A Pilot Experimental Study of Adding the Copm To the Occupational Therapy Evaluation Process In the Swing-bed Division of A Rural Hospital Setting

Background: Extensive evidence is available on the efficacy of occupation-based practice for improving patient outcomes in hospital settings. There were no studies that took place specifically in the swing-bed division of rural hospital settings regarding occupation-based practice prior to the implementation of this study. Purpose: This study sought to determine whether the addition of the COPM would increase occupational performance and patient satisfaction for individuals treated in the swing-bed division of a rural hospital setting. Theoretical Framework: The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement is the primary theory supporting this study, due to the emphasis placed on client-centeredness, spirituality, and occupational performance and engagement. Methods: The Capstone Project is a pilot experimental research design with a sample size of 4 participants who were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups. Participants in the experimental group completed the COPM with treatment focused on goals identified in the COPM and participants in the control group received usual care. Outcome measures were administered during the initial encounter and prior to discharge comprised of the following: Barthel Index, patient satisfaction, and percentage of goals met. Participants in the experimental group participated in COPM assessment during the initial encounter and prior to discharge. Conclusions: Improvements in performance and satisfaction COPM scores occurred for participants in the experimental group, but were not minimally clinically significant. Both groups were overall satisfied with the occupational therapy services provided, with the control group reporting slightly higher ratings. No differences in percentage of goals met occurred between groups, due to participants in both groups meeting 100% of their goals. There was a significant difference in Barthel Index change scores between groups, with the control group exhibiting a ten-point increase in change scores, that could partially be attributed to lower initial Barthel Index scores

Optimal Nutrition for Endurance Exercise: A Systematic Review

Introduction As fatigue in endurance events correlates with depletion of muscle glycogen, the traditional approach to nutritional support has been carbohydrate loading. However, there has been recent interest in improving athletic endurance performance by novel diets in the days to weeks prior to endurance events, the pre-event meal, and during exercise. Methods We searched PubMed and SCOPUS for randomized trials published from 1992-2017 with a primary endpoint of endurance performance. We identified 407 citations which were examined against our inclusion criteria of randomization or crossover allocation to diet and for which a primary outcome was endurance performance. Results Twenty full text articles met our inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. In the days to weeks prior to testing, one trial of a high-fat diet versus carbohydrate improved performance, the others were neutral. There was no benefit of substituting protein for carbohydrate during this time period, but almond intake did result in ergogenic benefits. In the pre-event meal, fat only showed ergogenic benefits when combined with carbohydrate intake. A single study suggested that vegetable-derived nitrates did provide benefit. During endurance events, partial substitution of carbohydrates with protein had varying results on performance and should be further examined. Conclusion Carbohydrates remain the best fuel source both before and during events for overall endurance performance compared to other macronutrients, including water. Partial substitution of carbohydrate with fat and protein immediately before and during events warrants further investigation. Additional trials on nitrates and almond consumption are also needed

Innovative Education: Future and Challenge in Educational Research on Teaching and Learning toward Professional Development

Higher Education is considered the final step that enables young adults to become mature, well-trained and efficient employees, ready to embrace a working life. Throughout the world, new programs are constantly created in order to prepare young people, adapting new methodologies and techniques in alignment with the job demand offered by new emerging industries. This study is a guideline on how to initiate a new undergraduate program within high education institutions: it considers fundamental steps that assess and verify the need of such program, and whether it is viable. It then elucidates on all the necessary steps needed to develop a proper curriculum; finally, it enlists approval bodies in order to get the program up and running

A Social Media Give and Take: A Study of What Young Adults Would Give up to Stay Connected

Background: Social media presents both opportunities and risks for young adults. Although they may experience increased connectivity and creativity, excessive use can result in neglect of other aspects of life (e.g., physical activity, sleep). Purpose: Investigate social media usage patterns and addictions among young adults, while exploring what trade-offs they would be willing to make to stay connected on social media. Methods: Participants (N = 750) completed an online survey containing questions concerning demographics, social media usage patterns, relationships with social media, and trade-offs participants would make to remain on social media. A weighted least squares hierarchical multiple linear regression was performed to examine whether usage patterns/addiction predicted total trade-off scores. Results: Most participants (n = 727) had 2+ social media accounts, with Instagram (n = 693) being the most popular. Almost half of the sample (n = 342) reported checking social media 9+ times/day and more than three quarters spend at least one hour/day using social media (n = 626). More participants were willing to make food/drink or hobby-related trade-offs than health or life-related trade-offs. The regression was significant, F(6, 733) = 21.941, p \u3c.001, R2 = .390, with the number of social checks/day (p \u3c 0.05), time/day spent on social media (p \u3c 0.01), and social media addiction (p \u3c 0.001) all predicting increases in the number of trade-offs participants were willing to make. Conclusion: Higher social media usage rates/addiction can increase young adults\u27 willingness to make trade-offs in their personal lives to remain on social media

The socioeconomic gradient and chronic illness and associated risk factors in Australia

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of major chronic diseases and their risk factors in different socioeconomic groups in the Australian population, in order to highlight the need for public policy initiatives to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health. METHODS: Data were provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from the 2001 National Health Survey (NHS) for selected chronic diseases and associated risk factors. Conditions selected were those, which form the National Health Priority Area (NHPA) conditions (other than injury, which has not been included in this paper, with its focus on chronic disease); plus other 'serious' chronic conditions, in line with the classification developed by Mathers; and for which sufficient cases were available for analysis by socioeconomic status. Indirectly age-standardised prevalence rates were calculated by broad age group for Australia and for five groups of socioeconomic status; rate ratios were calculated to show variations in prevalence between these groups. RESULTS: Significant socioeconomic inequalities were evident for many of the major chronic diseases; the largest was for diabetes mellitus (at ages 25 to 64 years); and for many diseases, there was also a strong, continuous socioeconomic gradient in the rates. Circulatory system diseases (in particular, hypertensive disease) and digestive system diseases also exhibited a strong differential in the 25 to 64 year age group. In the 65 years and over age group, the strongest inequalities were evident for mental and behavioural problems, diabetes (with a continuous socioeconomic gradient in rates) and respiratory system diseases. A number of risk factors for chronic diseases, namely self-reported smoking, alcohol misuse, physical inactivity and excess weight showed a striking association with socioeconomic status, in particular for people who were smokers and those who did not exercise. CONCLUSION: This analysis shows that the prevalence of chronic disease varies across the socioeconomic gradient for a number of specific diseases, as well as for important disease risk factors. Therefore, any policy interventions to address the impact of chronic disease, at a population level, need to take into account these socioeconomic inequalities