scholarly journals 'We had to take a hammer to get some roots out' - experiences, motivations and challenges among volunteer dentists: a qualitative study

BDJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saulo Gamarra ◽  
Kate Bärnighausen ◽  
Jonas Wachinger ◽  
Shannon A. McMahon
Keyword(s):  
Dental Care ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Patient Load ◽  
Motivations To Volunteer ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Dental Schools ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Capacity Building Programme

AbstractObjectives To address a gap in the literature by examining the experiences, motivations and challenges among volunteer dentists engaged in short-term missions to low- and middle-income countries.Methods In-depth interviews among volunteer dentists (n = 20) who had provided voluntary dental care in low- or middle-income countries within the preceding five years. Interviews lasted on average 55 minutes and were recorded, transcribed and analysed using NVivo. Routine debriefings complemented analysis. COREQ principles guided this research.Results Motivations to volunteer included: exposure to new dental challenges (enhancing competence); discovering a new setting (tourism); and enhancing the lives of clients (humanitarianism). Volunteers enjoyed undertaking new tasks and developing new skills, but were burdened by a high patient load, challenging clinical conditions, peri- and post-operative complications, and a concern that their work was not addressing root causes of inadequate access to basic dental care. Respondents recommended that more information regarding the vision, equipment status, armamentarium and dental supplies be made available pre-departure, and that more dental schools include training on global oral health. Such measures could facilitate volunteers' abilities to provide care while also enhancing their personal and professional development. Creating an appropriate, sizable and competent capacity-building programme for local dentists was described as essential.

scholarly journals Tracing Long- and Short-term Migrants for Participation in Demographic and Epidemiological Studies: Evidence from Senegal

Field Methods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-57
Author(s):  
Mufaro Kanyangarara ◽  
Laetitia Douillot ◽  
Gilles Pison ◽  
Cheikh Tidiane Ndiaye ◽  
Valerie Delaunay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Contact Information

Migration of participants in demographic and epidemiological studies results in missing data. One approach to reduce resulting losses in statistical power and potential biases is to follow up migrants at their new residence. We describe the follow-up of migrants who were eligible for participation in a trial of a new questionnaire to measure adult mortality in Niakhar, Senegal. We conducted a short inquiry in the migrant’s last known household to obtain contact information and then attempted to contact and interview 661 migrants who resided in Dakar, Mbour, and rural areas close to Niakhar. About two-thirds of migrants were successfully enrolled in the study. Having a contact phone number and knowing the name of the head of compound at destination increased the likelihood of successful enrollment. Following up migrants in demographic studies is feasible in low- and middle-income countries, including long-term migrants who have not been contacted for extended periods of time.

scholarly journals Perceptions of the Role of Short-Term Volunteerism in International Development: Views from Volunteers, Local Hosts, and Community Members

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethina Loiseau ◽  
Rebekah Sibbald ◽  
Salem A. Raman ◽  
Benedict Darren ◽  
Lawrence C. Loh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
International Development ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
International Volunteers ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Related Development

Background.Short-term international volunteer trips traditionally involve volunteers from high-income countries travelling to low- and middle-income countries to assist in service-related development activities. Their duration typically ranges from 7 to 90 days. The city of La Romana, Dominican Republic, receives hundreds of short-term international volunteers annually. They participate in activities aimed at improving conditions faced by a marginalized ethnic-Haitian community living inbateyes. Methods.This qualitative analysis examined perceptions of short-term international volunteerism, held by three key stakeholder groups in La Romana: local hosts, international volunteers, and community members. Responses from semistructured interviews were recorded and analysed by thematic analysis.Results.Themes from the 3 groups were broadly categorized into general perceptions of short-term volunteerism and proposed best practices. These were further subdivided into perceptions of value, harms, and motivations associated with volunteer teams for the former and best practices around volunteer composition and selection, partnership, and skill sets and predeparture training for the latter.Conclusion.Notable challenges were associated with short-term volunteering, including an overemphasis on the material benefits from volunteer groups expressed by community member respondents; misalignment of the desired and actual skill sets of volunteers; duplicate and uncoordinated volunteer efforts; and the perpetuation of stereotypes suggesting that international volunteers possess superior knowledge or skills. Addressing these challenges is critical to optimizing the conduct of short-term volunteerism.

scholarly journals Short-term WASH interventions in emergency responses in low- and middle-income countries

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis Yates ◽  
◽  
Jelena Allen ◽  
Myriam Leandre Joseph ◽  
Daniele Lantagne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Emergency Responses ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals The EVITA framework for evidence-based mental health policy agenda setting in low- and middle-income countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-439
Author(s):  
Nicole Votruba ◽  
Jonathan Grant ◽  
Graham Thornicroft
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Agenda Setting ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Research Policy ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract The burden of mental illness is excessive, but many countries lack evidence-based policies to improve practice. Mental health research evidence translation into policymaking is a ‘wicked problem’, often failing despite a robust evidence base. In a recent systematic review, we identified a gap in frameworks on agenda setting and actionability, and pragmatic, effective tools to guide action to link research and policy are needed. Responding to this gap, we developed the new EVITA 1.1 (EVIdence To Agenda setting) conceptual framework for mental health research–policy interrelationships in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We (1) drafted a provisional framework (EVITA 1.0); (2) validated it for specific applicability to mental health; (3) conducted expert in-depth interviews to (a) validate components and mechanisms and (b) assess intelligibility, functionality, relevance, applicability and effectiveness. To guide interview validation, we developed a simple evaluation framework. (4) Using deductive framework analysis, we coded and identified themes and finalized the framework (EVITA 1.1). Theoretical agenda-setting elements were added, as targeting the policy agenda-setting stage was found to lead to greater policy traction. The framework was validated through expert in-depth interviews (n = 13) and revised. EVITA 1.1 consists of six core components [advocacy coalitions, (en)actors, evidence generators, external influences, intermediaries and political context] and four mechanisms (capacity, catalysts, communication/relationship/partnership building and framing). EVITA 1.1 is novel and unique because it very specifically addresses the mental health research–policy process in LMICs and includes policy agenda setting as a novel, effective mechanism. Based on a thorough methodology, and through its specific design and mechanisms, EVITA has the potential to improve the challenging process of research evidence translation into policy and practice in LMICs and to increase the engagement and capacity of mental health researchers, policy agencies/planners, think tanks, NGOs and others within the mental health research–policy interface. Next, EVITA 1.1 will be empirically tested in a case study.

