scholarly journals A qualitative study of the perception of nursing home practitioners about the implementation of quality indicators for drug consumption in nursing homes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Sanchez ◽  
Fiona Ecarnot ◽  
Dimitri Voilmy ◽  
Biné Mariam Ndiongue ◽  
Clément Cormi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Anticholinergic Drugs ◽  
Medical Directors ◽  
Inappropriate Prescriptions

Abstract Introduction Nursing homes (NHs) are an ideal environment in which to implement interventions aimed at reducing inappropriate prescriptions. Quality indicators (QIs) may be useful to standardize practices, but it is unclear how they mediate change. In the framework of a quantitative study aimed at reducing the prescription of anticholinergic drugs among NH residents using QIs, we performed a qualitative study to describe the investigators’ perception of the utility of QIs. Methods Qualitative study using focus group methodology. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed, and analyzed by thematic analysis. Participants were purposefully recruited from among the medical directors of the NHs in the quantitative study. Results Five medical directors participated in two focus group meetings. The main themes to emerge were: (1) communication is key to introducing new practices and achieving lasting uptake; (2) improved coordination and communication provided useful information to help interpret the quantitative results observed: e.g., participants reported that they were able to obtain contextual and patient-specific information that explained why some prescribers had consistently, but justifiably “poor” performance on the quantitative indicators; (3) negative aspects reported included reluctance to change among prescribers and the tendency to shirk responsibility. Conclusion From the point of view of medical directors of NHs participating in an interventional program to reduce inappropriate prescriptions of anticholinergic drugs, the main factor driving the success of the program was communication, which is key to achieving adherence. Improved communication provides useful insights into the reasons why no quantitative reduction is observed in objective quality indicators.

scholarly journals Nursing homes: engaging patients and staff in healing garden design through focus group interviews

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio Senes ◽  
Natalia Fumagalli ◽  
Rosella Crippa ◽  
Francesca Bolchini
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Natural Setting ◽  
Garden Design ◽  
Adult Day Services ◽  
Healing Garden

Patient-specific gardens can provide general benefits related to the restorative effects of nature and respond to the specific needs of a particular patient population. These needs are to be considered in the design of outdoor space for healthcare. Our goal was to design a patient-specific garden for elderly people who live in Nursing Homes and Adult Day Services (RSA Famagosta, Milano). A participatory design process was used through the organization of focus groups. A focus group is a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about a topic. Focus groups allowed us to study residents and staff in a more natural setting than a one-to-one interview. With this approach, users work closely together to create a program that has been implemented by landscape architects to design a patient-specific garden. The participatory process involving designers and clinical staff and residents has been appreciated because the users felt involved in the decision process. Focus group approach has proved to be useful to provide information ohealing garden user needs: the findings were useful to draw design guidelines that has been incorporated into the “garden design”.

scholarly journals Experienced hearing aid users’ perspectives of assessment and communication within audiology: A qualitative study using digital methods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhavisha Parmar ◽  
Kinjal Mehta ◽  
Deborah Vickers ◽  
Jennifer K. Bizley
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Testing Procedure ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Hearing Assessment ◽  
User Perspectives ◽  
Clinical Interactions ◽  
Age Range

AbstractObjectiveTo explore experienced hearing aid users’ perspectives of audiological assessments and the patient-audiologist communication dynamic during clinical interactions.DesignA qualitative study was implemented incorporating both an online focus group and online semi-structured interviews. Sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Iterative-inductive thematic analysis was carried out to identify themes related to assessment and communication within audiology practice.Study samplesSeven experienced hearing aid users took part in an online focus group and 14 adults participated in semi-structured interviews (age range: 22 - 86 years; 9 males, 11 females).ResultsThemes related to assessment included the unaided and aided testing procedure and relating tests to real world hearing difficulties. Themes related to communication included the importance of communication strategies, explanation of test results and patient centred care in audiology.ConclusionTo ensure that hearing aid services meet the needs of the service users, we should explore user perspectives and proactively adapt service delivery. This approach should be ongoing, in response to advances in hearing aid technology. Within audiology, experienced hearing aid users’ value 1) comprehensive, relatable hearing assessment, 2) clear, concise, deaf aware patient-audiologist communication, 3) accessible services and 4) a personalised approach to recommend suitable technology and address patient specific aspects of hearing loss.

