Counseling People Research Articles

COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and attitude post-initiation of vaccination drive, a cross-sectional study across Odisha.

ABSTRACTObjectives:To find the prevalence of COVID vaccine hesitancy amongst people of Odisha and reasons for the sameDesign:Observational StudySetting:Outpatients, inpatients, and attenders in tertiary health centers in Khorda, Tangi, and Mendhasal, Odisha, India; online data via google forms from people across the state.Duration of Study:April to June 2021Participants:Convenience sampling of 450 adults aged between 18 and 60Main Outcome Measure:Willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19Results:Hesitancy rate stands at 12.7%, with 5.7% in the urban setting and 20.9% in rural (CI 95%, P = 0.000), 3.1% amongst males and 25.4% females (CI 95% P = 0.000), and 42.6% amongst the homemakers. Main reasons for vaccine hesitancy include lack of knowledge about efficacy,fear of side effects, and testing positive despite taking the vaccineConclusions:The near tripling of the hesitancy rates indicates a probable hindrance in stopping the spread of the infection. Family physicians have a significant role in alleviating the myths, counseling people, and managing adverse events.

Коррекция критического мышления пожилых людей – жертв мошеннических действий в процессе психологического консультирования

The article presents the results of the experimental study of correction of critical thinking of older persons who were affected by fraudulent practices. The study has found that in the course of psychological counselling people who fell victims of the fraud show remarkable changes of critical thinking: the number of people with low level of critical thinking decreases, the number of people with medium level of critical thinking reaches the psychological measures of people who did not become victims of a crime. The study has shown that positive transformation of critical thinking is more pronounced with working older people. Retired workers, victims of the fraud, have shown the increase in high-level abstract thinking on average. Positive changes of critical thinking are expected to increase the possibility for older people to avoid situations when they can fall victims of the fraud.

The experiences of psychologists working with transgender young people in school counselling: an Australian sample

ABSTRACT Despite research demonstrating the poor mental health outcomes of transgender young people within the secondary school environment, little is known about the experiences of psychologists working in school counselling with this population. To address this gap, the current study explored the experiences of psychologists working with transgender young people in a school counselling context. Seven psychologists in Australia completed individual semi-structured interviews and the data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four superordinate themes were identified: affirming agency within transgender young people, perceived competency and transgender knowledge, expectations and surprises, and challenges during counselling. The findings demonstrated the importance of school psychologists promoting and celebrating the positioning of transgender young people within society, adopting a queer lens in their work with this population, being informed and knowledgeable regarding transgender issues, and managing the various challenges associated with this work. Practical implications for school psychologists include the need to engage with transgender training and education, helping transgender young people link-in with trans-inclusive services, as well as “queering” both the counselling space and the school environment . Future researchers should further explore the experiences of school psychologists and mental health professionals across different contexts, settings, and levels of practical experience.

Epilepsy quality performance in a national sample of neurologists and primary care providers: Characterizing trends in acute and chronic care management

IntroductionEpilepsy-specific quality indicators and performance measures have been published and revised multiple times. The application of epilepsy-specific quality measures has been demonstrated in a few healthcare systems. However, there is no information to date on changes in epilepsy performance measures over time, and across settings, in a national sample. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system provides an opportunity to study the changes in epilepsy-specific performance over time, in acute versus chronic epilepsy care, as well as in primary versus specialty care. MethodsChart extractions of newly diagnosed epilepsy and chronic care of Veterans with epilepsy within the VA system were performed. Veterans with ICD-9-CM diagnosis 345.XX and 780.39 from 2007-2014 were identified. Epilepsy-specific performance measures based on the Quality Indicators in Epilepsy Treatment (QUIET) VA measurement were ascertained for each Veteran with epilepsy. Difference in care across time (2009, 2012, and 2014), source of epilepsy care (primary care only, neurology only, and shared care between neurology and primary care) was analyzed. Differences in proportion of care measures across variables were compared using chi-square statistics. ResultsChart reviews of 2386 Veterans with epilepsy included 297 women (11.2%), 281 (10.5%) receiving acute care and 2105 (89.5%) receiving chronic care. Across all years 203 (72.5%) had electroencephalograph ordered/performed, 225 (80.4%) had neuroimaging ordered/performed, 106 (37.9%) were instructed about driving precautions, 71 (25.4%) were educated about safety and injury prevention, and 251 (89.6%) had anti-seizure medication monotherapy initiated. The proportion of people with new-onset seizures educated about diagnosis and type of seizure increased over time 30 (34.9%) in 2008, 42 (43.8%) in 2012, and 52 (53.1%). Of the 2105 Veterans receiving chronic care 864 (41.1%) encounters documented compliance of anti-seizure medication, 361 (17.15%) encounters addressed driving restrictions, 1345 (63.9%) encounters documented general education and counseling, 250 (11.9%) of encounters documented safety and injury prevention, 488 (23.2%) of encounters documented medication side effects, and 463 (22.0%) of encounters documented discussion of treatment options. With chronic epilepsy care, documentation of quality measures did not change with time. Veterans who were co-managed by primary care and neurology had a higher proportion of driving instruction and safety instructions compared to neurology or primary care alone. DiscussionIn general, the epilepsy performance measures were high (>70% of new-onset epilepsy) for documentation diagnostic procedures (such as EEG and neuroimaging) and low across key educational and counseling measures (<50%). Despite the emphasis on the importance of psychosocial education and holistic management in the academic literature, through advocacy work, and during professional meetings, there was not a significant improvement in education and counseling over time. Some aspects of psychosocial education were performed better among primary care providers compared to neurologists. However, more attention and work need to be dedicated on implementing and documenting education and counseling people with epilepsy in the clinical setting.

