Browsing by Author "Das, Lala Tanmoy"

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    Characterizing Burden, Role Strains and Psychological Distress of Husbands of Breast Cancer Patients During Treatment and Beyond
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2011) Wagner, Christina D.; Das, Lala Tanmoy; Bigatti, Silvia M.; Storniolo, Anna Maria
    Background: Husbands, as the primary providers of support for women with breast cancer, can experience significant burden and role strain, but also perceive positive aspects to the caregiving. Little is known about the specific caregiving tasks husbands perform, for how long, or how burden and positive aspects relate to later psychological distress. Objective: Our primary aim was to better characterize the caregiving responsibilities and role strains of husbands during active cancer treatment and 1 year later. We also evaluated positive aspects during active treatment. Our second aim was to determine which of these predicted psychological distress 1 year later. Methods: Husbands of women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer completed a battery of surveys during the time of wives' treatment and again 1 year later. Results: Husbands performed a variety of caregiving tasks for wives during and after breast cancer treatment and also reported benefits associated with caregiving. Breast cancer-related worries were high at both time points. At 1 year after treatment, role strains improved in the social domain but worsened in the domestic domain. Domestic strains during active treatment were the strongest predictor of 1-year distress. Conclusions: Husbands who report persistent domestic role strain are at high risk for continued psychological distress following their wives' breast cancer treatment. Implications for practice: Health care providers should monitor husbands' caregiver burden regularly. Providing couples with resources to reduce domestic role strain (such as social support and communication training) may prevent or alleviate psychological distress in these husbands.
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    Illness representations of cancer among healthy residents of Kolkata, India
    (Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2015) Das, Lala Tanmoy; Wagner, Christina D.; Bigatti, Silvia M.
    Cancer illness representations and screening history among residents of Kolkata, India, were investigated along with socio-demographic characteristics in an effort to understand possible motivations for health behavior. A total of 106 participants were recruited from community locations in Kolkata, India and completed surveys including demographics, the illness perception questionnaire-revised (IPQ-R), and previous experience with cancer and screening practices. Participants were 51.5% college educated, 57% female, 51.5% full-time employed with average age of 32.7 years (R: 18-60 years). Descriptive statistics were generated for the subscales of the IPQ-R, cancer-screening practices and cancer experience. Correlation analyses were conducted to investigate associations between cancer representations and socio-demographic variables. Univariate ANOVAs were calculated to determine gender differences in IPQ-R subscales and differences between participants who knew someone diagnosed with cancer versus those who did not. While 76% of participants knew someone with cancer, only 5% of the sample engaged in cancer screening. Participants perceived cancer as a serious illness with negative emotional valence. Younger age (r(100)=-.36, p<0.001) and male gender (F(1, 98)=5.22, p=0.01, η 2 =0.05) were associated with better illness coherence. Males also reported greater personal control (F(1, 98)=5.34, p=0.02, η 2 =0.05) were associated with better illness coherence. Low screening rates precluded analyses of the relationship between illness representations and cancer screening. Cancer was viewed as a threatening and uncontrollable disease among this sample of educated, middle class Kolkata residents. This view may act as a barrier to seeking cancer screening. Public awareness campaigns aimed at improving understanding of the causes, symptoms and consequences of cancer might reduce misunderstandings and fear, especially among women and older populations, who report less comprehension of cancer.
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    Image Sharing Technologies and Reduction of Imaging Utilization: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
    (Elsevier, 2015-12) Vest, Joshua R.; Jung, Hye-Young; Ostrovsky, Aaron; Das, Lala Tanmoy; McGinty, Geraldine B.; Department of Health Policy and Management, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
    INTRODUCTION: Image sharing technologies may reduce unneeded imaging by improving provider access to imaging information. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to summarize the impact of image sharing technologies on patient imaging utilization. METHODS: Quantitative evaluations of the effects of PACS, regional image exchange networks, interoperable electronic heath records, tools for importing physical media, and health information exchange systems on utilization were identified through a systematic review of the published and gray English-language literature (2004-2014). Outcomes, standard effect sizes (ESs), settings, technology, populations, and risk of bias were abstracted from each study. The impact of image sharing technologies was summarized with random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression models. RESULTS: A total of 17 articles were included in the review, with a total of 42 different studies. Image sharing technology was associated with a significant decrease in repeat imaging (pooled effect size [ES] = -0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [-0.25, -0.09]; P < .001). However, image sharing technology was associated with a significant increase in any imaging utilization (pooled ES = 0.20; 95% CI = [0.07, 0.32]; P = .002). For all outcomes combined, image sharing technology was not associated with utilization. Most studies were at risk for bias. CONCLUSIONS: Image sharing technology was associated with reductions in repeat and unnecessary imaging, in both the overall literature and the most-rigorous studies. Stronger evidence is needed to further explore the role of specific technologies and their potential impact on various modalities, patient populations, and settings.