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A study was conducted to evaluate dentists' interest in and barriers to providing obesity counseling to patients. It is concluded that experts in obesity intervention and dental educators will need to create models of intervention within the scope of dental practice. Several dentists are willing to assist in preventive and interventional efforts.

Over the last decade, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been transitioning to electronic food-benefits (eWIC). The North Carolina Appalachian Region was among the last to implement this transition, yet little is known about how eWIC influenced experiences in rural areas. This study examined potential differences in maternal shopping characteristics (MSC), perceptions, barriers, and dietary intakes by type of food-benefits used (paper food-benefits (PB) versus eWIC) among pregnant women and/or mothers in three rural counties in Western North Carolina. Our findings suggest eWIC has a positive impact on MSC and overall satisfaction in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strong professional organization has been associated with credibility and vitality of its profession. The field of recreational therapy (RT), however, has historically demonstrated poor membership on both national and state/regional levels. The purpose of this study was to examine what CTRSs identify as benefits as well as real/perceived barriers to membership in professional RT organizations and examine the relationship between membership status and professional commitment. A 43-item Qualtrics electronic questionnaire addressing benefits and barriers of membership, professional commitment, and demographics was sent to all active CTRSs. Statistical analysis found that just over half of the 2003 respondents were members of national and/or state/regional organizations. Differences existed regarding benefits of membership where members perceived more professional benefits and non-members perceived more personal benefits. Barriers were primarily financial and of "cost-benefit" concerns. In addition, professional commitment was higher among members than non-members. Recommendations are offered for practice, education, and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are identifiable factors that dissuade female medical students from entering the field of radiology., Materials and Methods: An anonymous survey was completed by medical students at the end of their third- or fourth-year radiology clinical clerkships at five institutions. In addition to demographic data and residency choice, respondents ranked 10 factors in order of importance to their choice of career. For respondents who did not consider radiology a possible career, a second set of eight factors was ranked for importance in dissuading them., Results: Two hundred eighty-eight respondents completed the survey, 152 (53%) men and 136 (47%) women. Both men and women reported direct patient contact and intellectual stimulation as the most important factors in deciding on a specialty. For those who chose radiology, intellectual stimulation and use of emerging technology were significantly (p < 0.05) more important than other factors. The factor that most strongly (96%) dissuaded men and women from a career in radiology was lack of direct patient contact. There was no significant difference between men and women in ranking factors that dissuaded them from applying to radiology residencies; however, nearly one third of the female respondents cited competitiveness of the residency process as important., Conclusion: Patient contact remains an important factor for medical students choosing a career. To attract high-caliber students, medical schools should expose students to areas of radiology involving patient interaction. Academically qualified women should be identified early during their careers and encouraged to apply for radiology residencies.