Pharmacists ascribing value of technician certification using an organizational behavior framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 457-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane P Desselle ◽  
Kimberly C Mckeirnan ◽  
Kenneth C Hohmeier
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Professional Socialization ◽  
Career Commitment ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
Job Skills ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Training Environment ◽  
Job Knowledge ◽  
Diverse Groups

Abstract Purpose To gather rich details about the value of technician certification from diverse groups of pharmacists of various practice settings and levels of experience. Methods Focus groups of pharmacists were conducted using a semistructured interview guide in 4 states (California, Idaho, Tennessee, and Washington) varying in pharmacy technician scope of practice, regulation, and education and/or training environment. Participant pharmacists came from health-system, clinic, and community pharmacy environments. The focus groups took the unique approach of an organizational behavior perspective to contextualize technician readiness for practice change and employer fit. The sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Rapid-based qualitative analysis was used to code the data, with summary templates completed by 2 of the researchers for each of the 4 sessions. Results There were a total of 33 focus group participants, including 13 male and 20 female pharmacists ranging in age from 27 to 68 years. The 4 major themes yielded by the data were (1) impact of certification, (2) context of certification, (3) organizational culture considerations, and (4) future credentialing. Certification was deemed to have a greater impact on technician maturation, professional socialization, and career commitment than on actual job skills, even while job knowledge was also deemed to be enhanced. In fact, the certification process was also deemed beneficial in that it meshes with on-the-job training. Participants indicated preferences for technician certification examinations to incorporate more content in “soft skills” and also for development of more specialty and/or differentiated certification products. Conclusion Pharmacists from 4 states saw value in certification but agreed that certification is but one component of readying technicians for future practice. Suggestions for furthering the value of certification were shared.

Obstetric Provider Perspectives on Postpartum Patient Navigation for Low-Income Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 109019812110431
Author(s):  
Rachel S. Ruderman ◽  
Emma C. Dahl ◽  
Brittney R. Williams ◽  
Joe M. Feinglass ◽  
Michelle A. Kominiarek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Patient Navigation ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Provider Perspectives

Background Patient navigation programs have shown promise for improving health but are not widely used in obstetric care. Our objective was to understand obstetric provider perspectives on how to implement patient navigation to optimize care during the postpartum period for low-income patients. Method Focus groups were conducted with obstetric physicians, nurses, and social workers who care for low-income pregnant and postpartum patients in an academic medical center. Semistructured interview guides were developed to elicit conversations about the potential value of patient navigators, recommendations for navigator training, and how navigators could be most effective in improving postpartum care. Analysis of themes was based on the constant comparative method. Results Twenty-six obstetric providers (six focus groups) discussed elements for a successful obstetric navigation program. Successful implementation themes included selecting navigators with appropriate interpersonal attributes, arranging navigator training, and identifying the most valuable services navigators could render. Desirable navigator attributes included persistence in patient advocacy, consistency, relatability, and a supportive manner. Training recommendations included learning the health care system, identifying where to obtain health system and community resources, and learning how be effective health educators. Suggested services were broad, ranging from traditional care coordination to specific educational and resource-driven tasks. Conclusions Obstetric providers perceive patient navigation to be a potentially beneficial resource to support low-income patients and offered recommendations for navigation implementation. These included suggestions for patient-centered navigators, with specific training and services focused on promoting care continuity and coordination.

scholarly journals Beliefs of Two Culturally Diverse Groups of Teachers About Intercultural Bilingual Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-77
Author(s):  
Fabián Benavides-Jimenez ◽  
Yenny Lisbeth Mora-Acosta
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Bilingual Education ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
The Other ◽  
Bilingual Teachers ◽  
Educational Model ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Intercultural Bilingual Education ◽  
Diverse Groups

This article provides an overview of the ideas that two groups of bilingual teachers from different contexts, one indigenous and the other Western, have about the concepts of education, bilingualism, and interculturality. Their opinions were gathered through focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and videos, and reviewed under light of what the theoreticians have pointed out regarding the three mentioned concepts. One important outcome was the enrichment of perspectives of both groups of participants, and a remarkable conclusion that refers to the similar perceptions both groups have regarding the concept of education. Further research should address how each community perceives its own educational model and how it can be complemented with the views of the other.

scholarly journals Promoting appreciation of cultural diversity and inclusion with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Block ◽  
Lisa Gibbs ◽  
Susie Macfarlane ◽  
Mardie Townsend
Keyword(s):  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Kitchen Garden ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Diverse Groups

