“We couldn’t talk to her”: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of UK midwives when navigating women’s care without language

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Bridle ◽  
Sam Bassett ◽  
Sergio A. Silverio
Keyword(s):  
Support Services ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Language Support ◽  
Interpreter Services ◽  
Professional Interpreter

Purpose Women with little-to-no English continue to have poor birth outcomes and low service user satisfaction. When language support services are used it enhances the relationship between the midwife and the woman, improves outcomes and ensures safer practice. However, this study has shown a reluctance to use professional interpreter services by midwives. This study aims to understand the experiences of midwives using language support services. Design/methodology/approach A maximum variation purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit midwives (N = 12) to a qualitative, semi-structured interview study. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Four themes were generated from the data analysis with a central organising concept of “Navigating Care Without Language”. These themes were: “Continuity as Key”, “Facilitating Tools”, “Networks of Support” and “Innovative Planning”. Each of these themes had between three and four sub-themes. It was found midwives are keen to support women with language barriers. However, support can be difficult due to the unavailability of equipment and resources; lack of continuity (of interpreter and midwife); inability to plan for the acute care of women who require interpreter services; and the system not being accessible enough to women who require language support services, thus causing them to fall through the net. Originality/value Continuity of carer appears to be a protective factor due to the flexibility, relationship and continuum of support. This study will aid the development of education for undergraduate, post-graduate and practising midwives. It will also inform policymakers working to improve the service offered to women who speak little-to-no English.

Family business successors' motivation and innovation capabilities: the case of Kosovo

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asdren Toska ◽  
Veland Ramadani ◽  
Léo-Paul Dana ◽  
Gadaf Rexhepi ◽  
Jusuf Zeqiri
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
Emerging Country

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the second-generation successors’ motives to join family businesses and their ability to generate innovation within them.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative methodology is used in this study. Data were collected through structured interview with the second-generation representatives, where the data obtained helped us to come to the results and answer the research questions of the study. A total of 15 interviews were conducted.FindingsThe findings of this study show that the second generation is motivated to continue the family business, cases show that successors since childhood have been oriented towards building an entrepreneurial mindset and also after entering the family business have generated innovation.Originality/valueThe study will bring theoretical implications to the family business literature, providing scientific evidence for the second generation of family businesses, from an emerging country such as Kosovo. As Kosovo is an emerging country, the study will contribute to the literature, suggesting other studies by emerging countries in this way to see the similarities and differences.

Positive transformational leadership: case study of an Indian public sector bank

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha Bhandarker ◽  
Snigdha Rai
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Leadership ◽  
Transformational Leadership Style

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the leadership style of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) and perceived organizational climate of an Indian public sector bank. Design/methodology/approach – For the present study data were collected using mixed-method approach including both semi-structured interview and inventories. Sample included the top, middle, and senior-middle level officials of the bank. Findings – Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that: the perceived leadership style of CMD is a combination of transformational leadership and positive leadership; there is a positive organizational climate prevalent in the bank; and positive transformational leadership style of CMD has played a considerable role in the development of positive organizational climate in the bank. Originality/value – Present study provides valuable insights regarding contemporary leadership style in an Indian organization which is the combination of both positive and transformational leadership style and its contribution to building positive organizational climate.

The psychosocial experience of role reversal for paraprofessionals providing substance misuse and offender treatment: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
Nicola James ◽  
Joel Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Role Reversal ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Desistance From Crime

Purpose – Many ex-offenders and substance misusers are employed in the treatment and intervention of offenders. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this role as a protective factor in the maintenance of desistance. Design/methodology/approach – Seven paraprofessional employees of a substance misuse service were interviewed using semi-structured interview and analysed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings – Four super-ordinate themes emerged: “The Fragile Sense of Self”; “Hitting Rock Bottom”; “Belonging and identity” and “Maintaining the role reversal”. These themes captured the journey of moving through crime and substance misuse into desistance and employment. Research limitations/implications – The sample size is small; therefore generalisation is reduced. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) could be considered subjective. Further research should attempt to explore similar ideas with different populations and using different methods. Practical implications – This work suggests that practitioners and policy makers should look at the vital importance of paraprofessional employment in relation to desistance from crime. Social implications – Offenders and substance misusers are often left without direction or a fixed new identity, and return to the only life they have known. This study suggests that paraprofessional employment might provide a sense of belonging and identity that could benefit the ex-offender, their clients and society. Originality/value – This is an opportunity to advance knowledge in the area of paraprofessional employment as an aid to “recovery” and lifelong desistance.

