Publications (12) View all
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Article: Care-seeking behavior of Japanese gynecological cancer survivors suffering from adverse effects.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Post-treatment follow-up visits for gynecological cancer survivors should provide opportunities for management of adverse physical/psychological effects of therapy and early recurrence detection. However, the adequacy of such visits in Japan is poorly documented. We qualitatively explored care-seeking experiences of Japanese gynecological cancer survivors and deduced factors influencing care-seeking behaviors and treatment access. METHODS: We conducted 4 semi-structured focus groups comprising altogether 28 Japanese gynecological cancer survivors to collect a variety of participants' post-treatment care-seeking behaviors through active interaction with participants. Factors influencing access to treatment for adverse effects were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: Survivors sought care through specialty clinic visits when regular post-treatment gynecological follow-ups were inadequate or when symptoms seemed to be non-treatment related. Information provided by hospital staff during initial treatment influenced patients' understanding and response to adverse effects. Lack of knowledge and inaccurate symptom interpretation delayed help-seeking, exacerbating symptoms. Gynecologists' attitudes during follow-ups frequently led survivors to cope with symptoms on their own. Information from mass media, Internet, and support groups helped patients understand symptoms and facilitated care seeking. CONCLUSIONS: Post-treatment adverse effects are often untreated during follow-up visits. Awareness of possible post-treatment adverse effects is important for gynecological cancer survivors in order to obtain appropriate care if the need arises. Consultation during the follow-up visit is essential for continuity in care.BMC Women s Health 01/2013; 13(1):1. -
Article: Questions That Radiography Students Have Regarding X-ray Photography: A Qualitative Study.
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ABSTRACT: Objective: To improve lectures and training programs on X-ray photography, we aimed to determine the questions that radiography students have regarding X-ray photography. Methods: We collected text data from questions on X-ray photography in radiography student reports after an X-ray photography training program. The text data were analyzed using content analysis. Codes were assigned to segments and they were categorized according to similarities. Results: From 111 reports, 348 questions were collected. Four categories and 47 subcategories were obtained. The "Required Knowledge" category comprised subcategories concerning knowledge for the X-ray photography including X-ray radiography methodology and disease knowledge. The "Radiography Service" category comprised subcategories concerning radiographers' responsibilities in a hospital including the role of radiographer and the extent of responsibilities. The "Radiographers' Challenges" category comprised subcategories concerning unusual situations radiographers encounter at work including accurate positioning and communication with patients. The "Patient Types" category comprised subcategories concerning patients in whom X-ray photography was considered difficult including pediatric patients and patients with serious conditions. Questions related to subcategories in "Radiographers' Challenges" and "Patient Types" were interrelated. Radiography students had concerns regarding whether they would be able to handle difficult patients efficiently in clinical situations. Conclusion: We were able to suggest the re-orientation of radiography education according to students' intellectual appetite regarding X-ray radiography.Nippon Hoshasen Gijutsu Gakkai zasshi 01/2012; 68(11):1448-55. -
Article: Psychiatric investigation of 18 bereaved pet owners.
Yuya Kimura, Hidenobu Kawabata, Masaji Maezawa[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This survey explores the grief associated with the loss of a pet, and was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaires were handed out to 50 bereaved pet owners attending a public animal cremation service, and we received 18 responses. Participants responded within 0 to 44 (median 4) days of the death of their pet. Although most mental health problems immediately following mourning are presumed to be normal grief reactions, on the basis of several psychiatric scales, 8 of the 16 valid responses indicated depression and/or neurosis. Statistical analyses showed that the following factors were significantly associated with grief reactions: age of owner, other stressful life events, family size, age of deceased animal, rearing place, and preliminary veterinary consultation.Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 04/2011; 73(8):1083-7. · 0.85 Impact Factor -
Article: Factors in the awareness of depression, focusing on perceptual dissimilarities between PCPs and patients: an exploratory and qualitative research.
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ABSTRACT: Primary care physicians (PCPs) are said to play a leading role in the early diagnosis of depression. Sometimes however, symptoms can be overlooked or misdiagnoses may occur, and this may be due to differences in the way that PCPs and patients perceive depression. The aim of this study is to clarify factors that may contribute to suspicions, or awareness of depression, focusing especially on perceptual dissimilarities between PCPs and patients. We conducted our research using qualitative methodology, with individual interviews being conducted with five experienced primary care physicians working in a rural area, and five patients who had been in consultation with PCPs. The main interview topic of this study was the triggers for their, or their patients', depression. From our interviews we discerned five categories of factors: "mental manifestations," "physical manifestations," "events in the patient's private life," "social environment and conditions" and "others." Our findings suggest that a critical difference in the perception of depression may exist between PCPs and patients. PCPs should be more alert to uncommon conditions of depression, as well as the more prevalent symptoms. We found that PCP's latent abilities and attitudes, such as "intuition," "subjectivity," and "experience", are often cues in the diagnosis of depression. This is in accordance with existing research on the subject. On the patients' side, sometimes sufferers do not notice the symptoms of depression by themselves, which may also be a serious problem. In conclusion, we, as medical professionals, must take care to be aware of these distinctions in order to swiftly detect depression, and to better treat our patients.[Hokkaido igaku zasshi] The Hokkaido journal of medical science 03/2011; 86(2):79-83. -
Article: Survey of patient and physician satisfaction regarding patient-centered outpatient consultations in Japan.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to show the difference in consultation satisfaction between patient and physician in rural settings, and identify the variables affecting their satisfaction regarding these encounters. We collected data by administering questionnaires that included questions regarding satisfaction for a patient-centered approach to patients and physicians, transcribing data from medical records, and observing consultations in person. We then modeled cumulative logits of patient and physician satisfaction scores by performing ordered logistic regression using the proportional odds model. Seven physicians and 122 patients participated in the study. Both patients and physicians expressed high satisfaction with their consultation sessions. Patient satisfaction tended to be higher than physician satisfaction. Physicians were satisfied with longer consultations but patients were not. Moreover, the long waiting times dissatisfied patients. In cases of multiple healthcare episodes (courses of treatment for a different condition) during a single visit, patient satisfaction decreased, while physician satisfaction increased. Physician satisfaction for interactions in general was less when they checked the same patient who had previously visited them. Our findings suggest that if physicians feel satisfied with their consultation, patients also feel satisfied regardless of the physician's opinion. The variables that affect patient and physician satisfaction include prior visits with the same physician, consultation length, longer waiting times, and number of episodes. These findings from Japanese clinics are consistent with those previously reported for other countries.Internal Medicine 01/2011; 50(13):1403-8. · 0.94 Impact Factor
