The development and preliminary testing of an instrument to measure the perceived economic burden of a subtype of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) on patients and families in Newfoundland

The goal of this thesis was to develop, construct, and validate the Perceived Economic Burden scale to quantitatively measure the burden associated with a subtype Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in families from the island of Newfoundland. An original 76 item self-administered survey was designed using content from existing literature as well as themes from qualitative research conducted by our team and distributed to individuals of families known to be at risk for the disease. A response rate of 37.2% (n = 64) was achieved between December 2013 and May 2014. Tests for data quality, Likert scale assumptions and scale reliability were conducted and provided preliminary evidence of the psychometric properties of the final constructed perceived economic burden of ARVC scale comprising 62 items in five sections. Findings indicated that being an affected male was a significant predictor of increased perceived economic burden in the majority of economic burden measures. Affected males also reported an increased likelihood of going on disability and difficulty obtaining insurance. Affected females also had an increased perceived financial burden. Preliminary results suggest that a perceived economic burden exists within the ARVC population in Newfoundland.

Student Independent Projects Environmental Studies 2011: The Humber River Basin Human Values Project: Designing a Sampling Strategy for a Pilot Survey in the Corner Brook Area

Sustainability can be indicated by a number of factors. Populations need to be aged evenly, ensuring a healthy equilibrium. Job opportunities must be numerous and of wide varieties to balance incomes from different employment sectors. Regions must also sustain vital natural resources in the area which are directly related to a place being self-sustaining. These indicators prove to be true, especially in Newfoundland, where people have struggled to remain in the small traditional communities that they consider being there 'home.' The population of Corner Brook and the surrounding areas can be stratified according to the values people hold to their special place. Even though people in western Newfoundland hold strong ties to their home, some parts of the region even though people in western Newfoundland hold strong ties to their home, some parts of the region struggle with employment, low incomes, out-migration, and dependency on declining natural resources. The aim of this paper is to present the process of designing a sample strategy for a human values pilot survey conducted in the city of Corner Brook. It will present a theoretical background over the period 2002-2006 to be used for sampling strategy.