Information activities in serious leisure as a catalyst for self-actualisation and social engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yazdan Mansourian
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Serious Leisure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

PurposeThis paper reports findings from a research project about human information behaviour in the context of serious leisure. Various forms of information activities in this context have been identified and categorised to depict common patterns of information seeking, sharing, using and producing.Design/methodology/approachThe project adopted a qualitative approach in an interpretive paradigm using a thematic analysis method. Data-collection technique was semi-structured interview and 20 volunteers were recruited via a maximum variation sampling strategy. The collected data was transcribed and thematically analysed to identify the main concepts and categories.FindingsThe participants have been experiencing six qualities of serious leisure during their long-term engagement with their hobbies or voluntary jobs and their experiences can be fully mapped onto the serious leisure perspective. The findings also confirmed serious leisure is a unique context in terms of the diversity of information activities embedded into a wide range of individual and collective actions in this context. Information seeking and sharing in serious leisure is not only a source of personal satisfaction for the participants, it also can provide them with a sense of purpose in a meaningful journey towards self-actualization and social inclusion.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalisability of the findings needs to be examined in wider populations. Nonetheless, the existing findings can be useful for follow-up research in the area.Practical implicationsThis study will be useful in both policy and practice levels. In the policy level, it will be beneficial for cultural policy makers to gain a better understanding about the nature of leisure activities. In the practice level, it will be helpful for serious leisure participants to understand the value of information seeking and sharing in their leisure endeavours. Also, information professionals can use it to enhance the quality of their services for the serious leisure participants who are usually among devoted patrons of libraries, museums, archives and galleries.Social implicationsLearning about serious leisure can provide new insights on people preferences in terms of choosing different entertaining and recreational pursuits – such as indoor and outdoor hobbies – in their free time.Originality/valueThe informational aspects of serious leisure is an emerging and evolving ground of research. This paper provides empirical evidence on this topic from a specific context in the regional areas in Australia.

A framework of image use among archaeologists, architects, art historians and artists

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan E. Beaudoin
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Art Historians ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Image Use

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a research study which examined how and why images were used by professional image users to inform the design and development of information systems and services. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 20 participants in four user groups, archaeologist, architect, art historian and artist, took part in this qualitative research study. Data was collected through a survey and one-on-one semi-structured interview and data analysis was completed using case-ordered displays and the constant comparative method. Findings – The findings revealed that image use varied according to profession. Archaeologists and art historians identified using images within their lecture presentations, and for research and publications. While architects and artists noted using images for research and design creation, their work products differed. Several reasons why these professionals used images in their work were identified: knowledge, conceptual model, inspiration, cognitive recall, critical thinking, emotion, engagement, marketing, proof, social connection, translation, and trust. Research limitations/implications – Study limitations include the small number of user groups, and methods dependent on participants' abilities to recall and clearly articulate past activities. Originality/value – The study clarifies the varied roles visual information plays in the work of archaeologists, architects, art historians and artists. As the paper reveals how and why images are used, its contents are particularly useful for systems designers, librarians and other individuals who support image users.

