Search

Introduction: Localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) is a prevalent sexual health condition with significant negative impacts on quality of life. There is a lack of consensus regarding effective management. Methods: We used Arksey and O'Malley's five-step method to identify, collate, and evaluate literature published between 2010 and 2023. The scoping review investigated the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions in the management of LPV. The aim of this paper is to map the literature on the efficacy or effectiveness of physical interventions. Results: The review produced 19 primary studies of physical interventions for LPV. These include acupuncture, laser therapy, physiotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, low-intensity shockwave therapy, transcranial direct current stimulation, and vestibulectomy. Conclusion: Published studies that investigated a range of physical treatments for LPV showed some positive effects, except for transcranial direct-current stimulation. The remaining modalities demonstrated improved sexual pain and treatment satisfaction, when measured. Findings were mixed for non-sexual pain. There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions regarding other outcomes. Researchers are encouraged to conduct larger, high-quality studies that sample more diverse patient populations and use patient-oriented outcomes to assess effectiveness of physical modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) is a chronic condition characterized by pain in the vulvar vestibule, which can be provoked by pressure or touch and which is not tied to a clear underlying cause. Research into the etiology of and most appropriate treatment strategy for LPV is still limited.Methods: Using Arksey and O'Malley's model for scoping reviews, we evaluated the research question: what is the current evidence regarding the efficacy/effectiveness of multimodal or interdisciplinary interventions for the treatment of LPV? We collated and analyzed articles from 2010 to 2023 to capture the current research landscape.Results: Our review identified 27 studies, which either compared treatments between classes (eg pharmacologic versus psychologic modalities) or described interdisciplinary treatment programs. We identify several trends in the literature. First, outcome measures are inconsistent between studies, often unvalidated, and may not adequately mirror patient concerns. Second, the absence of appropriate comparator groups in many studies restricts providers' ability to appraise which treatments may be most efficacious. Third, selection bias and demographic homogeneity limit generalizability. Finally, we highlight the need for head-to-head trials of vestibulectomy with other treatments considered first line for vulvodynia management.Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to suggest the superiority of one treatment modality for LPV relative to others or to recommend a particular interdisciplinary management strategy. Future research should use a head-to-head design where sham control is impossible, incorporate patient-centered outcome measures, and investigate impacts of treatment among diverse samples of LPV patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine (Wolters Kluwer India Pvt Ltd) is the property of Wolters Kluwer India Pvt Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) is a chronic pain condition without an identifiable cause that is localized to a portion of the vulva and provoked by pressure or touch. LPV is a commonly occurring but poorly understood condition lacking consensus on management. This scoping review used Arksey and O'Malley's approach to identify and evaluate literature published between 2010 and 2023 that addressed the question: What is the current evidence on the efficacy or effectiveness of pharmacological treatments in the management of LPV? This review evaluated 18 papers reporting on the efficacy or effectiveness of oral, topical, and injectable medications. Seven of the studies were randomized controlled trials. Oral gabapentin and oral desipramine showed some improvement in sexual function compared to placebo. Small sample sizes and methodological issues limited confidence in interpreting findings. Pain was reduced in descriptive studies of tricyclic antidepressants, milnacipran, injectable anesthetics, and botulinum toxin. Where pain did not improve with treatment, some oral medications improved participants' mood and sexual function. Some topical agents may be effective in reducing peripherally mediated neuropathic pain. Botulinum toxin was the most well-studied injectable but yielded mixed outcomes related to pain, quality of life, and sexual function. There is a lack of convincing evidence to draw conclusions about the efficacy or effectiveness of pharmacological therapies for LPV. The breadth of therapies for treating LPV warrants the development of evidence-based, consensus guidelines for measuring treatment outcomes and improving comparisons across studies. Recommendations for research include addressing methodological shortcomings and diversifying the participant pool to increase the generalizability of findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Telepharmacy has the potential to enhance pharmacy services in oncology care, especially in remote areas. This scoping review explored the range, critical benefits and barriers of using telepharmacy services in oncology care. Methods: The scoping review followed the Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework to identify available evidence. PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE and Scopus databases were searched for original research published between 2010 and 2020. The five dimensions of the Alberta Quality Matrix for Health were used to analyse reported outcomes. Results: Eligible articles (n = 21) were analysed. Telepharmacy in oncology care was used for follow-up, monitoring and counselling, intravenous chemotherapy and sterile compounding, expanding availability of pharmacy services, and remote education. Telepharmacy obtained high acceptability among cancer patients (n = 5) and healthcare professionals (n = 5), and increased accessibility of pharmaceutical services to underserved cancer populations (n = 2). Commonly cited effectiveness and safety outcomes were improved patient adherence (n = 5), increased pharmacy services (n = 3) and early identification of medication-related problems (n = 5). Telepharmacy improved efficiency in staffing and workload (n = 3), and increased cost savings (n = 3). A shortage of resources (n = 5), technical problems (n = 4) and prolonged