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Objectives: To examine driving in the context of people with medically intractable epilepsy, a population generally discouraged from driving. Methods: This study tested the relationship between a comprehensive set of factors and driving among 190 patients with a currently valid driver's license who were being evaluated for epilepsy surgery. Results: Almost one third (32.6%) of the sample reported currently driving. Distributional comparisons by current driving status revealed driving was significantly more prevalent among patients who were employed full-time and those who had not experienced a seizure-related MVA. Conclusions: The decision not to drive in the context of a chronic medical condition is complex and influenced by a myriad of factors such as perceived illness susceptibility and severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine management strategies and goals reported by people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: We analyzed data from semistructured interviews (N=42) and from electronic sources [illness narratives (N=79) and Internet threaded discussions (N=264)]. Line-by-line coding, comparisons, and team discussions generated catalogs of lay management strategies and goals. We analyzed code-based files to identify informants' selection of specific strategies for each goal. Results: We classified lay management strategies into 3 categories: medical self-care, behavior change, and coping. These strategies were used selectively In addressing multiple goals, categorized as fighting the virus, strengthening the body, and managing consequences. Conclusions: Results underscore the diversity of strategies for living with a disease characterized by uncertain prognosis and variable expression of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]