Program Satisfaction Survey Research Articles

Poor oral health as an obstacle to employment for Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities

To inform policy with better information about the oral health-care needs of a Medicaid population that engages in employment, that is, people ages 16 to 64 with Social Security-determined disabilities enrolled in a Medicaid Buy-In program. Statistically test for significant differences among responses to a Medicaid Buy-In program satisfaction survey that included oral health questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) to results for the state's general population and the US general population. All measures of dental care access and oral health were significantly worse for the study population as compared with a state general population or a US general population. Differences were particularly pronounced for the OHIP measure for difficulty doing one's job due to dental problems, which was almost five times higher for the study population. More comprehensive dental benefits for the study population could result in increased oral and overall health, and eventual cost savings to Medicaid as more people work, have improved health, and pay premiums for coverage.

Supporting parents of very young children with type 1 diabetes: Results from a pilot study

Objective To assess initial efficacy and feasibility of a telephone-based supportive intervention for parents of young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) designed to improve parental quality of life (QOL) through decreased parental stress, increased social support, and improved daily management of their child's diabetes. Methods The research team developed a brief program based on social cognitive theory for parents of young children with T1D. Twenty-four parents (88% mothers) of young children with T1D (ages 2–5 years) participated in a pilot study of the program and completed psychosocial questionnaires and a program satisfaction survey. Results Paired t-tests of pre- and post-intervention scores suggested a favorable within-group impact for the intervention group, as evidenced by decreased pediatric parenting stress and a trend for increased perceived social support. The program was well-received, with the majority of participants rating it as helpful and interesting. Conclusion Assisting parents with the unique challenges of diabetes management in young children through implementation of a structured intervention is promising. Practice implications A telephone-based intervention focused on child development, coping, and problem-solving skills has the potential to positively impact parents’ QOL and may have implications for children's health.

Facilitating help‐seeking through student interactions in a WebCT online graduate study program

This article discusses a qualitative research project that revealed how online health-care practitioners in a graduate studies program believe their primary source of help is other students in their class. The project was framed from a constructivist theoretical perspective and an action research approach. The participants were clinicians, such as advanced nurse practitioners, who graduated from a Master of Nursing or Master of Health Studies program offered exclusively through a WebCT online environment. The data sources included a program satisfaction survey, focus groups, and 10 individual audiotape-recorded and transcribed interviews. The data were collected over a 2 year period, analyzed for themes by two researchers, and confirmed with the participants through ongoing member-checking. The following four strategies to facilitate help-seeking interactions among online graduate study learners are presented: award marks for participation, encourage thoughtful, well-crafted introductions, create a coffee lounge, small group forums and private email within the course environment, and identify non-contributing students.

The Efficacy of an Integrated Group Treatment Program for Depressed Assisted Living Residents

In response to the rapid increase of the elderly population, assisted living facilities have quickly developed as a housing alternative for elders who are no longer able to live alone in the community but do not yet need nursing home care. Research suggests that whereas many assisted living residents experience depression, few receive needed mental health services. Objective: Examine the effectiveness of a group treatment program in promoting the psychological well-being of depressed assisted living elders. Method: Seventeen elders participated in 10 group therapy sessions that combined remotivation and supportive therapy techniques. Pre- and posttest measures and a program satisfaction survey were administered by research assistants. Results: Following the conclusion of the twice weekly sessions, participants experienced a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and a significant increase in life satisfaction and perceived social support. Conclusion: The utility and efficacy of the integrated group treatment model is suggested by study findings. Further research is warranted.