Distance Intervention Research Articles

Career Interventions at a Distance: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: Due to global technological advances, psychology professionals have experienced constant changes in their daily routines. The field of career development and vocational psychology is no different. Amplified by the adjustments brought about by the circumstances of the pandemic, there has been an increased demand for and development of various distance intervention methodologies. Methods: This study presents a systematic review of distance career interventions, focusing on (1) rationale, (2) groups of the population, (3) structure, (4) evaluation, and (5) outcomes and recommendations. Eleven keywords, three databases, and five eligibility criteria were defined. Results: Sixteen articles were collected for analysis. The results showed a predominance of (1) career construction theory and social cognitive theory rationales, (2) a sample of university students, (3) group career intervention, (4) pre- and post-test evaluation systems, and (5) effects in different dimensions and recommendations about intervention research design. Conclusions: Although there has been an increase in the number of publications in recent years, few studies evaluate distance career interventions. There are also few studies with different target populations. In this sense, indications for future interventions and studies are given, as well as the implications of these studies for practice.

Do help options facilitate computer‐based L2 listening comprehension? Evidence from an activity theory perspective

AbstractDespite the proliferation of help options for computer‐based second language (L2) listening comprehension, little attention has been given to a comprehensive understanding of the pedagogical effects. To gain a thorough understanding of the overall and moderator effects, drawing on the activity theory (AT), this study conducted a meta‐analysis of 33 valid independent studies on help options for computer‐based L2 listening comprehension with 3697 participants involved. Results demonstrated that (a) compared with those traditional methods, help options are found to be more facilitative for L2 listening comprehension with a small‐to‐moderate effect of g = 0.449, 95% CI [0.303, 0.596]; and (b) the effects of help options for computer‐based L2 listening comprehension are moderated by option types, feedback types, language distance types, intervention durations and learning activity types. Motivated by the results obtained, this study also discussed pedagogical implications for future studies. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic The improved pedagogical effects of help options for computer‐based second language (L2) listening comprehension have been well‐documented. A large number of studies on the use of help options for computer‐based L2 listening comprehension have been published. There has been no research aggregating the overall effects of help options for computer‐based L2 listening comprehension. Some potential factors that may moderate the effects of help options for computer‐based L2 listening comprehension remain underexplored. What this paper adds This paper aims to aggregate the overall and moderator effects from the existing publications of help options for computer‐based L2 listening comprehension. Compared with those traditional methods, help options are found to be more facilitative for L2 listening comprehension with a small‐to‐moderate effect of g = 0.449. The effects of help options for computer‐based L2 listening are moderated by option types, feedback types, language distance types, intervention durations and learning activity types. Implications for practice and/or policy Help options have been confirmed to facilitate computer‐based L2 listening comprehension, especially among learners of primary and secondary levels. Call for more empirical studies investigating how different types of options, feedback, language distance and intervention durations along with learning activity moderate the effectiveness. Further attempts should investigate help options for computer‐based L2 listening comprehension with the integration of generative AI, large language model (LLM) and natural language processing (NLP) techniques.

Exploring the Awareness, Perception, Acceptability and Confidence Level Towards Telerehabilitation among Stroke Patients’ Caregivers in the Federal Territory of Malaysia

Telerehabilitation is the ability to provide distance support, evaluation and intervention to individuals who are undergoing rehabilitation therapy through telecommunication. This study aimed to explore the awareness, acceptability and confidence level towards telerehabilitation among caregivers of cerebral stroke patients in the federal territory of Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst stroke patients’ caregivers from general hospitals in the federal territory of Malaysia. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the awareness, acceptability and confidence level towards telerehabilitation technology among stroke patients’ caregivers. The correlation between confidence level in using technology devices and their acceptance level of telerehabilitation was assessed by using Spearman correlation analysis. Results showed that 70% of caregivers were aware of the telerehabilitation technology, amongst which 60.5% were willing to use the technology for rehabilitation purposes. Out of all the types of devices, 50% of caregivers demonstrated a high confidence level in using smartphones. However, only 25.7% demonstrated a high confidence level in using video call services for telerehabilitation service. In conclusion, the majority of caregivers in the federal territory of Malaysia demonstrated a positive attitude towards telerehabilitation services for stroke patients.

