Impact of the organisational culture on primary care staff members’ intention to engage in research and development

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Morténius ◽  
Amir Baigi ◽  
Lars Palm ◽  
Bengt Fridlund ◽  
Cecilia Björkelund ◽  
...  

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how organisational culture influences the intentions of primary care staff members (PCSM) to engage in research and development (R&D). Design/methodology/approach – The participants (n=30) were PCSM employed in a care centre in south-western Sweden. The study had an observational design with an ethnographic approach. The data were collected by means of observations, interviews and analysis of documents. Findings – The results revealed the perceptions of PCSM in two domains, research and clinical practice, both of which existed at three different cultural levels: visible (structures and policy), semi-visible (norms and values) and invisible (taken-for-granted attitudes). Research limitations/implications – It is difficult to conduct a purely objective ethnographic study because the investigation is controlled by its context. However, it is necessary to highlight and discuss the invisible level to improve understanding of negative attitudes and preconceptions related to the implementation of R&D in the clinical setting. Practical implications – By highlighting the invisible level of culture, the management of an organisation has the opportunity to initiate discussion of issues related to concealed norms and values as well as attitudes towards new thinking and change in the primary health context. Originality/value – This paper is one of the very few studies to investigate the influence of organisational culture on the intentions of PCSM to engage in R&D.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven K. Dobscha ◽  
Khaya D. Clark ◽  
Elizabeth Karras ◽  
Joseph A. Simonetti ◽  
Summer Newell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Reducing access to lethal means is one of the few empirically supported approaches for lowering suicide rates, and safe firearms storage practices have been associated with reduced risk of death by suicide. Although there is substantial opportunity for primary care to assist in addressing lethal means with veterans, approaches to intervention and educating staff are not well documented. We sought to 1) describe development of an education program for primary care teams to help them discuss firearms storage safety (FSS) with veterans during primary care visits; and 2) conduct a preliminary evaluation of the pilot education program. Methods We used an iterative process involving veterans and primary care staff stakeholders to develop program content, format, and supplemental materials. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze data from focus groups and individual interviews. Following piloting of the program with 71 staff members in two primary care clinics, we analyzed pre- and post-training participant surveys of program satisfaction and attitudes and behaviors related to firearms safety. Results During the development phase, 68 veterans and 107 staff members participated in four veteran focus groups and four primary care focus groups, respectively, and/or individual interviews. The program that was developed, “’Just in Case’: Discussing means safety with veterans at elevated risk for suicide,” addresses knowledge and skills learning objectives, and includes video demonstrations and skills practice. Survey data obtained just prior to the two pilot training sessions showed low self-reported rates of discussing firearms safety with veterans who may be at elevated risk for suicide. Immediate post-training data showed generally high satisfaction with the program and significant improvements in participant self-reported ratings of the importance of, and comfort with FSS. Conclusions The program shows promise as a means for educating primary care staff to deliver messaging about firearms safety to veterans. Additional research is needed to refine and evaluate impacts of this or similar training programs on clinician and veteran behaviors over time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 182-183
Author(s):  
James Faraday ◽  
Clare Abley ◽  
Catherine Exley ◽  
Joanne Patterson

Abstract More and more people with dementia are living in nursing homes (NH). Often, they depend on NH staff for help with eating and drinking. It is important that staff have the skills and support they need to provide good care at mealtimes. This qualitative study explores mealtime care for people with dementia, from the perspective of NH staff. Semi-structured interviews with NH staff (n=16) were carried out in two nursing homes. The homes were chosen to have diverse characteristics: one home had a large number of beds and was part of a small local organization; the other had a small number of beds and was part of a large national organization. Various staff members were interviewed, including direct care staff, senior carers, nurses, managers, and kitchen staff. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A constant comparison approach was taken, so that data from early interviews were explored in more depth subsequently. From the analysis, five themes emerged as important in mealtime care for people with dementia living in nursing homes: Setting the right tone; Working well as a team; Knowing the residents; Promoting autonomy and independence; Gently persevering. This work forms part of a larger ethnographic study on the topic, which includes data from residents with dementia, and family carers. Results will inform the development of a staff training intervention to optimize mealtime care for this population.


