Preferred Method Of Contact Research Articles

Telehealth service delivery in an Australian regional mental health service during COVID-19: a mixed methods analysis

BackgroundCOVID-19 required mental health services to quickly switch from face-to-face service delivery to telehealth (telephone and videoconferencing). This evaluation explored implementation of a telehealth mental health response in a regional public mental health provider.MethodsA mixed methods approach, combining service use data, brief satisfaction surveys, and qualitative interviews/focus groups was undertaken. Number and types of contacts from de-identified mental health service data were compared between April–May 2020 and April–May 2019. Mental health consumers and providers completed brief online satisfaction surveys after videoconferencing sessions. Attitudes and perspectives on the implementation of telehealth were further explored by applying a descriptive qualitative framework to the analysis of interview and focus group data supplied by consumers and providers. Template thematic analysis was used to elucidate key themes relating to the barriers and enablers of telehealth uptake and future implementation recommendations.ResultsTotal contacts decreased by 13% from 2019 to 2020. Face-to-face contacts decreased from 55% of total in 2019 to 24% in 2020. In 2019, 45% of contacts were by telephone, increasing to 70% in 2020. Only four videoconferencing contacts were made in 2019; increasing to 886 in 2020. Consumer surveys (n = 26) rated videoconferencing as good or excellent for technical quality (92%), overall experience (86%), and satisfaction with personal comfort (82%). Provider surveys (n = 88) rated technical quality as good or excellent (68%) and 86% could achieve assessment/treatment goals with videoconferencing. Provider focus groups/interviews (n = 32) identified that videoconferencing was well-suited to some clinical tasks. Consumers interviewed (n = 6) endorsed the ongoing availability of telehealth within a blended approach to service delivery. Both groups reflected on videoconferencing limitations due to infrastructure (laptops, phones, internet access), cumbersome platform and privacy concerns, with many reverting to telephone use.ConclusionsWhile videoconferencing increased, technical and other issues led to telephone being the preferred contact method. Satisfaction surveys indicated improvement opportunities in videoconferencing. Investment in user-friendly platforms, telehealth infrastructure and organisational guidelines are needed for successful integration of videoconferencing in public mental health systems.

Applying the integrated marketing communication approach to recruit and retain African American women.

Background: Researchers use multiple approaches to engage and maintain underrepresented populations in research. They often overlook integrated marketing communication (IMC), a useful approach for commercial marketing, for more established health promotion and social marketing techniques. There is limited information on the application of the IMC approach for recruiting and retaining African American study participants. This article explores the IMC approach used to recruit and retain volunteers for a community-based intervention. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study relying on extracted data from the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Physical Activity intervention. A brief multiple-choice survey was administered to a sample of African American women (n=74) to assess the effectiveness of applying an IMC approach for recruiting and retaining volunteers for the multi-week program during January - June 2018. The measures were (1) source for study information, (2) preferred method of contact, (3) primary source for health information. Results: Sixty-nine women listed their doctor as the primary source of health information and five women in the age group 18-34 identified social media (n=3) and websites (n=2). Age is significantly related to the preference of communication tools used to recruit and retain the African American participants. A statistical significance (P =0.025) suggests for women ages 51-69, a combination of radio, church, and word of mouth was more effective for recruitment. The older women preferred telephone calls compared to the women ages 18-50 who relied on texting. Conclusion: IMC can synergize individual communication elements in a coordinated manner to address niche audiences and develop cost-effective health communications programs that can improve recruitment and retention efforts in minority populations.

Frequency, topic, and preferences: Tracking student engagement with several modalities of student-instructor contact in a first-year course.

Meaningful student–instructor interactions during an undergraduate degree course can have important effects on student learning. The format by which those interactions are made possible can vary greatly. We investigated the preferred modality of contact and students’ reasons for contact across several modalities in a first‐year biology course. We tracked student–instructor contact for two‐course instructors who team teach collaboratively (rather than sequentially) across two‐course sections. Both instructors had identical scores on student evaluations of approachability. Student–instructor contact was facilitated using five ‘student hour’ modalities: (a) in office by appointment, (b) 1 h per week, in office drop in, (c) 1 h per week, virtual chat, (d) by email, (e) 10 min immediately after class. Though email was the preferred method of contact, the period immediately following the class instruction was the most popular of the face‐to‐face options. We note significant differences in the distribution of workload across the two instructors and make recommendations for increasing the accessibility of student–instructor contact and for equity in workload to support student learning.

