Special Psychology Research Articles

Psycho-educational interventions for children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes in the UK: How effective are they? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AimsTo synthesise evidence from UK-based randomised trials of psycho-educational interventions in children and young people (CYP) with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) to inform the evidence-base for adoption of such interventions into the NHS.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science up to March 2016. Two reviewers independently selected UK-based randomised trials comparing psycho-educational interventions for improving management of T1D for CYP with a control group of usual care or attention control. The main outcome was glycaemic control measured by percentage of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c); secondary outcomes included psychosocial functioning, diabetes knowledge, adverse and other clinical outcomes. A narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted. Pooled effect sizes of standardised mean difference (SMD) were calculated.ResultsTen eligible trials of three educational and seven psycho-educational interventions were identified. Most interventions were delivered by non-psychologists and targeted adolescents with more than one year duration of diabetes. Meta-analysis of nine of these trials (N = 1,838 participants) showed a non-significant reduction in HbA1c attributable to the intervention (pooled SMD = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.21 to 0.09). Psycho-educational interventions aiming to increase children’s self-efficacy had a moderate, beneficial effect (SMD = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.87). No benefits on diabetes knowledge and other indicators of psychosocial functioning were identified.ConclusionsThere is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of particular psycho-educational programme for CYP with T1D in the UK. Further trials with sufficient power and reporting standards are needed. Future trials could consider active involvement of psychological specialists in the delivery of psychologically informed interventions and implementation of psycho-educational interventions earlier in the course of the disease.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42015010701

МІСЦЕ СУДОВО-ПСИХОЛОГІЧНОЇ ЕКСПЕРТИЗИ В КРИМІНАЛЬНОМУ ПРОЦЕСІ ТА АЛГОРИТМ ПРОВЕДЕННЯ ПСИХОДІАГНОСТИЧНОГО ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ НЕПОВНОЛІТНІХ ЖЕРТВ НАСИЛЬСТВА

У даній статті розкрито основні положення щодо організації та проведення судово-психологічної експертизи неповнолітніх жертв насильства. Розглянуто поняття фізичного, сексуального та психологічного насильства над дитиною. Теоретично проаналізовано місце судово-психологічної експертизи неповнолітніх жертв насильства та її значення в кримінальному процесі. Визначено предмет, об’єкт та завдання судово-психологічної експертизи. Розглянуто особливості прояву психотравматизації дитини як наслідка насильства. Розроблено алгоритм психодіагностичного інструментарію відповідно до вікових періодів неповнолітніх жертв насильства. &nbsp

THE HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF ETHOLOGY AS SCIENCE ON BEHAVIOR OF ANIMALS

The science of behavior in the search for objective laws and attempts to develop concepts that could explain normal and abnormal behavior, has gone through several stages of development - reflex, biheviorialnyy, ethological. These steps taken oppose each other, but we believe that each of them is the basis for further development.
 In Ukraine, the famous ethologist was Professor of Kharkiv University Karazin AP Krapivny. His works are devoted to interspecies relations animals and bioecological aspects zoopsychology philosophical, mathematical analysis of complex behavior of animals. Kyiv National University. Shevchenko animal behavior and regulatory mechanisms mizhtvarynnyh relations actively exploring Podobaylo AV and VA Gorobchyshyna.
 The current stage is characterized not only by the lack of a unified theory in ethology, but also the availability of interdisciplinary connections, especially with comparative psychology and neurophysiology. Modern ethology phase lasts quite a long time, and it sometimes distinguish different stages. A number of famous ethologist believe that since the mid 80s of last century ethology entered a new stage of its development - the stage of the so-called "broad ethology." It is characterized, in their opinion, no discipline regarding the consolidation of a theory of private conduct and interaction based on the existence of one ethological approach. Anthropologists, although limited to the study of primates, made a significant contribution to the development of modern science of animal behavior at all.
 An important contribution to science made by psychiatrists, specialists in social psychology, veterinary doctors and employees of zoos and sanctuaries.
 The ultimate goal of the study of animal behavior that determines the practical role of ethology, behavior management believe (L. Baskin). Theoretical bases of behavior management: the theory of hierarchical social behavior of animals exposed mechanisms ritualization (demonstrative behavior that prevents aggression), communication systems, mechanisms for organizing your social behavior. However, the right to use the patterns found for the modernization and industrial livestock farming is not possible. We have to solve many specific issues related to specific species, his reaction to domestication (domestication of animals) and welfare. It found a significant number of rather similar problems related laws and domestication synanthropization (adaptation of organisms to exist near the person), their impact on the environment and animal behavior
 The development of animal husbandry is by creating new options for interaction of organisms with new physical and biological conditions. Excluding the effect of limiting factors, one introduces animals into new ecological niches. However, we are seeing with only weak changes in norms of reaction types. In most cases we are talking about the use of the existing range of standards reactions. Changing behaviors people use natural mechanisms to ensure lability behavior: simple recombination of elements within the complex, developing new responses to stimuli. Translating animals in the new environment, every time we have to review all aspects of their integrated behavior, creating the need for adequate reaction and eliminating unsuitable to the new conditions.
 In general, we can talk about a special field of research - Applied Ethology, in front of which are the following problems:
 
