Participation In Group Sessions Research Articles

Sensor-Based Real-Time Monitoring Approach for Multi-Participant Workout Intensity Management

One of the significant advantages of technological evolution is the greater ease of collecting and analyzing data. Miniaturization, wireless communication protocols and IoT allow the use of sensors to collect data, with all the potential to support decision making in real time. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a digital solution to guide the intensity of training or physical activity, based on heart rate wearable sensors applied to participants in group sessions. Our system, featuring a unified engine that simplifies sensor management and minimizes user disruption, has been proven effective for real-time monitoring. It includes custom alerts during variable-intensity workouts, and ensures data preservation for subsequent analysis by physiologists or clinicians. This solution has been used in sessions of up to six participants and sensors up to 12 m away from the gateway device. We describe some challenges and constraints we face in collecting data from multiple and possibly different sensors simultaneously via Bluetooth Low Energy, and the approaches we follow to overcome them. We conduct an in-depth questionnaire to identify potential obstacles and drivers for system acceptance. We also discuss some possibilities for extension and improvement of our system.

Qualitative Study Guiding the Design of a Person-Centered Shared Medical Appointment Model to Optimize Diabetes Care Delivery.

The purpose of the study was to explore the shared medical appointment model (SMA) with youth with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and their caregivers to identify health education needs, access barriers, and recommendations for intervention design. Patient and caregiver focus group interviews were conducted in English and Spanish to address these objectives: (1) identify barriers to participation in group sessions, (2) identify barriers to diabetes self-management, and (3) prioritize preference for SMA themes. Qualitative analysis identified strategies for patient recruitment and engagement and recommendations for curriculum design of a future SMA model for youth with T2DM. Both adolescents and caregivers supported the development of an SMA model. Adolescents expressed concerns of initial discomfort and nervousness, whereas young adults described stigma as the main barrier to joining a group. Patients emphasized the importance of prioritizing youth comfort and families' convenience. Early adolescents and young adults preferred autonomy in the choice to join a group, whereas mid adolescents and caregivers preferred that the caregivers make that decision. Participants recommended nine topics regarding barriers to diabetes care. The topics that received the most enthusiasm were nutrition, exercise, navigating peer interactions, and stress management. Youth with T2DM and their caregivers perceived many benefits of an SMA model and provided feedback to guide the development of a health education curriculum that could be integrated into an SMA clinic.

Thematic Analysis of State Medicaid Buprenorphine Prior Authorization Requirements

Prior authorization (PA) requirements for buprenorphine are associated with lower provision of the medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). While Medicare plans have eliminated PA requirements for buprenorphine, many Medicaid plans continue to require them. To describe and classify buprenorphine coverage requirements based on thematic analysis of state Medicaid PA forms. This qualitative study used a thematic analysis of 50 states' Medicaid PA forms for buprenorphine between November 2020 and March 2021. Forms were obtained from the jurisdiction's Medicaid websites and assessed for features suggesting barriers to buprenorphine access. A coding tool was developed based on a review of a sample of forms, including fields for behavioral health treatment recommendations or mandates, drug screening requirements, and dosage limitations. Outcomes included PA requirements for different buprenorphine formulations. Additionally, PA forms were evaluated for various criteria such as behavioral health, drug screenings, dose-related recommendations or mandates or patient education. Among the total of 50 US states in the analysis, most states' Medicaid plans required PA for at least 1 formulation of buprenorphine. However, the majority did not require a PA for buprenorphine-naloxone. Four key themes of coverage requirements were identified: restrictive surveillance (eg, requirements for urine drug screenings, random drug screenings, pill counts), behavioral health treatment recommendations or mandates (eg, mandatory counseling or 12-step meeting attendance), interfering with or restricting medical decision-making (eg, maximum daily dosages of 16 mg, requiring additional steps for dosages higher than 16 mg), and patient education (eg, information about adverse effects and interactions with other medications). Eleven states (22%) required urine drug screenings, 6 states (12%) required random urine drug screenings, and 4 states (8%) required pill counts. Fourteen states' forms (28%) recommended therapy, and 7 (14%) required therapy, counseling, or participation in group sessions. Eighteen states (36%) specified dosage maximums; among them, 11 (22%) required additional steps for a daily dosage higher than 16 mg. In this qualitative study of state Medicaid PA requirements for buprenorphine, themes were identified that included patient surveillance with drug screenings and pill counts, behavioral health treatment recommendations or mandates, patient education, and dosing guidance. These results suggest that state Medicaid plans' buprenorphine PA requirements for OUD are in conflict with existing evidence and may negatively affect states' efforts to address the opioid overdose crisis.

