scholarly journals Nutrivigilance: Reporting Adverse Events of Non-registered Products in the Netherlands

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1265-1265
Author(s):  
Alie de Boer ◽  
Lisanne Geboers ◽  
Sonja van de Koppel ◽  
Florence van Hunsel

Abstract Objectives The number of reports on products that fall within the grey area of non-registered health-enhancing products, including supplements and herbal extracts, received by the Dutch pharmacovigilance centre Lareb is increasingly yearly. Currently, such spontaneous reports of suspected adverse events are dealt with on a case-by-case basis in various institutions, but there is no structural vigilance approach to handling reports. We have therefore studied whether and how a vigilance framework in the Netherlands can contribute to protecting consumers from adverse reactions to health-enhancing food products. Methods For this exploratory study, we have conducted 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with direct, indirect or external stakeholders to the Dutch vigilance process for non-registered products. This method allowed for a deep understanding of the current process and its difficulties, as well as exploring how a vigilance framework could be organised. Results The results from this study highlight that the organisations currently involved with suspected adverse events of nutritional products form a complex web, in which there is no clear distribution of roles and responsibilities. Organisations lack a legal basis to handling reports, whilst the representatives do feel the need to take reports and signals seriously. At the same time, this study identified various opportunities to improve vigilance, i.a. increasing consumer awareness and improving the reporting system. Conclusions Following conducting this study, first steps towards improving safety of non-registered products were already taken, by officially designating Lareb to submit and study adverse events, and further improvements to the approach of food supplement safety were announced by the Dutch Ministry of Health and Welfare. This study however shows that improved transparency and adequate mutual communication about signals, together with a clearer distribution of tasks and priority setting by involved organisations, both in the Netherlands and in collaboration with other EU Member States and agencies, are essential steps in further increasing consumer protection from unsafe products. Funding Sources N/A.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofie A. Noorland ◽  
Trynke Hoekstra ◽  
Maarten O. Kok

AbstractAimAssessing the needs and experiences of re-entering nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 outbreak in the Netherlands, thousands of former nurses have returned to nursing to support healthcare staff. After a period of absence and with little time to prepare, these former nurses re-entered during a challenging, uncertain and rapidly evolving pandemic. Little is known about the experiences and needs of these re-entering nurses.DesignQualitative studyMethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected nurses who had re-entered nursing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed via thematic content analysis. This study followed the COREQ guidelines.ResultsParticipants mentioned that a lack of a clear job description led to unclarity about the kind of tasks that re-entering nurses were expected and allowed to perform. This unclarity was especially notable in the newly established COVID-19 departments. Re-entering nurses mentioned to wish for an easily accessible mentorship structure and an individualised and practical training program. Re-entering nurses felt supported by a positive team dynamic, which was shaped by the sense of urgency and relevance of their work and helped them deal with stressful experiences.ConclusionThe results indicate that a rapid and safe return to nursing during a pandemic could be facilitated by: a clear description of roles and responsibilities; an individualised assessment determining the competences and knowledge disparities of re-entering nurses; practical training focussing on competencies needed during a pandemic; and a collaborative mentorship structure to guide re-entering nurses.Relevance to clinical practiceThe rapid recruitment of former nurses to mitigate an acute shortage of qualified nurses could play a vital role during a pandemic. To deploy these nurses effectively, safely and sustainably, it is important to address the needs of these re-entering nurses.What does this paper contribute towards the wider global clinical community?This research showed the need to prepare a flexible individualised training programme which could support re-entering nurses during crisis situations, such as a pandemic.A responsive mentorship structure helps to provide support to re-entering nurses in a dynamic, uncertain and rapidly evolving situation.In a rapidly evolving situation, it is essential to continue to create clarity about the roles and responsibilities of re-entering nurses.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-529
Author(s):  
Asuncion Fresnoza-Flot

The Philippines is one of only two states in the world in which absolute divorce remains largely impossible. Through its family laws, it regulates the marriage, family life and conjugal separation of its citizens, including its migrants abroad. To find out how these family laws interact with those in the receiving country of Filipino migrants and shape their lives, the present paper examines the case of Filipino women who experienced or are undergoing divorce in the Netherlands. Drawing from semi-structured interviews and an analysis of selected divorce stories, it unveils the intertwined institutions of marriage and of divorce, the constraints but also possibilities that interacting legal norms bring in the life of Filipino women, and the way these migrants navigate such norms within their transnational social spaces. These findings contribute interesting insights into cross-border divorces in the present age of global migration.


