Quality

Quality PDF Author: Ivan Barofsky
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441998195
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 508

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Book Description
Quality, as exemplified by Quality-of-life (QoL) assessment, is frequently discussed among health care professionals and often invoked as a goal for improvement, but somehow rarely defined, even as it is regularly assessed. It is understood that some medical patients have a better QoL than others, but should the QoL achieved be compared to an ideal state, or is it too personal and subjective to gauge? Can a better understanding of the concept help health care systems deliver services more effectively? Is QoL worth measuring at all? Integrating concepts from psychology, philosophy, neurocognition, and linguistics, this book attempts to answer these complex questions. It also breaks down the cognitive-linguistic components that comprise the judgment of quality, including description, evaluation, and valuations, and applies them to issues specific to individuals with chronic medical illness. In this context, quality/QoL assessment becomes an essential contributor to ethical practice, a critical step towards improving the nature of social interactions. The author considers linear, non-linear, and complexity-based models in analyzing key methodology and content issues in health-related QoL assessment. This book is certain to stimulate debate in the research and scientific communities. Its forward-looking perspective takes great strides toward promoting a common cognitive-linguistic model of how the judgment of quality occurs, thereby contributing important conceptual and empirical tools to its varied applications, including QoL assessment.

Perceived Cognitive Function

Perceived Cognitive Function PDF Author: Diane Von Ah
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Introduction: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) who represent approximately 3.2 million survivorsu2019 world-wide, often report ongoing symptoms, including perceived cognitive impairment. However, the long-term effects of perceived cognitive function on work-related outcomes in BCS is not well known. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived cognitive function including perceived cognitive impairment (PCI) and perceived cognitive ability (PCA) and work ability, work performance, work productivity, and intent to leave employment BCS. Methods: Employed BCS completed one-time questionnaires assessing PCI and PCA and work-related outcomes including, work ability, work performance, work productivity and intent to turnover. Descriptive statistics and separate regression models were used to analyze the data. Results: Participants were 68 employed female BCS who were on average 52 (SD=8.6) years old and 5 (SD=3.8) years post-treatment with majority working full time. PCI was associated with poorer work ability (B=-0.658), work performance (time-B=0.647; physical-B=-0.414, and mental-B=0.689) and work productivity (B=0.731), but not intent to leave work. PCA was related to higher levels of work ability (B=0.472), work performance (time-B=-0.462 and mental-B=-0.453) and work productivity (u03b2=-0.494), but not physical demands or intent to turnover. Conclusions: Employed BCS with negative perceptions of cognitive function reported poorer work outcomes with the exception of the intent to leave employment. In contrast, positive views of oneu2019s cognitive abilities were related to improved ratings of work outcomes again with the exception of intent to leave employment. Healthcare providers need to assess and address perceived cognitive functioning.to promote work-related outcomes in BCS.

Quality

Quality PDF Author: Ivan Barofsky
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441998195
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 508

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Book Description
Quality, as exemplified by Quality-of-life (QoL) assessment, is frequently discussed among health care professionals and often invoked as a goal for improvement, but somehow rarely defined, even as it is regularly assessed. It is understood that some medical patients have a better QoL than others, but should the QoL achieved be compared to an ideal state, or is it too personal and subjective to gauge? Can a better understanding of the concept help health care systems deliver services more effectively? Is QoL worth measuring at all? Integrating concepts from psychology, philosophy, neurocognition, and linguistics, this book attempts to answer these complex questions. It also breaks down the cognitive-linguistic components that comprise the judgment of quality, including description, evaluation, and valuations, and applies them to issues specific to individuals with chronic medical illness. In this context, quality/QoL assessment becomes an essential contributor to ethical practice, a critical step towards improving the nature of social interactions. The author considers linear, non-linear, and complexity-based models in analyzing key methodology and content issues in health-related QoL assessment. This book is certain to stimulate debate in the research and scientific communities. Its forward-looking perspective takes great strides toward promoting a common cognitive-linguistic model of how the judgment of quality occurs, thereby contributing important conceptual and empirical tools to its varied applications, including QoL assessment.

