Jeanette M. Trauth
University of Pittsburgh
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Featured researches published by Jeanette M. Trauth.
Journal of health and social policy | 2000
Jeanette M. Trauth; Donald Musa; Laura A. Siminoff; Ilene Katz Jewell; Edmund M. Ricci
Abstract The recruitment of adequate numbers of people to participate in medical research studies is an ongoing problem for biomedical researchers. Although the general public has come to expect and demand that the biomedical community develop new, safe and effective approaches to the prevention and treatment of diseases, that same public is not aware of the important role that public participation plays in the development of medical advances. Much is known about willingness to participate in research studies from the perspectives of patients, survivors, and those at-risk for getting a particular disease. However, little is known about the attitudes and willingness of the general public to participate in medical research. Yet, it is this population that comprises the potential pool of participants for future treatment and prevention studies. In order to examine public attitudes toward and support for medical research, a random digit dial telephone survey was conducted with 489 persons in southwestern Pennsylvania. The survey measured the respondents stated willingness to take part in a medical research study and the factors associated with willingness to participate. These included the respondents health status, demographic characteristics, attitudes and beliefs about participation and their knowledge about the conduct of medical research. The results of the study indicate that 46% of those surveyed said that they would be willing to take part in a medical research study focusing on a new treatment for a specific disease that was of concern to them, 25% stated that they would not be willing and 29% stated that they were undecided regarding participation. However, under certain circumstances, such as having cancer, over half of those who were undecided said they would be willing to participate. The characteristics of those willing to participate in a medical research study differ from those not willing. Determinants of willingness include: having a relative or friend who has an illness, being middle aged (between 35-64 years old), prior experience with participation in a medical research study, having a favorable attitude toward the use of human subjects in medical research and beliefs that diverse types of persons participate in clinical trials. Those respondents who were undecided about joining a clinical trial, also have different characteristics than those who are not willing. The determinants of being undecided in contrast to not willing include: having at least a college degree, having a favorable or neutral attitude toward the use of humans in medical research and, believing that the well-being of participants is the primary concern of researchers. The findings of this study have both public policy and practice implications. From a policy perspective, medical research designed to develop new treatments for disease requires an evidenced-based approach for decision making. Such an approach can only succeed if adequate numbers of individuals are willing to participate in these studies. From a practice perspective, the current study suggests that opportunities exist to increase participation by targeting recruitment efforts not only toward the willing but also toward those who are undecided about participation in medical research studies. This would involve tailoring the content of communications to meet the specific characteristics and concerns of each of these two groups of individuals.
Journal of General Internal Medicine | 2007
Mary Ann Sevick; Jeanette M. Trauth; Bruce S. Ling; Roger T. Anderson; Gretchen A. Piatt; Amy M. Kilbourne; Robert M. Goodman
A Complex Chronic Disease (CCD) is a condition involving multiple morbidities that requires the attention of multiple health care providers or facilities and possibly community (home)-based care. A patient with CCD presents to the health care system with unique needs, disabilities, or functional limitations. The literature on how to best support self-management efforts in those with CCD is lacking. With this paper, the authors present the case of an individual with diabetes and end-stage renal disease who is having difficulty with self-management. The case is discussed in terms of intervention effectiveness in the areas of prevention, addiction, and self-management of single diseases. Implications for research are discussed.
Medical Care | 2008
Bruce S. Ling; Jeanette M. Trauth; Michael J. Fine; Maria K. Mor; Abby L. Resnick; Clarence H. Braddock; Sylvia Bereknyei; Joel L. Weissfeld; Robert E. Schoen; Edmund M. Ricci; Jeff Whittle
Background:Current recommendations advise patients to participate in the decision-making for selecting a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening option. The degree to which providers communicate the information necessary to prepare patients for participation in this process is not known. Objective:To assess the level of informed decision-making occurring during actual patient-provider communications on CRC screening and test for the association between informed decision-making and screening behavior. Research Design:Observational study of audiotaped clinic visits between patients and their providers in the primary care clinic at a Veterans Administration Medical Center. Subjects:Male patients, age 50–74 years, presenting to a primary care visit at the study site. Measures:The Informed Decision-Making (IDM) Model was used to code the audiotapes for 9 elements of communication that should occur to prepare patients for participation in decision-making. The primary outcome is completion of CRC screening during the study period. Results:The analytic cohort consisted of 91 patients due for CRC screening who had a test ordered at the visit. Six of the 9 IDM elements occurred in ≤20% of the visits with none addressed in ≥50%. CRC screening occurred less frequently for those discussing “pros and cons” (12% vs. 46%, P = 0.01) and “patient preferences” (6% vs. 47%, P = 0.001) compared with those who did not. Conclusions:We found that a lack of informed decision-making occurred during CRC screening discussions and that particular elements of the process were negatively associated with screening. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of informed decision-making on screening behavior.
