Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “knowledge”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Psychosocial factors associated with knowledge about affective disorders in patients with depression.

BACKGROUND: Increasing importance is attributed to the knowledge that patients have concerning their illness. For psychiatric disorders, imparting information about the illness has become a standard part of treatment. Despite the great clinical relevance of knowledge about depression, only few empirical studies on this subject have been carried out. This study aimed to identify psychosocial factors associated with greater or lesser knowledge about affective disorders. METHODS: Sixty-one in-patients with depression were recruited and tested with the Knowledge about Depression and Mania Inventory. RESULTS: Almost all patients sought specific information about their disorder prior to admission to hospital. There were large differences in patients' knowledge about the disorder and their choice of information source. Older and less educated patients had less knowledge about affective disorders. Patients with less illness knowledge also have a less favourable illness concept, poorer interpersonal relationships and more passive coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that knowledge about affective disorders is a central illness characteristic that has numerous implications for the ability to cope with the disorder, as well as for psychotherapeutic management. The results contribute to a clarification of the relationship between psychoeducation and psychotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perceived and actual knowledge of diet by individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

A study was conducted to investigate both the perceived and actual knowledge of diet by 101 individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). A survey instrument was developed containing three sections: perceptions of diet knowledge, demonstrated knowledge of diet, and demographic information. Perceived and actual knowledge of diet in the study group were compared with the following variables: years of education, types of diabetes regimen, participation in care, recency of dietary instruction, understanding of diet, and levels of self blood glucose monitoring (SBGM). Analysis indicated significant differences for knowledge and levels of education, perceptions and knowledge and recency of instruction, perceptions and knowledge and understanding of diet, and perceptions and self blood glucose monitoring. A positive linear relationship was noted between perceptions and actual knowledge of the diabetic diet.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The validation of a test to measure knowledge about the fat content of food products.

The objective of the study was to develop and validate a 21-item nutrition knowledge test to measure people's knowledge of the fat content of food-products. After pretesting and provisional development, the test was administered twice to study test-retest reliability. Furthermore, various sub-populations with expected differences in nutrition knowledge completed the test in order to study the construct validity of the questionnaire. The subpopulations consisted of lay-people (N = 81), students of human nutrition and dietetics (N = 108), and professional experts (N = 79) on human nutrition. The internal consistency and uni-dimensionality of the test were determined by calculating the KR-20 statistic and the log-likelihood ratio statistic for the Rasch model. Pearson's correlation and gross misclassification between T1 and T2 were calculated to assess the test-retest reliability. Analysis of variance was used to test for differences in mean knowledge scores between subpopulations. Test-retest reliability was found to be sufficient (R = .85). The internal consistency was moderate (KR20 = .68). According to the Rasch model, two items had to be removed from the test before the log-likelihood ratio statistic of the Rasch model indicated that knowledge about the fat content of food products as assessed by the questionnaire is a uni-dimensional construct. The differences in mean knowledge scores between the subpopulations were significant (p < .01) and in the expected direction (experts > students > lay people). It can be concluded that the test is a reliable and valid instrument to measure knowledge about total fat content in food products and that the Rasch model is a comprehensive method to indicate the reliability of nutritional knowledge tests.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

What factors influence provider knowledge of a congestive heart failure guideline in a national health care system?

Provider knowledge is a potential barrier to adherence to clinical guidelines. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of organizational, provider, and guideline factors on provider knowledge of a congestive heart failure (CHF) clinical practice guideline (CPG) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care system. We developed a survey to investigate institution-level factors influencing the effectiveness of guideline implementation, including characteristics of the guideline, providers, hospital culture and structure, and regional network. Survey participants were quality managers, primary care administrators, and other individuals involved in primary care CPG implementation at 143 VHA hospitals with ambulatory care clinics. Potential explanatory variables were grouped into 11 factors. Multivariate regression models assessed the association between these factors and reported levels of provider knowledge regarding the CHF guideline at the hospital level. Two hundred forty surveys from 126 of 143 (88%) VHA hospitals were returned. Provider knowledge of the CHF guideline was estimated as "great" or "very great" by 58% of respondents. Three predictor factors (dissemination approaches, use of technology in guideline implementation, and hospital culture) were independently associated (P < or = .05) with provider knowledge. Specific variables within these categories that were related to greater knowledge included physician belief that guidelines were applicable to their practice, distribution of guideline summaries, use of guideline storyboards in clinic areas, the use of technology (eg, electronic patient records) in CPG implementation, and establishment of implementation checkpoints and deadlines. Provider knowledge of guidelines is affected by factors at various organizational levels: dissemination approaches, use of technology, and hospital culture. Guideline implementation efforts that target multiple organizational levels may increase provider knowledge.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed2006

Local knowledge in community-based approaches to medicinal plant conservation: lessons from India.

