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PubMed2003

Are older cancer patients being referred to oncologists? A mail questionnaire of Ontario primary care practitioners to evaluate their referral patterns.

PURPOSE: Understanding why older patients are frequently underrepresented in cancer services use and clinical research may help to increase their participation in clinical trials and eventually result in better cancer care for this vulnerable population. METHODS: To identify potential barriers that may prevent older cancer patients from being referred from a primary care physician (PCP) to an oncology specialist, a self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 9,312 PCPs throughout Ontario. RESULTS: With a one-time mailing, 2,240 questionnaires were returned (response rate, 24%) of which 2,089 (93%) were assessable. Although 86% of respondents would refer most older patients with early-stage, potentially curable cancers to oncologists, only 65% would refer those with advanced-stage, potentially incurable cancers. The factors that most influence referral decisions of PCPs are patient's desire to be referred (69%), type (54%) and stage (49%) of cancer, and severity of cancer symptoms (49%). Other factors including age do not seem to influence the referral decision. Approximately 9% of respondents found it difficult to refer older cancer patients to oncology specialists, with the most commonly cited barriers being the length of waiting lists, mandatory tissue diagnosis before referral, and the belief that oncologists seldom relate to PCPs. CONCLUSION: Most PCPs stated that they would refer all elderly patients with cancer to oncologists and that referral decisions were based mainly on patients' wishes. Continued efforts are needed to overcome barriers in the referral process and to understand the perspectives of elderly patients to enhance their cancer care.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Raynaud's phenomenon: prevalence in an Italian population sample.

To estimate the prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in an Italian population aged 18 years and above, a validated questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 3,664 subjects. Sociodemographic data and data regarding the prevalence of RP symptoms were collected. Trained rheumatologists carried out a subsequent standardized clinical examination to confirm diagnosis of RP and to detect associated diseases. The subjects (2,155) completed the questionnaire, with 45 reporting RP [prevalence rate 2.1%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.8-2.4]. The mean age [standard deviation (SD)] was 57.5 (12.7), and 40 (88.8%) were women. Prevalence was found higher in women (3.4%, 95% CI 2.8-4.1) than in men (0.5%, 95% CI 0.2-0.9) (p<0.0001). A connective tissue disease was diagnosed in six (0.28%) subjects, three of the participants (0.14%) were identified as having RP associated to an idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, and 36 (1.67%) were diagnosed as having primary RP. Our study has found a lower prevalence of RP than others have reported. There is thought to be an association with climate and ethnic factors. No relationship was found regarding factors that are thought to be among the most relevant triggering factors for RP, e.g., occupational exposure. Differences with previous studies may be related to the current characteristics of the population surveyed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Eating disorder nutrition counseling: strategies and education needs of English-speaking dietitians in Canada.

The purpose of this study was to profile nutrition counseling strategies for eating disorders that English-speaking Canadian registered dietitians (RDs) use and to explore their educational needs in this area. A cross-sectional survey consisting of open- and closed-ended questions on nutrition counseling strategies was developed and administered via mail. Types of strategies included assessment, rapport-building, educational, and behavior-change strategies. Sixty-five of the 116 eligible RDs who were members of the Dietitians of Canada Eating Disorder Network responded to the survey. Descriptive statistics, chi(2), and Spearman correlation statistics were used. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Canadian RDs used strategies that were familiar and strategies they considered useful. Content-oriented or "doing" strategies were used more often than strategies that involved some process-oriented or "thinking" strategies. Reading and intuition were the most frequently reported learning routes. Seventy-one percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the educational opportunities available to RDs in this area in Canada. In Canada, both generalist RDs and specialist eating disorders RDs work with clients with eating disorders. In the absence of a formal nutrition counseling education program, there seems to be a reliance on informal learning routes such as reading or intuition, which may be suboptimal. To optimize eating disorders nutrition practice in Canada, formal coordinated programming that accounts for the educational needs of specialist RDs as well as generalist RDs is needed.

Anorexia Nervosa↗
PubMed2006

[Prevalence and description of hyponatremia in internal medicine departments of the France west area. A "one day" multicentric descriptive study].

