Health Literacy Network News

Ask an Expert: Seizures and Epilepsy

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:20:00 +0000

Time sensitive

BC Epilepsy Society presents

Ask an Expert: Seizures and Epilepsy
Tuesday, January 20th
7-9 pm
Chan Auditorium at BC Children’s Hospital
4480 Oak St.
Vancouver, BC

The BC Epilepsy Society presents a panel discussion with medical and social service professionals specializing in epilepsy care and support.

A neurologist, nurse clinician, and social worker will answer your questions and discuss epilepsy related issues at this event.

$10 or free with BC Epilepsy Society membership
For more information call 604-875-6704 or go to www.bcepilepsy.com

This educational event is part of the annual Speaking of Epilepsy lecture series presented by the BC Epilepsy Society.

The British Columbia Epilepsy Society is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to serving the well being of people living with epilepsy. We empower, educate, and support British Columbians living with epilepsy and their families and fund research to find a cure.

University of the Fraser Valley Nursing Students' Health Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:30:00 +0000

Where do you turn if you have health-based question, but it’s not urgent enough to call your doctor? Nursing students at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) know it’s sometimes hard to find up-to-date information and that’s one of the reasons why they organize an annual Health Fair.

Each fall, UFV’s fourth-year nursing students host a public health fair, where they provide face-to-face information about a number of common health issues. This year’s event took place at Sevenoaks Mall in Abbotsford on Friday, October 17. Topics covered by the nursing students include the newly introduced HPV vaccine, high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, arthritis, childhood asthma, and preventive dental care for pre-school-aged children.

UFV Nursing faculty member Sheila Edwards says it’s a great opportunity for the students to thoroughly research a health issue and then present material and resources to the public in a friendly, informative way.

With the HPV vaccine being introduced to all Grade 6 and Grade 9 girls in this school year, Edwards says her students decided it was the perfect time to openly discuss the vaccine, its benefits, and the risks of cervical cancer. Their goal is to provide health-based answers to parents, girls, and women between the ages of nine and 26 years of age, and the public in general.

The students also determined that many parents have questions about dental care for preschool children; so again, this was a topic they have researched and are hoping to share their information.

The public health fair is part of UFV’s community health course taken by fourth- year nursing students. Edwards says it is a great opportunity for the students to deal directly with the public, while learning about topical issues. UFV nursing students have hosted these public health fairs for about nine years now.

Mental Health Café

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:24:00 +0000

Mental Health café deals with real issues in Fraser Valley communities

Don’t try to tell University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) philosophy instructor Peter Raabe that talk is cheap.

Raabe is a true believer in the power of talking about problems large and small. The North Vancouver resident introduced a Philosophy Café-style open discussion group specifically focused on mental health issues, to that community more than eight years ago. Since then a similar café group has been established in Coquitlam and a one is just taking root in Chilliwack.

The philosophy café, he explains, is an open forum for people directly affected by mental health issues. Raabe is adamant it is not a “typical self-help group” but a positive discussion that helps participants come up with ideas and suggestions about how to cope with mental health concerns and the wellness of a community.

Philosophy cafés give people a chance to discuss mental health issues affecting them and the communities where they live. Raabe says the sessions are open, friendly, and led by trained UFV students who keep the topics on track and topical.

Raabe, who is a philosophical counsellor when not teaching at the university, decided to get the students involved when he realized the concept of mental health cafés was becoming popular and his time to coordinate them was limited. A good facilitator, he says, will lead the discussion, keep it on topic, and ensure it remains respectful even though some sessions can get heated. And that’s where his UFV students come in.

“I wanted to pass on the legacy, so to speak, so I put out a call to the Psychology department for students who might be interested in taking this on.”

Eight students came forward and Raabe drafted a six-week training schedule that taught them the strengths and the exact role of good facilitator. He explains that it is a skill; good facilitators don’t dictate, they ask questions, sometimes act as the devil’s advocate to keep the conservation flowing, keep the discussion on topic, and know how to end it on time. When the UFV students completed the training, they were rewarded with three course credits they could count towards their degree.

“The students are able to apply their philosophical skills in practice. It’s a real shifting of gears for students — we’re putting them into a position of mentor or advisor for adults of many different age groups,” adds Raabe. “The students see some positive opportunities, both for themselves and for the participants, and they are really happy to be doing this.”

Four of those students continue to facilitate the mental health cafés which take place monthly in Coquitlam and now in Chilliwack. Next week, the Chilliwack café takes on the topic of the pharmaceutical industry’s impact on the mental health community.

Scott Campbell, with Chilliwack’s Mood Disorders Group, says the mental health cafés are a great opportunity for all residents of a community to come together to discuss topical issues that generally affect the community as a whole.

Raabe likens the mental health café to a book club. The group meets regularly; topics for the next gathering are generally picked at the end of a session. Anybody can attend, anybody can suggest topics, and all voices are respected and listened to.