The connected patient project: moving towards a population-based primary health care research registry

BackgroundThe NHS pledges to give all patients access to clinical research. In England, 32% of General Practices are research active and only 14% of patients engage in research. This project aimed to evaluate consent-for-contact and communication in primary care patients.MethodsAn explanatory mixed methods study of patients and staff within a single general practice. The study included all patients over the age of 18 years, and excluded those on the palliative care register and those unable to give informed consent. The questionnaire asked recipients to indicate their preferred contact method and data-sharing permissions with three organisations: NHS, Universities and Commercial Companies. Survey recipients and staff were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview. Interviews explored project acceptability, feasibility and reasoning behind choices made. Statistical data were triangulated with interview data.ResultsThe target patient population was 4678, 24% (n = 1148) responded. Seven hundred and three gave permission for at least one of the organisations to contact them. Older people were more likely to respond than young people, (p < 0.001). There was a trend for more women than men to give permissions however, in the 70 years plus age group this was reversed. Short message service was the preferred method of communication (48% n = 330), but those aged 70 years and over, preferred letter (p = 0.001). Interviews suggested patients felt the project was primarily about improving communication and secondly access to research. Patients trusted the NHS and university researchers. Staff interviewees found the project was less onerous than expected. Barriers to wider rollout included workload and the fragmented nature of NHS digital systems.ConclusionsA registry of patients was established; however, the response rate of 24% needs increasing before wider adoption. Health promotion and chronic disease-based research may recruit better when based in primary health care. Older demographics would be more likely to volunteer for research. NHS and academic researchers are trusted, commercial organisations less so. The move to digitalise communication methods has the potential to marginalise older women. Findings were used to drive forward two novel developments: a consent registry (Research+Me) and a federation-wide participant identification process.

Ensuring contact: calling rural Appalachian older adults during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Older adults, especially those aged 85 years or older, remain at significantly higher risk for COVID-19. This group, along with those with pre-existing heart and lung disease and diabetes, have accounted for 80% of hospitalizations and an even higher percentage of COVID-19 related deaths in the USA. West Virginia, the only state in the USA located completely within Appalachia, has a higher percentage of elderly than all but two states in the nation. Rural seniors are hesitant to use hospital emergency departments and attend routine care visits for fear of exposure to the virus. Restricted cell phone and internet service may limit effective technological outreach to more isolated rural older adults. More information is needed to develop effective, safe, and acceptable approaches to care for rural, isolated older adults. Telephone interviews were conducted with 124 community-dwelling residents in four counties in rural Appalachia between 1 and 22 April 2020. Participants were aged 75 years or older. Descriptive statistics were calculated and Fisher's Exact Test was used to examine for associations among variables. Participants consisted of 86 (69.4%) women and 38 (30.6%) men with an average age of 82.5 years. Telephone contact was the preferred method of contact among all but four participants (96.8%). Seventeen calls (13.7%) resulted in some form of intervention, including arranging for emergent home repairs, treatment of severe hypertension, scheduling urgent laboratory testing, arranging for terminal care, treating acute conditions, and providing durable medical equipment. The 17 participants requiring intervention were significantly more likely to be aged 85 years or older (p=0.004), and report two or more chronic conditions (p<0.001). Those describing themselves as 'lonely' were significantly more likely to live alone (p=0.009) and describe themselves as 'anxious' or 'depressed' (p<0.001). A telephone call appears to be the most effective means of communication with patients in these rural Appalachian counties. Patients aged 85 years or older and those living alone should be given highest priority for regular outreach by healthcare providers. In this population, systematically calling rural elderly patients during the COVID-19 epidemic and its aftermath represents an effective strategy for providers who care for elderly rural patients.

Formative and Pilot Study for an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Cluster Randomized Trial to Incorporate Oral Health Activities into Pediatric Well-Child Visits.