PURPOSE: Few data are available on the prevalence and causes of hyponatremia in medical setting and to our knowledge, no recent descriptive study has been performed about hyponatremias in the French Departments of internal medicine. METHOD: A "one day" descriptive multicentric study was performed in the medicine departments of the France West area. A questionnaire was mailed to physicians who had to take part in a annual regional meeting about "hyponatremias", one month later. Hyponatremia was defined by a blood sodium level under the normal value of the local laboratory. Each internist had to precise for all hyponatremias in course at the study day, the exact value, the discovery circumstances, the mechanisms and etiologies, the associated diseases, the course and treatments. RESULTS: Seventy-four hyponatremias were identified. The overall prevalence was 12,1%. The prevalence of severe hyponatremias (under 120 mmol/l) was 1,1%. These latter represented 9,4% of the whole hyponatremias (7/74). Associated symptoms and diseases, the mechanisms, the suspected etiologies, the course and treatments are described in detail. CONCLUSION: This multicentric study reports for the first time the prevalence, the clinical and etiological characteristics of hyponatremias coming from Internal Medecine Departments of the West area from France. The overall prevalence is lower in comparison with values usually reported in hospitalized patients, but the frequency of severe and moderate hyponatremias, the mechanisms and the suspected etiologies are identical to those reported in others countries.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Practice patterns and attitudes toward the role of endoscopic ultrasound in staging of gastrointestinal malignancies: a survey of physicians and surgeons.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is unknown how physician specialties other than gastroenterologists that manage gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies utilize endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in their practices. The aim of this study was to (i) assess the proportion of gastroenterologists, oncologists, and surgeons that utilize EUS for staging of GI malignancies; (ii) assess the general availability of EUS; and (iii) determine which factors are associated with the use and availability of EUS. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed out to 1,200 randomly selected gastroenterologists, oncologists, and surgeons throughout the United States. RESULTS: The data was analyzed from 521 (43%) responses. There were 60% respondents who had EUS available within their practices. There was greater availability of EUS within the practices of surgeons (81%; p < 0.001), within academic practices (87%; p= < 0.001), and in practices that serve a population >500,000 (p < 0.001). The majority of respondents (71%) utilized EUS in their practices. There was a similar utilization of EUS across specialties (p= NS). There was greater utilization of EUS in academic centers (82%; p < 0.001), in practices that served a community of >500,000 (p= 0.003), and among respondents who had been in practice for less than 5 yr (p= 0.005). Employing logistic regression models for utilization of EUS, lesser number of years in practice, and availability of EUS were found to be the only significant predictors of utilization. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of practitioners utilized EUS in management of GI malignancies. There was similar utilization of EUS across specialties. EUS is available to the majority of practitioners who manage GI malignancies.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2000

Trends in self-reported use of dental services among Finnish adults during two decades.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse trends in the prevalence of and determinants for dental care utilisation among Finnish adults of working age during two decades. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: The National Public Health Institute has, since 1978, conducted annual surveys of health behaviour among the whole Finnish adult population (aged 15-64 years). Data collected through mailed questionnaires have included questions on dental utilisation. Sample sizes have varied from 5,000 to 6,000 and response rates from 68% to 85%. RESULTS: The use of dental services increased in the period 1978 to 1997 from 53% to 64% (P<0.001) of the population. Women and persons belonging to the younger age groups were the most frequent visitors, and older persons the least frequent due to the greater prevalence of edentulousness. During the period, differences in the use of services associated with region, level of education and occupation declined. During the first decade, a clear increase in dental utilisation was found in younger age groups and during the latter decade in older age groups. Significant predictors for the utilisation of services were the number of missing teeth, age, gender, occupation and toothbrushing frequency in 1997. CONCLUSIONS: The utilisation of dental services has increased slowly since 1978 but remains lower than in other Nordic countries. In a country where the supply of services is abundant, the major determinant of the use of services is the number of teeth an individual has.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income women: impact of a simple centralized HMO intervention.