“There is no limit to what topics they choose,” he says. “And the important part of the facilitator is to empower the group to pick its own topics. Theses groups have jelled quickly and that might be because they are looking for information and they are looking for skills to deal with mental health issues. They can also look at possible solutions. But with a philosophical discussion there are sometimes three or four solutions. It’s never a simple case of what’s right or wrong.”

The next Chilliwack mental health café takes place Saturday, Dec 13, at 1 p.m. in the Minto Room at Evergreen Hall, at 9291 Corbould Street. It is hosted by the Chilliwack Mood Disorders Group. For more information, people can contact Scott Campbell at 604-793-4906.

The Coquitlam group also meets Saturday, Dec 13 at 1 p.m at the Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. The topic for the December meeting is 'Holidays and Mental Health.' For more information about the Coquitlam group, people can contact Teresa Spurr at teresa_cafe@shaw.ca

Raabe expects the idea of the mental health philosophy cafés will continue to grow and is hoping other communities start similar groups. When the need arises, he will train more students who take on the role of facilitator.

“I know of nothing else like this in Canada,” adds Raabe. “There is not another café that deals with mental health issues on a continuing basis. Now we have people who are making suggestions and coming up with possible solutions or ideas to deal with mental health issues. That’s what it’s all about.”

UFV offers a minor in Applied Ethical and Political Philosophy as part of the Bachelor of Arts program. Students can also take a variety of philosophy courses for general interest. Applications for September 2009 are currently being accepted. To find out more, visit www.ufv.ca .

LATCH-ON Literacy Program

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:21:00 +0000

North Island College launched LATCH-ON Literacy this past September, a literacy program developed specifically for young adults with intellectual disabilities, including Down Syndrome.

LATCH-ON, which stands for Literacy and Technology Hands-On, was initiated in 1998 at the University of Queensland in Australia by Dr. Anne Jobling, a Down Syndrome researcher, with the help of Dr. Karen Moni, a lecturer in English curriculum and literacy education. LATCH-ON was developed with a socio-cultural approach to literacy that uses a combination of technology and more traditional methods of instruction to enhance literacy development.

The program’s objectives include providing opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities to continue their literacy development in a post-secondary environment, using computer technology to enhance literacy, and enhancing self-concept and life opportunities (work placement) through the expected positive outcomes of improved literacy development.

North Island College welcomed both Dr. Jobling and Dr. Moni in late August where they provided a week-long intensive training session for NIC instructors, as well as for project partners from the Down Syndrome Research Foundation in Burnaby. It is expected that the program will reach up to 30 students from the North Island region during its two-year trial, 10 at each of the regional campuses located at Campbell River, Comox Valley and Port Alberni.

“This is the first time the LATCH-ON program has been offered in Canada, and we are extremely pleased that North Island College was selected as the pilot site,” says program coordinator, Sheila Doncaster, who also serves as the Chair of the Department of Access for Students with Disabilities.

Funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, LATCH-ON is a joint project of North Island College and the Down Syndrome Research Foundation. For further information about the LATCH-ON program, please contact Sheila Doncaster at (250) 334-5079 or sheila.doncaster@nic.bc.ca.

Survey: Network for Patient Education in Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:17:00 +0000

The Working Group on Canadian Patient Education is conducting a survey to assess patient education networking needs.

Individuals working in a patient education program at a health care centre in Canada are asked to complete an online survey

For more information or with questions contact:

Tracy Hutchings
905-537-4322 x 46620
hutchtra@hhsc.ca

OR

Farrah Schwartz
416-864-6060 x 3831
schwartzf@smh.toronto.on.ca

A collection of health literacy curricula

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:38:00 +0000

Links to health literacy curricula collected after a discussion on the National Institute for Literacy Health and Literacy listserv.

"The curricula are organized by the following types: University courses, Medical School courses, Professional training programs, and Adult Basic Education/ESL/ENL program courses."
http://www.advancinghealthliteracy.com/curricula.html

Plain Language Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:42:00 +0000

Photo: JDurham http://photodaisy.blogspot.com

Finding a reader-friendly alternative to jargon or more complex terminology can be a challenge. The following plain language resources may help.

Plain Language Thesaurus for Health Communications
CDC National Center for Health Marketing
http://www.nphic.org/files/editor/file/thesaurus_1007.pdf

Reviewer's Guide to Evaluating Health Information Materials
by Sandra Smith, MPH, CHES
BeginningsGuides 2008
http://www.guidesforbeginnings.com/pdfs/articles/Reviewers-Guide.pdf

Plain English Lexicon: A Guide to Whether Your Words Will be Understood
Martin Cutts
Foreword by Christine Mowat, past Chair of Plain Language Association InterNational (plain)
http://www.clearest.co.uk/files/PlainEnglishLexicon.pdf

Words to Watch Fact Sheet
Pfizer Clear Health Communication Initiative
http://www.clearhealthcommunication.com/media/words-to-watch.html

Readability Toolkit
P R I SM [ Project to Review and Improve Study Materials]
Group Health Center for Health Studies
http://www.centerforhealthstudies.org/capabilities/readability/readability_home.html
Direct link to the Toolkit:
http://www.centerforhealthstudies.org/capabilities/readability/ghchs_readability_toolkit.pdf

Webcast: What is ABA and Why is it Important in the Treatment of Autism?