 Creation of an integrated model of behavior animals in artificial environments. Development ethological aspects neoevolyutsiyi (domestication and synanthropization).
 Delimitation variability coherent behavior and its elements in species important to the economy and development of methods of purposeful formation behavior.
 Study and use patterns of behavior in vitro livestock facilities, livestock grazing and intensive industrial economy.
 
 Conclusion
 The evolution of ideas about the "mind" of animals and establishment of basic concepts of thinking (mental activity) animals and its effect was found in various areas of behavior over time. At all stages of the development of science questions the presence of mind in animals, its degree of development and role of psychology and behavior were mixed.
 The current stage of development of ethology characterized not only by the lack of a unified theory, but also the availability of connections, especially from comparative psychology and neurophysiology.
 Great contribution to the major trends of experimental and comparative approaches to the study of higher mental functions such animals have researchers like Pavlov.

The need of dermatologists, psychiatrists and psychologists joint care in psychodermatology.

The mind-skin connection has been studied since the nineteenth century. The last 40 years have set the development of new research areas which allowed the clarifying of how these two dimensions interact. The diseases that involve skin and mind constitute the field of psychodermatology and require that specialists in dermatology, psychiatry and psychology together and integrated take part in it, since skin, nervous system and mind are simultaneously affected. This paper aims to expose how psychodermatoses are currently conceptualized and the need of integration of these three specialties for conveniently treating the patients.

University Capacity for Children's Education to Prevent their Abuse and Exploitation

Abstract The paper explores the higher education institution experience activities regarding minors’ protection against abuse and exploitation within the international framework of the challenge under study. The research stands on the comparative analysis of the Lanzarote Committee documents, explored Parties’ replies to Question 2 (Education for children) of the Thematic Questionnaire and Question 8(a) (Education, awareness raising and training), first indent, of the General Overview Questionnaire. The analysis also took into account Academia's publications on the issue under study. The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) faculty members’ participation in the Lanzarote Committee work also contributed to the research. The paper highlights qualitative analysis findings that cover such issues as the education contexts for preventive information delivery, their contents, tools and forms of disseminating preventive information, terminology used, parents’ engagement, situations of risks, etc. The above aspects are considered through the lenses of university engagement in the analysis. The paper argues that the university can contribute to capacity-building measures for minors’ education to prevent their abuse and exploitation; the university capacity to perform the relevant activities rests on its multiprofiled structure, comprehensive nature, and opportunities to collaborate with various agencies and engage specialists in pedagogy, law, medicine, psychology and psychiatry, etc. The research findings reveal that the university might play a significant role in shaping information, bridging institutional responses, coordinating the legislation, government policies and the public initiatives to promote action plans towards the nation-wide and international levels to protect minors and combat against their abuse and exploitation.

Domestic Tensions, National Anxieties: Global Perspectives on Marriage, Crisis, and Nation. Edited by Kristin Celello and Hanan Kholoussy (New York, Oxford University Press, 2016) 279 pp. $99.00 cloth $29.95 paper

<i>Domestic Tensions, National Anxieties: Global Perspectives on Marriage, Crisis, and Nation</i>. Edited by Kristin Celello and Hanan Kholoussy (New York, Oxford University Press, 2016) 279 pp. $99.00 cloth $29.95 paper

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese

Imagery can be defined as a human capacity of mentally rehearse and reproduce a skill. The use of imagery techniques is common among athletes. To contribute with sport psychologists on the quantitative assessment of mental training based on Allan Paivio’s model, this study aims to translate, adapt and assess content validity of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire in Brazil. The process of adaptation followed the guidelines of the International Test Commission. Three independent translators translated to Brazilian Portuguese; then the synthesis of those items produced the first version of the instrument that was back-translated to English. This first version in Brazilian Portuguese with the original and back-translated versions in English were sent to four bilingual sport psychology specialists. Content Validity Coefficient was used to evaluate cultural adequacy, understanding and quality of translation of each item and the questionnaire. Results showed an average CVC of 0,88 for adequacy, 0,87 for understanding and 0,85 for quality of translation among items and a CVC of 0,88 for the scale as a whole. Obtained data was discussed through the light of sports practice and culture in Brazil.

