Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Program Accessibility”

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 829 records · Page 46Linked to original sources

ORBIT: an integrated environment for user-customized bioinformatics tools.

MOTIVATION: There are a large number of computational programs freely available to bioinformaticians via a client/server, web-based environment. However, the client interface to these tools (typically an html form page) cannot be customized from the client side as it is created by the service provider. The form page is usually generic enough to cater for a wide range of users. However, this implies that a user cannot set as 'default' advanced program parameters on the form or even customize the interface to his/her specific requirements or preferences. Currently, there is a lack of end-user interface environments that can be modified by the user when accessing computer programs available on a remote server running on an intranet or over the Internet. RESULTS: We have implemented a client/server system called ORBIT (Online Researcher's Bioinformatics Interface Tools) where individual clients can have interfaces created and customized to command-line-driven, server-side programs. Thus, Internet-based interfaces can be tailored to a user's specific bioinformatic needs. As interfaces are created on the client machine independent of the server, there can be different interfaces to the same server-side program to cater for different parameter settings. The interface customization is relatively quick (between 10 and 60 min) and all client interfaces are integrated into a single modular environment which will run on any computer platform supporting Java. The system has been developed to allow for a number of future enhancements and features. ORBIT represents an important advance in the way researchers gain access to bioinformatics tools on the Internet.

Computational Biology↗

MacDill 65 demonstration of military managed care--DoD. Notice of demonstration project.

This notice is to advise interested parties of a demonstration project in which DoD will enroll up to 2,000 Medicare-eligible military retirees at MacDill Air Force Base to primary care managers. The MacDill 65 demonstration project seeks to show that a DoD-operated program can provide primary health care services to beneficiaries eligible for both military health care and Medicare more effectively and efficiently than under the current DoD-operated system. In this project, DoD will grant enrollees in the program priority access to primary health care at MacDill in exchange for their agreement to receive all of their primary health care from MacDill AFB. Additional services, available at the military treatment facility at MacDill AFB, will be granted to these enrollees at a higher priority than that granted to other retirees and their family members not enrolled in TRICARE Prime. Funding for the demonstration for care provided will come from an additional $2 million per year over the current level of DoD expenditures on care provided to the MacDill AFB Medicare-eligible population. Claims for care provided to enrollees outside the MTF will be submitted to Medicare on a fee-for-service basis by the civilian provider. At the end of the project, DoD will conduct an analysis of the benefits and costs of the program. DoD will conduct the demonstration over three years, from October 1, 1998, to September 30, 2001. This demonstration project is being conducted under the authority of 10 USC 1092.

Eligibility Determination↗

GenBank.

The GenBank((R))sequence database incorporates publicly available DNA sequences of >55 000 different organisms, primarily through direct submission of sequence data from individual laboratories and large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the BankIt (Web) or Sequin programs and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Data exchange with the EMBL Data Library and the DNA Data Bank of Japan helps ensure comprehensive worldwide coverage. GenBank data is accessible through NCBI's integrated retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping and protein structure information, plus the biomedical literature via PubMed. Sequence similarity searching is provided by the BLAST family of programs. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. NCBI also offers a wide range of WWW retrieval and analysis services based on GenBank data. The GenBank database and related resources are freely accessible via the NCBI home page at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Animals↗

GenBank.

The GenBank sequence database incorporates publicly available DNA sequences of more than 105 000 different organisms, primarily through direct submission of sequence data from individual laboratories and large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the BankIt (web) or Sequin programs and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Data exchange with the EMBL Data Library and the DNA Data Bank of Japan helps ensure comprehensive worldwide coverage. GenBank data is accessible through NCBI's integrated retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical literature via PubMed. Sequence similarity searching is provided by the BLAST family of programs. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. NCBI also offers a wide range of World Wide Web retrieval and analysis services based on GenBank data. The GenBank database and related resources are freely accessible via the NCBI home page at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Animals↗

Continuous improvement evaluation: a framework for multisite evaluation studies.

This article proposes the use of the continuous improvement evaluation (CIE), a framework for multisite demonstration or evaluation studies. This framework is designed for studying intervention programs that change during the evaluation. The development of family drug courts is provided as an example. CIE relies on outcome data collected over time and benchmarked across similar cases in comparison sites; thus, this study was designed to collect data on effectiveness of intervention programs at multiple sites and over time. A weight is calculated for similarity of any two cases based on features they share. In statistical process control charts, these weights are used to compare outcomes at the site against the average of similar cases in comparison groups. Once data are benchmarked, program staff meet to discuss process changes that have led to improvements in outcomes. To ensure that intervention programs have access to evaluation reports on demand, information technology is used to collect, clean, and pool data. Computers generate study reports, and evaluators review reports after release to clients. Statistical tools can be used to evaluate changing programs. Traditional evaluators may be concerned about some threats to validity associated with CIE. The article concludes with a discussion of typical threats to validity and how these threats are addressed in the CIE framework.

Data Collection↗

The Medicaid personal care services program: implications for social work practice.

