Murrey G Olmsted

In addition to the Editor and Associate Editors, the following individuals served as manuscript reviewers for Military Psychology during 2003 and 2004. Their expertise and efforts are greatly appreciated by the Division of Military Psychology of the American Psychological Association. ... MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY, 2004, 16(4), 277 Copyright © 2004, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. ... Erick Bacho Dana Born James Camic Mickey Dansby Anthony Doran Mark Eitelberg Morten Ender Reuven Gal Larry Hanser Jerry Hedge ... Eric Heggestad Janis ...

Rehabilitation care is an important part of care for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Little is known about factors influencing physiatrists' desire to provide MS care. This study examines factors associated with physiatrists' attitudes towards providing MS care. We collaborated with the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to survey a sample of 300 U.S. physiatrists. Analyses examined the association of exposure to MS care resources during residency, physician demographic and practice characteristics with attitudes toward providing MS care. Physiatrists indicating negative factors limiting the number of MS patients seen in clinical practice were more likely to practice in a setting other than a major city and less likely to have interacted with MS specialists during residency. Physiatrists indicating factors having a positive influence on providing MS patient care were more likely to practice within a major city, see one or more MS patients per week, and serve as the primary physiatrist directing care for one or more MS patients. Physiatrists indicated positive and negative attitudes towards MS care. Increasing exposure to MS patients, providing resources for MS care, and participating in continuing education on MS, may encourage physiatrists to provide MS patient care.

ABSTRACT The 2000 Navy-wide Personnel Survey (NPS) was administered to a random sample of 20,000 active duty officers and enlisted Sailors between October and December 2000. Completed questionnaires were accepted through December 31, 2000. The adjusted return rate was 33 percent. The NPS focuses on such topic areas as Sailor demographics, gender integration, training/education needs, leadership satisfaction, financial status, detailing, assignment, PERSTEMPO (i.e., time away from home), job characteristics, job satisfaction, career development, availability of resources, and overall satisfaction with Navy life. Results were statistically weighted to allow for generalization of sample results to the entire Navy population. Responses to the survey for officers and enlisted Sailors are presented in statistical tables, which are reported by paygrade, race, and gender.

... Kimberly P. Whittam, Jessica Janega, Murrey Olmsted ... These numbers are consistent with previous finding from the NPS (Olmsted, Kantor, & Palmisano, 2001; Kantor, Wilcove, & Olmsted, 1998; Kantor, Cullen, Wilcove, Ford, & Olmsted, 1997). ...

As computers and alternatives of communication become more widespread, researchers are beginning to turn to new approaches to conduct data collection. A frequently used technique for collecting preliminary data or follow-up research is focus groups. The present study compared two types of computer-based focus groups with traditional face-to-face focus groups. The two types of computer-based focus groups utilized a chat room environment and laptop computers to facilitate the discussions. The two computer conditions included one in which participants could see and hear each other (computer-mediated) and another in which barriers and noise-canceling headphones blocked such access to social cues (Internet-simulated). The conditions were designed such that the face-to-face condition would have the highest social presence, the computer-mediated would have a moderate level of social presence, and the Internet-simulated would have the lowest social presence. It was believed that the level o...

This report contains the results of four administrations of the Navy Core Values Survey. Trends in response patterns are identified, implications are discussed, and recommendations are made for further research. Background The Navy Core Values-Honor, Courage, Commitment-are a product of the Core Values Initiative (CVI) established by the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET). At the heart of a service-wide effort to strengthen the Navy as a values community, the CVI was conceived as a means of effecting a sea change in the central ethos that guides the conduct of people in the Navy.

The 2000 Navy-wide Personnel Survey (NPS) was administered to a random sample of 20,000 active duty officers and enlisted Sailors between October and December 2000. Completed questionnaires were accepted through December 31, 2000. The adjusted return rate was 33 percent. The NPS focuses on such topic areas as Sailor demographics, gender integration, training/education needs, leadership satisfaction, financial status, detailing, assignment, PERSTEMPO (i.e., time away from home), job characteristics, job satisfaction, career development, availability of resources, and overall satisfaction with Navy life. Results were statistically weighted to allow for generalization of sample results to the entire Navy population. Responses to the survey for officers and enlisted Sailors are presented in statistical tables, which are reported by paygrade, race, and gender.

PHENOMENON: Previous studies have not explored factors associated with decisions among neurology residents to pursue subspecialty training within neurology. Understanding career choices among neurology residents, particularly decisions regarding subspecialty training, is critical, as neurologists with specialized knowledge can help meet the needs of patients with specific disease conditions. This study addresses the knowledge gap about subspecialty training decisions by examining factors associated with neurology residents' interest in pursuing subspecialty training and the types of subspecialty training neurology residents consider. We surveyed a geographically stratified sample of neurology residents in U.S. training programs using a two-stage survey design. In Stage 1, we randomly sampled half of the accredited neurology residency programs stratified by U.S. census region; Stage 2 involved a survey of neurology residents within these programs. The majority (approximately 81%) of residents expressed interest in subspecialty training. Resident demographic characteristics and educational debt did not influence interest in pursuing subspecialty training. Residents were more likely to express interest in subspecialty training when they participated in any neurology research (odds ratio [OR] = 2.39), 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.13, 5.07], p = .02, and indicated more interest in careers involving teaching (OR = 8.33), 95% CI [1.64, 42.19], p = .01. Considering the "medical content of subspecialty" as a more important factor approached but did not reach statistical significance (OR = 3.12), 95% CI [0.97, 10.06], p = .06. Insights: Participation in any neurology research and interest in careers involving teaching are associated with interest in subspecialty training among neurology residents. Further research is needed to determine whether exposure to research and teaching stimulates interest in subspecialty training and whether residents believe that subspecialty training is instrumental in pursuing an academic career.