turnaround time (n = 4), safety concerns (n = 2) and patient willingness to pay (n = 1) were identified barriers to implementing telepharmacy in oncology care. Discussion: Despite evidence pointing to the advantages and opportunities for expanding oncology pharmacy services through telepharmacy, certain challenges remain. Further research is needed to investigate safety concerns and patient willingness to pay for telepharmacy services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parental advocacy is a dynamic process that changes depending on the circumstances and needs of the child and parent. Communication deficits related to an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis often necessitate parental advocacy. This study describes how parents and caregivers of children and youth diagnosed with ASD engage in parental advocacy, the challenges they encounter and the advocacy skills they develop. Method: We used descriptive exploratory methodology informed by reflexive thematic analysis. The aim of the study was to explore advocacy in parents and caregivers of children and youth diagnosed with ASD. Results: We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 parents of children and youth with an ASD diagnosis living in 4 provinces of Atlantic Canada. The pathway in parents' advocacy journey included: (1) Expressing concerns; (2) Seeking help, assessment, and diagnosis; (3) Acquiring services; (4) Removing barriers; and (5) Developing advocacy skills. Conclusions: Our findings illustrate the process of parental advocacy, skill development, and the barriers parents encounter in advocating for their children with ASD. Future research might explore how health professionals can support parents' advocacy efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Parental advocacy is a dynamic process that changes depending on the circumstances and needs of the child and parent. Communication deficits related to an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis often necessitate parental advocacy. This study describes how parents and caregivers of children and youth diagnosed with ASD engage in parental advocacy, the challenges they encounter and the advocacy skills they develop. METHOD: We used descriptive exploratory methodology informed by reflexive thematic analysis. The aim of the study was to explore advocacy in parents and caregivers of children and youth diagnosed with ASD. RESULTS: We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 parents of children and youth with an ASD diagnosis living in 4 provinces of Atlantic Canada. The pathway in parents' advocacy journey included: (1) Expressing concerns; (2) Seeking help, assessment, and diagnosis; (3) Acquiring services; (4) Removing barriers; and (5) Developing advocacy skills. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate the process of parental advocacy, skill development, and the barriers parents encounter in advocating for their children with ASD. Future research might explore how health professionals can support parents' advocacy efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of writing and the textual form and format that scientific knowledge takes tend to be organized by traditional rules for knowledge production that are reinforced in the publication arena. Too often participatory action researchers must adhere to scholarly writing conventions that may be at odds with the epistemic stance and discursive claims of the feminist researchers who produce them. In this article, we reflect on our experience of writing to transgress conventions for scholarly writing using a previously published paper about and with a lone mother living in poverty. In our examination of this case study we argue that our writing process and the transgressive textual form and format we used were a more authentic reflection of our epistemic stance as critical realists and more consistent with the principles and assumptions underpinning feminist participatory action research--assumptions that privilege power-sharing, voice, subjectivity and reflexivity. We also show how maternal identities and their lived experiences can be constituted differently through transgressive writing practices. We consider some benefits that may accrue to those who are willing and able to challenge disciplinary boundaries for knowledge production and the practical and ethical challenges such a venture may expose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Introduction: Health and human services professionals are increasingly using mobile devices to support clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice. However, research on self-directed learning in an era of growing digital technology utilization is underdeveloped. This study explored the adoption and use of mobile learning as a continuing professional development (CPD) activity. Methods: A mixed-methods case study using semistructured interviews and a web-based questionnaire was conducted with health and human services professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Results: Respondents reported using a smartphone (53.8%), tablets (50.4%), YouTube (43.0%), and mobile apps (35.8%) for CPD. The highest-rated benefits of mobile learning included improved access to information (M = 3.51); potential for enhanced knowledge acquisition (M = 3.45); staying up to date (M = 3.44); and verifying information (M = 3.40). The greatest barriers included cost of some apps and resources (M = 3.07); websites/programs not functional on mobile devices (M = 2.84); workplace barriers preventing access to digital resources (M = 2.82); and social media use linked to negative perceptions of professionalism (M = 2.65). Interview respondents described the flexibility and convenience of mobile learning, the level of autonomy it offered, and the advantages of learning on their own time. Technical issues, particularly for rural and remote practitioners, and digital professionalism also emerged as potential barriers. Discussion: A systems model organizes the factors influencing the adoption and use of mobile devices and resources to support "just-in-time" learning. Addressing policies, practices, and regulations that enable or inhibit adoption of mobile learning for CPD may foster enhanced use to support better clinical decision-making, improved accuracy, and greater patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Digital, social, and mobile technologies (DSMTs) can support a wide range of self-directed learning activities, providing learners with diverse resources, information, and ways to network that support their learning needs. DSMTs are increasingly used to facilitate learning across the continuum of health professional education (HPE). Given the diverse characteristics of DSMTs and the formal, informal, and nonformal nature of health professional learning, a review of the literature on DSMTs and HPE could inform more effective adoption and usage by regulatory organizations, educators, and learners. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was performed to explore the effectiveness and implications of adopting and using DSMTs across the educational continuum in HPE. A data extraction tool was used to review and analyze 125 peer-reviewed articles. Common themes were identified by thematic analysis. Results: Most articles (56.0%) related to undergraduate education; 31.2% to continuing professional development, and 52.8% to graduate/postgraduate education. The main DSMTs described include mobile phones, apps, tablets, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Approximately half of the articles (49.6%) reported evaluative outcomes at a satisfaction/reaction level; 45.6% were commentaries, reporting no evaluative outcomes. Most studies reporting evaluative outcomes suggest that learners across all levels are typically satisfied with the use of DSMTs in their learning. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: use of DSMTs across the HPE continuum; key benefits and barriers; and best practices. Discussion: Despite the positive commentary on the potential benefits and opportunities for enhancing teaching and learning in HPE with DSMTs, there is limited evidence at this time that demonstrates effectiveness of DSMTs at higher evaluative outcome levels. Further exploration of the learning benefits and effectiveness of DSMTs for teaching and learning in HPE is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This analysis examines the ‘girls only’ policy for publicly funded human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes. Current funding policy in most Canadian provinces covers ‘girls only’ with the goal of reducing mortality and morbidity rates of HPV‐related cervical cancer. Recent studies indicate increasing rates of other HPV‐related cancers among cisgender men and women. The HPV vaccine is proving effective against some of these cancers. Statistics on HPV vaccine uptake among individuals with different gender expressions are scarce. Critics argue that a ‘girls only’ HPV vaccine policy is inequitable. We add to this critique by reflecting on the gender binary embedded in such policies and produced through epidemiological studies that attend differentially to females, reinforcing exclusionary practices that leave out those who form their gender identities across the spectrum. We then draw on deontological (duties‐based) and utilitarian (utility‐based) frameworks to show that these gendered policies are also unethical. These challenges to the assumptions underlying ‘girls only’ immunization programmes have implications for nurses and the healthcare system. If we are to advance equitable and ethical health outcomes, we entreat nurses as a collective to mobilize the public to lobby federal, provincial and territorial governments to fund more inclusive HPV vaccination policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building social inclusion was the primary theoretical and practice goal of a group of researcher/academics who partnered with lone mother research assistants in participatory action research. One outcome was the creation of a video recording that was based on a day in the life of a lone mother receiving income support. The work of creating and sharing the video recording became the lightning rod that focused the partners’ attention on the complexities of negotiating power in the well-intentioned but problematic struggle to reconstruct stories about lone mothers. The distinct voices of individual authors are honored in this shared story about our journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Highly publicized water supply problems highlight the importance of safe drinking water to the public. Boil water advisories (BWAs) are an important precautionary measure meant to protect public health by ensuring drinking water safety. Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada is a prime location for exploring public notification practices and adherence to recommendations as there were a total of 215 BWAs, affecting 6 % of the provincial population, in 145 communities between April 2006 and March 2007 when data for the present study were collected.Methods: Residents who received household water from a public water supply were randomly selected for a telephone interview. Collected data included participants' notification of boil water advisory, satisfaction with information provided, and their adherence to recommendations.Results: Most participants learned that a BWA had been issued or lifted in their community through radio, television, or word of mouth. BWAs were issued for a range of operational reasons. Almost all participants who had experienced a BWA reported wanting more information about the reasons a BWA had been issued. Low adherence to water use recommendations during a BWA was common.Conclusions: This study is first to report on public adherence to boil water advisory recommendations in Canada. The findings raise public health concerns, particularly given the high number of BWAs issued each year. Further studies in partnership with community stakeholders and government decision-makers responsible for overseeing public water systems are needed to assess the perceptions of BWAs, the reasons for non-adherence, and to identify information dissemination methods to increase information uptake and public adherence with acceptable uses of public drinking water during a BWA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Online content is a primary source of healthcare information for internet-using adults and a rich resource for health researchers. This paper explores the methodological and ethical issues of engaging in health research using social media. Methods A metamethod was performed on systematically selected studies that used social media as a data source for exploring public awareness and beliefs about Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and HPV vaccination. Seven electronic databases were searched using a variety of search terms identified for each of three concepts: social media, HPV vaccine, and research method. Abstracts were assessed for eligibility of inclusion; six studies met the eligibility criteria and were subjected to content analysis. A 10-item coding scheme was developed to assess the clarity, congruence and transparency of research