Abstract This paper analyzes a case in which a mother (who is a hospital employee) demands access to her daughter's original medical records for the purpose of altering the records.
From the Paper "This case involves a situation in which a minor teenage girl has been determined by physician examination at a hospital to be pregnant ..."
Tags: Medical, Privacy, Access, to, Medical, Records, Electronic, Storage, Access, Control
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss available methods to secure a network so people can access it remotely. The paper describes the network administrators? challenge of securing an enterprise network from hackers. The author writes that with software and hardware innovations, consultants and companies specializing in enterprise security, showing up practically everyday, network security is attainable.
From the Paper "When the first public access networks were installed in Berkley, California in the mid 1970s, the principle was to provide people the means to share information. Restricting access to a remote computer system or protecting it was an unimaginable concept."
Identifies causal factors for the gap in health care access for lower-income Americans and visible minorities and the more affluent members of America's majority.
Abstract As the American population continues to become more diverse racially, members of visible minority groups within the population become more prominent. Simultaneously, with the increase in diversity, income distribution in the American economy has become more distorted. While economic growth in the United States has surged over the past decade, the income gap has widened; not only between the richest and poorest Americans, but also between moderate-income and low-income Americans. Members of visible minorities in the population tend to be represented disproportionately in the low-income and poverty classifications in the United States. While there is an abundance of implications of this state of affairs, one of the more crucial ones is access to health care. Individual and household financial capacity, the scarcity of employer-paid health insurance among small businesses, cultural differences based in social psychology and other factors frequently act as impediments to health care access for low-income individuals and households among visible minority population groups in the contemporary United States. This problem and these issues are investigated in this study. The study identifies causal factors for the gap in health care access between lower-income Americans and members of visible minorities in the United States, on the one hand, and more affluent Americans and members of the majority segment of the population, on the other hand. The initial chapter of this study delineates the problem investigated. Specific research questions are formulated and stated to provide greater focus for the investigation.
Social psychological theory and applied social psychology literature are reviewed in the second chapter. Literature relevant to the functioning of low-income and visible minority population groups in the United States within a social psychological context are reviewed in the third chapter. The fourth chapter is devoted to a review of literature relevant to both the health care system in the United States and the experiences of low-income and visible minority population groups in relation to health care access and health care delivery in the United States. An assessment of the problem investigated, performed within the structure of the research questions, is presented in the final (fifth) chapter. Conclusions drawn from the study findings are stated and recommendations for further research are made. The summary conclusions reached through the conduct of this study relate both to health care access and health care utilization by low-income persons and members of visible minorities. With respect to health care access, the summary conclusion reached is that a universal system of health care entitlement is required in the United States. In relation to health care utilization by low-income persons and members of visible minorities, the summary conclusion reached is that extensive education is required for both low-income persons and members of visible minorities, on the one hand, and health care providers, on the other hand. Low-income persons and members of visible minorities require education on the benefits and function of health care services, while health care providers require education in the social mores of the diverse populations they must serve.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Problem Delineation
Background on the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Review of Relevant Social Psychology Theory and Literature
Introduction
Sociological Theory and Health Care
The Welfare State
Accessing Contemporary Health Care
Role of Ethics in Accessing Health Care
Alternative Health Care Delivery Systems
Chapter Conclusions
Social Functioning of Low-Income and Visible Minority Population Groups
Introduction
HIV/AIDS Related Behavior
Initiatives to Improve Health Care
Access and Behaviors
The American Health Care System and the Experiences of Low-Income and Visible Minority Groups
Introduction
The American Health Care System
Analysis of Health Care Delivery Systems
Care Quality
Alternative Approaches to Health Care
Bioethical Issues
Problems of Accessibility Initiatives to Improve Minority Access Chapter Conclusions
Assessment of the Problem Discussion, Recommendations for Further Research
Appendices
Annotated Bibliography
From the Paper "Social Cognitive Theory [self-efficacy] emphasizes the role of expectancies, self-efficacy, peer normative influences, and social competency skills as key components affecting adolescents? behaviors (DiClemente, Lodico, Grinstead, Harper, Rickman, Evans, & Coates, 1996). The applicability of models based on social psychological principles for understanding African-Americans? decision-making and sexual behavior has been questioned because most such models tend to be individually-focused and do not take into account the social context in which the behavior is embedded (Cochran & Mays, 1993). Social cognitive theory, however, explicitly integrates behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors as reciprocally interactive. Thus, given the hypothesized multi-factorial nature of sexual decision making and the potential impact of the high-risk social environment of the study population, approaches based on social cognitive theory are thought to be particularly relevant for understanding the myriad factors that may affect African-Americans? sexual behavior."