In 1994, it was estimated that about 44,500 American women would die from breast cancer and 7000 women from cervical cancer. While early detection methods (screening mammography, breast examinations, and pap smears) have proven to be effective means of decreasing these cancers, they are underused by all groups. In particular, low-income women use them least, resulting in their lower survival and higher mortality rates than the rest of the population. This article quantifies the effect of a simple intervention undertaken by a health maintenance organization (HMO) serving the indigent to improve breast and cervical cancer screening rates. The HMO mailed personal letters and newsletter articles to women members > or = 40 years about the need for cancer prevention. Articles also were printed in the monthly HMO newsletters to providers about the benefits of using these early detection methods. A review of provider claims from 574 women showed that baseline utilization rates for screening mammograms and pap smears before the intervention in year 1 (1990) were 14% and 16.4%, respectively. After the intervention, in years 2 and 3, mammograms had increased to 41% and pap smears to 38% for both years, indicating a levelling off effect of the intervention by year 3. These data show that while a significant improvement in screening behaviors was achieved, the intervention impact was limited to only about one third of the sample on the long term. Further, data do not indicate whether behavioral change was initiated as the member or provider level. More research is needed to increase overall screening behavior among the indigent and their physicians. The results reported here provide a baseline against which more intensive interventions can be measured in this setting.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Distributed radiology clerkship for the core clinical year of medical school.

OBJECTIVE: The central role that diagnostic radiology has in the modern practice of medicine has not always been reflected in radiology's place in the curriculum. We developed a new radiology clerkship for undergraduate medical students during their core clinical year that was supported by Web technology. The assumptions underlying the design of the clerkship were that radiology is best learned from radiologists and that students are most receptive to learning radiology when it is related to concurrent patient care experiences. DESCRIPTION: Beginning in May 2000, a required radiology clerkship experience was incorporated into the core clinical year at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The core clinical year was organized into three 16-week blocks of clerkships. Two or four independent half-day radiology tutorial sessions were included with each clerkship block, and attended by all students in the block (approximately 35 students), regardless of their specific clerkship assignments. There were ten different radiology tutorials, each given three times during the year as students rotated through the clerkship blocks. Thus, each student attended a radiology tutorial session every four to eight weeks during the year. The topics covered during the tutorials were correlated with the content of the clerkship blocks and included adult and pediatric chest radiology, adult and pediatric abdominal radiology, body CT, neuroradiology, obstetric ultrasound, gynecologic ultrasound, osteoporosis, adult and pediatric fractures, mammography, and cervical spine trauma. The tutorials included pre- and post-test, lectures, case presentations, and sometimes tours of the radiology department. The educational emphasis was on pragmatic case-based learning exercises, development of verbal and visual vocabulary, and learning when and where to seek more information. To provide continuity and organization, Web-based curriculum materials were designed and implemented as a component of the clerkship. The home page of the Web site provided the schedule, faculty names, attendance and grading policies, course overview, and links to individual tutorials. The pages for individual tutorials included educational objectives, glossary of radiology terminology relevant to the subject, lecture slides and handouts, and teaching cases. All students had laptop computers and access to the academic network, but did not use them during the actual tutorial sessions. DISCUSSION: Implementation of the radiology clerkship required extensive negotiation with directors of other clerkships so that students could be released from their other responsibilities in order to attend the radiology tutorials. The radiology clerkship format has proven to be complex in its administration, with faculty and students on different schedules commuting to the radiology lecture hall from various locations. Extensive use of e-mail and communication via the Web site have been instrumental in reminding faculty and students of upcoming sessions. Preliminary evaluations have indicated that students liked the radiology sessions and learned a great deal, but disliked the scheduling and the lack of continuity. An evaluation of the curriculum and its components is ongoing.

Clinical Clerkship↗
PubMed1998

Mammographic technologist job satisfaction: what radiologists need to know--results of a large national survey.

