Discrepancies between patients' and partners' perceptions of unsupportive behavior in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The literature on chronic diseases indicates that partner support, as perceived by patients, contributes to well-being of patients in either a positive or a negative way. Previous studies indicated that patients' and partners' perceptions of unsupportive partner behavior are only moderately related. Our aim was (1) to investigate whether discrepancies between patients' and partners' perceptions of two types of unsupportive partner behavior-overprotection and protective buffering-were associated with the level of distress reported by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and (2) to evaluate whether the direction of the differences between patients' and partners' perceptions was associated with distress (i.e., whether patient distress was associated with greater patient or greater partner reports of unsupportive partner behavior). A cross-sectional study was performed using the data of a sample of 68 COPD patients and their spouses. Distress was assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. Patients' and partners' perceptions of unsupportive partner behavior were assessed with a questionnaire measuring overprotection and protective buffering. Distress was independently associated with patients' perceptions of protective buffering and discrepancies in spouses' perceptions of overprotection. Regarding the direction of the discrepancy, we found that greater partner reports of overprotection as compared with patient reports were related to more distress in COPD patients. Our study showed that patients' distress was associated not only with patients' perceptions, but also with discrepancies between patients' and partners' perceptions of unsupportive partner behavior

Identifying Patients with COPD in Need for Psychosocial Care Through Screening with the HSCL-25 and the CCQ Mental State

High levels of psychological distress are documented in patients with COPD. This study investigates the extent to which patients with a high score on the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) or with a high score on the Mental State scale of the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) endorse a need for psychosocial care, and investigates several characteristics of patients with a need. Outpatients with COPD of the Department of Pulmonary Diseases of a University Medical Center were assessed with the HSCL-25, CCQ and a question on need for psychosocial care. For patients indicating a need, the percentage of patients with HSCL-25 ≥39 was compared with the percentage of patients with CCQ Mental State >2 and tested with a Chi-square. In total 323 patients participated; 57% of them were distressed according to the HSCL-25 (≥39) and 20% according to the CCQ Mental State (>2); 28% reported a need for psychosocial care. For patients reporting a need for psychosocial care a higher percentage was identified by the HSCL-25 than by the CCQ Mental State (χ2 = 9.41, p <. 002) and they were younger than patients without a need (t = 4.48, p <. 001). No differences existed for sex, FEV1, FEV1% predicted or medical comorbidities. The HSCL-25 identified more patients in need than the CCQ Mental State scale. However, not all patients with a need were identified. No relationship was found between need for psychosocial care and illness variables or comorbidities. Distress screening is questioned as the most effective way to identity patients with COPD in need for psychosocial care

From CSR to Impact; How to Integrate CSR in a University Strategy

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, which was drawn up in 2020, after the adoption of the Strategic Plan. The topic “Research and education to contribute to societal challenges” is at the top of the CSR agenda, because we assume that WUR will have the greatest societal impact through its education and research activities. CSR is all about Impact and impact is a key term in the current strategy. Because CSR, Impact and Strategy are so closely related, especially in a university, it is important to develop new perspectives on how CSR can best be integrated into the strategy. This fits in well with WUR as an organization with a great social responsibility: at an organization like WUR you would expect CSR to be anchored in the core of the organization, so that no separate CSR strategy is needed. The article explores the various ways to embed the CSR perspective in the new Strategic Plan of the organization, describes the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches and concludes which approach would be the most suitable for a future-proof sustainable university

From Waste Management to Circular Resource Management

The circular economy is a topic researched by Wageningen University & Research (WUR). In addition to better waste management WUR strives to reduce the use of resources in its operational management. Recently WUR’s executive board ratified a Circular economy policy, vision & strategy 2019-2030. Aim is to achieve a 50% reduction in the use of resources in 2030, compared to 2014. This ambition follows the circular economy policy launched by the Dutch government.By buying fewer products, making smarter use of products, extending their lifespan and re-using products within WUR or elsewhere, WUR will reduce the number of resources used, as well as the amount of waste that is incinerated or recycled. In order to follow the progress of WUR’s circular economy policy WUR will also monitor the usage of resources, in addition to the current waste monitoring. Strategies proposed are to extend the use of products, to recycle products for new purposes, extending the lifespan of new products and to close the circle for new products fully. The success of WUR’s circular economy policy depends on acceptance and support by, and behaviour of students and employees whose expertise WUR will furthermore use where possible. WUR will also cooperate where possible with other organisations and companies

Best practices in greening transportation at Wageningen University & Research

Key words for the sustainable mobility policy of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) are: safe, healthy, sustainable, accessible, emission reduction and future-focused. WUR mobility policy has three key elements, in the following order of importance: 1) less travel, 2) transition to sustainable modes of transport, and 3) efficient, clean transport. The objective is to further decrease our annual carbon emissions by at least 2%. WUR’s long-term mobility policy is outlined in the Mobility Plan 2030. Measures are focused on encouraging cycling and use of public transport, and discouraging use of fossil fuels for business travel and commuting. Alternatives to air travel and sustainable transport options are facilitated. Examples of promoting sustainable transport are offering e-bike test drives for employees and the introduction of an app for business trips with electric cars, bicycles and public transport. A stricter policy on business travel by train within Europe was implemented, with a Travel Check for staff to find alternatives for air travel. In addition, due to the corona pandemic, WUR drew up a policy on remote working and aims to maximise sustainability benefits of remote work.Keyword: Sustainable transport, sustainable mobility, low-emission vehicles, remote workin

Lungs under a cloud:Psychological aspects of COPD

Psychological aspects are of importance with respect to symptoms in COPD. The research in this thesis focused on several of them. First, we looked at the association of other medical conditions or depressive symptoms (next to the COPD) with mortality. We found that there was no association. Also, we investigated partner support and its association with distress (having symptoms of an anxiety or depressive disorder). We found that patients were more distressed when they perceived their partners behaved in a ‘protective buffering’ way (i.e. concealing worries, avoiding negative experiences) or when spouses perceived ‘overprotective behavior’ by partners (i.e. providing unnecessary help) differently from each other. In addition, we also looked into the relationship between distress and the need for professional psychosocial care. We found that patients with high scores on a distress questionnaire did not necessarily report a need for psychosocial care. Therefore, we question distress questionnaires as a proper way to identify patients with a need for psychosocial care. We tried to study the effectiveneness of a psychological treatment. However, we were unable to include enough patients in our study. Therefore, we reflect on possible explanations and make recommendations for future psychological treatment studies. We suggest that patient participation in designing studies is important to prevent problems. Finally, we looked into the worldwide use of translated versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; a frequently used questionnaire in COPD research). Researchers tend to overlook issues, that could be created (in part) by translation and cross-cultural problems