Mark Rothko: Untitled (Black on Maroon).

Rothko’s ‘Untitled, Black on Maroon’ 1958 was vandalised on the 7th October 2012. A moment later a Tate visitor posted an image of the vandalised painting on Twitter. "We heard the sound of a pen, but by the time we turned around he was pretty much finished with his tag," said Tim Wright, who was with his girlfriend on a weekend visit to London from Bristol. "The pen ink then just dripped down the painting. Once we realised what had happened, we went to find a member of staff. They were reall..

Development and validation of motivational messages to improve prescription medication adherence for patients with chronic health problems

Objective: Poor adherence with prescription medications is a serious problem in health care, especially true for patients with chronic diseases. Previous strategies to promote adherence have generally not resulted in long-term improvements. This research program is designed to improve on past intervention strategies by developing evidence-based and theoretically grounded communication interventions to promote increased adherence. Methods: Phase 1 of this research program used qualitative methods to examine the uncertainties and concerns that influence medication adherence, identify messages for addressing these concerns, and develop refined motivational messages for promoting medication adherence. Phase 2 of this research program experimentally assessed chronic disease patients' evaluations of the refined motivational messages. Results: Phase 1 qualitative research indicated that patient concerns about their need for the prescribed medication (commitment) was the primary adherence issue, followed by concerns about side effects and the safety of prescription medications, and concerns about the medication costs. These three key issues were translated into draft motivational messages which were evaluated, validated, and refined. Phase 2 experimental research showed that exposure to motivational messages increased consumers' intention to adhere with medication recommendations. Conclusion: Follow-up intervention research is warranted to test the use of these motivational messages to promote medication adherence. Practice implications: Pharmacies and pharmacists have the potential to perform a central role in providing consumers with the relevant information they need to make responsible decisions that lead to increased adherence with prescription medication recommendations.7 page(s

"Practicing medicine" : patient perceptions of physician communication and the process of prescription

Objective: This study explores patient perceptions of physician communication regarding prescription medications and develops a theory of the effects of perceived physician communication on the patient decision-making process of medication taking. Methods: Using a grounded theory approach, this study systematically analyzed patient narratives of communication with physicians regarding prescription medications and the patient's resulting medication taking and adherence behavior. Results: Participants described concern about side effects, lack of perceived need for medications, and healthcare system factors as barriers to medication adherence. Overall, participants seemed to assess the utility of communication about these issues based on their perceptions of their physician as the source of the message. Conclusion: The theory generated here includes patient assessments of their physician's credibility (trustworthiness and expertise) as a critical influence in how chronically-ill patients process information about the need for prescribed therapy. Trial and error to find appropriate medications seemed to deteriorate patients' perceptions of their physicians' credibility. Practice implications: A practical application of this theory is the recommendation for physicians to increase perceived expertise by clearly outlining treatment processes at the outset of treatment, presenting efficacy and timeline expectations for finding appropriate medications.9 page(s