PURPOSE: To determine mammographic technologists' overall level of job satisfaction, the variables that correlate with job satisfaction, and whether job satisfaction has changed since 1987. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 29-item, scannable survey was mailed randomly to 5,000 mammographic technologists. Survey items were related to work setting, job description, rate of pay and other benefits, experience, education, age, and overall job satisfaction. The results were compared with those of a 1987 survey of general radiologic technologists. RESULTS: A total of 1,503 technologists responded to the survey. On a five-point scale, in which 5 represents very satisfied, the mean rating of job satisfaction +/- the standard deviation was 3.4 +/- 0.9; 83.1% of technologists rated overall satisfaction as 3 or higher compared with 86% of general technologists who reported being satisfied with their jobs in 1987. Regression analysis revealed that enjoyment from working with fellow mammographic technologists and enjoyment from working with radiologists (combined adjusted R2, 26.5%) correlated significantly with increased job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Mammographic technologist job satisfaction is high and similar to that of general radiologic technologists, as reported in 1987. Survey results indicate that the most important variable related to mammographic technologist job satisfaction is the technologist-radiologist relationship; a negative relationship results in lower job satisfaction, which can affect job performance and patient care.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Attitudes of coaches towards doping.

BACKGROUND: Coaches are usually held to be among the main actors of doping prevention campaigns. The aim of this study was to document certain attitudes of professional coaches faced with doping, and to evaluate how they confronted it on an everyday basis. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: prospective study by self-reporting questionnaire. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: the questionnaire was mailed to the last 800 graduated coaches (1994-1997) in the Lorraine region, Eastern France. The 260 responding coaches comprised 77 women and 183 men, the average age being 30.8 +/- 8.0 years (mean +/- standard deviation). RESULTS: 10.3% of coaches consider that an athlete may use doping with no health hazard with the help of a physician, and 30.0% that an athlete who declines doping has little chance of succeeding. 5.8% had used doping drugs in the last twelve months (1 to 6 times). 13.5% of coaches mention that athletes (1 to 5 per coach on average) told them they had been prompted to use doping drugs during the previous 12 months. 80.7% consider that the current methods of preventing doping in sport are ineffective, and 98.1% of them consider that they have a role to play within this context, but 80.3% consider themselves badly trained in the prevention of doping. Only 10.4% have organized a doping prevention action during the last 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, professional coaches do not seem to be efficient in the prevention of doping. Further education and training for coaches on doping is advisable.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Behavioral scientists' views on work environment, roles, and teaching.

BACKGROUND: In earlier years, the majority of behavioral scientists in family medicine were physicians. Recent data suggest that the vast majority now come from disciplines outside of medicine. Little is known about how behavioral scientists view their work environments, which roles and teaching approaches are used most often, and if these variables change among groups with different amounts of experience. METHODS: Data from a survey mailed to 384 family practice residencies addressed four objectives, to: 1) collect behavioral scientists' demographic data, 2) assess behavioral scientists' perceptions of their work environments, 3) measure frequency of use of teaching approaches, and 4) measure frequency of assuming different roles among groups with different amounts of experience. RESULTS: Behavioral scientists from 214 of the 384 surveyed programs responded, for a total response rate of 56%. An additional 15 program directors (4%) reported no behavioral scientist on their faculty. Relative time allocation for various roles was the same in the three experience groups; the most emphasis was placed on consultation and teaching. One-on-one teaching was the teaching modality used most frequently. Case-based teaching was used more in experienced groups. Behavioral scientists felt strongly supported by faculty and moderately supported by residents. CONCLUSIONS: This study's results offer insight into how behavioral scientists spend their time and the teaching approaches they use most frequently. The relationship between behavioral scientists' years of experience and teaching approaches is examined. Behavioral scientists stay in their jobs longer and feel more included than their earlier cohorts in family medicine.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Low back pain and musculoskeletal symptoms among Kansas farmers.