BACKGROUND: Community-based approaches to conservation of natural resources, in particular medicinal plants, have attracted attention of governments, non governmental organizations and international funding agencies. This paper highlights the community-based approaches used by an Indian NGO, the Rural Communes Medicinal Plant Conservation Centre (RCMPCC). The RCMPCC recognized and legitimized the role of local medicinal knowledge along with other knowledge systems to a wider audience, i.e. higher levels of government. METHODS: Besides a review of relevant literature, the research used a variety of qualitative techniques, such as semi-structured, in-depth interviews and participant observations in one of the project sites of RCMPCC. RESULTS: The review of local medicinal plant knowledge systems reveals that even though medicinal plants and associated knowledge systems (particularly local knowledge) are gaining wider recognition at the global level, the efforts to recognize and promote the un-codified folk systems of medicinal knowledge are still inadequate. In country like India, such neglect is evident through the lack of legal recognition and supporting policies. On the other hand, community-based approaches like local healers' workshops or village biologist programs implemented by RCMPCC are useful in combining both local (folk and codified) and formal systems of medicine. CONCLUSION: Despite the high reliance on the local medicinal knowledge systems for health needs in India, the formal policies and national support structures are inadequate for traditional systems of medicine and almost absent for folk medicine. On the other hand, NGOs like the RCMPCC have demonstrated that community-based and local approaches such as local healer's workshops and village biologist program can synergistically forge linkages between local knowledge with the formal sciences (in this case botany and ecology) and generate positive impacts at various levels.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of an educational intervention on oncology nurses' attitude, perceived knowledge, and self-reported application of complementary therapies.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of an educational program on oncology nurses' attitude, perceived knowledge, and self-reported application of 10 complementary therapies (art, exercise, humor, imagery, journaling, massage, music, relaxation, spirituality, and touch). DESIGN: Quasi-experimental with a pre- and post-test design. SETTING: A large tertiary care medical center in the midwestern United States. SAMPLE: A convenience sample consisting of 44 RNs working on two hematology and oncology patient care units. Eleven nurses comprised the educational intervention group, and 14 nurses on the same unit served as one control group. A second control group was comprised of 19 nurses from a different unit. METHODS: The study approach consisted of the assessment of all participants' initial attitude toward, knowledge of, and application of complementary therapies. A researcher-developed questionnaire was completed before and at three and six months after the educational intervention. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Nurses' attitudes toward, knowledge of, and use of complementary therapies. FINDINGS: Nurses value complementary therapies but lack the knowledge regarding their application. In addition, a gap exists between self-reported knowledge and the actual application of therapies. An eight-hour educational intervention was useful in enhancing knowledge and, to some degree, increasing application of some of the therapies. According to participants, lack of time was the main deterrent impeding use of complementary therapies in their nursing practice. CONCLUSIONS: Education can affect the knowledge and integration of complementary therapies in nursing practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Further research is needed to evaluate outcomes and determine educational approaches that will produce positive changes in nurses' attitudes toward, knowledge of, and application of complementary therapies.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Oncology nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences regarding advance directives.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine oncology nurses' knowledge of, attitudes toward, and experiences with advance directives (ADs). DESIGN: Descriptive, correlation survey. SAMPLE: Usable responses from 794 (21% return) of 3,840 randomly selected members of the Oncology Nursing Society. The typical respondent was female, Caucasian, married or living as married, middle-aged, and Christian. METHODS: A mailed survey using the Knowledge, Attitudinal, and Experiential Survey on Advance Directives instrument. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Knowledge, attitudes, experiences, confidence, and ADs. FINDINGS: Overall, oncology nurses were most knowledgeable about ADs in general (70% correct) and less knowledgeable about the Patient Self-Determination Act (51% correct) and their state laws (53% correct). The mean total knowledge score based on the three subscales was 17.4 out of a possible 30, or 58% correct. The nurses' experience with ADs was measured using a five-item subscale with a mean score of 4 (SD = 1.11). They were less confident in their ability to assist patients with completing ADs. Respondent attitudes reflected an advocacy role in end-of-life decisions. Attitude items were reviewed individually. Respondents strongly agreed (97%) with the statement that patients should receive sufficient medication to relieve pain even though it may hasten death, which reflects the emphasis in oncology on adequate pain management at the end of life. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses' knowledge scores were low. Nurses in the study were not highly confident in their ability to assist patients with ADs. Demographic variables generally did not influence knowledge, confidence, or experience scores. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: More education related to ADs is needed and could be administered through in-service classes or continuing education. Nurses' responses indicated that they need more time to assist patients with completing ADs. This is difficult in the current practice environment but must be recognized as critically important.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Women's knowledge about the physical and emotional changes associated with menopause.