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:28:00 +0000

Presented by Suzanne Jacobsen, Ed.D., BCBA
Clinical Director, ABA Learning Centre

Webcast available from Monday, December 15, 2008
Advance registration now open.

In B.C., once parents receive a diagnosis of autism for their child, they are expected to set up a treatment program grounded on Applied Behavior Analysis. But what exactly is ABA and why is it so crucial in autism treatment? This presentation explains the differences and overlap between commonly used terms that frequently confuse parents including:

Discrete trial
Lovaas therapy
Verbal Behavior
Pivotal Response Training
Positive Behavior Support
Natural Environment Teaching

This workshop is illustrated by wonderful video of children engaged in ABA and having fun while learning communication, academic and social skills.

The Speaker: Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen is well known to professionals and parents across B.C. for her exceptional range of expertise as a diagnostician, educator, psychologist and behavior consultant. She has lectured across North America and in Asia on various aspects of autism treatment. A registered psychologist and certified teacher, Dr. Jacobsen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a member of ACT's Advisory Council.

Who Should View this Webcast? This presentation was developed for parents primarily, but community professionals have found it to be informative in broadening their understanding of the breadth of ABA. To see feedback from previous participants, see the webcast overview page.

What is a Webcast? ACT webcasts are video-taped presentations that can be viewed over the internet by anyone with a fairly new computer and a high-speed internet connection. The webcast is an edited version of the live event. Subscribers can download a copy of the same handbook available at the event. This webcast is available at the convenience of the viewer, 24/7, for the full duration of your subscription. For information on ACT's move toward webcasts, see our fall 08 newsletter, ACT on Autism (.pdf).

A brief webcast preview is available for viewing on the ACT website. This will also ensure that your computer can access the webcast successfully. For further information on webcasting, including minimum technical requirements, see our webcasts FAQ.

To register call ACT* at 604-205-5467 or 1-866-939-5188.
*Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

2008/9 subscription cost for What is ABA? (available from December 15, 2008 to December 31, 2009):

Category 1 - Individual family or para-professional or student – $35
Category 2 - Family & One-to-One Staff (focused on 1 child or siblings – 8 or fewer users) – $100
Category 3 - Individual Professional – $50
Category 4 - Small Organization (8 or fewer users) – $200
Category 5 - Large Organization (9 – 20 users) – $300
Special – Don’t find your circumstance on this list – Call or email ACT for advice!

Manual: For a preview of ACT's new Autism Manual for BC, see www.actcommunity.net/AI/Manual.htm.
Bursaries: If you are low income, ACT has some bursary funds available. Please apply for a bursary before registering. See www.actcommunity.net/Foot/bursaries.htm for more information.

Support & Information: ACT’s team of Information Officers can provide support and information on a wide range of autism-related topics and can advise on whether a workshop or webcast is appropriate for your needs.
Contact ACT by email at info@actcommunity.net
or by phone at 604-205-5467 or 1-866-939-5188.

New article: "Literacy and Health: Implications for Active Living"

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:36:00 +0000

"Literacy and Health: Implications for Active Living"
by Irving Rootman and Joan Wharf-Higgins in
Alberta Centre for Active Living's WellSpring (October 2007 Vol 18, No. 4)

"What’s in this article for you? This article focuses on the following main topics:

What is literacy and health literacy?
Why should active living practitioners be interested in literacy and health literacy?
Do people understand communications about physical activity?
What can you do to address literacy or health literacy in your practice?"

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:05:00 +0000

The Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI) in Alberta is an excellent source of information for people with disabilities and people who work with them. Plain language booklets are available from the website on a range of health and life skills. Also available are short, practical publications for service providers to facilitate respectful and successful communication and support. The following recent item caught my eye:

Speaking Plain Language: How disability support workers can use plain language with clients who may have limited literacy or language comprehension skills by Aiofe Freeman. (FastFacts Vol 1, no. 2 March 2008)

While resources on plain language writing are happily fairly plentiful these days, information about how to communicate verbally in accessible language is more unusual. This brief guide with a reference list offers practical tips for conversing with people who have difficulty understanding because of literacy or language challenges. While these tips sound like common sense, consistently putting them into practice can be tricky.

