scholarly journals Implementing an Intervention Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Successes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 262-262
Author(s):  
Nancy Mendoza

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of intervention programs for grandfamilies are facing multiple challenges. In this paper, we will present some of the challenges and successes of introducing the GRANDcares Plus Project (GRANDc+) during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an intervention program, GRANDc+ has demonstrated positive outcomes for grandfamilies, such as increased satisfaction with life, knowledge of services, self-care practices, and supportive social networks. Due to the pandemic, the implementation of GRANDc+ has been met with many challenges including, training of facilitators, following CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines/recommendations, and considering grandfamilies needs, concerns and safety. The pandemic has and continues to have detrimental effects on grandfamilies; this makes it more vital than ever to support grandfamilies through interventions like GRANDc+, despite what challenges we may face. Our presentation will provide insights into identifying, managing, and overcoming the challenges of implementing interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author(s):  
Nina Hedayati ◽  
Amedeo D'Angiulli

Introduction: Musical activity may enhance one's well-being, which could lead to a flourishing life. Emotional and reward brain circuitry can be activated through musical involvement demonstrating the ability of the environment to alter the brain. This form of neuroplasticity can have lasting beneficial effects. El Sistema is a worldwide musical intervention program that originated in Venezuela and targets socioeconomically disadvantaged children by giving them the chance to be involved in an ensemble orchestra group. This social learning environment can aid in resilience development of children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. We will examine El Sistema (and El Sistema-inspired programs), the brain and mind, and positive outcomes under a new subfield of neuroscience called Positive Developmental Neuroscience. Objectives: The purpose of this poster is to review the literature on the musical intervention program, El Sistema (and El Sistema-inspired programs), and frame it in the context of Positive Developmental Neuroscience. Methods: A systematic search of available literature in the PubMed and PsycINFO databases was performed. Search terms included "music", "El Sistema", "neuroplasticity", and "neuroscience". By conducting extensive literature reviews and borrowing elements of Positive Psychology, information was gathered to create the subfield of Positive Developmental Neuroscience. Results: El Sistema can positively impact the lives, brains, and minds of children involved in its ensemble orchestra group. Our review shows that multiple brain regions are activated by playing an instrument. These well known changes are very likely to occur in children taking part in El Sistema (and El Sistema-inspired programs), which can lead to neuroplasticity in children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Playing instruments in a social setting has benefits both inside and outside the musical domain. Positive Developmental Neuroscience attempts to describe these effects in terms of its outcomes on the brain, mind, and wellbeing of child musicians. Conclusions: Musical intervention programs like El Sistema can have beneficial effects on children's wellbeing by influencing their brain circuitry and leading to positive outcomes.


2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Binger ◽  
Jennifer Kent-Walsh

Abstract Clinicians and researchers long have recognized that teaching communication partners how to provide AAC supports is essential to AAC success. One way to improve clinical outcomes is to select appropriate skills to teach communication partners. Although this sometimes seems like it should be a straightforward component of any intervention program, deciding which skills to teach partners can present multiple challenges. In this article, we will troubleshoot common issues and discuss how to select skills systematically, resulting in the desired effects for both communication partners and clients.


Author(s):  
Abdullah Shammari ◽  
Abdullah Alotaibi ◽  
Athari Albalawi ◽  
Fayez Almedhadi ◽  
Rahaf Alruwaili ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjulaa Narasimhan ◽  
Carmen H. Logie ◽  
Kevin Moody ◽  
Jonathan Hopkins ◽  
Oswaldo Montoya ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Self-care interventions are influencing people’s access to, expectation and understanding of healthcare beyond formal health delivery systems. In doing so, self-care interventions could potentially improve health-seeking behaviours. While many men proactively engage in maintaining and promoting their health, the focus on men’s health comes from the recognition, at least partially, that male socialization and social norms can induce men and boys to have a lower engagement in institutionalized public health entities and systems around their sexual and reproductive health and rights, that could impact negatively on themselves, their partners and children. Main text A research agenda could consider the ways that public health messaging and information on self care practices for sexual and reproductive health and rights could be tailored to reflect men’s lived realities and experiences. Three examples of evidence-based self-care interventions related to sexual and reproductive health and rights that men can, and many do, engage in are briefly discussed: condom use, HIV self-testing and use of telemedicine and digital platforms for sexual health. We apply four core elements that contribute to health, including men’s health (people-centred approaches, quality health systems, a safe and supportive enabling environment, and behaviour-change communication) to each intervention where further research can inform normative guidance. Conclusion Engaging men and boys and facilitating their participation in self care can be an important policy intervention to advance global sexual and reproductive health and rights goals. The longstanding model of men neglecting or even sabotaging their wellbeing needs to be replaced by healthier lifestyles, which requires understanding how factors related to social support, social norms, power, academic performance or employability conditions, among others, influence men’s engagement with health services and with their own self care practices.


