Post-9/11 Veteran Satisfaction With the VA eScreening Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 519-529
Author(s):  
Erin Almklov ◽  
Niloofar Afari ◽  
Elizabeth Floto ◽  
Laurie Lindamer ◽  
Samantha Hurst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Measurement Based Care ◽  
Focus Group Data

Abstract Introduction eScreening is a mobile health technology resource for veterans and staff to support Veterans Health Administration initiatives such as early identification of health problems, shared decision-making, and measurement-based care. Methods We conducted an exploratory mixed methods retrospective study with newly enrolling post-9/11 veterans to (1) understand eScreening user experience and obtain practical feedback on the technology to guide improvements, (2) assess veteran satisfaction with eScreening following improvements to the technology, and (3) examine veteran characteristics associated with eScreening satisfaction. Focus group data were collected on user experience with eScreening from a sample of veterans who participated in an eScreening pilot. Guided by a user-centered design approach, findings informed improvements to the technology. Survey data were subsequently collected from a large cohort of veterans to assess satisfaction with the improved program. Questionnaire data were also collected to examine variables associated with eScreening satisfaction. Qualitative focus group data were analyzed using content analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize sociodemographic variables, questionnaires, and satisfaction ratings. Correlations were run to examine the relationship between certain veteran characteristics (eg, age, resiliency, anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, somatic symptoms, depression, pain) and satisfaction with eScreening. All research activities were conducted at VA San Diego Healthcare System and approved by the Institutional Review Board. Results Focus group data revealed that veterans were largely satisfied with eScreening, but they suggested some improvements (eg, to interface functionality), which were integrated into an updated version of eScreening. Following these changes, survey data revealed that veterans were highly satisfied with eScreening, including its usability, information security, and impact on health services. There were statistically significant, though not clinically meaningful relationships between health-related characteristics and satisfaction with eScreening. However, millennials showed significantly higher satisfaction ratings compared with non-millennials. Conclusions These findings support the use of patient experiences and feedback to aide product development. In addition, post-9/11 veterans support the use of eScreening to assist health screening. However, evaluating the eScreening program in more diverse veteran groups and Veterans Affairs settings is needed to improve the generalizability of these findings to the larger veteran population.

scholarly journals Quantified Nostalgia: Social Media, Metrics, and Memory

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205630512110088
Author(s):  
Benjamin N. Jacobsen ◽  
David Beer
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
The Past ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Memory Practices ◽  
The Relationship

As social media platforms have developed over the past decade, they are no longer simply sites for interactions and networked sociality; they also now facilitate backwards glances to previous times, moments, and events. Users’ past content is turned into definable objects that can be scored, rated, and resurfaced as “memories.” There is, then, a need to understand how metrics have come to shape digital and social media memory practices, and how the relationship between memory, data, and metrics can be further understood. This article seeks to outline some of the relations between social media, metrics, and memory. It examines how metrics shape remembrance of the past within social media. Drawing on qualitative interviews as well as focus group data, the article examines the ways in which metrics are implicated in memory making and memory practices. This article explores the effect of social media “likes” on people’s memory attachments and emotional associations with the past. The article then examines how memory features incentivize users to keep remembering through accumulation. It also examines how numerating engagements leads to a sense of competition in how the digital past is approached and experienced. Finally, the article explores the tensions that arise in quantifying people’s engagements with their memories. This article proposes the notion of quantified nostalgia in order to examine how metrics are variously performative in memory making, and how regimes of ordinary measures can figure in the engagement and reconstruction of the digital past in multiple ways.

scholarly journals Adaptation of a quality improvement approach to implement eScreening in VHA healthcare settings: innovative use of the Lean Six Sigma Rapid Process Improvement Workshop

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James O. E. Pittman ◽  
Borsika Rabin ◽  
Erin Almklov ◽  
Niloofar Afari ◽  
Elizabeth Floto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Implementation Strategy ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Health Technologies