PD GENEration: Feasibility and Impact of Providing In-Person Versus Remote Genetic Testing and Counseling for People with Parkinson’s Disease (4471)

PD GENEration: Feasibility and Impact of Providing In-Person Versus Remote Genetic Testing and Counseling for People with Parkinson’s Disease (4471)

Knowledge of epilepsy among German pharmacists

ProblemPharmacists can have a large impact on attitude, acceptance and adherence in patients with long-term conditions. They should be able to give appropriate advice. MethodsWe invited pharmacists in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony, Germany, to complete a questionnaire mainly containing multiple-choice-questions. ResultsOverall, 238 pharmacists took part in the survey. 199 (84%) said they were insecure counselling people with epilepsy or had no experience at all. 205 (86%) rightly assumed a seizure can result in death. Concerning an acute seizure, administration of a rescue medication was considered as possible useful measure by 127 (53%) participants. Of the participants, 206 (87%) stated a physician should be consulted for every first afebrile seizure, 188 (79%) for every first febrile seizure. Exanthema as especially clinically relevant adverse drug event was rightly chosen for carbamazepine by 18 (8%) and for lamotrigine by 12 (5%) participants. 60 (25%) rightly chose liver toxicity for valproate. The increase of carbamazepine plasma concentration when adding erythromycin was chosen by 66 (28%) of pharmacists. 13 (5%) knew about the reduction of effectiveness of lamotrigine when adding hormonal contraceptives. For valproate, 201 (84%) stated that it is important to counsel patients concerning contraception. ConclusionPharmacists are insecure counselling people with epilepsy. Some of them would not suggest to seek medical advice for every first seizure. This can lead to reduced patient safety. The adverse drug events of valproate are well known, important adverse drug events and interactions of other anticonvulsants are less present to the pharmacists and should be regularly addressed in training courses.

Inspiration project: Motivation, experiences, messages of support, overcoming and prevention of suicidal behavior

ObjectivesThe aim of that study was to analyze reasons for living, overcoming experiences and messages of support directed to people with suicidal behavior. ResultsThe analysis resulted in the categories: “Social, Interpersonal and Emotional Stressors”, “Emotional and Relational Needs”, “Persistence and Resilience”, “Counseling”, and “Barriers to Help Someone at Risk of Suicide”, in which was expressed the importance of social support, persistence and resilience, counseling people in distress and identifying important barriers to help someone at suicide risk. ConclusionThis study reveals experiences and behaviors related to helping people at risk, coping mechanisms, risk and protective factors related to suicide prevention.

Clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand: Origins, practice, and future implications

INTRODUCTION: Clinical social work is practised with individuals, groups and families in areas concerned with mental health and counselling for people’s wellbeing. As a field of practice, it has been insufficiently researched and often not understood in Aotearoa New Zealand. This article provides an overview of clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.APPROACH: This is a theoretical article that discusses the development of social work, and clinical social work, in this country; attention is paid to professionalisation debates and registration. There is an overview of the social work training landscape and post-qualifying mental health specialisation options, with a brief discussion about the New Entry to Specialist Practice model for social workers. Theoretical underpinnings of clinical social work interventions are canvassed, including systemic models, recovery approaches, strengths-based models, indigenous models, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. Four vignettes of clinical social work are presented, before a discussion about the future implications for clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.CONCLUSION: Clinical social workers have a range of knowledge and skills to work with people in mental distress. A challenge is issued to clinical social workers to continue to uphold social work values within multidisciplinary mental health services. The development of a clinical scope of practice in the context of recent mandatory registration for social workers is recommended.

