Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SOCIAL SCIENCES”

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 1,747 records · Page 97Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Rating satisfaction research: is it poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent?

Satisfaction is one of the core outcome measures for health care. It is intuitively more appealing than measures of health care effectiveness or efficiency that are more difficult to understand. Satisfaction with health care is a measure with a long history in the social sciences. Most current research is less interested in correlations between patient characteristics and satisfaction and more focused on improving the quality of care and service delivered to patients and health plan members. While this article provides a brief overview of historical satisfaction literature, the primary focus is on current trends in measuring satisfaction, including efforts by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and the Foundation for Accountability. Limitations of current satisfaction measures are discussed; alternatives to using satisfaction to understand the experience of the health care system are suggested.

Health Services Research↗
PubMed1990

A living systems approach to understanding the concept of stress.

In this article, the basic concepts used in conceptualizing stress and classifying its related phenomena are defined and a general conceptual framework for understanding the interrelationships among these concepts is proposed. The conceptual scheme described is intended to be applicable across disciplines including the biological and the behavioral and social sciences. This model is based largely on the living systems theory developed by Miller (1978) and the work of Selye (1950). It provides a coherent conceptual framework in which studies in the various disciplines engaged in stress research can be organized and integrated. Its use across disciplines will facilitate the sharing of information and prevent needless duplication of effort by researchers in different fields. It will also facilitate the generation and formulation of empirically testable hypotheses (including specific cross-level hypotheses), the development of more focused research designs and a clearer interpretation of findings. By understanding at which point in the stress pathway a system is when observed, a clearer picture of both the biological mechanisms involved and the psychosocial ramifications of stress may be obtained. As a consequence of this type of information becoming available, more optimal treatments for patients with stress-related disorders can be developed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

'Fairness and reasonableness of the child's decision:' a proposed legal standard for children's participation in medical decision making.

Using as illustration the case of Nikolas E., a six-year-old child with HIV/AIDS, this article considers the competing rights of children, parents, and state in cases involving pediatric medical disputes. The article outlines arguments in favor of and against children's participation in medical decisions and describes legal standards currently used in resolving pediatric medical disputes. The article then proposes adoption of a new legal standard described as the 'fairness and reasonableness of the child's decision,' and articulates advantages and disadvantages of such an approach, as well as the factors that should be considered in implementing the standard. Finally, the article argues for a methodology for including children's wishes in pediatric medical decision making that is based upon Monahan and Walker's model for including social science evidence in legal contexts and evaluates alternative strategies for including children meaningfully in the process of making medical decisions that affect them.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Fractional factorial designs for legal psychology.

Researchers considering novel or exploratory psycholegal research are often able to easily generate a sizable list of independent variables (IVs) that might influence a measure of interest. Where the research question is novel and the literature is not developed, however, choosing from among a long list of potential variables those worthy of empirical investigation often presents a formidable task. Many researchers may feel compelled by legal psychology's heavy reliance on full-factorial designs to narrow the IVs under investigation to two or three in order to avoid an expensive and unwieldy design involving numerous high-order interactions. This article suggests that fractional factorial designs provide a reasonable alternative to full-factorial designs in such circumstances because they allow the psycholegal researcher to examine the main effects of a large number of factors while disregarding high-order interactions. An introduction to the logic of fractional factorial designs is provided and several examples from the social sciences are presented.

Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic↗
PubMed2000

Continuing medical education-driven skills acquisition and impact on improved patient outcomes in family practice setting.

