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Empathy is thought to be reduced in videoconference (VC) compared to face-to-face (F2F) therapy. To empirically test this possibility, therapist and client ratings of empathy and its correlates were examined in VC and F2F sessions. Forty-eight students in clinical training programs were randomly assigned to the role of 'therapist' or 'client', forming 24 dyads. Each dyad completed a simulated clinical session in F2F and in VC and reported on empathy and telepresence. Both therapist and client ratings of empathy were significantly lower in VC compared to F2F. Therapist empathy correlated with telepresence, particularly its physical subcomponent, and therapeutic presence, but these associations were not found for clients. The relationship between empathy and telepresence was investigated further in a real-world study. Twelve clients met with clinical psychology trainees over VC and reported on empathy and telepresence. The associations between therapist empathy, total telepresence, and the physical component of telepresence were replicated. Again, client ratings of empathy and telepresence did not correlate. These results provide the first empirical evidence that empathy is reduced in VC teletherapy compared to F2F and highlight the connection between the degree of empathy felt by therapists and their sense of telepresence during teletherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphone ownership and engagement are at an all-time high. Excessive smartphone use may impart smartphone-specific anxiety; specifically, the fear of being unable to access or use one's smartphone, or nomophobia. Young adults, in particular, are at higher risk for nomophobia, given higher ownership of and engagement with smartphones. Notably, little research has been done in a Canadian context. Objective: To conduct an environmental scan of nomophobia prevalence in a Canadian university. Participants: Full-time and part-time university students. Methods: The Nomophobia Questionnaire and demographics were collected via mass emailer of all students at the host institution (n = 1,002). Results: Findings indicate moderate-to-high levels of nomophobia among respondents, with nearly a quarter of respondents reporting severe nomophobia. Respondents who identified as women were an undergraduate, and/or owned an Apple device reported significantly higher nomophobia. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for comparable levels of nomophobia between Canadian post-secondary students and recent global research. Future research should explore nomophobia within a more nationally representative sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the preferences, expectations, and sense of safety of blind or visually impaired persons regarding three types of pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signals configurations that exist in Quebec City (Canada). These include: 1) exclusive phasing with non-directional audible pedestrian signals; 2) exclusive phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals; and 3) concurrent phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals. Thirty-two blind or visually impaired persons were asked to complete a survey. Their preferences and expectations regarding audible pedestrian signals were documented through a series of simulations. Their sense of safety regarding the three existing configurations were also documented. Subsequently, semi-directed, individual interviews with 11 of the individuals who had completed the survey were conducted to build off the collected information. No formal consensus regarding many of the issues discussed were established as participants' responses varied too significantly. However, findings suggest that the exclusive phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals configuration is perceived to be the safest option by the participants. This study may have practical implications on the design of intersections (e.g., selection of a type of pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signal) and the training of blind or visually impaired pedestrians. The addition of audible pedestrian signals to pedestrian signals heightens the sense of safety of blind or visually impaired persons. This study may have practical implications on the design of intersections with audible pedestrian signals and the selection of a type of audible pedestrian signals based on intersection characteristics. Since many participants reported a lower sense of safety when faced with concurrent phasing, it is recommended that more intensive orientation and mobility interventions be provided to blind or visually impaired pedestrians who use this type of traffic signals. Educating road users about blind or visually impaired pedestrians appears also essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of evidence points to persistent health inequities within racialized minority communities, and the effects of racial discrimination on health outcomes and health care experiences. While much work has considered how anti-Black racism operates at the interpersonal and institutional levels, limited attention has focused on internalized racism and its consequences for health care. This study explores patients' attitudes towards anti-Black racism in a Canadian health care system, with a particular focus on internalized racism in primary health care. This qualitative study employed purposive maximal variation and snowball sampling to recruit and interview self-identified Black persons aged 18 years and older who: (1) lived in Montréal during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) could speak English or French, and (3) were registered with the Québec health insurance program. Adopting a phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews took place from October 2021 to July 2022. Following transcription, data were analyzed thematically. Thirty-two participants were interviewed spanning an age range from 22 years to 79 years (mean: 42 years). Fifty-nine percent of the sample identified as women, 38% identified as men, and 3% identified as non-binary. Diversity was also reflected in terms of immigration experience, financial situation, and educational attainment. We identified three major themes that describe mechanisms through which internalized racism may manifest in health care to impact experiences: (1) the internalization of anti-Black racism by Black providers and patients, (2) the expression of anti-Black prejudice and discrimination by non-Black racialized minority providers, and (3) an insensitivity towards racial discrimination. Our study suggests that multiple levels of racism, including internalized racism, must be addressed in efforts to promote health and health care equity among racialized minority groups, and particularly within Black communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]