scholarly journals Birth of the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
Ivan T Beck

The Canadian Digestive Disease Foundation, renamed the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation -- Fondation canadienne pour la promotion de la santé digestive -- in December 2001, is the culmination of ongoing efforts by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology to establish an independent charitable organization. In February 2001, it was officially endorsed as the Foundation for the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. The initial efforts to establish this Foundation, led by Dr Richard McKenna in 1963, were unsuccessful. In 1991, Glaxo Canada (now GlaxoSmithKline) became a founding donor, and with the four founding physicians -- Drs Ivan T Beck, Richard H Hunt, Suzanne E Lemire and Alan BR Thomson -- the expenses to establish the Foundation were met. A charitable number was obtained in 1995 (0997427-11). The second founding donor was Janssen Canada (now Janssen-Ortho), and public education support came from Astra Canada (now AstraZeneca Canada). The Foundation initially relied on corporate donors, but now approaches physicians, patients and the general public. The objectives of the Foundation are to advance the science of gastroenterology and to provide knowledge of digestive diseases and nutrition to the general public, to enhance the quality of life of persons who are afflicted with these disorders. The major achievements of the Foundation are the provision of one-year operating grants to new investigators, which have allowed them to accumulate early data and subsequently obtain support from other major granting organizations. It also provides Fellowships and studentship support grants, in conjunction with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the pharmaceutical industry. The education committee found that there was little research support in this field, considering the large economic burden of digestive disease and the amount of outstanding work done by Canadian researchers. A bilingual Web site, a web-based specialist's discussion program and bilingual pamphlets facilitate public awareness and allow patients to voice concerns.

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-84
Author(s):  
Betty Wilson ◽  
Terry A. Wolfer

In the last decade, there have been a shocking number of police killings of unarmed African Americans, and advancements in technology have made these incidents more visible to the general public. The increasing public awareness of police brutality in African American communities creates a critical and urgent need to understand and improve police-community relationships. Congregational social workers (and other social workers who are part of religious congregations) have a potentially significant role in addressing the problem of police brutality. This manuscript explores and describes possible contributions by social workers, with differential consideration for those in predominantly Black or White congregations.


2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Theodoulou ◽  
C. Memos

Limenoscope is a web based database aiming at promoting the cultural heritage regarding ancient Greek harbours and disseminate the relevant information equally to the general public and to researchers with an interest in that particular cognitive field. The scope of the project is the realization of a database, where one can search for concise information relevant to the historical role, the topography, the morphology, as well as the technical works and installations of ancient harbours in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The Database started off with the registration of harbours located in the Aegean Sea and Cyprus, dating from Archaic to Byzantine times. Special emphasis is laid on the bibliographical update of the data forms of the harbour sites, as well as on the related references in ancient literature. The database enables the locating of these sites on a general map, where photographs, plans etc. are also archived. The principles of the database structure are briefly presented along with an example, that of the harbour of Phalasarna, among the harbours registered therein.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562199530
Author(s):  
İlkem Kara ◽  
Aydan Baştuğ Dumbak ◽  
Maviş Emel Kulak Kayıkcı

