scholarly journals Promoting leadership and quality improvement through external inspections of management of sepsis in Norwegian hospitals: a focus group study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e041997
Author(s):  
Gunnar Husabø ◽  
Inger Lise Teig ◽  
Jan C Frich ◽  
Gunnar Tschudi Bondevik ◽  
Einar Hovlid
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
External Assessment ◽  
Professional Credibility ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Hospital Emergency Departments

ObjectiveInspections and other forms of external assessment may contribute to positive changes in the health services, but the mechanisms of such change remain unclear. We did a study to explore how external inspections may foster clinical improvement in hospitals.DesignFocus group study.SettingStatutory inspections of sepsis treatment in hospital emergency departments in Norway.ParticipantsClinicians, managers and inspection teams involved with the inspections of sepsis treatment in emergency departments at four different hospitals. Twelve focus group interviews were carried out, with a total of 47 participants.ResultsThree themes emerged as central for understanding how the inspections could contribute to clinical improvement in the emergency departments: (1) increasing awareness about the need to improve the quality of care by providing data on clinical performance, (2) building acceptance for improvement through professional credibility and focus on clinical practice, and (3) fostering leadership commitment.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the inspections have the potential to enhance hospital management and staff’s understanding of complicated care processes and help strengthen the organisational commitment to bring about systemic quality improvements.

What’s in it for me? Food packaging and consumer responses, a focus group study

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 1122-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik Fernqvist ◽  
Annika Olsson ◽  
Sara Spendrup
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Consumer Benefits ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer views on different aspects of packaging, exemplified by a common product in the fruit and vegetable category and to identify advantages and disadvantages perceived by consumers purchasing packaged or unpackaged products. Design/methodology/approach – Three focus group interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis based on theory was performed. The findings were categorised into nine themes. Findings – Consumer views on packaging aspects were revealed, covering: packaging material; pack size; protection and preservation; convenience; price; communication and information; ethical perspectives; novelty and innovation; and advantages and disadvantages of packaged and unpackaged products. Research limitations/implications – The study adds to present knowledge on the role of packaging in consumers’ food choices. The qualitative analysis identified areas for further research through quantitative methods. Practical implications – Challenges in communicating the consumer benefits of packaging and ways to improve the attractiveness of items in the fresh produce category were identified. The results can potentially assist in improving food packaging design practice to the mutual benefit of consumers and suppliers. Originality/value – Fruit and vegetables is generally a category with weak branding and low levels of packaging. This study examined the role of packaging in a category with substantial opportunities for differentiation and increasing consumer value. The results can be applied in immediate practice and/or serve as a basis for further research.

Independent medical evaluation for sick-listed workers in Norway: A focus group study of the experience of IME doctors

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aase Aamland ◽  
Irene Øyeflaten ◽  
Silje Maeland
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Medical Evaluation ◽  
Independent Medical Evaluation ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Norwegian politicians have proposed the use of an independent medical evaluation (IME) as a possible solution for reducing long-term sick leave. The use of an IME implies that a new doctor interferes in the relationship between sick-listed workers and their general practitioner (GP). The aim of the current study was to explore experiences of IME doctors from an ongoing randomized controlled trial (the NIME trial evaluating the effect of IME in Norway). Methods: Two focus group interviews were conducted with eight of the nine IME doctors employed in the NIME trial. The discussions were audio-taped and transcribed. Systematic text condensation was used for analysis. Results: The participants reported that the IME provides important second opinions, which they felt empowered the sick-listed workers and provided new insights into their condition. Beneficial IME working conditions and enhanced insight into different sick leave measures were crucial to this perceived usefulness. Some of the participants expressed disappointment with GPs acting as passive conductors and struggled to provide feedback politely. Some adjustments were proposed as necessary for the IME to be implemented nationwide. Conclusions: The participants seemed to have gained a different stakeholder identity by sometimes seeing GPs, their peers, as obstacles to return to work and welcomed the use of IME on a regular basis.

scholarly journals Strengthening research integrity: which topic areas should organisations focus on?

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads P. Sørensen ◽  
Tine Ravn ◽  
Ana Marušić ◽  
Andrea Reyes Elizondo ◽  
Panagiotis Kavouras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Research Integrity ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Technical Science ◽  
Scientific Fraud ◽  
Questionable Research Practices ◽  
Group Interviews

AbstractThe widespread problems with scientific fraud, questionable research practices, and the reliability of scientific results have led to an increased focus on research integrity (RI). International organisations and networks have been established, declarations have been issued, and codes of conducts have been formed. The abstract principles of these documents are now also being translated into concrete topic areas that Research Performing organisations (RPOs) and Research Funding organisations (RFOs) should focus on. However, so far, we know very little about disciplinary differences in the need for RI support from RPOs and RFOs. The paper attempts to fill this knowledge gap. It reports on a comprehensive focus group study with 30 focus group interviews carried out in eight different countries across Europe focusing on the following research question: “Which RI topics would researchers and stakeholders from the four main areas of research (humanities, social science, natural science incl. technical science, and medical science incl. biomedicine) prioritise for RPOs and RFOs?” The paper reports on the results of these focus group interviews and gives an overview of the priorities of the four main areas of research. The paper ends with six policy recommendations and a reflection on how the results of the study can be used in RPOs and RFOs.