Results of a survey of Medicaid personal care programs in 15 states and the District of Columbia in 1987 show that these programs suffer from many problems. Low wages and slow payment make recruitment and retention of qualified workers difficult. Other problems include lack of coordination among agencies, lack of adequate standards for training or supervision of workers, unequal access to programs, and inequities among states. Implications for social workers are discussed.

Aged↗

How do medical students gather information about residency training programs?

UNLABELLED: New electronic sources of information are available for medical students in their search for residency training programs. METHODS: Senior students at the University of Missouri were surveyed regarding types and methods of information sought, and residency choice. RESULTS: Response rate was 96 percent. Ninety-one point five percent used the Internet to access information. Eighty-six percent used a computer at medical school; seventy-eight percent used one at home. Sixty-five point one percent used the university's web site for information. CONCLUSION: Students use the world wide web and the Internet for accessing residency programs information.

Female↗

Factors influencing early prenatal enrollment in the WIC program.

Women's access to prenatal nutrition services was explored using a nationally representative sample of pregnant participants in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in 1984. The probability was examined of the participant entering the program during her first trimester, rather than the second or third trimester. Other research has suggested that length of participation in the program during pregnancy is associated with increased birth weight. The data were adjusted for various personal and local operational factors, such as prior WIC participation, race, age, income, household size, WIC priority level, availability of prenatal or other health services, targeted outreach policies, years of local operation, and local agency size. Previous participation in the WIC Program was the only factor significantly associated with early enrollment (adjusted odds ratio 2.1). Race was marginally significant. Neither the presence of local policies of outreach targeted to pregnant women, nor co-location of WIC services with prenatal or other health services, showed significant effects on early enrollment.

Birth Weight↗

Smile Alabama! Initiative: interim results from a program to increase children's access to dental care.

Alabama faced an oral health crisis, with decreasing dental provider participation and increasing enrollment of Medicaid-eligible children. In response, the Smile Alabama! initiative was designed to improve oral health care services for Medicaid-eligible children by increasing the number of participating dentists by 15% and the number of children receiving dental care annually by 5% by January 31, 2004. The initiative is composed of 4 specific components: claims processing, dental reimbursement, provider education and recruitment, and recipient education. Specific interventions were implemented for each component. From fiscal year 1999 to fiscal year 2002, enrollment of targeted Medicaid children increased 32.7%. During this same period, the number of participating dental providers in the Alabama Medicaid dental program increased by 127 providers, a 38.7% increase. The number of children receiving dental services increased from 82,600 in fiscal year 1999 to 130,208 in fiscal year 2002, a 57.1% total increase, with a 4.8% increase in the annual dental visit rate. The experience suggests that access to oral health care services can be improved through a multidimensional, strategically planned dental outreach initiative in spite of dramatic increases in Medicaid enrollment.

Adolescent↗

Web-based courses. More than curriculum.

Online program development depends on an educationally and technologically sound curriculum supported by a solid infrastructure. Creation of a virtual environment through design of online registration and records, financial aid, orientation, advisement, resources, and evaluation and assessment provides students with access and program integrity.The planning of an academic support system as an electronic environment provides challenges and institutional issues requiring systematic analysis.

Curriculum↗

Availability of caregiver support services: implications for implementation of the National Family Caregiver Support Program.

This study examines the scope and range of existing resources for family caregivers from the perspective of the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), which are charged with implementing Title III-E of the reauthorized Older Americans Act. California is used as a case example because of its substantial experience in providing caregiver support services. In particular, we examine the extent and adequacy of resources available in California corresponding to each of the five Title III-E service areas, utilizing data from AAAArea Plans, a follow-up survey of AAAs, and an Internet search. AAAs identified more than 276 providers of caregiver support services, and our Internet search identified another 195. Nearly two-thirds of these programs offer access to respite care, while other support services (e.g., counseling, training, support groups) are less often available. Service gaps most frequently identified included culturally and linguistically appropriate caregiver services, transportation, respite care, financial assistance, and services in rural areas. These findings suggest the need for enhanced efforts to improve the service network for supporting family caregivers, as states implement the National Family Caregiver Support Program.

Aged↗

Do treatment restrictions imposed by utilization management increase the likelihood of readmission for psychiatric patients?

OBJECTIVES: The use of utilization management as a cost-containment strategy has led to debate and controversy within the field of mental health. Little is currently known about how this cost-containment approach affects patient care or quality. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether treatment restrictions imposed on privately insured psychiatric patients by a utilization management program affected the likelihood of readmission. METHODS: The utilization management program included three review activities: preadmission certification, concurrent review, and case management. During a 5-year period (1989-1993), 3,073 inpatient reviews were performed on 2,443 privately insured psychiatric patients. Using logistic regression, restrictions imposed by utilization management on length-of-stay in relation to 60-day readmission rates were investigated. RESULTS: The most common diagnoses among the psychiatric patients whose care was reviewed were alcohol dependence (22.9%), recurrent depression (22.5%), and single-event depression (20.8%). On average, 22.4 days of inpatient psychiatric treatment was requested through the review procedures, and 15.5 days of care were approved by the utilization management program. Of the 2,443 patients reviewed, 7.9% had a readmission within 60 days of their initial admission. Patients whose length-of-stay was restricted by utilization management were more likely to be readmitted. For each day that the requested length-of-stay was reduced, the adjusted odds of readmission within 60 days increased by 3.1% (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The utilization management program restricted access to inpatient psychiatric care by limiting length of stay. Although this approach may promote cost containment, it also appears to increase the risk of early readmission. Continuing attention should be paid to investigating the effects on quality of utilization management programs aimed at containing mental health costs.