Background: Dental caries in pediatric patients are noted to have broad impacts on systemic health and well-being. Thus, utilizing an effectiveness-implementation hybrid I design, the Pediatric Providers Against Cavities in Children’s Teeth (PACT) trial is investigating multi-level interventions at the practice (incorporation of oral health in electronic medical record [EMR]) and provider levels (theory-based didactic and skills training to communicate oral health facts to parent/caregiver, give a prescription to see a dentist and a list of area dentists) to increase dental utilization among 3 to 6 year old Medicaid-enrolled children attending well-child visits (WCV). The formative and pilot work for the larger main trial are presented. Methods: Formative work—Focus groups with 26 participants (Community leaders, providers, parent/caregivers); and key informant interviews with practice leadership (n = 4). Topics discussed were: core oral health (OH) information to communicate at WCVs and study logistics. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using Atlas.ti; Pilot study was refined using the formative findings and was conducted at two pediatric practices to test the implementation of: the provider didactic and skills training curriculum; EMR incorporation of four OH questions; logistics of incorporating OH activities at a WCV; and parent/caregiver recruitment. Results: Formative work showed that providers and parent/caregivers required knowledge of dental caries, and a list of area Medicaid-accepting dentists. Providers and practice leadership advised on the logistics of incorporating oral health into WCVs. All groups suggested asking parent/caregivers their preferred method of contact and emphasizing importance of OH to motivate participation. Utilizing these findings, the curriculum and protocol was revised. The pilot study in two practices successfully implemented the protocol as follows: all seven providers were trained in two 45 min didactic education and skills session; incorporation of OH questions into practices EMR; recruited 86 child-parent dyads (95% participation) at the WCV; providers delivered the OH intervention to parent/caregivers in <2 min and 90% completed EMR documentation of OH questions. These findings were instrumental in finalizing the main PACT trial in 18 practices. The RE-AIM framework is used in the main trial to collect effectiveness and implementation measures at baseline and follow-up visits. Conclusions: The formative and pilot findings were instrumental in refining the OH intervention and protocol which has resulted in successful implementation of the main trial. Trial Registration: Clinical trials.gov, Registered 9 November 2017, NCT03385629.

Characterizing computer-mediated communication, friendship, and social participation in adults with traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACTBackground: Adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) report loss of friendship and reduced social participation after injury, but there is limited information regarding quantity of friends and methods of communication. Our objective was to characterize friendship networks, social participation, and methods of communication, including computer-mediated communication (CMC), used by adults with TBI compared to uninjured adults. Methods: Participants were 25 adults with TBI and 26 uninjured healthy comparisons (HC) adults, who completed the Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools-Objective (PART-O) and the Social Network Questionnaire (SNQ). Results: Adults with TBI had significantly fewer total friends and significantly lower levels of productivity and overall social participation. Face-to-face interaction was the preferred method of contact for both groups. Adults with TBI were significantly less likely to use texting as a primary method of communication than their uninjured peers, but used other methods of communication at similar rates. Conclusion: Our study supports prior findings of reduced friendships and reduced social participation after TBI and adds new information about similarities and differences in communication methods between adults with and without TBI.

Hepatitis C patient communication source and modality preferences in the direct-acting antiviral era.

Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment has improved dramatically, decision making related to treatment continues to be complex and challenging. Little data exists regarding patient information needs and preferences in the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era. We evaluated patient-perceived information needs and preferences when making HCV treatment decisions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at two Ottawa-based sites: a hospital-located outpatient viral hepatitis clinic, and a community-based HCV patient support program. One hundred and seventeen patients completed the survey: the mean age was 52.1 years (range 23 to 78), and 64% were male, 81.5% were White, 48.6% were on disability support or leave, and 60.3% had a high school education or less. Although traditional sources of health information (e.g., direct communication with health care providers) remain preferred by most, a range of preferences were reported including utilization of newer technologies (e.g., emails, text messages). The telephone was rated as the preferred method of contact for medication reminders, with daily or weekly communication reported as most helpful. White participants, those more highly educated, and those with a higher income all indicated a greater acceptability for e-mail and/or text message communication for medication and appointment reminders. There is no single preferred source or method of communicating with patients. These findings indicate that a tailored multi-pronged approach, including newer technologies, is more likely to effectively educate and communicate with the heterogeneous population of individuals living with HCV.