Foreign trade, foreign direct investment, and urban inequality: The effects of China

ABSTRACT The concentration of population and socioeconomic activities in large cities in developing countries has sparked broad concerns regarding inequality in national urban systems (NUS). This paper examines how Chinese foreign trade and overseas foreign direct investment (OFDI) affected host countries’ NUS from 2000 to 2018. Chinese foreign trade reduced NUS inequality, particularly countries with more cultural distance from China, while OFDI increased NUS inequality only in mineral-rich countries. For Asian Belt and Road countries (BRCs), Chinese foreign trade reduced NUS inequality, especially those with greater institutional distance to China and more government intervention. Chinese OFDI plays the opposite effect, notably for high government intervention countries. Globally, roles of foreign trade and OFDI change with resource endowments and cultural distance, while for Asian BRCs, these roles change with institutional distance and government intervention. This paper bridges gaps in the effects of Chinese foreign trade and OFDI on NUS inequality.

Distance interventions for enhancing preparedness in informal caregivers of older adults: A systematic review protocol.

Informal caregivers provide care to older adults but report lack of preparedness to enact the role. Intervention programs delivered by distance offer one alternative to support preparedness. Three review studies conducted to date have highlighted the benefits of distance interventions for enhancing preparedness among informal caregivers of older adults. However, these reviews have been limited in presenting and discussing how intervention components influenced outcomes. Additionally, they have not compared different distance delivery approaches for informal caregivers of older adults or assessed their varying impact on preparedness outcomes. These limitations make the effectiveness of diverse distance approaches unclear. To evaluate the effects of distance interventions aimed at enhancing preparedness among informal caregivers of older adults. This protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines and is guided by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. It has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023400668). Databases used in the search will include CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and ProQuest Theses and Dissertations Global. The search will not be restricted by publication year to include all relevant studies. Studies published in English and Portuguese will be included. Study quality will be assessed using Downs and Black's checklist. If metanalysis is possible, it will be performed using the ReviewManager (RevMan) software. The study will be the first of its type to systematically review and synthesize components and approaches of distance interventions aimed at supporting preparedness of informal caregivers of older adults.

Neurotrophic keratopathy: Clinical presentation and outcomes in 354 eyes in a community-based population.

To describe the frequency, clinical presentation, and outcomes of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). Retrospective cohort study of Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients diagnosed with NK using ICD-10 code H16.23X from October 1, 2016 through May 31, 2021 was conducted. The electronic medical record was used to obtain demographic information, systemic and ocular comorbidities, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), Mackie stage, laterality, etiology, complications, interventions, and medications. The data were analyzed using cross-tabulations. 354 eyes in 322 patients presented with an initial or recurrent episode of NK. 9.9% had bilateral NK, 40% were 75 years and older, and 55% were women. Baseline vision was worse than 20/100 in 47.5%. Mackie staging was stage 1 in 37.3%, stage 2 in 32.5%, and stage 3 in 30.2%. Herpetic causes comprised 34.9%, followed by diabetes (12.4%), ocular surgery (10.4%), and central nervous system etiologies (9.0%). Topical antibiotics (74.5%), steroids (54.0%), autologous serum tears (46.0%), and oral antivirals (43.8%) were the most used treatments. There were 8 eyes with perforation, 4 endophthalmitis, and 3 evisceration/enucleations. An increased difference of approximately 0.1 logMAR in CDVA in the affected eye compared with the unaffected eye over one year was not statistically significant. Clinic utilization for stage 2 (average visits per month, 3.2) and stage 3 (5.0) NK gradually decreased over 6 months. Summary of the current management, outcomes, and healthcare utilization of NK provides valuable benchmarks in assessing the disease burden in the community and for further development of novel therapies.

