Background and aimsDiet is important in prevention and management of non-communicable disease and in particular, cardiovascular disease. Recently, more hospitals gear towards healthier dietary... Show moreBackground and aimsDiet is important in prevention and management of non-communicable disease and in particular, cardiovascular disease. Recently, more hospitals gear towards healthier dietary policies, however, a tool to assess the effect of these interventions in patient populations is currently lacking. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is generally used to assess health-related behavior and offers a framework for development of questionnaires. In this study, we aim to evaluate the reliability, internal consistency and preliminary construct validity of the newly developed Dietary Intention Evaluation Tool for In-hospital patients (DIETI) which is based on the TPB.Methods and resultsAn expert panel constructed the item list of the DIETI. A total of 312 patients admitted to the cardiology ward filled out the DIETI. Explanatory- and confirmatory factor analysis showed that our tool adequately discerns five TPB-consistent factors regarding a healthy diet in hospitalized patients. (N = 312, for the CFA model χ2 = 313.072 (df = 160, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.939, RMSEA = 0.058). Subsequent analysis of reliability showed satisfactory to strong internal consistency of the questionnaire as a whole and all subscales (Cronbach's alpha for the subscales ranging between 0.65 and 0.88).ConclusionsWe conclude that the DIETI is an internally reliable tool to assess behavioral intentions regarding a healthy diet of in-hospital patients. Thus, this questionnaire can be used to evaluate the effect of dietary interventions aimed at hospitalized patients. Show less
Hamdiui, N.; Stein, M.L.; Timen, A.; Timmermans, D.; Wong, A.; Muijsenbergh, M.E.T.C. van den; Steenbergen, J.E. van 2018
The aim of this thesis was to contribute to better care for suicide attempters by studying several aspects of their assessment and management. In the first part of the thesis, the role of... Show moreThe aim of this thesis was to contribute to better care for suicide attempters by studying several aspects of their assessment and management. In the first part of the thesis, the role of guidelines was studied resulting in suggestions for improvement. In the second part, the role of factors is studied that, as experience in clinical practice suggests may hamper proper assessment and management. From the studies in part 1, it was concluded that the available evidence suggests that guidelines for the assessment and management of suicide attempters differ to a large extent with respect to their content, that only a minority can be recommended based on an evaluation of their quality, and that they are probably not implemented properly. This leads to a plea to update the Dutch guideline, made 15 years ago, and to develop procedures that may promote implementation. From the studies of part 2, it was concluded that professionals should be alert on patients forgetting relevant aspects of the assessment. Furthermore, although a systematic assessment in the hospital is comparable to a reassessment at home, for a subgroup of patients there is concern about their condition after discharge, and their tendency to forget the arrangements made for treatment after discharge from the hospital. So, additional strategies to the assessment in the hospital should be developed. In the Appendix, recommendations are given regarding development and implementation of guidelines for assessment and management of suicide attempters. Show less
