A comparison of the Indian Health Service counseling technique with traditional, lecture-style counseling.

Objectives: To compare the immediate postcounseling retention of important information using the traditional method with retention obtained using the Indian Health Service (IHS) interactive technique, and to compare the time required to counsel patients on new prescriptions using the traditional method with the time required using the IHS technique.

Design: A prospective, nonrandomized, observational study at four different local community pharmacies in Oregon. Two sites that used the traditional counseling model served as the control sites, while two other sites used the IHS counseling model.

Longitudinal changes in strength of police officers with gender comparisons.

Strength is a critical factor in the health and job performance of police officers. Using a retrospective longitudinal design, the purpose of this study was to identify differences in strength scores from initial recruitment to in-service tests and to compare gender differences. Strength changes were also compared in low- to high-strength groups.

Physical activity, weight gain and occupational health among call centre employees.

Background: A need exists to address ergonomic, weight gain and obesity risks in sedentary occupations.

Aim: To determine relationships between body mass index (BMI), weight gain, ergonomic and exercise variables in sedentary workers.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered regarding body weight, height, weight gained since employment, body part discomfort, shift fatigue, time to achieve job adaptation, physical activity, fitness centre membership, previous employment type and previous injury.

Physical fitness, absenteeism and workers' compensation in smoking and non-smoking police officers.

Background: Employers seek to minimize business costs by creating conditions of employment. Relying on the presumably negative effects of smoking on variables such as workers' compensation claims, absenteeism and physical fitness scores, they seek a rational basis for requirements that employees refrain from smoking. No research has been found on police officer smoking rates relating to physical fitness, and the resulting economic variables of workers' compensation claims and absenteeism rates.