design, epistemological and methodological underpinnings and ethical considerations. Results The designs of the six selected studies were sound, although most studies could have been more transparent about how they built in rigor to ensure the trustworthiness and credibility of findings. Statistical analysis that intended to measure trends and patterns did so without the benefit of randomized sampling and other design elements for ensuring generalizability or reproducibility of findings beyond the specified virtual community. Most researchers did not sufficiently engage virtual users in the research process or consider the risk of privacy incursion. Most studies did not seek ethical approval from an institutional research board or permission from host websites or web service providers. Conclusions The metamethod exposed missed opportunities for using the dialogical character of social media as well as a lack of attention to the unique ethical issues inherent in operating in a virtual community where social boundaries and issues of public and private are ambiguous. This suggests the need for more self-conscious and ethical research practices when using social media as a data source. Given the relative newness of virtual communities, researchers and ethics review boards must work together to develop expertise in evaluating the design of studies undertaken with virtual communities. We recommend that the principles of concern for welfare, respect for person, and justice to be applied in research using social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What methodological approaches might motherhood scholars use to better understand women's experiences of their reproductive health across generations and over time? Traditional quantitative and qualitative longitudinal methodologies have strengths and limitations as illustrated using examples drawn from the maternal and familial literature. Data collected across generational cohorts using traditional longitudinal methods illuminates the complexities of family histories but comes with attendant problems of participant attrition, dips in team interest and commitment, and the shifting appetite for knowledge. The intergenerational life story approach offers an alternative that is less time consuming and less resource intensive. Narrative threads collected during the Life Story Project illustrate the relative merits of this alternative method of inquiry into the ways that women learn about and share reproductive health information within families and across generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the work of research ethics boards and funding models for research that at times are incompatible with the relationship building required for feminist participatory action research with a disability community. We explore the barriers that emerged for university- and community-based partners as they asserted individual and collective identities, and negotiated boundaries, access, and power relations in the process of designing and conducting research. This critical reflection contributes to our understanding of the structures of academic research funding, ethics approval, and how problematic conceptualizations of vulnerability embedded in the Tri-Council Policy Statement and research ethics board practices impact on relationship building and the research process. Recommendations for change will be helpful to researchers studying disability, those using participatory action research, and individuals serving on ethics review boards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with disabilities experience greater social and economic barriers and higher levels of poverty than people without disabilities. Assistive Technology (AT) helps address barriers and can positively impact the health of people with disabilities. Disparities in the provision of AT services and supports pose a threat to improved income, education, employment and wellbeing in regions where health disparities are associated with geographical, social and economic disadvantages. This mixed method case study sought to explore the barriers consumers faced in acquiring and being satisfied with AT in Newfoundland and Labrador, an Atlantic Canadian province characterized by a small population dispersed over a large island and remote mainland. Data were collected using individual interviews with disability service providers in community and post-secondary settings across the province. Thematic analysis of these data informed the development of a survey used to assess barriers to accessing AT, and AT utilization and satisfaction among consumers with disabilities. Consumers and service providers recognized the benefits of AT but expressed dissatisfaction with existing programs and services citing lack of knowledge, training, and funding subsidies as the most significant barriers to access. Three elements of a single entry point (SEP) system were regarded by consumers and service providers as having the potential to address these barriers. From a social justice perspective, improving access to AT is a necessary step toward enhancing education and employment opportunities, facilitating social inclusion and optimizing overall health for people with disabilities. Investigating the feasibility of SEP programs modeled after Canadian and Australian initiatives should be part of future planning for this province and other small urban, rural, and remote areas where demand for provision of AT is under-resourced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cultural diversity education is a required curriculum component at all accredited North American medical schools. Each medical school determines its own content and pedagogical approaches. Aim: This preliminary study maps the approaches to cultural diversity education in English Canadian medical schools. Methods: A review of 14 English Canadian medical school websites was undertaken to identify the theoretical approaches to cultural diversity education. A PubMed search was also completed to identify the recent literature on cultural diversity medical education in Canada. Data were analysed using 10 criteria that distinguish pedagogical approaches, curricular structure, course content and theoretical understandings of cultural diversity. Results: Based on the information posted on English Canadian medical school websites, all schools offer cultural diversity education although how each ‘does’ cultural diversity differs widely. Two medical schools have adopted the cultural competency model; five have adopted a critical cultural approach to diversity; and the remaining seven have incorporated some aspects of both approaches. Conclusions: