Krista Trinder

The Longitudinal Elderly Person Shadowing Program: Outcomes From an Interprofessional Senior Partner Mentoring Program

The University of Saskatchewans Longitudinal Elderly Person Shadowing (LEPS) is an interprofessional senior mentors program (SMP) where teams of undergraduate students in their first year of medicine, pharmacy, and physiotherapy; 2nd year of nutrition; 3rd year nursing; and 4th year social work partner with community-dwelling older adults. Existing literature on SMPs provides little information on the sustainability of attitudinal changes toward older adults or changes in interprofessional attitudes. LEPS students completed Polizzis Aging Semantic Differential and the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale. Perceptions of older men and women improved significantly and changes were sustained after one year. However, few changes were seen in interprofessional attitudes.

Evidence for the Validity of Grouped Self-Assessments in Measuring the Outcomes of Educational Programs

There is compelling empirical evidence in support of the use of grouped self-assessment data to measure program outcomes. However, other credible research has clearly shown that self-assessments are poor predictors of individual achievement such that the validity of self-assessments has been called into question. Based on the reanalysis of two previously published studies and an analysis of two original studies, we show that grouped self-assessments may be good predictors of and hence valid measures of performance at the group level, an outcome commonly used in program evaluation studies. We found statistically significant correlation coefficients (between 0.56 and 0.87), when comparing across performance items using the group means of self-assessments with the group means of individual achievement on criterion tests. We call for further research into the conditions and circumstances in which grouped self-assessments are used, so that they can be employed more effectively and confidently by program evaluators, decision makers, and researchers.

Urban/rural and gender differences among Canadian emerging adults

Although cultural and subcultural differences during the transition to adulthood have been examined, important factors like rural/urban upbringing and gender differences among Canadian emerging adults have been neglected. The present study explored developmentally significant tasks including criteria for adulthood, beliefs about religiosity, and risk-taking behaviors among 287 male and female Canadian emerging adults from rural and urban backgrounds. Results revealed that compared to their urban counterparts, rural emerging adults were more likely to place importance on role and biological transitions as criteria for achieving adulthood, and engaged in more risk-taking behaviors (excluding smoking). Female emerging adults were more likely to believe in the importance of role transition, norm compliance, and family capacities compared to males, and were more likely to smoke. In contrast, males were more likely than females to espouse the importance of biological transitions and engage in non-smoking risk behaviors. These findings were interpreted in light of sociocultural and gender socialization differences among emerging adults from rural and urban upbringings.

Type 2 Diabetes in Canadian Aboriginal Adolescents: Risk Factors and Prevalence

Purpose To identify the risk factors and prevalence rates of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes among northern Canadian Aboriginal adolescents. Design and Methods In this novel exploratory, quantitative study, 160 high school students (aged 13–21) from three northern, predominantly Canadian Aboriginal communities were screened for risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes including demographic data, family medical history, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Descriptive and inferential statistics, in addition to chi‐square analysis, were used to establish risk and prevalence rates for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in Aboriginal adolescents. Results At least half of the adolescents presented with multiple risk factors for type 2 diabetes. In this sample, 10% had an HbA1c > 5.7%, 22.5% were overweight, 17.5% were obese, and 26.6% had prehypertension or hypertension. Conclusions Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are emerging as serious health concerns for young Aboriginal Canadians. This is troubling because both result from modifiable risk factors. As this study is the first to examine the prevalence of prediabetes in Canadian Aboriginal adolescents in the last decade, the findings underscore the necessity for early screening of Aboriginal adolescents for both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Practice Implications Recommendations toward positive health outcomes include the introduction of early age screening programs, followed by culturally relevant interventions, specific to the modifiable risk factors (overweight/obesity and hypertension), and developed in collaboration with the communities. Such approaches have the potential to prevent the progression of prediabetes to diabetes and reduce complications related to type 2 diabetes. HighlightsAdolescents (N= 160) living in northern Aboriginal communities were screened for risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetesAt least half of those screened presented with multiple risk factorsOf those screened, 10% were pre‐diabetic, 27% were prehypertensive or hypertensive, and 41% were overweight or obese

Predictors of Physical Activity in Positive Deviant Adolescents

UNLABELLED The purpose of this analysis was to examine the predictors of PA in positive deviant adolescents in comparison to average or underachieving adolescents on the same criterion. DESIGN AND METHODS A survey of Canadian adolescents aged 13-20 (N=603), based on a multidimensional wellness model and an ecological model, provided the data for a multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of PA in positive deviant adolescents defined as having higher than average levels of PA. RESULTS Significant predictors of PA for positive deviant girls were recreational time, an increased sense of wellness, age, and family support (explaining 47.7% of variance for girls). Within the positive deviant group, older girls were less active than younger girls. For positive deviant boys, use of recreational time was the only significant predictor of PA (explaining 5.9% of the variance). CONCLUSIONS Wellness as a significant predictor of PA in positive deviant adolescent girls is a new and unique finding. The measurement of wellness in this study was a composite score of the physical, social, and psychological developmental dimensions of adolescent lives. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Pediatric nurses may wish to consider a multidimensional wellness approach, family support, and recreation time as major foci of PA interventions in adolescents.

