Showing papers in "The Niigata Journal of Health and Welfare in 2007"

Interprofessional education needs to correspond with the necessity of interprofessional work in health-care and welfare in Japan

Abstract: In Japan an increase in the elderly population with a rising incidence of cancer and chronic diseases due to life-style, resulted in shifting medical and health-care from a model of “cure” to that of “care”. Although average life expectancy in Japan is still among one of the longest of all countries, health outcome of each prefecture may vary due to incidence of diseases, size of the elderly population, and a difference in public health of the prefecture. In order to attain an increase of healthy life expectancy, interprofessional work of the health-related professionals with various specialties is especially needed in order to meet the complex requirements of the elderly in health-care and welfare. This has been emphasized in working together among medical staffs in hospitals, but there is discontinuity between health-care and welfare. In the last ten years, the importance of working together was recognized within a hospital, from a hospital to a clinic, and from health-care to welfare with seamless service and care. Health outcome of diseases varies depending upon the prefecture in Japan. Therefore, interprofessional education should correspond with the necessity of interprofessional work, in active practice, and professionals should be aware of local differences and necessities to extend healthy life expectancy.

Aged-care-privacy and Security for Smart Home in Australia

Abstract: []: Most developed countries are experiencing unprecedented increases in the percentages of older people. The Australian population 65 years and over is projected to more than double by 2050. The greatest rate of growth is in the population aged 85 years or over. This group will have the greatest need for health and disability support. It is not only the increasing numbers of people requiring care in the future but also social changes that will increase pressures on aged care and health services. The level of informal care that was provided for frail aged family members some decades ago is less viable today. Governments have responded with a range of strategies and policy initiatives such as abolition of the compulsory retirement age, promoting productive ageing and enhancing the capacity for home-based care. There is particular interest in technology to assist active ageing and aged care to enable extending active and productive lives and facilitate care to be delivered according to consumer preferences for place and time. These changes will reflect the impacts of technologies that have transformed other industries, enabled new products and services and provided delivery at the convenience of the consumer. There will be many opportunities for new and imaginative research. Research is needed to guide changes that will be required in policy, strategy, funding, work-practices, integration of technology into care, future roles for the professions and new models of care. The introduction of new technology in home and aged care settings raises concern over privacy and security. This paper will consider how research into policy, strategy, work practices and the integration of technology into care, and the subsequent new models of care to support this, will need to take into account such concerns. For example, how far does the idea of the Smart Home invade one's privacy? Are current security measures adequate to prevent violation of our most vulnerable people? Consider the consequences of online banking in the home and the number of incidences of phishing account details - will the techno-savvy be able to determine movements of people around their home? And it will give an overview of the age care dependence on technology and what we should be doing to protect them by way of policy, and work practice.

Effect of the level of general self-efficacy of primipara prior to delivery to one month after delivery towards her psychological characteristic

Abstract: 1 Corresponding author. Department of Nursing, School of Health Science, Niigata University of Health and Welfare. Shimami-cho, Niigata-shi 950-3198, Japan Email: misawa@nuhw.ac.jp Tel./Fax.: 81-25-257-4562 2 Yokohama Asahi Central General Hospital 3 Hakodate Central General Hospital 4 School of Nursing, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine Abstract This is to study the effect of general selfefficacy of primipara in between the late period of pregnancy and one month after delivery, regarding depression, helplessness, subjective feelings of health, and motherly feeling of attainment, all of which will be referred to as psychological characteristic, and to discuss the nursing support for one month primipara. We obtained agreement for three question-answer sessions from 34 primiparas we traced during the period. We questioned them about their background, their general self-efficacy and their psychological characteristic which was compared with groups of high and low self efficacy. The obtained results indicated that the high group showed less helplessness after delivery relative to the low group, suggesting the possibility that the level of general self-efficacy influences their helplessness.

