Involving patients in quality improvements – a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 348-361
Author(s):  
Åsa Robinson ◽  
Caterina Finizia ◽  
Susanne Gustavsson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illuminate strengths and limitations in quality improvement work, when involving patients. Design/methodology/approach The experience-based co-design (EBCD) method was used when improving care for patients undergoing otosclerosis surgery. Individual interviews and focus groups were interpreted using qualitative content analysis. Findings Strengths mentioned by patients were that their participation made a difference. The first steps were found effective in giving an in-depth view of patients’ experiences and the staff got an increased understanding about specific patient needs. However, weaknesses were found in the latter phases, those of improving and follow-up, health care staff had difficulties to keep their focus on patients’ experiences and invite patients to be involved. Patients’ participation decreased, and there was a lack of tools to support the process. Research limitations/implications The content in this paper is mainly based on one case. However, the findings are in congruence with earlier research and add further knowledge to the research area. Practical implications The findings can be used in healthcare when involving patients in improvement work. Originality/value There is no earlier study which involves patients with otosclerosis when using EBCD. Furthermore, this paper illuminates that there is a need to increase collaboration with patients. The latter phases often seem to be handled by health care professionals without involving patients; this paper suggest a development using dedicated quality tools.

Interplay of coordination, co-creation and community building: examining interprofessional collaboration in workplace development efforts in health care

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Seppänen ◽  
Inka Koskela ◽  
Heli Heikkilä ◽  
Helena Leino-Kilpi ◽  
Päivi Rautava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Community Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustained Development ◽  
Workplace Development ◽  
Working Hypotheses

Purpose Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is increasingly important in work and workplace learning. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristics of IPC that are relevant for learning and developing at work. Design/methodology/approach We examine IPC in the discussion data of health care professionals when designing, implementing and evaluating developmental tasks. Qualitative content analysis is carried out on temporally sequential task trajectories, considering IPC from the perspective of the objects and goals of IPC task activity in developmental efforts. Findings The developmentally relevant characteristics of IPC are crystallized in the concepts of coordination, co-creation and community building, which play different, interdependent roles in development efforts. We show their interplay and how they complement each other in practice. Research limitations/implications Our findings regarding IPC characteristics are to be interpreted as working hypotheses and resources for further research. Practical implications Understanding the dynamics of IPC is useful for renewing work practices. Attention to the interplay and complementarity of IPC characteristics may help in the design and implementation of effective and sustained development efforts. Originality/value The dynamics of IPC in developmental settings have not been sufficiently studied. This paper proposes three developmentally relevant and intertwined characteristics of IPC for scholars of workplace learning.

scholarly journals DEMENTIA CARE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: INNOVATIONS IN TRAINING ACROSS SETTINGS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S379-S379
Author(s):  
Mary F Wyman ◽  
Verena R Cimarolli ◽  
Robyn Stone
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff

Abstract It is well-established that there is a critical shortage of trained health care staff who can deliver high-quality behavioral health services to persons with dementia. The development of innovative professional training curricula, and effectively implementing and sustaining such programs, is a key element in addressing this workforce crisis. This symposium highlights cutting-edge efforts being conducted across the continuum of care, to train health care professionals to support optimal behavioral health for persons with dementia. In the outpatient setting, Wyman et al. present data from a survey of mental health clinicians on their perspectives about working with persons with dementia and caregivers, revealing critical gaps in knowledge and skills to target in continuing education programming. Wray and colleagues focus on integrated behavioral health in primary care, discussing how geriatric experts can most effectively contribute to improved assessment and treatment within this setting. Koepp presents an innovative program to transform outpatient mental health care for persons with dementia through provider training and consultation. In the residential care setting, Reinhardt and colleagues report on the implementation of a comprehensive approach to the alleviation of behavioral health problems through training direct care staff in person-directed care in nursing homes. Finally, Karel et al share how VA interprofessional nursing home teams learn and sustain an evidence-based program to address behavioral concerns among residents with dementia. The discussant will lend a deep expertise in research and policy related to the geriatric workforce to her remarks on the presentations.

scholarly journals Working Atmosphere and Job Satisfaction of Health Care Staff in Kenya: An Exploratory Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Goetz ◽  
Michael Marx ◽  
Irmgard Marx ◽  
Marc Brodowski ◽  
Maureen Nafula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Quality Management System ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Overall Job Satisfaction

