An investigation into semantic and phonological processing in individuals with Williams syndrome.

PURPOSE: The current study examined semantic and phonological processing in individuals with Williams syndrome (WS). Previous research in language processing in individuals with WS suggests a complex linguistic system characterized by "deviant" semantic organization and differential phonological processing. METHOD: Two experiments explored these representations in individuals with WS. The first experiment analyzed the relative typicality and frequency of participants' responses to a semantic and phonological fluency task. The second experiment tapped into online language processing through a semantic priming task and an online sentence reading task measuring the effects of word frequency. Thirteen participants with WS were matched to a group of participants on reading grade level and a group of participants on chronological age. RESULTS: The results of the semantic fluency task, semantic priming task, and word frequency task suggest that semantic organization in individuals with WS appears commensurate with their reading level rather than deviant. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of results suggests that individuals with WS do not appear to have deviant semantic organization, while confirming that online tasks that tap into these processes are a promising direction in investigations that include atypically developing populations. These findings for the phonological tasks warrant further research into phonological processing in individuals with WS.

Practice environments of nurses in ambulatory oncology settings: a thematic analysis.

BACKGROUND: : The practice environments of nurses have been studied extensively in inpatient settings, but rarely in the ambulatory context. As the majority of cancer care is delivered in ambulatory settings, a better understanding of the nursing practice environment may contribute to quality improvement efforts. OBJECTIVE: : We sought to examine the features of nursing practice environments that contribute to quality patient care and nursing job satisfaction. METHODS: : In 2009-2010, we conducted focus groups with nurses who cared for adults with cancer outside inpatient units. A semistructured moderator guide explored practice environment features that promoted safe, high-quality care and high job satisfaction. We also asked nurses to identify practice environment features that hindered quality care and reduced job satisfaction. We conducted thematic analysis to report themes and to construct a conceptual framework. RESULTS: : From 2 focus groups, composed of 13 participants, nurses reported that variability in workloads, support from managers and medical assistants, and the practice's physical resources could facilitate or hinder high-quality care and job satisfaction. High-quality communication across team members improved patient safety and satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: : Consistent with research findings from inpatient settings, nurses identified staffing and resource adequacy, management support, and collegiality as important inputs to high-quality care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: : These findings can inform quality improvement initiatives in ambulatory oncology practices. Strengthening nurse-medical assistant relationships, smoothing patient workload variability, and implementing strategies to strengthen communication may contribute to quality cancer care. Studies to test our proposed conceptual framework would bridge existing knowledge gaps in ambulatory settings.