Achieving high HPV vaccine completion rates in a pediatric clinic population

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an intervention utilizing patient navigators (PNs) to 1) educate families on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in a clinic setting and 2) provide personalized reminders for follow-up. Method: Families with 9–17 year-old children who had no record of completing the HPV vaccination series receiving primary or specialty care in 3 pediatric clinics were approached by PNs between February 1, 2015 and August 31, 2016. Demographic characteristics, visit type, preferred contact method, rates and correlates of completion, and appointments missed were analyzed. In addition, qualitative interviews of 21 providers and PNs assessed their perceptions of the program. Results: 1,391 adolescents were identified out of 2,162 patients approached as unvaccinated or partially vaccinated prior starters; among the unvaccinated, 930 received the 1st dose after being counseled by the PN (66.9%), either immediately or at a follow-up visit soon thereafter. This included 118 siblings of patients who did not have an appointment that day. Of initiators approached between 2/1/2015 and 8/31/2016, 93% (864/930) completed the series by 8/31/2017. No differences in series completion among initiators were observed by gender or race/ethnicity, but older patients (15–17 years old) were less likely to complete than 11–12 year olds. Of the 688 patients identified as prior starters, 85% completed the series through the program. Qualitative interviews demonstrated that providers felt the program addressed major barriers to HPV vaccination. Conclusion: Employing PNs dramatically increased HPV vaccine series completion among boys and girls with historically low HPV vaccination rates at pediatric clinics in Texas. Clinic providers felt this program addressed many barriers they observed prior to program implementation. This approach could markedly improve HPV vaccine series completion rates in the US.

Abstract C74: Developing and implementing an mHealth intervention for cervical cancer prevention in Santiago, Chile

Abstract Introduction: Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem. An estimated 270,000 women die every year from cervical cancer and more than 85% of these deaths take place in developing countries. Chile´s national cervical cancer program was created in 1987. Since then, and with the systematic implementation of cervical cancer screening through Papanicolau (Pap) smears, cervical cancer mortality rates have dropped significantly. Cancer screening rates, however, have stabilized in the last 10 years at approximately 59%. Additionally, most late-stage cervical cancers are diagnosed in low-socioeconomic-status (SES) Latinas. Mobile technologies may have use in improving health disparities due to their widespread availability. In Chile, more than 80% of low-SES people own a cell phone. Nevertheless, developing an effective mHealth intervention may require tailoring and adjusting of available technology in developing countries. The aim of this study was to describe key aspects of an mHealth intervention to be used in Latinas from an underserved area of Santiago, Chile. Methods: We held 9 focus groups at three health care centers with Latinas between 25-64 years old and midwives. Focus groups were recorded, and transcribed verbatim. We analyzed and coded the data grouping findings into relevant themes. With these findings, we developed a customized mHealth intervention that is now being tested using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a vulnerable area of Santiago, Chile. Results: Development: The results of our study revealed key aspects to consider for the final intervention: We asked about mode of delivery, content, frequency, and duration of the ideal intervention. Mode of delivery: Although younger women preferred texting and other “indirect” modes of communication, older women were not as savvy with reading texts--their preferred method of contact was a phone call. Content: Women agreed that messages needed to be clear and written in simple language. They would like the messages to have information about cervical cancer, as well as Pap smear availability at their health care centers. Frequency and duration of the intervention: Women mentioned the messages should be sent every week and no more than two times a week. They would like the messages to alternate being sent during weekends and weekday evenings to allow for sufficient time to read them. Previous studies had shown that a duration of 6 months would be effective to promote change in screening behavior. The final intervention was designed with the following characteristics: 1. Four months of text messages and two months of automated phone calls; 2. Twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday evenings; 3. Two types of messages: Information about cervical cancer and clinic hours, scheduling procedures, etc. Implementation: We planned to deliver the text and phone messages using a custom web platform connected to a generic SMS gateway provider. Lack of close relations between two such providers and Chilean mobile carriers generated profound disruptions in the reliability with which messages were sent during testing. After an iterative trial-and-error we settled for our current provider, which is delivering messages for our clinical trial without major issues. Conclusions: Developing and implementing an effective mHealth intervention requires tailoring according to cultural, socioeconomic, and educational characteristics of the population as well as knowledge of the technology available in every country. Transferring technologies proven easy to implement in developed countries is not as straightforward as it may seem. Our intervention is currently being tested through a RCT in a vulnerable population of Santiago, Chile. We hope to learn more about the implementation of such technologies in vulnerable populations, thus improving cancer screening rates across the country. Citation Format: Javiera Martinez Gutierrez, Daniel Capurro, Francis Ciampi, Mauricio Soto, Mackenzie C. Momany, Emilia Cea, Tania Mergudich, Klaus Puschel. Developing and implementing an mHealth intervention for cervical cancer prevention in Santiago, Chile [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr C74.

