A randomized controlled trial of a manual-based psychosocial group intervention for young people with epilepsy [PIE].

We conducted an exploratory RCT to examine feasibility and preliminary efficacy for a manual-based psychosocial group intervention aimed at improving epilepsy knowledge, self-management skills, and quality of life in young people with epilepsy. METHOD: Eighty-three participants (33:50m/f; age range 12-17years) were randomized to either the treatment or control group in seven tertiary paediatric neuroscience centres in the UK, using a wait-list control design. Participants were excluded if they reported suicidal ideation and/or scored above the cut off on mental health screening measures, or if they had a learning disability or other neurological disorder. The intervention consisted of six weekly 2-hour sessions using guided discussion, group exercises and role-plays facilitated by an epilepsy nurse and a clinical psychologist. RESULTS: At three month follow up the treatment group (n=40) was compared with a wait-list control group (n=43) on a range of standardized measures. There was a significant increase in epilepsy knowledge in the treatment group (p=0.02). Participants receiving the intervention were also significantly more confident in speaking to others about their epilepsy (p=0.04). Quality of life measures did not show significant change. Participants reported the greatest value of attending the group was: Learning about their epilepsy (46%); Learning to cope with difficult feelings (29%); and Meeting others with epilepsy (22%). Caregiver and facilitator feedback was positive, and 92% of participants would recommend the group to others. CONCLUSION: This brief psychosocial group intervention was effective in increasing participants' knowledge of epilepsy and improved confidence in discussing their epilepsy with others. We discuss the qualitative feedback, feasibility, strengths and limitations of the PIE trial.

The Yo me cuido® Program: Addressing Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Among Hispanic Women.

Breast cancer is less likely to be diagnosed at the earliest stage in Hispanic/Latino (Hispanic) women compared to non-Hispanic White women, even after accounting for differences in age, socioeconomic status, and method of detection. Moffitt Cancer Center created a comprehensive health education program called Yo me cuido (®) (YMC) to address and reduce breast cancer disparities among Spanish- and English-speaking Hispanic women by providing breast cancer and healthy lifestyles awareness and education, and promoting breast cancer screenings, reminders, and referrals for women 40 years and older. The purpose of this paper is to showcase the innovative approaches and methods to cancer prevention and early detection of the YMC program, and to promote it as an effective tool for improving outcomes in community health education, outreach, and engagement activities with Hispanic populations. Key components of the program include educational workshops, mammogram referrals, and a multimedia campaign. The YMC program is unique because of its approaches in reaching the Hispanic population, such as delivering the program with compassionate services to empower participants to live a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, direct follow-up for mammography screenings is provided by program staff. From 2011 to 2013, YMC has educated 2,226 women and 165 men through 93 workshops. About 684 (52 %) women ages 40 and older have had a screening mammogram within their first year of participating in the program. The YMC program is an innovative cancer education and outreach program that has demonstrated a positive impact on the lives of the Hispanic community in the Tampa Bay region.

Community health needs assessment: a pathway to the future and a vision for leaders.

There is a need to implement evidence-based public health practice that integrates targeted and specific strategies and actions with community preferences to improve the health of populations. A community health needs assessment (CHNA) is vital to identifying the health concerns of communities, to learn about the factors that influence their health and the assets, resources, and challenges that impact those factors. It is required for tax-exempt entities to conduct a CHNA and adopt an implementation strategy to meet the identified community health needs. The goal of this article is to chart a pathway for health system leaders utilizing a CHNA process to address disparities in racial/ethnic groups and other medically underserved populations and to meet legal requirements. The efforts of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in developing its CHNA will be highlighted to provide clear evidence to health system leaders for why and how to conduct a thorough and compelling CHNA to meaningfully address health disparities locally and respond to longstanding historical health inequities at the health system level.

Empowering underserved populations through cancer prevention and early detection.

It is well documented that cancer is disproportionately distributed in racial/ethnic minority groups and medically underserved communities. In addition, cancer prevention and early detection represent the key defenses to combat cancer. The purpose of this article is to showcase the comprehensive health education and community outreach activities at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute (Moffitt) designed to promote and increase access to and utilization of prevention and early detection services among underserved populations. One of Moffitt's most important conduits for cancer prevention and early detection among underserved populations is through its community education and outreach initiatives, in particular, the Moffitt Program for Outreach Wellness Education and Resources (M-POWER). M-POWER works to empower underserved populations to make positive health choices and increase screening behaviors through strengthening collaboration and partnerships, providing community-based health education/promotion, and increasing access to care. Effective, empowering, and culturally and linguistically competent health education and community outreach, is key to opening the often impenetrable doors of cancer prevention and early detection to this society's most vulnerable populations.

The men's health forum: an initiative to address health disparities in the community.

Racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender disparities in health and access to and use of health care services currently exist. Health professionals are continually striving to reduce and eliminate health disparities within their own community. One such effort in the area of Tampa Bay, Florida was the creation of the African American Men's Health Forum, currently referred to as the Men's Health Forum. The African American Men's Health Forum was the result of the community's desire to reduce the gap in health outcomes for African American men. Later, it was recognized that the gap in health outcomes impacts other communities; therefore, it was broadened to include all men considered medically underserved (those who are uninsured, underinsured, or without a regular health care provider). The Men's Health Forum empowers men with the resources, knowledge, and information to effectively manage their health by providing health education and screenings to the community. This article provides an explanation of the key components that have contributed to the success of the Men's Health Forum, including challenges and lessons learned. It is intended that this information be replicated in other communities in an effort to eliminate health disparities.

Retrospective analysis of HEART Score results in cost saving.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chest pain (CP) is one of the most frequent chief complaints of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Diagnoses range from life-threatening acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to less concerning musculoskeletal injury. Patients are frequently admitted for comprehensive cardiac evaluation. However, it is estimated that <10% are diagnosed with ACS. Identifying low-risk patients who can be safely discharged from the ED results in lower cost burden and less patient days. The HEART Score is a recently validated tool for undifferentiated CP in the ED used to identify low-risk patients. The purpose of this project was to ascertain if the HEART Score could be utilized in the Veteran population for the evaluation of undifferentiated chest pain. LOCAL PROBLEM: There is no standard assessment tool used in the ED at the Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) to evaluate CP in low-risk patents. METHODS: As part of a quality improvement initiative, a retrospective analysis was performed on patients presenting to the ED with CP over a 6-month period. A total of 197 VAPHS patients were identified through the computerized medical record system. HEART Scores were calculated for each patient. Patients scored as low risk (score of 0-3) were further evaluated for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and cost saving. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 28% (56) of the patients presenting to the ED with CP were at low risk based on the HEART Score. There were no MACE. There were cost savings compared with usual care ($1,145 vs. $4,700). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The HEART Score can be safely used to identify low-risk patients and result in cost savings for Veteran population.

Part II. Comparison of Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Between Normothermic and Hypothermic Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Objectives: In the previous study we demonstrated that normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (N-CPB, ≥35°C) provided better early clinical outcomes compared to mild/moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (H-CPB, 28-34°C) for congenital heart surgery. In this follow-up study we compare early neurodevelopmental outcomes 2-3 years post-surgery. Methods: In this retrospective, non-randomized observational study, the medical notes of children from our previous cohort were reviewed after 2-3 years. Demographic and neurodevelopmental outcomes were tabulated to enable blinded statistical analysis comparing outcomes between N-CPB and H-CPB surgery for congenital heart defects. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to identify any differences in outcomes after adjustment for confounders. Results: Ninety-five children who underwent H-CPB (n = 50) or N-CPB (n = 45) were included. The proportions of patients with one or more adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes 2-3 years later were 14/50 (28.0%) in the H-CPB group and 11/45 (24.4%) in N-CPB, which was not significantly different between groups (p = 0.47). The two CPB groups were balanced for demographic and surgical risk factors, with the exception of genetic conditions. A higher incidence of H-CPB patients acquired learning difficulties [23.1% compared to 2.56% for N-CPB (p = 0.014)] and neurological deficits [30.8% compared to 7.69% for N-CPB (p = 0.019)], but these differences were not robust to adjustment for genetic syndromes. Conclusions: Our study did not reveal any significant differences in early neurodevelopmental outcomes between H-CPB or N-CPB surgery for congenital heart defects. The most important factor in predicting outcomes was, as expected, the presence of a genetic syndrome. We found no evidence that CPB temperature affects early neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Is theory of mind understanding impaired in males with fragile X syndrome?

Males with fragile X syndrome (FXS) have difficulties with social interaction and many show autistic features. This study examined whether the social deficits characteristic of FXS are associated with theory of mind difficulties. Two groups of boys with FXS participated: a group with few autistic features and a group with many autistic features. An intellectual disability control group also participated. In addition to using standard theory of mind tasks, new techniques were used that were able to separate out the various processing demands of the task (e.g., memory, inhibitory control). Overall, the findings indicate that both groups of boys with FXS have difficulty with theory of mind tasks compared to an intellectual disability control group. However, both groups with FXS also performed worse on comparison trials that required working memory but not theory of mind. Theory of mind difficulties are likely to be an important aspect of the FXS clinical profile, but are most likely the result from a more basic difficulty with working memory.

Moral understanding in children with autism.