Psychological distance intervention reminders reduce alcohol consumption frequency in daily life

Modifying behaviors, such as alcohol consumption, is difficult. Creating psychological distance between unhealthy triggers and one’s present experience can encourage change. Using two multisite, randomized experiments, we examine whether theory-driven strategies to create psychological distance—mindfulness and perspective-taking—can change drinking behaviors among young adults without alcohol dependence via a 28-day smartphone intervention (Study 1, N = 108 participants, 5492 observations; Study 2, N = 218 participants, 9994 observations). Study 2 presents a close replication with a fully remote delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. During weeks when they received twice-a-day intervention reminders, individuals in the distancing interventions reported drinking less frequently than on control weeks—directionally in Study 1, and significantly in Study 2. Intervention reminders reduced drinking frequency but did not impact amount. We find that smartphone-based mindfulness and perspective-taking interventions, aimed to create psychological distance, can change behavior. This approach requires repeated reminders, which can be delivered via smartphones.

Performance and satisfaction during the E-learning transition in the COVID-19 pandemic among psychiatry course medical students

BackgroundIn the field of medical education, students faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abrupt alterations were made in the form of preventative precautions. Virtual classes replaced onsite classes, clinical placements were canceled, and social distance interventions prevented face-to-face practical sessions. The present study aimed to assess students' performance and satisfaction before and after the transition of a psychiatry course from onsite to entirely online during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA retrospective, non-clinical, and non-interventional comparative educational research study included all students registered in the psychiatric course for the academic year 2020 (pre-pandemic/onsite) and 2021 (during the pandemic/online).To assess students' satisfaction, we utilized the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) students' satisfaction survey used by the academic quality unit at KSU, College of Medicine.Satisfaction was assessed in six domains: course organization, learning resources, faculty experiences, clinical teaching, practical sessions, and overall satisfaction. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured using Cronbach's alpha test.To assess their performance, students’ grades from both periods were obtained from the exam center. ResultsA total of 193 medical students enrolled in the study; 80 received onsite learning and assessment, while another 113 received full online learning and assessment. The students' mean indicators of course satisfaction for the online courses exceeded their corresponding indicators significantly compared to the onsite courses. These indicators included students' satisfaction in terms of course organization, p < 0.001; medical learning resources, p < 0.050; faculty experience, p < 0.050; and overall course, p < 0.050. There were no significant differences regarding satisfaction in both practical sessions, p > 0.050, and clinical teaching, p > 0.050. The students' performance mean was significantly higher in the online (M = 91.76) compared to the onsite courses (M = 88.58) (p < 0.001), and the Cohen's D statistic showed there was a medium level of enhancement in students' overall grades (Cohen’s d = 0.41). ConclusionStudents perceived the switch to online delivery methods very favorably. Students’ satisfaction significantly improved regarding the themes of course organization, faculty experience, learning resources, and overall course satisfaction, while a similar level of adequate student satisfaction was maintained in terms of clinical teaching and practical sessions during the transition of the course to e-learning. In addition, the online course was associated with a trend toward higher students’ grades. However, the assessment of the achievement of course learning outcomes and the maintenance of this positive impact warrants further investigation.

The impact of distance education on readmission of patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To estimate the effect size of distance education on the readmission of patients with heart failure. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis. Both Persian and English interventional studies focused on investigating the effectiveness of any form of distance education interventions on the readmission of patients with heart failure were retrieved from the main databases: Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, and Google Scholar. Two independent teams screened the articles for eligibility. The Cochrane Risk of bias tool was implemented to evaluate the studies' quality. A random-effects model was applied to pool the effect sizes, I2 was calculated to examine heterogeneity, and Meta-regression was used to investigate the source of heterogeneity. The proposal was registered in the PROSPERO database (no. CRD42020187453). Articles 8836 were retrieved, and 11 articles were selected. Nine studies investigated the effect of distance education on readmission with <12-month follow-up (RR: 0.78 [95% CI 0.67-0.92]) and the I2 of 0.00%; and four studies examined the effect of distance intervention on readmission with 12-month or more follow-up (RR: 0.89 [95% CI 0.73-1.09]) and the I2 of 71.59%.

Exploring Trauma and Resilience among NYS COVID-19 Pandemic Survivors.

