OBJECTIVE To assess how initial severity of depression affects the benefit derived from low intensity interventions for depression. DESIGN Meta-analysis of individual patient data from 16 datasets comparing low intensity interventions with usual care. SETTING Primary care and community settings. PARTICIPANTS 2470 patients with depression. INTERVENTIONS Low intensity interventions for de...

Due to the pressure to economize, increased consumerism and concerns about quality in relation to costs, the assessment of the outcome of assistive technology (AT) has been given increasing attention in recent years. The political and economical call for rationalising the amount of recourses spent on assistive technology, but also the intention to enhance the outcome of AT, make insight into th...

Assistive technology is critical to maximize the functional skills of the person with a physical disability at home, work, and school. As assistive devices become increasingly complex and expensive and more options are available, the need for an assistive technology specialist is enhanced. Recent regulations and advances in technology are affecting the type, quality, and comprehensiveness of as...

The ability to use technology has become a survival skill in our society. This paper discusses technology trends related to the demands of the Information Age, the increasing availability of information and assistive technologies, and the impact of recent civil rights legislation mandating that persons with disabilities be given equal access to technologies that can enhance functional performan...

BACKGROUND This study was a part of a larger study exploring the impact of assistive technology on the lives of young people living with dementia (YPD). This paper focuses on one of the most useful devices, the simple remote control (SRC). The objective was to explore the reason why the SRC is significant and beneficial in the everyday lives of YPD and their caregivers. METHODS This qualitati...

In 2011 the Cuban health system began a process of sectoral reform to maintain and improve the health of Cuba's population, in response to new challenges and demands in the health sector and population health status. The main actions involved are reorganization, consolidation and regionalization of services and resources. Although community engagement and personal responsibility are not explici...

INTRODUCTION Assistive technology is often recommended with the aim of increasing user independence and reducing the burden on informal caregivers. However, until now, there has been no tool to measure the outcomes of this process for caregivers. OBJECTIVES To describe the development of the Caregiver Assistive Technology Outcome Measure (CATOM), a tool developed to measure the impact of assi...

Patients who are deaf and hard of hearing often find the American healthcare system to be inaccessible due to communication barriers. This article describes facilities' and providers' requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide qualified interpreters and other assistive devices to patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Removing communication barriers can protect healthc...

This expert consensus statement reviews evidence on the effectiveness of drug and alcohol self-help groups and presents potential implications for clinicians, treatment program managers and policymakers. Because longitudinal studies associate self-help group involvement with reduced substance use, improved psychosocial functioning, and lessened health care costs, there are humane and practical ...