Abstract The paper discusses the management of access control to location-based services in vehicular mobile pervasive environments and states that it presents new challenges such as invisibility, localized scalability and privacy. The paper states that merging location-based services in pervasive environments with vehicular mobile environments is still in its infancy. Thus the paper presents a descriptive architecture for controlling access to services. The paper concludes that based on a comparative analysis of different access control models, a set of new access control requirements are required in such an environment and the paper shows their integration in its proposed architecture. The paper is well documented and illustrated with tables and figures.
Outline:
Introduction
Motivating Scenario
Access Control Requirements
Access Control Architecture
Access Control Process
Conclusions
From the Paper "Pervasive environments impose new security requirements, especially in the domain of access control such as interoperability, scalability, usability, privacy and trust management [1][2]. In this section, the functional requirements of an access control model implemented in a vehicular mobile pervasive computing system are discussed. The aim is to highlight some of the unique characteristics brought on by the vehicular ad-hoc networks and pervasive computing, to point out access control architectural implications."
Abstract This paper, based in sociological and social psychology concepts, identifies the causal factors for the gap between lower-income Americans and members of visible minorities in the United States and more affluent Americans and members of the majority segment of the population with respect to health care access. The author concludes, after an extensive review of the literature, that a universal system of health care entitlement is required in the United States. The author suggests that an extensive education is required for low-income persons and members of visible minorities to know the benefits and function of health care services, and health care providers require education in the social mores of the diverse populations they must serve.
Table of Contents
Problem Delineation
Background on the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Review of Relevant Social Psychology Theory and Literature
Introduction
Sociological Theory and Health Care
The Welfare State
Accessing Contemporary Health Care
Role of Ethics in Accessing Health Care
Alternative Health Care Delivery Systems
Chapter Conclusions
Social Functioning of Low-Income and Visible Minority Population Groups
Introduction
HIV/AIDS Related Behavior
Initiatives to Improve Health Care Access and Behaviors
The American Health Care System and The Health Care Experiences of Low-Income and Visible Minority Population Groups
Introduction
The American Health Care System
Delivery of Health Care to the Poor
Care Quality
Alternative Approaches to Delivery
Bioethical Issues
Problems of Accessibility Initiatives to Improve Access Chapter Conclusions
Assessment of the Problem
Discussion
Recommendations for Further Research
Annotated Bibliography
From the Paper "One of the major impediments to the attainment of universal access to healthcare in the United States is the functioning of for-profit Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and managed care organizations (MCOs). These organizations are investor-owned organizations that are in business to make a profit on healthcare delivery. Non-for-profit healthcare organizations also must earn a profit on their operations in order to be able to compensate and train staff, acquire new technology, and generally improve the quality of their services. Unlike investor-owned healthcare companies, however, non-for-profit organizations are not driven by share prices and the bottom-line mentality of for-profit companies. Thus, patient-centered care in not-for-profit healthcare organizations may be contrasted with the investor orientation of the for-profit healthcare companies. Recent decisions by for-profit healthcare companies to drop their Medicare healthcare groups because of substandard profit growth illustrates as no amount of rhetoric can the precedent of investor concerns over patient concerns in the for-profit healthcare companies."
Abstract This paper focuses on an examination of some of the most important features of Access, including the ease that it provides in developing applications and of the VBA IDE in both developing and debugging code in VBA. It provides working examples and step-by-step instructions for certain features.
From the paper:
"A database is simply an organized collection of data that can be accessed (hence the name of the software, of course) and manipulated through a management system (often called by its initials, DBMS) such as Access. (It should also be noted that a number of other quite good DBMS software exists, including Oracle and SQL Server). Software such as Access provides the user with the tools needed to organize data in a way that is both efficient and yet also flexible. Access, like other DBMS programs, allows a user to add, delete and change data in the database, to ask questions about that data and to produce a variety of kinds of reports summarizing some or all of the data in a database."
Abstract The measurement of access to health care in America is far from uniform. Even a cursory review of the literature reveals diverse methods, instruments and procedures for assessing access, each applied to diverse populations (e.g., poor, special needs, middle class, insured, uninsured, etc.) for diverse services (oncology, preventative care, prenatal care, etc.). This paper examines access to health care as related to the measurement of access and to the range of programs that have been developed to improve access. The writer's personal reaction to each issue is included in the report. The paper also includes articles referred to in the text.
From the Paper "Access has also been measured in terms of whether a person has medical insurance or a regular source of care, or whether people use emergency rooms as their usual site of medical care (Wood, Hayward, Corey, Freeman & Shapiro, 1990). Additional access measures include whether insurance covers recommended care (Hubbell, Waitzkin & Rodriquez, 1990), the number of structural barriers confronting an individual or group seeking health care (Dutton, 1986), and the degree of expertise of a target group's service providers (McCoy, Aversa & McCoy, 1999). My personal reaction to this issue is to doubt the accuracy of access data. This is because each of these different measures must necessarily vary in the extent to which they have adequately operationalized the access construct."