BACKGROUND: An abundance of educational theory, design, and delivery of continuing medical education (CME) learning interventions, including their impact on learners, are described in the health and social sciences literature. However, establishing a direct correlation between the acquisition of new skills by learners and patient outcomes as a result of a planned CME learning intervention has been difficult to demonstrate. METHODS: The learning intervention described here tested the impact of an injection skills-acquisition program for family physicians treating osteoarthritis of the knee by measuring patient outcomes using the pain and function subscales of the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) 3.0 osteoarthritis index, a standardized and fully validated patient-centered outcome measurement. It was hypothesized that patients of family physicians who participated in this skills-acquisition CME program would benefit from treatment administered by their physician during the time between injection skills acquisition to 6 weeks post-injection. Inclusion of a validated health status measure administered pre- and post-injection in addition to more traditional faculty and participant program evaluations was deemed necessary to test this hypothesis. Rheumatology, orthopedic surgery, and family medicine specialists from across Canada were invited to contribute to the planning, curriculum elaboration, and delivery of the viscosupplement injector preceptorship (VIP) program. Thirty-nine orthopedic and rheumatology specialists agreed to serve as expert faculty and participated in training 474 Canadian family and general practitioners over 8 months. The learning intervention involved a review of pertinent literature by a local preceptor and a summary of recommendations of the planning committee, followed by demonstration of injector skills and then supervised practice with patients, who received hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc, Ridgefield, NJ) usually in the offices of the family physicians. The pain and function subscales of the WOMAC 3.0 questionnaire were self-administered to each patient in their physician's office, prior to receiving their joint injection and again at or near 6-weeks post-injection. Data were analyzed in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at The University of Western Ontario, London, ON. RESULTS: Clinically important statistically significant improvements in pain and physical function were noted in patients who received viscosupplementation treatment from family physicians who had recently acquired the necessary injection skills. Approximately three-quarters of the patients experienced a reduction in pain and an improvement in physical function of at least 20%. IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest a positive relationship between acquisition of a new skill by learners and improved patient outcomes as a result of this planned CME learning intervention.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2006

A guide to knowledge translation theory.

Despite calls over several decades for theory development, there remains no overarching knowledge-translation theory. However, a range of models and theoretical perspectives focused on narrower and related areas have been available for some time. We provide an overview of selected perspectives that we believe are particularly useful for developing testable and useful knowledge-translation interventions. In addition, we discuss adjuvant theories necessary to complement these perspectives. We draw from organizational innovation, health, and social sciences literature to illustrate the similarities and differences of various theoretical perspectives related to the knowledge-translation field.A variety of theoretical perspectives useful to knowledge translation exist. They are often spread across disciplinary boundaries, making them difficult to locate and use. Poor definitional clarity, discipline-specific terminology, and implicit assumptions often hinder the use of complementary perspectives. Health care environments are complex, and assessing the setting prior to selecting a theory should be the first step in knowledge-translation initiatives. Finding a fit between setting (context) and theory is important for knowledge-translation initiatives to succeed. Because one theory will not fit all contexts, it is helpful to understand and use several different theories. Although there are often barriers associated with combining theories from different disciplines, such obstacles can be overcome, and to do so will increase the likelihood that knowledge-translation initiatives will succeed.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗
PubMed2006

Is there a case for using visual analogue scale valuations in cost-utility analysis?

This paper critically reviews theoretical and empirical propositions regarding visual analogue scale (VAS) valuations of health states and their use in cost-utility analysis (CUA). A widely repeated assertion in the economic evaluation literature is the inferiority, on theoretical grounds, of VAS valuations. Five common criticisms are: VAS lacks a theoretical foundation; VAS values are not 'choice based'; VAS values are not consistent with utility-under-uncertainty requirements; context and range effects observed in VAS valuation data mean that they cannot even be considered to represent measurable value functions; and when completing a VAS, people are not trying to express values. We address each of these points: the VAS does have a theoretical basis, being entirely consistent with the non-welfarist foundations of QALYs and CUA; the 'choiceless' nature of the VAS is incorrectly judged by stated preference criteria relevant to monetary rather than health state valuations, and VAS valuations do in any case involve an element of choice; because valuations are intended for use in social decision-making, it may be advantageous that VAS values are elicited under conditions of certainty; although there are measurement problems with the VAS, means such as better design and transformations of data can deal with these; and with any method of eliciting values, it is unrealistic to expect people consciously to think in terms of social science constructs such as utilities.Moreover, there are problems, both theoretical and empirical, with alternative methods. Selection of the appropriate valuation method should be based on empirical performance, and in this the VAS has important advantages. We conclude that there are strong grounds for disputing the consensus view against the VAS and challenge those who hold it to deploy more convincing arguments and evidence in favour of alternative methods. However, we identify areas where further research is required to establish and consolidate the potential of the VAS as a valuation method.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed2004

The information-processing approach to the human mind: Basics and beyond.

