scholarly journals Psychiatry peer review groups in Australia: a mixed-methods exploration of structure and function

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e040039
Author(s):  
Jeanette Lancaster ◽  
Shirley Prager ◽  
Louise Nash ◽  
Aspasia Karageorge
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Group Structure ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Professional Stress ◽  
Stress Study ◽  
And Function ◽  
Peer Review Groups

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine Australian psychiatrists’ experience of participation in a small group learning format of continuing professional development, known as peer review groups (PRGs), with a particular emphasis on group structure and functions.MethodAn exploratory mixed-methods study comprising a survey (n=77) and semistructured interviews (n=6) with Australian psychiatrists participating in a PRG in the previous 12 months.ResultsQualitative findings indicate that PRGs address experiential learning through a focus on both breadth and specificity of work, as well as participants’ experiences. Participants described using PRGs as a forum to manage difficult and complex work (through critiquing work, learning from one another, considering theory and guidelines, benchmarking, validating, reflecting and generalising learning) and to manage stress and well-being associated with crises, everyday stress and professional isolation. Particular structural aspects of PRGs considered essential to achieve these functions were self-selection of members, self-direction of meeting content and provision of a safe environment. These findings were convergent with the quantitative findings from scale survey data. Difficulties experienced during PRG participation are also described.ConclusionQualitative and quantitative findings from psychiatry PRGs demonstrate how practice-based professional experience functions as both a source of learning and of collegial connection that contributes to well-being and reduction in professional stress. Study limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Group Peer Review in Psychiatry: The Relationship to Quality Improvement and Quality Care

1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 653-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Balla ◽  
Barbara Knothe ◽  
Jeanette Lancaster ◽  
Shirley Prager ◽  
Josephine Beatson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Peer Review Groups

Objective: This study sought to elucidate the contribution of peer review groups involving psychiatrists to quality improvement and quality care. Method: Audio-taped interviews of groups engaged in peer review were analysed using a qualitative methodology. Participants' views of the ways in which they experienced and conceptualised peer review were explored. Results: The views of participants in peer review groups were analysed, and categories evolved which identified differences in how they perceived the structure and function of group peer review. Conclusions: Participants in the groups studied perceived peer review as a professional growth forum within a quality improvement framework providing critical review of treatment, continuing education, and a sense of collegiality. Boundaries of acceptable practice were tested and defined. At its best, participation in peer review groups enhanced reflective practice which achieved new understandings of clinical work. In this regard, peer review is seen as a highly desirable method for the maintenance of professional standards.

Resilience and spirituality: a mixed methods exploration of executive stress

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte D. Shelton ◽  
Sascha Hein ◽  
Kelly A. Phipps
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Human Resource Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Explanatory Sequential Design

Purpose The purpose of this mixed methods research study was to explore the relationships between spirituality, leader resiliency and life satisfaction/well-being. Design/methodology/approach Using an explanatory sequential design, the authors tested three research hypotheses to explore the relationships between the participants’ spiritual practices and level of resiliency, life satisfaction and sense of well-being. Data were collected from 101 executive MBA alumni of a US-based university. Following the quantitative analysis of the survey results, interviews were conducted with 25 executives who scored high in the frequency of spiritual practice to further explore how they applied their spirituality in stressful work situations. Findings The results found positive relationships between spirituality, resilience and overall life satisfaction. Participants who engaged in meditative practices had a significantly higher overall resilience score than non-meditators. Research limitations/implications Key limitations are sample size and the risk of common method variance. Though numerous procedural steps were taken to control for these issues, future research with a larger and more diverse sample is needed. Practical implications Organizational stress is pervasive and executive burnout is a risk factor for leaders and their organizations. This research offers practical suggestions for ways that human resource managers and organization development practitioners can provide prevention resources to their executives. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature by providing support for mindfulness/meditation training for executives. It also demonstrates the value of mixed methods research for a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of the participants.

Where do Peer Review Groups fit in the international Continuing Professional Development literature?

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 651-654
Author(s):  
Aspasia Karageorge ◽  
Jeanette Lancaster ◽  
Shirley Prager ◽  
Louise Nash
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Group Learning ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Small Group Learning ◽  
Development Literature ◽  
Peer Review Groups

Objectives: To describe what is reported in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) literature on small group learning formats in medicine, including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) CPD Peer Review Groups (PRGs). Method: A literature review of international peer-reviewed publications in relation to the use of small group learning formats for CPD in medicine. Results: Small groups are commonly used as a learning format in medical CPD, primarily in general practice, but are little researched. Such groups take differing forms and they are valued by participants for a range of purposes, having effects on professionalism, clinical performance and doctors’ wellbeing. Conclusion: We believe that the contribution of these groups to medical CPD should be further explored. To this end, this review forms the first part of a research project focussing on the RANZCP PRG model used by Australian and New Zealand psychiatrists.

scholarly journals A Mixed Methods Exploration of Surf Therapy Piloted for Youth Well-Being in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6267
Author(s):  
Jamie Marshall ◽  
Sallu Kamuskay ◽  
Michaella Margaedah Samai ◽  
Isha Marah ◽  
Fanta Tonkara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Sport For Development ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Negative Effect