Improving education delivery through community – school partnership

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ato Essuman
Keyword(s):  
Social Contract ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Community School ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
School Partnership ◽  
Education Delivery ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose One of the most debated policy discourses that have engaged the attention of countries as well as the donor community is the varied pathways in improving the delivery of education through decentralisation and community participation. A key policy expectation is that through the active participation of the community, education quality and related outcomes would improve. The purpose of this paper is to explore the policy and practices of community and school partnership and the extent to which the “social contract” between communities and schools has been executed. It also explores the challenges they face as they engage in the governance of schools and how such engagement shapes education delivery. Design/methodology/approach This research was guided by a semi-structured interview schedule focused on two selected basic (i.e. primary and junior secondary) schools and their communities within a Municipality in a Coastal Region of Ghana as a single case for the study. Data were read thoroughly to identify common themes which included the multiple perspectives of participation, teacher management, conflicts and tensions, the role of community elites in school-community partnerships, capacity constraints, parental roles, and issues about the “social contract” among others. Findings Drawing on case study data, the paper argues that although decentralisation policies aim at strengthening local democracy and participation, they do not fully consider the conditions under which this might be achieved. Furthermore, in community–school partnership discourses, the impression has often times been given that the policy of education decentralisation is about what communities could do to support schools located within them. The fact of it being a two-way relationship is often not stressed, thus, diminishing the role the school plays or could play in the life of communities. Originality/value The study reinforced the point that the relationship was a two-way one based on reciprocity, and that it was the fulfilment of the expectations of both parties that shaped the relationship between them and determined the nature of communities’ participation in the governance of its schools. Anything to the contrary thus weakens the relationship.

scholarly journals Evaluating the success of the tele-pathology system in governmental hospitals in Kuwait: an explanatory sequential mixed methods design

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Jasem Buabbas ◽  
Tareq Mohammad ◽  
Adel K. Ayed ◽  
Hawraa Mallah ◽  
Hamza Al-Shawaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Support Services ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Technical Support ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Telepathology System

Abstract Background Telepathology is the practice of reviewing and exchanging pathological images through telecommunication systems to obtain diagnoses remotely. Studying the factors that make such a system successful and favourable is important to ensure the merits of its implementation in clinical practice. Objective This study aims to evaluate the success of a telepathology system from the users’ perspectives, using specific evaluation criteria, namely: system quality, information quality, technical service quality, user satisfaction, and benefits. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was adopted in this study, which consists of two phases. Initially, a questionnaire was distributed via WhatsApp to all of the pathologists (total: 45) working at governmental hospitals in Kuwait. Followed by, semi-structured interviews with ten senior pathologists. Results Forty pathologists responded to the questionnaire, giving an 89% response rate. There were 42.5% of the respondents aged between 35–44 years old, and 52.5% were male. The quantitative results reveal that most of the respondents were satisfied with the quality of the telepathology system with a mean of 2.6025 (Standard Deviation (SD) = 0.47176), whereas they were dissatisfied with the quality of the information with a mean of 2.4100 (SD = 1.580) and the technical support services with a mean of 2.2750 (SD = 0.99535). In addition, there was disagreement on the benefits of telepathology in clinical practice among the pathologists with a mean of 2.4667 (SD = 0.77552). The qualitative results indicate that the lack of interest in and little experience with using the system were behind the general dissatisfaction of most of the respondents. All of the interviewees were satisfied with the performance of the telepathology system and considered it successful; however, the quality of the technical support services, including training workshops, was deemed deficient. Conclusion This study concluded that telepathology system in Kuwait is functioning well and has been successful in its implementation; however, pathologists are dissatisfied with it, mainly due to the deficient quality of the technical support services provided. In addition, the successful implementation of such advanced technologies requires careful steps to be taken on multiple levels: technical, organisational, and managerial. Recommendations were suggested.

scholarly journals Impact of Contraception on Uterine Fibroids

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 717
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kwas ◽  
Aleksandra Nowakowska ◽  
Angelika Fornalczyk ◽  
Magda Krzycka ◽  
Anna Nowak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factor ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Uterine Fibroids ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Prospective Survey ◽  
Hormonal Dependence ◽  
Control Study

Background and Objectives: Uterine fibroids develop in 25–40% of women of childbearing age; however, there are discrepancies resulting from population and socioeconomic differences. The pathogenesis of fibroids is not clear. The aim of the study was to assess the potential connection between the use of oral contraceptives and the occurrence of uterine fibroids in women of childbearing age. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, survey, case–control study, data were collected from Caucasian female patients (mean age = 30) using a questionnaire concerning the onset, duration and form of hormonal contraception, and medical and obstetrical history. The questionnaires were handed personally to hospitalized patients as well as distributed through Google forms on social media. Results: In a study group (n = 140) of patients using hormonal contraception, 37.8% of them were diagnosed with uterine fibroids, whereas among the patients not using hormonal contraception (n = 206), uterine fibroids were diagnosed in 59.6% of the patients. The most common hormonal contraception was two-component hormonal tablets used by 93.3% of the patients. Taking contraceptives was a uterine fibroids protective factor (OR = 0.4, p = 0.007). In the study group, 5.5% of the patients were pregnant and 60.42% were diagnosed with uterine fibroids (OR = 4.4, p < 0.000001). Conclusion: Contraception was found to be a protective factor for uterine fibroids among the women surveyed. The presented data confirm the theory about the hormonal dependence of uterine fibroids.