2015 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
A. SINCLAIR

Primary care research involving older people brings together a wide range of primary care practitioners. Key areas of activity include: health promotion, disease prevention, screening and early diagnosis, as well as the management of common and long-term conditions such as frailty and sarcopaenia which are under-researched domains of health in this setting. Few interventional studies have identified frail or sarcopaenic patients as the target population based on recent definitions of either condition. Several barriers to successful research in the primary care area exist and overcoming such barriers is not straightforward but involves a multidimensional approach that attempts to enhance the confidence and opportunity to engage in research of primary care staff and the consideration of factors that allow external leads of research to coordinate their programme.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Humayun ◽  
I. Haq ◽  
F. R. Khan ◽  
N. Azad ◽  
M. M. Khan ◽  
...  

Background.In 2014, over a million people were internally displaced after the launch of a military operation in North Waziristan, a tribal region on Pakistan's side of the Durand Line. Despite security concerns and restrictions, a collaborative mental health and psychosocial support initiative was undertaken in the district of Bannu. Monthly mental health camps were conducted for a period of 6 months by a multidisciplinary mental health team. The initiative also helped to assess mental health needs and plan training for primary care staff to strengthen existing resources.Methods.As part of this initiative, Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) training was conducted for physicians and psychosocial staff in the affected district. This marked the first instance of implementing these guidelines in Pakistan following a humanitarian crisis. This paper describes the training process including the adaptation of the mhGAP curriculum, training of trainers, training workshops for primary care staff and an analysis of results of pre- and post-testing of their knowledge about common mental disorders using a 25-item questionnaire.Results.The gaps in knowledge of primary care physicians in recognizing and managing common mental disorders were clearly identified. The mean pre- and post-test scores of the participants were 15.43, 62% (p value 0.000, s.d. 4.05) and 19.48, 78% (p value 0.000, s.d. 3.13) respectively, which showed significant improvement.Conclusions.Despite the challenges of a humanitarian crisis, mhGAP guidelines can be successfully implemented to train primary care physicians in in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. However, the dearth of primary care resources can hinder the complete integration of mental health services into primary healthcare.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e020521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie Burn ◽  
Jane Fleming ◽  
Carol Brayne ◽  
Chris Fox ◽  
Frances Bunn

ObjectivesIn 2012–2013, the English National Health Service mandated hospitals to conduct systematic case-finding of people with dementia among older people with unplanned admissions. The method was not defined. The aim of this study was to understand current approaches to dementia case-finding in acute hospitals in England and explore the views of healthcare professionals on perceived benefits and challenges.DesignQualitative study involving interviews, focus groups and thematic content analysis.SettingPrimary care and secondary care across six counties in the East of England.ParticipantsHospital staff involved in dementia case-finding and primary care staff in the catchment areas of those hospitals.ResultsWe recruited 23 hospital staff and 36 primary care staff, including 30 general practitioners (GPs). Analysis resulted in three themes: (1) lack of consistent approaches in case-finding processes, (2) barriers between primary care and secondary care which impact on case-finding outcomes and (3) perceptions of rationale, aims and impacts of case-finding. The study shows that there were variations in how well hospitals recorded and reported outcomes to GPs. Barriers between primary care and secondary care, including GPs’ lack of access to hospital investigations and lack of clarity about roles and responsibilities, impacted case-finding outcomes. Staff in secondary care were more positive about the initiative than primary care staff, and there were conflicting priorities for primary care and secondary care regarding case-finding.ConclusionsThe study suggests a more evidence-based approach was needed to justify approaches to dementia case-finding. Information communicated to primary care from hospitals needs to be comprehensive, appropriate and consistent before GPs can effectively plan further investigation, treatment or care. Follow-up in primary care further requires access to options for postdiagnostic support. There is a need to evaluate the outcomes for patients and the economic impact on health and care services across settings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jossy Mathew

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the theorised relationship between organisational culture and effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data were collected through a five month ethnographic study in an Indian knowledge-intensive firm. It adopts the three-perspective framework of culture that encompasses integration, differentiation and fragmentation perspectives and a comprehensive examination of effectiveness. Findings Integrated, differentiated and fragmented perspectives of culture capture multiple organisational values and they affect effectiveness in varied ways. Appropriate cultures, although not sufficient conditions, are crucial for effectiveness, especially in knowledge-intensive firms. High levels of differentiation and fragmentation prevent the formation of strong cultures. This challenges organisational integration. Practical implications There is heightened need for the application of sophisticated HRM systems in the Indian software sector. Some context specific measures of effectiveness are documented. Originality/value Through an insightful evaluation of culture effectiveness theorisation till date, the paper amplifies current theorisation and illustrates the potential and limitations of organisational cultures in achieving effectiveness.


2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75
Author(s):  
Ferew Lemma ◽  
Susan Mclaren ◽  
Markella Boudioni ◽  
Leslie P Woods

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