Explore the vast range of titles available.

This study details my viewpoint on the experiences, lessons, and assessments of conducting a national study on care-seeking behavior for heart attack in the United States utilizing the World Wide Web. The Yale Heart Study (YHS) was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Grounded on two prior studies, the YHS combined a Web-based interview survey instrument; ads placed on the Internet; flyers and posters in public libraries, senior centers, and rehabilitation centers; information on chat rooms; a viral marketing strategy; and print ads to attract potential participants to share their heart attack experiences. Along the way, the grant was transferred from Ohio State University (OSU) to Yale University, and significant administrative, information technology, and personnel challenges ensued that materially delayed the study's execution. Overall, the use of the Internet to collect data on care-seeking behavior is very time consuming and emergent. The cost of using the Web was approximately 31% less expensive than that of face-to-face interviews. However, the quality of the data may have suffered because of the absence of some data compared with interviewing participants. Yet the representativeness of the 1154 usable surveys appears good, with the exception of a dearth of African American participants.

The goal of this study was to describe locum tenens physicians in the context of contingent, nonstandard employment in the US. The target population for this study was 1662 physicians who accepted at least one locum tenens assignment. Response rate for the 50-item questionnaire was 47 percent. One third of respondents considered a locum tenens practice pattern permanent. Female physicians were younger and disproportionately represented in primary care specialism; 64 percent used locum income as sole source of support and were motivated by a need for flexible scheduling. Male locum physicians were older; weighted toward the sub-specialisms and motivated to practice part-time. Overall, locum physicians were satisfied with contingent work. Shifts towards part-time employment among women and a desire for flexibility are changing the nature of physician employment. Locum physicians, as 'gold collar' contingent workers are very different from contingent workers in manufacturing and service sectors of the economy.

The objective of this study was to provide a profile of locum tenens providers and their motivation for choosing this practice pattern. The research design used was a cross-sectional mailed survey questionnaire. Participants included the 1662 physicians who accepted at least one locum tenens assignment in 2001 from one physician staffing service. They were asked to complete a 50-element questionnaire; 776 (47 percent) responded. The average age of respondents was 53.0 years. Men represented 70.3 percent of the sample and were significantly older (56.3 years) than women providers who responded (45.3 years). One-third considered a locum tenens practice pattern permanent. Primary care locums were younger than specialists and subspecialists. Female providers were disproportionately practicing in primary care specialties (43.9 percent); 64 percent used locum income as their sole source of support and were frequently (31 percent) motivated by a need for a flexible work schedule. Male locum physicians were weighted toward the subspecialties and were motivated mostly (62 percent) by a desire to continue to practice part time. They used locum income as a secondary means of support (33 percent) or to augment pension and retirement resources (38 percent). A physician workforce from most major specialties and subspecialties and all age groups and career stages fulfills career and economic goals by working in a short-term, temporary employment pattern. Locum tenens appeals to physician providers who desire a healthier, more controllable lifestyle.

In this paper, a theoretical and applied understanding is brought to the study of acute myocardial infarction [AMI] care-seeking behavior. The time between the onset of an AMI and the initiation of definitive medical care is presently the single most important factor impeding reduced mortality and improved morbidity from thrombolytic therapy. It is suggested that the acknowledged, yet relatively neglected, area of emotional response is a key element in understanding why individuals may delay seeking definitive health care services following the onset of AMI symptoms. Emotionally significant dimensions of the care-seeking process and a model for intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality are presented.

Alonzo reviews \"Alcoholics Anonymous as a Mutual-Help Movement: A Study in Eight Societies\" by Klaus Makela, Ilkka Arminen, Kim Bloomfield, Irmgard Eisenbach-Stangl, Karin Helmersson Bergmark, Noriko Kurube, Nicoletta Mariolini, Hildigunnur Olafsdottir, John H. Peterson, Mary Phillips, Jurgen Rehm, Robin Room, Pia Rosenqvist, Haydee, Rosovsky, Kerstin, Stenius, Grazyna Swiatkiewicz, Bohdan Woronowicz, and Antoni Zielinski.