Inglês

Stress results to be the conditioning factor of our behavior. When faced to a situation of imminent risk, it activatesunconscious systems that can cause automatic reactions, those reactions will be conditioned by learning and previous experience.That is why it is fundamental that, during the process of teaching-learning, experience that serves as unconscious response whenneeded to solve a violent situation that necessarily puts us in defensive stance, is created.The “Cesar” System in self defense training suggests combining the techniques and own strategies of this activity andexpose stress by the creation and representation of violent scenes, trying to “cheat” the nervous system and so creating theconditioned reflex necessary to trigger the expected reaction in front of a compromising situation, allowing to have control over theresponse protecting the lives of everyone involved.Over the basis of an action investigation, many teaching resources were used for training as well as the observation thattook place in flashing periods between 1993 and 2015. According to the information gathered during the years 2014/15, we can sayensure the efficiency of the “Cesar” System as long as it is given in the detailed conditions, especially with the participation of thephysical education and martial arts professors and the participation of the specialist in psychology as part of the interdisciplinaryteam.

Experiences that inspire hope: Perspectives of suicidal patients.

Suffering in a suicidal crisis includes feelings such as despair, loneliness, anxiety, fear, shame, guilt and hopelessness. This study highlights the experiences of patients in the aftermath of suicide attempts. The research question was, what do suicidal patients see as meaningful help in care and treatment situations? The methodology is inspired by Gadamer's hermeneutics, where the parts are understood in light of the whole, and the whole is understood in light of the parts. Qualitative interviews were employed. Participants and research context: A total of 10 persons, 4 women and 6 men 21-52 years old, were informed and asked to participate by specialists in psychology at two emergency psychiatric wards and by one crisis resolution team. Nine of the participants had experienced one or more suicide attempts using drugs and alcohol. Forced hospitalization prevented one of the 10 participants from attempting suicide. Ethical considerations: Before the participants signed an informed consent form, the interviewer met all participants to provide the written information, talking about the interview. A meeting to terminate contact was arranged after the participants had read their own interviews. Three themes were generated by the methodology we applied: (1) experiencing hope through encounters, (2) experiencing hope through the atmosphere of wisdom and (3) experiencing a ray of hope from taking back responsibility. The findings are discussed in the light of Eriksson's suffering theory and Lindström's theory about psychiatric care, as well as earlier research and theories about suicidality. The study reinforces possibilities that hope in suicidal patients can be inspired in encounters with healthcare personnel and within caring cultures. Through dialogue and cooperation, patients' safety and ability to cope with suffering is created and thereby the hope and will to struggle for life.

The history specialist in psychology: From avocation to professionalization.

This article focuses on the history of psychology as a core area in the field of psychology. Does the discipline recognize the contributions of historical research, or does the history of psychology only serve a pedagogical function in the discipline? Our concerns center on the relationship (or lack thereof) between pedagogy and research in the academy. This stems from the fact that historical research is not viewed as contributing to the advancement of the field both professionally and pedagogically. We summarize the pedagogical function that the history of psychology serves in the academic discipline, as well as its status for professionalism in psychology. Moving from the U.S. and Canadian context, we address the status of the history and philosophy of psychology within Britain and Ireland. This comparative analysis allows us to remark more broadly on the issue of professionalism for psychologists as it pertains to the requirement of the history of psychology for advancement in the field (from undergraduate student to practitioner in the field). We also discuss the issue of professionalism for historians of psychology. Specifically, what does it mean to identify as a historian of psychology, and what challenges emerge from specializing in this area? We conclude with remarks suggesting that strength in this area is derived from a combination of both teaching and research activities. We suggest that the development of a stronger community among historical researchers (despite epistemological differences) may be a way forward, and suggest where future work might head on these topics. (PsycINFO Database Record