The Canadian HIV Pregnancy Planning Guidelines: What Pregnancy Care Providers Need to Know About HIV Transmission and Pre-Conception Considerations.

Today, under ideal conditions with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV is a chronic illness with a normal life expectancy. As such, people with HIV are pursuing experiences that once escaped them, such as parenthood. One of the most important factors in reducing perinatal HIV transmission was, and still is, adequate planning. And pregnancy planning has a few additional implications for people affected by HIV, not unlike for people with other chronic illnesses. In 2018, the updated Canadian HIV Pregnancy Planning Guidelines (CHPPGs) were published with 36 recommendations. To help pregnancy care providers use the CHPPGs in pregnancy planning counselling for people living with HIV and their partners, this paper summarizes 5 key considerations in the modern era of HIV management.

ASIAN PACIFIC SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE ON DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.

Introduction: COVID-19 is now a global pandemic affecting millions of people Patients on dialysis are at an increased risk to COVID-19 infection due to their exposure in the health care setting Strategies for infection control and prevention are also being implemented in the dialysis units because of the increased risk of virus transmission within the unit Objective: Describe the different measures and strategies done to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 outbreak in a hospital based dialysis centre Methods: Review of the epidemic course with contact tracing was done from March 14 to May 14, 2020 in the dialysis unit of a tertiary hospital Results: Of 167 haemodialysis patients, 20 were considered COVID-19 suspects Eight tested positive-2 were traced to be exposed with the first confirmed case, 2 were handled by a COVID-19 infected healthcare worker (HCW) who was asymptomatic at time of contact while 2 asymptomatic patients tested positive during mass screening Two of 67 HCWs tested positive were exposed to patients Key interventions during the course of the outbreak included: mass testing of patients and HCWs after identifying 6 patients and 2 HCWs infected with COVID-19 using nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs by RT-PCR;dialysis of COVID-19 confirmed and suspected cases in isolation rooms separate from the dialysis unit (instead of cohorting);provision of adequate protective personal equipment for HCWs and surgical masks for all patients, environmental disinfection especially in the waiting area with strict social distancing and screening for signs and symptoms at the entrance of the unit Conclusion: Infection control strategies are needed to manage the spread of COVID-19 in dialysis centres These infection prevention measures should be implemented at the first indication of transmission in the area and should be maintained for the duration of the pandemic and until the area show no more reports of transmission

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary health care physicians regarding the pre-travel counselling of patients with type 2 diabetes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

BackgroundTravel has become an integral part of Saudi life. People with diabetes face many challenges while travelling that can have detrimental effects on glycaemic control. However, no previous studies have investigated pre-travel counselling in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary health care (PHC) physicians regarding pre-travel counselling for patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in PHC centres under the Ministry of Health in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period 2018–2019. A cluster multistage random sampling technique was used to recruit physicians. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire.ResultsThree hundred and eighty-five primary health care physicians were recruited. This study showed that more than half (57.9%) of PHC physicians had poor knowledge scores. Additionally, the following characteristics were significantly associated with poor knowledge: being younger in age, being male, being Saudi, being a general practitioner, and having limited (0–5 years) experience. A total of 183 (47.5%) subjects showed disagreement attitudes towards the importance of pre-travel counselling among patients with diabetes. Furthermore, these disagreement attitudes were significantly associated with being older and having more years of experience. The majority (62.6%) of the physicians had poor practice scores. Poor practices were detected among physicians who were younger, male, and Saudi and who had a general practitioner specialty and degree.ConclusionsIt could be concluded that a gap was detected in the knowledge and practices of primary health care physicians regarding pre-travel counselling for people with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is necessary to create easily accessible travel medicine education programmes for Saudi PHC providers to improve the management of travellers with diabetes.

A qualitative assessment of psychosocial aspects that play a role in bladder management after spinal cord injury.

