Cultivating an Eastern self: A qualitative study of the impact of mindfulness meditation on Western-born practitioners’ views of self and well-being

AbstractObjectiveThe goal of this study was to assess the psychosocial consequences among nurses affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in order to identify their coping strategies and explore possible countermeasures against complex disasters.MethodsIn 2012, we conducted a qualitative study and screened participants for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).ResultsThirty-eight nurses participated in this study. The result showed a relatively high proportion of probable PTSD (39%). Thirty-two conceptual codes emerged from the data and were grouped into 8 categories: “initial acute stress,” “acute stress turning chronic,” “chronic physical and mental fatigue,” “occupational stress,” “fear of the impact of radiation on children’s health,” “occupational satisfaction,” “positive influences of the disaster experiences,” and “impact of mutual care through interpersonal cognition.”ConclusionsThe study reveals that mutual care may have a positive impact in assisting recovery and enhancing the psychological well-being of nurses. We suggest that disaster management should take into consideration the conflict between professional and family responsibilities. In the light of the chronic impact of the nuclear crisis, enhanced support for interpersonal relationships and human resources, as well as appropriate safety precautions, is urgently needed to help affected nurses. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:519-526)

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The impact of sleep disturbances on care home residents with dementia: the SIESTA qualitative study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220000642 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 839-847

Author(s):

Lucy Webster ◽

Kingsley Powell ◽

Sergi G. Costafreda ◽

Gill Livingston

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Care Home ◽

Well Being ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Topic Guide ◽

Disturbed Sleep ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTObjectives:Nearly 40% of care home residents who are living with dementia also have symptoms of disturbed sleep. However, the impact of these disturbances is relatively unknown and is needed to indicate whether interventions are warranted; therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact.Design:One-to-one semi-structured interviews.Settings:Four UK care homes.Participants:We interviewed 18 nurses and care assistants about residents with sleep disturbances.Measurements:We used a topic guide to explore staff experience of sleep disturbance in residents with dementia. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed and then analyzed thematically by two researchers independently.Results:Staff described that sleep disturbances in most, but not all, residents impacted negatively on the resident, other residents, staff, and relatives. Residents became more irritable or agitated if they had slept badly. They slept in the daytime after a bad night, which then increased their chances of being awake the following night. For some, being sleepy in the day led to falls, missing medication, drinks, and meals. Staff perceived hypnotics as having low efficacy, but increasing the risk of falls and drowsiness. Other residents were disturbed by noise, and staff described stress when several residents had sleep disturbance. Some of the strategies reported by staff to deal with sleep disturbances such as feeding or providing caffeinated tea at night might be counterproductive.Conclusions:Sleep disturbances in care home residents living with dementia negatively affect their physical and psychological well-being. These disturbances also disturb other residents and increase stress in staff.

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Community first response and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a qualitative study of the views and experiences of international experts

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042307 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e042307

Author(s):

Eithne Heffernan ◽

Jenny Mc Sharry ◽

Andrew Murphy ◽

Tomás Barry ◽

Conor Deasy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Response Times ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

First Response ◽

Beneficial Impact ◽

Past Experiences ◽

International Experts ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesThis research aimed to examine the perspectives, experiences and practices of international experts in community first response: an intervention that entails the mobilisation of volunteers by the emergency medical services to respond to prehospital medical emergencies, particularly cardiac arrests, in their locality.DesignThis was a qualitative study in which semistructured interviews were conducted via teleconferencing. The data were analysed in accordance with an established thematic analysis procedure.SettingThere were participants from 11 countries: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.ParticipantsSixteen individuals who held academic, clinical or managerial roles in the field of community first response were recruited. Maximum variation sampling targeted individuals who varied in terms of gender, occupation and country of employment. There were eight men and eight women. They included ambulance service chief executives, community first response programme managers and cardiac arrest registry managers.ResultsThe findings provided insights on motivating and supporting community first response volunteers, as well as the impact of this intervention. First, volunteers can be motivated by ‘bottom-up factors’, particularly their characteristics or past experiences, as well as ‘top-down factors’, including culture and legislation. Second, providing ongoing support, especially feedback and psychological services, is considered important for maintaining volunteer well-being and engagement. Third, community first response can have a beneficial impact that extends not only to patients but also to their family, their community and to the volunteers themselves.ConclusionsThe findings can inform the future development of community first response programmes, especially in terms of volunteer recruitment, training and support. The results also have implications for future research by highlighting that this intervention has important outcomes, beyond response times and patient survival, which should be measured, including the benefits for families, communities and volunteers.