Author(s):  
Dina Siegel ◽  
Daan van Uhm

AbstractIn recent years there is increasing public attention for dog fighting in Europe. This article focuses on this phenomenon in the Netherlands: its organisation, various actors, modus operandi and possible involvement of organized crime. This qualitative research is based on semi-structured interviews, analysis of police files, observations and online methods. As the result of criminalisation, dogfighting in the Netherlands went underground, creating an illegal market and a sub-culture of dogmen and dogwomen involved. Reputation, status and trust are among the most prominent features of this sub-culture, which is manifested in their analysed communications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roghieh Bayrami ◽  
Roksana Janghorban ◽  
Fatemeh Effati-Daryani ◽  
Masoumeh Hajshafiha

Abstract Objective Infertile couples perceive some needs and expectations during treatment. Most studies have focused on infertile women’s needs. The study was done to explore the expectations of men who undergoing in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Participants were men whose wives undergo IVF treatment in the IVF clinic of Shahid Motahhri hospital in Urmia. Purposive sampling was performed and data collection was done through in-depth semi-structured interviews until data saturation. Results “Supportive care” was emerged as the main theme consisted of two categories. The first category was “to be treated with attention in healthcare setting” which included three subcategories: Receiving couple based care, establishing counseling centers, and continuous care. The second category was “to be welcomed in the society” which included two subcategories: Financial support from community and close family, and changing community views about IVF treatment. Expectations of men undergoing IVF focuses on supportive care. They seek to receive the kind of care from health care setting and society. A deep understanding of the needs could help practitioners to consider men’s expectations, and assist policy makers and researchers to design and implement interventions and programs in infertility clinics which enhance the partnership of infertile men and fulfill their expectations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yashuang Wang ◽  
Yan Ji

Abstract Background Student engagement can predict successful learning outcomes and academic development. The expansion of simulation-based medical and healthcare education creates challenges for educators, as they must help students engage in a simulation-based learning environment. This research provides a reference for facilitators of simulation teaching and student learning in medical and health-related majors by providing a deep understanding of student engagement in a simulation-based learning environment. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with ten medical and healthcare students to explore their learning types and characteristics in a simulation-based learning environment. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results The interviews were thematically analysed to identify three types of student engagement in the simulation-based learning environment: reflective engagement, performance engagement, and interactive engagement. The analysis also identified eight sub-themes: active, persistent, and focused thinking engagement; self-directed-learning thinking engagement with the purpose of problem solving; active “voice” in class; strong emotional experience and disclosure; demonstration of professional leadership; interaction with realistic learning situations; support from teammates; and collegial facilitator-student interaction. Conclusions The student interview and thematic analysis methods can be used to study the richness of student engagement in simulation-based learning environments. This study finds that student engagement in a simulation-based learning environment is different from that in a traditional environment, as it places greater emphasis on performance engagement, which combines both thinking and physical engagement, as well as on interactive engagement as generated through interpersonal interactions. Therefore, we suggest expanding the learning space centring around “inquiry”, as it can help strengthen reflective communication and dialogue. It also facilitates imagination, stimulates empathy, and builds an interprofessional learning community. In this way, medical and healthcare students can learn through the two-way transmission of information and cultivate and reshape interpersonal relationships to improve engagement in a simulation-based learning environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole E. van Gelder ◽  
Ditte L. van Haalen ◽  
Kyra Ekker ◽  
Suzanne A. Ligthart ◽  
Sabine Oertelt-Prigione

