A qualitative study exploring the impact of student nurses working part time as a health care assistant

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 873-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity Hasson ◽  
Hugh P. McKenna ◽  
Sinead Keeney
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachelle Ashcroft ◽  
Catherine Donnelly ◽  
Maya Dancey ◽  
Sandeep Gill ◽  
Simon Lam ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Integrated primary care teams are ideally positioned to support the mental health care needs arising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding how COVID-19 has affected mental health care delivery within primary care settings will be critical to inform future policy and practice decisions during the later phases of the pandemic and beyond. The objective of our study was to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care teams’ delivery of mental health care. Methods A qualitative study using focus groups conducted with primary care teams in Ontario, Canada. Focus group data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results We conducted 11 focus groups with 10 primary care teams and a total of 48 participants. With respect to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health care in primary care teams, we identified three key themes: i) the high demand for mental health care, ii) the rapid transformation to virtual care, and iii) the impact on providers. Conclusions From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care quickly responded to the rising mental health care demands of their patients. Despite the numerous challenges they faced with the rapid transition to virtual care, primary care teams have persevered. It is essential that policy and decision-makers take note of the toll that these demands have placed on providers. There is an immediate need to enhance primary care’s capacity for mental health care for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoume Zeinolabedini ◽  
Alireza Heidarnia ◽  
Ghodratollah Shakeri Nejad ◽  
Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh

Abstract BackgroundHealth care workers (HCWs) are at risk for occupational stress. The negative effects of stress HCWs subsequently affect the quality of their job performance. Since 2014, there have been extensive changes in the primary health care system in Iran. Because evidence has shown that organizational change can cause stress in employees, this study was designed and conducted to explore the perceived job demands by HCWs in primary care centers after extensive organizational change.MethodA qualitative study was designed with a content analysis approach. Study data were collected through 11 semi-structured individual interviews and a focus group with HCWs.ResultsParticipants reported high stress at work. They reported various factors as stressful job demands. These factors included: organization's supervisory function (Weakness of the monitoring process, Unfair policies, Apply regulatory pressure), Role features (Role load, Role conflicts, Role ambiguity(,Workload )High workload, Not having time, Great variety of tasks), job insecurity (Lack of job security due to employment status, Concerns about payments, Lack of physical security, Uncertain job future), Working with clients (Different characteristics of clients, Harassment of clients to achieve their expectations, Tensions in client relationships, Lack of knowledge of clients about health care work instructions), Perceived job content (Annoying work with different units of the organization, Monotonous and repetitive tasks, Meaningless tasks, No attractive and no excitement).ConclusionCurrently, HCWs working in health centers are faced with various stressful situations. Most of the factors identified in this study overlap in increasing stress. The impact of workload and organizational oversight on occupational stress seems to be more pronounced. Given the important role of HCWs in promoting health, the design and implementation of effective interventions by policymakers to control stress in HCWs is essential.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Akhtar ◽  
Amer Hayat Khan ◽  
Hadzliana Zainal ◽  
Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali ◽  
Irfhan Ali ◽  
...  

Background: Unnecessary antimicrobial use is an emerging problem throughout the world. To design future interventions to ensure rational antimicrobial use and decrease the risk of antimicrobial resistance, physician's knowledge and prescribing practices of antimicrobials should be assessed. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the physician's knowledge along with their prescribing patterns of antimicrobials in their health care system.Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted in a tertiary care public hospital located at Penang island, situated in Northwest of Malaysia. A total of 12 semi-structured, face to face interviews were conducted with purposive sampling technique. Physicians recruited had different specialties. All interviews were audio recorded, then transcribed into English language and analyze by thematic content analysis.Results: Four major themes were identified: (1) prescribing patterns of physicians regarding antimicrobials; (2) physician's knowledge about antimicrobials; (3) antimicrobial resistance; (4) satisfaction with management of infections. Physicians believed in regular educational activities and updates about the latest antimicrobial guidelines may change the prescribing behavior of physicians to optimize the use of antimicrobials. This may lead to decrease in burden of antimicrobial resistance in their health care system. Physicians emphasized that stricter rules and regular monitoring of antimicrobial use should be implemented to overcome the main challenges of antimicrobial resistance.Conclusion: Different factors were identified to assist optimized use of antimicrobials and decrease the risk of antimicrobial resistance. The present study helps to design targeted future interventions to ensure rational antimicrobial use and decrease the impact of antimicrobial resistance in Malaysia.