The New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health created the NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline and enlisted graduate students to provide phone-based emotional support initially to the NYS community. This NYS-funded initiative transformed into providing psychosocial support for callers across the United States. Four NYS doctoral students acted as the helpline agents and received 251 individual calls from May–August 2020. The agents documented the calls with clinical notes which cannot be traced back to specific callers. The purpose of this retrospective qualitative study was to explore the themes that emerged from the calls to give voice to the trauma that callers were reporting during the early phases of the pandemic, and the resilience they demonstrated as they engaged with the Helpline. The agents’ clinical transcripts were converted into codes using a critical-constructivist grounded theory approach with the NVIVO qualitative data analysis software. A second research team audited the initial codes for construct clarity. Emergent themes detailed the unique traumas that helpline callers divulged, how the agents provided support, and the callers’ capacities for resilience. Recommendations are suggested to inform clinicians working with pandemic survivors, to offer guidance on providing distance or virtual interventions as well as to enhance policymakers’ understanding of addressing mental health needs across populations served via the NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline.

Distorted body image in women: Emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection as an effective instrument for its moderation

Aim of the studyDissatisfaction with one’s own body represents one of the main sources of suffering for women in various age categories. One of the potential factors reducing dissatisfaction with one’s own body is self-compassion. The aim of this study was to determine if a short-term two-week emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection, will reduce self-criticism in women, increase their self-compassion and improve satisfaction with their own body image.Subject or material and methodsThe research sample consisted of 64 women aged 18-55 years, mean age 31.73 yrs. (SD = 8.48), randomized into experimental and control group. Self-compassion, self-criticism and body shape dissatisfaction were measured before and after the intervention.ResultsData analysis indicated significant changes in the degree of self-compassion, self-criticism and dissatisfaction with body image on the part of the group undergoing intervention.DiscussionSimilarly as in previous research, emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection turned out to be the effective tool for increasing compassion, decreasing self-criticism and enhancing body dissatisfaction.ConclusionsThe study confirms the assertion that cultivating self-compassion can lower dissatisfaction with body image, and at the same time, it proves that cost-effective, distance intervention, without direct contact with a specialist, can be effective.

Distance Interventions for Children with Sleep Problems: A Review

Sleep problems in childhood are frequent and may cause damage to the children and their families; however, parental orientation appears to be effective in its many new formats, such as the distance treatment. This study aimed to review the literature about behavioral intervention performed by distance to sleep problems in childhood and summarize the main characteristics of such interventions. Searches were performed up to November 2021 in BVS Psicologia ULAPSI Brasil, SCOPUS, and PsycINFO, using the key words: sleep problems, insomnia, nighttime fears, behavioral intervention, behavioral treatment, treatment, intervention, sleep, behavior, child, children, infant, mobile phones, smartphone, app, telephone, online, internet, bibliotherapy. We included 14 studies. The main results indicate that interventions were implemented between 2 and 12 weeks, the most reported procedure was pre-sleep routines, and semipresential interventions that required some presential contact were the most frequent. Written educational information about sleep through bibliotherapy and telephone contacts were the most used tools to implement the remote component of interventions. Ten studies indicated improvements on children’s sleep, and secondary results (parental sleep and/or mental health) were also reported among studies. Therefore, our findings suggest that distance interventions for childhood sleep problems are promising, but future research is still needed

Ukrainian Maritime Policy: Stranded in a Transit

Some aspects of the formation and realization of the modern maritime policy of Ukraine have been defined in the article. Its legal basis has been considered, its changes and updates have been monitored. The possibility and the ability to develop the documents of long-term planning in the maritime industry have been noted. At the same time, the belatedness and the lack of actual mechanisms for ensuring the execution of their norms lead to a stagnation of systemic reforms and a comprehensive update of public administration of the sphere. The attention is focused on the importance of a systematic approach to the transformation of legislative and law enforcement practices in the sphere of maritime and port activities in Ukraine, ensuring stability and continuity in their administration. The positive and negative practices in the exercise of powers by some subjects of realization of the maritime and port policy of Ukraine have been described. The pernicious practice of distance and situational intervention of a state in solving problems of the maritime and port industries as a strategic component of its political, social, and economic stability has been emphasized. Author suggest that introduction of modern methodology, such as maritime spatial planning may have positive impact on the effectiveness of Ukrainian maritime policy. When considering the development of the coastal regions as one of the directions of the maritime policy of Ukraine, it has been noted the advantages of creating and functioning the free economic zones in them. The characteristic of the experience of creation and work, as well as the specifics of such forms of trade facilitation (the preferential legal and financially-economic regimes, the presence of a particular specialization of entrepreneurial and investment activities, etc.), shows the economic expediency of granting such status to the port cities and the coastal regions. It has been noted that the free economic zones today are an active means of state policy, capable equally of reanimating depressed territory and giving an additional impetus to the regional points of growth.

