Search

Presents a framework for categorizing pediatric psychology research into practice and service system outcomes and functioning. The questions of importance are (a) who is being served, (b) what services are provided, (c) how treatments are implemented, (d) how services are organized and staffed, (e) what are the outcomes of the services, (f) how do various consumers perceive services, (g) how services are reimbursed, and (h) what are alternatives and innovations? The framework of program evaluation is detailed for domains most germane to service delivery in pediatric/child health psychology. Such domains include diagnostic information on patients, types of intervention, behavioral/psychological outcome variables, costs of treatments, service system functioning, and perceptions of satisfaction from multiple sources. This framework may be useful in directing future research on the delivery of services in pediatric psychology settings, thereby adding to the value of the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limb reconstruction is an orthopaedic surgical technique designed to restore or improve functioning and appearance. The aims of the present study were to investigate levels of psychological distress in adults undergoing limb reconstruction as a result of traumatic injury, to examine which variables could account for any variations in distress during and after treatment, and to ascertain the potential relevance of psychological interventions. A cross-sectional sample of patients completed measures of psychological distress, posttraumatic symptomatology, coping, social support, pain, and disability. Self-reported levels of psychological distress and posttraumatic symptoms were high but did not tend to vary across stage of treatment, suggesting that distress is not solely attributable to limb reconstruction treatment per se but to other factors. Both medical variables (pain and mobility) and psychological variables (symptoms of trauma and coping strategies) accounted for a significant percentage of the variance in HAD scores. These results suggest that both medical and psychological interventions have potential for reducing distress and increasing well-being in an orthopaedic population who are experiencing high levels of emotional distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]