The Individual Recovery Outcomes Counter:preliminary validation of a personal recovery measure

Aims and methodThe Individual Recovery Outcomes Counter (I.ROC) is to date the only recovery outcomes instrument developed in Scotland. This paper describes the steps taken to initially assess its validity and reliability, including factorial analysis, internal consistency and a correlation benchmarking analysis.ResultsThe I.ROC tool showed high internal consistency. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure comprising intrapersonal recovery (factor 1) and interpersonal recovery (factor 2), explaining between them over 50% of the variance in I.ROC scores. There were no redundant items and all loaded on at least one of the factors. The I.ROC significantly correlated with widely used existing instruments assessing both personal recovery and clinical outcomes.Clinical implicationsI.ROC is a valid and reliable measure of recovery in mental health, preferred by service users when compared with well-established instruments. It could be used in clinical settings to map individual recovery, providing feedback for service users and helping to assess service outcomes.</p

Semantic annotation in ubiquitous healthcare skills-based learning environments

This paper describes initial work on developing a semantic annotation system for the augmentation of skills-based learning for Healthcare. Scenario driven skills-based learning takes place in an augmented hospital ward simulation involving a patient simulator known as SimMan. The semantic annotation software enables real-time annotations of these simulations for debriefing of the students, student self study and better analysis of the learning approaches of mentors. A description of the developed system is provided with initial findings and future directions for the work.<br/

Visual stress and dyslexia for the practicing optometrist

Visual stress should not be confused with dyslexia. It refers to symptoms of discomfort and perceptual distortion that have a neurological origin. Pattern 2 of the Pattern Glare Test can be used to elicit symptoms of visual stress, but pattern 3 is of relatively little clinical use. The symptoms sometimes remit with tints, but studies consistently show that tinting precision well within 0.07 in the CIE 1976 UCS diagram is necessary for optimal effect (see Precision is necessary – strong evidence is now available, below).  An improvement in reading speed with filters (overlays or lenses) can be measured using the Wilkins Rate of Reading Test, and an increase in reading speed of 15% is likely to indicate an improvement that exceeds any due to random variation. Visual stress remains a controversial issue, partly because of the publicity surrounding untrialled methods and partly because of reviews that are partial

Feelings and Concerns of New Fathers When Their Spouses Have Epidural Anesthesia During Childbirth

Over the past years, the use of epidural anesthesia as an intervention for pain relief has increased in the labor and delivery setting. Exploration of the literature has not identified what effects the addition of this technology has had on the normal childbirth process and those participating in childbirth, specifically the new father. The purpose of this study was to explore first-time fathers\u27 perceptions of their feelings and concerns during the various phases of the labor and delivery experience in which epidural anesthesia is used. The study addresses the following research questions: (a) What are the perceptions of first-time fathers regarding their feelings and concerns at each of the following three stages in the labor and delivery experience: pre-epidural, post-epidural, and at time of delivery of their newborn?; and b) Do the levels of concerns and feelings differ during the various stages identified previously? The convenience sample consisted of first-time fathers whose newborns were delivered in a small Midwest, community hospital. Subjects met the following criteria: a) married at least one year; (b) first baby for both father and mother; (c) attendance at childbirth education classes; and (d) use of epidural anesthesia on spouse during childbirth. Fathers were surveyed through a self-administered questionnaire which was partly derived from The Berry Expectant Fathers Stress Index (BEFSI). Prior to administration, the questionnaire was reviewed by a panel of expert nurses for content and readability. The data from the questionnaires regarding perception and relevant demographic data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS/PC+). The results of the study found that fathers had five feelings and four concerns during childbirth. Feelings included: anxiousness, fear, happiness, confidence and closeness. Concerns included: concern for spouse, concern for baby, concern for self, and concern for the progress of labor. These feelings and concerns were reported at different levels during childbirth

Virtual interactive practice™: Utilising healthcare information systems to contexturalise the skills associated with clinical decision making within nurse education

This paper reports on a Virtual Interactive Practice (VIP) project that has the potential to revolutionise the educational delivery and learning of clinical skills complementing "real" practice. The focus is currently on nurse learning but the principles could equally be applied to multi and inter-professional learning and clinical decision-making. This project represents a new model to enhance clinical skill acquisition and clinical reasoning using a structured competency base. Integral to this is a strong partnership between education and practice utilising "real" live and recorded anonymised patient data from a critical care clinical information system (CIS) within a large district general hospital to structure scenarios fostering problem-based learning. This educational practice interface enables the synthesis of clinical data using virtual technology and sophisticated scenario-based simulation within a skills laboratory. The aim is to enhance the more ad hoc system of learning within conventional practice placements. Early findings suggest that VIP enhances practice providing a safe but challenging learning experience with the benefit of instant performance feedback to students

Revisiting the Red Effect on attractiveness and sexual receptivity: No effect of the color red on human mate preferences

Color-in-Context theory is the first theoretical framework for understanding color effects in human mate preferences, arguing that red clothing enhances attractiveness ratings. Here we present three empirical studies failing to support this prediction. We aimed to extend the current literature by differentiating color effects by temporal context (short-term versus long-term mating). Experiment 1 involved Dutch participants rating a woman in red, white, and black on (sexual) attractiveness. Experiment 2 replicated the first experiment with an American sample. In the final experiment we aimed to replicate a study that did find evidence of a red effect, using a substantially larger sample size. The results from each of the three studies (totaling N= 830 men) fail to support the red effect. We discuss the implications of our results and avenues for future research on red effects and attractiveness