Prospective qualitative study using semi-structured, open-ended interviews. To better understand psychosocial aspects of bladder management after spinal cord injury (SCI). People with SCI, recruited through three tertiary care centres in North America. Thirty-four community-dwelling individuals with SCI were selected using purposive sampling to ensure men and women with both tetraplegia and paraplegia were represented. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. NVivo software was used to code psychosocial domains, medical complications, and methods of bladder management. A qualitative interpretive approach was used, and four participants participated in a debrief session to review the study findings. The median age was 49 (IQR 40-62) years and 61% (21/34) were male. Most had complete injuries (AIS A, 47%, 16/34), and most had a cervical lesion (56%, 19/34). There was a large range of time living with a SCI (median 20 years, IQR 9-31), and most participants managed their bladder with intermittent catheterisation (67% 23/34). The five most common psychosocial domains were anxiety (often in the context of urinary infections, incontinence, or not being able to catheterise), loss of control (due to irregular bladder behaviour), and embarrassment (from incontinence occurring in public); the domains of confidence and independence/planning included both positive and negative examples of bladder management experiences. This study demonstrated consistent psychosocial topics related to bladder management in people living with SCI. This information will help counsel people regarding bladder management and identify areas for education and optimisation of bladder function from a psychosocial perspective.

Counseling of people with epilepsy via telemedicine: Experiences at a German tertiary epilepsy center during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionDriven by the challenges of alternative healthcare supply during the COVID-19 pandemic, acceptance and appreciation of telemedicine were assessed in a German tertiary epilepsy center. MethodsTwo hundred thirty-nine patients with epilepsy (53% female, 35% seizure-free, 97% on antiseizure medication) answered a structured audit on telemedical counseling as part of individual outpatients' care. ResultsOverall 82% of the participants were satisfied with the telemedical appointment. The telemedical appointment was rated equal to onsite appointments in means of time (91%), comprehensibility (94%), and opportunity to get answers to current questions (92%). It was evaluated as good as onsite appointments regarding comprehension of the disease (88%) and impact on following the physician's advice (82%). The participants considered immediate convenience and shortfall of travel expenses as advantages of telemedicine, whereas lack of personal contact and diagnostics (electroencephalogram [EEG] recordings, blood analysis) were seen as disadvantages. About 73% of the participants would appreciate the opportunity of future telemedical counseling, but the majority (75%) wished to have further appointments onsite. ConclusionsOverall, people with epilepsy appear to be satisfied with telemedical counseling. However, patients greatly appreciate the medical services onsite and consider telemedicine as an add-on service rather than a substitute to visits onsite.

Analysis of heart rate variability to understand the effect of cannabis consumption on Indian male paddy-field workers

The consumption of cannabis-based products is increasing worldwide day-by-day because of their euphoric effects. Numerous studies have reported the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and even mortality in people consuming cannabis. However, not much attention has been paid to understand the cannabis-induced alteration in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, which can help in the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. The current study investigated the alteration in the ANS activity of 200 Indian male volunteers due to the consumption of bhang (a cannabis-based product) using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. The results suggested a reduction in the variability of the heart rate, increased sympathetic dominance, and a corresponding reduction in the parasympathetic activity in the bhang consuming population, which may lead to various cardiovascular diseases. These inferences can act as evidence for counseling people to stop consuming cannabis. The study further proposes a machine learning model for automated identification of the bhang consuming population. The HRV parameters were subjected to weight-based feature ranking and dimension reduction methods to select suitable inputs for the machine learning models. After comparing the performances of the Naïve Bayes (NB), Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Linear Regression (LR), Fast Large Margin (FLM), Deep Learning (DL), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosted Tree (GBT), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), a GBT model was finally chosen as the best model.

Initial testing of a computer-based simulation training module to support clinicians' acquisition of CBT skills for substance use disorder treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common and effective treatments for substance use disorders (SUD); however, effective delivery of CBT depends on a wide variety of nuanced skills that require practice to master. We created a computer-based simulation training system to support the development of necessary skills for student trainees to be able to apply CBT effectively for clients with SUDs. CBT: Introducing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an interactive, role-play simulation that provides opportunities for clinician trainees to hone their skills through repeated practice and real-time feedback before application in a clinical setting. This is the first study that tests whether such a simulation improves trainee skills for the treatment of clients with SUDs. Graduate students (N = 65; social work, clinical psychology) completed standardized patient (SP) interviews, were randomized to the simulation training program or manual comparison condition (Project MATCH manual), and completed SP interviews three months post-baseline. Using general linear models, results indicated a significant time x group effect, with students assigned to the simulation training program showing greater improvement in “extensiveness” and “skillfulness” ratings across three skill categories: general agenda setting (p = .03), explaining CBT concepts (p = .007), and understanding of CBT concepts (p = .001). However, manual comparison participants showed greater improvement than simulation trainees in “assessing primary drug use” (prange = .013–.024). No changes in extensiveness or skillfulness of motivational interviewing (MI) style were observed. This pilot test of CBT: Introducing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers support for use of this novel technology as a potential approach to scale up CBT training for students, and perhaps clinicians, counseling people with SUDs.