Unemployment and Addiction: The SUNRISE Project

In the SUNRISE-project, the unemployment benefit office refers long-term unemployed clients (25-49 years old) to medical and psychological specialists of an addiction clinic, if substance-related problems are suspected as an obstacle for job placement. The present study aims at characterizing these clients with respect to educational qualifications, vocational training, diagnosed addictive disorders, and other mental disorders. Of special interest is the temporal sequence of unemployment and addictive disorders. Officials referred clients to medical examination if substance abuse was suspected. The examination was based on Europ-ASI, diagnosis of mental disorders based on SCID-I and SCID-II. In 87 out of the first 100 examined persons, an addictive disorder was diagnosed, most frequently alcohol-related disorders, and often multiple addictive disorders. These 87 clients were on average 40 years old (SD 8.5), and mostly male (73 out of 87 clients). About one-third had very low school qualification, and 55.2% had not completed vocational training. An additional psychiatric diagnosis was made in 51.7%. Addictive disorders had commenced during adolescence or early adulthood in most cases. The longest duration of continuous employment was 3 years (median). In only a few cases (7.4%), the current period of unemployment had started before regular substance use. Many long-term unemployed clients examined here showed deficits in schooling and vocational training, early onset of regular substance use, and additional mental disorders. In most cases, the addictive disorder did not emerge as a consequence of unemployment, but had existed before. Programs combining the efforts of unemployment benefit offices and the healthcare system are needed for these clients to help them gain access to the regular job market.

Psychologia kliniczna – specjalizacja mająca zastosowanie w ochronie zdrowia

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie podstawowych danych dotyczących organizacji kształcenia psychologów w zakresie specjalizacji z psychologii klinicznej jako dziedziny, mającej zastosowanie w ochronie zdrowia oraz wskazanie użyteczności kształcenia specjalizacyjnego z psychologii klinicznej i przedstawienie refl eksji na temat wad i zalet omawianego programu specjalizacji. Niezależnie od wskazanych braków dotyczących szczególnie samej procedury prowadzenia szkolenia specjalizacyjnego, jego wartością jest to, że daje ono szansę wzbogacania specjalistycznej wiedzy z zakresu psychologii stosowanej i stwarza możliwość jej zastosowania w praktyce wobec człowieka w sytuacji trudnej, związanej z chorobą. Charakteryzując procedurę kształcenia specjalistów psychologii klinicznej, warto podkreślić zasadność przyjętych kierunków tego kształcenia w odniesieniu do współczesnych standardów i celów rozwojowych, związanych z promocją zdrowia psychicznego w krajach Unii Europejskiej. Polityka spójności w zakresie ochrony zdrowia we wszystkich krajach Unii Europejskiej narzuca konieczność wspierania standardów wspomagających całościowe i skoordynowane podejście do ochrony zdrowia psychicznego.

Savižudybių prevencijos aktualijos ikiteisminių tyrimų medžiagos apžvalgos duomenimis

