scholarly journals Community first response and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a qualitative study of the views and experiences of international experts

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e042307
Author(s):  
Eithne Heffernan ◽  
Jenny Mc Sharry ◽  
Andrew Murphy ◽  
Tomás Barry ◽  
Conor Deasy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Response ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
International Experts ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesThis research aimed to examine the perspectives, experiences and practices of international experts in community first response: an intervention that entails the mobilisation of volunteers by the emergency medical services to respond to prehospital medical emergencies, particularly cardiac arrests, in their locality.DesignThis was a qualitative study in which semistructured interviews were conducted via teleconferencing. The data were analysed in accordance with an established thematic analysis procedure.SettingThere were participants from 11 countries: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.ParticipantsSixteen individuals who held academic, clinical or managerial roles in the field of community first response were recruited. Maximum variation sampling targeted individuals who varied in terms of gender, occupation and country of employment. There were eight men and eight women. They included ambulance service chief executives, community first response programme managers and cardiac arrest registry managers.ResultsThe findings provided insights on motivating and supporting community first response volunteers, as well as the impact of this intervention. First, volunteers can be motivated by ‘bottom-up factors’, particularly their characteristics or past experiences, as well as ‘top-down factors’, including culture and legislation. Second, providing ongoing support, especially feedback and psychological services, is considered important for maintaining volunteer well-being and engagement. Third, community first response can have a beneficial impact that extends not only to patients but also to their family, their community and to the volunteers themselves.ConclusionsThe findings can inform the future development of community first response programmes, especially in terms of volunteer recruitment, training and support. The results also have implications for future research by highlighting that this intervention has important outcomes, beyond response times and patient survival, which should be measured, including the benefits for families, communities and volunteers.

scholarly journals The Impact of an Online Happiness Course on Subjective Happiness Among College Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Casey Murdoch Rodowicz ◽  
Laura Morris ◽  
Cara L. Sidman ◽  
Kelsey Beyer
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Happiness ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
The Impact

Background: This research examined the subjective happiness of students enrolled in either a 5-week happiness or a 5-week recreational course, both administered online. Studies have shown improvements in college students’ well-being after teaching them behavior modification strategies, in a face-to-face setting, similar to those implemented in the present study. In addition, the past three decades of research on positive psychology has provided extensive evidence of the beneficial impact of happiness, or positive psychological interventions (PPIs), on various aspects of well-being. These include emotional variables related to stress.Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an evidence-based online happiness course on subjective happiness among college students. Methods: Participants (N = 74) were self-selected based on course enrollment. The population of interest was college students (18 – 22 years of age). An online survey methodology was utilized for data collection of pretest/posttest measures of subjective happiness.Results: Participants in both the happiness and recreational courses reported increased measures of subjective happiness, although there was no significant difference between group meansConclusion: Future research investigating university-based happiness courses and other interventions, using a variety of delivery formats, is recommended to determine the most effective ways to improve overall happiness in student populations.

Abstract 358: Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest and Community First Response: Building Evidence for Policy and Practice

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eithne Heffernan ◽  
Andrew Murphy ◽  
Cathal O'Donnell ◽  
Jacqueline Egan ◽  
Siobhán Masterson
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Social Fragmentation ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
First Response ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of mortality globally. Community First Response (CFR) is an important component of OHCA management in many countries. It entails the mobilisation of volunteers by the Emergency Medical Services to respond to OHCAs in their locality. These volunteers include lay-people and professionals (e.g. nurses, physicians). CFR can increase rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation performed prior to the Emergency Medical Services’ arrival, though its impact on survival and cognitive function requires further study. This research aimed to improve our understanding of CFR, including volunteers’ motives and activities, the association between volunteer location and social fragmentation/deprivation, and the outcomes that should be measured for this intervention. Methods: This mixed-methods project comprises several key stages: systematic review of the CFR literature, interviews with CFR experts from a range of countries (e.g. USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore), a survey of volunteers, and an analysis of Irish ambulance service records. Results: Various factors affect volunteer motivation, such as personality, family history, legislation, and psychological support. Volunteers undertake many activities in addition to responding to OHCAs, including responding to other emergencies (e.g. stroke), raising awareness of OHCA, providing CPR training, and supporting patients’ relatives. Barriers to responding include problems with technology and recruitment. Volunteer location in Ireland does not appear to be influenced by social fragmentation/deprivation. Outcomes that are measured for CFR include response times and survival. Other potentially important outcomes can prove difficult to measure, particularly the benefits for patients’ relatives and communities. Conclusions: This project has implications for CFR research and practice, especially recruiting and supporting volunteers and measuring outcomes. Improving these processes could help to optimise and build evidence for this intervention. Funding has been obtained to extend this project so that the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the CFR evidence base can be examined.

