The Effect of Self-efficacy-Enhancing Interventions on Quality of Life of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The influence of self-efficacy-enhancing interventions on quality of life (QOL) is not clear with recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) because current reviews only evaluated self-efficacy as an outcome. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a systematic review to examine the effect of self-efficacy-enhancing interventions on QOL among patients with cancer and to summarize the effective determinants for designing self-efficacy-enhancing interventions. METHODS: A systematic search was performed on studies published from January 2003 to May 2023 using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Included studies were RCTs, adults diagnosed with cancer, interventions with explicit self-efficacy components, and QOL as the outcome. RESULTS: Nineteen RCTs were included. Risk-of-bias assessment revealed 12 studies with some concerns and 7 with high risk of bias. The mean intervention adherence rate was 88.2%; the most frequently listed reason for dropout was medical conditions and mortality. Self-efficacy interventions were shown to significantly improve at least 1 subscale of QOL in 9 of 19 studies, of which 7 studies used Bandura's 4 sources of self-efficacy. The interventions with between-session intervals shorter than 2 weeks, of 12-week duration, and with an in-person delivery approach were the most effective. CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy-enhancing interventions show potential beneficial effects on QOL among cancer survivors. Interventions that use Bandura's 4 sources of self-efficacy strategies and have between-session intervals shorter than 2 weeks, an in-person approach, and 12-week intervention duration are recommended. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Properly designed self-efficacy-enhancing interventions can facilitate behavioral change and improve QOL in cancer survivors.

Views of wheelchair users and caregivers regarding a passive safety monitoring system for electric powered wheelchair operators with cognitive impairment.

The opinions of cognitively intact current wheelchair users and their professional caregivers were solicited to explore acceptability of the concept of a passive electric wheelchair-mounted movement monitor to track driving safety and cognitive impairment. Two focus groups of electric wheelchair users (N = 9), and two focus groups of staff caregivers (N = 8) were conducted at a congregate care facility. Participants also completed a questionnaire examining their perceptions of the concept. The results indicated most wheelchair users and staff caregivers were receptive to the idea of a passive safety monitoring system for wheelchairs to detect cognitive impairment. Three main and interrelated themes emerged regarding how the device could promote safety, how such a system might infringe upon the users' autonomy, and how and to whom the cognitive state information should be communicated. Legal, training, and marketing issues reflected similar concerns over balancing autonomy with safety issues. If successfully addressed, it appears there would be support for the device's use not only for older adults in institutional settings, but perhaps also among community living younger and older adults. A passive safety monitoring system for wheelchairs is acceptable to wheelchair users and can be successfully marketed if developers balance autonomy and safety concerns.

Using a Reflexive Process to Investigate Organizational Change: The Use of the Research Spider Matrix.

Academic health sciences libraries increasingly are urged to develop research support services for faculty and students. However, moving to a research-centric culture is not easy. It requires assessment of existing competencies (defined as knowledge, experience, and skills) to identify capacity and gaps and to inform individualized and unit-level professional development activities. This case study examines the self-assessment process undertaken by librarians at a large urban academic health sciences library as they began to build a new research support services unit.

It takes longer than you think: librarian time spent on systematic review tasks.

INTRODUCTION: The authors examined the time that medical librarians spent on specific tasks for systematic reviews (SRs): interview process, search strategy development, search strategy translation, documentation, deliverables, search methodology writing, and instruction. We also investigated relationships among the time spent on SR tasks, years of experience, and number of completed SRs to gain a better understanding of the time spent on SR tasks from time, staffing, and project management perspectives. METHODS: A confidential survey and study description were sent to medical library directors who were members of the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries as well as librarians serving members of the Association of American Medical Colleges or American Osteopathic Association. RESULTS: Of the 185 participants, 143 (77%) had worked on an SR within the last 5 years. The number of SRs conducted by participants during their careers ranged from 1 to 500, with a median of 5. The major component of time spent was on search strategy development and translation. Average aggregated time for standard tasks was 26.9 hours, with a median of 18.5 hours. Task time was unrelated to the number of SRs but was positively correlated with years of SR experience. CONCLUSION: The time required to conduct the librarian's discrete tasks in an SR varies substantially, and there are no standard time frames. Librarians with more SR experience spent more time on instruction and interviews; time spent on all other tasks varied widely. Librarians also can expect to spend a significant amount of their time on search strategy development, translation, and writing.

Utilization of Mental Health Services and Mental Health Status Among Children Placed in Out-of-Home Care: A Parallel Process Latent Growth Modeling Approach.

This longitudinal study examined the parallel trajectories of mental health service use and mental health status among children placed in Florida out-of-home care. The results of growth curve modeling suggested that children with greater mental health problems initially received more mental health services. Initial child mental health status, however, had no effect on subsequent service provision when all outpatient mental health services were included. When specific types of mental health services, such as basic outpatient, targeted case management, and intensive mental health services were examined, results suggested that children with compromised functioning during the baseline period received more intensive mental health services over time. However, this increased provision of intensive mental health services did not improve mental health status, rather it was significantly associated with progressively worse mental health functioning. These findings underscore the need for regular comprehensive mental health assessments focusing on specific needs of the child.

Exploring Vocational Evaluation Practices following Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) face many challenges when attempting to return to work (RTW). Vocational evaluation (VE) is a systematic process that involves assessment and appraisal of an individual's current work-related characteristics and abilities. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to (1) examine demographic and employment characteristics of vocational rehabilitation providers (VRPs), (2) identify the specific evaluation methods that are used in the VE of individuals with TBI, and (3) examine the differences in assessment method practices based upon evaluator assessment preferences. METHODS: This exploratory case study used a forty-six-item online survey which was distributed to VRPs. RESULTS: One hundred and nine VRPs accessed the survey. Of these, 74 completed the survey. A majority of respondents were female (79.7%), Caucasian (71.6%), and holding a master's degree (74.3%), and more than half (56.8%) were employed as state vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs). In addition, over two-thirds (67.6%) were certified rehabilitation counselors (CRCs). Respondents reported using several specific tools and assessments during the VE process. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings reveal differences in use of and rationales for specific assessments amongst VRPs. Understanding VRP assessment practices and use of an evidence-based framework for VE following TBI may inform and improve VE practice.

Who initiates emergency commitments?

Florida's Mental Health Act was amended in 2005 and 2006 to include licensed mental health counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists, respectively, to the list of professionals authorized to initiate emergency commitments. The present study evaluates the volume of involuntary emergency commitments by type of initiator for a 5 year period. The results indicate that allowing licensed mental health counselors and licensed marriage and family therapist to initiate emergency commitments has not been related to increased numbers of emergency commitments or a higher proportion of emergency commitments being initiated by mental health professionals. Potential policy and fiscal implications, as well as future directions for research, are discussed.