Twitter as a place where people meet to make suicide pacts

ObjectivesTo examine how Twitter is used as a place where people seek others to make suicide pacts. Study designThis is an exploratory quantitative study. MethodsWe used Twitter application programming interfaces to collect all Korean tweets containing the term ‘suicide pact’ between October 16, 2017 and November 30, 2017. A Python program and human coders were employed to further identify tweets that aimed to seek others to make a suicide pact and analyze the content of each tweet. Poisson regression analysis was used to examine the characteristics of the tweets that attracted more replies. ResultsDuring the data collection period comprising 43 days, 1702 tweets posted by 551 users were aimed to find others to make suicide pacts. Many of the tweets contained detailed information such as the name of city, gender and age of the user, preferred contact method, and preferred gender of a partner. The number of replies to a tweet seeking a suicide pact varied according to the types of the information contained in the tweet. ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that Twitter might be an attractive place where people try to meet others to make a suicide pact. Thus, the government should try to prevent cases of suicides caused by suicide pacts made via Twitter.

Using contact potential measurements to analyse future intercity links made possible by the Tours–Bordeaux High-Speed Rail line

New high-speed rail transport infrastructures produce profound time-space changes that make new activities possible. Our aim is to measure the impact of such changes on potential business or leisure travel between cities.We develop a contact potential indicator (Tornqvist, 1970) that measures the possibility of making a trip to a distant location within the desirable time-space prism. The indicator is developed in the context of the high-speed rail line between Tours and Bordeaux.The results demonstrate the possibility of contact from a series of key cities affected by new high-speed rail infrastructure, both before and after project completion. Our analysis shows that Bordeaux benefits greatly from the extension of the rail line: the preferred method of contact to Paris will switch to rail from the current air preference, and several cities that cannot be reached in the current pre-project conditions will become 'contactable'. Other cities that benefit are Angouleme, Tours and Poitiers.

Missed Appointments in a Breast Clinic: Patient-Related Factors

BackgroundMissed appointments are problematic because they occupy an appointment that could have been used by another patient and represent lost resources for the hospital system. The objective of this study was to determine patient-related factors associated with missed appointments. MethodsTotally, 1,624 patients were seen from January 14, 2010 to January 16, 2012. Sociodemographic variables were collected including health literacy assessment, electronic medical record system-collected scheduled appointments and missed appointments for each patient. Patients were also asked for their preferred method of contact. ResultsFrom January 1, 2009 to January 16, 2012 the 1,624 patients had 21,648 scheduled appointments in the hospital system. Overall 3,633 (16.8%) of the appointments were missed. Insurance status, income, education and primary language were not significant predictors for missed appointments. Limited health literacy was associated with increased rate of missed appointments (adequate health literacy 13.4% versus limited health literacy 17.2%, P = 0.0009). Current smokers had higher rates of missed appointments than nonsmokers (18.5% versus 16.1%, P = 0.025). Patients who underwent screening mammography were also less likely to miss appointments (odds ratio = 0.78, P < 0.0001). The preferred method of contact was via mobile phone; however, this was only 42%. ConclusionsPatients with limited health literacy and current smokers had higher rates of missed appointments. In addition, patients who were compliant with screening mammography were also more likely to be compliant with appointments. Appointment reminders should be kept simple to accommodate the rapidly growing population with limited health literacy.

South African IPAs Attracting FDI: Investment Promotion Strategies

The provincial investment promotion agencies (IPAs) of South Africa play an important role to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to the country. In order to do so, investment promotion strategies are developed and executed. This study investigates how the provincial IPAs of South Africa use their investment promotion strategies and points out the gaps in their strategies to attract FDI and improve on the approximate mean of 0.25% of the total world investment inflows from abroad. This contributes to their mandate and goals, which are to enhance economic development and contribute to economic growth by attracting FDI and to assist domestic companies to invest abroad. Both primary and secondary data are used. The study highlights that the majority of the provincial IPAs operate under government direction and that there are significant differences in the investment promotion strategies used. The study finds that 21-40% of budgets allocated for investment promotion go towards perception building. Macroeconomic and industrial policies are the most relevant factors when attracting FDI by the IPAs. The investment promotion (IP) strategies used by the provincial IPAs differ in terms of the investors they focus, the incentives used to attract those investors and the preferred contact method with the targeted investors. IPAs indicated that they use more tax incentives along with tailor made industrial policies, focussed on the specific needs of the investors.