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown evoked great worries among professionals in the field of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) as they expected a rise of the phenomenon. While many countries reported increased DVA, the Netherlands did not. To understand this discrepancy and the overall impact of the lockdown on DVA support services, we interviewed DVA professionals about their experiences with DVA during the rise of COVID-19, the impact of the lockdown on clients and working conditions, and views on eHealth and online tools. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 16 DVA professionals with various specializations. This data was analyzed using open thematic coding and content analysis. Results Most professionals did not see an increase in DVA reports but they did notice more severe violence. They experienced less opportunities to detect DVA and worried about their clients’ wellbeing and the quality of (online) care. Furthermore, their working conditions rapidly changed, with working from home and online, and they expressed frustration, insecurity and loneliness. Professionals feel eHealth and online tools are not always suitable but they do see them as an opportunity to increase reach and maintain services when physical contact is not possible. Conclusion This study suggests DVA was probably under-detected during the lockdown rather than not having increased. The Dutch system heavily relies on professionals to detect and report DVA, suggesting a need for critical evaluation of the accessibility of professional help. Professionals experienced significant challenges and should themselves be supported psychologically and in their changed work practices to maintain their ability to aid survivors.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Burcu Kör ◽  
Adriana Krawczyk ◽  
Ingrid Wakkee

PurposeFood waste is one of the most challenging issues humanity is currently facing. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in the prevention of food waste because of world hunger, environmental impacts, resource scarcity and economic costs. The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors that influence food waste and the role of technology in tackling food waste in India and the Netherlands.Design/methodology/approachIn order to explore differences in food loss and waste further this study will examine a number of practices on both the production and the consumer side, in a developing country and a developed country with different culture/economic backgrounds: India and the Netherlands. The factors that influence food waste were examined with a preliminary qualitative study, which consists of semi-structured interviews, and quantitative research that comprises a survey. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in both India and the Netherlands, which consists of five interviews. The survey data was collected from 78 individuals from India and 115 individuals from the Netherlands.FindingsOne of the main findings of the research is food waste is divided into waste within agricultural production (i.e. food loss) and final household consumption (i.e. food waste). Different factors influence food loss in different stages in the supply chain. Some of these factors include wastage during processing, storage, transportation and at the market-place. New technologies can utilize food loss for new purposes, so food loss is reduced to the minimum. Food waste is mainly influenced by food passing expiry date, food that is left too long in the fridge and consumers buying too much food. In final household consumption, technologies such as digital platforms enable individuals or organizations to share and donate their food, thereby creating awareness on food waste prevention and the environmental and ethical benefits.Originality/valueThe authors examine to what extent and in which ways supporting consumers to minimize food waste can be achieved via three stages: (1) understanding and evaluating food loss and waste, (2) identifying the factors that influence food loss and waste, (3) understanding consumer behaviors to encourage food waste reduction and (4) identifying the technological impact that would reduce food waste. As such, this paper contributes to ongoing debates about food waste by looking at the role of context and culture and by exploring differences between developed and developing countries. Also, the authors advance the debate by exploring both the role of advanced technology such as blockchain and drones in both preventing loss and waste as well as non-technological mechanisms.


1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Bissell ◽  
Ernesto Pretto ◽  
Derek C. Angus ◽  
Bern Shen ◽  
Victor Ruíz ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroduction:The 1991 earthquake in the Limón area of Costa Rica presented the opportunity to examine the effectiveness of a decade of disaster preparedness.Hypothesis:Costa Rica's concentrated work in disaster preparedness would result in significantly better management of the disaster response than was evident in earlier disasters in Guatemala and Nicaragua, where disaster preparedness largely was absent.Methods:Structured interviews with disaster responders in and outside of government, and with victims and victims' neighbors. Clinical and epidemiologic data were collected through provider agencies and the coroner's office.Results:Medical aspects of the disaster response were effective and well-managed through a network of clinic-based radio communications. Nonmedical aspects showed confusion resulting from: 1) poor government understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the central disaster coordinating agency; and 2) poor extension of disaster preparedness activities to the rural area that was affected by the earthquake.Conclusion:To be effective, disaster preparedness activities need to include all levels of government and rural, as well as urban, populations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document