Suggestions include:

Think about your audience
Be aware of your tone
Reduce the amount of information you provide at one time
Use short and everyday words
Find out if you are being understood--but recognize that your listener may be uncomfortable admitting that they don't know what you're talking about!

How to be a "pleasantly assertive" patient

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:48:00 +0000

Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offer five ways to get more from your doctor.

These days, going to the doctor may seem more like speed dating than care giving. Patients get a few minutes with the clinician, and he or she does most of the talking. How can a person get the information they need and the outcome they desire in a 15-minute office visit? What if the treatment options don’t feel right? Is it too much for a patient to feel they are considered a partner in their own well-being?

Often, people leave their doctor’s office with more questions than answers, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine who are looking at how patients can get more of what they need from the health-care system. They have found that patients (or their advocates) who talk to physicians about their beliefs, values, lifestyle and
concerns can get better results from their health-care experience.

“Research shows if you ask doctors what they think is important to patients, and then ask patients what’s important to them, there’s not a great match,” said Dr. Michael Pignone, chief of the UNC division of general internal medicine.

But, as smart as doctors are, they aren’t mind readers, Pignone and his colleagues note. “A common problem is patients thinking that their physician will know how they – the patient – feels about specific decisions” said Dr. Carmen Lewis, assistant professor of medicine of general internal medicine and clinical epidemiology. “Doctors don’t – you need to tell them. People feel the doctor is the expert, but the individual is the expert about his or her lifestyle and how he or she values options and outcomes.”

Pignone offered some tips for becoming what he calls a “pleasantly assertive” patient, so that patients’ health-care providers can better help them.

Prepare for your visit. “It might seem silly, but it’s really helpful to write down your symptoms, complaint or problem, then summarize it into a couple of sentences,” Pignone said. “Bring your list and your summary with you to the visit. This allows the doctor to quickly review your condition and ask specific questions, instead of spending time focused on general issues. This one step can make visits 25 percent to 50 percent more effective.”
Have an agenda. “Before your appointment, decide what you want from the visit,” Pignone recommends. “For instance, if you’re suffering back pain, you might want to know what is causing the pain as well as a treatment plan for getting better. Make sure you share that with your doctor at the very beginning of your visit. It might feel funny at first, but your doctor will appreciate it. Sharing this information will help you all make better decisions about treatment, make the visit more efficient, and improve the chance that your health-care needs will be met effectively.”
Know your medical history and medications. “To help you get the treatment you need, doctors need to know what tests you’ve had – and when – as well as what medications you’re taking,” Pignone said. “Without that information, they might mistakenly re-order tests or prescribe medication that has a bad interaction with something you’re already taking. That can have adverse effects for your health and your wallet.”
Tell your provider about your values or lifestyle preferences that could affect your treatment. “It doesn’t make sense to agree to a treatment plan you know you won’t follow – it won’t result in your feeling better,” Pignone cautioned. “For example, if a Wednesday night smoking cessation class conflicts with your book club, it’s not going to be an effective intervention for you. On a more serious level, if you don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of a possible recurrence of cancer, you might prefer a mastectomy to a lumpectomy. Similarly, if you can’t afford medication or to take off work for recurring visits, tell your provider even if you’re embarrassed. There are often ways to work around the challenges if your care team knows about them.”
Clarify the decision to be made. “Sometimes you’re offered several options, so be sure you understand the alternatives and if you don’t, ask for clarification,” Pignone said. “Your doctor should be able to give you important details about each option either during the visit, or on a follow-up call. In addition to the details, ask them how good the medical information is.”

Pignone and Lewis acknowledged that this approach results in a very different doctor-patient relationship, but evidence shows that proactive patients tend to get more effective and efficient care.

“The sicker you are, the more this matters,” Pignone said. “But it’s harder to do. If you’re not comfortable interacting this way, involve other people who support you in your life to come with you and play this role.”

FDA education program for over-the-counter medications

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:42:00 +0000

The US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), in cooperation with the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) and Maryland's Montgomery County Public Schools, has launched "Medicines in My Home," an interactive educational program about the safe and effective use of over-the-counter medicines, located at www.fda.gov/medsinmyhome. The website includes a "Teachers Room," featuring a PowerPoint presentation, pre- and post test, in class lesson materials, and materials and activities for use in the home with family members. Key concepts students will learn from the program are:

The Drug Facts label tells you what a medicine treats, if it is right for you and your problem, and how to use the medicine;
Read the label and follow the directions carefully and correctly;
Two medicines with the same active ingredient shouldn't be used at the same time; and,
Measure medicines correctly with measuring tools made for medicines.

The program emphasizes that medicines should be used only with permission from an adult and that if there are questions about medicine use, ask a pharmacist or doctor. Materials are provided to encourage students to share what they learn with their families so that all family members can learn to use over-the-counter medicines more safely.

