Evidence that Mental Contrasting Reduces Health Information Avoidance.

BACKGROUND: Although learning health information is beneficial for physical well-being, many people opt to avoid learning this information due to its potentially threatening nature. Such avoidance can lead to delays in seeking treatment. PURPOSE: This study tested the effectiveness of a self-regulation technique, mental contrasting (MC), specifically MC of a negative future with a positive current reality, in reducing health information avoidance regarding skin cancer (melanoma). We hypothesized that participants who engaged in MC would be more likely to choose to learn about their melanoma risk than those who completed a control, reflection activity. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial (N = 354). Participants were assigned to complete a MC or reflection (control) exercise prior to filling out a melanoma risk calculator. Participants were then asked whether they wanted to learn their melanoma risk, and how much information they would like to know. RESULTS: Chi-Square tests revealed that MC decreased melanoma risk information avoidance compared to the reflection activity (12% vs. 23.4%) but did not make participants more likely seek additional information. CONCLUSION: MC is a brief, engaging, and effective strategy for reducing health information avoidance that could prove useful in medical settings.

It is important to know about the status of one's health in order to take necessary precautions for positive health outcomes. However, people may often engage in "information avoidance," which is the tendency to neglect seeking available and potentially valuable health information. Avoiding health information, especially with regards to one's risk for various diseases, is harmful because it can delay timely treatment. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of mental contrasting­a self-regulation technique­in reducing information avoidance for melanoma skin cancer risk. We recruited 354 participants, and they were randomly assigned to engage in the mental contrasting exercise or reflection (control) exercise. The participants then filled out a melanoma risk calculator and were asked whether they would like to learn their risk for melanoma, and how much information they would like to know. The results showed that mental contrasting decreased melanoma risk information avoidance compared to the reflection activity (12% vs. 23.4%) but did not make participants more likely seek additional information. These findings suggest that mental contrasting can be a brief, engaging, and effective strategy for reducing health information avoidance.

A Skinfold Model to Predict Fat-Free Mass in Female Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Despite widespread use of skinfolds to estimate body fatness, few prediction models have been validated on female athletes. Most skinfold models have been validated with hydrodensitometry, which does not account for the variability in bone density that may exist among female athletes. Our purpose was to develop a skinfold model that predicts fat-free mass (FFM) in female collegiate athletes. DESIGN AND SETTING: A skinfold model was developed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as the criterion method. Four skinfold measures (abdominal, suprailiac, thigh, triceps), height, and weight were entered into a regression model. The best model was developed and validated by calculating the predicted error sum of squares statistic. SUBJECTS: Study participants included 101 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female athletes (age = 20.3 +/- 1.4 years, height = 166.7 +/- 7.8 cm, mass = 63.1 +/- 8.1 kg) from several sports. MEASUREMENTS: Each participant's FFM was measured via DEXA. Skinfold thicknesses were measured and entered into the regression model. RESULTS: The final regression model included mass and abdominal and thigh skinfolds: FFM = 8.51 + (0.809 x mass) - (0.178 x abdominal skinfold) - (0.225 x thigh skinfold). The model showed excellent predictive ability (R = 0.98, standard error of the estimate = 1.1 kg). Pairwise comparisons indicated that prediction error showed no overprediction or underprediction bias. CONCLUSIONS: In female collegiate athletes, FFM can be predicted accurately from body mass and abdominal and thigh skinfolds. This model is practical and can be used in most athletic settings.

[Intrauniversitary selection: a good or a bad way to identify the best medical students?]. / La selection intra-universitaire: un bon ou mauvais moyen d'identifier les meilleurs étudiants en médecine?

During their first two years at the medical faculty of the University of Lausanne, selection of medical students is based on their performance in tests in basic sciences. However, this carries the risk that scientifically talented students who perhaps do not necessarily possess the personal skills to make them a good doctor are given preferential admission to the clinical semesters. This study followed a student cohort (n = 115), which had passed the first part of their state examination at the end of the third year course. The examination included an oral examination in psychosocial medicine (PSM) that tested the student's skills with regard to patient-physician communication. The PSM grade is compared with the grade achieved in the written tests in physics and physiology taken at the end of the first year of study. The findings showed that the performance achieved in the basic science examination had no predicative value for the student's future performance in the PSM test. Moreover, it was found that the type of pre-graduate degree had no major influence on the student's progress in their preclinical years of medical school.