More comprehensive research is needed to map the theoretical approaches to cultural diversity at Canadian medical schools and to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these approaches on improving physician–patient relationships, reducing health disparities, improving health outcomes and producing positive learning outcomes in physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on an environmental scan and interviews with visible minority immigrants in a small urban Atlantic community to report on gaps and opportunities for improving access to information about primary mental health care services and barriers to utilization of these services. Information about services was limited and did not specifically address the complex health-related concerns of immigrants with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Accessing information about mental health care services was challenging for some visible minority immigrants because of physical and financial constraints and limited computer and language literacy. The major barriers to the utilization of primary mental health care services were lack of information, language and literacy issues, a mistrust of primary mental health care services, the stigma associated with mental illness, long wait times, lack of finances, and religious and cultural differences and insensitivity. A list of nine recommendations, which may be of interest to mental health decision-makers and service providers in small urban centers with limited ethno-cultural diversity, is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The experiences that marginalized breast cancer populations have in common are rarely considered.Methods: The authors look across 3 qualitative studies to explore the experiences of older, lower-income, and Aboriginal women diagnosed with cancer and treated by the cancer care system in Ontario, Canada.Results: The research examines critical moments in participants' narratives that parallel one another and are categorized within 2 themes: Not Getting Cancer Care and Not Getting Supportive Care.Conclusions: Although exploratory, the findings merit attention both for what they tell us about women's experiences, and because they suggest disparities in access to treatment and psychosocial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The experiences that marginalized breast cancer populations have in common are rarely considered. Methods. The authors look across 3 qualitative studies to explore the experiences of older, lower-income, and Aboriginal women diagnosed with cancer and treated by the cancer care system in Ontario, Canada. Results. The research examines critical moments in participants' narratives that parallel one another and are categorized within 2 themes: Not Getting Cancer Care and Not Getting Supportive Care. Conclusions. Although exploratory, the findings merit attention both for what they tell us about women's experiences, and because they suggest disparities in access to treatment and psychosocial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative pilot study explored the mental health needs of visible minority immigrants in St. John’s—a small urban center in Atlantic Canada with limited ethnoracial diversity and ethnospecific infrastructure. The study examined the facilitators and barriers to maintaining immigrants’ mental health and their perspectives on availability and access to support services and programs that support mental health. Our findings revealed several determinants of the mental health of visible minority immigrants: social support, income, employment, culture, physical environment, coping skills, gender, and availability, accessibility and cultural appropriateness of mental health services. We offer 18 recommendations framed by Health Canada determinants of health that may be of interest to decision-makers in government, health agencies and social services in similar small urban centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative study was to document and explore the maternity health care needs and the barriers to accessing maternity health services from the perspective of immigrant Muslim women living in St. John’s, Canada. A purposive approach was used in recruiting six individuals to participate in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a two-step process of content analysis. Three metathemes were identified and compared to previous research on maternity health and the care needs of immigrant women. Women experienced discrimination, insensitivity and lack of knowledge about their religious and cultural practices. Health information was limited or lacked the cultural and religious specificity to meet their needs during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum phases. There were also significant gaps between existing maternity health services and women’s needs for emotional support, and culturally and linguistically appropriate information. This gap was further complicated by the functional and cultural adjustments associated with immigration. Maternity health care information and practices designed to meet the needs of mainstream Canadian-born women lacked the flexibility to meet the needs of immigrant Muslim women. Recommendations for change directed at decision makers include improving access to culturally and linguistically appropriate maternity and health related information, developing the diversity responsiveness of health care providers and the organizations where they work and establishing social support networks and partnerships with immigrant communities. Changes that address the needs of immigrant Muslim women have the potential to create more inclusive and responsive maternity health services for all Canadian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically examines a feminist, collaborative research method that was intended to be political in standpoint, gendered in focus, reflexive in process, and transformative in outcome. By incorporating collaborative elements into a qualitative, three-step research design, the author hoped to challenge both what was known about nurses' job displacement and how that knowledge was produced. This article explores the contradictions between the author's best laid plans and the actual process of discovery. Recommendations f or future research include considerations about the social and political context in which the research takes place, cautions about gender inclusivity in the research population and analytic frameworks, strategies for encouraging participants' critical thinking, and a caveat with regard to transformative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]