Student assistance program: a new approach for student success in addressing behavioral health and life events

College health centers, whether large or small, often find it challenging to provide counseling and supportive services for all students (including remotely located students) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Student assistance programs (SAPs) are services provided to students through a contractual arrangement to the university or college as a part of student services. The goal is to address psychosocial concerns that may interfere with academic performance within the realm of short-term counseling. These services range from traditional behavioral health concerns about stress and depressive reactions to how to find child care with foreign-speaking services. In this article, the authors describe a method to provide such short-term counseling to a 2,200-student health-science campus. They present data from 1 year of service as well as the benefits and limitations.     

Adjustment to disability

This article will focus on the biopsychosocial challenges encountered when an individual is disabled at an early age as well as when an individual acquires a disability later in life. Two case examples will focus on the adaptations/life choices that are necessary to adequately meet psycho/social/developmental needs and enhance individual self esteem. The case of Rita, a woman who lost her hearing at age two, highlights the importance of integrating a biopsychosocial approach to understand the multiple challenges and adaptations of individuals who are disabled at an early age. Laureen, a woman who acquired a spinal cord injury during her late teen years, described her struggles as a young adult adapting to a physical disability. Both cases highlight the importance of integrating an ecological/systems framework focusing on a biopsychosocial perspective, emphasizing the interrelationship between biological, psychological, social, technological, cultural and political factors.     

Methodologic challenges of e-health research

In this article, research-based strategies used in a web-based study to assess the impact of participation in cancer-related mailing lists on cancer survivors and caregivers are highlighted. The paper presents alternative methods of measuring response rates in Internet surveys. Response rate estimation, based on American Association for Public Opinion Research guidelines, ranged between 15% and 24.9% for the study. Several strategies were implemented to increase survey participation and reduce item nonresponse. Few participants opted for a telephone survey as an alternative to a web-administered design (mixed-mode administration). Using time-stamp data to diagnose places in the questionnaire where respondents prematurely exited or broke off survey participation, we were able to decrease premature break offs. A lottery was also implemented to increase response rates. The experience of obtaining institutional review board approval for the lottery is also described. Preliminary data indicate slight increases in response rates subsequent to implementing the lottery.