Therapeutic implications of continuing bonds expressions following the death of a pet

Through the exploration of 12 continuing bonds expressions (CBE), this current study investigated the grief reaction and continuing impact of the death of a pet. Thirty-three individuals were interviewed to determine the degree of connection maintained with the deceased pet and how that affects their coping. Findings emphasize that the majority of respondents frequently maintain ongoing meaningful ties with their deceased pet through the use of CBE such as fond memories, rituals, dreams. The findings suggest that it is not the number of CBE but the degree of adaptability that is significant. The importance of recognizing the unique, total experience of those grieving the death of a pet is addressed. Implications for those working with and supporting those in grief are included. Future directions for research are described.     

Make Your Work Matter: development and pilot evaluation of a purpose-centered career education intervention

Developing a sense of purpose is both salient and desirable for adolescents, and purpose in people's lives and careers is associated with both general and work-related well-being. However, little is known about whether purpose can be encouraged through school-based interventions. This article reports the results of a quasi-experimental pilot study and follow-up focus group that evaluated Make Your Work Matter, a three-module, school-based intervention designed to help adolescent youth explore, discover, and enact a sense of purpose in their early career development. Participants were eighth-grade students. Compared to the control group, the intervention group reported increases in several outcomes related to purpose-centered career development, such as a clearer sense of career direction; a greater understanding of their interests, strengths, and weaknesses; and a greater sense of preparedness for the future. However, no significant differences were found on items directly related to purpose, calling, and prosocial attitudes. These results inform the ongoing development of Make Your Work Matter and other school-based career interventions and pave the way for larger-scale trials of such purpose-promoting intervention strategies.     

Enhancing the efficacy and empowerment of older adults through group formation

Research suggests that efficacy and empowerment are necessary for social engagement and that a sense of efficacy and empowerment exerts positive influences on older adults. However, little is known about how individual efficacy and empowerment are affected by group efficacy and empowerment in later life. To assess the impact of group involvement on the individual, the authors conducted a follow-up study with members of an art guild for older adults. Qualitative data were collected in 1997 and 2001 to ascertain the members' perceptions of group goals and accomplishments, membership benefits, the effect on the community, societal views about older adults, and the impact of group activities on the individual. The results clearly indicated that collective efficacy and empowerment through social engagement were beneficial to members as individuals and as a group, and contributed to well-being through a general sense of accomplishment and pride.     

Career paths for women physician executives

The career path leading toward being a physician executive is similar for men and women, but there are some issues that have unique elements for women. Thus, any person interested in developing a medical management career can follow the advice in the following pages, but it is especially useful for women or for those who are coaching women in career development and management.     

Hungary: a health system in transition

Hungary has an area of 93,030 square kilometers (35,900 square miles), the size of the state of Indiana in the United States. It is landlocked by the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic to the north, Austria to the west, Yugoslavia to the south, and Romania and the Soviet Union to the east. Although the health care system is based on the Soviet system, there have been dramatic changes since 1991, when the soviet Union and its Eastern European partners discarded their communist structures and the Soviet empire was disbanded. In this report, the current Hungarian health care system and the political structure in which it is housed will be described in terms of a key set of characteristics and their subparts. The purpose of this approach is to facilitate comparison of the Hungarian system with other national health care systems. An expanded version of this article will appear in an upcoming second edition of the College's book, International Health Care: A Framework for Comparing National Health Care Systems, by Drs. Mendoza and Henderson.     

Some thoughts on becoming an ACPE Fellow (American College of Physician Executives)

Why pursue Fellowship in the American College of Physician Executives? Three physician executives talk about their experiences and explain why becoming an ACPE Fellow is an opportunity to become a leader in shaping the future of the College and medical management. The greatest value of Fellowship is that it shows that you have stature in the profession and it distinguishes you from your colleagues. Becoming a Fellow is evidence of attaining a next higher level of expertise. The process and requirements for becoming a Fellow are outlined, along with many ways to contribute to the field of medical management.     

Suggestions for the application of advanced technology in Canadian collection operations

This study is concerned with technical advances that could be applied to data collection in the course of the 1990 Canadian census. Consideration is given both to the advantages and disadvantages of such changes. Topics covered include privacy, costs, and relations with users of census data.