Background. Job satisfaction and working atmosphere are important for optimal health care delivery. The study aimed to document working atmosphere and job satisfaction of health care professionals in Kenya and to explore associations between job satisfaction, staff characteristics, and working atmosphere.Methods. Data from the integrated quality management system (IQMS) for the health sector in Kenya were used. Job satisfaction was measured with 10 items and with additional 5 items adapted to job situation in Kenya. Working atmosphere was measured with 13 item questionnaire. A stepwise linear regression analysis was performed with overall job satisfaction and working atmosphere, aspects of job satisfaction, and individual characteristics.Results. Out of 832 questionnaires handed out, 435 questionnaires were completed (response rate: 52.3%). Health care staff indicated high commitment to provide quality services and low levels regarding the adequacy and functionality of equipment at their work station. The aspect “support of the ministry of health” (β= 0.577) showed the highest score of explained variance (32.9%) regarding overall job satisfaction.Conclusions. IQMS which also evaluates job satisfaction and working atmosphere of health care staff provides a good opportunity for strengthening the recruitment and retention of health care staff as well as improving the provision of good quality of care.

scholarly journals Barriers to reporting clinical errors in operating theatres and intensive care units of a university hospital: a qualitative study

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedighe Ghobadian ◽  
Mansour Zahiri ◽  
Behnaz Dindamal ◽  
Hossein Dargahi ◽  
Farzad Faraji-Khiavi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Operating Theatre ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Organizational Problems

Abstract Background Clinical errors are one of the challenges of health care in different countries, and obtaining accurate statistics regarding clinical errors in most countries is a difficult process which varies from one study to another. The current study was conducted to identify barriers to reporting clinical errors in the operating theatre and the intensive care unit of a university hospital. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in the operating theatre and intensive care unit of a university hospital. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with health care staff, senior doctors, and surgical assistants. Data analysis was carried out through listening to the recorded interviews and developing transcripts of the interviews. Meaning units were identified and codified based on the type of discussion. Then, codes which had a common concept were grouped under one category. Finally, the codes and designated categories were analysed, discussed and confirmed by a panel of four experts of qualitative content analysis, and the main existing problems were identified and derived. Results Barriers to reporting clinical errors were extracted in two themes: individual problems and organizational problems. Individual problems included 4 categories and 12 codes and organizational problems included 6 categories and 17 codes. The results showed that in the majority of cases, nurses expressed their desire to change the current prevailing attitudes in the workplace while doctors expected the officials to implement reform policies regarding clinical errors in university hospitals. Conclusion In order to alleviate the barriers to reporting clinical errors, both individual and organizational problems should be addressed and resolved. At an individual level, training nursing and medical teams on error recognition is recommended. In order to solve organizational problems, on the other hand, the process of reporting clinical errors should be improved as far as the nursing team is concerned, but when it comes to the medical team, addressing legal loopholes should be given full consideration.

scholarly journals The Use of Patient-Facing Teleconsultations in the National Health Service: Scoping Review

10.2196/15380 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e15380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micheal O'Cathail ◽  
M Ananth Sivanandan ◽  
Claire Diver ◽  
Poulam Patel ◽  
Judith Christian
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Over Time

Background The National Health Service (NHS) Long-Term Plan has set out a vision of enabling patients to access digital interactions with health care professionals within 5 years, including by video link. Objective This review aimed to examine the extent and nature of the use of patient-facing teleconsultations within a health care setting in the United Kingdom and what outcome measures have been assessed. Methods We conducted a systematic scoping review of teleconsultation studies following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched up to the end of December 2018 for publications that reported on the use of patient-facing teleconsultations in a UK health care setting. Results The search retrieved 3132 publications, of which 101 were included for a full review. Overall, the studies were heterogeneous in design, in the specialty assessed, and reported outcome measures. The technology used for teleconsultations changed over time with earlier studies employing bespoke, often expensive, solutions. Two-thirds of the studies, conducted between 1995 and 2005, used this method. Later studies transitioned to Web-based commercial solutions such as Skype. There were five outcome measures that were assessed: (1) technical feasibility, (2) user satisfaction, (3) clinical effectiveness, (4) cost, (5) logistical and operational considerations. Due to the changing nature of technology over time, there were differing technical issues across the studies. Generally, teleconsultations were acceptable to patients, but this was less consistent among health care professionals. However, among both groups, face-to-face consultations were still seen as the gold standard. A wide range of clinical scenarios found teleconsultations to be clinically useful but potentially limited to more straightforward clinical interactions. Due to the wide array of study types and changes in technology over time, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions on the cost involved. However, cost savings for health care providers have been demonstrated by the goal-directed implementation of teleconsultations. The integration of technology into routine practice represents a complex problem with barriers identified in funding and hospital reimbursement, information technologies infrastructure, and integration into clinicians’ workflow. Conclusions Teleconsultations appear to be safe and effective in the correct clinical situations. Where offered, it is likely that patients will be keen to engage, although teleconsultations should only be offered as an option to support traditional care models rather than replace them outright. Health care staff should be encouraged and supported in using teleconsultations to diversify their practice. Health care organizations need to consider developing a digital technology strategy and implementation groups to assist health care staff to integrate digitally enabled care into routine practice. The introduction of new technologies should be assessed after a set period with service evaluations, including feedback from key stakeholders.