In 1992, a survey was undertaken to study women's knowledge of the physical and emotional changes associated with menopause. Two groups of midlife women: a random sample (n = 381) and a sample of women who attended menopause seminars (n = 95) were asked to select from a list of 39 changes those they thought were directly caused by menopause. Information from readily available books written for a general audience was used to construct the marking guide for a "commonly available knowledge" score. A template for a "biomedical" knowledge score based on an estrogen deficiency perspective of menopause was derived from recently published academic medical literature. The mean score for the commonly available knowledge items was 27 out of 39 (69.2% correct). The mean biomedical knowledge score was lower, 19.3 out of 35 (55.1% correct). While the two groups of women were significantly different in terms of current and past hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use, we found no differences between them in the mean commonly available knowledge or biomedical knowledge scores. This finding challenges the widely held assumption that active information-seekers are more interested and have a better level of knowledge than the general population. The findings also suggest that women are less likely to accept a biomedical model of menopause and that they are using HRT for a multiplicity of reasons, not just those related to estrogen deficiency.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge of oral cancer risk factors and diagnostic concepts among North Carolina dentists. Implications for diagnosis and referral.

BACKGROUND: Dentists play a critical role in the early detection of oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC). The authors administered a survey that assessed the level of knowledge among dentists regarding risk factors and diagnostic concepts. METHODS: In 2002, the authors mailed a 38-item, pretested survey to a random sample of 1,115 licensed dentists practicing in North Carolina. Three-level (low, medium, high) composite index scores for knowledge of risk factors and diagnostic concepts were created using previously developed scales. The authors formulated multivariable models for risk factor and diagnostic knowledge indexes. RESULTS: Of the 584 respondents, only 181 (31 percent) had consistent medium-to-high levels of knowledge on both highly correlated indexes. Dentists who had higher risk factor and diagnostic knowledge scores were significantly (P < .05) more likely to have heard of one or more diagnostic aids (odds ratio [OR], 2.7), to have graduated from dental school within the previous 20 years (OR, 1.8) and to have performed biopsies or referred five or more patients with suspicious lesions per year (OR, 1.7 and 1.5, respectively) than were less-knowledgeable respondents. CONCLUSIONS: More education is needed in dental schools, postgraduate programs and continuing education programs to enhance dental professionals' knowledge of OPC risk factors and diagnostic concepts. Such programs should include information about adjunctive diagnostic aids. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Greater knowledge of risk factors and diagnostic concepts may result in more frequent patient referrals, biopsy procedures or both, thus aiding in the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with OPC.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

Perceptual knowledge retrieval activates sensory brain regions.

Although knowledge indexes our experiences of the world, the neural basis of this relationship remains to be determined. Previous neuroimaging research, especially involving knowledge biased to visual and functional information, suggests that semantic representations depend on modality-specific brain mechanisms. However, it is unclear whether sensory cortical regions, in general, support retrieval of perceptual knowledge. Using neuroimaging methods, we show that semantic decisions that index tactile, gustatory, auditory, and visual knowledge specifically activate brain regions associated with encoding these sensory experiences. Retrieval of tactile knowledge was specifically associated with increased activation in somatosensory, motor, and premotor cortical regions. In contrast, decisions involving flavor knowledge increased activation in an orbitofrontal region previously implicated in processing semantic comparisons among edible items. Perceptual knowledge retrieval that references visual and auditory experiences was associated with increased activity in distinct temporal brain regions involved in the respective sensory processing. These results indicate that retrieval of perceptual knowledge relies on brain regions used to mediate sensory experiences with the referenced objects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Gendering local knowledge: medicinal plant use and primary health care in the Amazon.

