Thinking styles and doctors' knowledge and behaviours relating to acute coronary syndromes guidelines

Background How humans think and make decisions is important in understanding behaviour. Hence an understanding of cognitive processes among physicians may inform our understanding of behaviour in relation to evidence implementation strategies. A personality theory, Cognitive-Experiential Self Theory (CEST) proposes a relationship between different ways of thinking and behaviour, and articulates pathways for behaviour change. However prior to the empirical testing of interventions based on CEST, it is first necessary to demonstrate its suitability among a sample of healthcare workers. Objectives To investigate the relationship between thinking styles and the knowledge and clinical practices of doctors directly involved in the management of acute coronary syndromes. Methods Self-reported doctors' thinking styles (N = 74) were correlated with results from a survey investigating knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice, and evaluated against recently published acute coronary syndrome clinical guidelines. Results Guideline-discordant practice was associated with an experiential style of thinking. Conversely, guideline-concordant practice was associated with a higher preference for a rational style of reasoning. Conclusion Findings support that while guidelines might be necessary to communicate evidence, other strategies may be necessary to target discordant behaviours. Further research designed to examine the relationships found in the current study is required

Social climates in community groups: Toward a taxonomy

While community groups have often helped people cope with stress, little empirical research has been available to guide their use in prevention or treatment. To partly fill this gap, an empirical taxonomy of community groups was derived from ratings of 41 randomly selected groups on 35 dimensions of Group Structure, function, and Membership Characteristics. Cluster analysis defined five types. By comparison with other associations, Self-Interest (e.g., liberation and minority) groups rated lower in regulations and had members who were newer to the community. Self-Help groups were highly regulated settings providing support, integration, and developmental aids. Their members had few social relations apart from the family. Social Communion groups rated high on the provision of support for members often living without family. Civic Development groups rated highest on dimensions emphasizing personal development for persons with external sources of support and status. Finally, Recreation groups were casual and briefly attended groups. Their members were younger and less often married than those in other associations. Strategies for group referrals may be implied.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44299/1/10597_2004_Article_BF00835723.pd