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present emergent findings from an evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG) Program showing that the program promoted appreciation of cultural diversity and inclusion of culturally diverse groups. Design/methodology/approach – The findings reported here are from the qualitative component of a mixed-method, nonrandomized, pre- and post-comparison evaluation study. Focus groups and interviews were held with school principals, teachers, program specialist staff, parents, volunteers and children at the program schools. Findings – In a culturally diverse school, the program enhanced the school’s capacity to engage and include children and families from migrant backgrounds. In less diverse settings, the program provided opportunities for schools to teach children about cultural diversity. Research limitations/implications – Assessing the program’s impact on multicultural education was not a specific objective of this study, rather these findings emerged as an unanticipated outcome during interviews and focus groups that explored participants’ views on important changes to schools associated with the program. Thus, the quantitative component of the evaluation did not assess the extent of this program impact and further research is recommended. Practical implications – The program may have particular value in culturally diverse schools, providing benefits in terms of engagement of children and families and potentially, in the longer term, associated improvements in learning outcomes. Social implications – These findings suggest that the program can help to promote social equity and inclusion for culturally diverse groups. Originality/value – This paper highlights critical equity implications associated with school-based programs’ capacity to include culturally and linguistically diverse groups.

Psychology and Design Processes

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Wilpert
Keyword(s):  
Product Design ◽  
Professional Socialization ◽  
Organizational Conditions ◽  
Guarantee System ◽  
Engineering Sciences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Safety And Reliability ◽  
User Expectations ◽  
Diverse Groups

Abstract. The most fundamental issue for any design is to pursue a strategy that guarantees that the final design product matches user expectations in terms of the product's usability, functionality, and requisite user competencies. This presentation illustrates this problem in reference to three separate but interrelated major themes: (1) the design of highly complex sociotechnical systems with high hazard potential; (2) the processes of everyday product design in teams; (3) the theoretical aspects of design and creative problem finding/solving. The first theme articulates the specific difficulties arising from the usual conflicts between purely technology-driven demands and the need to integrate the cognitive and action capacities, limitations, and needs of the human operator into the ultimate facility in order to guarantee system safety and reliability. What is called for here is more than a dialog between engineering sciences and psychology, but a genuine active cooperation of diverse disciplines in all design stages. The second theme addresses the social psychological processes of everyday product design under conditions of distributed decision making and the cooperative demands of diverse groups with heterogeneous professional socialization, divergent competencies, and diverse interests. The concluding section reflects on the theoretical dimensions of creativity and design. It discusses the research evidence concerning the social and organizational conditions under which innovative design solutions may be generated such as cognitive competencies and strategies, leadership, and organizational arrangements.

scholarly journals What does it take to change practice? Perspectives of pharmacists in Ontario

2017 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. M. Gregory ◽  
Beatriz Teixeira ◽  
Zubin Austin
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Concerted Effort ◽  
Clinical Role ◽  
Effective Manner

Background: This is a time of rapid change in the profession of pharmacy. Anecdotally, there are concerns that the pace, extent and rate of practice evolution are lagging. There is little evidence documenting the influencers and mechanisms that drive practice changes forward in pharmacy in Canada. Methods: An exploratory qualitative method was selected, using both one-on-one interviews with self-categorized typical pharmacists and larger focus groups to provide context and confirmation of themes generated through interviews. Data were analyzed and coded using a constant-comparative iterative method, in order to generate themes related to the factors influencing pharmacists to actually change their practice. Results: A total of 46 pharmacists meeting inclusion criteria participated in this study in focus groups, interviews or both. Nine themes were identified: 1) permission, 2) process pointers, 3) practice/rehearsal, 4) positive reinforcement, 5) personalized attention, 6) peer referencing, 7) physician acceptance, 8) patients’ expectations and 9) professional identity supportive of a truly clinical role. One theme that did not emerge was payment, or remuneration, as a specific or isolated motivational factor for change. Interpretation: The complexity of practice change in pharmacy and the multiple factors highlighted in this study point to a more deliberate and concerted effort being needed by diverse pharmacy organizations (educators, regulators, employers, professional associations, etc.) to support pharmacists through the change management process. Conclusions: The “9 Ps of practice change” identified through this study can provide pharmacists with guidance in terms of how to better support evolution of the profession in a more time-efficient and effective manner.