Research: Neutral HIV presentations more likely to be considered inviting

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:25:00 +0000

A recent study by University of Illinois professor of psychology Dolores Albarracín and her colleagues at the University of Florida and the Alachua County Health Department in Florida found a method to increase enrollment among high-risk individuals in HIV prevention programs.

The study, which appeared in the September 2008 issue of Health Psychology, found that by offering an experimental introduction to a counseling session, public health institutions could increase enrollment by a significant amount.

Previous research by Albarracín found that those most likely to engage in behaviour that puts them at a high risk for HIV are also the least likely to enroll and stay in HIV intervention programs.

Therefore the researchers studied the effects of delivering different messages to participants screened for high-risk behavior as an invitation to a counseling program delivered at the Alachua County Health Department in Gainesville, Fla. They found one message that increased enrollment among participants.

All the messages informed participants who had signed up for a generic health study that they could speak to an HIV-prevention counselor. In the experimental condition, they were also told that the counseling session was not intended to change their behaviour, only to provide them with the most current information. Compared with a message that indicated that the counseling increased condom use, recipients of the experimental message enrolled at a rate higher by 15 percent. This effect was particularly strong when participants had no intention of using condoms at the beginning of the study.

“Public health experts around the world are regularly in search of the most effective methods for curbing preventable health problems,” Albarracín said. “HIV is a disease caused by a number of risky behaviors like unsafe sex and unsafe needle sharing, but health information is often disseminated without complete knowledge of how it will be received by audiences,” she said.

“The research indicates that people will be more receptive to information when they don't believe they are trying to be influenced,” she said. “This approach will be helpful in giving public health professionals effective ways to introduce the public to information without repulsing those they are trying to help most.”

Other researchers involved in the study were Marta R. Durantini, Allison Earl, and Josh Leeper, of the University of Florida, and Joann B. Gunnoe of the Alachua County Health Department.

Citation:

Beyond the most willing audiences: A meta-intervention to increase exposure to HIV-prevention programs by vulnerable populations.

Albarracín, Dolores; Durantini, Marta R.; Earl, Allison; Gunnoe, Joanne B.; Leeper, Josh

Health Psychology. Vol 27(5), Sep 2008, 638-644.

Read the abstract at http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/hea/27/5/638/

US health education in barbershops and beauty salons

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:56:00 +0000

As part of its mission to train the next generation of physicians and scientists, the Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities (CTSA) offers the Health Disparities Field Experience, a unique course through Mayo Graduate School. For this year's fieldwork, course scholars and faculty are joining with the Center for Minority Health (CMH) at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health in its innovative program called 'Take a Health Professional to the People Day' on Sept. 18, 2008. This event has been recognized nationally with a feature on the Web site of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Health disparities — the gaps in health care access and outcomes among different populations — lead to higher rates of chronic illness, disability and death from preventable causes for minorities. Now in its seventh year, Take a Health Professional to the People Day deploys teams of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and public health educators to 10 barbershops and beauty salons in inner-city Pittsburgh to deliver health information and health screenings to customers. In 2007, 150 health professionals screened more than 556 African-Americans in these neighborhood settings.

Why take health education efforts to barbershops and beauty salons?

These settings are effective because they are familiar community assets and trusted institutions in African-American neighborhoods where people gather to connect and exchange information. "Far too many African-Americans have no 'medical home' to access health care services, so government programs that promote 'taking a loved one to the doctor' are not as effective for this community," explains Stephen B. Thomas, Ph.D., director of CMH and the Philip Hallen Professor of Community Health and Social Justice. "Therefore, CMH created Take a Health Professional to the People Day. By focusing our efforts on a single day, we believe we can help generate a greater understanding of the importance of regular health screenings while at the same time reaching people who tend to have the least access to health care." In addition, the program serves as an excellent training opportunity for health professionals, who benefit from engaging minority populations outside of the clinical environment.

For more information about Take A Health Professional to the People Day, the NIH-NCMHD Research Center for Excellence in Minority Health Disparities, and other activities of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Minority Health, visit the University of Pittsburg Center for Minority Health Web site.

Radio stories of living with HIV reduces stigma in Ethiopia

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:37:00 +0000

Betengna, a radio program in Ethiopia that showcases the diaries of ordinary people living with HIV, may contribute to reducing HIV-related stigma, according to the results of a research study disseminated September 24, 2008 in Addis Ababa. Results of the research indicate that listeners of Betengna were found to have lower stigma toward people living with HIV and had greater knowledge about HIV transmission, prevention and management.

The program has aired on Ethiopian radio stations over the past two years, and it boasts an exposure of 29% in Addis Ababa and SNNPR, according to the study. It is also available for downloading on the National AIDS Resource Center’s website (www.etharc.org).