The effect of a university-based individualized balance retraining class on self-reported balance problems in people with and without a neurological diagnosis

Abstract: Introduction Balance is defined as the ability to move within a weight-bearing posture without falling, relying upon input from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems, and measured in aspects of steadiness, symmetry, and dynamic stability. Disturbances of balance have been found in the geriatric population and in people with specific neurological diagnoses, including cerebral vascular accident (CVA), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Whether imbalance is due to age and/or neurological disease or injury, it is a primary cause of increased fall rates. Previous studies have shown falls to be physically, psychologically and economically detrimental to the quality of life for older adults. Falls, whether or not they result in physical injury, contribute to a fear of falling which initiates a recognized fall sequelae of diminished activity, deconditioning, decreased agility and balance, and increased dependence on caregivers for activities of daily living. Falls and fall-related injuries are also common in persons with such neurological disorders as CVA, PD, and MS. Of adults who report falling, CVA is found to be the most common diagnosis. It has also been suggested that asymmetrical standing in individuals post-CVA causes postural sway abnormalities, which may contribute to falling. Koller et al noted that falling and frequency of falling were correlated with postural instability in individuals with PD. In addition, Kasser et al denotes that individuals with MS demonstrate a decline in mobility and balance which leads to an increase in the likelihood of falls. Programs aimed at improving balance to reduce a person’s overall risk for falls have been developed and researched. The types of benefits that have been reported differ depending on the outcome measurements used. Some studies have examined function and performance following balance retraining, 63, 64 whereas others assess specific impairments. 15, 29, 51, 54, 56, 61 Most of these studies have been conducted in the geriatric population without a specific diagnosis. Imbalance and falling are common problems in The effect of a university-based individualized balance retraining class on self-reported balance problems in people with and without a neurological diagnosis

Analysis of moment using different type of hand grips of parallel bars-one side support in sit-to-stand motion

Abstract: Introduction Movement of body in sit-to-stand (STS) is an important study subject because it is indispensable in standing up from chair, bed and toilet and to walk during everyday activity, throughout one's life. Generally, we use parallel bars when we start exercises of STS in Rehabilitation. Hand gripes on parallel bars are either round type (Round) or flat type (Flat). Some studies have been carried out on movement in STS using both parallel bars. However, only a few studies have been carried out using one sided support which is often observed in case of hemi paralysis for patients with cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference of type of hand grips in STS and to recommend a proper choice in Rehabilitation.

Hemodialysis patients' self-care measurement scale an evaluation of reliability and validity

Abstract: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare1398, Simami, Niigata 950-3198 Phone+81-25-257-4603, Fax+81-25-257-4603 E-mail shintani@nuhw.ac.jp Abstract This study evaluated the reliability and validity of a scale to measure the degree to which hemodialysis patients practiced self care. We composed a conceptual framework for hemodialysis patients’ self-care based on the Orem’s nursing model (1991), and created a questionnaire to evaluate the practice of self-care in line with this conceptual framework. All 120 hemodialysis patients who participated in this study were undergoing treatment at two hospitals specializing in dialysis and provided informed consent to participate in this study. With regard to these results, in order to check for a response distribution bias and confirm that the questions encompassed the scope of the self-care conceptual framework, we examined the survey responses for content validity, differential validity, factorial validity, and the criterion-related validity, and at the same time confirmed the scale’s reliability. The resulting universal self-care factor structure consists of 5 factors and 35 requisites, and the health-deviation self-care factor structure is comprised of 3 factors and 25 requisites. This analysis confirmed the high level of reliability and validity of this scale.

The effectiveness of increasing interest to community resources and improvement of self-efficacy towards hospital discharge

Abstract: Background: As for present conditions, prolongation of hospitalization seems to continue socially.Towards shift to community life, it was thought that it was necessary to raise a feeling of self-efficacy for hospital discharge following confidence towards community life. Objectives: Inpatients in a private psychiatric hospital open ward who have mental disorder was set. An exhibit was carried out this time to community resources, thus increased interest towards community resources and examined the effectiveness to the improvement of self-efficacy towards hospital discharge. Methods: Who hoped for a visit to community life support center and participated in an exhibit were 10 people and they are intervention group. who neither hoped for a visit nor participated in an exhibit were 10 people and they are control group. After doing a preliminary questionnaire (self-administered) on both groups, only the intervention group placed an exhibit into effect. After that, subsequent questionnaire (selfadministered) was performed on both groups. Results: Interest towards work center was described. In preliminary questionnaire between both groups, significant difference wasn’t recognized (p=0.807), but in subsequent questionnaire, it resulted that interest degree was significantly higher in intervention group (p=0.033) compared to control group. Interest towards community life support center was described. In preliminary questionnaire, significant difference wasn't recognized in both groups (p=0.514) , but in subsequent questionnaire, it resulted that interest degree was significantly higher in intervention group compared to control group(p=0.003). Consciousness about hospital discharge was described. The significant difference between two groups wasn't recognized before and after exhibit (before exhibit: p=0.282 / after exhibit: p=0.935). Conclusion: Exhibit was effective in increasing interest to community resources. For hoping to discharge from hospital bringing about change, new networks supporting life and introduction of dwellings are needed. Introduction As for the country's mental health care welfare policy entitled [Shift from hospitalized medical treatment to living in the community], an action to break off social hospitalization was demanded. In the visions in reform of mental health and medical welfare of September, 2004 about [the patient who was already hospitalized for more than one year, depending on the condition and intention of the person himself and, under medical treatment and collaboration of The effectiveness of increasing interest to community resources and improvement of self-efficacy towards hospital discharge Yoko Aida Satomi Takenouti Taro Okamura