Особенности переживания духовного кризиса и отношение к своему Я при спинальной травме

The article presents the results of the study of the specifics of spiritual crisis experience and attitudes to Self in persons with spinal injury (N=65) and conventionally healthy respondents (N=63). The characteristics of spiritual crisis most typical of people with spinal injury were: dissatisfaction and loneliness attributed to the past, present, and future; and suffering attributed to the past. The categories of dissatisfaction, loneliness, and suffering were heterogeneous, as reflected in texts produced by people with spinal injuries and healthy people of different sex and age. Groups distinguished by time elapsed since injury did not differ on quantitative signs of spiritual crises but differed qualitatively in their experiences of dissatisfaction, loneliness, and suffering. People who had lived with the injury longer often experienced uselessness, and a lack of contacts, attention, and support; they were disposed to self-flagellation and guilt. Their attitude to Self reflected in the texts of fairy tales. Healthy controls wrote simple fairy tales describing the interaction of the Real Self and Ideal Self. By contrast, people with spinal injuries focused their stories on emotional experiences of their attitude to Self (complicated fairy tales) or finding meaning, accepting oneself and life in all its fullness and variety (complex fairy tale). Counseling people with a spinal injury, one should take into account both gender and age of the injured person and the potential of the fairy tale itself, which becomes a resource in the experiencing of spiritual crisis and in changing attitudes to Self.

The development of a parent–child activity based on the principles of perceptual control theory

AbstractProblems most frequently reported by young people in school counselling relate to family difficulties. During adolescence, conflict between parents and young people increases as young people move towards independence whilst still being reliant on parents. The quality of communication during this period has implications for young people’s well-being. The current study explored how the principles of perceptual control theory (PCT) could be used to develop a structured activity aimed at helping young people to talk to their parents about their goals and goal conflicts.PCT proposes that individuals function well when they are able to control things that are important to them. Every individual has numerous goals/wants and if two or more are incompatible, conflict arises. The current study focused on supporting young people to explore conflict that might arise due to incompatible goals held by them and their parent. Six families (child and parent/carer) were recruited to try a goal-setting and monitoring activity. The activity was facilitated by a Method of Levels researcher over a 10-week period. There were two follow-up appointments at 2 and 4 months. Two families were retained for the entire study. On completion, four families provided qualitative feedback. On the basis of participants’ feedback, the activity was modified to incorporate discussions on incompatible goals. Two families piloted the modified activity and provided feedback. Both families completed the study. Results suggest that a parent–child activity using the principles of PCT is feasible and acceptable among parents and young people.Key learning aims(1)To understand how the principles of PCT can be used to support young people in communicating with their parents.(2)To understand how talking about important goals/wants impacts young people and their parents.(3)To understand how the principles of PCT can be used to resolve parent–child conflict.

How to do Effective Nutritional Counselling for People with Diabetes?

How to do Effective Nutritional Counselling for People with Diabetes?

Evaluating Financial Capability Services Provided in a Workforce Development Program

This field study explores the effects of an offer of financial counseling provided to low‐income people exiting welfare assistance in a workforce development program. While only about one‐third of workers actually took part in counseling, those who did were able to reduce the amount of debt they had in collections. We did not find other statistically significant effects on financial behavior or well‐being, however. People living at or below poverty levels of income may need more intensive financial support services than counseling can provide. This study illustrates the challenge of engaging participants in financial capability services, as well as the limitation of interventions like counseling for people who have very low incomes.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Brain Development, and Mental Health: A Call for Neurocounseling

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study provided compelling evidence that abuse, neglect, and other ACEs are the most potent risk factors for the development of health, mental health, and substance use problems. Such negative health-related outcomes parallel the cumulative exposure of the developing brain to the stress response, with resulting impairment in multiple brain structures and functions. Collectively, these sequelae can manifest during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. We and others have posited that counseling and other psychotherapeutic interventions need to address the individual's multilayered ecology (i.e., biological, psychological, social, cultural/contextual). Neurocounseling can provide a heuristic framework to more effectively assess, conceptualize, and counsel people with a history of ACEs. We provide an update of the clinical neuroscience of ACEs and its implications for counseling, including how contemporary interventions (e.g., mindfulness) can potentially have positive benefits for such individuals.