scholarly journals Teaching Anatomy to Neuroscientific Health-Care Professionals: Are They Receiving the Best Anatomical Education?

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-45
Author(s):  
Francesco Latini ◽  
Mats Ryttlefors
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Brain Anatomy ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
White Matter Anatomy

Abstract University neuroanatomical courses seldom teach the anatomical-functional connectivity of the brain. White matter dissection improves understanding of brain connectivity, but until now has been restricted to neurosurgeons and in some cases to medical students, never to health-care non-medical professionals. Our aim was to teach white matter anatomy to medical and non-medical students to evaluate this technique in groups with different education. A standardized lab demonstration of white matter anatomy was performed with high appreciation rate in both groups, suggesting a suboptimal neuroanatomical education provided by basic course. We encourage to include this technique of teaching brain anatomy into basic neuroanatomical courses to improve the level of comprehension and competence in all health-care staff within the field of neuroscience.

Understanding communication among health care professionals regarding death and dying in pediatrics

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 387-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne Harrison ◽  
Elana Evan ◽  
Amy Hughes ◽  
Shahram Yazdani ◽  
Myke Federman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Palliative Care Service ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Impending Death

AbstractObjective:Effective communication regarding death and dying in pediatrics is a vital component of any quality palliative care service. The goal of the current study is to understand communication among health care professionals regarding death and dying in children. The three hypotheses tested were: (1) hospital staff (physicians of all disciplines, nurses, and psychosocial clinicians) that utilize consultation services are more comfortable communicating about death and dying than those who do not use such services, (2) different disciplines of health care providers demonstrate varying levels of comfort communicating about a range of areas pertaining to death and dying, and (3) health care staff that have had some type of formal training in death and dying are more comfortable communicating about these issues.Methods:A primary analysis of a survey conducted in a tertiary care teaching children's hospital.Results:Health care professionals who felt comfortable discussing options for end of life care with colleagues also felt more comfortable: initiating a discussion regarding a child's impending death with his/her family (r = 0.42), discussing options for terminal care with a family (r = 0.58), discussing death with families from a variety of ethnic/cultural backgrounds (r = 0.51), guiding parents in developmentally age-appropriate discussions of death with their children (r = 0.43), identifying and seeking advice from a professional role model regarding management concerns (r = 0.40), or interacting with a family following the death of a child (r = 0.51). Among all three disciplines, physicians were more likely to initiate discussions with regards to a child's impending death (F = 13.07; p = 0.007). Health care professionals that received formal grief and bereavement training were more comfortable discussing death.Significance of the results:The results demonstrated that consultation practices are associated with a higher level of comfort in discussing death and dying in pediatrics.