JAMA Internal Medicine | 2009
Bruce S. Ling; Robert E. Schoen; Jeanette M. Trauth; Abdus S. Wahed; Theresa Eury; Deborah M. Simak; Francis X. Solano; Joel L. Weissfeld
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer screening is underused. Our objective was to evaluate methods for promoting colorectal cancer screening in primary care practice. METHODS A 2 x 2 factorial randomized clinical trial measured the effects of a tailored vs nontailored physician recommendation letter and an enhanced vs nonenhanced physician office and patient management intervention on colorectal cancer screening adherence. The enhanced and nonenhanced physician office and patient management interventions varied the amount of external support to help physician offices develop and implement colorectal cancer screening programs. The study included 10 primary care physician office practices and 599 screen-eligible patients aged 50 to 79 years. The primary end point was medical-record-verified flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Statistical end-point analysis (according to randomization intent) used generalized estimating equations to account for correlated outcomes according to physician group. RESULTS During a 1-year period, endoscopy in the lower gastrointestinal tract (lower endoscopy) occurred in 289 of 599 patients (48.2%). This finding included the following rates of lower endoscopy: 81 of 152 patients (53.3%) in the group that received the tailored letter and enhanced management; 103 of 190 (54.2%) in the group that received the nontailored letter and enhanced management; 58 of 133 (43.6%) in the group that received the tailored letter and nonenhanced management; and 47 of 124 (37.9%) in the group that received the nontailored letter and nonenhanced management. Enhanced office and patient management increased the odds of completing a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy by 1.63-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.41; P = .01). However, the tailored letter increased the odds of completion by only 1.08-fold (95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.62; P = .71). CONCLUSIONS Approximately one-half of the screen-eligible primary medical care patients aged 50 to 79 years obtained lower endoscopic colorectal cancer screening within 1 year of recommendation. An enhanced office and patient management system significantly improved colorectal cancer screening adherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00327457.
Family & Community Health | 2001
Jan C. Jernigan; Jeanette M. Trauth; Derietra Neal-Ferguson; Catherine Cartier-Ulrich
Cancer incidence and mortality rates are highest among African Americans. A series of focus groups were conducted with older African American men and women to identify and examine psychosocial factors that influence screening behavior. Facilitators and barriers to screening as well as other factors that impact screening behaviors were explored. Study results indicate that African American men and women perceive screening in different ways. While there were similarities in the perceptions and facilitators to cancer screening, distinct gender differences were identified in the barriers and specific factors that influence cancer screening.
Health Education & Behavior | 2003
Jeanette M. Trauth; Bruce S. Ling; Joel L. Weissfeld; Robert E. Schoen; Mutlu Hayran
This study sought to describe the colorectal cancer (CRC)-screening behavior of a population of two lower income communities near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The transtheoretical model was used to characterize individuals according to their stage of readiness to engage in one of two recommended CRC screening tests—the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (FSG) test. A telephone survey was conducted of 50- to 79-year-old men and women in Aliquippa and Clairton in the spring of 1999. Analyses based on 414 survey respondents showed associations between FOBT or FSG behavioral stage and factors including gender, age, recent doctor checkup, chronic need for prescription medications, history of cervical Pap smear testing, history of prostate-specific antigen blood testing, and prior doctor recommendation in favor of FOBT or FSG testing. This study appears to be one of the first applications of this theory to understanding CRC screening behavior in a community intervention.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology | 2002
Robert E. Schoen; Joel L. Weissfeld; Jeanette M. Trauth; Bruce S. Ling; Mutlu Hayran
OBJECTIVE:Colorectal cancer screening is underutilized. Total colon examination (TCE), such as with colonoscopy, can have a significant effect on the measured compliance with screening, as colonoscopy may be able to be performed as infrequently as once every 10 yr. In a population-based survey we determined the prevalence and validated the self-reporting of TCE and assessed its impact on compliance with screening.METHODS:We interviewed an age- and sex-stratified random sample of 50- to 79-yr-old residents in two communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Subjects reported ever having had and duration since last use of fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS), rigid proctoscopy, barium enema, and colonoscopy. Self-reports of colorectal testing were validated via retrieval of procedure reports.RESULTS:Out of 1223 individuals sampled, 496 completed a telephone interview (40.6% overall and 58.3% of eligible contacts). In those without personal or family histories of colorectal cancer or personal histories of polyps (n = 377), 50%, 19.6%, 39.8%, and 17.5% reported ever having had FOBT, FS, barium enema, and colonoscopy, respectively. Thirty-one percent reported having FOBT within the previous year or FS within the previous 5 yr. Including TCE within the previous 5 yr increased the measured compliance to 39.7%. Compliance was significantly greater among subjects with family histories of colorectal cancer (62.9% vs 39.7%, odds ratio = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.3–5.2). Self-reports of recent colonoscopy were verified in 29 of 35 instances (83%).CONCLUSION:The prevalence of TCE in this population was significant, and including TCE substantially increased measured compliance with colorectal cancer screening. Self-reported use of colonoscopy was validated as accurate.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | 2005