Effects of Telehomecare Interventions on the Management and Complications of Diabetes Mellitus: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Diabetes is one of the most serious health challenges of the 21st century. The number of adults with diabetes has roughly tripled in the last 20 years. The increased burden of chronic diseases and scarce health resources compel healthcare systems to make modern patients more self-sufficient by requiring them to play a more active part in the treatment and management of their disease. Tele-home-care is a method of distance intervention through the transmission of electronic data for follow-up, education, prevention, clinical decision-making, and treatment modulation that has a high potential for the population with diabetes. Previous studies have not systematically evaluated the effects of different features of long-distance caregiving on diabetes at different stages of disease severity.&#x0D; Objectives: The present study describes a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis for summarizing the evidence comparing telehomecare interventions on diabetes management and its complications.&#x0D; Methods: PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane databases, HTA (Health Technology Assessment), NHS EED (NHS Economic Evaluation Database), DARE (Database of Abstract of Reviews of Effects), Embase, and SID will be searched using medical subject heading (MeSH) keywords. Controlled clinical trials in patients with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes will be selected based on predefined eligibility criteria. The risk of bias in studies will be checked using the JADAD score. The mean difference and its standard deviation will be calculated to be used as effect size. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to pool the results. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression will be conducted to explore the possible sources of heterogeneity.&#x0D; Conclusion: The systematic review and meta-analysis provided by the results of a systematic review can be useful to endocrinologists, physicians, public health policymakers, and the general population.

Hygiene Awareness among Public University Students in Malaysia during COVID-19 Outbreak

The origin of COVID-19 was found in December 2019 from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China; and it has spread very fast all around the world. It is a worrying disease as many positive cases are reported increasing day by day. The emerging of COVID-19 outbreak requires social distance and other interventions to protect human and environmental health. The objective of this study is to promote awareness among public university students on the importance of hygiene during the pandemic of COVID-19. Therefore, a study was carried out to assess the hygiene awareness among public university students during this outbreak. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey method among public university students. The study generally is aimed to determine COVID-19 awareness, attitudes, knowledge, and related behaviours among the students. The results show that most of the students are aware of the current issues of COVID-19, and at the same time they practice good self-hygiene to prevent themselves from getting infected. However, there is still room for the university students to improve their hygiene awareness, and exercising more complete precautionary matters to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A construção de um aplicativo para uso dos pais na intervenção fonoaudiológica

To elaborate and show an innovative speech and language guidance program for smartphones, tablets, and computers, with technological support. The program aims to help parents of children at risk for language disorder in order to minimize the consequences of a developmental language disorder (DLD). An app was developed to provide a dynamic interaction between the researcher and the families for at a distance intervention, aiming to reach the greatest number of children to promote language development in a broad, low-cost and effective way. The content was organized in video-lessons (theoretical orientations were carried out in the form of video-lessons, taught by the researcher), videos (documentaries and videos from YouTube), reports (reports linked to sites specializing in child development), complementary content (cultural and leisure activities to be done in family) and activities (activities to stimulate the skills worked on in each week's video lesson proposed in the application). We created a remote orientation program proposing an innovative, technological, and motivating therapeutic environment compatible with the reality of today's families.

Mathematical Modeling of Covid-19 Disease Dynamics and Analysis of Intervention Strategies