scholarly journals “We are taking every precaution to do our part…”: a comparative analysis of nursing, palliative and hospice care facilities’ websites during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabahat Ölcer ◽  
Mohamed Idris¹ ◽  
Yüce Yilmaz-Aslan ◽  
Patrick Brzoska
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on health care processes. Precautions such as restrictions imposed on visitors and social distancing have led to multiple challenges, particularly in terms of communication. Using the case of nursing, palliative and hospice care facilities in Germany and drawing on agenda-setting theory, the present study aims to shed light on how health care facilities use their websites to inform (potential) health care users about changes in regulations, new protective measures implemented and about recommendations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The websites of nursing, palliative and hospice care facilities in Germany were examined using qualitative document analysis and qualitative content analysis. A total of 138 websites was analysed in the study. The data gathered includes all information about COVID-19 on these websites published from the beginning of March until August 15, 2020. Results Facilities show similarities in adhering to the measures taken by the authorities to restrict the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and to protect vulnerable patients and employees. All facilities urged the public to avoid paying visits to patients in facilities unless there was an emergency; however, visiting procedures in practice varied by types of facilities. For optimal communication, telephone and especially video calls were the options preferred by health care providers and health care users. Facilities made great efforts to prevent emotional stress and to strengthen resilience among all stakeholders. Transparency was adopted by many facilities in order to build the public’s trust. Conclusions The agenda of health care facilities has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sheds light on the strategies developed by facilities, their efforts to increase emotional resilience among health care staff and health care users, the ethical guidelines they have adopted regarding privacy policies as well as how these themes are communicated via the facilities’ websites. The results can inform other health care facilities about how websites can be used as essential communication tools in times of public health crises.

scholarly journals Health Care Staff’s Experiences of Engagement When Introducing a Digital Decision Support System for Wound Management: Qualitative Study

10.2196/23188 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. e23188
Author(s):  
Hanna Wickström ◽  
Hanna Tuvesson ◽  
Rut Öien ◽  
Patrik Midlöv ◽  
Cecilia Fagerström
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Wound Management ◽  
Professional Commitment ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Analysis Process ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Patient Groups

Background eHealth solutions such as digital decision support systems (DDSSs) have the potential to assist collaboration between health care staff to improve matters for specific patient groups. Patients with hard-to-heal ulcers have long healing times because of a lack of guidelines for structured diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Multidisciplinary collaboration in wound management teams is essential. A DDSS could offer a way of aiding improvement within wound management. The introduction of eHealth solutions into health care is complicated, and the engagement of the staff seems crucial. Factors influencing and affecting engagement need to be understood and considered for the introduction of a DDSS to succeed. Objective This study aims to describe health care staff’s experiences of engagement and barriers to and influencers of engagement when introducing a DDSS for wound management. Methods This study uses a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted with 11 health care staff within primary (n=4), community (n=6), and specialist (n=1) care during the start-up of the introduction of a DDSS for wound management. The interviews focused on the staff’s experiences of engagement. Content analysis by Burnard was used in the data analysis process. Results A total of 4 categories emerged describing the participants’ experiences of engagement: a personal liaison, a professional commitment, an extended togetherness, and an awareness and understanding of the circumstances. Conclusions This study identifies barriers to and influencers of engagement, reinforcing that staff experience engagement through feeling a personal liaison and a professional commitment to make things better for their patients. In addition, engagement is nourished by sharing with coworkers and by active support and understanding from leadership.

scholarly journals Building health system responsiveness to noncommunicable diseases for Gweru District adults, Zimbabwe: a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blender Muzvondiwa ◽  
Roy Batterham
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Health Care

PurposeGweru District, Zimbabwe faces a major challenge of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Globally, health systems have not responded successfully to problems in prevention and management of NCDs. Despite numerous initiatives, reorienting health services has been slow in many countries. Gweru District has similar challenges. The purpose of this paper is to explore what the health systems in Zimbabwe have done, and are doing to respond to increasing numbers of NCD cases in adults in the nation, especially in the district of GweruDesign/methodology/approachThe study employed a descriptive narrative review of the academic and grey literature, supplemented by semi-structured key informant interviews with 14 health care staff and 30 adults living with a disease or caring for an adult with a disease in Gweru District.FindingsRespondents identified many limitations to the response in Gweru. Respondents said that screening and diagnosis cease to be helpful when it is difficult securing medications. Nearly all community respondents reported not understanding why they are not freed of the diseases, showing poor understanding of NCDs. The escalating costs and scarcity of medications have led people to lose trust in services. Government and NGO activities include diagnosis and screening, provision of health education and some medication. Health personnel mentioned gaps in transport, medication shortages, poor equipment and poor community engagement. Suggestions include: training of nurses for a greater role in screening and management of NCDs, greater resourcing, outreach activities/satellite clinics and better integration of diverse NCD policies.Research limitations/implicationsParticipant responses were greatly influenced by the current political and economic situation in Zimbabwe, so responses may reflect short-term crises rather than long-term trends.Originality/valueThis research offers an understanding of NCD strategies and their limitations from the bottom-up, lived experience perspective of local health care workers and community members.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document