Darbo tikslas. Apžvelgti ir įvertinti retais būdais įvykdytų kai kurių savižudybių ikiteisminio tyrimo medžiagos duomenis savižudybių prevencijos Lietuvoje požiūriu. Tyrimo medžiaga ir metodai. Išanalizuota 5 savižudybės atvejų 2012-2014 m. ikiteisminio tyrimo archyvinių duomenų medžiaga teisiniu, medicininiu, savižudybių prevencijos, mirties priežasčių statistinės apskaitos požiūriu. Rezultatai ir išvados. Lietuvoje, ikiteisminio tyrimo metu nustatant žmogaus mirties aplinkybes, savižudybės fakto įrodomumui atliekama visa eilė procesinių veiksmų, siekiant įrodyti ne tik savižudybės faktą, bet ir galimas nusikalstamas veikas, už kurias Lietuvos Respublikos baudžiamojo kodekso 133 straipsnyje yra numatyta baudžiamoji atsakomybė, tai už: 1) sukurstymą nusižudyti ir 2) privedimą prie savižudybės. Žmogaus mirties priežasties aplinkybėms nustatyti surinkti išsamūs ikiteisminio tyrimo duomenys svarbūs ne tik savižudybės įrodymui ir jos priežastiniams ryšiams atskleisti, bet ir savižudybių prevencijai. Nustatyta, kad įvykdytos savižudybės ikiteisminio tyrimo duomenų priežastiniams ryšiams pagrįsti būtini psichologijos ir psichiatrijos specialistų vertinimai, kurių nebuvo, t. y. tokie specialistai ikiteisminio tyrimo procese nedalyvavo. Psichologinė pagalba mirusiųjų artimiesiems, tyrimo proceso dalyviams nebuvo organizuota. Duomenys apie nusižudžiusiųjų sveikatos būklę nebuvo surinkti, medicinos paslaugų teikimo kokybė nevertinta, nors 3 atvejais apie paslaugas buvo teikta liudytojų. 3 atvejais nustatyti išankstinio pasiruošimo savižudybei požymiai, tačiau nusižudžiusiųjų aplinkoje buvę asmenys jokių prevencinių priemonių nesiėmė, pagalbos į specialistus nesikreipė. Nustatyta, kad savižudybių Lietuvoje yra daugiau, nei skelbiama oficialiai: 4 iš 5 tirtų savižudybės atvejų nebuvo įtraukti į mirties priežasčių registro tyčinių susižalojimų apskaitą. Būtina, kad ikiteisminio tyrimo įstaigos būtų pripažintos duomenų apie mirties priežastis pagal ketinimą teikėjais mirties priežasčių registrui, kadangi pagal medicininius mirties liudijimus gaunami tokie duomenys būna nepakankami ir subjektyvūs. Nustatyta, kad savižudybių prevencijos Lietuvoje organizacinėje veikloje trūksta tarpinstitucinio bendradarbiavimo, nepakankamas savalaikės psichologinės pagalbos bei psichikos sveikatos paslaugų prieinamumo organizavimas gyventojams, nepatenkinamas savižudybių prevencijos tarnybų, psichologijos ir psichiatrijos specialistų veiklos organizavimas tiriant įvykdytas savižudybes ir atskleidžiant priežastinius ryšius. Savižudybių ikiteisminio tyrimo kokybei pagerinti būtina parengti ir įdiegti savižudybių tyrimo metodiką, atsižvelgiant į teisės, teismo medicinos, psichologijos, psichiatrijos, bioetikos specialistų rekomendacijas.

Guidelines for preparing psychological specialists: An entry-level course on intellectual assessment

This article provides guidelines for an entry-level course that prepares psychology students and practitioners to acquire entry-level skills, abilities, knowledge, and attitudes important to the individual assessment of intellectual abilities of children and youth. The article reviews prominent international, regional, and national policies, guidelines, and standards for test development and use, basic training issues, acquisition of competence in core professional behaviors, the identification of clinical assessment skills; scholarship that supports this entry-level course, and national and institutional issues related to psychological assessment. The guidelines are consistent with the International School Psychology Association and the International Testing Commission's recommendations and provide experiences based on U.S. context. The need to adjust course content and instructional methods in light of local conditions is recognized.

ГОТОВНОСТЬ БУДУЩИХ БАКАЛАВРОВ ПСИХОЛОГО-ПЕДАГОГИЧЕСКОГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ К ВЫПОЛНЕНИЮ КОРРЕКЦИОННО-РАЗВИВАЮЩИХ ДЕЙСТВИЙ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОГО СТАНДАРТА «ПЕДАГОГ-ПСИХОЛОГ»

Rapid development of the society in social, economic and political spheres causes an urgent need for quality training of specialists in psychology and pedagogy. Contemporary system of professional education faces an uneasy task to shorten the gap between the professional competences required for the specialists in psychology and pedagogy and the existing system of the university education. Russian Ministry of Labor and Social Protection ratified “Pedagogue-psychologist” professional standard on June 24, 2015. From January 1, 2017, the standard will become a key document for the personnel policies formation, HR management, education management, personnel certification, conclusion of employment contracts, writing job descriptions, and establishing pay systems. In this context, the paper focuses on the problem of preparedness of future specialists in psychology and pedagogy for corrective and developing activities under “Pedagogue-Psychologist” professional standard. The study has found that students are aware of “Pedagogue-Psychologist” professional standard, but the level of their expertise does not meet the standard requirements. The purpose of the research was not only to study the opinion of the respondent (students) about their preparedness to apply their skills to the professional activity but also to study the opinion of the experts (teachers) regarding preparedness of future graduates for their professional activity. The study made it possible to identify and describe the organizational and pedagogical conditions, such as interdisciplinary integration of professional and special disciplines, modeling professional activities for the undergraduates with psycho-pedagogical education major, practicing these activities in classes and during professional training, and professional development formation based on social partnership. Successful implementation of these conditions contributes to the formation of professional activities within corrective and developing work of future psychologists and social pedagogues.

PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION IN THE ISLAMIC PARADIGM: THE CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS

Based on a literature review and on the assessment of the author’s experience during the round table ‘The psychology of religion: an inter-disciplinary approach’ at Saint Petersburg State University, the article reflects on the current state of Russian and foreign thought regarding the psychology of religion and religious psychology. The psychology of religion is consideredas a branch of psychology, while religious psychology is consideredas a part of theological knowledge. The state of the psychology of religion is examined in various Christian confessions. The author pays particular attention to the state of Islamic psychology in Russia and abroad; the article considers the history and prospects of the discipline and its major fields of research and practical activities. The article also highlights that the development of the psychology of Islam will occur in close cooperation between the specialists in psychology and Islamic theology, while the development of Islamic theology will be a basis for understanding of Muslims’ religious beliefs.

Сформированность мотивационного компонента профессионального становления у будущих специальных психологов

Сформированность мотивационного компонента профессионального становления у будущих специальных психологов

The Role of the Multidisciplinary Conference in the Evaluation of Bariatric Surgery Candidates with a High-Risk Psychiatric Profile

Background: Implementation of a multidisciplinary conference (MC) attended by medical, surgical, nutrition, bioethics, and psychology specialists may help identify treatment plans for bariatric surgery candidates with a high-risk psychiatric profile. Methods: Data were assessed for all bariatric candidates evaluated by the MC in an academic center between January 2009 and December 2010. Results: A total of 134 patients of 2798 patients assessed by four different psychologists were subsequently evaluated by the MC. The most frequent psychiatric diagnoses were mood disorders (n = 37, 27.6%), anxiety disorders (n = 24, 17.9%), and binge eating disorder (n = 19, 14.1%). More than one psychiatric diagnosis was observed in 95.6% of the cohort. Substance abuse issues were present in 25% patients. Fifteen patients (11.2%) were eventually cleared and underwent surgery, 35 (26.1%) left the program before completing their requirements, and 84 patients (62.7%) were still working toward their individualized goals in the program. For those who underwent surgery, mean preoperative management duration was 221 days (range, 111-366) with an average of 11 preoperative psychiatric visits (range, 9-15). Conclusions: Patients with a high-risk psychosocial profile seeking bariatric surgery require multiple visits and resources to determine their candidacy. The majority of these patients are either deemed ineligible for surgery or require prolonged preoperative evaluation.

Position statement: Gender dysphoria in childhood and adolescence. Working Group on Gender Identity and Sexual Development of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (GIDSEEN)

Gender dysphoria (GD) in childhood and adolescence is a complex condition where early detection and comprehensive treatment are essential to improve quality of life, decrease mental comorbidity, and improve GD. In this position statement, the Working Group on Gender Identity and Sexual Development of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (GIDSEEN), consisting of specialists in Endocrinology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Sociology, sets out recommendations for evaluation and treatment of GD in children and adolescents. Interdisciplinary management of GD should be carried out at specialized units (UTIGs), considering that any clinical intervention should follow the principles of scientific rigor, experience, ethical and deontological principles, and the necessary caution in front of chronic, aggressive, and irreversible treatments.

Protecting the clean athlete, protecting health

The vision of the IOC is to change the world for the better through sport and to promote social change. Protecting the health of the athlete is an important part of this vision, in order to protect the integrity of sport, protect elite athletes, protect the health of all those exercising and to promote physical activity. The protection of clean athletes through doping control is also important for the protection of the integrity of sport and of athlete health. The focus of the IOC Medical Commission is the prevention of injury and illness; this is done through world conferences, injury and illness surveillance, International Federations (IF) and National Olympic Committees. Rowing is an excellent example of a non-contact sport, where overuse injuries are the main problem. Illness and overtraining are also important. Individual physiology and training are crucial to develop the combination of power and endurance needed to compete. Rowing is a perfect sport for the multidisciplinary team of sport and exercise medicine, physiotherapy, physiology, psychology, nutrition and biomechanics specialists. Priority for the IOC is surveillance and audit, so that changes to rules, to equipment, to training and to technique can be evidence based and the effect on prevention measured. It is important for different sport federations to take every opportunity to work with each other for cross fertilization of best practice and new ideas, including at the IOC IF meetings. The IOC and world rowing share the priority of protecting health and protecting clean athletes.