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The Impact of Neighbourhood-Level Factors on Children's Everyday Lives, Well-Being and Identity: A Qualitative Study of Children Living in Ocean View, Cape Town

Social Dynamics ◽

10.1080/02533950608628721 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 102-134 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Susan Moses

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Cape Town ◽

Well Being ◽

Everyday Lives ◽

Neighbourhood Level ◽

The Impact

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Being a Former Carer: Impacts on Health and Well-Being

Illness Crisis & Loss ◽

10.1177/1054137316679992 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 330-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jacqueline H. Watts ◽

Joyce Cavaye

Keyword(s):

United Kingdom ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Well Being ◽

Small Scale ◽

Significant Issue ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Need For Support ◽

The Impact ◽

Health And Well Being

In the United Kingdom, policy has formalized the role of carers through the introduction of new rights and entitlements to support. However, this support is directed only at current carers with the needs of former carers being unacknowledged. Yet, when caregiving comes to an end, the transition to a life as a “former” carer can be challenging. This article reports findings from a small-scale qualitative study about the experiences of former carers conducted in the United Kingdom. Findings highlight the impact of caregiving on the health and well-being of former carers with feelings of loss and distress associated with the end of caregiving. The need for support in the post-caregiving phase emerges as a significant issue with former carers feeling abandoned, lacking purpose and motivation to move forward in their lives. Findings suggest that the needs of former carers are not being met.

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Qualitative study exploring patients experiences of being diagnosed and living with primary bone cancer in the UK

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028693 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. e028693 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ana Martins ◽

Jeremy S Whelan ◽

Lindsey Bennister ◽

Lorna A Fern ◽

Craig Gerrand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Social Life ◽

Bone Cancer ◽

Well Being ◽

Limb Amputation ◽

Primary Bone ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the experiences of patients with primary bone cancer.DesignQualitative study design using semistructured interviews and focus groups.SettingHospitals across the UK and recruitment through UK sarcoma charities and support groups.MethodsSemistructured telephone/face-to-face interviews and focus groups with a purposive sample of 26 participants. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis.ParticipantsPatients (n=26) with primary bone cancer aged 13–77 years. The majority were male (69%), white (85%); diagnosed within 4 years (54%); and had lower limb sarcoma (65%). Ten participants had undergone an upper/lower limb amputation (39%).ResultsThe health-related quality-of-life domains of physical, emotional and social well-being and healthcare professionals’ role were the overarching themes of analysis. The physical domain anchored patient experiences. The intensity and length of treatment, the severity of side-effects, the level of disability after surgery and the uncertainty of their prognosis had an impact on patient’s self-image, confidence, mood and identity, and caused disruption to various aspects of the patients’ social life, including their relationships (emotional and sexual) and participation in work/school and leisure activities. Adaptation was influenced by the way patients dealt with stress and adversity, with some finding a new outlook in life, and others struggling with finding their ‘new normal’. Family and friends were the main source of support. Healthcare professional’s expertise and support was critical. Rehabilitation services had a considerable role in patient’s physical and emotional well-being, but inequitable access to these services was apparent.ConclusionsThis study described the impact of primary bone cancer on patients’ well-being and adjustment over time with the identification of influencing factors of better/worse experiences. It showed that impact was felt after end of treatment and affected patients at different life stages. Holistic models of survivorship care are needed.

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Exploring maintenance of physical activity behaviour change among people living with and beyond gastrointestinal cancer: a cross-sectional qualitative study and typology

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037136 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e037136

Author(s):

Chloe Grimmett ◽

Claire Foster ◽

Katherine Bradbury ◽

Phillippa Lally ◽

Carl R May ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Intervention Development ◽

