A mixed-method approach to evaluate a pharmacist intervention for veterans with hypertension.

This paper examines blood pressure (BP) control after 6 months of an intensive pharmacist-managed intervention in a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial conducted at the Iowa City Veteran Affairs Health Care System and two community-based outreach clinics. Patients received the pharmacist intervention for the first 6 months. The study coordinator conducted a summative evaluation with 37 patients 18 to 24 months following the initial 6-month intervention period.

Staff acceptance of a telemedicine intensive care unit program: a qualitative study.

Purpose: We conducted an evaluation to identify factors related to intensive care unit (ICU) staff acceptance of a telemedicine ICU (Tele-ICU) program in preimplementation and postimplementation phases.

Methods: Individual or group semistructured interviews and site observations were conducted with staff from the Veterans Affairs Midwest Health Care Network Tele-ICU and affiliated ICUs. A qualitative content analysis of preimplementation and postimplementation transcripts and field notes was undertaken to identify themes positively and negatively influencing Tele-ICU acceptance.

Tobacco use and exposure in rural areas: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Evidence suggests that those residing in rural areas may be disproportionately affected by the health burden of tobacco use. The present study examined tobacco use, self-reported exposure to tobacco smoke, and policies regarding public smoking according to area of residence using data from the 2006 and 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Results indicated that, relative to those from suburban and urban locations, adults residing in rural areas were significantly more likely to smoke cigarettes (22.

Patient preference for and reports of provider behavior: impact of symmetry on patient outcomes.

Objective: Research has suggested that congruence between patient characteristics and contextual characteristics is a more robust predictor of outcomes than either patient or context characteristics alone. The goal of the present study was to examine the degree of congruence between patient preferences for the clinical encounter and reports of analogous dimensions of provider behavior and the effects of this congruence on patient outcomes.

Design: Two hundred eighteen patients with diabetes (predominately Type II) completed measures of preference for and ratings of perceived provider behavior in three domains (1) information sharing, (2) behavioral involvement, and (3) socioemotional support.

Geographical clustering of eating disordered behaviors in U.S. high school students.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if eating disorder behaviors geographically clustered among U.S high school students.

Method: Our sample consisted of 15,349 high school students who responded to the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Study (YRBS).