Background: Obese women are reported to be at higher risk from gynecological cancers than nonobese women, yet these women are less likely to get cancer-screening tests. The specific factors that contribute to obese women not obtaining timely cancer screening have not been identified. Objective: To investigate the factors that contribute to lower rates of gynecological cancer screening as related to women's body size. Design: A purposeful sample of 498 White and African-American women with body mass index (BMI) from 25 to 122 kg/m 2 , including 60 women with BMI455 kg/m 2 , was surveyed concerning access to gynecological cancer screening and potential barriers that could cause delay. Health care providers (N ¼ 129) were surveyed concerning their education, practices, and attitudes about providing care and gynecological cancer-screening tests for obese women. Results: Obese women reported that they delay cancer-screening tests and perceive that their weight is a barrier to obtaining appropriate health care. The percent of women reporting these statements increased significantly as the women's BMI increased. Women with BMI455 kg/m 2 had a significantly lower rate (68%) of Papanicolaou (Pap) tests compared to others (86%). The lower screening rate was not a result of lack of available health care since more than 90% of the women had health insurance. Women report that barriers related to their weight contribute to delay of health care. These barriers include disrespectful treatment, embarrassment at being weighed, negative attitudes of providers, unsolicited advice to lose weight, and medical equipment that was too small to be functional. The percentage of women who reported these barriers increased as the women's BMI increased. Women who delay were significantly less likely to have timely pelvic examinations, Pap tests, and mammograms than the comparison group, even though they reported that they were 'moderately' or 'very concerned' about cancer symptoms. The women who delay care were also more likely to have been on weight-loss programs five or more times. Many health care providers reported that they had little specific education concerning care of obese women, found that examining and providing care for large patients was more difficult than for other patients, and were not satisfied with the resources and referrals available to provide care for them. Conclusion: Since the goal of preventive cancer screening is to improve health outcomes for all women and since obese women are at greater risk, strategies must be designed to reduce the weight barriers to these tests and improve the quality of the health care experience. Providers should receive specific training related to care of large women.

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Six mentally retarded adults, equally divided into two treatment groups, were provided with individualized social skills training programs. Treatment, evaluated via a multiple-baseline design strategy, was sequentially and cumulatively applied across target behaviors over a four-week intervention period. Behavioral observation probes and social validation measures served as the primary dependent variables. Results indicated that (a) treatment was effective for virtually all behaviors across all subjects, (b) improvements occurred for both training and generalization scenes, and (c) behavioral performance was maintained one month following the termination of treatment.

Multidisciplinary clinical simulation can be an essential part of nursing education strategies to improve and enhance patient safety and experience. Clinical simulation can be utilized to change practice, reinforce practices, and direct patient and family education needs for a safe discharge. Anaphylaxis is potentially fatal and is increasing in occurrence. A simulation scenario was designed by a multidisciplinary team to review anaphylaxis recognition and to provide simulated practice for emergency response. Clinical scenarios were developed based on evidence-based practices and included a prebriefing and postdebriefing. Bandura's self-efficacy theory was used as a framework to develop the project, as it supports behavior change strategies well suited for clinical simulation. Clinical simulations provide a nonthreatening environment for staff to learn, practice, and receive feedback to improve patient care and serve as a vehicle to role-play expected practices, enhance communication between disciplines, demonstrate progress, and evaluate competency.

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the first six-months of hire, these nurses have attended all classroom activities. General BMT orientation and chemotherapy competence have been achieved. Additional experiences with critical care patients are needed. Discussion & Implications: Revising an orientation program to include critical care education within the first year of hire is feasible. Ongoing work is being explored to provide the newly licensed nurse with additional support and education to supplement the intensive training required in this BMT/ Hematology unit.

Introduction: In spite of the vast amount of literature on pet therapy and dog companionship, limited studies exist on older adults with vision loss and the experience of owning a dog guide. The purpose of this study is to explore the facilitators and barriers of first-time ownership and utilization of a dog guide as experienced by older adults with vision loss. Methods: Data were gathered among seven participants using open-ended semistructured telephone interviews. Participants described their experiences related to owning a dog guide. Using phenomenological analysis, themes were extracted from verbatim transcriptions. Results: Through constant comparison methods, five themes emerged: increased responsibilities for new dog guide owners, changes in habits and routines, quick human–dog guide bonding, increase in community integration, and enhancement of autonomy through dog guide ownership. Discussion: The study results suggest that obtaining a dog guide increased the older adults with vision loss everyday engagement in community activities. The increased confidence in independent mobility may have led participants to engage in activities in unfamiliar environments, thus improving their autonomy, self-esteem, and physical abilities. These changes resulted in increased feelings of independence and freedom for the older adults with vision loss. Participants also revealed positive changes in their daily habits. Due to the increased physical ability and motivation needed to complete activities, making adjustments to owning a dog guide became easier. Furthermore, a human–dog guide bond was prevalent among all seven participants. Implications for practitioners: Themes extracted provide health practitioners and dog guide organizations insight into how owning dog guides may empower older adults with vision loss.

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