Commentary: The Use of Focus Groups for Design and Implementation of Collaborative Environmental Administrative Programs: A Comparison of Two State-Level Processes in Ohio

Objective To describe the design and implementation of state-level fertility preservation (FP) health insurance benefit mandates and regulation and to provide stakeholders with guidance on best practices, gaps, and implementation needs. Design Legal mapping and implementation framework-guided analysis Setting U.S. states with state-level fertility preservation health insurance benefit mandates Patients Individuals at risk of iatrogenic infertility Intervention State laws mandating health insurance benefit coverage for fertility preservation services. Main Outcome Measures Design features of FP mandated benefit legislation; implementation process Results Between June, 2017 and March, 2021, 11 states passed FP benefit mandate laws. On average, states took 223 days to implement their mandates from the start of the law enactment dates to their corresponding effective dates, and a majority issued regulatory guidance after the law was in effect. Significant variation was observed in which FP services were specified for inclusion or exclusion in the laws and/or regulator guidance. Federal policies impacted state level implementation, with the ACA and HIPAA guiding design of fertility preservation benefits. In addition, a majority of states referenced medical society clinical practice guidelines in the design of FP mandated benefits. Conclusions Our policy scan documented significant variation in the design and implementation of health insurance benefit mandates for FP services. Future considerations for policy development include specificity and flexibility of benefit design, reference to external clinical practice guidelines to drive benefit coverage, inclusion of Medicaid populations in required coverage, and consideration of interaction with relevant state and federal policies. In addition, key considerations for implementation include the sufficient length of time for the implementation period, regulator guidance issued prior to the law going into effect, and explicit allocation of resources for the implementation process.

Download Full-text

More Than Figures on Your Laptop: (Dis)trustful Implementation of Learning Analytics

Journal of Learning Analytics ◽

10.18608/jla.2021.7379 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Yi-Shan Tsai ◽

Alexander Whitelock-Wainwright ◽

Dragan Gašević

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Learning Analytics ◽

Social Process ◽

Educational Systems ◽

Teaching Staff ◽

Design And Implementation ◽

The Social ◽

Technical Challenges

The adoption of learning analytics (LA) in complex educational systems is woven into sociocultural and technical challenges that have induced distrust in data and difficulties in scaling LA. This paper presents a study that investigated areas of distrust and threats to trustworthy LA through a series of consultations with teaching staff and students at a large UK university. Surveys and focus groups were conducted to explore participant expectations of LA. The observed distrust is broadly attributed to three areas: the subjective nature of numbers, the fear of power diminution, and approaches to design and implementation of LA. The paper highlights areas to maintain existing trust with policy procedures and areas to cultivate trust by engaging with tensions arising from the social process of LA.

Download Full-text

Family Engagement in Schools: Parent, Educator, and Community Perspectives

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/2158244020973024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 215824402097302

Author(s):

Noel E. Kelty ◽

Tomoko Wakabayashi

Keyword(s):

English Language Learners ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Language Learners ◽

Parent Education ◽

English Language ◽

Family Engagement ◽

State Level ◽

High Poverty ◽

School Communities ◽

Parent Educator

How engaged families are in their children’s lives, whether at home or in school, predicts their success in school and in life. The purpose of this study was to explore parent, educator, and community member perspectives of family engagement, preschool through grade 12, to inform state-level policy from an ecological framework. Ten semi-structured focus groups were conducted throughout one midwestern state, including five urban groups, four rural groups, and one suburban group. All focus groups were held in high-poverty areas serving high-need communities. All school communities received Title I funds and the average free and reduced lunch rate across participating districts was 75%. Several themes emerged through focus groups, including the importance of relationships, inclusive opportunities, communication, parent education, and family activities. Potential outcomes are included for policy and program development, as well as implications to further expand on issues relative to special education, fatherhood, and English language learners.

Download Full-text

Vaccine Hesitancy: Past and Present in the COVID-19 Era

10.33442/vt202126 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Leesa Lin ◽

Heidi J Larson

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Geographic Region ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Intervention Design ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Immunization Programs ◽

Critical Factors ◽

Design And Implementation ◽

Media Monitoring ◽

Depth Interviews

Vaccine-hesitant individuals are a heterogeneous group that are indecisive in varying degrees – more of a spectrum – about specific vaccines or vaccination in general. Vaccine hesitancy is complex, varying by vaccine, time, context, geographic region, and sub-population. There is an “infodemic” that needs to be fought alongside the pandemic as exposure to misinformation is linked to a reduction in an individual’s intentions to vaccinate. In addressing vaccine hesitancy, it is key to 1) identify the subpopulations susceptible to vaccine hesitancy, 2) diagnose issues through various research methods – surveys, in-depth interviews, focus groups, or media monitoring – and 3) develop context-tailored, evidence-based interventions to address those reasons. Sensitivity to the context and effective communication are key to successful immunization programs, alongside other critical factors (confidence, complacency and convenience – the 3Cs model); engaging stakeholders in dialogue is critical to intervention design and implementation.

