Publications (35) View all
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Article: Gender, sex, and health research: developments and challenges.
The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmières 09/2012; 44(3):3-5. -
Article: Access to cancer screening for women with mobility disabilities.
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ABSTRACT: Women with mobility disabilities are less likely to access cancer screening, even when they have a primary care provider. The Gateways to Cancer Screening project was initiated to document the challenges for women with disabilities in their access and experiences of screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. The study followed the tenets of participatory action research. Five peer-led focus groups were held with 24 women with mobility disabilities. Study participants identified multiple and interacting institutional barriers to cancer screening. Their discussions highlighted the complex work of (1) arranging and attending health-related appointments, (2) confronting normative assumptions about women's bodies and (3) securing reliable health care and information. These overlapping, mutually reinforcing issues interact to shape how women with disabilities access and experience cancer screening. We explore implications for redesign of cancer screening services and education of health providers, providing specific recommendations suggested by our participants and the findings.Journal of Cancer Education 09/2011; 27(1):75-82. · 0.76 Impact Factor -
Article: Therapeutic benefit of preventive telehealth counseling in the Community Outreach Heart Health and Risk Reduction Trial.
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ABSTRACT: We evaluated whether telehealth counseling augments lifestyle change and risk factor decrease in subjects at high risk for primary or secondary cardiovascular events compared to a recommended guideline for brief preventive counseling. Subjects at high risk or with coronary heart disease (35 to 74 years of age, n = 680) were randomized to active control (risk factor feedback, brief advice, handouts) or telehealth lifestyle counseling (active control plus 6 weekly 1-hour teleconferenced sessions to groups of 4 to 8 subjects). Primary outcome was questionnaire assessment of adherence to daily exercise/physical activity and diet (daily vegetable and fruit intake and restriction of fat and salt) after treatment and at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were systolic and diastolic blood pressures, ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 10-year absolute risk for coronary disease. After treatment and at 6-month follow-up, adherence increased for telehealth versus control in exercise (29.3% and 18.4% vs 2.5% and 9.3%, respectively, odds ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 2.1) and diet (37.1% and 38.1% vs 16.7% and 33.3%, respectively, odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.9). Telehealth versus control had greater 6-month decreases in blood pressure (mean ± SE, systolic -4.8 ± 0.8 vs -2.8 ± 0.9 mm Hg, p = 0.04; diastolic -2.7 ± 0.5 vs -1.5 ± 0.6 mm Hg, p = 0.04). Decreases in cholesterol ratio and 10-year absolute risk were significant for the 2 groups. In conclusion, telehealth counseling augments therapeutic lifestyle change in subjects at high risk for cardiovascular events compared to a recommended guideline for brief preventive counseling.The American journal of cardiology 03/2011; 107(5):690-6. · 3.58 Impact Factor -
Article: What do older patients with early breast cancer want to know while undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy?
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ABSTRACT: The study aims to investigate the information needs and unique illness experiences of older women with early stage breast cancer. Breast cancer patients have expressed a high need for information to help them cope with their disease and treatment decision making. Satisfying information needs can also improve patient outcomes including perceptions of control, levels of distress, and psychological well-being. Focus groups and one patient interview were conducted investigating the informational needs of patients 70 years or older who were diagnosed with stage I breast cancer. Women identified their experiences and information needs related to diagnosis, participation in treatment decision making, treatment onset, and unexpected life changes. They provided several suggestions to healthcare professionals related to breast cancer treatment. The study's findings increase our understanding of older breast cancer patients' needs and provide a foundation for the development of a decision aid to help patients better understand their treatment options.Journal of Cancer Education 01/2011; 26(2):254-61. · 0.76 Impact Factor -
Article: Exploring ways to overcome barriers to mammography uptake and retention among South Asian immigrant women.
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ABSTRACT: South Asians comprise one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in North America. Evidence indicates that South Asian (SA) immigrant women are vulnerable to low rates of breast cancer screening. Yet, there is a dearth of knowledge pertaining to socioculturally tailored strategies to guide the uptake of screening mammography in the SA community. In 2010, the authors conducted semi-structured focus groups (FG) to elicit perspectives of health and social service professionals on possible solutions to barriers identified by SA immigrant women in a recent study conducted in the Greater Toronto Area. Thirty-five health and social services staff members participated in five FG. The discussions were audio taped and detailed field notes were taken. All collected data were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted using techniques of constant comparison within and across the group discussions. Three dominant themes were identified: (i) 'Target and Tailor' focused on awareness raising through multiple direct and indirect modes or approaches with underlying shared processes of involving men and the whole family, use of first language and learning from peers; (ii) 'Enhancing Access to Services' included a focus on 'adding ancillary services' and 'reinforcement of existing services' including expansion to a one-stop model; and (iii) 'Meta-Characteristics' centred on providing 'multi-pronged' approaches to reach the community, and 'sustainability' of initiatives by addressing structural barriers of adequate funding, healthcare provider mix, inter-sectoral collaboration and community voice. The findings simultaneously shed light on the grassroot practical strategies and the system level changes to develop efficient programmes for the uptake of mammography among SA immigrant women. The parallel focus on the 'Target and Tailor' and 'Enhancing Access to Services' calls for co-ordination at the policy level so that multiple sectors work jointly to streamline resources, or meta-characteristics.Health & Social Care in the Community 10/2012; · 0.86 Impact Factor
