scholarly journals Addressing health inequities in Bologna: a mixed-method, multi stakeholder, action-research approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Bodini ◽  
I Camplone ◽  
G Cavazza ◽  
C Di Girolamo ◽  
V Gentilini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
The City

Abstract Background A large body of literature shows how lower socioeconomic classes have higher incidence of mortality and morbidity, and how worse health outcomes linked to barriers in accessing healthcare particularly affect the most vulnerable groups. Despite such evidence, in many a context health inequalities have continued to increase. Processes that better link knowledge with action are therefore needed. Methods An interdisciplinary, interprofessional, interinstitutional group was created involving the Public Health Department and the Center of International Health of Bologna. In 2017-19, the group carried out a project to document and tackle local health inequities, structured in two phases: a first one of quantitative analysis of health inequalities using routinely available data, and a second one of qualitative research in selected areas of the city. An action-research approach was embedded throughout the project, with periodic evaluations to ensure progress towards the intended results. Results Phase 1 results show significant differences in terms of disease burden and service use between the North, East and West periphery of the city compared to the center and South. These differences mirror the urban distribution of wealth/deprivation, measured through different indicators (education, income, presence of immigrant population). Results also show concentration of the worst health outcomes and healthcare access indicators in some areas of the city, which also have higher presence of social housing. Phase 2, started in January 2020, is using phase 1 results to inform both a qualitative analysis and a participatory process in 6 areas of the city selected among those with worst health indicators. Conclusions Our experience shows that addressing the issue of health inequities through a mixed-method, multi stakeholder and action-research approach may lead to greater integration of research findings and evidence into healthcare policy and practice, towards health equity. Key messages Working across disciplines, roles and institutions may bring added value to the complex field of health inequities, when approached with the aim of moving from knowledge to action. Relying on routinely available data may open a route for the replication of our experience and for its use to monitor the impact of interventions aimed at reducing health inequities.

scholarly journals Hospital mealtimes: action research for change?

2005 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Dickinson ◽  
Carol Welch ◽  
Laurie Ager ◽  
Aileen Costar
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Phase Changes ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Patients Experience

Poor nutritional care within the hospital setting continues despite decades of work chronicling and measuring the problems. To address the problem changes in practice have been attempted to improve the patients’ experience of mealtimes. In order to implement patient-centred mealtimes for older patients by changing the focus from institutional convenience to one that focuses on the requirements of the patients, an action research approach has been used that focuses on action and change, and thus appears to have much to offer those who seek to change practice. The present paper focuses on the first two phases in a three-phase approach. In phase one the nature of everyday mealtime care and the wider context are explored using focus groups, interviews and observations. The data fall into three main themes that all impact on patients’ experiences of mealtimes: institutional and organisational constraints; mealtime care and nursing priorities; eating environment. Following feedback of phase 1 findings to staff and identification of areas of concern a model of practice development was selected to guide the change process of the second phase. Changes to mealtime nursing practice and the ward environment have been made, indicating that action research has the potential to improve the mealtime care of patients.

scholarly journals Development, implementation and evaluation of the ‘BELIEVE’ program for improving physical activity among women: a mixed method action research study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Amiri-Farahani ◽  
Soroor Parvizy ◽  
Eesa Mohammadi ◽  
Mohsen Asadi-Lari ◽  
Ziba Taghizadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background There is insufficient physical activity among women. Yet the implementation of effective, multilevel, and evidence-based interventions may address this. Since the lifestyle of individuals is formed in many different social, physical and cultural contexts, it will be necessary in designing such interventions to involve many stakeholders. Consequently, the present study took a mixed method action research approach in developing, implementing and evaluating a bespoke program to improve physical activity among women. Methods This study was conducted within the Khoramroudi neighborhood of Tehran between 2013 and 2015 utilizing the four main phases of action research. The Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) process was used to design the study. During the initial phase, participants were organized into three groups; a core support committee, a steering committee, and a study population. Qualitative and quantitative data were also collected during this first phase. During the second phase, interventions were developed and implemented. In the third phase, an evaluation was carried out using both quantitative (Designing a quasi-experimental study) and qualitative methods. During the fourth phase, an exploration of the structure and process of action research was completed with the aim of providing a conceptual model and descriptions of the context. Results Three strategic interventions were effective in improving physical activity among women: (1) utilization of sports assistants; (2) Local health promotion and the dissemination of an informational, motivational and culturally competent booklet entitled “Educational content for sport assistants" (3) Group-based cognitive behavioral therapy. Quantitative results [Significant difference between the total score of PA before the intervention, and 1 and 3 months after the intervention (P < 0.001)] and the results of qualitative evaluations were shown to improve physical activity among participants. The newly co-created “adjusted MAPP model” was offered within three action cycles. The structure of this was described to capture the impacts of interactions among a variety of stakeholders. Conclusion The comprehensive identification of problems led to the development of collaborative strategies. Strategies of action research can positively affect physical activity among women. To improve physical activity outcomes more generally, the use of MAPP principles and strategies is suggested to meet the specific needs and strengths of all community members.