Covid-19 is a highly prevalent contagious disease, with high fatalities. With the absence of a one bullet drug or vaccine, infected individual is highly likely to die within a short time. The transmission and progression of Covid-19 can be described using distinct stages, namely exposure and latency, infectiousness, and recovery with waning immunity or death. This implies that, mathematical model will place individuals into four compartments, that is, Susceptible (S), Exposed (E), Infective (I) and Recovered (R), representing a SEIR model. Due to its fast fatal capacity, changes in population due to births do not affect the disease dynamics, but for the purpose of monitoring deaths, a compartment for deaths (D) is incorporated. The analysis of intervention strategies necessitates modification of SEIR model to include Quarantine (Q), Isolation (I), and Homebased care (H) compartments. In this paper, Public health Education Campaign, Quarantine and testing, Isolation, Treatment, use of facemask and Social distance intervention strategies were analyzed. Numerical results indicated that the most responsive mitigation strategy is use of quality facemask and observance of social distance. At 90% adherence to this plan reduces the force of infection from <i>β</i>=0.0197 to <i>β</i>=0.0033. This will consequently reduce the basic reproductive ratio from <i>R₀</i>=14.0362 to <i>R₀</i>=2.3388, which prevents 99.37% of population from contracting the disease. However, it is shown that a combination of other intervention strategies have synergetic effect of bringing down reproductive ratio to less than one. Sensitivity analysis indicated that isolation and treatment of infected individuals in government facilities is the most effective method with elasticity of <i>v</i>=-6.4, but due to financial implications, the alternative homebased care need to be fortified. This means, for Covid-19 pandemic to die off, we require early identification of infected individuals through mass testing and immediate isolation. In order to optimize financial constraints associated with isolation, currently at <i>α</i>=11%, the threshold efficacy of other intervention strategies should be enhanced to; public health campaign є > 50%, complacency ξ < 30%, facemask quality c > 89%, social distance <i>r</i> > 2m, and mass testing τ > 0.27. With these interventions, it is estimated that the reproductive ratio, reduces to less than one after 225 days from the first occurrence of Covid-19, and the epidemic will then begin to decline gradually to insignificant levels.

Home-Based Multicomponent Intervention Increases Exercise Activity and Improves Body Mass Index: Results of a 5-Year Randomized Trial Among Individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency-Associated Lung Disease.

The Step Forward Study (SFS) was designed to increase exercise activity and improve body mass index (BMI) among individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)-associated lung disease. The SFS is a randomized trial of an intensive distance intervention that was delivered via a series of mailings and teleconferences versus no additional intervention. All participants (n=500) were also enrolled in a disease management program designed for individuals with AATD-associated lung disease who have been prescribed augmentation therapy. The primary outcome was self-reported number of exercise minutes per week. The secondary outcome was BMI. Linear mixed model analyses were used to assess the difference in average weekly exercise minutes between the intervention arms over time. T-tests, signed rank and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to evaluate changes in BMI between the intervention arms and within each BMI category. The study included 429 individuals with evaluable primary outcome data.There was a significant effect of intervention on exercise minutes over time (p=0.018). Participants in the intervention group reported an average of 167.14 minutes (standard deviation [SD]=10.68) of weekly exercise and those in the standard care group reported 148.31 minutes (SD=10.96). There was a significant difference in BMI change between the intervention (mean BMI decrease 0.74, SD=2.16) and the standard care group (mean BMI decrease 0.27, SD=1.63); p=0.0122. Individuals who were randomly assigned to the intervention group reported more exercise activity and improvements in BMI over the course of this multicomponent intervention compared to individuals assigned to standard care.

Closed-Form Solutions for Optimal Social Distancing in a SIR Model of COVID-19 Suppression

I present a stylized suspected-infected-recovered (SIR) model of COVID-19, with symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients, and social distancing intervention. The optimal suppress strategy has low-infection rates, enabling assumptions that support closed-form solutions. The model predicts high costs of social distancing in comparison to health costs of the disease; it separates public versus private benefits of social distancing, and determines the required level of group immunity for relaxing social distance intervention. I extend the model with heterogeneous population for preferences over social contacts, health costs, and transmission. Heterogeneity in transmission intensity offers most opportunities for reduced costs under a differentiated social distancing policy.

The role of practitioners in helping persons make effective use of information and communication technology in career interventions

We examine the role of counselors and other practitioners in delivering career interventions using Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Current benefits and limitations of ICT use provide the basis for recommendations. Potential benefits of increased ICT engagement include cost-effectiveness and improved access to resources and support. Potential limitations include poor assessment and information quality, limited practitioner support when needed, problems with distance intervention and social media, confidentiality of client records, inequality of access, inadequate competencies, and poor implementation. Specific practitioner roles are identified, and those related to social media are elaborated. Implications for theory, research, training, and policy are provided.