Children with autism were compared with control groups on their ability to make moral judgements. Participants were presented with pairs of vignettes in which actions were either deliberate or accidental and caused injury to a person or damage to property. Participants were asked to judge which protagonist was the naughtier and to verbally justify this judgement. Results showed that the children with autism were as likely as controls to judge culpability on the basis of motive, and to judge injury to persons as more culpable than damage to property. Children with autism also offered some appropriate verbal justifications for their judgments although most justifications were of poor quality and reiterated the story. Results are discussed in terms of theory of mind and the possible role of deficits in complex reasoning and executive functions.

Counterfactual and mental state reasoning in children with autism.

The contributions of counterfactual conditional reasoning (CCR), belief understanding, and inferential reasoning to the performance of children with autism (CWA) on standard false belief tasks were investigated. To assess the roles of these three factors, we compared the performance of CWA on physical-state CCR tasks (which do not require either an understanding of belief or inferential reasoning); on Wellman and Bartsch's (1988) nonstandard tests of false belief (which require an understanding of belief, but not CCR or inferential reasoning), and on standard tests of false belief tasks. The CWA were impaired relative to controls on the physical-state CCR and standard false-belief tasks, but not on the nonstandard false-belief tasks, and the CWA's performance on the physical-state CCR and standard false-belief tasks correlated highly, even when the effects of verbal ability were partialled out. Finally, the CWA's performance on standard false-belief tasks was more impaired than their performance on the physical-state CCR tasks. We concluded that impaired performance on standard false-belief tasks in autism is associated with defective competence in CCR (or some of its component skills), plus defective competence in inferential reasoning and possibly generativity, but that impaired performance is not caused by an inadequate understanding of belief. The results are discussed in relation to other hypotheses concerning the cause or causes of impaired performance on standard false-belief tasks in children with autism.

Measuring health disparities and health inequities: do you have REGAL data?

Measuring health disparities is a challenging and at times a difficult proposition. It is generally accepted that at minimum, collecting, analyzing, reporting, and applying data through tailored and targeted interventions responsive to issues regarding race, ethnicity, and preferred language are essential for identifying, monitoring, and, ultimately, eliminating health disparities. Key to eliminating these disparities is determining whether the care and services being provided are resulting in vastly different experiences for some patients. Health care institutions and providers often convince themselves that collecting these data is a time-consuming, costly, and arduous endeavor. However, if patient information on Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Age, and preferred Language (REGAL) is currently being collected, one has the basic elements to effectively measure disparities across a host of clinical and nonclinical indicators. In formulating comparisons among targeted populations in areas such as access to health care, health care quality, health outcomes, prevention, early detection, treatment, and morbidity and mortality rates, it is critical to frame part of the discussion around collecting, analyzing, reporting, and applying REGAL data, including future expansion of measures and indicators. The Health Disparities REGAL Data Dashboard is a useful tool for health care institutions and providers and can provide an innovative approach to measuring health disparities.

The prostate cancer screening controversy: addressing bioethical concerns at a community health promotion event for men.

There are bioethical concerns related to prostate cancer screening. A new prostate cancer screening approach at a community health promotion event used vouchers to promote informed decision-making in order to reduce these concerns.

Encephalitis in children: a clinical neuropsychology perspective.

Encephalitis is an inflammation of brain tissue that can result from a number of viruses and can be contracted at any age, with prevalence in children exceeding adult incidence. In order to illustrate specific cognitive, behavioural and service provision issues related to post-encephalitis rehabilitation of children, this paper examines the pattern of referrals to a specialist regional paediatric neuropsychology service in the United Kingdom. Three case vignettes are presented to demonstrate the wide range of presentations encountered in our service ranging from mild (10%) to moderate (65%) and severe (25%) impairment with 80% of referrals relating to behaviour and educational concerns. On average 13 new referrals are received annually resulting in a cumulative case-load due to the need for serial assessment. The implications for patient care are discussed.

Examining the relationship between rightward visuo-spatial bias and poor attention within the normal child population using a brief screening task.

BACKGROUND: Some previous studies have linked Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with a bias in spatial awareness away from the left. As genetic research suggests that ADHD may be better viewed as an extreme on a continuum rather than a distinct entity, here we examined this issue in boys from the normal population. METHOD: From an initial sample of 1811, two groups of boys characterised by very high (n = 58) or very low (n = 68) levels of ADHD-type behaviours were formed. The groups completed the spatially sensitive Line Bisection test and more general measures of (non-spatial) attention and intellectual function. RESULTS: Boys whose bisections were consistent with relative inattention to the left indeed had higher ratings of ADHD-type behaviours and performed significantly more poorly on tests of sustained attention and executive function than boys whose bisections were in the normal range. In contrast, boys who showed extreme bisections in the opposite direction were not unusual either in ratings or test performance. CONCLUSIONS: The results support an association between poor attention and a relative rightward bias in visual awareness that may stem from right hemisphere inefficiency.