The radio diaries narrate the everyday experiences and challenges of living with HIV in Ethiopia and are broadcast weekly on five radio stations in Amharic, Tigrigna, and Oromoiffa languages. Betengna aims to decrease the stigma and discrimination that HIV positive people face in Ethiopia by exposing the human face of living with the disease and providing a platform for creating discussion on these issues among the general public. Over time, diarists cover a broad range of their everyday life experiences such as teen pregnancy, relationships with partners, family, friends and their communities, health issues, emotional and physical stress and living positively.

The research findings come from a household study conducted in November 2007 in four regions – Amhara, Tigray, Addis Ababa and SNNPR - in order to determine exposure to Betengna and the extent to which changes could be linked with exposure to the broadcast. Data was collected by a local research organization, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health.

Study results indicated that listening to Betengna was associated with increased empathy and affinity for the diarists and a better understanding of the challenges of leading an HIV positive life. Other indicators of decreased stigma were a greater perceived identification with people living with HIV and a stronger belief that HIV positive persons should be treated with respect. Caller feedback from listeners supports that Betengna is increasing empathy and reaching listeners on a more emotional level than just promoting rational thinking.

“Many people go to test after they become very sick. Sirak’s story motivated me to get tested and I found out that I’m HIV+,” indicated a male listener. “I live in South Africa, Cape Town. I always listen to Hiwot Mamo’s program and it really amazes me; she really is a wonderful woman. I just wanna tell her be strong and to always look after her self. Stay blessed,” commented a web listener.

The Radio Diaries are produced by the National AIDS Resource Center (ARC) and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center or Communication Programs (CCP). The program's design is based on and builds on similar projects run by CCP in Nigeria and Malawi. Betengna is produced in collaboration with the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO) with technical assistance from Internews Network-Ethiopia. Funding is provided by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Vulnerable Populations & Global Public Health Presentation Oct 31/08

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Time sensitive

Vulnerable populations and global public health

UBC-School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) Grand Rounds
Presentation for Friday, October 31, 2008

Presented by: Katia Mohindra, Post Doctoral Fellow, Global Health Research Program, SPPH, UBC

Topic: Vulnerable populations and global public health: perspectives from some 'egalitarian' societies***

Date: Friday October 31, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM TO 10:00 AM
James Mather Building
Room: #253 - 5804 Fairview Avenue
Vancouver, BC

Please join us for the Grand Rounds. If you are unable to attend in person, please join us remotely through our website www.spph.ubc.ca and simultaneously via conference call.

Dial in: 1-866-596-5278
Conference ID: 7347312#

If you do join us via conference call, it is very much appreciated if you put your phone on mute to enhance the listening ability of all remote listeners.

**Presentations are the property of the presenter(s) and permission must be obtained before copying or distribution of presentation occurs. Presentations for rounds from the website are for viewing purposes only.**

Should you have any questions, please contact Sylvia at sylvia.froese@ubc.ca or 604-822-7646

[Posted on: Women-Health eNews - an electronic mailing list for activists, researchers, and policy makers, both nationally and internationally, who are working to improve women's health. The list was created and is managed by the BC Centre of Excellence for Women's Health http://www.bccewh.bc.ca ]

Community Health Discusssions

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:08:00 +0000

CHNET-Works! a project from Community Health Research Unit, University of Ottawa is hosting a series of Fireside Chats (FREE pan-Canadian discussions for community health professionals - via telephone/internet conferences). October, November and December 'chats' are focusing on: Climate Change and Health, Healthy Aging and Food Insecurity. Discussions need to include perspectives re: social ceterminants of health.

Info and registration: www.chnet-works.ca and click on Fireside Chats

[posted on the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) listserv October 29, 2008 by Dot Bonnenfant, CHNET-Works! Animateur]

Upcoming topics:
Climate Change and Health: shedding light November 20/08

Canadian Falls Prevention Curriculum - an UPdate February 5/09

Climate Change and Health: newHealth Canada Report November 13/08

Children Vulnerable to Environmental Contaminants December 10/08

Health Care: Preparation for Age of Scarce Oil October 30/08

Climate Change and Health: A Breath of Fresh Air November 7/08

Healthy Aging: Housing, Support Service and Health November 26/08

Food Insecurity: The Cost of Living - a tool December 5/08

Info Tech and Health Promotion.... December 4/08

Healthy Aging #2 - Aging with Dignity February 12/09

Skateboarding and Youth: What's working? December 3/08

Scientific Cafe: Is menopause a disease? [Vancouver]

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:04:00 +0000

Time sensitive

Is menopause a disease?
We will discuss different perspectives from around the world on gendered aging with input by women doctors from Eastern Europe and India. How does the emergence and popularity of menopause-specific products, pills, and supplements reflect how we view menopause as a society? Hormone Therapy controversies - do women's hormones need replacing? "Bioidentical" vs. "synthetic" hormones: Is one better then the other, and what are the risks of ovarian hormone therapy? Hot flashes and night sweats - is estrogen the only option? Is osteoporosis inevitable?