BACKGROUND: Farming continues to rank as one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among the farmers and to examine the factors associated with occupational back pain. Farmers in a predominately corn and soybean growing region of Kansas served as the study sample. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed out to 499 active farmers of a Farmers' Cooperative in Southeast Kansas. The self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of back pain and other MSDs and to determine the strength of associations between back pain and work factors. RESULTS: The participation rate was 57.2%. The low back was the anatomical area with the highest prevalence of self-reported work-related pain (37.5%), followed by the shoulders (25.9%), knees (23.6%), and neck (22.4%). Close to 60% of the farmers reported that they experienced farm work-related MSD symptoms in at least one of the nine body areas in the previous year. Nearly one quarter of the farmers reported seeing a physician for their low back symptoms, and one in five farmers had to modify their work habits due to low back symptoms during the previous year. CONCLUSIONS: Low back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions are a significant problem for Kansas farmers. This group of Kansas farmers experienced low back pain at a much higher rate than the general working population and higher than other groups of farmers previously studied.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Factors associated with victimization of personnel in emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of ED personnel victimization in Central Florida and examine its relationship to victims' reports of 3 factors: characteristics of the patient/perpetrator, characteristics of the personnel victimized, and characteristics of the ED environment. METHODS: Data were collected anonymously in a mail survey using 37 items from Mahoney's Emergency Department Victimization Questionnaire (EDVQ) and a demographic questionnaire. Chi square, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and Pearson's product moment correlation were used to describe frequencies, incidence, and their relationships to the variables studied. A sample of 226 of the 600 direct care personnel (37%) from 18 of the 19 hospital emergency departments in a tri-county area (95%) participated. RESULTS: The incidence of physical assault was reported to be 42% during the past year and 72% during the respondents' careers. Alcohol use was associated with incidence (1-tailed Pearson; P =.001). Verbal abuse was significantly higher on day shift (P =.043). The most desired environmental variable was 24-hour security attendants, available to 51.8% of the respondents. More than a fourth of the subjects reported that they had completed no coursework or had no continuing education in violence prevention. DISCUSSION: Respondents reported avoiding identification on duty, underreporting, postvictimization staff turnover, dissatisfaction with security, and the desire for every security provision listed. The goals of reducing the fears and victimization of ED personnel should become a priority within the health care system.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Radiation oncologists in 2000: demographic, professional, and practice characteristics.

PURPOSE: To describe the demographic, professional, and practice characteristics of radiation oncologists, emphasizing comparisons to data from a similar 1995 Survey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In spring 2000, we surveyed 603 randomly selected radiation oncologists by mail, using a one-page questionnaire-455 responded. We weighted responses to make answers representative of all radiation oncologists in the United States. RESULTS: Approximately 45% of post-training, professionally active, radiation oncologists were <45 years old and 22% were women. Forty-two percent of radiation oncologists in training were women. Thirty-three percent of radiation-oncology-only practices were solo practices. The greatest percentage of post-training, professionally active, radiation oncologists were in nonacademic private radiation oncology practices. Fifty-three percent of post-training, professionally active, radiation oncologists reported that their workload was about right. Eighteen percent of individuals 60-64 years old and approximately two-thirds of those > or =65 years old were not working (retired). The full-time equivalency of those aged 55-74 fell by 12 percentage points between 1995 and 2000. CONCLUSIONS: Most demographic, professional, and practice characteristics remained relatively constant between 1995 and 2000, with the exception of work status patterns. Radiation oncologists reported a more balanced workload than that reported by diagnostic radiologists. The surplus of radiation oncologists, which was predicted in the mid-1990s, was not demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence and sex-ratio of the subtypes of migraine.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to provide the prevalence and sex-ratio of subtypes of migraine diagnosed by neurological interview according to the criteria of the International Headache Society. METHODS: In all, 3000 males and 1000 females aged 40 years were randomly selected from the Danish population. They received a mailed questionnaire regarding migraine. The questionnaire response rate was 87%. People with self-reported migraine and a random sample of those reporting no migraine were invited to a headache interview, and a physical and a neurological examination. Those not reacting to the invitation were interviewed by telephone. Participation at the interview was 87%. Kappa was 0.77 validating self-reported migraine in the questionnaire against the diagnosis of the clinical interview. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalences of migraine without aura, migraine with aura, migraine aura without headache, and migrainous disorder were 8%, 4%, 1% and 1% in males and 16%, 7%, 3% and 2% in females. Overall lifetime prevalence of any type of migraine was 18%; 12% in males and 24% in females. This is lower than the sum of the prevalences since migraine diagnoses are not mutually exclusive. The male:female ratios of migraine without aura, migraine with aura, migraine aura without headache, and migrainous disorder were approximately 1:2. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine is more prevalent than previously thought. There was a significant preponderance in females of all the subtypes of migraine except migrainous disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Norwegian adults' perceived need for coping skills to adjust to dental and non-dental life events.