2021 ◽  
pp. 084456212110206
Author(s):  
Mezgebu Gode ◽  
Fekadu Aga ◽  
Aklil Hailu

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) has become a global health challenge. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the common comorbidities of T2D that may affect the ability to perform diabetes self-care. Purpose To compare self-care practices between adult T2D patients with and without comorbid DPN and identify factors predicting self-care practices. Methods In this cross-sectional study, conducted at tertiary hospitals in Ethiopia, a total of 216 (108 with DNP and 108 without DNP) participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire including measures of diabetes self-care practices, self-evaluated peripheral neuropathy, self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, and social support. Results Adult T2D patients with comorbid DPN had lower dietary (P< 0.001), exercise (P< 0.001), blood glucose testing (P = 0.001), and foot (P = 0.007) self-care practice than those without DPN. Social support is a significant predictor of dietary self-care in both groups while predicting foot self-care and blood glucose testing in those with comorbid DPN. Moreover, occupation, education, and having a glucometer are significant predictors of diabetes self-care practice in both groups. Conclusion This study found that adult T2D patients with comorbid DPN have poorer diabetes self-care practice than those without comorbid DPN. Interventions should focus on addressing social support and access to a glucometer in order to improve diabetes self-care practices in adult T2D patients with comorbid DPN.


2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988468
Author(s):  
Maxine Davis ◽  
Bruno Fernandez ◽  
Melissa Jonson-Reid ◽  
Stavroula Kyriakakis

Involvement in treatment for intimate partner violence and abuse (IPV/A) perpetration is often limited to those who are arrested and convicted of domestic violence offenses. Consequently, the majority of research into partner abuse intervention programs (PAIPs; also known as batterer intervention programs [BIPs]) has utilized data from court-mandated participants despite the existence of voluntary programs. Therefore, little is known about the experiences of voluntary and non-court-mandated BIP/PAIP participants. Using an interpretive phenomenological analysis, this study sought to understand how participants perceived their lived experience in seeking help from a voluntary BIP/PAIP serving Latino men. Men volunteering for this study participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews ( N = 16). The findings reveal that the decision to engage in a BIP/PAIP voluntarily is process laden. Participants described the process as involving a breakdown in the health of their intimate relationship, reaching tipping points at which avoiding help was no longer an option, and locating specific information on where to seek treatment. The findings also reveal that once involved, most participants anticipated and desired to engage in the program long term. This study illuminates the many factors that may contribute to decision-making when men who have acted abusively seek help. Strategies for increasing voluntary BIP/PAIP participation may involve enhancing marketing of services or information for accessing services, and personal relationship building between facilitators and potential participants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Turnbull ◽  
Patricia J. Lucas ◽  
Alastair D. Hay ◽  
Christie Cabral

Abstract Background Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common chronic disease, with socially patterned incidence and severity. Digital self-care interventions have the potential to reduce health disparities, by providing personalised low-cost reusable resources that can increase access to health interventions. However, if under-served groups are unable to access or use digital technologies, Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) might make no difference, or worse, exacerbate health inequity. Study aims To gain insights into how and why people with T2D access and use DHTs and how experiences vary between individuals and social groups. Methods A purposive sample of people with experience of using a DHT to help them self-care for T2D were recruited through diabetes and community groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person and over the phone. Data were analysed thematically. Results A diverse sample of 21 participants were interviewed. Health care practitioners were not viewed as a good source of information about DHTs that could support T2D. Instead participants relied on their digital skills and social networks to learn about what DHTs are available and helpful. The main barriers to accessing and using DHT described by the participants were availability of DHTs from the NHS, cost and technical proficiency. However, some participants described how they were able to draw on social resources such as their social networks and social status to overcome these barriers. Participants were motivated to use DHTs because they provided self-care support, a feeling of control over T2D, and personalised advice or feedback. The selection of technology was also guided by participants’ preferences and what they valued in relation to DHTs and self-care support, and these in turn were influenced by age and gender. Conclusion This research indicates that low levels of digital skills and high cost of digital health interventions can create barriers to the access and use of DHTs to support the self-care of T2D. However, social networks and social status can be leveraged to overcome some of these challenges. If digital interventions are to decrease rather than exacerbate health inequalities, these barriers and facilitators to access and use must be considered when DHTs are developed and implemented.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document