Cognition and Cancer

Cognition and Cancer PDF Author: Christina A. Meyers
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781107411814
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book is a unique resource on the influence cancer and cancer treatments have on cognition. The majority of cancer patients on active treatment experience cognitive impairments often referred to as 'chemobrain' or 'chemofog'. In addition, patients with primary or metastatic tumors of the brain often experience direct neurologic symptoms. This book helps health care professionals working with cancer patients who experience cognitive changes and provides practical information to help improve care by reviewing and describing brain-behavior relationships; research-based evidence on cognitive changes that occur with various cancers and cancer treatments; assessment techniques, including neurocognitive assessment and neuroimaging techniques; and intervention strategies for affected patients. In short, it will explain how to identify, assess and treat these conditions.

Perception and Cognition: Interactions in the Aging Brain

Perception and Cognition: Interactions in the Aging Brain PDF Author: Harriet A. Allen
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889199371
Category : Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
Healthy ageing can lead to declines in both perceptual and cognitive functions. Impaired perception, such as that resulting from hearing loss or reduced visual or tactile resolution, increases demands on ‘higher-level’ cognitive functions to cope or compensate. It is possible, for example, to use focused attention to overcome perceptual limitations. Unfortunately, cognitive functions also decline in old age. This can mean that perceptual impairments are exacerbated by cognitive decline, and vice versa, but also means that interventions aimed at one type of decline can lead to improvements in the other. Just as improved cognition can ameliorate perceptual deficits, improving the stimulus can help offset cognitive deficits. For example, making directions and routes easy to follow can help compensate for declines in navigation abilities. In this Topic, we bring together papers from both auditory and visual researchers that address the interaction between perception and cognition in the ageing brain. Many of the studies demonstrate that a broadening of representations or increased reliance on gist underlie perceptual and cognitive age-related declines. There is also clear evidence that impaired perception is associated with poor cognition although, encouragingly, it can also be seen that good perception is associated with better cognition. Compensatory cognitive strategies were less successful in improving perception than might be expected. We also present papers which highlight important methodological considerations that are required when studying the older brain.

Discovering the Brain

Discovering the Brain PDF Author: National Academy of Sciences
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309045290
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."

The Relationship Between Subjective Health Status and Cognitive Functioning

The Relationship Between Subjective Health Status and Cognitive Functioning PDF Author: McCarey Bast
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Self-examination, Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"Research has shown that there are frequent discrepancies between an individual's perceived health status (i.e., an individual viewing themselves as "healthy" or "unhealthy") and their objective health status. These studies have primarily found differences between objectively healthy and unhealthy participants. Specifically, they have found that participants who are objectively unhealthy have more objective and subjective deficits in overall cognitive functioning, memory, executive functioning, processing speed, and motor coordination in comparison to objectively healthy participants. Researchers have begun to look at the relationship between perceived health status and cognitive function and have found similar results. Existing literature has found that patients who view themselves as subjectively "unhealthy" frequently have cognitive deficits in a wide variety of domains. Existing literature has constraints regarding how generalizable the findings are due to primarily being on older adults and only including specific diagnoses (i.e., diabetes, HIV, hypertension). To address gaps in existing literature, the current study utilized a wide range of participants ranging from 7-82 years old that did not have specific diagnoses. Furthermore, few studies have examined relationships between subjective health status and objective measures of cognitive function. The current study addressed this gap by utilizing objective tests to measure cognitive functioning. This study examined relationships between perceived health status and overall cognitive functioning as well as perceived health status and memory, executive function, processing speed, and motor coordination utilizing preexisting data from the web-based brain performance measure tool, RC21X. To evaluate differences between subjective health status and RC21X composite scores that measure overall cognitive functioning, I ran an independent-samples t-test and found a significant difference. Additionally, to evaluate relationships between subjective health status and memory, executive functioning, motor coordination, and processing speed, I ran four multivariate analyses of variance and found significant differences for all variables. Overall, all initial analyses and results indicated that individuals who perceive their health status as unhealthy are more likely to have poorer scores on overall cognitive functioning, memory, executive functioning, motor coordination, and processing speed in comparison to individuals who perceive their health status as healthy. Due to having enough male and female participants, I ran additional analyses to evaluate sex differences. To begin, I ran a two-way ANOVA to examine effects of sex and health status on RC21X composite scores and found significant main effects with no interaction effects. I then ran four two-way MANOVAs to examine effects of sex and health status on RC21X modules that measure memory, executive functioning, motor coordination, and processing speed and found significant main effects for all analyses. However, there was some variability with interaction effects. Although I did not find an interaction effect for memory, there was a significant interaction effect for executive functioning, motor coordination, and processing speed. Specifically, I found that although perceived health status impacted both male and female participants, it impacted male participants more so than female participants. Discussion focuses on hypothesized reasons for differences as well as clinical implications. Future research may expand upon these findings by accounting for additional variables and utilizing traditional neuropsychological testing batteries which are longer in nature in comparison to RC21X. Keywords: health status, cognitive functioning, subjective health status, perceived health status, neuropsychological assessment, RC21X, memory, executive function, processing speed, motor coordination, sex differences " -- Abstract

