In the Netherlands, as in many other countries, victims of intentionally committed violent crimes may apply for state compensation if the offender is unknown or unable to pay for the damages of the... Show moreIn the Netherlands, as in many other countries, victims of intentionally committed violent crimes may apply for state compensation if the offender is unknown or unable to pay for the damages of the crime. This state compensation scheme is run by the Dutch Violent Offences Compensation Fund (VOCF). Lawyers who work for this fund need to evaluate applicants´ eligibility for state compensation on the basis of two criteria: (1) the plausibility of the applicant’s victimization story and (2) the severity of the injury sustained by the applicant. Whether these criteria are fulfilled is largely left to the discretion of the lawyer who evaluates the application. This discretionary power makes the decision-making process prone to biased outcomes. Inspired by previous research, this study investigated whether information from mental health care providers, such as psychiatrists or clinical psychologists, serves as a potential source of bias. Although this type of information may or should sometimes be used to evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for compensation, in most cases it should not affect the outcome of this evaluation because of its potential unreliability. A statistical association between availability of information from mental health care providers and adjudication of state compensation is therefore not to be expected. Analyzing 246 applications submitted to the Dutch VOCF between July 1st 2016 and July 1st 2017, this study tested the empirical validity of this expectation. Results indicated that the availability of information of mental health care providers was associated with adjudication of state compensation. This finding was discussed in view of the literature on heuristic thinking and biased decision making and the study’s limitations. Show less
Purpose: Negative impact of cancer on sexuality is widely known. In adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYA; 15-39 years), treatment can even have a bigger impact as it may interfere with... Show morePurpose: Negative impact of cancer on sexuality is widely known. In adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYA; 15-39 years), treatment can even have a bigger impact as it may interfere with sexual development. AYAs report unmet psychosexual needs, like inadequate support from health care professionals (HCPs). The aim of this study was to determine preferences of AYAs regarding communication about intimacy and sexuality and examine discrepancies between AYA and HCP.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among AYAs and HCPs in the Netherlands.Results: Communication about sexuality was considered important by >90% of AYAs and HCPs. Of the AYAs, 41% did receive information from a HCP, 21% of them was satisfied with it. HCPs held physicians and nurse practitioners responsible to discuss sexuality; AYAs preferred nurse practitioners and sexologists. Main barriers to initiate a discussion on sexuality are "feeling of shame" for AYAs and "presence of a third party" for HCPs. Most AYAs would like to receive information about sexuality through a website (66%) or conversation with a HCP (64%) before start of treatment (64%). HCPs would be helped by written material (75%) and additional training (71%) to give to AYAs.Conclusion: AYAs do report unmet needs regarding adequate communication about sexuality-related issues. Discrepancy between patients and HCPs illustrates the importance of patient participation. Future research needs to focus on interventions to improve sexuality-related information provision and implementation of these interventions. Show less
