Cognitive decline in mid-life: Changes in memory and cognition related to hypothyroidism.

This study assessed specific cognitive impairments within a primarily female, hypothyroid population, while controlling for factors that commonly contribute to cognitive decline. Participants ( = 739) included 461 individuals with hypothyroidism. This study involved an online survey assessing several aspects of memory and cognition.

Using the Biopsychosocial Approach to Identify Factors Associated with Major Depressive Disorder for Individuals with Hypothyroidism.

Previous research has found that major depressive disorder (MDD) commonly occurs in hypothyroid populations. The purpose of this study was to use the biopsychosocial model to investigate factors associated with MDD and hypothyroidism by comparing hypothyroid patients with MDD and without MDD. A sample of 386 participants with hypothyroidism completed both cognitive and psychosocial self-reported assessments along with a questionnaire rating the severity of common hypothyroid symptoms.

Psychosocial Factors Related to Functional Restoration Treatment Completion and Return-to-Function for Patients With Chronic Disabling Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify demographic and psychosocial variables associated with successful completion of a functional restoration program and return-to-function within 3 months of treatment completion.

Methods: Three hundred seven patients admitted to the functional restoration program were evaluated for completion status and 200 patients with valid data were assessed for 3-month return-to-function status following completion. Psychosocial and functional status was assessed at baseline.

Communication about patient pain in primary care: development of the Physician-Patient Communication about Pain scale (PCAP).

Objective: This paper describes the development of the 47-item Physician-Patient Communication about Pain (PCAP) scale for use with audiotaped medical visit interactions.

Methods: Patient pain was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 Bodily Pain Scale. Four raters assessed 181 audiotaped patient interactions with 68 physicians.

Serious psychological distress and diabetes care among California adults.

Objective: To evaluate three aspects of diabetes care (foot checks, eye examinations, and hemoglobin A 1 C checks by a physician) among California adults with Type 2 diabetes and serious psychological distress (SPD).

Method: Data were from the population-based 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Estimates were that in 2005, 1,516,171 Californians (5.

Development and validation of the Physician-Patient Humor Rating Scale.

The purpose of this study was the development of a rating instrument to assess the use of humor in physician- patient interactions, and to compare humor use as a function of patients' socioeconomic status. The 46-item Physician-Patient Humor Rating Scale (PPHRS) was used to rate 246 audiotaped primary care interactions. Four subscales were reliable and valid, demonstrating correlations with patient satisfaction and reports of physician humor, with physician satisfaction and with separate affective communication ratings.

Physician communication and patient adherence to treatment: a meta-analysis.

Background: Numerous empirical studies from various populations and settings link patient treatment adherence to physician-patient communication. Meta-analysis allows estimates of the overall effects both in correlational research and in experimental interventions involving the training of physicians' communication skills.

Objectives: Calculation and analysis of "r effect sizes" and moderators of the relationship between physician's communication and patient adherence, and the effects of communication training on adherence to treatment regimens for varying medical conditions.