Student's t-test was used to statistically analyze the gender difference. The mean ± SD of the recorded variables were: sweet score 31 ± 12.78/day, AMSE 0.88 ± 0.33/day, BMSE 3.95 ± 0.87/day, and TSE 4.83 ± 0.96/day. No statistical significant gender difference with respect to the variables was observed. 'Tell Show And Do' Diet counseling session will perhaps have a greater impact as compared to the most common strategy of simply exhorting the children to eat less sugar.

Adolescent↗

[Effects of stepped counseling intervention on quality of life among newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients].

The purpose of this research was to understand how stepped counseling intervention affects quality of life in newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients. The study made use of quasi-experimental methodology that included a three-step interview process over 45 days. The theoretical framework supporting interviews with 32 newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients in northern Taiwan included a combination of rational-emotive therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, and health education. Participants were divided into an experimental and control group of equal size. Data collection also included responses to the WHOQOL-HIV instrument at the beginning and end of each interview session. Responses were analyzed with the SPSS software package. The results showed a 25-point difference between pre- and post-test scores in the experimental group (SD = 3.2) and a 6 point difference in the control group (SD = 4.3). The results indicate that stepped counseling techniques are effective in helping this patient population to adjust to the physical, emotional, social, and environmental stresses associated with their newly diagnosis. The researchers suggest that stepped counseling be used with all newly diagnosed HIV-positive Taiwanese patients in all hospitals and clinics to promote adaptive abilities and to control the further spread of HIV.

Adult↗

Genetic counselling: ethical mediation of eugenic futures?

This paper examines some proposals concerning the involvement of genetic counsellors in reproductive decisionmaking. This involvement represents the future situation as being shaped decisively by the "relevant" knowledge of powerful medical and other political interests. The paper deconstructs and reorders this proposed knowledge in order to make it problematic. The projected involvement of genetic counselling backed by claims of ethical expertise is rendered denaturalised and particular, opening a conceptual space for the emergence of other futures. An alternative future in which public communication, not private medical decisions, is given as the primary ethical focus.

Abortion, Eugenic↗

Can genetic counseling avoid the charge of eugenics?

The claim that x is a form of eugenics is frequently used as if it were a knockdown argument against x. Genetic counseling has tried to distance itself from eugenics by presenting itself as facilitating choice. Its success in this attempt has been challenged. The argument however is not a knockdown one and there is scope for some mediation between autonomy and public health goals in genetics.

Directive Counseling↗

Systematic counselling by general practitioners for promoting physical activity in elderly patients: a feasibility study.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS: To investigate how the daily physical activities of elderly patients can be enhanced by systematic counselling conducted by general practitioners (GPs). METHODS: In this feasibility study with pre-post design, 29 people (14 females, mean age 72.2 years, SD = 6.1) were enrolled during routine visits by two general practitioners. A baseline assessment of current physical activity based on the stages according to the Transtheoretical Model was followed by a counselling session. The target behaviour was defined by performance of 30 minutes of daily moderate-intensity activities that increase the breathing rate, on five days per week. At the 2-month follow-up, subjects were assessed for improvement in stage of physical activity since baseline. After the end of the intervention, participating GPs and patients were asked questions focusing on the feasibility, acceptance and usefulness of counselling. RESULTS: Interview results showed that the two GPs considered the counselling protocol easy to handle and useful for promoting physical activity. Counselling sessions were especially encouraging for the not sufficiently active people. Most of them would like to have additional counselling session. At baseline, 9 of 29 people were sufficiently active. After 2 months, this proportion was 21 of 29. The mean of the number of minutes of physical activity during the previous 4 weeks increased from 247 to 436 minutes (weekly). CONCLUSIONS: The programme was judged positively by the general practitioners and the participating elderly patients. Systematic counselling by general practitioners led to an increase in the physical activity behaviour. Therefore, a more rigorous randomised controlled trial with adequate followup is recommended.

Aged↗

"Do-it-yourself" dementia testing: issues regarding an Alzheimer's home screening test.

The Early Alert Alzheimer's Home Screening Test (AHST) is a variant of the Smell Identification Test (SIT) and the Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT), and recently became available for purchase by the general public. The validity and the practical utility of routine screening for individuals with asymptomatic cognitive impairment has not been established. There are considerable specific methodological concerns regarding the use of the AHST including the association of olfactory impairment with (a) age in the absence of cognitive impairment, (b) numerous acute and/or chronic medical conditions, and (c) lifestyle habits and social and/or demographic variables. General public misunderstanding of the difference between a screening and a diagnostic test, primary care physicians' frequent confusion about follow-up mechanisms for newly diagnosed patients with dementia, the possible lack of perceived counseling options for those self-diagnosed, and abuse of test findings create distinct possibilities for misuse of this test. The marketing of the AHST and its general use without appropriate public health educational safeguards is inappropriate and may be unethical.

Aged↗

A smoking-cessation program consisting of extensive counseling, pharmacotherapy, and office spirometry: results of a pilot project in a Veterans Administration Medical Center.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the 1-year outcomes of a Veterans Administration smoking-cessation program that demonstrates a standard of care comprising extensive counseling, pharmacotherapy, and office spirometry. DESIGN: Prospective one-group pretest-posttest, with an intervention of state-of-the-art practice in smoking cessation. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in a Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC). PATIENTS: Two hundred fifty-two veterans receiving health care at the VAMC. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome measured was the 1-year cessation rate of smokers. Demographic and clinical covariates also were collected. Of the 252 patients who enrolled in the program, 120 never quit smoking for even 1 day. Of the remaining 132 patients, 32 (24%) achieved long-term (1 yr) cessation. The number of visits to the clinic and the number of methods used during the attempt to quit were the only variables significantly associated with long-term smoking cessation (p<0.0001 for each). CONCLUSION: The availability of a standard-of-practice clinic for smoking cessation within a primary care clinic can help patients who have a desire to quit. A combination of intensive counseling, pharmacotherapy, and office spirometry helped patients in a Veterans Administration population to achieve long-term smoking cessation.

Adult↗

The primary care pediatrician's influence on medical student's performance of smoking assessments and counseling.

BACKGROUND: American medical schools lack significant educational programs for teaching medical students about counseling parents and children on smoking prevention and cessation. Thus, the objectives of this study were to describe medical student's self-reported behaviors in the assessment of parents and children's use of tobacco and to compare these practices with well-accepted pediatric activities: injury prevention and developmental assessment. METHODS: Third year medical students in a pediatric clerkship at Boston University, all of whom spend part of their clerkship with pediatricians in their offices, completed six weekly surveys (2001-2002) recording their clinical activities in counseling parents and children about smoking, injury prevention, and performing developmental assessments. RESULTS: Of the 150 third year students completing the pediatric orientation, 108 (72%) completed all six feedback surveys and the general cancer prevention survey. Of the 108 students, 77% completed smoking assessments with at least one family per week during their 6-week clerkship compared with performance of injury prevention (85%, P = 0.09) and developmental assessment (91%, P = 0.006). Among all smoking cessation and prevention recommendations, students were most likely to discourage parents from smoking in the house and least likely to offer tips for parents to counsel their children about smoking. All variables related to primary care pediatricians' role modeling and feedback for optimal tobacco counseling practices were significantly associated with student counseling practice. CONCLUSIONS: Third year medical students were less likely to complete smoking assessments than those for developmental assessment and injury prevention counseling. However, primary care pediatricians' strong expectations and modeling of smoking counseling were uniformly associated with improved self-perceived student performance. Future educational activities should engage the primary care pediatrician preceptors of students completing pediatric rotations.

Adult↗