Publication Type: Invited Paper
Abstract: Managing uncertainty is one of the six core functions of patient-clinician communication (Epstein & Street, 2007). Little is known about the management or coordination of uncertainty management in routine clinical cancer care (Epstein & Street, 2007). The purpose of this study is to understand the nature of uncertainty management in clinician-patient routine interaction from both the clinician and patient perspective. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews with both clinicians and patients, this research explores uncertainty management from the perspective of the clinician and the patient. Patients will be asked to report a time when they felt uncertain during their cancer diagnosis, treatment, or beyond. They will report on how they managed that uncertainty as well as how they perceived clinicians assisted them with the management of their uncertainty. Clinicians will be asked to report strategies they use to help their patients manage uncertainty in routine care. Interviews will be transcribed and analyzed using grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1997).

Epstein, R. M., & Street, R. L. (2007). Patient-centered communication in cancer care: Promoting healing and reducing suffering. National Cancer institute, NIH Publication No. 07-6225. Bethesda, MD.

Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1997). Grounded theory in practice. Thousand Oak, CA: Sage Publications.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The unique needs of clinicians working within a feminist multicultural perspective have not received sufficient attention in the literature. This presentation provides recommendations for those psychologists providing these services. The author draws from the available literature as well as her experience as a feminist psychologist of Color.

Publication Type: Poster
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The Static-99 is a risk assessment tool that has shown high utility in predicting sexual recidivism (Hanson, Morton and Harris, 2003). Low levels of inter-rater reliability (IRR) may, however, increase measurement error and ultimately impact the accuracy of re-offense predictions. The current study examined levels of IRR in the Static-99 by comparing individual items and total scores completed by Masters level research assistants to clinical correctional staff across case files of 300 sex offenders. Only two items on the Static-99 had high levels of IRR, while the additional items and total score yielded only moderate and low levels of IRR.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Background: Train-the-trainer models are increasingly being used to disseminate educational programs for health-care providers, yet few studies have evaluated the impact of this approach.
Objective: To assess pharmacy faculty members’ post-training perceptions of the Rx for Change program materials and train-the-trainer workshop.
Methods: During 2003-2005, 188 faculty members representing 89 schools of pharmacy attended a train-the-trainer workshop (15 hours conducted over 3 days) and completed a post-training survey assessing key factors hypothesized to be associated with program adoption.
Results: Prior to the workshop, 49.5% of participating faculty had received no formal training for treating tobacco use and dependence, and 46.3% had not taught tobacco cessation to students. On average, participants reported that 30.3% of the curriculum content was new [to them], 46.0% was a necessary review, and 23.6% was an unnecessary review. When asked to rate their post-training confidence for teaching the Rx for Change materials, 73.3% responded “high,” and 26.7% responded “moderate,” Compared to pre-training, there was an increase in self-rated abilities to teach tobacco cessation training to pharmacy students (p<0.001). The materials were viewed as either moderately (43.9%) or highly (55.0%) compatible for integration into existing curricula, and 68.3% indicated a high likelihood of program adoption in the upcoming academic year. Nearly all participants (97.3%) would recommend the workshop to other pharmacy faculty.
Conclusion: Participation in a train-the-trainer workshop increased faculty confidence for providing comprehensive tobacco cessation education to pharmacy students. The majority of participants indicated high likelihood of adopting the Rx for Change program.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Based upon analyses of interview data collected from twenty-six clinician respondents, this study explores two facets of clinician uncertainty related to the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. First, this study explores clinician reservations about the diagnostic validity of ADHD as it is described by the American Psychiatric Association (1994) in DSM IV. Second, this study explores clinician ambivalence regarding the physical and social-psychological side-effects of stimulant medications, such as Ritalin. In reviewing a sizable cross-section of the popular and research-oriented literature demonstrating the very contentious nature of the ADHD phenomenon, this study illustrates that clinicians do not practice within a vacuum, but are instead largely affected by the marked skepticism that surrounds ADHD. In being affected by this skepticism, it is concluded that clinicians who assess and treat ADHD are autonomous in how they interpret the diagnostic and treatment protocols for this mental disorder.