scholarly journals Den familiære relasjonens betydning for pårørendes behov i møte med helsetjenesten

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Hanssen ◽  
Rita Sommerseth
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Informal Carer ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Family Relation ◽  
Professional Health ◽  
Informal Carers ◽  
Group Interviews

<p>The Significance of Family relations to Informal Carers’ Needs in interaction with Health Services</p><p>This article is based on a study aiming to explore informal carers’ needs and experiences in their contact with health services. The study was accomplished in 2011 and consisted of two sub-studies: a survey addressing informal carers in general and a focus-group study, where the participants were informal carers to one or more family members. In this article, the qualitative data from both studies are emphasised: the open written statements in the questionnaires and the focus-group interviews. The results show a similarity in informal carers’ needs and experiences independent of the patients’ diagnoses. However, we find that the needs are related to the family relation between the informal carer and patient. Particularly, there is a difference between the needs of those who are informal carers to their partner and those who care for their own parent(s) or grown children. The value of informal carers’ support also is clearly pointed out in the results. Our findings highlight the importance of professional health workers paying attention to both the informal carer and the patient, individually as well as relationally.</p>

scholarly journals Researchers’ Perceptions of a Responsible Research Climate: A Multi Focus Group Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 3017-3036
Author(s):  
Tamarinde Haven ◽  
H. Roeline Pasman ◽  
Guy Widdershoven ◽  
Lex Bouter ◽  
Joeri Tijdink
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Codes Of Conduct ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Research Climate ◽  
Evaluation Policies ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Responsible Research

AbstractThe research climate plays a key role in fostering integrity in research. However, little is known about what constitutes a responsible research climate. We investigated academic researchers’ perceptions on this through focus group interviews. We recruited researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Amsterdam University Medical Center to participate in focus group discussions that consisted of researchers from similar academic ranks and disciplinary fields. We asked participants to reflect on the characteristics of a responsible research climate, the barriers they perceived and which interventions they thought fruitful to improve the research climate. Discussions were recorded and transcribed at verbatim. We used inductive content analysis to analyse the focus group transcripts. We conducted 12 focus groups with 61 researchers in total. We identified fair evaluation, openness, sufficient time, integrity, trust and freedom to be mentioned as important characteristics of a responsible research climate. Main perceived barriers were lack of support, unfair evaluation policies, normalization of overwork and insufficient supervision of early career researchers. Possible interventions suggested by the participants centered around improving support, discussing expectations and improving the quality of supervision. Some of the elements of a responsible research climate identified by participants are reflected in national and international codes of conduct, such as trust and openness. Although it may seem hard to change the research climate, we believe that the realisation that the research climate is suboptimal should provide the impetus for change informed by researchers’ experiences and opinions.

Making Research More Ethical for Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 173-184
Author(s):  
John Aspler
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

In this chapter, the author reflects on challenges associated with conducting focus group interviews with adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)—a complex neurodevelopmental disability caused by alcohol exposure in utero. Given the heterogeneity of this diagnosis, people with FASD have different strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, for effective and ethical research inclusion, each person with FASD may need unique accommodations, which can help to both minimize concerns about unjust research exclusion and mitigate sources of vulnerability. To explore these issues, the author describes the focus group study, presents anticipated risks and challenges, explores critical stakeholder feedback, and addresses ethical tensions arising from the resulting protocol adjustments. This chapter demonstrates the importance of researchers remaining open to criticism and being willing to work through their moral discomfort.

Perceptions of tourism-related non-governmental organization (NGO) managers in Antalya

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 594-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onur Akbulut ◽  
Yakin Ekin
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions of tourism-related non-governmental organization (NGO) managers on overtourism trends in Antalya, Turkey. Design/methodology/approach Focus group study was implemented and three focus group interviews were undertaken with 34 NGO managers in total as a sample. The population of the research consisted of 65 tourism-related NGO managers in Antalya. Findings The results of the research reveal that Antalya was perceived as neither in a tourism development stage nor afflicted by overtourism by NGO managers. NGOs are one of the major stakeholders in the tourism industry, and hence their perceptions of overtourism would probably be the stimulating force for further sustainable development in the destination. Research limitations/implications The limitation is that the research was realized voluntarily by 34 NGOs in Antalya. It would have been better to have more volunteer respondents. Practical implications The viewpoints of stakeholders about their perceptions of tourism development in Antalya would be a helpful next step to refer back to practitioners so as to develop further strategic plans from their perspectives. Social implications As social exchange theory states, communities benefiting from tourism development will support further improvement in tourism. Hence, in their role as spokespersons for the community, the perceptions of NGOs will influence decision-makers to draw implications from the study for wider consideration. Originality/value As a consequence, a model was proposed according to the results of the research. The findings of the research paper highlight the evolution of high-flow tourism in the destination.