The International Study on Career Choice in Psychiatry: A preliminary report

As part of the WPA Action Plan 2008–2011 1, it was agreed to explore reasons which put medical students off psychiatry. Indeed, over the past three decades, concerns have been raised about difficulties in recruiting medical students into psychiatry 2. It has been shown that poor recruitment is influenced by a number of factors which can be addressed readily 3. Potential psychiatrists fall into three major groups: a) those who choose psychiatry as a speciality prior to joining medical school and stick with this choice (some would have gone into medicine to do psychiatry; this may be linked with direct or in direct exposure to mental illness or to mental health professionals); b) those who decide during medical school, who are likely to be influenced by teachers and quality of clinical attachment and experience; c) those who decide after qualification or change their minds after exposure to other specialities out of interest, for career prospects or work-life balance. We explored these three sets of factors among final year medical students in 20 countries through selected medical schools. Questionnaires were used (in e-mail or paper versions according to the respondents' preferred method of contact) to assess attitudes towards psychiatry (Attitudes Toward Psychiatry - 18 items, ATP-18) and personality traits (International English Mini-Markers), along with questions on teaching methods and exposure to the subject. A total of 2198 students responded. 4.5% of the sample planned to become psychiatrists, with a further 15% considering it as a possible career. Women were more likely to consider psychiatry than men. Key factors associated with choosing psychiatry were personal or family exposure to physical or mental illness. 2.7% of the sample had decided to be a psychiatrist before admission to medical school and three quarters maintained this choice by their final year. The quality and quantity of teaching received was positively correlated with attitudes towards psychiatry. Special study courses, electives, research opportunities and exposure in psychiatry, and university psychiatry clubs were all significantly associated with choice of psychiatry. Clinical experience of seeing and participating in managing acute patients contributed positively too. Career pathways need to be flexible, to encourage especially those who want a better work-life balance to choose psychiatry as a speciality. It is important that the WPA, in conjunction with national associations, set up and maintain an international electives network to expose interested students to clinical, research and policy options, and support student psychiatric clubs and associations. National associations and medical schools should work together to offer medical students attachments to work with researchers and clinicians. The WPA needs to set up an online resource centre to bring stakeholders in recruitment together. Further work is required to explore differences within the same country across the various medical schools and to understand what influences decision making. It would be useful to repeat the study in a few years' time to explore if interventions put in place have borne fruit.

Interactions: A Study of Office Reference Statistics

Objective – The purpose of this study was to analyze the data from a reference statistics-gathering mechanism at Colorado State University (CSU) Libraries. It aimed primarily to better understand patron behaviours, particularly in an academic library with no reference desk. &#x0D; &#x0D; Methods – The researchers examined data from 2007 to 2010 of College Liaison Librarians’ consultations with patrons. Data were analyzed by various criteria, including patron type, contact method, and time spent with the patron. The information was examined in the aggregate, meaning all librarians combined, and then specifically from the Liberal Arts and Business subject areas. &#x0D; &#x0D; Results – The researchers found that the number of librarian reference consultations is substantial. Referrals to librarians from CSU’s Morgan Library’s one public service desk have declined over time. The researchers also found that graduate students are the primary patrons and email is the preferred contact method overall. &#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion – The researchers found that interactions with patrons in librarians’ offices – either in person or virtually – remain substantial even without a traditional reference desk. The data suggest that librarians’ efforts at marketing themselves to departments, colleges, and patrons have been successful. This study will be of value to reference, subject specialist, and public service librarians, and library administrators as they consider ways to quantify their work, not only for administrative purposes, but in order to follow trends and provide services and staffing accordingly.

Recruiting Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) Physicians to Be Research Participants: Lessons Learned From the North Texas (NorTex) Needs Assessment Study

The purpose of this study was to examine strategies for recruiting physician subjects in a practice-based research network continuing education research study, using different recruitment methods at four systems, or health plan arrangements. The North Texas Primary Care Practice-based Research Network Needs Assessment Study consisted of a survey and five self-directed medical record abstractions. Physicians were recruited to be research subjects from four systems, using different recruitment strategies. χ(2) was used to determine differences in physicians consenting and completing the study between systems. Kruskal-Wallis was used to determine differences in time from first contact to consent and number of contacts required before consent between systems. One hundred five of 211 physicians (49.8%) consented to participate, of which 90 (85.7%) completed the survey. There was a significant difference by system in the number of physicians who consented (P = .04) and number of contacts required pre-consent (P < .001) but not in the number of physicians completing the study or time from first contact to consent. Success of recruiting physicians to be research subjects varied between systems using different recruitment methods. Lessons learned include using clinician champions to make initial contact, establishing a relationship with clinic personnel, distinguishing the research team from a pharmaceutical representative, establishing a preferred contact method, and collecting study materials on a set timeline.

