No description available.

Psycho-social factors of terminal illness were explored with 36 terminally ill hospice patients. These findings were compared with staff accounts to assess whether staff held different perceptions of terminal illness from patients. The dynamic nature terminal illness was explored by re-interviewing thirteen of the original patient-staff dyads 4-6 weeks later. Psychological responses to cancer have been shown to be affected by a variety of psycho-social factors, including age, length of illness and social support. The experience of terminal illness may be different from previous stages of cancer, possibly due to the patient's realisation of the nearness of death (Yalom, 1980). Models of dying highlight the patient's perspective and social environment in the determination of the dying process. Possible communication difficulties between patient and staff and the use of 'proxy data' in clinical and research settings highlights the need to explore patient and staff perspectives more fully. A measure which described positive and negative experiences of terminal illness was developed (POTIS) and administered with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to terminally ill patients within a hospice. Staff were identified with a patient and their ratings of the patient's experience gathered. Thirteen patients/staff pairs were re-interviewed using the above procedure. Results indicated that staff rated patients as being more anxious than patient's own ratings. There was no difference between staff and patient ratings of depression. Cluster analysis was used to describe natural groups occurring within patient responses to the POTIS and patient demographic data used to describe these groups. Small sample numbers limited conclusions regarding change of perceptions over time. Issues regarding staff and patient perceptions were discussed in terms of the clinical and research use of proxy data. Possible problems with the internal reliability of measures and sample bias which occur with this population were discussed.

Educational programs covering the technical, treatment and emotional aspects of a cancer diagnosis have been shown to reduce anxiety levels, boost compliance with treatment regimens and improve survival rates. This study was designed to evaluate whether newly diagnosed cancer patients, after reviewing an educational intervention, felt they experienced decreased stress levels and more informed decision making ability. A descriptive, evaluative study was designed. Seventy-five newly diagnosed cancer patient's evaluation forms were examined. Responses were reviewed to see if these patients placed an important versus unimportant value on the individual components of an educational packet. Their responses were tallied and the results showed that an overwhelming majority of the patients felt that the packet components were important in helping them feel decreased stress levels and more informed in their decision making regarding their diagnosis of cancer. It was also determined that the majority of patients felt that the packet components were easy to understand. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

No description available.

MSc (Med), Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand / Background: Few studies have compared the sociodemographic characteristics and treatment outcomes of HIV/AIDS patients in rural and urban South Africa. Aim: This study compared the baseline socio-demographic characteristics and treatment outcomes (time to mortality, immunologic and virologic response) of HAART-naïve patients in urban and rural South Africa. Methodology: A secondary analysis of data obtained from the Themba Lethu Clinic, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg (urban site) and the ACTS clinic, Mpumalanga (rural site) from January 2005 to December 2008 was used to make comparison of baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients in both cohorts. The survival experience and predictors of mortality was performed using Kaplan – Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models while effects on immunologic and virologic responses to HAART were modeled using logistic regression. Results: At initiation of HAART, the rural cohort had similar CD4 count and body mass index, but lower haemoglobin levels, compared to the urban cohort. The median follow up time for both cohorts was 566 days with the urban cohort having a mortality rate of 5.6/100 person-years compared to the 4.8/100 person-years of the rural cohort. CD4 count, BMI and WHO stage were predictors of mortality in both cohorts. Logistic regression models for virologic and immunologic response did not show any difference by site in the multivariate models. Conclusion: Though there are differences in the baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of rural and urban patients starting HAART for the first time, achievement of immunologic and virologic response at 6 months of therapy were similar in both cohorts. Continued public health enlightenment campaigns and nutritional support programs should be undertaken to ensure patients present early and benefit from treatment.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 1997. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 219-225). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ22926.

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2003. / Appendices not included in e-thesis. On spine : 2004. Also held in print (236 leaves, 30 cm.) in Akoranga Theses Collection (T 616.890092 PHA)

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1976.

Thèses (LL.M.)--Université de Sherbrooke (Canada), 1998. / Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 20 juin 2006). Publié aussi en version papier.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1980.