Cognitive psychology attempts to understand the nature of the human mind by using the information-processing approach. In this article, the fundamentals of the cognitive approach will be presented. It will be argued that the human mind can be described at three levels-computational, algorithmic-representational, and implementational-and that the cognitive approach has both important theoretical and practical/clinical implications. Finally, it will be suggested that the study of cognitive psychology can provide a foundation for other fields of social science, including the field of clinical psychology.

Cognition↗
PubMed2001

Paradigms, promises, and the potential of clinical psychology.

Both Plaud's and Ilardi and Feldman's articles call for clinical psychology to redefine itself according to a particular paradigm or "unifying framework." This commentary focuses on the nature of clinical psychology as an applied discipline, whether clinical psychology in fact has an urgent need for a unifying framework, and whether radical behaviorism or cognitive neuroscience could provide such a framework. It is concluded that, as an applied field that draws both theory and method from a number of natural and social sciences, clinical psychology is served best by continued development and appropriation of competing scientific viewpoints rather than by fealty to a single perspective or paradigm.

Behaviorism↗
PubMed2003

Minding experience: An exploration of the concept of "experience" in the early French anthropology of Durkheim, Lévy-Bruhl, and Lévi-Strauss.

In line with the growing concern with the unexamined reliance upon the concept of "experience" in anthropology, this article explores in some detail the various usages and definitions of the concept in the work of three of early French anthropology's most influential theorists: Emile Durkheim (1858-1918), Lucien Lévy-Bruhl (1857-1939), and Claude Lévi-Strauss (1908-). With its important influence on both British and American anthropology, the early French anthropological tradition, as epitomized in the writings of these three thinkers, has indeed played a pivotal role in shaping many current taken-for-granted understandings of the concept of experience in the discipline of anthropology as a whole. In the process of exploring how experience is viewed by these three scholars, this paper will thus take some initial steps toward the historical contextualization of many of the unquestioned assumptions underpinning current understandings of experience in the discipline of anthropology and the social sciences more generally.

Anthropology↗
PubMed2004

Cheiron's origins: personal recollections and a photograph.

When the Cheiron Society convened at the University of New Hampshire for its thirty-fifth annual meeting in June 2003, members were returning to the site where the proposal to establish a new scholarly organization to promote research in the history of the behavioral and social sciences originated in the summer of 1968. I was witness to Cheiron's birthing and have been closely involved in its evolution over the years, and so was asked to comment on the circumstances that produced what has become a vibrant source of stimulation and support for those of us interested in the field. (For other published accounts of the Institute and Cheiron's founding see Brozek, Watson, & Ross, 1969, 1970; Goodman, 1979, 1982; Watson, 1972, 1975; and Weyant, 1968.)

History, 20th Century↗
PubMed2006

NICHD research initiative in newborn screening.

Recent changes in genetics research have created new opportunities to improve the scope and quality of newborn screening services. Changes in newborn screening should be supported and directed by an organized program of research. The NICHD Research Initiative in Newborn Screening includes the development of systematic methods to identify additional conditions appropriate for newborn screening; development and testing innovative interventions and treatments to improve outcomes; education of the provider workforce; development and implementation of appropriate information and communication systems for parents and providers; and, sponsoring an ongoing program of research and research training. Future needs will include the development of a national translational research infrastructure, prevention research and research into behavioral and social sciences issues. The NICHD Research Initiative in Newborn Screening is expected to be an ongoing and vital initiative that adapts itself to new scientific findings, technological developments, changes in the public and personal health care system, and our evolving understanding of the needs of affected individuals, families and the community.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed2004

Being a parent or grandparent with back pain, ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis: a descriptive postal survey.