Repositioning the customer support services: the next frontier of competitive advantage

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1787-1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagdish Sheth ◽  
Varsha Jain ◽  
Anupama Ambika
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Profit Center ◽  
Support Unit ◽  
Customer Support ◽  
Cost Center ◽  
New Framework

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the present status of customer support services (CSS) and advocate the re-positioning of support services from an administrative cost center to a strategic profit center. Authors demonstrate how customer support or after sales services can be a source of competitive advantage and revenue generation for firms. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a conceptual approach grounded in theoretical foundations of service dominant logic, customer loyalty and customer centricity along with practical illustrations from the industry. Findings Following the tenets of theory, review of existing research and analysis of the industry practices, the authors propose a new framework to enable the repositioning of customer service function. The key propositions include establishing customer support as separate business unit and insights center, introducing a new role of a C-level chief customer support officer to lead the customer support unit, adopting a customer-centric culture and process, enabling frontline IT support and investing in frontline employee skills development. Research limitations/implications Academics should examine the potential of customer support, where the strategic importance is low at present, leading to customer dissatisfaction. The new approach and positioning of customer support calls for a new direction for research in this area focusing on enablers, challenges and further implications. To succeed in this competitive era, firms should be conscious of the value of customer service and undertake concrete actions to generate value for all stakeholders. Practical implications Industry can use the new framework and re-position CSS of the organizations. The CSS unit can be different from other business units in the organizations. The CSS would evolve and emerge from the live customer insights. CSS unit can be managed by the C level chief CSS officer. Customer-centric culture would be developed and front line processes can be made customer-oriented by the officer. Thus, this paper and framework would provide new customer-centric directions to the organizations for effective functioning. Originality/value This is the original piece that has emerged from the experience and expertise of the authors.

scholarly journals Haemophilus ducreyi Infection Induces Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Nonpolarized but Not in Polarized Human Macrophages

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (8) ◽  
pp. 2997-3008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Li ◽  
Barry P. Katz ◽  
Margaret E. Bauer ◽  
Stanley M. Spinola
Keyword(s):  
Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Haemophilus Ducreyi ◽  
Inflammasome Activation ◽  
Microbial Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Caspase 1

ABSTRACTRecognition of microbial infection by certain intracellular pattern recognition receptors leads to the formation of a multiprotein complex termed the inflammasome. Inflammasome assembly activates caspase-1 and leads to cleavage and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-18, which help control many bacterial pathogens. However, excessive inflammation mediated by inflammasome activation can also contribute to immunopathology. Here, we investigated whetherHaemophilus ducreyi, a Gram-negative bacterium that causes the genital ulcer disease chancroid, activates inflammasomes in experimentally infected human skin and in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). AlthoughH. ducreyiis predominantly extracellular during human infection, several inflammasome-related components were transcriptionally upregulated inH. ducreyi-infected skin. Infection of MDM with live, but not heat-killed,H. ducreyiinduced caspase-1- and caspase-5-dependent processing and secretion of IL-1β. Blockage ofH. ducreyiuptake by cytochalasin D significantly reduced the amount of secreted IL-1β. Knocking down the expression of the inflammasome components NLRP3 and ASC abolished IL-1β production. Consistent with NLRP3-dependent inflammasome activation, blocking ATP signaling, K+efflux, cathepsin B activity, and lysosomal acidification all inhibited IL-1β secretion. However, inhibition of the production and function of reactive oxygen species did not decrease IL-1β production. Polarization of macrophages to classically activated M1 or alternatively activated M2 cells abrogated IL-1β secretion elicited byH. ducreyi. Our study data indicate thatH. ducreyiinduces NLRP3 inflammasome activation via multiple mechanisms and suggest that the heterogeneity of macrophages within human lesions may modulate inflammasome activation during human infection.

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