One Pager - “How Scared Are You?” Mapping the Threat Environment of San Diego’s Elected Officials

This one pager includes data summary points from survey sent to San Diego County elected officials. Targeted threats and the perpetration of physical violence against elected officials have been increasing steadily around the world. Democracy cannot function without individuals serving in elected governance. The presence and growth of threats and harassment undermines community cohesion, further undermining our ability to address our collective challenges.https://digital.sandiego.edu/ipj-research/1067/thumbnail.jp

“HOW SCARED ARE YOU?” Mapping the Threat Environment of San Diego’s Elected Officials

Democracy cannot function without individuals stepping up to serve as representatives of their community. The presence and growth of threats and harassment directed towards elected representatives poses a direct risk to our democracy, weakening community cohesion and our ability to address collective challenges. While our research found threats and harassment to be present across political parties, it identified women as far more likely to be on the receiving end both in terms of quantity and severity. If under-represented groups are pushed out of the processes of debate and decision-making, solutions will not be oriented around the diversity of our society. Without clear data on the scale of the problem, the rise in threats and ad hominem attacks are too easily discounted by public officials, the media and the public at large. Possible consequences range from an increased potential for physical violence and the resignation from public life of elected officials. The research outlined in this report helps to expose the scale of threats and harassment, while in turn providing recommendations from those directly impacted, concerned community members and scholars on how to reinforce safe and non-threatening local governance. While several studies have shown that cities, counties and states across the country are experiencing an increased level of hostility towards elected officials, very few geographically designated areas are measuring incidents in any structured way. The research outlined in this report aims to set a clear baseline on the extent of aggressive behavior towards nearly all categories of elected office in San Diego County. Our research looked at all County School Boards, Community College Boards, City Councils, Mayors, and the County Board of Supervisors. Using a mixed methods approach that included surveys, interviews, a traditional media review and social media review, our team was able to get a clear picture of the problem both objectively and subjectively. Our findings confirm that the rise in threats and harassments targeting elected officials identified in national studies is also occurring at the local level in San Diego County. This rise in hostile threatening behavior towards elected officials is having a measurable impact on a) the ability of elected office holders to effectively participate in the public policy process; b) the likelihood of elected officials seeking to encourage others to enter public life or remain in public life themselves; and c) the psychological and physical health of office holders and their families. The vitriol we are seeing risks significantly and negatively impact the vitality of local democracy, civic engagement and effective policy making on across the policy spectrum.https://digital.sandiego.edu/ipj-research/1068/thumbnail.jp

Chronic Headache Leading to the Diagnosis of Empty Sella

Headaches are one of the most common chief complaints presenting to the Emergency Department. The differential is broad. The workup is tailored to the patient’s history. Here we present the case of a young female who developed headaches over the past year. After numerous imaging studies of her brain, the most recent revealed an Empty Sella diagnosis

A quality of life measure for limb lymphoedema (LYMQOL)

Background: This paper describes the validation of a 'condition-specific' quality of life (QoL) assessment tool for lymphoedema of the limbs (LYMQOL). Aims: To ascertain whether the tool could accurately assess QoL in this patient group. Methods: Face and content validity were assessed by patient questionnaires; criterion validity by comparison with European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core 30 questions (EORTC QLQ-C30); internal validity by Cronbach's Alpha and split half-testing of each domain; reliability by the test-retest method; construct validity by comparing LYMQOL score with initial limb volume and responsiveness by measuring changes in score following treatment. Results: The tool was validated in a total of 209 patients. Face, content, criterion and interval validity were supported. However, there was no correlation between initial limb volume and LYMQOL score (construct validity), a finding which is similar to that from other studies. The validation of responsiveness was limited by the small numbers of responses at three and six months after the initial assessment. Conclusions: LYMQOL is a validated condition-specific QoL assessment tool which can be used for lymphoedema of the limbs both in clinical assessment and as an outcome measure

Motivations for choosing an allied health profession career: findings from a scoping review

Fourteen professions are recognised as AHPs in England representing the third largest workforce in health and care. Although there is a need to significantly grow the AHP workforce in England, recruitment to many AHP courses is an issue. To increase course applications and encourage individuals to choose AHP careers, we need to understand the decision-making process in choosing an AHP career. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the nature and breadth of evidence internationally regarding the motivations for choosing an AHP career as well as any sources of influence and barriers. A comprehensive search identified 61 relevant studies. Findings revealed inconsistency in the evidence base and the literature focused on a select number of professions and countries. No relevant studies were found for three professions. Whilst many motivations and sources of influence were identified, barriers to entering an AHP career were explored less. The opportunity to help people was a key motivation with financially based motivations less important. Personal influences, such as a relative working in healthcare, were the most influential source to choosing this career pathway, media was the least. The main barrier to choosing an AHP career identified was a lack of awareness of the profession. There is a need to further investigate career choice motivations, sources of influence and barriers for all AHPs; gaining this knowledge will help tailor future healthcare career promotion and advice for each profession and assist with overall AHP recruitment