Motivating factors and deterrents for blood donation among donors at a university campus–based collection center

Insight into motivating factors and barriers for blood donation, especially for young people and underrepresented minorities, is important to donor recruitment and retention. We surveyed donors at a new blood collection facility based on a large, ethnically diverse university campus. Individuals who had donated or attempted to donate at the facility during the first 17 months of its operation were invited by e-mail to respond to an anonymous, Web-based questionnaire. Respondents were asked to provide demographic characteristics, rate the importance of various motivating and deterring factors for blood donation, and indicate how they prefer to be contacted by the blood center. More than 30% of the 1619 invitees responded, 95.6% (n = 479) of whom gave complete responses. The respondents were ethnically diverse, and 79.1% were between 18 and 28 years of age. Altruism was by far the most important motivating factor for donation. However, incentives were also rated as important or very important by 72.2% of the respondents. Inconvenience due to time or location constraints was the most important deterrent. E-mailing was the most preferred contact method and chosen by 80.3% of those surveyed. Some differences were noted in the responses from members of different age, sex, and ethnic groups. Although overall altruism and inconvenience were the major motivating factor and deterrent for blood, some demographic differences existed in donor attitude toward incentive programs and preference for the method of contact used by blood centers for recruitment purposes.

Abstract P2-15-02: Web-Based Patient-Intake Process for Breast Care Center: The Patient Experience

Abstract Background: An important driver of health information technology will be an increased incorporation of self-reported patient health data into patient care workflow. We undertook this study to determine the feasibility, satisfaction, and challenges reported by patients related to the introduction of an electronic patient intake tool in an outpatient breast care clinic. Methods: A web-based self-reported new patient intake process was implemented in 2008 at an urban multi-disciplinary breast care clinic. The system was based on a platform developed by Dynamic Clinical Systems (DCS) which was designed to collect, warehouse, and provide reporting of data to inform patient treatment decisions. Patients new to the Breast Care Center with either breast symptoms or a newly diagnosed breast cancer were provided a weblink for data entry prior to the clinic visit. Patients were asked questions regarding medical/family history, symptoms, and psychosocial well-being. Data regarding the survey were compared among age groups using the chi square test. Results: The first full calendar year for which data were collected was 1/1/09-12/31/09 during which 1218 women responded to the survey. Data were evaluated among 4 age groups: 0-18 (n=9), 19-49 (n=508), 50-69 (n=586), and ≥70 (n=115). 400 women (36%) were newly diagnosed with breast cancer; 106 (10%) of respondents had stage IV breast cancer. Overall 94.3% of patients took the survey themselves; 87% took the survey at home, compared to 7% in the doctors’ office. 89% reported using a high-speed (DSL, cable, wireless) internet connection. 69% of respondents completed the survey in less than one hour. Patients who completed the survey in the clinic (n=55) cited lack of access to the internet as the most common reason the survey was not completed in advance of the clinic visit (n=21). 64% of patients indicated e-mail as their preferred contact method; fewer women over 70 preferred e-mail contact to phone compared to younger groups (43%; P&amp;lt;0.001), although even in this group, e-mail was the preferred mode of contact. 77% of patients reported satisfaction (41%) or high satisfaction (36%) with the survey system, with no difference in satisfaction seen among age groups (p=0.5). Conclusion: Assessment of patients’ experience using a self-reported web-based patient intake form was conducted during the first full year of implementation. Most patients successfully completed the survey and indicated a high satisfaction level with its use. However, some differences were seen between age groups. Overall, &amp;lt;2% of patients reported inability to access the internet. Electronic collection of self-reported patient data is not only feasible, but well accepted and has potential to facilitate patient care and treatment, reduce consultation time directed to collecting medical history, and allow standardized data collection for research and continuous quality improvement. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-15-02.

Feasibility of screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in young men attending an emergency department

Objective:To determine the feasibility of screening asymptomatic young men for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a suburban emergency department setting.Design:Prospective observational study.Setting:Chase Farm Hospital Emergency Department in Enfield, North London.Participants:Asymptomatic...