Expert Panel:
Dr. Jerilynn Prior, UBC Professor of Endocrinology, Scientific Director of CeMCOR
Ms. Karen Coulson, Executive Director with Osteoporosis Canada (BC Division)
Dr. Sheela Mistry, foreign trained OB/GYN and Research Coordinator
Dr. Vesna Stajic, foreign trained MD and Research Coordinator

Date: Tuesday Oct 28th, 2008
Time: 7:00-9:00pm, doors at 6:30pm
Venue: Little Nest (http://www.littlenest.ca),
1716 Charles St, Vancouver (Commercial Drive)

Cost: Admission is free but space is limited - be sure to arrive on time! For more information see: http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/node/182

Health Information for Seniors

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:46:00 +0000

NIHSeniorHealth is an "easy-to-use website [which] features health and wellness information for older adults from the [US] National Institutes of Health." Health information is organized alphabetically by name or in categories such as:
* Bones and Joints
* Cancer
* Diseases and Conditions
* Healthy Aging
* Heart and Lungs
* Memory and Mental Health
* Treatments and Therapies
* Vision and Hearing

Also available: "Exercise stories" with seniors sharing their experiences with various activities, a collection of health videos (with the option of reading the transcripts), and a training module called: Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online: A Toolkit for Trainers.

Iceberg Newsletter on FASD

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:23:00 +0000

Iceberg is a quarterly international educational newsletter on FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) from FASIS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Information Service), a parent/professional partnership based in Seattle, WA. Visit the website for events, resources and the current and back issues of this excellent newsletter.

"Because the problems we readily see are only the tip of the iceberg."
--Iceberg website

Study Explores Value of Recording Medical Visits for Cancer Patients

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:59:00 +0000

Patients can find it hard to absorb what their doctors tell them during stressful moments. Recordings or transcripts of office visits could help people with cancer—or their family members—recall medical information they might otherwise have missed, a new review suggests.

“It is important to consider anything that can improve the cancer patient’s experience, especially interventions that can be easily accommodated within the normal office visit,” said lead author Marie Pitkethly, co-coordinator of the Scottish Primary Care Research Network in Dundee.

The review included 16 studies of 2,318 adults who either had cancer themselves or were dealing with a close relative with cancer. The researchers looked at the effects of providing recordings or summaries of doctor-patient interactions on information recall and understanding, participation in follow-up visits, satisfaction and other concerns.

The review appears in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research. Systematic reviews like this one draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing medical trials on a topic.

Richard Frankel Ph.D., a professor of medicine and geriatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, said many people who receive cancer information at the doctor’s office do not accurately remember what the physician said.

“Anything that can be done to increase their potential for retaining information is worth trying,” he said. “This review shows that the use of audio or videotapes can be very useful in some patients, but not all patients. The primary lesson this review teaches us that there needs to be an individualized approach to having difficult conversations with patients.”

For more on this study:
Pitkethly M, et al. Recordings or summaries of consultations for people with cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Issue 3, 2008.

"Doctor and Patient, Now at Odds"--New York Times blog

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:29:00 +0000

Doctor and Patient, Now at Odds

By TARA PARKER-POPE
Published: July 29, 2008
New York Times Health blog: Well

Excerpt:
“By the time you’re done with your training, you feel, in many ways, that you are as far as you could possibly be from the very people you’ve set out to help,” said Dr. Pauline Chen, most recently a liver transplant surgeon at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the author of Final Exam: A Surgeon’s Reflections on Mortality (Knopf, 2007). “We don’t even talk the same language anymore.”

Continued: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/doctors-and-patients-a-rocky-relationship/

Caregiver Workshops--September & October

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:22:00 +0000

Time sensitive

Vancouver Coastal Health Caregiver Workshops

September Workshop:
Four-week educational workshop series for family caregivers running from Sept. 3 - Sept. 24, 2008

Learn strategies for coping, connect with other caregivers, and find out about valuable resources and information to assist in decision-making. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all four workshops in the series.

Presenter/Facilitator: Sarah Galuska, MSW, RSW

Location: Evergreen Community Health Centre
3425 Crowley Drive, Vancouver, BC
Begins: September 3, 2008
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Registration deadline: September 2, 2008
Email: caregiversupport@vch.ca
Phone: Vancouver Coastal Health Central Intake Line--604-263-7377
Cost: Free - pre-registration is required

October-December Workshop
Six-week educational workshop series for family caregivers running from Oct. 21 - Dec. 2, 2008(no session Nov. 11th). Learn strategies for coping, connect with other caregivers, and find out about valuable resources and information to assist in decision-making. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all six workshop sessions. Pre-resgistration is required, but late registration may be possible.

