Data Collection

My Last Day at Piper Place

Classes at Piper Place went very well. The consumers appreciated each session of new information and participated in every planned activity. The next step in the research study involved collecting post-implementation data. I manually measured blood pressures using a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff and weighed the consumers with an electronic scale. I collected hip and waist measurements and also calculated BMI and heart rate. Data also included a survey that each participant completed. A copy of it is pictured below:

Health Assessment Questionnaire

Name:  ____________________________________________________

Age: ____________

Sex: _____________

1. How do you describe your health in general?

_____ Excellent

___  _ Good

_____ Fair

_____ Poor

2. During a typical day does your health limit you in moderate activities, such as moving a table, using a vacuum cleaner, bowling, or playing golf?

_____ Yes, very limited

____   Yes, limited a little

      __ No, not limited at all

3. During a typical day does your health limit you in climbing several flights of stairs

_____ Yes, very limited

_____ Yes, limited a little

_____ No, not limited at all

4. Have you had any problems completing your regular activities during the past month due to your physical health?

_____ Yes

_____ No

5. Were you limited in the kind of work or other activities as a result of your physical health during the past month?

_____ Yes

_____ No

6. How often do you engage in aerobic exercise (walk or ride a bicyle > 30 minutes, run or jog >20 minutes)?

_____ Not At All

_____ At least one time per week

_____ At least two times per week

_____ At least three times per week

_____ More than three times per week

7. During the past month have you accomplished less than you would like due to emotional problems such as feeling anxious or depressed?

_____ Yes

_____ No

8. During the past month have you failed to complete activities as carefully as usual due to emotional problems such as feeling anxious or depressed?

_____ Yes

_____ No

9. During the past month, how much did pain interfere with your normal activities?

_____ Not At All

_____ Somewhat

_____ Moderately

_____ Much of the time

_____ All of the time

10. How often have you felt calm and peaceful during the past month?

_____ Not At All

_____ Somewhat

_____ Moderate amount of time

_____ Much of the time

_____ All of the time

11. How often did you have a lot of energy during the past month?

_____ Not At All

_____ Somewhat

_____ Moderate amount of time

_____ Much of the time

_____ All of the time

12. How often have you felt downhearted and blue during the past month?

_____ Not At All

_____ Somewhat

_____ Moderate amount of time

_____ Much of the time

_____ All of the time

13. During the past month, how much of the time has your physical or emotional health interfered with your social activities (like visiting with friends or relatives)?

_____ Not At All

_____ Somewhat

_____ Moderate amount of time

_____ Much of the time

_____ All of the time

14. How often do you feel that your life situation is putting you under too much stress?

_____ Always

_____ Most of the time

_____ Sometimes

_____ Rarely

 _____Never

15. How often do you have someone to talk to when you are feeling lonely, depressed, angry, or in need of help?

_____ Always

_____ Most of the time

_____ Sometimes

16. Do you currently smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other tobacco?

_____ Every day

_____ Most days

_____ Some days

_____ Never smoked

_____ I quit

17. Do you currently use smokeless tobacco (e.g., dip snuff)?

_____ Every day

_____ Most days

_____ Some days

_____ Rarely

_____ Used, but quit

_____ Never used

18.How often do you eat high-fat food?

_____ Every day

_____ Most days

_____ Some days

_____ Rarely

19.How often do you have fruits or leafy vegetables?

_____ Every day

_____ Most days

_____ Some days

_____ Rarely

20.Do you have your regular meals on time?

_____ Every day

___  _ Most days

_____ Some days

_____ Rarely

21. Have any of these family members been diagnosed with type II diabetes or heart disease

(Circle all that apply)

_____ Mother

_____ Father

_____ Siblings (brother and/or sisters)

_____ Grandparents

22. How long ago did you see a physician or other healthcare provider?

_____ Within the past 6 months

_____ Within the past year

_____ Between 1 and 3 years ago

_____ Longer than 3 years

23. When was your last physical exam?

_____ Within the past 6 months

_____ Within the past year

_____ Between 1 and 3 years ago

_____ Longer than 3 years

24. When did you last see a dentist?

_____ Within the past 6 months

__    _ Within the past year

_____ Between 1 and 3 years ago

_____ Longer than 3 years

25. Did you receive a flu vaccine this past year?

_____ YES

_____ NO

                It is definitely more of a challenge to work with a group with mental disorders. Many people would talk while getting blood pressure checked which caused me to have to re-measure and switch arms. Excessive clothing oftentimes became a barrier. My most difficult encounter existed with the surveys.  Some consumers were illiterate while others could not focus on the questions as a result of cognitive impairments. In most cases, I administered the questionnaires orally. There will still others who did not understand what I was asking, and I reframed the questions to be easier to comprehend. Although I confronted a few problems during data collection at Piper Place, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I relished in the opportunity to reach out to this population who really needs more focused attention. I am ecstatic to be involved in research that will add to the modest amount of literature about health promotion interventions for people with psychiatric disorders. After organizing all the data for Gary Milligan, he is now inputting all the information for analysis. As a result of the six promotion courses, we hope that the groups’ vital signs improve as well as their overall perception of good health. Mr. Milligan plans to write about his findings at Piper Place, and he hopes to publish in significant periodicals such as the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Health Services. I will keep you updated about the results!