2020 ◽  
pp. 107755872097258
Author(s):  
Deb Mitchell ◽  
Lisa O’Brien ◽  
Anne Bardoel ◽  
Terry Haines

This longitudinal qualitative study examines staff experience of disinvestment from a service they are accustomed to providing to their patients. It took place alongside a disinvestment trial that measured the impact of the removal of weekend allied health services from acute wards at two hospitals. Data were gathered from repeated interviews and focus groups with 450 health care staff. We developed a grounded theory, which explains changes in staff perceptions over time and the key modifying factors. Staff appeared to experience disinvestment as loss; a key difference to other operational changes. Early staff experiences of disinvestment were primarily negative, but evolved with time and change-management strategies such as the provision of data, clear and persistent communication approaches, and forums where the big picture context of the disinvestment was robustly discussed. These allowed the disinvestment trial to be successfully implemented at two health services, with high compliance with the research protocol.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Alstveit Laugaland ◽  
Stephen Billett ◽  
Kristin Akerjordet ◽  
Christina Frøiland ◽  
Laurie Grealish ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The ageing population is increasing the demand for geriatric care services. As nursing schools respond to this demand, more clinical placements are required, and aged care homes are suitable placement sites. Although an aged care experience for students is beneficial, the basis for effective implementation of these placements is yet to be fully established. The aim of this study was to explore faculty staff perspectives on the challenges associated with providing clinical education in aged care homes to first-year student nurses.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews (n=15) with program leaders of nurse bachelor programs (n=4), course leaders (n=6) and practice coordinators (n=5) in three Norwegian universities. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The standards for Reporting of Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist were used to report the findings. Results: Five themes describe the perceived challenges to implementing clinical education in aged care homes: (1) the staffing model limits capacity to host students; (2) prevalence of part-time teachers can compromise the quality of students’ learning experiences; (3) tension about required qualifications and competence exist; (4) variation in learning assessments; and (5) lack of quality assurance. Conclusions: These challenges signal key areas for attention in quality assurance for aged care placements. Further research into the minimum levels of staffing required to support student learning in the aged care setting is required. Methods for developing shared practices around facilitation of learning in aged care homes is required to address the preference for part-time teaching appointments. Further research into the levels of qualification and competence required to support student learning can assist with setting standards for this sector. Finally, academic-practice institutions must engage with bureaucrats and national nursing bodies to develop national standards for clinical education in aged care homes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18559-e18559
Author(s):  
Dhanya Kumar ◽  
Sana Khateeb ◽  
Manali I. Patel

e18559 Background: The SARS‐CoV‐2/COVID‐19 pandemic greatly impacted the health of many patients with cancer. We conducted in-depth interviews with patients across the United States to better understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on their cancer care, emotional and mental health, and to solicit suggestions for how health care providers could mitigate these concerns. Methods: We contacted respondents from the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer parent study. The parent study used a snowball sampling approach to survey patients nationally regarding cancer delays between April 2020 and October 2020. We invited all respondents who volunteered for future studies to participate in a 40-minute interview regarding their experiences and suggestions for how health care providers could mitigate COVID19-related concerns. Interviews were conducted between August 2020 and October 2020, recorded, transcribed and analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis. Results: A total of 34 participants were contacted and consented to participate in this study. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) significant concern regarding infection risk; (2) concerns regarding care changes, such as delays, worsening cancer outcomes; (3) concern regarding loss of employment, health insurance, and transportation on cancer treatment, affordability, and prognosis; and (4) worsening emotional and mental health due to social isolation. Suggestions for the clinical team included: 1) specific and direct guidance from health care providers on how to mitigate infection risk; 2) screening for and access to mental health services; 3) continuation of cancer treatment, surveillance, and clinical trials without delays and 4) allowing caregivers to attend appointments. Conclusions: In this national qualitative study of patients with cancer, participants identified that COVID-19 and modifications to their cancer care worsened their emotional and mental health with growing concerns about the impact of the virus and socioeconomic status on their cancer outcomes. Specific suggestions for health care providers, such as anticipatory guidance, access to mental health services, and expanded visitation should be considered to improve patient experiences with care during the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Gray ◽  
Barry Rooney ◽  
Clare Connolly

Purpose The purpose of this study was to capture the experience of people after completing their period of COVID-19 14-day isolation in prison. This study used in-depth interviews to assess the impact of the restricted regime. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross-sectional qualitative study using an adapted regional survey to record people’s experiences of COVID-19 isolation on entry into prison. This study began in April 2020 and continued to run over eight months. A weekly capture of people’s stories was conducted using a convenience sample. A total of 168 people participated in the study, with in-depth interviews conducted by the health-care team. Content conceptual analysis was used to quantify and analyse the themes of impact of COVID-19 isolation. This information was then used to shape iterative health-care service development. Findings A number of key themes have emerged from the experiences of COVID-19 isolation, including connection, communication and support. Stories highlighted how isolation had exacerbated depression, anxiety or feelings of self-harm. This was amplified by the uncertainty of the pandemic and lack of information about accessing services in the altered prison regime. A priority for people in COVID-19 isolation was contact with family. Telephone calls and virtual visits were cited as mitigating the mental health impact of social isolation. People who felt supported by health-care or prison staff reported coping with their time in isolation better. Timely, accessible information was pivotal in support, leading to development of Engagement Lead check-ins on the isolation landings. It is crucial that a public health approach is core to the COVID-19 response in prisons. The thematic analysis of the experiences has enabled a focused understanding of the impact of COVID-19 isolation and an accountability of care provision through organisational collaboration and iterative improvements to service delivery. Originality/value There is a paucity of real-time evidence of the impact of restricted regimes in prison owing to COVID-19. This study gives an important insight.


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