Satisfaction With Psychology Training In the Veterans Healthcare Administration

Given that VA is the largest trainer of psychologists in the United States, this study sought to understand satisfaction with VA psychology training and which elements of training best predict trainees\u27 positive perceptions of training (e.g., willingness to choose training experience again, stated intentions to work in VA). Psychology trainees completed the Learners\u27 Perceptions Survey (LPS) from 2005 to 2017 (N = 5,342). Satisfaction was uniformly high. Trainee satisfaction was significantly associated with level of training, facility complexity, and some patient-mix factors. Learning environment (autonomy, time with patients, etc.), clinical faculty/preceptors (teaching ability, accessibility, etc.), and personal experiences (work/life balance, personal responsibility for patient care, etc.) were the biggest drivers of stated willingness to repeat training experiences in VA and seek employment there. Results have implications for psychologists involved in the provision of a training experience valued by trainees

Metal worker’s lung: spatial association with Mycobacterium avium

Background Outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) are not uncommon in workplaces where metal working fluid (MWF) is used to facilitate metal turning. Inhalation of microbe-contaminated MWF has been assumed to be the cause, but previous investigations have failed to establish a spatial relationship between a contaminated source and an outbreak. Objectives After an outbreak of five cases of HP in a UK factory, we carried out blinded, molecular-based microbiological investigation of MWF samples in order to identify potential links between specific microbial taxa and machines in the outbreak zone. Methods Custom-quantitative PCR assays, microscopy and phylogenetic analyses were performed on blinded MWF samples to quantify microbial burden and identify potential aetiological agents of HP in metal workers. Measurements and main results MWF from machines fed by a central sump, but not those with an isolated supply, was contaminated by mycobacteria. The factory sump and a single linked machine at the centre of the outbreak zone, known to be the workstation of the index cases, had very high levels of detectable organisms. Phylogenetic placement of mycobacterial taxonomic marker genes generated from these samples indicated that the contaminating organisms were closely related to Mycobacterium avium. Conclusions We describe, for the first time, a close spatial relationship between the abundance of a mycobacterium-like organism, most probably M. avium, and a localised outbreak of MWF-associated HP. The further development of sequence-based analytic techniques should assist in the prevention of this important occupational disease

Relation Between Weight Status, Gender, Ethnicity and the Food and Activity Choices of Adolescents

The present study examined the relationship between the variables weight status (expected weight, overweight), ethnicity, and gender and the dependent variables dietary intake and physical activity behaviors among adolescents. The data presented in this study were collected using the Nutrition Questionnaire for High School Students, which was completed by 199 adolescents in a high school in southwest Florida in February of 2004. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to identify differences in dietary intake and physical activity behaviors between weight status groups. The primary questions in this study related to interactions and main effects between the variables weight category, ethnicity, and gender and the dependent variables dietary intake and physical activity behaviors. Weight category was determined by computing each participant\u27s body mass index (BMI = weight in kilograms/height in meters²). A BMI \u3e 24.9 was considered overweight and a BMI \u3c 25.0 was considered expected weight. Ethnicity and gender were based on self-report. The findings of this study indicate that there are group differences in dietary intake behaviors and physical activity behaviors. With respect to dietary intake behaviors, main effects were observed for weight category, gender, and ethnicity. However, follow-up univariate F-tests were not significant. The lack of statistical significances may be to due the very small sample sizes which reduced statistical power. Medium effect sizes were reported for gender differences on milk consumption (males had higher means than females), and for ethnic differences on junk food consumption (African Americans had the highest consumption followed by Caucasians and Latinos, respectively). For physical activity behaviors, main effects were observed for gender and ethnicity, but not for weight category. The follow-up univariate F-tests were significant for gender differences on vigorous activity behaviors (males had higher means than females), and for ethnic differences on moderate activity behaviors (Caucasians had the larger mean followed by African Americans and Latinos, respectively). Medium effect sizes were also observed on these pairwise comparisons. Implications for the field of school psychology are discussed with example opportunities for school psychologists to assist in the development of accommodation plans, to collaborate with medical professionals to address overweight and some of its physical and mental health consequences, to help create environments that encourage health-supporting behaviors, and to assist in the development of individual and school-wide interventions

Relation Between Weight Status, Gender, Ethnicity and the Food and Activity Choices of 6th and 9th Graders

The present study examined the relationship between the variables weight status (expected weight, at-risk for overweight, and overweight), ethnicity, and gender and the dependent variables dietary intake and physical activity behaviors among adolescents. Data presented in this study were collected using the Nutrition and Exercise Survey for Students, which was completed by 535 6th grade and 9th grade students across 3 middle and 2 high-schools in southwest Florida. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to identify differences in dietary intake and physical activity behaviors between groups. The primary questions related to interactions and main effects between the variables weight category, ethnicity, and gender and the dependent variables dietary intake and physical activity behaviors. Weight category was determined by computing each participant\u27s body mass index percentile (BMI = weight in kilograms/height in meters2). The findings of this study indicate that there are group differences in dietary intake behaviors among 6th graders and physical activity behaviors among 6th and 9th grade participants. With respect to dietary intake behaviors, an interaction was observed for gender and ethnicity, and main effects were observed for weight category and gender. Follow-up univariate F-tests were significant for weight category on meat/beans and junk food consumption; and gender differences on meat/beans consumption. All obtained effect sizes were small. For physical activity behaviors, a main effect was observed for gender among 6th grade participants and interaction was observed for gender and ethnicity among 9th grade participants. The follow-up univariate F-tests were significant for gender differences on total and vigorous activity behaviors (males had higher means than females) and small effect sizes were observed. The follow-up univariate F-tests for the gender and ethnicity interaction were not significant. Implications for the field of school psychology are discussed within the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention model. Within this framework, a discussion of how school psychologists can assist in creating environments that encourage health-supporting behaviors at the individual and school-wide levels will be presented. Further, the need for school psychologists to collaborate with other health professionals to address overweight and some of its physical and mental health consequences is provided

A Scaphoid Stress Fracture in a Female Collegiate-Level Shot-Putter and Review of the Literature

Scaphoid stress fractures are rare injuries that have been described in young, high-level athletes who exhibit repetitive loading with the wrist in extension. We present a case of an occult scaphoid stress fracture in a 22-year-old female Division I collegiate shot-putter. She was successfully treated with immobilization in a thumb spica splint for 6 weeks. Loaded wrist extension activities can predispose certain high-level athletes to sustain scaphoid stress fractures, and a high index of suspicion in this patient population may aid prompt diagnosis and management of this rare injury