Well Being ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gi Cancer ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesIn the last decade, there has been a rapid expansion of physical activity (PA) promotion programmes and interventions targeting people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). The impact that these initiatives have on long-term maintenance of PA remains under-researched. This study sought to explore the experiences of participants in order to characterise those who have and have not successfully sustained increases in PA following participation in a PA intervention after a diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, and identify barriers and facilitators of this behaviour.DesignCross-sectional qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with participants who had previously taken part in a PA programme in the UK, explored current and past PA behaviour and factors that promoted or inhibited regular PA participation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Themes and subthemes were identified. Differences between individuals were recognised and a typology of PA engagement was developed.ParticipantsTwenty-seven individuals (n=15 male, mean age=66.3 years) with a diagnosis of GI cancer who had participated in one of four interventions designed to encourage PA participation.SettingUK.ResultsSeven themes were identified: disease processes, the role of ageing, emotion and psychological well-being, incorporating PA into everyday life, social interaction, support and self-monitoring and competing demands. A typology with three types describing long-term PA engagement was generated: (1) maintained PA, (2) intermittent PA, (3) low activity. Findings indicate that identifying an enjoyable activity that is appropriate to an individual’s level of physical functioning and is highly valued is key to supporting long-term PA engagement.ConclusionThe typology described here can be used to guide stratified and personalised intervention development and support sustained PA engagement by people LWBC.

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Qualitative study of UK health professionals’ experiences of working at the point of care during the COVID-19 pandemic

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054377 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. e054377

Author(s):

Sharin Baldwin ◽

Joicy George

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Professional Staff ◽

Support Needs ◽

Valuable Insight ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

War Zone ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesTo develop an understanding of health professionals’ experiences of working at the point of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on their health and well-being and their support needs.DesignA qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Data were analysed using framework analysis.SettingOne large National Health Service integrated care trust.ParticipantsA purposive sample of 19 qualified health professionals (doctors, nurses or allied health professionals), working with patients with COVID-19 admitted to the hospitals between March and May 2020 were eligible to take part.ResultsEight major categories were identified: (1) Working in a ‘war zone’, (2) ‘Going into a war zone without a weapon’, (3) ‘Patients come first’, (4) Impact of COVID-19, (5) Leadership and management, (6) Support systems, (7) Health professionals’ support needs, and (8) Camaraderie and pride. Health professionals reported increased levels of stress, anxiety and a lack of sleep. They prioritised their patients’ needs over their own and felt a professional obligation to be at work. A key finding was the reported camaraderie among the health professionals where they felt that they were ‘fighting this war together’.ConclusionsThis study provides a valuable insight into the experiences of some of the frontline health professionals working in a large London-based hospital trust during the first COVID-19 peak. Findings from this study could be used to inform how managers, leaders and organisations can better support their health professional staff during the current pandemic and beyond.

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“I lost my happiness, I felt half dead and half alive” - a qualitative study of the long-term aftermath of obstetric near-miss in the urban district of Zanzibar, Tanzania

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-020-03261-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tanneke Herklots ◽

Suhaila Salum Yussuf ◽

Khairat Said Mbarouk ◽

Molly O’Meara ◽

Emma Carson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maternal Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Low Income ◽

Maternal Morbidity ◽

Well Being ◽

Near Miss ◽

Obstetric Complications ◽

Research Committee ◽

Urban District ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background This study aims to explore the stories of three women from Zanzibar, Tanzania, who survived life-threatening obstetric complications. Their narratives will increase understanding of the individual and community-level burden masked behind the statistics of maternal morbidity and mortality in Tanzania. In line with a recent systematic review of women-centred, qualitative maternal morbidity research, this study will contribute to guidance of local and global maternal health agendas. Methods This two-phased qualitative study was conducted in July-August 2017 and July-August 2018, and involved three key informants, who were recruited from a maternal near-miss cohort in May 2017 in Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar. The used methods were participant observation, interviews (informal, unstructured and semi-structured), participatory methods and focus group discussions. Data analysis relied primarily on grounded theory, leading to a theoretical model, which was validated repeatedly by the informants and within the study team. The findings were then positioned in the existing literature. Approval was granted by Zanzibar’s Medical Ethical Research Committee (reference number: ZAMREC/0002/JUN/17). Results The impact of severe maternal morbidity was found to be multi-dimensional and to extend beyond hospital discharge and thus institutionalized care. Four key areas impacted by maternal morbidities emerged, namely (1) social, (2) sexual and reproductive, (3) psychological, and (4) economic well-being. Conclusions This study showed how three women’s lives and livelihoods were profoundly impacted by the severe obstetric complications they had survived, even up to 16 months later. These impacts took a toll on their physical, social, economic, sexual and psychological well-being, and affected family and community members alike. These findings advocate for a holistic, dignified, patient value-based approach to the necessary improvement of maternal health care in low-income settings. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for strategies to be directed not only towards quality of care during pregnancy and delivery, but also towards support after obstetric complications.

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