Bridging the Rural-Urban Literacy Gap in China: A Mediation Analysis of Family Effects

ABSTRACTThis study examines the effects of family involvement on the literacy gap between rural and urban Chinese primary students via mediation analysis. Altogether, 1080 students in Grades 1, 3, and 5 were randomly sampled from three urban and three rural primary schools from Shandong and Guizhou Provinces, representing eastern and western China, respectively. The Primary Chinese Reading Literacy Scale was administered to all participants in group sessions. Parents were surveyed on parental educational levels, home literacy environment, and parental involvement in home literacy activities. The findings show that the urban students significantly surpass their rural counterparts in Chinese literacy attainment, parental education levels, and home literacy environment and activities. The structural equation model indicates that the rural-urban literacy gap is mediated by parental education level and family literacy environment (resources, informal and formal literacy). Theoretical and practical implications of these findings and possible directions for future educational studies are discussed.

Estrategias de afrontamiento en padres de niños con cáncer

Se pretende conocer las estrategias de afrontamiento que utilizan los padres de niños con cáncer ante al reto que supone esta enfermedad. Se ha utilizado una metodología de investigación grupal y cualitativa. La muestra la constituyen 14 madres/padres cuyos hijos hace más de dos años que han contraído la enfermedad. Se ha comprobado que los padres utilizan una gran variedad de estrategias. Unas son activas: centrada en el problema (adecuación a la acción y calma, entereza y reflexión); regulación afectiva; búsqueda de información; adquisición de apoyo social, instrumental, informativo y/o emocional; reevaluación o reestructuración cognitiva y pensamiento positivo; y distracción. Otras son pasivas: rumiación, huida/evitación, y aislamiento social. El conocimiento de estas estrategias es de gran utilidad para los profesionales de la educación en la comprensión de las reacciones de los padres, en la comunicación e interrelación con ellos y en la orientación familiar.

The Group Activity Form: Is it Valid and Reliable?

The Group Activity Form (GAF; expanded from Bender et al 1987), a tool for evaluating group members' participation in group sessions, has been successfully used, but its reliability and validity have not been established. This was the aim of the present study. In order to investigate the interrater reliability of the GAF, three independent raters used the GAF to score 96 people with dementia attending a reminiscence group. The group was conducted by the occupational therapy department in an assessment ward for people with dementia. To explore the concurrent validity of the GAF, it was hypothesised that, with this client group, a correlation could be expected between how successful the group members were in engaging in group activity, measured by the GAF, and their cognitive abilities. To measure the latter, the Clifton Assessment Procedure for the Elderly (CAPE; Pattie and Gilleard 1979), a measure well established and validated in this setting, was used. The results showed a significant interrater reliability on all the items of the GAF. There was some evidence for the hypothesised correlation between the GAF and the CAPE. This study is a useful starting point for further research to investigate other aspects of the validity and reliability of the GAF.

Efficacité d'un programme de traitement pour enfants abusés sexuellement

Objective: An evaluation study was conducted in order to evaluate the impact of the treatment program for sexually abused children. Method: Forty-one (41) children (aged 6–17 years), victims of a sexual abuse by a family member, were assessed at pre-and post-treatment (16 months following the pre-test). The evolution of children's psychological well-being was measured by the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Picturial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children (PSPCA), the Children's Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External control scale (CNS-IE), the Children's Action Tendency Scale (CATS), the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and the Pediatric Behavior Scale (PBS). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to assess the strength of the relationship between the level of participation in both individual (including dyadic and family therapy) and group therapy and the evolution of Ss' psychological well-being. Results: Results indicate that the child's mental health was generally positively related to the level of participation in individual therapy but not related or negatively related with the level of participation in group sessions except for the PBS. Conclusions: These results indicate the need: (a) to consider the adoption of a dose measurement in the appreciation of the therapeutic impact; (b) to have a better grasp of the nature and the effects of specific therapeutic activities included in a program; (c) to have a better understanding of the disparities observed between parents' and children's evaluation of the psychological status of the child.

The University of Virginia Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program

Proof of effectiveness now exists for many health promotion and disease prevention practices, yet the importance of this knowledge is not widely appreciated, and a large percentage of the population does not receive this care. Universities with comprehensive academic medical centers are particularly appropriate places for providing health promotion programs. The University of Virginia began a health promotion and disease prevention program for employees in 1990. Periodic health risk appraisal, with follow-up and selected interventions, is offered to approximately 14,000 employees as a cost-free fringe benefit. Health risks are assessed with a modification of the Carter Center Health Risk Appraisal. Results are given to participants in group sessions; referrals are made for clinical preventive services and interventions, as needed. During the first three years, 29% of the employee population participated in the program. Participants were more likely to be young, female and not African American. Nearly 96% had one or more risk factors, with an average of 3.6 risk factors overall. Participants on average had 1.8 risk factors for cardiovascular disease; 0.3 for cancer; 0.6 for injury; 0.1 for alcohol abuse; and 0.7 for mental health. Nonparticipants were not receiving similar comprehensive health risk appraisal elsewhere. University of Virginia employees have multiple health risks, not detected through their usual health care, for which effective interventions are available. This population probably reflects conditions throughout the state and nation. Academic medical centers should place high priority on establishing health promotion programs as part of their responsibilities to society.