Research that explores being a parent or grandparent with musculoskeletal problems has been fairly limited to date. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of parenting in the context of back pain (BP), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a particular focus on the extent and nature of childcare experiences and to compare these experiences across the three groups. In addition, the possible reasons for these reported experiences, the availability of advice and support and the development of strategies for coping were explored using a cross-sectional descriptive survey. A total of 448 participants was recruited from relevant charitable organizations and the National Health Service (280 with BP, 106 with AS and 62 with RA). A combination of opportunistic and random sampling was used. Quantitative data were analysed with appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 10). Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Results indicate that a high proportion of all groups experienced a wide range of difficulties with parenting (81% BP, 77% AS, 97% RA). The most prevalent problems were similar for all three groups: lifting baby/child from the floor or cot, encouraging children/grandchildren to help with domestic chores and keeping up (in terms of energy) with children/grandchildren. However, the RA group reported having greater difficulties than the other two groups. Very little advice was offered to participants with parenting difficulties which may indicate a gap in service provision. However, a wide range of strategies for coping were described by respondents. The study highlighted a need for healthcare professionals to develop a greater awareness of parenting issues and to provide opportunities for these issues to be addressed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Beyond Campbell and Fiske: assessment of convergent and discriminant validity.

While it is not an innovation in the more established social sciences, the multitrait multimethod (MTMM) technique (Campbell & Fiske, 1959) and additional, more powerful statistical methods of interpreting a MTMM matrix of correlations, have not been used extensively in nursing to assess construct validity of new instruments. This article reviews the Campbell and Fiske method for the assessment of convergent and discriminant validity, reviews the application of the method in the nursing literature, and describes the limitations of the original method. In addition, the procedures, strengths, and limitations of the analysis of variance and confirmatory factor analytic approaches to the quantification of Campbell and Fiske's criteria are described.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

'Dividing the desolation': clients views on the benefits of a cancer counselling service.

This paper describes clients' accounts of the benefits they derived from a short course of cancer counselling provided within a humanist framework. Three hundred and two clients who had attended at least one session of a short course of cancer counselling received an evaluation form, which incorporated both fixed-choice and open-ended questions. One hundred and forty two (47%) clients returned evaluation forms; those who had attended more sessions were significantly more likely to do so. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) for Windows and qualitative data using a thematic approach. Almost all clients indicated that they felt they had benefited from counselling. Analysis of the open-ended questions identified nine main benefits of counselling and four key avenues or processes through which clients derived these benefits. Overall, counselling was seen as helping them to work through powerful thoughts and feelings and so to come to terms with cancer and to regain a sense of control in their lives. The benefits of a short course of counselling which clients identified reflect the aims of humanistic counselling which are not well captured by psychiatric assessments or most standard research instruments. In evaluating cancer counselling services, assessments which include these client-defined outcomes may provide a more sensitive way of gauging the value of counselling to a non-clinic population.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Bayesian analysis of structural equation models with dichotomous variables.

Structural equation modelling has been used extensively in the behavioural and social sciences for studying interrelationships among manifest and latent variables. Recently, its uses have been well recognized in medical research. This paper introduces a Bayesian approach to analysing general structural equation models with dichotomous variables. In the posterior analysis, the observed dichotomous data are augmented with the hypothetical missing values, which involve the latent variables in the model and the unobserved continuous measurements underlying the dichotomous data. An algorithm based on the Gibbs sampler is developed for drawing the parameters values and the hypothetical missing values from the joint posterior distributions. Useful statistics, such as the Bayesian estimates and their standard error estimates, and the highest posterior density intervals, can be obtained from the simulated observations. A posterior predictive p-value is used to test the goodness-of-fit of the posited model. The methodology is applied to a study of hypertensive patient non-adherence to medication.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1993

Measurement error in dietary assessment: an investigation using covariance structure models. Part I.

Repeated measures of diet are analysed in an attempt to discover the measurement error properties of various dietary assessment methods. It is customary in such studies to assume that one reference measurement is 'valid' (without error) but this assumption is not tenable. An alternative approach, widely used in social science, is to model the covariance matrix of the repeated measures. We apply this methodology to assessments of nitrogen intake, which is essentially equivalent to protein intake.

Bias↗
PubMed2002

The contemporary diet in France: "de-structuration" or from commensalism to "vagabond feeding".

Data collected from a sample of working individuals lunching at staff cafeterias were analysed to characterise contemporary food habits in terms of meal structure, eating outside meals, and other aspects of the organization of the daily food intake. Discrepancies were found between individuals' ideas of a proper meal and their actual practices. This brings to light some contradictions between conceptions underlying the contemporary diet and the more traditional idea of a structured meal. Analysis of the eater's search for a balanced diet from a cultural and historical viewpoint opens avenues of research common to both the social sciences and food science.

Adult↗