Introduction: Factors such as teachers’ appropriate support and social interactions have an impact on the academic performance of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). This study was designed to investigate the perceptions of the teachers and the general public about the academic and cognitive performance of individuals with CL/P. Methods: This study was included 360 (male/female = 102/258) teachers and 640 (male/female = 259/381) participants that represent the general public. Anonymized web-based and paper-and-pencil self-administered questionnaire that included multiple-choice and yes/no questions were administered. Within-group differences and intergroup differences were analyzed in terms of academic and cognitive performance. Results: Most of the teachers and the general public indicated that the academic and cognitive performance of individuals with CL/P is the same as their unaffected peers. A significantly higher proportion of the teachers indicated that the academic performance of children with CL/P is the same as their unaffected peers than the general public. Conclusion: Considering that the general public’s attitudes and appropriate teacher support are crucial to prevent adverse impacts on the lives of individuals with CL/P, it is important to support teachers with the appropriate information and to encourage the public to recognize that everybody with a facial difference should be treated as an individual rather than a disability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Codina ◽  
M De Antonio ◽  
E Santiago-Vacas ◽  
M Domingo ◽  
E Zamora ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) contemporary management has significantly improved over the past two decades leading to better survival. How application of the contemporary HF management guidelines affects the risk of death estimated by available web-based risk scores is not elucidated. Objective To assess changes in mortality risk prediction after a after a 12-month management period in a multidisciplinary HF Clinic. Methods Out of 1,689 consecutive patients with HF admitted at our ambulatory HF Clinic from May 2006 to November 2018, those who completed one year follow-up were considered for the study. Patients without NTproBNP measurement or with more than 3 missing variables for risk estimation were excluded. Three contemporary web-based HF risk scores were evaluated: MAGGIC-HF, Seattle HF Model (SHFM) and the Barcelona Bio-HF Calculator containing NTproBNP (BCN Bio-HF). Risk of all-cause death at one year and at 3 years were calculated at baseline and re-evaluated after 12-month management in a multidsisciplinary HF Clinic. Wilcoxon paired data test was used to compare changes in mortality risk estimation over time and test equality of matched pairs for comparing estimated change among tools. 442 patients used to derive the Barcelona Bio-HF Calculator were excluded for discrimination purposes. Results 1,157 patients were included (age 65.7±12.7 years, 70.4% men). A significant reduction in mortality risk estimation was observed with the three HF risk scores evaluated at 12-months (Table). The BCN Bio-HF model showed significantly different changes in risk estimation, fact that indeed was partnered with numerically better discrimination. AUC at 1 and 3 years, respectively, were: BCN Bio-HF (0.773 and 0.775), MAGGIC HF (0.686 and 0.748) and SHFM (0.773 and 0.739). Conclusions The three web-based risk scores evaluated showed a significant reduction in mortality risk estimation after 12 month management in a multidisciplinary HF Clinic. The BCN Bio-HF score showed higher reduction in estimated risk, together with better discrimination, likely because it incorporates contemporary treatment and use of biomarkers. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Lacroix ◽  
Lisa Thurgur ◽  
Aaron M. Orkin ◽  
Jeffrey J. Perry ◽  
Ian G. Stiell

AbstractObjectivesRates of opioid-related deaths have reached the level of national public health crisis in Canada. Community-based opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs distribute naloxone to people at risk, and the emergency department (ED) may be an underutilized setting to deliver naloxone to these people. The goal of this study was to identify Canadian emergency physicians’ attitudes and perceived barriers to the implementation of take-home naloxone programs.MethodsThis was an anonymous Web-based survey of members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. Survey questions were developed by the research team and piloted for face validity and clarity. Two reminder emails were sent to non-responders at 2-week intervals. Respondent demographics were collected, and Likert scales were used to assess attitudes and barriers to the prescription of naloxone from the ED.ResultsA total of 459 physicians responded. The majority of respondents were male (64%), worked in urban tertiary centres (58.3%), and lived in Ontario (50.6%). Overall, attitudes to OEND were strongly positive; 86% identified a willingness to prescribe naloxone from the ED. Perceived barriers included support for patient education (57%), access to follow-up (44%), and inadequate time (37%). In addition to people at risk of overdose, 77% of respondents identified that friends and family members may also benefit.ConclusionsCanadian emergency physicians are willing to distribute take-home naloxone, but thoughtful systems are required to facilitate opioid OEND implementation. These data will inform the development of these programs, with emphasis on multidisciplinary training and education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (14) ◽  
pp. 2518-2520
Author(s):  
Adrián Bazaga ◽  
Alfonso Valencia ◽  
María- JoséRementeria

Abstract Motivation The fast growth of bioinformatics adds a significant difficulty to assess the contribution, geographical and thematic distribution of the research publications. Results To help researchers, grant agencies and general public to assess the progress in bioinformatics, we have developed BIOLITMAP, a web-based geolocation system that allows an easy and sensible exploration of the publications by institution, year and topic. Availability and implementation BIOLITMAP is available at http://socialanalytics.bsc.es/biolitmap and the sources have been deposited at https://github.com/inab/BIOLITMAP. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.


2015 ◽  
pp. 93-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Gnezdilova ◽  
Dmitry Ruban ◽  
Delia Bruno ◽  
Piero Perrotta ◽  
Brooke Crowley ◽  
...  