‘The city is ours, so let’s talk about it’: Constructing a citizen media initiative in Brussels

Journalism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Wiard ◽  
Mathieu Simonson
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Nonprofit Organization ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
News Production ◽  
Writing Practices ◽  
Online Platforms ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
The City ◽  
Do So

This article investigates the relationships between citizen media and constructive journalism. It focuses on ‘Dewey’, a nonprofit organization producing citizen content on four hyperlocal online platforms. With an action research approach, the activities, interactions among members, and productions are critically assessed with participants. To do so, semi-directive interviews were conducted among 12 contributors to the platforms. Active participation of 2 years to the Dewey project as well as news pieces produced enriched the analysis. Results indicate that participants’ specific writing practices produce constructive news against stereotypes or against a lack of coverage of certain issues. Furthermore, Dewey’s open (and non-institutional) structure allows individuals to develop their own identities as participants, resulting in different writing styles and approaches to news production. However, this openness created an uneven repartition of responsibilities and a high dependence toward a small number of individuals making the process fragile and slow.

scholarly journals The process of transprofessional collaboration: how caregivers integrated the perspectives of rehabilitation through working with a physical therapist

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e000378
Author(s):  
Ryohei Goto ◽  
Junji Haruta
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Informal Interview ◽  
Trial Basis ◽  
Field Notes

ObjectivesTo clarify the process of how caregivers in a nursing home integrate the perspectives of rehabilitation into their responsibilities through working with a physical therapist.DesignThis study was conducted under an action research approach.SettingThe target facility was a nursing home located in Japan. The researcher, a physical therapist, worked at the nursing home once a week from April 2016 to March 2017. During the study period, he created field notes focused on the dialogue and action of caregivers regarding care, responses of caregivers to the physical therapist and reflections as a physical therapist. Caregivers were also given a short informal interview about their relationship with the nursing home residents. For data analysis, two researchers discussed the content based on the field notes, consolidating the findings.ParticipantsThe participants were caregivers who worked at the target facility. Thirty-eight caregivers agreed to participate. Average age was 39.6±11.1 years, 14 (37%) were male and average caregiver experience was 9.8 years.ResultsTwo cycles of action research were conducted during the study period. There were four stages in the process of how caregivers in the nursing home integrated the perspectives of rehabilitation through their work with the physical therapist. First, caregivers resisted having the rehabilitation programme carried out in the unit because they perceived that rehabilitation performed by a physical therapist was a special process and not under their responsibility. However, the caregivers were given a shared perspective on rehabilitation by the physical therapist, which helped them to understand the meaning of care to adapt the residents’ abilities to their daily life. They practised resident-centred care on a trial basis, although with a sense of conflict between their new and previous role, which emphasised the safety of residents’ lives and personhood. The caregivers increased their self-efficacy as their knowledge and skills were supplemented by the physical therapist and his approval of their attempted care. They were then able to commit to their newly conceived specialty of care as a means of supporting the lives of residents.ConclusionsThe process of working with a physical therapist led to a change in caregivers’ perception and behaviours, which occurred in four stages: resistance to incorporation, recapture of other perspectives, conflicts and trials in the role of caregiver and transformation to a resident-centred perspective.

scholarly journals Use of participatory action research approach to develop a self-management resource for persons living with dementia

Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122199728
Author(s):  
Sherry Dupuis ◽  
Carrie McAiney ◽  
Lisa Loiselle ◽  
Brenda Hounam ◽  
Jim Mann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Essential Components

This article describes the use of a participatory action research (PAR) approach to developing a self-management resource for persons living with dementia and care partners. Despite growing evidence that persons with dementia are able to contribute in meaningful ways to decision-making about their care and life preferences, few opportunities exist for them to participate in the design of resources and services meant for them. There is also a need to support the self-management of persons living with dementia with the provision of accurate, high quality, user-friendly information. The Living Well with Dementia resource was developed through a partnership with persons with dementia, family members, Alzheimer Society representatives, primary care providers, and researchers. The methods used in the development of this resource are outlined in six steps employed in this process, from establishment of a PAR team to final resource creation. Informed by a whole systems approach, the resource brings together essential components of self-management into a comprehensive system of care and support for living. It empowers users to be active participants in the application of new knowledge to their lives. Better self-management has important implications for access to health care and quality of life for persons with dementia and care partners.

Community Participatory Action Research Approach as an Effective Tool Towards Adoption of Corn-Based Farming System Technologies by Libona, Bukidnon Farmers

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Duna ◽  
◽  
Juanita Salvani ◽  
Marivic Paday ◽  
Joy Daproza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Action Research Approach

participatory, community, technologies, adoption, sustainability

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