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Dr. Hovell Presents Adherence Among High Risk Populations Return to Top Dr. Hovell’s program of research includes behaviors such as medication taking, exercise, smoking, and domestic violence, and crosses a broad range of ages, ethnicities, and disorders, for example, asthma, AIDS, and tuberculosis. His research program includes both university-based clinical trials and community-based evaluation research. A videotape of Dr. Hovell’s presentation is available to borrow by calling 412-624-7838. Research in Progress Meeting Focuses on Smoking Cessation Return to Top The Research in Progress Series met October 12, 1999 to discuss the current project of Dr. Susan Albrecht, "Pregnant Teen Fresh Start Nursing Intervention," which focuses on smoking cessation of pregnant teenagers. Dr. Albrecht started the discussion by addressing three main issues surrounding her project: Recruitment, Retention, and Success/Relapse. Dr. Albrecht centered her talk on the challenges of recruiting young pregnant teenagers who smoke, and then once recruited, retaining them in the smoking cessation group meetings for the duration of their pregnancy. Suggestions were made during the meeting regarding where Dr. Albrecht might obtain referrals of prospective participants and also on ways to increase retention through addressing transportation issues. All suggestions were duly noted and will be followed up by Dr. Albrecht and her research team. Dr. Albrecht commented on the importance of reaching young women who smoke while they are pregnant. When they are pregnant there is a window of opportunity to help them stop smoking; they all want what is best for their baby. The additional challenge to keep them off smoking once the baby is born is another research project in and of itself, another project that Dr. Albrecht and her team of researchers are in the process of organizing and implementing. The next Research in Progress Series will be held February 8, 2000 at 11am in Room 459C Victoria Building Dr. Gustafson Explains Computer-Based Health Support Systems Return to Top Some of the components of CHESS include an overview of the disorder, decision-making and planning, journal entry, news, library, links to relevant Web sites, discussion groups, and e-mail. On average, patients use CHESS 1.5 times per day over three months, with higher usage rates for those who live alone. In clinical trials, CHESS has had a positive impact on patients’ quality of life and use of health services. Dr. Gustafson reported that CHESS reduces the incidence of risk taking behaviors but does not prevent the adoption of high-risk behaviors, possibly because tension to change is not present in those not currently engaging in the high-risk behaviors. Dr. Gustafson ended his presentation with a forecast of computer-based health support systems. A videotape of Dr. Gustafson’s presentation is available to borrow by calling 412-624-7838. Journal Club Discusses Quality of Life and Obesity Return to Top Dr. Lora Burke led the Journal Club on October 19, 1999 in a discussion of the article recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine entitled, "Impairment of Health and Quality of Life Using New US Federal Guidelines for the Identification of Obesity," by Michael E.J. Lean,, Thang S. Han, and Jacob C. Seidell. Obesity is now considered a chronic disorder as it has many ramifications on a person’s overall health. Dr. Burke emphasized the cardiovascular and diabetic implications, highlighted in the article, as well as the behavioral and social issues often seen in obese patients. While the article presented did not account for a behavioral understanding of obesity, it is still an important study as it addresses a serious health issue that has only recently been acknowledged as a medical disorder. As the conversation continued, discussion shifted away from the physiological aspects of obesity to the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles. In the United States, 55% of adults qualify as being obese. For children, this number is reaching the 22% mark. It is important to instill in children, whose lifestyle habits are still forming, the importance of healthy living. An active lifestyle and a proper nutritious diet are key factors in reducing the increasing prevalence of obesity. Copies of the article discussed are available in the CRCD. The next meeting of the Journal Club will be held February 15, 2000 at 11am in Room 459 C Victoria Building. Extensive CRCD Bibliography Submitted to NINR Return to Top Two hundred and four articles and abstracts were submitted from CRCD investigators that were specific to the CRCD core variables of quality of life, functional status, cognitive function or adherence. One hundred and forty-three articles and abstracts, published by CRCD investigators, were submitted as additionally relevant to the CRCD aims. The CRCD would like to thank all of the investigators and affiliates who graciously sent us their publications for this NINR submission. We were glad to showcase the information that the CRCD investigators have contributed to the science base in chronic disorders Dr. Carol Smith from KUMC Explains Telehealth Return to Top Dr. Smith presented the pilot studies that resulted in a model of caregiving context, adaptive context, and caregiving effectiveness being tested in currently funded studies. Data-based interventions being examined in clinical trials include the use of videotapes and pamphlets, self-monitoring, peer-Internet, and distance experts to address problems such as knowledge deficit, poor adherence, depression, and diminished quality of life. Dr. Smith reported that Telehealth and Internet education are here to stay and should be embraced as components of nursing. A videotape of Dr. Smith presentation is available to borrow by calling 412-624-7838.New Books and Publications in CRCD Library Return to Top Proposal planning and writing– L. Miner, J. Miner, & J. Griffith (1999) Return to Top |
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