Setting standards for severity of common symptoms in oncology using the PROMIS item banks and expert judgment.

Background: Although the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) has increased markedly, clinical interpretation of scores remains lacking. We developed a method to identify clinical severity thresholds for pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety in people with cancer.

Methods: Using available Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) item bank response data collected on 840 cancer patients, symptom vignettes across a range of symptom severity were developed and placed on index cards.

Psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner perceptions of frequency and importance of performance domain scales.

Objective: The primary purpose of this article is to test if reliable performance domain scales can be developed for psychiatric rehabilitation practitioners (PRPs).

Methods: An online survey was filled out by 1,639 PRPs who provided demographic and frequency-based and importance-based performance domain data. There were 70 items each for the frequency and importance performance domains.

Exploring relationships to three types of occupation perceptions: forced to stay in occupation, voluntary occupation withdrawal intent, and involuntary occupation withdrawal.

This study explored the relationships of demographic, work perception, work attitude, and limited occupation alternative variables to three distinct types of occupation perceptions: forced to stay in occupation (FTSO), voluntary occupation withdrawal intent (VOWI), and involuntary occupation withdrawal (IOW). An online sample of massage therapists and bodywork practitioners constituted the study sample. Hierarchical regression analyses for each occupation perception utilized slightly different sample sizes (i.

Testing for time-based correlates of perceived gender discrimination.

Using a sample of 201 medical technologists (MTs) over a five-year period, this study extends initial findings on perceived gender discrimination (PGD) by Blau and Tatum (2000) by applying organizational justice variables and internal-external locus of control as hypothesized correlates of PGD. Three types of organizational justice were measured: distributive, procedural, and interactional. General relationships found include locus of control being related to PGD such that internals perceived lower PGD.

A correlates of peer, supervisor, and patient communication effectiveness satisfaction.

Using a sample of 200 medical technologists over a 4-year period, this study investigated whether peer, supervisor, and patient communication satisfaction facets were related but distinct referents. Confirmatory factor analyses on the medical technologist sample and a second independent sample of 85 medical/health professionals supported the distinctiveness of these three referents. Correlational differences between communication satisfaction referents were found.

Comparing correlates for different types of absence versus lateness behaviors.

Using self-report measures of lateness and absence on pilot and main study samples, this study applied Dalton and Mesch's (1991) measurement approach to successfully "dissect" avoidable absence and avoidable lateness behaviors. Avoidable absence behavior was calculated by subtracting unavoidable absence from total absence, and avoidable lateness behavior was calculated by subtracting unavoidable lateness from total lateness. Record-based absence and lateness data, as well as test-retest self-reported absence and lateness data, collected on a subsample of pilot respondents, supported the validity and reliability of this approach.

Job loss, human capital job feature, and work condition job feature as distinct job insecurity constructs.

The projected growth of new technologies, increasing use of automation, and continued consolidation of health-related services suggest that continued study of job insecurity is needed for health care professionals. Using a sample of 178 medical technologists over a 5-year period, this study's findings extend earlier work by Blau and Sharp (2000) and suggest that job loss insecurity, human capital job feature insecurity, and work condition job feature insecurity are related but distinct types of job insecurity. A seven-item measure of job loss insecurity, a four-item measure of human capital job feature insecurity, and a four-item measure of work condition job feature insecurity were analyzed.

Correlates of work exhaustion for medical technologists.

In a sample of 196 medical technologists followed over a 4-year period, this study investigated if work-related demand and resource variables were related to subsequent work exhaustion. As hypothesized, increased levels of perceived work interference with family and task load and lower organizational support were related to higher subsequent work exhaustion. Distributive justice, as an intervening variable, had direct and partially mediating effects on work exhaustion.

The learning and application of generic skills by CLSs/MTs who have 'left the field'.

Objective: To determine whether generic skills that dinical laboratory scientists (CLSs)/medical technologists (MTs) learned as students and/or practitioners are applied to jobs outside the field of CLS/MT; and to determine if there are any significant differences in learning and/or doing these skills by CLS/MT majors vs. non-CLS/MT majors.

Design: An Occupational Change Survey was sent to CLS/MT practitioners who had identified themselves as having left the field (LTF) of CLS/MT.

Correlates of fundamental skills versus complex skills for medical technologists.

This 4-year study examined 165 medical technologists generally in the achievement phase of their careers. After distinguishing between two types of skills, fundamental and complex, different antecedents for each type of skill were found. Prior professional commitment was related positively to fundamental skills, whereas professional withdrawal intent was related negatively.