Tailoring Communications for Primary Care Settings

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (02) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Glassman ◽  
B. K. Rimer
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Contact Time ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Medical Settings ◽  
Primary Care Settings ◽  
Professional Contact ◽  
Tailored Communications

AbstractIn more and more medical settings, physicians have less and less time to be effective communicators. To be effective, they need accurate, current information about their patients. Tailored health communications can facilitate positive patient-provider communications and foster behavioral changes conducive to health. Tailored communications (TCs) are produced for an individual based on information about that person. The focus of this report is on tailored print communications (TPCs). TPCs also enhance the process of evaluation, because they require a database and the collection of patient-specific information. We present a Tailoring Model for Primary Care that describes the steps involved in creating TPCs. We also provide examples from three ongoing studies in which TPCs are being used in order to illustrate the kinds of variables used for tailoring the products that are developed and how evaluation is conducted. TPCs offer opportunities to expand the reach of health professionals and to give personalized, individualized massages in an era of shrinking professional contact time.

59. General medicine residents' perception of the mini-CEXs

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
S. Malhotra ◽  
R. Hatala ◽  
C.-A. Courneya
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Medical Teacher ◽  
The Impact

The mini-CEX is a 30 minute observed clinical encounter. It can be done in the outpatient, inpatient or emergency room setting. It strives to look at several parameters including a clinical history, physical, professionalism and overall clinical competence. Trainees are rated using a 9-point scoring system: 1-3 unsatisfactory, 4-6 satisfactory and 7-9 superior. Eight months after the introduction of the mini-CEX to the core University of British Columbia Internal Medicine Residents, a one hour semi-structured focus group for residents in each of the three years took place. The focus groups were conducted by an independent moderator, audio-recorded and transcribed. Using a phenomenological approach the comments made by the focus groups participants were read independently by three authors, organized into major themes. In doing so, several intriguing common patterns were revealed on how General Medicine Residents perceive their experience in completing a mini-CEX. The themes include Education, Assessment and Preparation for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Internal Medicine exam. Resident learners perceived that the mini-CEX process provided insight into their clinical strengths and weaknesses. Focus group participants favored that the mini-CEX experience will benefit them in preparation, and successful completion of their licensing exam. Daelmans HE, Overmeer RM, van der Hem-Stockroos HH, Scherpbier AJ, Stehouwer CD, van der Vleuten CP. In-training assessment: qualitative study of effects on supervision and feedback in an undergraduate clinical rotation. Medical Education 2006; 40(1):51-8. De Lima AA, Henquin R, Thierer J, Paulin J, Lamari S, Belcastro F, Van der Vleuten CPM. A qualitative study of the impact on learning of the mini clinical evaluation exercise in postgraduate training. Medical Teacher January 2005; 27(1):46-52. DiCicco-Bloom B, Crabtree BF. The Qualitative Research Interview. Medical Education 2006; 40:314-32.

scholarly journals What Do Meditators Do When They Meditate? Proposing a Novel Basis for Future Meditation Research

Mindfulness ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Matko ◽  
Ulrich Ott ◽  
Peter Sedlmeier
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Contemplative Practices ◽  
Comprehensive List ◽  
Scientific Investigations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Vast Range ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Objectives Meditation is an umbrella term for a vast range of contemplative practices. Former proposals have struggled to do justice to this variety. To our knowledge, there is to date no comprehensive overview of meditation techniques spanning all major traditions. The present studies aimed at providing such a comprehensive list of meditation techniques. Methods In a qualitative study, we compiled a collection of 309 meditation techniques through a literature search and interviews with 20 expert meditators. Then, we reduced this collection to 50 basic meditation techniques. In a second, quantitative study, 635 experienced meditators from a wide range of meditative backgrounds indicated how much experience they had with each of these 50 meditation techniques. Results Meditators’ responses indicated that our choice of techniques had been adequate and only two techniques had to be added. Our additional statistical and cluster analyses illustrated preferences for specific techniques across and within diverse traditions as well as sets of techniques commonly practiced together. Body-centered techniques stood out in being of exceptional importance to all meditators. Conclusions In conclusion, we found an amazing variety of meditation techniques, which considerably surpasses previous collections. Our selection of basic meditation techniques might be of value for future scientific investigations and we encourage researchers to use this set.