2020 guidelines for conducting plastic reconstructive short‐term surgical projects in low‐middle income countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1308-1321
Author(s):  
George D. Politis ◽  
George Gregory ◽  
Francine S. Yudkowitz ◽  
Quentin A. Fisher ◽  
Anisa Z. Bhettay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries

Evaluability assessment of a small NGO in water-based development

Evaluation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie K. Lu ◽  
Susan J. Elliott ◽  
Christopher M. Perlman
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Level ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Evaluability Assessment ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Funding Programs ◽  
Document Review ◽  
Depth Interviews

Small non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in water-based development in low- and middle-income countries face unique challenges when it comes to evaluative practice. Few prioritize evaluation because they lack expertise and/or feel strongly about funding programs and not processes, given accountability to donors. To examine facilitators and barriers to evaluation in this context, we embarked on an organizational-level evaluation of H2O 4 ALL, a Canadian NGO with no prior evaluation experience. We first conducted an evaluability assessment, guided by Thurston and Potvin’s framework for social change programs, to understand evaluation priorities and needs. By triangulating findings from three qualitative sources of data – an environmental scan, a document review, and in-depth interviews – we demonstrated evaluability assessments’ applicability to water-based development and established a baseline for further research.

Remote Digital Preoperative Assessments for Cleft Lip and Palate May Improve Clinical and Economic Impact in Global Plastic Surgery

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Hughes ◽  
Jacob Campbell ◽  
Swagoto Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Susan Mccormack ◽  
Richard Silverman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Plastic Surgery ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Digital Video ◽  
Cleft Lip And Palate ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Alveolar Cleft ◽  
Middle Income Countries

Objective Reconstructive surgical care can play a vital role in the resource-poor settings of low- and middle-income countries. Telemedicine platforms can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of surgical care. The purpose of this study is to determine whether remote digital video evaluations are reliable in the context of a short-term plastic surgical intervention. Setting The setting for this study was a district hospital located in Latacunga, Ecuador. Patients Participants were 27 consecutive patients who presented for operative repair of cleft lip and palate. Main Outcome Measures We calculated kappa coefficients for reliability between in-person and remote digital video assessments for the classification of cleft lip and palate between two separate craniofacial surgeons. We hypothesized that the technology would be a reliable method of preoperative assessment for cleft disease. Results Of the 27 (81.4%) participants, 22 received operative treatment for their cleft disorder. Mean age was 11.1 ± 8.3 years. Patients presented with a spectrum of disorders, including cleft lip (24 of 27, 88.9%), cleft palate (19 of 27, 70.4%), and alveolar cleft (19 of 27, 70.4%). We found a 95.7% agreement between observers for cleft lip with substantial reliability (κ = .78, P .01). There was an 82.6% agreement between observers for cleft palate, with a moderate interrater reliability (κ = .55, P = .01). We found only a 47.8% agreement between observers for alveolar cleft with a nonsignificant, weak kappa agreement (κ = .06, P .74). Conclusions Remote digital assessments are a reliable way to preoperatively diagnose cleft lip and palate in the context of short-term plastic surgical interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Future work will evaluate the potential for real-time, telemedicine assessments to reduce cost and improve clinical effectiveness in global plastic surgery.

scholarly journals Poverty, early care, and stress reactivity in adolescence: Findings from a prospective, longitudinal study in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 449-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Pasco Fearon ◽  
Mark Tomlinson ◽  
Robert Kumsta ◽  
Sarah Skeen ◽  
Lynne Murray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cortisol Reactivity ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Low And Middle Income

AbstractA considerable body of evidence suggests that early caregiving may affect the short-term functioning and longer term development of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis. Despite this, most research to date has been cross-sectional in nature or restricted to relatively short-term longitudinal follow-ups. More important, there is a paucity of research on the role of caregiving in low- and middle-income countries, where the protective effects of high-quality care in buffering the child's developing stress regulation systems may be crucial. In this paper, we report findings from a longitudinal study (N = 232) conducted in an impoverished periurban settlement in Cape Town, South Africa. We measured caregiving sensitivity and security of attachment in infancy and followed children up at age 13 years, when we conducted assessments of hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenocortical axis reactivity, as indexed by salivary cortisol during the Trier Social Stress Test. The findings indicated that insecure attachment was predictive of reduced cortisol responses to social stress, particularly in boys, and that attachment status moderated the impact of contextual adversity on stress responses: secure children in highly adverse circumstances did not show the blunted cortisol response shown by their insecure counterparts. Some evidence was found that sensitivity of care in infancy was also associated with cortisol reactivity, but in this case, insensitivity was associated with heightened cortisol reactivity, and only for girls. The discussion focuses on the potentially important role of caregiving in the long-term calibration of the stress system and the need to better understand the social and biological mechanisms shaping the stress response across development in low- and middle-income countries.

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