A Multidimensional Investigation Into the Predictors of Physical Activity in Canadian Adolescents

Background: The percentage of overweight and obese Canadian children and youth is dramatically increasing. Approaches to reducing obesity in adolescents should include the promotion of physical activity (PA) because a continued physically active lifestyle into adulthood may lower rates of chronic diseases associated with unhealthy body weight. Purpose: The current study expands on existing assessments of PA to include predictors based in a multidimensional adolescent wellness and ecological model. Method: Canadian adolescents (N = 603) were surveyed and the resulting data analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Findings: Overall, 57.5 and 52.9% of the unique variance in PA for females and males, respectively, were explained by the predictors. Significant predictors for females included age, recreational time, family, leadership, and social comparison (cognitive development) skills. For males, equipment at home was also associated with increased PA. Conclusions: The finding that social comparison and leadership skills are significant predictors of PA in adolescents is new. Nurses should consider a holistic approach to promoting PA whereby these developmental dimensions are included in assessment and prioritized in providing nursing care. Additionally, individualized PA intervention strategies can then be tailored to this unique population.

University of Saskatchewan Radiology Courseware (USRC): An Assessment of Its Utility for Teaching Diagnostic Imaging in the Medical School Curriculum

Problem: We have found it very challenging to integrate images from our radiology digital imaging repository into the curriculum of our local medical school. Thus, it has been difficult to convey important knowledge related to viewing and interpreting diagnostic radiology images. We sought to determine if we could create a solution for this problem and evaluate whether students exposed to this solution were able to learn imaging concepts pertinent to medical practice. Intervention: We developed University of Saskatchewan Radiology Courseware (USRC), a novel interactive web application that enables preclinical medical students to acquire image interpretation skills fundamental to clinical practice. This web application reformats content stored in Medical Imaging Resource Center teaching cases for BlackBoard Learn™, a popular learning management system. We have deployed this solution for 2 successive years in a 1st-year basic sciences medical school course at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. The “courseware” content covers both normal anatomy and common clinical pathologies in five distinct modules. We created two cohorts of learners consisting of an intervention cohort of students who had used USRC for their 1st academic year, whereas the nonintervention cohort was students who had not been exposed to this learning opportunity. Context: To assess the learning experience of the users we designed an online questionnaire and image review quiz delivered to both of the student groups. Outcome: Comparisons between the groups revealed statistically significant differences in both confidence with image interpretation and the ability to answer knowledge-based questions. Students were satisfied with the overall usability, functions, and capabilities of USRC. Lessons Learned: USRC is an innovative technology that provides integration between Medical Imaging Resource Center, a teaching solution used in radiology, and a Learning Management System.

Engaging Students with Clickers in a Distributed Environment — Lessons Learned

This study explored the effectiveness of using clickers in remote locations and investigated the impact of using clickers on the teaching and learning techniques that must be employed within a distributed multi-classroom setting. Participants (N=24) synchronously participated in a clicker incorporated seminar either face-to-face, remotely in a group or in remote individual offices. Post-seminar surveys, interviews, and focus groups were conducted to examine student, instructor, and information technology (IT) perspectives. Students perceived clickers to be easy to use and reported that clickers helped them feel more engaged. The instructor reported that preparation time was increased due to the use of clickers, and that her awareness of remote students increased delivery time. IT personnel indicated that using clickers was feasible and estimated that it would take more time initially, but having dedicated technical support would decrease the ongoing time involved. Clickers can serve as a tool for engaging students in remote sites. Although clickers are easy to use by students, the effective use of this technology in remote educational settings is more complex and time-consuming. It is vital to remember that the technology utilized is only a tool, and that learning that occurs and learners should be in the forefront.

Affective Responses to Gay Men Using Facial Electromyography: Is There a Psychophysiological “Look” of Anti-Gay Bias

ABSTRACT Despite a wealth of attitudinal studies that elucidate the psychological correlates of anti-gay bias, studies that provide evidence of the physiological correlates of anti-gay bias remain relatively scarce. The present study addresses the under-representation of physiological research in the area of homonegativity by examining psychophysiological markers, namely the affective manifestations of anti-gay prejudice, and their correspondence with anti-gay behavior. Facial electromyography (EMG) was the technique used to acquire the psychophysiological markers via recordings from two facial muscle sites. Whether heterosexual men’s implicit affective reactions to gay male couples best predicted their overt and covert discriminatory behavior toward a presumed gay male confederate was determined. The strength of the implicit affective reactions to predict anti-gay discrimination was then tested against the strength of participants’ implicit cognitive reactions acquired via the Implicit Association Test (IAT). Results indicated that the affective reactions recorded via facial EMG emerged as the strongest predictor of discrimination toward gay men compared to the cognitive reactions recorded using the IAT. Findings support the contention that emotional reactions to gay men using implicit techniques such as facial EMG are potentially valuable pathways toward understanding the nature and sequelae of anti-gay behavior.

Nurse-led diabetic retinopathy screening: a pilot study to evaluate a new approach to vision care for Canadian Aboriginal peoples

ABSTRACT Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of new cases of blindness and is pandemic among Aboriginal people around the world. To reduce health inequities, accessible vision screening among these high-risk populations is essential. To assess cardio-metabolic co-morbidities associated with type 2 diabetes and the use of a portable fundus camera as a novel approach for convenient, earlier and more accessible vision screening for Aboriginal peoples living with type 2 diabetes in northern and remote Canadian communities. This quantitative pilot study screened participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for commonly associated cardio-metabolic co-morbidities using anthropometrical measurements, blood pressure and a A1c (HbA1c) blood glucose test, followed by vision exams conducted first by a trained nurse and then by an ophthalmologist to screen for signs of retinopathy using fundus photography. Large numbers of the participants presented with overweight/obese (84.8%), pre-hypertension/hypertension (69.7%) and an elevated A1C (78.8%). Inter-rater reliability demonstrated substantial agreement between vision exam judgements made by the nurse and ophthalmologist (k = .67). Nurse-led vision screening in remote or northern communities can improve the standard of care by extending access to health services, lowering the costs to families by reducing travel expenses and preventing vision loss in a family member.