Technology Adoption Factors For Oldera Adults: An Exploratory Gerontechnology Study

This study aims to explore the underlying factors of older adults’ technology resistance through qualitative exploratory method. A total of 139 older adults in Malaysia have been interviewed. The findings of this study shed light into these older adults’ experiences with new technology and factors affecting their technology adoption. The preliminary findings are reported and discussed

Effect of lithium and oral thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) on serum thyrotrophin (TSH) and radioiodine uptake in patients with well differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Singapore Medical Journal366606-608SIMJ

Bridging the digital divide for older adults via observational training:Effects of model identity from a generational perspective

The proliferation of technology offers potential solutions for enhancing the well-being of older adults. However, older adults often have low digital literacy and are disengaged from the digital world. With age-appropriate training, older adults are expected to acquire a wide range of technological skills and bridge the digital divide. Through the lens of social cognitive theory, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of observational training through behavior modeling in enhancing technology acceptance in older adults. The moderating effects of model identity on training outcomes from a generational perspective are examined. An empirical training experiment was completed with 59 community-dwelling older adults. Training outcomes were measured using cognitive knowledge, affective variables, and meta-cognition. The results ascertain the effectiveness of observational training in improving their technological knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and sense of social connectedness when using technologies. From a generational perspective, the older adult behavior model is more effective than the young or child behavior models in increasing self-efficacy and willingness to use technology. The model identity further enhances the positive outcomes of training. The results of this study contribute to designing educational interventions to bridge the digital divide

How is work–life balance arrangement associated with organisational performance? A meta-analysis

The impacts of the work–life balance arrangement on organisational performance is a growing concern amongst researchers and practitioners. This study synthesised 202 records from 58 published papers to evaluate the relationship between the work–life balance arrangement and organisational performance by means of a meta-analysis. The organisational performance was measured based on six perspectives, including career motivation, employee attendance, employee recruitment, employee retention, organisational commitment, and productivity. The results showed a positive relationship between the work–life balance arrangement and organisational performance (OR: 1.181, 95% CI: 1.125–1.240, p < 0.001). Of the six perspectives, only career motivation, employee attendance, employee recruitment, and employee retention were significantly associated with the work–life balance arrangement. The moderators affecting the relationship between the work–life balance arrangement and organisational performance were gender, sector, and employee hierarchy. The results provide theoretical suggestions on the effectiveness of the work–life balance arrangement in terms of the six perspectives related to organisational performance

Sudden cardiac death following liver transplantation: incidence, trends and risk predictors

Background: Cardiovascular events are a leading cause of mortality following liver transplantation (LT). Although a preponderance of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in this population has been reported, there is a paucity of data evaluating the incidence, timing and predictors of SCD following LT. Methods: Using the prospectively collected Australian and New Zealand Liver Transplant Registry, a cohort study of all adult LTs from 1985 to 2017 was performed to ascertain the incidence and predictors of SCD. Recipient cause of death was adjudicated by an interdisciplinary panel. Results: 4265 LT patients were followed-up for 37,409 person-years. SCD was the leading mode of cardiovascular death with an incidence rate of 165 per 100,000 person-years. There was a significant increase in the hazard of SCD in the contemporary (1996–2017) vs early era (1985–1995) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.42, 95%CI 1.10–5.40; p = 0.02). On Cox regression after adjusting for significant univariate predictors including age, coronary artery disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, pre-transplant diabetes was the only independent predictor of SCD (HR 2.5 95%CI 1.1–6.0). Conclusion: SCD is the leading mode of cardiovascular cause-specific mortality following LT and diabetes was associated with a two-fold higher risk for its occurrence. Given the escalating cardiovascular risk factor profile of LT candidates, targeted therapies especially in patients with diabetes are needed to mitigate risk of post-transplant SCD.Anoop N. Koshy, Paul J. Gow, Hui-Chen Han, Andrew W. Teh, Han S. Lim, Adam Testro, Robert Jones, Omar Farouqu

Computed tomographic coronary angiography in risk stratification prior to non-cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives Utility of CT coronary angiography (CTA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring in risk stratification prior to non-cardiac surgery is unclear. Although current guidelines recommend stress testing in intermediate-high risk individuals, over one-third of perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occur in patients with a negative study. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the value of CTA and CAC score in preoperative risk prognostication prior to non-cardiac surgery. Methods MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for articles published up to June 2018. Summary ORs for degree of coronary artery disease (CAD) and perioperative MACE were pooled using a random-effects model. Results Eleven studies were included. Two hundred and fifty-two (7.2%) MACE occurred in 3480 patients. Risk of perioperative MACE rose with the severity and extent of CAD on CTA (no CAD 2.0%; non-obstructive 4.1%; obstructive single-vessel 7.1%; obstructive multivessel 23.1%, p<0.001). Multivessel disease (MVD) demonstrated the greatest risk (OR 8.9, 95% CI 5.1 to 15.3, p<0.001). Increasing CAC score was associated with higher perioperative MACE (CAC score: ≥100 OR 5.1, ≥1000 OR 10.4, both p<0.01). In a cohort deemed high risk by established clinical indices, absence of MVD on CTA demonstrated a negative predictive value of 96% (95% CI 92.8 to 98.4) for predicting freedom from MACE. Conclusions Severity and extent of CAD on CTA conferred incremental risk for perioperative MACE in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. The ‘rule-out’ capability of CTA is comparable to other non-invasive imaging modalities and offers a viable alternative for risk stratification of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.Anoop N Koshy, Francis Jonathan Ha, Paul J Gow, Hui-Chen Han, FM Amirul-Islam, Han S Lim ... et al