The Power of Listening at Work

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Avraham N. Kluger ◽  
Guy Itzchakov
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Organizational Outcomes ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Creative Thought ◽  
Job Knowledge ◽  
Leadership Quality ◽  
Conversation Partner

Listening is associated with and a likely cause of desired organizational outcomes in numerous areas, including job performance, leadership, quality of relationships (e.g., trust), job knowledge, job attitudes, and well-being. To advance understanding of the powerful effects of listening on organizational outcomes, we review the construct of listening, its measurement and experimental manipulations, and its outcomes, antecedents, and moderators. We suggest that listening is a dyadic phenomenon that benefits both the listener and the speaker, including supervisor-subordinate and salesperson-customer dyads. To explain previous findings and generate novel and testable hypotheses, we propose the episodic listening theory: listening can lead to a fleeting state of togetherness, in which dyad members undergo a mutual creative thought process. This process yields clarity, facilitates the generation of novel plans, increases well-being, and strengthens attachment to the conversation partner. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, Volume 9 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals The Value and Potential Integration of Pharmacy Technician National Certification into Processes That Help Assure a Competent Workforce

Pharmacy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane P. Desselle ◽  
Kenneth C. Hohmeier ◽  
Kimberly C. McKeirnan
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Job Skills ◽  
Advanced Practice ◽  
Certification Examination ◽  
Job Experience ◽  
National Certification ◽  
Support Team ◽  
Education Training ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pharmacy Leaders

The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine pharmacists’ perceptions of the impact of certification on competence in specific job skills, its impact in combination with job experience, and its impact in combination with other types of vocational education/training; (2) to identify elements that could potentially enhance the value, or impact of national certification; and (3) to determine how pharmacists view certification in light of various personnel management and organizational behavior phenomena. A self-administered survey was constructed and delivered in spring of 2019 to a random sample of four U.S. states chosen for their geographic diversity and relatively high proportions of both certified and non-certified pharmacy technicians. Following multiple reminders, a response rate of 19.3% was obtained. The 326 responding pharmacists saw certification being less impactful alone than when combined with other types of education/training and previous job experiences. They saw the need for more skills-related and “soft skills” content on the certification examination and agreed that certification is a factor in hiring decisions and that it should be required for designation for advanced practice status. Taken together, respondents saw the need for pharmacy leaders to integrate certification with other aspects of preparation to make for a more competent and professional workforce support team.

Improving the quality of hospital services: how diverse groups of consumers prefer to be involved

2002 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Johnson ◽  
Danielle Bament
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Consumer Participation ◽  
Hospital Services ◽  
Community Groups ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Diverse Groups

Consumer participation in hospitals is increasingly being advocated for as a way to contribute to improving safety and quality. This article reports on the results of a study conducted to investigate if, and how, a range of consumers would prefer to be involved in improving the quality of hospital services. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 100 users of a hospital, telephone interviews were conducted with 2,005 members of the broader South Australian community, focus groups were conducted with 22 representatives of consumer and community groups and in-depth interviews conducted with four representatives who could not attend the focus groups.The results indicate that for users of the hospital and members of the broader community, there is a significant preference to be involved in more passive methods of participation that are initiated by the hospital, such as written and phone surveys. This is preferable to writing letters of complaint or compliment, participating in more active methods that require one-off commitment (focus groups and public planning forums) and ongoing commitment such as being members of working groups to address specific issues and hospital committees. In contrast, representatives of consumer and community groups have a strong preference to be involved in active methods of participation such as working groups to address specific issues and hospital committees. We found that there are considerable differences between age groups and educational attainment and preference for participation. If these issues are not taken into account, and a range of participation methods used, then there is the potential for some population groups to be excluded from having some input into improving the safety and quality of hospital services.

scholarly journals Use of a maternal newborn audit and feedback system in Ontario: a collective case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 635-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Reszel ◽  
Sandra I Dunn ◽  
Ann E Sprague ◽  
Ian D Graham ◽  
Jeremy M Grimshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Feedback Systems ◽  
Collective Case Study

BackgroundAs part of a larger study examining the effectiveness of the Maternal Newborn Dashboard, an electronic audit and feedback system to improve maternal-newborn care practices and outcomes, the purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of factors explaining variability in performance after implementation of the Dashboard in Ontario, Canada.MethodsA collective case study. A maximum variation sampling approach was used to invite hospitals reflecting different criteria to participate in a 1-day to 2-day site visit by the research team. The visits included: (1) semistructured interviews and focus groups with healthcare providers, leaders and personnel involved in clinical change processes; (2) observations and document review. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to code and categorise the data.ResultsBetween June and November 2016, we visited 14 maternal-newborn hospitals. Hospitals were grouped into four quadrants based on their key indicator performance and level of engagement with the Dashboard. Findings revealed four overarching themes that contribute to the varying success of sites in achieving practice change on the Dashboard key performance indicators, namely, interdisciplinary collaboration and accountability, application of formal change strategies, team trust and use of evidence and data, as well as alignment with organisational priorities and support.ConclusionThe diversity of facilitators and barriers across the 14 hospitals highlights the need to go beyond a ‘one size fits all’ approach when implementing audit and feedback systems. Future work to identify tools to assess barriers to practice change and to evaluate the effects of cointerventions to optimise audit and feedback systems for clinical practice change is needed.

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