Geoheritage sites with palaeogeographical value are excellent venues for geotourism. These sites preserve information about ancient environments, ecosystems, and their dynamics that may be of interest to professionals, students, amateur scientists, and the general public. Palaeogeographical geoheritage sites (geosites) can be used to successfully increase public awareness of past and future climate changes. However, because palaeogeographical information is typically complex and not directly visible, professional interpretation is necessary. Successful interpretive tools include posted signs and education activities that engage visitors in scientific research. Using modern analogues to help visitors visualize past environments and ecosystems may be particularly effective. Professional interpretation helps foster visitor awareness of a geosite?s value. We suggest that some geosites can be visited sequentially on a guided excursion and propose a route for observing five geosites that exemplify the geodiversity of Mountainous Adygeja (Western Caucasus, southwestern Russia). Guided geosite excursions would introduce visitors to a broad diversity of palaeoenvironments and deepen their understanding of palaeogeographical phenomena. However, carrying capacity should be evaluated seriously for any geosites that are incorporated into palaeogeographical tourist excursions.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linn Nathalie Støme ◽  
Tron Moger ◽  
Kristian Kidholm ◽  
Kari J Kværner

BACKGROUND Home care service in Norway is struggling to meet the increasing demand for health care under restricted budget constraints, although one-fourth of municipal budgets are dedicated to health services. The integration of Web-based technology in at-home care is expected to enhance communication and patient involvement, increase efficiency and reduce cost. DigiHelse is a Web-based platform designed to reinforce home care service in Norway and is currently undergoing a development process to meet the predefined needs of the country’s municipalities. Some of the main features of the platform are digital messages between residents and the home care service, highlighting information on planned and completed visits, the opportunity to cancel visits, and notifications for completed visits. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to test the usability and economic feasibility of adopting DigiHelse in four districts in Oslo by applying registry and behavioral data collected throughout a one-year pilot study. Early health technology assessment was used to estimate the potential future value of DigiHelse, including the predictive value of behavior data. METHODS Outcome measures identified by stakeholder insights and scenario drafting in the project’s concept phase were used to assess potential socioeconomic benefits. Aggregated data were collected to assess changes in health consumption at baseline, and then 15 and 52 weeks after DigiHelse was implemented. The present value calculation was updated with data from four intervention groups and one control group. A quasi-experimental difference-in-difference design was applied to estimate the causal effect. Descriptive behavioral data from the digital platform was applied to assess the usability of the platform. RESULTS Over the total study period (52 weeks), rates increased for all outcome estimates: the number of visits (rate ratio=1.04; <italic>P</italic>=.10), unnecessary trips (rate ratio=1.37; <italic>P</italic>=.26), and phone calls (rate ratio=1.24; <italic>P</italic>=.08). A significant gap was found between the estimated value of DigiHelse in the concept phase and after the one-year pilot. In the present pilot assessment, costs are expected to exceed potential savings by €67 million (US $75 million) over ten years, as compared to the corresponding concept estimates of a potential gain of €172.6 million (US $193.6 million). Interestingly, behavioral data from the digital platform revealed that only 3.55% (121/3405) of recipients actively used the platform after one year. CONCLUSIONS Behavioral data provides a valuable source for assessing usability. In this pilot study, the low adoption rate may, at least in part, explain the inability of DigiHelse to perform as expected. This study points to an early assessment of behavioral data as an opportunity to identify inefficiencies and direct digital development. For DigiHelse, insight into why the recipients in Oslo have not made greater use of the Web-based platform seems to be the next step in ensuring the right improvement measures for the home care service.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiina Ervasti ◽  
Hilppa Gregow ◽  
Andrea Vajda ◽  
Terhi K. Laurila ◽  
Antti Mäkelä

Abstract. An online survey was used to map the needs and preferences of the Finnish general public concerning extended-range forecasts and their presentation. First analyses of the survey were used to guide the co-design process of novel extended-range forecasts to be developed and tested during the project. In addition, the survey was used to engage the respondents from the general public to participate in a one year piloting phase that started in June 2017. The respondents considered that the tailored extended-range forecasts would be beneficial in planning activities, preparing for the weather risks and scheduling the everyday life. The respondents also perceived the information about the impacts of weather conditions more important than advice on how to prepare for the impacts.


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