Survey of the current status of education in vocational rehabilitation at hospitals and the undergraduate program for occupational therapy in Niigata prefecture

Abstract: A description of education in occupational therapy (OT), in a sample of 4 colleges in Niigata prefecture (2003-2004) with vocational therapy for disabilities was assessed by mail survey The survey requested syllabus information, nonpatient practices and lectures with introductions in programs for OT students Respondents were asked for their current syllabus in vocational therapy and teaching methods in college in comparison to hospitals Additionally, we asked departments of occupational therapy in major hospitals in Niigata prefecture for assessment methods for vocational rehabilitation which were usually used Results indicated that current items of vocational evaluation for patients in hospitals were different from programs in colleges General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) and YG Personality Index (YGPI) were used in all hospitals and colleges Kohs Block Design Test and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) were not used in programs for students but were used in hospitals Although Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI), Tokyo University Egogram (TEG) and Allen cognitive performance test were taught to students in college, no hospital in Niigata used these tests The current status of education programs in vocational therapy illustrated some differences between hospitals and colleges These results suggest that different contents were given to students at the college in vocational evaluation compared with clinical practice Faculties might have to consider changing curriculum and syllabi in vocational therapy for clinical practice in Niigata If assessment items could be useful for clinical practice, the faculty should inform clinical colleagues who can use it appropriately for the patient's evaluation Introduction There were 38,000 occupational therapists (OT) in Japan, treating disabilities in physical activity, psychosocial activity, activities of daily living (ADL) and social activities, especially in the occupational fields, in 2007 The role of the occupational therapist includes work-oriented treatment in an acute care setting, job analysis, work tolerance screening, work capacity evaluation, work hardening, and job market reentry management in work evaluation and community settings However, there are few occupational therapists working in vocational adaptation fields for disabilities The Ministry of Labor has had jurisdiction over Survey of the current status of education in vocational rehabilitation at hospitals and the undergraduate program for occupational therapy in Niigata prefecture Toyohiro Hamaguchi, Masato Kaifuchi and Mineo Oyama

Relationship of activity self-efficacy, mobility and balance in community dwelling elderly women

Abstract: Fear of falling in the elderly has been reported to be more problematic than falling itself. Since conducting numerous living activities on the floor is a Japanese custom, we investigated the influence of vertical downward movement while standing, to clarify factors affecting activities restricted by fear of falling. The subjects were 44 elderly women (aged 74.8±7.1 years) with independent outdoor mobility. As a measure of fear of falling, self-efficacy in the execution of activities was evaluated. A significant correlation was noted between activity self-efficacy and fear of falling (r=0.417, p<0.01). Factors correlated with activity self-efficacy were a) timed up and go test (r= -0.324, p<0.05), b) times required for sitting on the floor (r=-0.321, p<0.05), and c) going up and down a 15-cm step(r=-0.365, p<0.05). It is suggested that vertical movement while standing should be included in the evaluation of and intervention in fear of falling, in addition to mobility.

Stability in seniors as measured by a computer analyzed forceplate

Abstract: CONTACTS: mem@csufresno.edu, elizabeth@brightideas4therapy.com P.T., G.C.S., Assoc. Prof.; California State University, Fresno, Physical TherapyDepartment; Elizabeth Protieus, PT; Bright Ideas 4 Therapy History of Use The Tib Trainer®has been used on patients with a variety of neurological and orthopaedic diagnoses. It can be used with adults and pediatric clients. The Tib Trainer®can be used with the low level neurologically involved patient working on sitting activities; to the high level elite athlete working on agility and plyometric training. The Tib Trainer®is designed to ONLY be used by physical therapists, assistants and other healthcare professionals on their clients. It is NOT intended to be sold to or used independently by a client/ patient. Safety in the use of this product indicates the client/patient MUST be “contact guarded” at all times; particularly in the initial experiences with persons first using the Tib Trainer®.