Location: Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre
2110 West 43rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Begins: October 21, 2008
Tim: 6:30-8:30 pm
Registration deadline: October 20, 2008
Email: caregiversupport@vch.ca
Phone: Vancouver Coastal Health Central Intake Line--604-263-7377
Cost: Free - pre-registration is required. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all six workshop sessions.

Call for Articles: Breast Cancer & Women with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:08:00 +0000

The Canadian Breast Cancer Network is hoping to publish the Fall 2008 issue of our quarterly newsletter, Network News, on the topic of living with disabilities and breast cancer. We are looking for articles of up to 2,000 words plus a short bio of the author(s) (100 words or less) and hopefully a photo. Articles can be about research conducted on the issue, including barriers to diagnosis, treatment or supportive care.

We are also looking for articles by women living with breast cancer and a disability or disabilities. It may be that you were living with a disability before being diagnosed with breast cancer, whether a physical disability or mental illness. How did a breast cancer diagnosis affect your life? What challenges have you faced? Or perhaps your breast cancer treatments or surgeries left you with a disability. Consider sharing your experience and how you have learned, or are learning, how to adapt.

We are unable to pay contributors, but will send you as many copies of Network News as you like.

To check out a recent issue of Network News, go to http://cbcn.ca/en/?section=1&category=167&regionid=&page=9792

For information or to submit an article, contact:
Jackie Manthorne
Executive Director/Directrice générale
Canadian Breast Cancer Network
613-230-3044 ext. 222
1-800-685-8820
jmanthorne@cbcn.ca
www.cbcn.ca

Patient-physician Communication: Research

noreply@blogger.com (Health Literacy Network (HLN) News) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:01:00 +0000

With their waiting rooms crowded and exam rooms full, many physicians say they are too busy to be good communicators. Those who study physician time-management think otherwise. Certain communication skills can foster efficiency and effectiveness during an office visit without sacrificing rapport with patients, according to researchers at the University of Washington (UW) and the University of Rochester.

Their guide to a smoother flow of communication between doctors and patients appears in the July 14, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Their model is based on the authors' observation: "Effective communication in primary care must include skills that enhance the quality of care while helping patients and physicians use time wisely… Making the best use of available time is important for visits of any duration."

A few of the lessons the researchers presented in the resulting article, "Relationship, Communication, and Efficiency in the Medical Encounter: Creating a Clinical Model from a Literature Review" include:

focus the purpose of the visit with the patient: Instead of addressing each issue as it surfaces, creating a list at the start enables the doctor to confirm which problem is most medically urgent or most important to the patient. This approach also reduces the "Oh, by the way" issues brought up at the end of the visit.
understand the patient's perspective: Exploring the patient's viewpoint is useful for promoting self-management, suggesting healthy changes, assessing motivation, learning the patient's family and cultural beliefs, understanding the social and psychological problems that are diminishing the patient's ability to function, or getting to the root of medically unexplained symptoms.
reach a mutual agreement on a plan: The physician and patient decide on approaches the patient is willing to follow to manage or prevent the health concerns explored during the visit.

Throughout the office visit, it's helpful for physicians to:

establish rapport and maintain the relationship: Some ways doctors do this are by eye contact, recognizing others in the room, or a brief warm greeting, such as, "Nice to see you." On the other hand, too much small talk steals away time from considering the patient's problems.
practice mindfully: This occurs when physicians pay close attention to their own beliefs and reduce distractions in order to observe their patients' response to what is being said and done, and adjust accordingly. For example, a doctor lecturing on excess weight might notice the patient withdrawing. The doctor stops and asks about the patient's views. A physician who doesn't continuously monitor the interaction or doesn't check in with the patient may cover areas of little interest to the patient, and miss significant issues.
track topics: Sometimes an interview veers off course, particularly when there are multiple topics and no clear agenda. Unless the conversation is redirected, it's likely that no clear decisions will be made on some problems before the end of the visit. Sharing an impression of what has and hasn't been covered and realigning by agreeing on what to talk about next can keep the discussion organized.
acknowledge cues: When a physician responds with empathy to a patient's cues, a patient may reveal beliefs and preferences that can shape a successful treatment plan. Also, once their concerns are taken into account, most patients don't keep restating them. This saves time.

Researcher Larry Mauksch said, "Visits with the doctor that contain these fundamental elements lead to greater patient satisfaction, better adherence to medical regimes, increased self-management, better health outcomes, lower costs, and fewer malpractice claims. These skills enable physicians to do it right the first time, so they don't have to do it over."

The researchers are Larry Mauksch, a UW behavioral scientist in family medicine who studies and teaches doctor/patient communications; David C. Dugdale, an internal medicine physician and director of the UW Hall Health Primary Care Center; Sherry Dodson, UW clinical medical librarian; and Ronald Epstein, professor of family medicine, psychiatry, and oncology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and its Center to Improve Communication and Health Care.

To read more about the project: http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=42811