scholarly journals Canadian Optometric Low Vision: Predictive Factors and Regional Comparisons

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Norris Lam ◽  
Susan J Leat

Purpose: To investigate the regional differences in low vision (LV) provision across Canada and to identify predictive factors for the provision of more extensive low vision services (LVS). Methods: Practising optometrists across Canada were invited to participate in a questionnaire that investigated personal and practice demographics, levels of LVS offered, patterns of referrals and barriers to provision of LVS. Results: 459 optometrists responded. Predictive factors for providing more extensive LVS included: optometrists with >15 years of practice, having a local LV optometrist/ophthalmologist within one day’s travel, not having a multi-disciplinary LV clinic within one-day’s travel, working in a practice in a population of <50,000, and having 2+ optometrists in the same practice. Regional differences were found in the following variables: the presence of an optometrist offering LVS within the respondent’s primary practice, referral criteria, the type of LV provider receiving the referral, and the perceived quality of LVS. Conclusions: LVS are provided differently across Canada and the availability of government-funded LVS appeared to enhance optometric referrals to multidisciplinary low vision clinics. Optometrists who were in a group practice setting, who had practiced for >15 years and who worked in a less populated area were more likely to provide more extensive LVS.

Author(s):  
Bradford S. Pierce ◽  
Paul B. Perrin ◽  
Alan W. Dow ◽  
Natalie D. Dautovich ◽  
Bruce D. Rybarczyk ◽  
...  

Telemedicine use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but uptake was uneven and future use is uncertain. This study, then, examined the ability of personal and environmental variables to predict telemedicine adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 230 physicians practicing in the U.S. completed questions concerning personal and environmental characteristics, as well as telemedicine use at three time points: pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and anticipated future use. Associations between use and characteristics were determined to identify factors important for telemedicine use. Physicians reported that telemedicine accounted for 3.72% of clinical work prior to the pandemic, 46.03% during the pandemic, and predicted 25.44% after the pandemic ends. Physicians within hospitals reported less increase in telemedicine use during the pandemic than within group practice (p = 0.016) and less increase in use at hospitals compared to academic medical centers (p = 0.027) and group practice (p = 0.008). Greater telemedicine use was associated with more years in practice (p = 0.009), supportive organizational policies (p = 0.001), organizational encouragement (p = 0.003), expectations of greater patient volume (p = 0.003), and perceived higher quality of patient care (p = 0.032). Characteristics such as gender, number of physicians, and level of telemedicine training were not significant predictors. Organizations interested in supporting physicians to adopt telemedicine should encourage its use and create policies supporting its use. More senior physicians had a greater degree of telemedicine uptake, while training programs did not predict use, suggesting that efforts to develop telemedicine competency in younger physicians may be ineffective and should be re-examined.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 1805-1810
Author(s):  
Jean Jacques Noubiap ◽  
Jean Joel Bigna ◽  
Aude L. Ndoadoumgue ◽  
Udeme Ekrikpo ◽  
Jan Nkeck ◽  
...  

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3078
Author(s):  
Yuh Cai Chia ◽  
Md Asiful Islam ◽  
Phil Hider ◽  
Peng Yeong Woon ◽  
Muhammad Farid Johan ◽  
...  

Multiple recurrent somatic mutations have recently been identified in association with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). This meta-analysis aims to assess the pooled prevalence of TET2 gene mutations among patients with MPN. Six databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Embase) were searched for relevant studies from inception till September 2020, without language restrictions. The eligibility criteria included BCR-ABL-negative MPN adults with TET2 gene mutations. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses explored results among different continents and countries, WHO diagnostic criteria, screening methods and types of MF. Quality assessment was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020212223). Thirty-five studies were included (n = 5121, 47.1% female). Overall, the pooled prevalence of TET2 gene mutations in MPN patients was 15.5% (95% CI: 12.1–19.0%, I2 = 94%). Regional differences explained a substantial amount of heterogeneity. The prevalence of TET2 gene mutations among the three subtypes PV, ET and MF were 16.8%, 9.8% and 15.7%, respectively. The quality of the included studies was determined to be moderate–high among 83% of the included studies. Among patients with BCR-ABL-negative MPN, the overall prevalence of TET2 gene mutations was 15.5%.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato de Mei Romero ◽  
Mônica Ceneviva-Bastos ◽  
Gustavo Henrique Baviera ◽  
Lilian Casatti

We evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively the community structure of aquatic insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) in 19 streams in areas of Cerrado in the Paraguay, Paraná, and São Francisco river basins. The number of genera and taxonomic composition were compared at spatial (at the hydrographic basins level) and conservation levels (more preserved and less preserved areas). The influence of spatial and environmental factors in richness and abundance was also evaluated. The geographical distribution of Grumicha, Coryphorus, and Austrotinodes was expanded. The highest Trichoptera richness was found in the São Francisco river basin (F = 5,602, p = 0,004) and a higher number of Ephemeroptera genera occurred in the relatively less preserved sites (F = 6,835, p = 0,009). The pattern of genera distribution was different among basins (R = 0,0336, p = 0,001), but it was similar among relatively less and more preserved areas (R = -0,039, p = 0,737). These findings can be explained by the low impact level in these streams and also by the taxonomic resolution used in this study. Latitude and instream diversity were the most important factors to explain the variation in genera richness and abundance (p = 0.004 and p = 0.026, respectively). Hence, the regional differences can be attributed to spatial influences, quantity or quality of habitats and the original distribution of taxa within each basin.


2002 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 452-453
Author(s):  
Edward P. Havranek ◽  
Pam Wolfe ◽  
Frederick A. Masoudi ◽  
Harlan M. Krumholz ◽  
Saif S. Rathore ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Cramarossa ◽  
Liang Zeng ◽  
Liying Zhang ◽  
Ling-Ming Tseng ◽  
Ming-Feng Hou ◽  
...  

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