Jeanette M. Trauth; Jan C. Jernigan; Laura A. Siminoff; Donald Musa; Derietra Neal-Ferguson; Joel L. Weissfeld
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to describe the factors associated with the decisions of older African American women to join the PLCO (Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian) Cancer Screening Trial when recruited. METHODS African American women between ages 55 and 74 years who were never diagnosed with a PLCO cancer were eligible for our study. Two methods of recruitment were used. First, mailings were sent to a random sample of women describing the PLCO followed by a telephone call to determine interest in the PLCO. If women were not interested in PLCO but consented to participate in our study, they were interviewed immediately. Second, we followed up with African American women who responded to mass mailings sent out before the start of our study by the Pittsburgh PLCO office. Women completed an interview about their cancer and clinical trial knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. The responses of women who joined the PLCO Trial are contrasted with the responses of women who did not join. RESULTS Numerous factors were associated with the decision of older African American women to join the PLCO, including perceptions of cancer prevention and detection, the experience of having a loved one with cancer, knowledge of and experience with clinical trials, and beliefs regarding the benefits and risks of clinical trial participation. CONCLUSION Minority recruitment to cancer clinical trials could be increased by designing interventions focused on individual, organizational, and community needs.
Health Education & Behavior | 2015
Patricia I. Documet; Todd M. Bear; Jason D. Flatt; Laura Macia; Jeanette M. Trauth; Edmund M. Ricci
Background. Disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening by socioeconomic status persist in the United States. It has been suggested that social support may facilitate screening, especially among women of low socioeconomic status. However, at present, it is unclear whether social support enables mammogram and Pap test compliance. Purpose. This study examines the association between social support and compliance with mammogram and Pap test screening guidelines, and whether social support provides added value for women of low education. Method. Data were from a countywide 2009-2010 population-based survey, which included records of 2,588 women 40 years and older (mammogram) and 2,123 women 21 to 65 years old (Pap test). Compliance was determined using the guidelines in effect at the time of data collection. Results. Social support was significantly related to mammogram (adjusted odds ratio = 1.43; 95% confidence interval [1.16, 1.77]) and Pap test (adjusted odds ratio = 1.71; 95% confidence interval [1.27, 2.29]) compliance after controlling for age, race, having a regular health care provider, and insurance status. The interaction between social support and education had a significant effect on Pap test compliance only among women younger than 40; the effect was not significant for mammogram compliance. Conclusion. Social support is associated with breast and cervical cancer screening compliance. The association between education and cancer screening behavior may be moderated by social support; however, results hold only for Pap tests among younger women. Practitioners and researchers should focus on interventions that activate social support networks as they may help increase both breast and cervical cancer screening compliance among women with low educational attainment.
ASIS&T '10 Proceedings of the 73rd ASIS&T Annual Meeting on Navigating Streams in an Information Ecosystem - Volume 47 | 2010
Barbara L. Folb; Ellen G. Detlefsen; Sandra Crouse Quinn; Gerald Barron; Jeanette M. Trauth
OBJECTIVE: This article summarizes the results of a descriptive qualitative study addressing the question, what are the information practices of the various professionals involved in disaster preparedness? We present key results, but focus on issues of choice and adaptation of models and theories for the study. METHODS: Primary and secondary literature on theory and models of information behavior were consulted. Taylors Information Use Environments (IUE) model, Institutional Theory, and Dervins Sense-Making metatheory were used in the design of an open-ended interview schedule. Twelve individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with disaster professionals drawn from the Pennsylvania Preparedness Leadership Institute (PPLI) scholars. Taylors Information Use Environments (IUE) model served as a preliminary coding framework for the transcribed interviews. RESULTS: Disaster professionals varied in their use of libraries, peer-reviewed literature, and information management techniques, but many practices were similar across professions, including heavy Internet and email use, satisficing, and preference for sources that are socially and physically accessible. CONCLUSIONS: The IUE model provided an excellent foundation for the coding scheme, but required modification to place the workplace in the larger social context of the current information society. It is not possible to confidently attribute all work-related information practices to professional culture. Differences in information practice observed may arise from professional training and organizational environment, while many similarities observed seem to arise from everyday information practices common to non-work settings.