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Patient Educ Couns, 1990

Blood cholesterol screening programs offer an important venue for nutrition counseling aimed at l... more Blood cholesterol screening programs offer an important venue for nutrition counseling aimed at lowering blood cholesterol levels. This paper presents a screening, counseling and referral protocol that has been developed by the Pawtucket Heart Health Program (PHHP). A review of general considerations for counseling strategies in the screening context highlights the necessity for brief, focused, behaviorially oriented tactics. The PHHP Summary and Referral protocol includes a review of multiple risk factors for heart disease, a discussion of blood cholesterol levels, recommendations for eating pattern changes based on response to a food frequency questionnaire, and a final summary and referral as needed. The training of lay volunteers and health professionals in delivery of the program is also reviewed.

The association between personality type and residency specialty choice was investigated with a s... more The association between personality type and residency specialty choice was investigated with a sample of 220 medical students . Personality type was determined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and residency specialty choice was divided into two categories: primary care and subspecialties. The results indicated that 1) the perceiving types chose subspecialties and judging types chose primary care more often than expected (J!. <.01), 2) intuitive/thinking types chose subspecialities and sensing/thinking, sensing/feeling, and intuitive/feeling types chose primary care more often than expected {n<.01 ), and 3) sensing/judging types chose primary care and sensing/perceiving types chose subspecialties more often than expected (n <.001) . The findings are consistent with the literature and support Myers-Briggs' theories . It is recommended that career counselors in medical schools use the Myers-Briggs Indicator in assisting students with specialty choice decisions .

Journal of School Health, 1990

ABSTRACT: The Pawtucket Heart Health program works closely with the 23 parochial and public schoo... more ABSTRACT: The Pawtucket Heart Health program works closely with the 23 parochial and public schools in Pawtucket, R.I., to educate students and teachers about heart health promotion. As part of that partnership, the PHHP developed a program to teach junior high school home economics students about nutrition, food purchasing techniques, and heart healthy cooking methods. In this Heart Healthy Cook-off program, the PHHP distributes recipe guidelines to home economics teachers who instruct students in recipe modification, food preparation, and presentation. Students choose recipes and make heart healthy substitutions to lower fat and sodium content. Recipes are analyzed for nutrient content by the PHHP and returned to the students with suggestions for lowering fat and sodium if necessary. Final recipes are judged for heart healthiness by a nutritionist and for taste by a panel of judges. Prizes are awarded to students with winning recipes. Before and after the Cook-offs, classes host a blood cholesterol SCORE (screening, counseling, and referral event) where students learn about their blood cholesterol level and its relationship to dietary intake. In 1988–1989, 105 junior high school students participated in the Cook-off/SCORE program. Forty percent had elevated blood cholesterol levels of 170 mg/dl or above. A statistically significant decrease in blood cholesterol levels was observed during a 12-week time period. The Cook-off is a fun, effective program for teaching secondary school students about heart healthy eating habits.