ABSTRACT
The clinical examination of acute soft tissue injuries of the ankle does not necessarily help to delineate the extent of injury. Ankle stress radiographs and arthrography have been applied for a more accurate assessment of the actual degree of ligamentous damage. However, these studies do not define the level of the ligament tear of the relationship of torn ligament ends to one another. This information would seem to be valuable in deciding whether a conservative or surgical approach would be advisable. The following study evaluated the possible role of magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of these injuries. The ability to assess ankle ligaments was first undertaken. Once this was successfully performed, magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess the degree of ligament damage in 15 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging proved to be comparable to arthrography. It also provided additional valuable information.
Subject(s)
Ankle Joint , Ligaments, Articular/injuries , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/standards , Wounds and Injuries/diagnosis , Adult , Arthrography/standards , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Wounds and Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiologyABSTRACT
This paper systematically links and examines two decisions of employed informal caregivers, the allocation of time to care production and to the labor market. Its main contribution is its evaluation of the influence of ethnicity on the family's decisions about providing health care to meet the impending needs of an elderly family member or friend. Caregiving production factors, financial resources, and personal characteristics of the informal care providers influence both caregiving hours and the labor market decisions. German-, Irish-, English-, and Afro-Americans differ significantly in their decision to provide informal care. Policy and research implications of this analysis are discussed.
Subject(s)
Ethnicity , Home Nursing/economics , Aged , Employment/economics , Family , Female , Humans , Income , Insurance, Health , Male , Regression Analysis , United StatesABSTRACT
Informal health care providers (usually family members, friends, and other unpaid helpers) determine the quantity and quality of home health services received by the elderly. Yet our knowledge of informal health care production is limited, in sharp contrast to our detailed knowledge of market-produced home health services. This paper assesses family choices in the production of informal home care, with special attention given to the influence of ethnicity on family caregiving style.
Subject(s)
Ethnicity , Family , Home Nursing , Aged , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Socioeconomic Factors , United StatesABSTRACT
The present study focused on the content and practice of racial socialization by black parents. Sociodemographic correlates of patterns of racial socialization were examined using data from a national probability sample of 2,107 respondents (National Study of Black Americans). Multivariate analysis revealed that gender, age, marital status, region, and racial composition of neighborhood predicted whether or not black parents imparted racial socialization messages to their children. Black parents envision racial socialization as involving several components, including messages regarding their experience as minority group members, themes emphasizing individual character and goals, and information related to black cultural heritage. The findings highlighted the critical importance of sociodemographic and environmental influences on the socialization process. Implications for future research on racial socialization are discussed.
Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Parents/psychology , Social Behavior , Social Environment , Social Identification , Socialization , Socioeconomic Factors , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Personality Development , Social Values , United StatesABSTRACT
Both blacks and whites go to hospital emergency rooms for nonemergency health problems. Age, marital status, and health conditions are significant sociodemographic determinants for blacks' visits on these occasions, while those for whites include sex, age, education, insurance, employment status, region of residence, and health conditions. Despite the significant differences in determinants, similar influences bear on the two groups' decision to utilize medical services generally. Discrete analyses are still needed of cultural and interracial variation affecting the use of health facilities, together with intensive assessment of community characteristics in which the facilities are located, especially among black populations.
Subject(s)
Black or African American , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Primary Health Care , White People , Adolescent , Adult , Educational Status , Female , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Marriage , Middle Aged , Residence Characteristics , Socioeconomic Factors , United StatesABSTRACT
The factors influencing the increased use of emergency rooms by minorities were examined among a national sample of black and Hispanic Americans. Multivariate analysis indicated that ethnicity and age were important predictors of emergency room use. Specific health conditions also determined whether the emergency room was chosen as a health care option. Directions for future research on emergency room use are presented.