Cognitive Aging

Cognitive Aging PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309368650
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
For most Americans, staying "mentally sharp" as they age is a very high priority. Declines in memory and decision-making abilities may trigger fears of Alzheimer's disease or other neurodegenerative diseases. However, cognitive aging is a natural process that can have both positive and negative effects on cognitive function in older adults - effects that vary widely among individuals. At this point in time, when the older population is rapidly growing in the United States and across the globe, it is important to examine what is known about cognitive aging and to identify and promote actions that individuals, organizations, communities, and society can take to help older adults maintain and improve their cognitive health. Cognitive Aging assesses the public health dimensions of cognitive aging with an emphasis on definitions and terminology, epidemiology and surveillance, prevention and intervention, education of health professionals, and public awareness and education. This report makes specific recommendations for individuals to reduce the risks of cognitive decline with aging. Aging is inevitable, but there are actions that can be taken by individuals, families, communities, and society that may help to prevent or ameliorate the impact of aging on the brain, understand more about its impact, and help older adults live more fully and independent lives. Cognitive aging is not just an individual or a family or a health care system challenge. It is an issue that affects the fabric of society and requires actions by many and varied stakeholders. Cognitive Aging offers clear steps that individuals, families, communities, health care providers and systems, financial organizations, community groups, public health agencies, and others can take to promote cognitive health and to help older adults live fuller and more independent lives. Ultimately, this report calls for a societal commitment to cognitive aging as a public health issue that requires prompt action across many sectors.

Food Components to Enhance Performance

Food Components to Enhance Performance PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030905088X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 560

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Book Description
The physiological or psychological stresses that employees bring to their workplace affect not only their own performance but that of their co-workers and others. These stresses are often compounded by those of the job itself. Medical personnel, firefighters, police, and military personnel in combat settingsâ€"among othersâ€"experience highly unpredictable timing and types of stressors. This book reviews and comments on the performance-enhancing potential of specific food components. It reflects the views of military and non-military scientists from such fields as neuroscience, nutrition, physiology, various medical specialties, and performance psychology on the most up-to-date research available on physical and mental performance enhancement in stressful conditions. Although placed within the context of military tasks, the volume will have wide-reaching implications for individuals in any job setting.

Perception, Cognition, and Development

Perception, Cognition, and Development PDF Author: T. J. Tighe
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1317738144
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
This volume is based on a conference held at Dartmouth College’s Minary Conference Center in Holdemess, New Hampshire, June 4 -7 , 1981. The conference brought together a number of investigators whose separate lines of inquiry bear in significant ways on the relationships among perception, cognition, and development. The purpose was to consider interactions among these basic processes not only as a critical facet of the research programs of the participants but also as a central conceptual problem for current theoretical psychology. First published in 1983. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The Development of Perception, Cognition and Language

The Development of Perception, Cognition and Language PDF Author: Paul van Geert
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1315528126
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
Originally published in 1983, the aim of this book was to discuss some fundamental problems of cognitive developmental psychology at the time. The theme which underlies the discussion is that scientific knowledge of the cognitive characteristics of other people starts from the cognitive instruments that we psychologist employ, viz. our theories, models, assumptions, methods of enquiry etc. Thus our scientific cognitive equipment not only provides the format in which cognition in other people is expressed, it also exemplifies, in some abstract sense, this cognition. The first part of the book deals with the concept of development in relation to the structure of developmental theories. It is argued that theories originate from (implicit) conceptual analyses of (implicit) final state definitions. Starting from this specific view on the nature of developmental theories, the second part of the book discusses perception and perceptual development.