Limited attention has been paid to the importance which adults attach to dental, as opposed to other, life events. Consequently, the purpose of the present study was to determine how Norwegian adults rate the need for adjustment to cope with losing teeth or getting dentures, relative to some other life events, and to study effects of age, gender, level of education, place of residence, smoking, drinking and exercise habits. A representative, simple random sample of 400 residents of the County of Hordaland aged 20-69 yr received a mail questionnaire plus one reminder requesting demographic information and completion of a 48-item Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire (SRRQ) in May 1990. The mean age of the 284 who responded (71%) was 41.1 yr (SD = 13.5 yr). The replies to the SRRQ were given on a graphic rating scale with end points "not difficult at all" (0 cm) and "more difficult than anything" (20 cm). Mean values were calculated and used to rank the life events. "Losing one or more teeth" was ranked 30 (mean = 11.8; SD = 5.6) and "getting dentures" 33 (mean = 13.8; SD = 5.5). "Losing one or more teeth" was on a par with life events like "trouble with other relatives" (mean = 11.7). "Getting dentures" occupied a position between "trouble with wife/husband" (mean = 14.3) and "wife/husband stopping work" (mean = 13.8). Multiple Classification Analysis revealed significant effects of education on "losing one or more teeth"; and of age, sex and education on "getting dentures" (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it was found that these two dental life events required an above average degree of readjustment according to the Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Unlocking specialists' attitudes toward primary care gatekeepers.

OBJECTIVES: Many managed care plans rely on primary care physicians to act as gatekeepers, which may increase tension between these physicians and specialists. We surveyed specialist physicians in California to determine whether their attitudes toward primary care gatekeepers differed depending on how the specialists were paid and the settings in which they practiced. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional survey using a mailed questionnaire. The predictors of specialist attitudes toward gatekeepers were measured using chi-square, the t test, and regression analyses. POPULATION: A probability sample of 1492 physicians in urban counties in California in the specialties of cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurology, ophthalmology, and orthopedics was used. OUTCOMES: We used questions about specialists' attitudes toward primary care physicians in the gatekeeper role. A summary score of attitudes was developed. RESULTS: A total of 979 physicians completed the survey (66%). Attitudes toward primary care physicians were mixed. Relative to nonsalaried physicians, those who were salaried had a somewhat more favorable attitude toward gatekeepers (P = .13), as did physicians with a greater percentage of practice income derived from capitation (P =.002). CONCLUSIONS: Specialists' attitudes toward the coordinating role of primary care physicians are influenced by the practice setting in which the specialists work and by financial interests that may be threatened by referral restrictions. Policies that promote alternatives to fee for service and shift specialty practice toward more organized group settings may generate a common sense of purpose among primary care physicians and specialists.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Dental hygienists and long-term care.

PURPOSE: This study examined the willingness of dental hygienists to work in long-term care (LTC) facilities providing oral health care to the elderly. METHODS: In August 1995, a mail survey of all 839 licensed and practicing dental hygienists in Kansas was conducted. Respondents were asked about their reasons for choosing dental hygiene as a career, perceptions of the adequacy of their education, satisfaction with their work, interest in working with elderly patients, and whether general supervision would influence their willingness to practice in LTC settings. Response rate was 69 percent, with 582 usable questionnaires returned. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests of significance. RESULTS: The results showed an overwhelming majority (94 percent) of respondents would be willing to work, at least on occasion, in a LTC facility. However, few were interested in full-time geriatric practice. Those indicating a willingness to practice regularly with the elderly, at least part time, were typically less experienced in their field and more likely to perceive their education as having adequately prepared them to care for older patients. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate dental hygienists' willingness to provide dental care for older adults. To optimize this resource, appropriate education is needed so that students and current practitioners master the distinctive skills necessary to care for this population.

Adult↗