Local knowledge is becoming increasingly important in primary health care projects. However, these projects often incorporate local knowledge in an uncritical manner. One area where this is apparent is in the lack of attention paid to the gendered nature of local knowledge. I use one example, women's knowledge and use of medicinal plants in a low-income community in the Brazilian Amazon, to illustrate the links among authority, knowledge, and gender. In this article I argue that policy makers must pay attention to the relationships among authority, gender, and local knowledge and examine how the use of local knowledge in development strategies can affect existing (gendered) power relationships. Women's roles as managers of household health (which includes medicinal plant use) are a source of authority for them. Because of that, the way in which local knowledge is incorporated into primary health care programs can have a significant impact on women's authority.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Neural tube defects: knowledge and preconceptional prevention practices in minority young women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess 1) knowledge of neural tube defect (NTD) prevention by folic acid, 2) frequency of intake of multivitamins and folate- and folic acid-fortified food, and 3) factors associated with knowledge and prevention practices among sexually active minority adolescent and young adult women. METHODS: Young minority women were enrolled in a folic acid program at 3 urban Houston, Texas, reproductive health clinics and assessed for NTD knowledge and preventive practices. A 3-month supply of multivitamins was also dispensed at enrollment. A 3-month program follow-up survey of a randomly selected sample at 2 sites was conducted. RESULTS: Of 387 women (mean age: 18 +/- 1.9 years), 72% were black and 28% were Hispanic. At enrollment, clinics were a major source of information of NTD prevention (44%); 52% had heard of folic acid, 45% had heard of NTDs, and 50% had heard of birth defects prevention by multivitamins. Significantly more Hispanic than black young women had heard of NTDs (59% vs 39%). Pregnancy history, regular birth control use, and education level for age were independently associated with knowledge. In young women with low education level for age, regular birth control use was significantly associated with knowledge. At enrollment, daily multivitamin intake was very low (9%) and folate-rich foods were consumed in inadequate amounts. Adequate folate diet was not associated with knowledge. The program follow-up survey indicated that 88% to 92% had knowledge of NTDs and folic acid, and 67% reported taking a daily multivitamin. CONCLUSIONS: Publicly funded clinics may be the only source of information on NTD prevention for many minority young women. Preliminary evidence suggests that a promotion program improves knowledge, and dispensing of multivitamins increases multivitamin use. However, clinicians in such programs need to reinforce daily adherence to multivitamins in young women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Knowledge, attitudes and practice of medical students at the Cave Hill Campus in relation to ethics and law in healthcare.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices among medical students in relation to medical ethics and law. The results of the study will be a useful guide to tutors of medical students and curricula designers. METHODS: A thirty-item self-administered questionnaire about knowledge of law and ethics, and the role of an ethics committee in the healthcare system was devised, tested and distributed to all levels of students and staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados (a tertiary care teaching hospital) in 2003. The data from the completed questionnaires were entered into an SPSS database and analyzed using frequency and multiple cross-tabulation tables. RESULTS: Completed responses were obtained from 55 (96%) of the medical students. Medical students generally attested to the importance of ethical knowledge but felt that they knew little of the law. Students varied widely as regards the frequency with which they saw ethical or legal problems, with a quarter seeing them infrequently, but another quarter seeing them every day. They received their knowledge from multiple sources and particularly from lectures/seminars, and found case conferences the most helpful. Only a few students felt that text books had been helpful. Students were generally knowledgeable about most ethical issues, but many had uncertainties on how to deal with religious differences in treating patients, on the information to be given to relatives, and how violent patients should be treated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study highlight that medical students felt an inadequacy of knowledge of law as it pertains to their chosen career Since most of their knowledge of law was obtained from lectures, these should be reviewed and other avenues of tuition explored. The study also highlights the need to identify the minority of students who have problems with their ethical knowledge and to devise means whereby any deficiencies can be discussed and modified.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Subjective knowledge of AIDS and use of HIV testing.

Increasing knowledge is an important goal of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies, although increased knowledge may not be associated with increased preventive behaviors. This study examines the association of (1) objective and subjective acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, and (2) both objective and subjective AIDS knowledge with HIV testing use. Data are from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey. Objective and subjective knowledge were only moderately correlated. In regression analyses, higher subjective knowledge was significantly associated with higher testing use, but objective knowledge was not. The results are relevant to other preventive behaviors for which knowledge is an important factor.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed2005

Tacit knowledge in academia: a proposed model and measurement scale.