scholarly journals Sexual and reproductive health of Syrian refugee adolescent girls: a qualitative study using focus group discussions in an urban setting in Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rayan Korri ◽  
Sabine Hess ◽  
Guenter Froeschl ◽  
Olena Ivanova
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background The war in Syria caused the forced displacement of millions of Syrians to neighboring countries. Lebanon is the host country with the largest overall number of Syrian refugees per capita. Adolescent refugee girls experience a unique level of vulnerability during human emergencies and are at increased risk of suffering from poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to learn about the SRH perceptions and experiences of refugee adolescent girls living in Bourj Hammoud, an urban setting in Lebanon. Methods We employed a qualitative design with eight focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted with 40 Syrian Arab and Syrian Kurdish adolescent girls between January and March 2020. Every FGD consisted of five participants aged 13 to 17 years. A semi-structured guide was used covering multiple themes: menstruation, puberty, SRH awareness, and sexual harassment. FGDs were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings The participants discussed adolescent girls’ health and named six elements of good health, such as healthy activities and self-protection. The majority of the FGD participants reported a lack of awareness about menstruation when they experienced it for the first time and the social stigma associated with menstruation. When defining puberty, they indicated its social link to a girl’s readiness for marriage and her need to become cautious about sexual harassment. Most FGD participants had very poor knowledge of the female reproductive system. Mothers were the most approached persons to receive information on SRH issues; however, the girls indicated a wish to receive advice from specialists in a comfortable and private atmosphere. All the girls reported that either they themselves, or an acquaintance, had experienced some type of sexual harassment. The girls rarely reported those incidents due to fear of being blamed or subjected to mobility restrictions, or forced to drop out of school. Conclusions The findings show the refugee girls need for satisfactory knowledge on SRH issues and interventions to prevent sexual and gender-based violence that take into consideration the complexity of urban settings.

scholarly journals Assessment of patient specific information in the wild on fundus photography and optical coherence tomography

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion R. Munk ◽  
Thomas Kurmann ◽  
Pablo Márquez-Neila ◽  
Martin S. Zinkernagel ◽  
Sebastian Wolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Peak Performance ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Fundus Images

AbstractIn this paper we analyse the performance of machine learning methods in predicting patient information such as age or sex solely from retinal imaging modalities in a heterogeneous clinical population. Our dataset consists of N = 135,667 fundus images and N = 85,536 volumetric OCT scans. Deep learning models were trained to predict the patient’s age and sex from fundus images, OCT cross sections and OCT volumes. For sex prediction, a ROC AUC of 0.80 was achieved for fundus images, 0.84 for OCT cross sections and 0.90 for OCT volumes. Age prediction mean absolute errors of 6.328 years for fundus, 5.625 years for OCT cross sections and 4.541 for OCT volumes were observed. We assess the performance of OCT scans containing different biomarkers and note a peak performance of AUC = 0.88 for OCT cross sections and 0.95 for volumes when there is no pathology on scans. Performance drops in case of drusen, fibrovascular pigment epitheliuum detachment and geographic atrophy present. We conclude that deep learning based methods are capable of classifying the patient’s sex and age from color fundus photography and OCT for a broad spectrum of patients irrespective of underlying disease or image quality. Non-random sex prediction using fundus images seems only possible if the eye fovea and optic disc are visible.

scholarly journals Depression patient-derived cortical neurons reveal potential biomarkers for antidepressant response

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yishai Avior ◽  
Shiri Ron ◽  
Dana Kroitorou ◽  
Claudia Albeldas ◽  
Vitaly Lerner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Patient Response ◽  
Patient Will ◽  
Gene Expression Alterations ◽  
Treatment Alternatives

AbstractMajor depressive disorder is highly prevalent worldwide and has been affecting an increasing number of people each year. Current first line antidepressants show merely 37% remission, and physicians are forced to use a trial-and-error approach when choosing a single antidepressant out of dozens of available medications. We sought to identify a method of testing that would provide patient-specific information on whether a patient will respond to a medication using in vitro modeling. Patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines from the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression study were used to rapidly generate cortical neurons and screen them for bupropion effects, for which the donor patients showed remission or non-remission. We provide evidence for biomarkers specific for bupropion response, including synaptic connectivity and morphology changes as well as specific gene expression alterations. These biomarkers support the concept of personalized antidepressant treatment based on in vitro platforms and could be utilized as predictors to patient response in the clinic.

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