Download Full-text

Appreciative Inquiry for stress management

Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management An International Journal ◽

10.1108/qrom-05-2017-1525 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 260-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jermaine Ravalier ◽

Andrew McVicar ◽

Carol Munn-Giddings

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Stress Management ◽

Appreciative Inquiry ◽

Organizational Support ◽

Local Stress ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Stress Theory ◽

Design And Implementation ◽

Management Interventions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the innovative application of an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach for the design and implementation of organizational stress management interventions, alongside a case study of the successful design and implementation of the approach. By utilizing the AI methodology to develop a “local stress theory” for the participating organization, the authors propose a model which can be utilized in other similar organizations. Design/methodology/approach Stage 1: 35 participants completed up to ten daily logs by answering four positively framed questions regarding their working day. Stage 2: semi-structured interviews (n=13). The interview schedule was designed to further elaborate log findings, and begin looking into feasible organizational changes for improvement of stress. Stage 3: two focus groups (Stage 3, total 13 employees) verified interventions from logs and interviews and discuss how these can be implemented. Findings The log phase identified two key themes for improvement: managerial/organizational support and communication. From these, interviews and focus groups led to workable proposals for simple but likely effective changes. The authors reported findings to management, emphasizing organizational change implementation, and these were subsequently implemented. Research limitations/implications The study demonstrated the effectiveness of AI to identify and implement relatively simple but meaningful changes. The AI cycle was completed but allocating lengthy follow-up time for evaluation of outcomes was not possible, although initial responses were favorable. There are also issues of generalizability of the findings. Originality/value This is the among first studies to utilize an AI approach for the design of stress management interventions.

Download Full-text

Enhancing Adoption of a Home-Based Exercise Program for Mild Balance Dysfunction: A Qualitative Study

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2014-0035 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 53-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Claudia Meyer ◽

Susan Williams ◽

Frances Batchelor ◽

Keith Hill

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Thematic Content Analysis ◽

Design And Implementation ◽

Home Based ◽

Balance Exercise ◽

Emerging Themes ◽

Barriers And Opportunities

Introduction:The aim was to identify barriers and opportunities facing community health physiotherapists in delivering a home-based balance exercise program to address mild balance dysfunction and, secondly, to understand the perspectives of older people in adopting this program.Method:Focus groups, written surveys, and data recording sheets were used with nine older people and five physiotherapists. Focus groups were audio taped, transcribed, and coded independently by two researchers.Results:Thematic content analysis was undertaken. Emerging themes were: engaging in preventive health (various benefits, enhancing independence); adoption of strategies (acceptable design and implementation feasibility); exercising in context (convenience, practicality, and safety); and broader implementation issues (program design, proactive health messages, and a solid evidence base).Conclusion:The views of older people and physiotherapists were sought to understand the adoption of a previously successful home-based program for mild balance dysfunction. Understanding the unique context and circumstances for individuals and organizations will enhance adoption.

Download Full-text

AAC Considerations for Individuals With Angelman Syndrome

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac24.3.106 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 106-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephen N. Calculator

Keyword(s):

Angelman Syndrome ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

High Tech ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Design And Implementation

Purpose To provide an overview of communication characteristics exhibited by individuals with Angelman Syndrome (AS) and special considerations associated with the design and implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) programs. Method Results of recent studies exploring individuals' uses of AAC are reviewed, with particular emphasis on factors related to individuals' acceptance and successful uses of AAC systems. Results Not applicable Conclusion Despite their inconsistent access to practices previously found to foster individuals' acceptance of AAC systems, individuals with AS demonstrate the ability to use AAC systems, including high-tech AAC devices, successfully.

Download Full-text

Medicaid 101: A Primer for Speech-Language Pathologists in Education Settings

Perspectives on School-Based Issues ◽

10.1044/sbi12.1.3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 3-11

Author(s):

Janet Deppe ◽

Marie Ireland

Keyword(s):

State Level ◽

The State ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

Inspector General ◽

Medical Necessity ◽

School Settings ◽

Speech Language Pathologist ◽

School Based ◽

Emerging Trends

This paper will provide the school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) with an overview of the federal requirements for Medicaid, including provider qualifications, “under the direction of” rule, medical necessity, and covered services. Billing, documentation, and reimbursement issues at the state level will be examined. A summary of the findings of the Office of Inspector General audits of state Medicaid plans is included as well as what SLPs need to do in order to ensure that services are delivered appropriately. Emerging trends and advocacy tools will complete the primer on Medicaid services in school settings.

Download Full-text

Policy Action on Obesity Mostly at State Level

Internal Medicine News ◽

10.1016/s1097-8690(07)71007-7 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 40 (16) ◽

pp. 39

Author(s):

MARY ELLEN SCHNEIDER

Keyword(s):

State Level ◽

Policy Action

Download Full-text

Handlungsleitende Orientierungen frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte in der Zusammenarbeit mit Eltern

Frühe Bildung ◽

10.1026/2191-9186/a000296 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 10-15

Author(s):

Beate Vomhof

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Sich Eine

Zusammenfassung. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Eltern wird in Bildungsplänen und Kompetenzbeschreibungen als professionelle Aufgabe frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte definiert. Um einen Paradigmenwechsel anzuzeigen, verwenden zahlreiche Autoren inzwischen nicht mehr den Begriff Elternarbeit, sondern sprechen von Bildungs- und Erziehungspartnerschaft. Doch wird die Kooperation tatsächlich partnerschaftlich umgesetzt? Um der Forschungsfrage nachzugehen, welche handlungsleitenden Orientierungen frühpädagogische Fachkräfte in der Zusammenarbeit mit Eltern im Kontext kompensatorischer Sprachfördermaßnahmen haben, werden neun Fälle (die aus sechs Interviews und zwei Focus Groups generiert wurden) anhand der Dokumentarischen Methode interpretiert. Es zeigt sich, dass die Förderkräfte auf der Ebene der Einstellung die normativen Setzungen um Partnerschaftlichkeit teilen. Die Rekonstruktion der impliziten Wissensbestände offenbart jedoch, dass die Kooperation hierarchisch und teilweise als Machtbeziehung konstruiert wird. Es lässt sich eine grundlegende Diskrepanz zwischen den expliziten und den impliziten Orientierungen rekonstruieren, die sich als Differenz zwischen Norm und Habitus zeigt.

Download Full-text