Young people in post-conflict and post-epidemic contexts such as Sierra Leone face a range of mental health challenges as part of their daily life. An innovative approach to Sport for Development that could offer support to youth mental health is surf therapy. This research used an uncontrolled mixed methods approach to explore surf therapy pilots run by five youth-focused and community development organizations around Freetown. Four sites provided useable pre/post data using the Stirling Children’s Well-Being Scale (n = 58, average age = 12.9). Three sites were associated with significant (p < 0.017) large effects (r = 0.65–0.84) on participant well-being. One site was associated with a non-significant (p < 0.380) small negative effect (r = −0.22). A synthesis of qualitative data within the five evaluations triangulated with quantitative findings and provided important context in terms of challenges to service delivery. This included low attendance as a plausible mediator for why one site saw very different results than other sites. Combined, these processes highlight the need for future research exploring possible dose-response relationships in surf therapy. This study also provides a foundation for more rigorous research in the future. These promising findings support continued and optimized delivery of surf therapy in Sierra Leone to support youth mental health.

scholarly journals Neighborhood Attributes and Well-Being Among Older Adults in Urban Areas: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 016402752199998
Author(s):  
Miguel Padeiro ◽  
José de São José ◽  
Carla Amado ◽  
Liliana Sousa ◽  
Carla Roma Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Neighborhoods ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Robust Evidence

Expanding urbanization rates have engendered increasing research examining linkages between urban environments and older adults’ well-being. This mixed-methods systematic review synthesizes the evidence for the influence of urban neighborhoods’ attributes on older adults’ well-being. We searched for literature published up to December 2020 across six databases and performed quality assessment and thematic analysis. The results, based on 39 identified studies, showed that natural areas in neighborhoods and a sense of community are the attributes most often associated with positive effects on well-being. Transit-related variables, urban furniture, and access to healthcare are also positively related to well-being. Neighborhoods may promote well-being more effectively when these elements are considered. However, almost half of the studies did not include all environmental dimensions simultaneously, and self-reported instruments were largely preferred over more objective assessments of the environment. Future research should thus holistically examine physical, social, and service-related attributes to produce more robust evidence.

scholarly journals Exploring the Dynamic Interplay Between Foreign Language Enjoyment and Learner Engagement With Regard to EFL Achievement and Absenteeism: A Sequential Mixed Methods Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunxian Guo
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Learner Engagement ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods

Scholarly attention to the feeling of enjoyment experienced in second language acquisition (SLA) has sharply increased in the past 5 years owing to its positive effect on facilitating academic outcomes as well as promoting language learners' well-being. This sequential mixed methods study aims to examine the interplay between Foreign language enjoyment (FLE) and learner engagement (LE) as well as their combined effects on participants' EFL achievement and absenteeism. To this end, we administrated a questionnaire containing the adapted FLE Scale and the four-aspect engagement inventory among 707 Chinese university students and a semi-structured interview among 28 of them. Statistical analysis revealed that FLE was highly and positively correlated with LE, and the causal relationship between the two constructs was reciprocal. Furthermore, both FLE and LE had low correlations with participants' academic achievements, but no significant correlation was found between FLE or LE and absenteeism. However, a higher level of FLE-social was associated with a lower level of absenteeism. Finally, no gender differences were found either in the level FLE or in that of LE. The thematic analysis indicated that FLE was subject substantially to teacher-related variables and the second most significant attractor of FLE was FLE-self. Analysis of the trends of LE indicated that Chinese EFL learners preferred to engage themselves in their English study more emotionally, behaviorally, and cognitively than agentically. Pedagogical implications of the findings for EFL practitioners are also discussed, and suggestions for future research are offered.

scholarly journals Factors and Functions Associated With Health and Well-Being Among Older Adults: Evidence From NHATS

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 196-196
Author(s):  
Loretta Anderson ◽  
Alexandra Wennberg ◽  
Allison Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Profiles ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
And Function ◽  
Role Engagement

Abstract The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) is a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older. From 2011 through 2020, annual in-person interviews have collected data in many areas, including health, environment, wellbeing, cognition, and function. With a decade of follow-up, including replenishment samples, NHATS is an ideal setting to investigate trends and trajectories of aging. Aging is heterogeneous and understanding the myriad of factors and functions that impact health and wellbeing is critical to developing interventions and care to promote health and wellbeing. Considering a multifactorial, wholistic approach to aging will provide a deeper understanding to create an impact. This symposium features pivotal research conducted using NHATS data, while highlighting overall strengths of the dataset for future research. The first presentation of this symposium investigates the factors that define cognitive profiles associated with dementia diagnosis over a period of five years. The second presentation investigates the role engagement in personally meaningful activities play in cognitive, emotional, functional, and health-related outcomes in older adults. The third presentation investigates the association between sleep medication use and fall risk among older adults with and without dementia. The session concludes with an investigation of end-of-life communication in persons with dementia and hearing impairment.

Parasite defense mechanisms in bees: behavior, immunity, antimicrobials, and symbionts

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison E. Fowler ◽  
Rebecca E. Irwin ◽  
Lynn S. Adler
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Immune Priming ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Bee Health ◽  
Landscape Scales ◽  
And Function ◽  
Solitary Species

Parasites are linked to the decline of some bee populations; thus, understanding defense mechanisms has important implications for bee health. Recent advances have improved our understanding of factors mediating bee health ranging from molecular to landscape scales, but often as disparate literatures. Here, we bring together these fields and summarize our current understanding of bee defense mechanisms including immunity, immunization, and transgenerational immune priming in social and solitary species. Additionally, the characterization of microbial diversity and function in some bee taxa has shed light on the importance of microbes for bee health, but we lack information that links microbial communities to parasite infection in most bee species. Studies are beginning to identify how bee defense mechanisms are affected by stressors such as poor-quality diets and pesticides, but further research on this topic is needed. We discuss how integrating research on host traits, microbial partners, and nutrition, as well as improving our knowledge base on wild and semi-social bees, will help inform future research, conservation efforts, and management.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document