Abstract Background The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) developed a comprehensive mobile screening technology (eScreening) that provides customized and automated self-report health screening via mobile tablet for veterans seen in VHA settings. There is agreement about the value of health technology, but limited knowledge of how best to broadly implement and scale up health technologies. Quality improvement (QI) methods may offer solutions to overcome barriers related to broad scale implementation of technology in health systems. We aimed to develop a process guide for eScreening implementation in VHA clinics to automate self-report screening of mental health symptoms and psychosocial challenges. Methods This was a two-phase, mixed methods implementation project building on an adapted quality improvement method. In phase one, we adapted and conducted an RPIW to develop a generalizable process guide for eScreening implementation (eScreening Playbook). In phase two, we integrated the eScreening Playbook and RPIW with additional strategies of training and facilitation to create a multicomponent implementation strategy (MCIS) for eScreening. We then piloted the MCIS in two VHA sites. Quantitative eScreening pre-implementation survey data and qualitative implementation process “mini interviews” were collected from individuals at each of the two sites who participated in the implementation process. Survey data were characterized using descriptive statistics, and interview data were independently coded using a rapid qualitative analytic approach. Results Pilot data showed overall satisfaction and usefulness of our MCIS approach and identified some challenges, solutions, and potential adaptations across sites. Both sites used the components of the MCIS, but site 2 elected not to include the RPIW. Survey data revealed positive responses related to eScreening from staff at both sites. Interview data exposed implementation challenges related to the technology, support, and education at both sites. Workflow and staffing resource challenges were only reported by site 2. Conclusions Our use of RPIW and other QI methods to both develop a playbook and an implementation strategy for eScreening has created a testable implementation process to employ automated, patient-facing assessment. The efficient collection and communication of patient information have the potential to greatly improve access to and quality of healthcare.

User-centered Requirements for Patient Fluid Intake Monitoring Support

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 736-740
Author(s):  
Ellen J. Bass ◽  
Andrew J. Abbate ◽  
Yaman Noaiseh ◽  
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Fluid Consumption ◽  
Registered Dietitians ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data

There is a need to support patients with monitoring liquid intake. This work addresses development of requirements for real-time and historical displays and reports with respect to fluid consumption as well as alerts based on critical clinical thresholds. We conducted focus groups with registered nurses and registered dietitians in order to identify the information needs and alerting criteria to support fluid consumption measurement. This paper presents results of the focus group data analysis and the related requirements resulting from the analysis.

scholarly journals Determinants of Long Immunization Clinic Wait Times in a Sub-Saharan African Country

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2110282
Author(s):  
Osayame Austine Ekhaguere ◽  
Rosena Olubanke Oluwafemi ◽  
Angela Oyo-Ita ◽  
Burke Mamlin ◽  
Paul Bondich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Wait Times ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Sub Saharan

The wait time clients spend during immunization clinic visits in low- and middle-income countries is a not well-understood reported barrier to vaccine completion. We used a prospective, observational design to document the total time from client arrival-to-discharge and all sequential provider-client activities in 1 urban, semi-urban, and rural immunization clinic in Nigeria. We also conducted caregiver and provider focus group discussions to identify perceived determinants of long clinic wait times. Our findings show that the time from arrival-to-discharge varied significantly by the clinic and ranged between 57 and 235 minutes, as did arrival-to-all providers-client activities. Focus group data attributed workflow delays to clinic staff waiting for a critical mass of clients to arrive for their immunization appointment before starting the essential health education talk or opening specific vaccine vials. Additionally, respondents indicated that complex documentation processes caused system delays. Research on clinic workflow transformation and simplification of immunization documentation is needed.

scholarly journals Development of a theory-based HPV vaccine promotion comic book for East African adolescents in the US

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Celentano ◽  
Rachel L. Winer ◽  
Sou Hyun Jang ◽  
Anisa Ibrahim ◽  
Farah Bille Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Hpv Vaccine ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Comic Book ◽  
East African ◽  
Step Process ◽  
Group Data ◽  
The Us ◽  
Focus Group Data

Abstract Background Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake is low among East African adolescents in the US. Adolescents’ preferences influence HPV vaccine decisions, yet few interventions exist that address East African adolescents’ beliefs about HPV vaccines. We describe a multi-step process on how to create a theory-based comic book by integrating empirical findings, theory and focus group data from East African parents in the US. Methods Our multi-methods process included conducting focus groups with Somali, Ethiopian, and Eritrean mothers (n = 30) to understand mothers and adolescents socio-cultural beliefs and information needs about the HPV vaccine, creating comic book messages integrating the focus group findings, and assessing the acceptability of the finalized comic book among Somali, Ethiopian, and Eritrean adolescents (n = 134). Results We identified categories around socio-cultural beliefs (such ethnic representation and concerns about pork gelatin in vaccines), HPV vaccine information needs, and diffusion of information. We then mapped the categories to theoretical constructs and operationalized them into the comic book. Finally, we describe the overall acceptability of the comic book and specifics on comic book structure, appeal of characters, and message relevance. Conclusions A rigorous multi-step process that integrates theory and focus group data can help create culturally appropriate health messages that can educate and appeal to the community.