Rehabilitation care is an important part of comprehensive care for MS patients. Little is known about the number of physiatry residents who are interested in providing care to individuals with multiple sclerosis [MS]. This study examines factors that influence physiatry residents' interest in providing care to MS patients. We randomly sampled half of all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs in the continental United States and Puerto Rico. Surveys were received from 74% of programs (Stage 1 response rate) and from 221 residents (45% Stage 2 response rate). Residents expressing interest in providing MS care were more likely to be female, Asian, and to select statements emphasizing multidisciplinary care approaches and a community of dedicated professional colleagues as positive features of MS patient care. Residents interested in teaching and with more education debt were marginally more likely to e...

Although detailed knowledge regarding treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is largely limited to neurologists, shortages in the neurologist workforce, including MS subspecialists, are predicted. Thus, MS patients may have difficulties in gaining access to appropriate care. No systematic evaluation has yet been performed of the number of neurology residents planning to pursue MS subspecialization. This study identifies factors affecting interest in providing MS patient care or MS subspecialization among current neurology residents. We randomly selected half of all Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-certified neurology residency programs in the continental United States to receive the neurology resident survey. Completed surveys were received from 218 residents. Residents were significantly more likely to have increased interest in MS care when they participated in MS research, were interested in teaching, and indicated that the "ability to improve patient outcomes and quality of life" was a positive factor influencing their desire to provide MS patient care. Residents who were interested in providing MS care, interested in teaching, and indicated that "research opportunities" was a positive factor for providing MS patient care were significantly more likely to express interest in MS subspecialization. Increasing opportunities to interact with MS patients, learn about MS care, and participate in MS research may increase interest in MS care and subspecialization among neurology residents. Opportunities to educate residents regarding MS patient care may affect residents' attitudes.

ABSTRACT This article reports data from a large-scale assessment using the Family Outcomes Survey with families participating in early intervention. The study was designed to determine how families describe themselves with regard to outcomes achieved, the extent to which outcomes are interrelated, and the extent to which child, family, and program factors are associated with outcomes. Families reported positive outcomes, but there was variability in their responses. Factor analysis revealed that outcomes clustered in two areas: (a) family knowledge and ability, and (b) family support and community services. Hierarchical linear models indicated race/ethnicity, income, time in early intervention, perception of early intervention, and family-centered services were related to family outcomes. Recommendations for how to best use survey data are discussed.

This paper evaluates the effects of two mixed-mode (mail and web) survey designs versus a single mode (mail) design on response rates for a survey of physicians. In comparisons of single-mode physician surveys, mail surveys typically outperform web surveys (Van ...

Over the years, a number of effective methods have been developed to increase the level of survey participation. These methods include pre-notification letters, incentives, reminders, survey form design, endorsement letters, sending additional surveys, and shortening survey ...

Parents of 1,105 male and 283 female children with fragile X syndrome described functional skill attainment in eating, dressing, toileting, bathing/hygiene, communication, articulation, and reading. The majority of adult children had mastered many skills independently. Most adults were verbal, used the toilet, dressed, ate independently, bathed, and used a towel independently. However, some skills were not as well-developed, such as using complex sentences, reading, or speaking at a typical rate. As expected, significant differences were found between males and females. The findings highlight major skill attainments, identify skills that should be the target of specific intervention programs, suggest variable trajectories to be tested more precisely through direct assessments and longitudinally, and provide baseline data for treatment studies.

Understanding the nature and consequences of intellectual and developmental disabilities is challenging, especially when the condition is rare, affected individuals are geographically dispersed, and/or resource constraints limit large-scale studies involving direct assessment. Surveys provide an alternative methodology for gathering information but must be carefully designed and interpreted in light of obvious limitations. In this paper we discuss the potential of surveys in understanding a disabling condition; delineate characteristics of successful survey research; describe a survey of families of individuals with fragile X syndrome; and synthesize major findings. The survey has provided new information about the nature and consequences of fragile X syndrome in a cost-effective fashion, suggesting that survey methodology has a useful place in creating new knowledge about intellectual and developmental disabilities.

National survey data from 884 families were used to examine the overall health of children and adults with fragile X syndrome. Results indicate the rate of obesity in adults with fragile X syndrome is similar to the general population (∼30%). Male children with fragile X syndrome, however, had higher rates of obesity (31%) when compared with typically developing same-aged peers (18%). Both males and females displayed food selectivity, especially with regard to texture. Physical activity levels for children were higher than for adults, but neither group met recommended levels. Several cognitive and behavioral characteristics, food selectivity, and physical activity were related to overall health and body mass index. Continued monitoring of the health status of individuals with fragile X syndrome is recommended.