Impact of an independent-study programme upon professional careers

A survey of graduates of the Independent-Study Programme (ISP) at the College of Medicine, University of Illinois, was conducted in order to assess the impact of the ISP on their subsequent careers. Responses from ninety-nine of these graduates, when compared with their classmates, lend strong support to the idea that such an independent study programme has long-lasting effects on the participants. The ISP graduates are selecting a medical subspecialty in a much higher percentage than their classmates or the national average. They also are engaging in more research, administration, and teaching. Differences between the ISP and the traditional graduates are explained in terms of unique educational opportunities, contact with teachers and peers, orientation towards independent learning and curricular requirements.     

Canadian counselling psychologists' contributions to applied psychology.

The goal of this paper is to draw attention to the contributions of Canadian counselling psychologists in three key areas central to the discipline: (a) multiculturalism, social justice, and advocacy; (b) health, wellness, and prevention, and (c) career psychology. Accordingly, we have situated our discussion within a historical framework of the discipline followed by a discussion of the Canadian context, definitions, and specific contributions. Finally, we offer a summary of the strengths and current challenges faced by Canadian counselling psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Healing times of diabetic ulcers in the presence of fixed deformities of the foot using total contact casting

In a diabetic foot, ulcers can lead directly to the loss of a limb, and they may be life threatening if the patient is not provided effective intervention directed at healing. This study reports on the healing times of diabetic neuropathic plantar ulcers in the presence of fixed deformities of the foot using the ambulatory method of total contact casting (TCC). In this study, 21 subjects with chronic diabetes mellitus, plantar ulcers, and fixed deformities of the foot were put in casts, and their progress was followed until the ulcers were completely healed. Results indicated that all of the ulcers healed. The average time to healing was 67 +/- 29 days. Ulcers located in the forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot healed in an average of 35 +/- 12 days, 73 +/- 28 days, and 90 +/- 12 days, respectively. The location of the ulcer and the presence and location of a fixed deformity of the foot strongly correlated with and was predictive of healing time using TCC. The location of the ulcers and the location of the fixed deformities of the foot should always be considered by providers of rehabilitation who treat diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers using TCC.     

Recovery from a 1-minute bout of fatiguing exercise: characteristics, reliability, and responsiveness

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were (1) to describe the characteristics of recovery of peak torque after a 1-minute bout of isokinetic exercise of the quadriceps femoris muscle, (2) to determine the short-term reliability of the recovery of peak torque, and (3) to determine whether the recovery of peak torque more closely associates with maximal endurance exercise capacity than does the decline in peak torque at the end of the fatigue test. SUBJECTS: Thirty-three nondisabled subjects, ranging in age from 23 to 34 years (X = 27, SD = 3.4), participated in the reliability portion (phase 1) of the study. A different group of 21 nondisabled subjects, ranging in age from 21 to 47 years (X = 27.5, SD = 5.2), participated in the correlational portion (phase 2) of the study. METHODS: The short-term reliability of percentage of decline in peak torque and recovery of peak torque was assessed in phase 1. Each subject performed two quadriceps femoris muscle fatigue tests (test-retest) on an isokinetic dynamometer. In phase 2, each subject performed a single fatigue test and a test of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) to examine the relationships between VO2max and percentage of decline in peak torque at the end of the fatigue test and recovery of peak torque. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient values at every 30-second interval during recovery were acceptable (ICC = .67-.87), indicating recovery of peak torque is a consistent measure of quadriceps femoris muscle performance. A high negative correlation (r = -.84) was found between the percentage of decline at 30 seconds of recovery and VO2max, but a lower negative correlation (r = -.48) was found between the percentage of decline in torque at the end of the fatigue test and VO2max. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: These results suggest recovery of peak torque is a reliable measure of muscle performance and closely associates with maximal aerobic exercise capacity.     

Canadian counselling psychology coming of age: An overview of the special section.

This paper provides a brief overview of each of the papers published in this special section on Canadian Counselling Psychology and details how the special section articles further the development of the discipline by highlighting Canadian authored scholarship, mapping out the history and current state of the discipline, and considering how the unique Canadian context shaped the literature reviewed. Specifically, this introduction outlines how the articles to follow cover the following topics: (a) the history of Canadian counselling psychology; (b) professional issues and identity; (c) counselling, training, and supervision; (d) research and scientific issues; and (e) counselling psychologists' contribution to applied psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Shin splints and forefoot contact running: a case report

Many athletes develop shin splints after athletic activity. The purpose of this case report is to describe the treatment of a patient with posteromedial tibial pain (shin splints) who habitually ran with a forefoot contact running style. The 20-year-old male patient, who played volleyball and basketball about 7 hours a week, complained of pain in the middle one-third of the posteromedial tibia after an acute but prolonged episode of running. Routine observational analysis and in-shoe pressure analysis of the patient's running style showed that he habitually ran on his toes with an absence of heelstrike (forefoot contact running). After instructing the patient on heel-toe running, he no longer complained of posteromedial tibial bone pain. Several possible reasons are proposed for the reduction of leg pain following cessation of forefoot contact running. This case report proposes forefoot contact running as a possible contributor to posteromedial shin splints and that a change in running style may be the optimal treatment for some patients.