scholarly journals If You Don’t Eat Meat… You’ll Die. A Mixed-Method Survey of Health-Professionals’ Beliefs

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3028
Author(s):  
Patrick McHugh ◽  
Morgen Smith ◽  
Nicholas Wright ◽  
Sarah Bush ◽  
Sue Pullon
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Common Chronic Disease ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Overwhelming Evidence ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Good Nutrition ◽  
Spreadsheet Software

Despite an ever-increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and overwhelming evidence that good nutrition improves outcomes it is difficult to know whether this evidence is reaching the general population. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether health professionals in Tairāwhiti have sufficient nutrition education for their roles in health education and promotion and whether nutrition beliefs held by health professionals were consistent with current literature. A particular interest was to enlist views on the harms, benefits, and possible barriers to following plant-based diets. A mixed-methods study involving health professionals completing a questionnaire and a subsequent focus group to collect data was used. Survey data were analysed using spreadsheet software, and thematic content analysis of focus group data was undertaken. Participants provided nutrition advice 2.4 times per day. Almost half of practitioners considered their nutrition knowledge to be inadequate, and most made poor use of references for provision of information. Plant-based diets were generally viewed as beneficial to health, improve quality of life, be filling, but were perceived as not as easy to follow. This study is in keeping with previous research that the health workforce would benefit from more formalised nutrition education and competencies to address common chronic disease.

Who Cares? Motivations for Unregulated Child Care Use

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (17) ◽  
pp. 4066-4088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda Breitkreuz ◽  
Kerryn Colen
Keyword(s):  
Child Care ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Care Environment ◽  
Policy Context ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Key Drivers

This article explores the motivations for unregulated child care use within Canada. Using focus group data from 109 mothers, we analyze unregulated child care use within a policy context in which regulated child care is only available for 20% of preschool children. The key drivers for unregulated care were framed by participants as benefits: trust in a known caregiver with similar values, offered in a home-like environment. Importantly, one driver that was not seen as beneficial was the lack of affordable and accessible, regulated child care. Sometimes used as a last resort amid regulated child care shortages, unregulated care became the driver of how mothers organized their time. Within the constraints of a limited regulatory child care environment, we argue that Mathieu’s (2016) concept of demotherization is beyond the grasp of the majority of Canadian mothers.

scholarly journals Assessment of students’ satisfaction with a student-led team-based learning course

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin W. Bouw ◽  
Vasudha Gupta ◽  
Ana L. Hincapie
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Barriers To Success ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Team Based Learning ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Students Satisfaction

Purpose: To date, no studies in the literature have examined student delivery of team-based learning (TBL) modules in the classroom. We aimed to assess student perceptions of a student-led TBL elective. Methods: Third-year pharmacy students were assigned topics in teams and developed learning objectives, a 15-minute mini-lecture, and a TBL application exercise and presented them to student colleagues. Students completed a survey upon completion of the course and participated in a focus group discussion to share their views on learning. Results: The majority of students (n=23/30) agreed that creating TBL modules enhanced their understanding of concepts, improved their self-directed learning skills (n=26/30), and improved their comprehension of TBL pedagogy (n=27/30). However, 60% disagreed with incorporating student-generated TBL modules into core curricular classes. Focus group data identified student-perceived barriers to success in the elective, in particular the development of TBL application exercises. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that students positively perceived student-led TBL as encouraging proactive learning from peer-to-peer teaching.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Framework for Collecting and Analyzing Data in Focus Group Research

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie ◽  
Wendy B. Dickinson ◽  
Nancy L. Leech ◽  
Annmarie G. Zoran
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Focus Group Research ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data

Despite the abundance of published material on conducting focus groups, scant specific information exists on how to analyze focus group data in social science research. Thus, the authors provide a new qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing focus group data. First, they identify types of data that can be collected during focus groups. Second, they identify the qualitative data analysis techniques best suited for analyzing these data. Third, they introduce what they term as a micro-interlocutor analysis, wherein meticulous information about which participant responds to each question, the order in which each participant responds, response characteristics, the nonverbal communication used, and the like is collected, analyzed, and interpreted. They conceptualize how conversation analysis offers great potential for analyzing focus group data. They believe that their framework goes far beyond analyzing only the verbal communication of focus group participants, thereby increasing the rigor of focus group analyses in social science research.

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