Adult↗

Psychiatric treatment of children and adolescents in rural communities. Myths and realities.

Rural child and adolescent psychiatry offers many challenges, a varied and interesting practice, and the satisfaction of performing needed and important work in an environment in which one's presence is valued. The successful psychiatrist can expect to be an integrated and appreciated member of the community. The fit is not a good one for every practitioner, however. Not only are incomes lower, although the cost of living is low as well, but practitioners may find they have only exchanged urban stresses for rural pressures. The characteristics important for the child and adolescent psychiatrist are the same for rural and urban settings: flexibility, creativity and innovation, competence, self confidence, a good sense of boundaries, a good balance between personal and private life, supportive personal relationships, and a sense of humor. One must be a child advocate, have a willingness to give of one's self and one's time, and be down to earth, comfortable with oneself, and capable of self entertainment. Training programs with access to rural populations can introduce residents to rural child and adolescent psychiatry while supporting those who are already in practice. The authors hope that this article will promote a dialogue with psychiatrists considering relocation to a rural area and encourage training programs to prepare residents for rural practice.

Adolescent↗

Saving the small, rural hospital.

A provision of the 1997 Balanced Budget--the Critical Access Hospital program--may be the answer to keeping many small rurals alive, well, and serving their communities.

Bankruptcy↗

Accessing NCI's SEER cancer data base with SeerQuery and CD-ROM.

The National Cancer Institute operates the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer data base. SEER data are obtained from participating population-based registries that monitor cancer incidence and patient survival in a representative 10 percent sample of the general population. The data cover all cancers (except superficial skin cancers) in the defined regional populations. SeerQuery is a personal computer program for accessing that data on IBM-compatible personal computer compact diskettes in read-only memory (CD-ROM) form. SeerQuery facilitates rapid access to cancer data at minimal cost and effort to the user. SeerQuery is menu-driven, enabling physicians and other health care professionals to query the data base directly. They can use the data to determine cancer frequency, perform cross-tabulation, determine incidence, and calculate survival using such variables as primary cancer site, histologic type, stage, sex, age, and race. The comprehensive data base lacks many selection biases that are inherent in data reported from other sources. SeerQuery has applications in professional education and in cancer control program planning and resource allocation.

Adult↗

Computerized analysis of antimicrobial drugs interactions in biological systems using an IBM-PC microcomputer.

We have developed a computer program to analyse the individual and combined effects of two treatments applied concurrently to a biological system. Analysis is done in regard to: level of significance selected for the statistical test (two-sided Student's t test); number of data available; expected combined effect resulting from addition (computed by the program); experimental hypothesis tested (synergism or antagonism). The main program gives access to eight options: input of new data; input of data from file; addition or modification to data in memory; display on monitor the results from analysis or the contents of a data file; analysis with another level of significance; printout; kinetics of interaction; end of program. The program is designed to work with an IBM-PC, Epson MX/FX 80/100 printer and Roland DXY 800 plotter. Sample runs are given.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Evaluation of a social policy program: the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program].

This study is based on an evaluation of the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program (PROMIN) targeting pregnant women and their children under five years of age. The objective was to identify the conditioning factors for the Program's implementation in Rosario, Argentina. There were three levels of analysis: the organizational environment as perceived by the Executive Directors of the Health and Child Development Centers; management of interventions by the health teams; and the community's perception of the program's accessibility and acceptability. Two centers were chosen for the year 1998. Empirical evidence was obtained through quantitative and qualitative procedures. The results suggest that the two centers' respective organizational environments influenced the intervention strategies. The goal for coverage had been set at 80%. Documentation of the interventions by the two teams shows a partial and heterogeneous implementation. In terms of accessibility, mothers recognize the institutions by their reputation, quality of services, and extra services beyond the PROMIN basics. Acceptability is expressed as the provision of supplementary nutrition.

Argentina↗

CRYStallize: a crystallographic symmetry display and handling subpackage in TOM/FRODO.

We have implemented in TOM/FRODO a protein crystallographic symmetry display and handling package, called CRYStallize. This package is designed as an aid in solving protein structures by molecular replacement methods. It allows the rotation/translation solutions provided by molecular replacement programs to be checked in a fast and easy way. Using CRYStallize, approximate solutions can also be improved by manual modifications. Symmetry-related objects, represented as surfaces, can be generated and handled in the same way as the reference molecules, thus permitting an efficient analysis of crystal packing and site accessibility. This program is available in the TOM/FRODO software release, which runs on the Silicon-Graphics workstations.

Computer Graphics↗