scholarly journals Coping Processes of Patients with Ostomies in South Korea: A Focus Group Study

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Heesook Son ◽  
Youngmi Kang
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Coping Process ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Negative Coping ◽  
Group Interviews

Despite the adverse effects of negative coping after receiving a stoma, there is a lack of information on how patients cope with ostomies and on their families’ experiences throughout the coping process. We aimed to explore the coping experiences of individuals with ostomies throughout their illness, applying the Corbin and Strauss Chronic Illness Trajectory Framework, using exploratory qualitative methods involving focus group interviews. Purposive sampling was utilized to recruit 19 participants (split across three groups) through an ostomy association in South Korea. Two focus group interviews were separately conducted from March through to May 2017 until data saturation was achieved. Using qualitative content analysis, we analyzed the transcribed interviews and identified words and themes to interpret the results. The coping experiences of patients with ostomies were expressed through three interrelated themes: struggling and suffering, learning how to live with ostomy, and living with ostomy. We found gender differences in spousal support and a struggle among older patients regarding social coping. The themes identified suggest that gender should be considered when designing interventions to help patients cope with ostomies.

scholarly journals Perception survey on the introduction of clinical performance examination as part of the national nursing licensing examination in Korea

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Su Jin Shin ◽  
Yeong Kyeong Kim ◽  
Soon-Rim Suh ◽  
Duk Yoo Jung ◽  
Yunju Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Licensing Examination ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
A Performance

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze opinions about the action plan for implementation of clinical performance exam as part of the national nursing licensing examination and presents the expected effects of the performance exam and aspects to consider regarding its implementation.Methods: This study used a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected by a questionnaire survey, while qualitative data were collected by focus group interviews with experts. The survey targeted 200 nursing professors and clinical nurses with more than 5 years of work experience, and the focus group interviews were conducted with 28 of professors, clinical instructors, and nurses at hospitals.Results: First, nursing professors and clinical specialists agreed that the current written tests have limitations in evaluating examinees’ ability, and that the introduction of a clinical performance exam will yield positive results. Clinical performance exam is necessary to evaluate and improve nurses’ work ability, which means that the implementation of a performance exam is advisable if its credibility and validity can be verified. Second, most respondents chose direct performance exams using simulators or standardized patients as the most suitable format of the test.Conclusion: In conclusion, the current national nursing licensing exam is somewhat limited in its ability to identify competent nurses. Thus, the time has come for us to seriously consider the introduction of a performance exam. The prerequisites for successfully implementing clinical performance exam as part of the national nursing licensing exam are a professional training process and forming a consortium to standardize practical training.

scholarly journals Healthcare professionals’ experience of using in situ simulation training in preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative focus group study from a Danish hospital

BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e056599
Author(s):  
Joachim Juelsgaard ◽  
Bo Løfgren ◽  
Neel Toxvig ◽  
Gitte Valsted Eriksen ◽  
Lotte Ebdrup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Educational Activity ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
In Situ Simulation ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Simulation Task

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic forced hospital organisation and healthcare professionals to prepare for large quantities of patients in isolation rooms. In situ simulation may seem promising in order to manage the organisational changes that the pandemic require. This study aims to investigate in situ simulations influence on healthcare professional’s self-perceived preparedness to face the pandemic.DesignA qualitative focus group study.SettingWe conducted full scale in situ simulations over a 3-week period in April 2020, including 277 healthcare professionals, at a Danish University Hospital. Subsequently, six semistructured focus group interviews, including 22 participants from the simulations, were conducted in May 2020.Participants22 healthcare professionals participated in the focus group interviews.MethodsThe simulations consisted of a briefing, two scenarios focusing on acute respiratory insufficiency and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and a debriefing. We conducted six focus group interviews using comparable semistructured interview guides focusing on the organisational restructuring of the departments and outcomes of the needs-driven simulation-based programme. We used thematic analysis to identify main themes.ResultsThe informants perceived that the simulations resulted in positive experiences for the healthcare professionals and perceived the organisational changes as effective. They highlighted that simulation enhanced teamwork, demystified the COVID-19 disease, and improved skills, in correct use of PPE and acute treatment of COVID-19 patients. Data revealed that a predefined simulation task force including both experienced simulators and medical experts for facilitation of in situ simulation would be beneficial.ConclusionIn situ simulation may be useful to enhance learning on organisation and individual level during a pandemic. This educational activity could serve an important role in facilitating hospital preparation and education of large numbers of healthcare professionals during a healthcare crisis. Introduction of a simulation task force is suggested to handle coordination and rapid enrolment across the hospital.

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