In this large SC cohort, the clinical spectrum was heterogeneous with about one-third either male,

engaged in a 5-year transformation to expand research and scholarship opportunities to all faculty. A harmonization framework was used to integrate the 3 missions of clinical care, education, and research to ensure that research and scholarship were an ongoing focus of the department.Methods:The key elements of our transformation included as follows: (1) a general culture of inquiry, (2) harmonized leadership, ( 3) training and mentoring, and (4) infrastructure and resources. Components of each of these elements were intentionally instituted simultaneously and iteratively across the 5 years to provide robust and sustainable research and scholarship opportunities for all faculty.Results: Outputs and outcomes of the harmonized transformation indicated that clinical and research faculty publications increased, and the percentage of clinical faculty trained in research and scholarship skills increased across the 5 years.Conclusions: Important lessons learned during the harmonized transformation included the following: (1) key elements of the transformation need to be balanced as an ensemble, (2) cultural and organizational shifts take concerted effort and time, (3) embrace iteration: allow "bumps in the road" to propel the work forward, (4) transformation is financially feasible, (5) career research faculty can mutually benefit from clinical faculty engaging in scholarship, and (6) honor skepticism or disinterest and let people cultivate enthusiasm for research and scholarship rather than being forced.

No abstract

Cardiac support groups may positively affect adjustment after cardiac events and quality of life (QoL). However, although participation in support groups is presumed to be beneficial, there were few studies regarding the potential benefit. The purpose of this review was to examine studies focused on the effects of cardiac support groups on health-related outcomes. Four studies met the inclusion criteria for review. Eight categories of support group outcomes were identified, including psychological outcomes, health behaviors, clinical health, health-related QoL, self-reported health conditions, social support, life situation, and knowledge. Most cardiac support group outcomes, though positive, were not statistically significantly different from those of control groups in studies reviewed. Psychosocial need of patients following cardiac events is indicated, including stress management and social support, and encouraging the establishment of realistic individual goals. More research is needed to establish cost-effective formats for support groups and to determine specific outcomes that can be achieved.

No abstract