The authors propose a multidimensional model of tacit knowledge and develop a measure of tacit knowledge in academia. They discuss the theory and extant literature on tacit knowledge and propose a 6-factor model. Experiment 1 is a replication of a recent study of academic tacit knowledge using the scale developed and administered at an Israeli university (A. Somech & R. Bogler, 1999). The results of the replication differed from those found in the original study. For Experiment 2, the authors developed a domain-specific measure of academic tacit knowledge, the Academic Tacit Knowledge Scale (ATKS), and used this measure to explore the multidimensionality of tacit knowledge proposed in the model. The results of an exploratory factor analysis (n=142) followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (n=286) are reported. The sample for both experiments was 428 undergraduate students enrolled at a large public university in the eastern United States. Results indicated that a 5-factor model of academic tacit knowledge provided a strong fit for the data.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Knowledge used in duration judgments of two moving objects].

Forty-nine undergraduates observed two cars traveling in the same direction on a CRT display for various duration. They then chose the car that they believed had run longer, and gave the reason for their choice. There were three types of tasks. Correct judgment was possible for the first type, by logically applying either of two pieces of knowledge about duration: "duration equals temporal end point minus temporal start point" (Knowledge alpha) or "duration equals distance divided by speed" (Knowledge beta). Knowledge alpha alone was useful for the second type, while only Knowledge beta led to correct judgment for the third. Main results were as follows: (1) Undergraduates were more likely to use Knowledge alpha than beta regardless of the types. (2) None of repeatedly making judgment, thinking about reasons for judgment, or receiving failure feedback was very helpful making participants become aware of necessity of using Knowledge beta for the third type. (3) Only some 20% of undergraduates were able to use proper knowledge specifically required for each type.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge of breast cancer and its risk and protective factors among women in Riyadh.

BACKGROUND: We conducted this study to assess knowledge of breast cancer and sources of information about breast cancer among women in Riyadh. We also analyzed whether associations existed between demographic variables, knowledge of breast cancer, and the practice of breast self-examination and use of mammography screening. METHODS: Women interested in participating in this community-based descriptive study provided data by completing a pre-tested structured RESULTS: Of 864 participating women, 84% were Saudi, 45% were married and 67.8% had a university level education. Eighty percent were between the ages of 20 to 50 years. Knowledge of breast self examination (BSE) was high; 82% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 79.2%-84.4%) knew about BSE, while 61% (95% CI: 57.9%-64.5%) knew about mammography, but only 41.2% (95% CI, 37.9%-44.5%) had performed BSE and 18.2% (95%CI, 15.5%-20.8%) had had mammography screening. Knowledge of breast cancer, risk factors and protective factors for breast cancer was moderate. There was a statistically significant association between the demographic characteristics (marital status, educational status and family history of breast cancer) and knowledge and practice of BSE and CONCLUSION: Though it has limitations, this study revealed an imbalance between the knowledge and practice of BSE among women. It also showed that there is only moderate knowledge of risk and protective factors for breast cancer and that knowledge and practice of BSE and mammograms vary according to marital and educational status. Hence, frequent community-based awareness programs are needed so that all women can know and practice BSE, which in turn helps to prevent breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

What's your strategy for managing knowledge?

The rise of the computer and the increasing importance of intellectual assets have compelled executives to examine the knowledge underlying their businesses and how it is used. Because knowledge management as a conscious practice is so young, however, executives have lacked models to use as guides. To help fill that gap, the authors recently studied knowledge management practices at management consulting firms, health care providers, and computer manufacturers. They found two very different knowledge management strategies in place. In companies that sell relatively standardized products that fill common needs, knowledge is carefully codified and stored in databases, where it can be accessed and used--over and over again--by anyone in the organization. The authors call this the codification strategy. In companies that provide highly customized solutions to unique problems, knowledge is shared mainly through person-to-person contacts; the chief purpose of computers is to help people communicate. They call this the personalization strategy. A company's choice of knowledge management strategy is not arbitrary--it must be driven by the company's competitive strategy. Emphasizing the wrong approach or trying to pursue both can quickly undermine a business. The authors warn that knowledge management should not be isolated in a functional department like HR or IT. They emphasize that the benefits are greatest--to both the company and its customers--when a CEO and other general managers actively choose one of the approaches as a primary strategy.

Commerce↗