Tags: medical, care, National, Academy, for, State, Health
Abstract This paper explores Microsoft Access 2000 with the intention of explaining its design, its features and the potential uses for this application. There is a strong emphasis on the functionality of this software, the life cycle of Access 2000 and the range of tools that allows Access 2000 to be put to its greatest use. Whenever possible, sources referring to Access 2000 are cited to help explore the effectiveness of this systems software.
Abstract This paper provides a basic understanding of Microsoft Access, a Relational Database Management System that allows the user to store and maneuver large amounts of information. It discusses the three parts that make up the Access architecture, objects, events, and controls and demonstrates creating tables, relationships, constraints and how to use forms, reports and macros. It shows how from the wizards and the step-by-step instructions for the novice user to the ability to be able to write code for the advanced users, Microsoft access is user friendly to novice and advanced users alike.
From the Paper "When a field name is designated as the primary key, the field is unique, and, therefore, that record, in the table, is unique. Two records cannot have the same value in the same primary key field. For example, if there are fields that hold names, addresses, and zip codes, in that table, and the name field is designated as the primary key, then the same name cannot show up in another record. That is what makes that particular record unique. More than one field can be the primary key. If the user is unsure of which field to make the primary key, Access can designate the primary key."
Tags: forms, reports, macros, tables, relationships, primary, key, information
Abstract This paper discusses how Microsoft Access 2000, is essentially a desktop database management system. It enables users to easily manage their database by drag-and-drop and graphical design for queries, forms, and reports tools. Access 2000 comes with an attached development environment (IDE), as well as progressive assembling, a fully interactive visual debugger, breakpoints, and individual step-through. These qualities fuse to make Microsoft Access an extremely powerful platform for developing client-server database solutions and applications.
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts factors, including funding and compensation, that affect access to healthcare services in the USA. According to the paper, studies suggest that despite increasing expenditures on healthcare in the US, large segments of the population still do not have access to quality or adequate healthcare services even for basic healthcare needs.
Outline:
Introduction
Analysis of Healthcare Access Recommendations
From the Paper "Agrawal & Veit (2002) support Kongstvedt's emphasis on the role of managed care organizations in healthcare. The author notes that increasingly managed healthcare organizations are shaping the healthcare system, dictating who may and may not receive access to healthcare and the types of healthcare that should be available to the consumer. Whereas in the past physicians dominated the healthcare model today the healthcare model is more reflected of a "market-based system" that is characterized by "systemic impediments and organized resistance" among healthcare workers working within the managed care environment (Agrawal & Veit, 2002: 11). The healthcare industry is not longer static by rather a dynamic force, constantly changing to help create a more cost effective model. "
Abstract This paper presents a proposal for an accessible home design project by Caring & Sharing Center for Independent Living, Inc. The paper aims to determine what individuals with physical challenges and disabilities need in order to enjoy an independent lifestyle. The paper describes the services that the Caring & Sharing Center provides to consumers. The paper also discusses the financial aspects of the project and its challenges and options.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Statement Of The Problem
Background Of The Problem
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Florida Building Code on Accessibility Constraints and Limitations
Opportunities
Options For Consideration
Recommendation
Budget/Narrative
Project Benefits
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to the US Census Bureau News Release, more than 50 million Americans report some level of disability. Approximately 51.2 million people have a disability; and for 32.5 million of them, their disabilities are severe. The US Social Security Administration defines disability in terms of the inability to perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), meaning "work paying minimum wage or better". Although the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) distinguish many types of disabilities, this research proposal is focusing specifically on disabilities associated with spinal cord injury or dysfunction (i.e. paralyses). For this purpose, paralysis is defined as the complete loss of muscle function of one or more muscle groups."
Abstract This paper examines the current action taken today to make the Internet accessible for disabled users. The paper explains how the virtual world (world wide web) and the real world should be governed by the same laws that protect access for all people in public places. It describes the legal action taken if this web site does not follow the prescribed standards by law and the loop hole found by companies.
From the Paper "Twenty percent of American's have some sort of disability, and that number will continue to increase as America ages. Since the advent of the Internet, daily tasks, business meetings, and other activities can be performed from the comfort of ones home. As physical establishments are required to make accommodations for disabled citizens, and with the number of Americans logging on everyday it is only natural that virtual establishments be required to do the same. The Department of Justice agreed, voting to extend the Americans with Disabilities act to the web, people with disabilities have the option of taking legal recourse if a site is not in compliance with the law. This paper will explore the initiatives to make their sites user friendly for all as well as the methods and technologies used in order to achieve such a task."
Abstract This paper examines the government's ability to promote internet access and the consequences of the digital divide. Even in the wake of the Information Technology revolution and in a neo-liberal era of constraint, government can play a key role in internet access and elimination of the digital divide.