scholarly journals Community intervention strategies to reduce the impact of financial strain and promote financial well-being: a comprehensive rapid review

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Glenn ◽  
Lisa Allen Scott ◽  
Teree Hokanson ◽  
Karla Gustafson ◽  
Melissa A. Stoops ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Impact

Financial well-being describes when people feel able to meet their financial obligations, feel financially secure and are able to make choices that benefit their quality of life. Financial strain occurs when people are unable to pay their bills, feel stressed about money and experience negative impacts on their quality of life and health. In the face of the global economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, community-led approaches are required to address the setting-specific needs of residents and reduce the adverse impacts of widespread financial strain. To encourage evidence-informed best practices, a provincial health authority and community-engaged research centre collaborated to conduct a rapid review. We augmented the rapid review with an environmental scan and interviews. Our data focused on Western Canada and was collected prior to the pandemic (May–September 2019). We identified eight categories of community-led strategies to promote financial well-being: systems navigation and access; financial literacy and skills; emergency financial assistance; asset building; events and attractions; employment and educational support; transportation; and housing. We noted significant gaps in the evidence, including methodological limitations of the included studies (e.g. generalisability, small sample size), a lack of reporting on the mechanisms leading to the outcomes and evaluation of long-term impacts, sparse practice-based data on evaluation methods and outcomes, and limited intervention details in the published literature. Critically, few of the included interventions specifically targeted financial strain and/or well-being. We discuss the implications of these gaps in addition to possibilities and priorities for future research and practice. We also consider the results in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences.

Cognitive Impairment and Length of Stay in Acute Care Hospitals: A Scoping Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Jonathan Plante ◽  
Karine Latulippe ◽  
Edeltraut Kröger ◽  
Dominique Giroux ◽  
Martine Marcotte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older persons experiencing a longer length of stay (LOS) or delayed discharge (DD) may see a decline in their health and well-being, generating significant costs. This review aimed to identify evidence on the impact of cognitive impairment (CI) on acute care hospital LOS/DD. A scoping review of studies examining the association between CI and LOS/DD was performed. We searched six databases; two reviewers independently screened references until November 2019. A narrative synthesis was used to answer the research question; 58 studies were included of which 33 found a positive association between CI and LOS or DD, 8 studies had mixed results, 3 found an inverse relationship, and 14 showed an indirect link between CI-related syndromes and LOS/DD. Thus, cognitive impairment seemed to be frequently associated with increased LOS/DD. Future research should consider CI together with other risks for LOS/DD and also focus on explaining the association between the two.

120 The Experience of Housing Need Amongst Families Caring for Children with Medical Complexity: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e85-e88
Author(s):  
Clara Moore ◽  
Kara Grace Hounsell ◽  
Arielle Zahavi ◽  
Danielle Arje ◽  
Natalie Weiser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Complex Care ◽  
Housing Situation ◽  
Children With Medical Complexity ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Housing Preferences ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Medical Complexity ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Primary Subject area Complex Care Background Caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC) face many financial, social and emotional stressors related to their child’s medical condition(s). Previous research has demonstrated that financial stress among this population can have an impact on their housing situation. Families of CMC may face other unique housing challenges such as disability accommodations in the home and housing space and layout. Objectives The primary aim of this study was to explore families’ perspectives and experiences of housing need, and its relationship to their child’s health status as it pertains to CMC. Design/Methods We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to identify themes surrounding families of CMC’s experiences of housing need. Parents of CMC were recruited through purposive sampling from the Complex Care Program at a tertiary pediatric health sciences centre. Recruitment ceased when thematic saturation was reached, as determined by consensus of the research team. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Twenty parents completed the interview, of whom 89% were mothers and 42% identified a non-English language as their first language. Two major themes and five subthemes (in parentheses) were identified: 1) the impact of health on housing (housing preferences, housing possibilities, housing outcome as a trade-off) and 2) the impact of housing on health (health of the caregiver, health of the child). Some parents reported that their child’s medical needs resulted in specific preferences regarding the location and layout of their home. Parents also indicated that their caregiving role often affected their income and home ownership status, which in turn, affected their housing possibilities. Thus, the housing situation (location and layout of the home) was often the result of a trade-off between the parent’s housing preferences and possibilities. Conclusion Housing is a recognized social determinant of health. We found that among CMC, health also appears to be a significant determinant of housing as families reported that the health of their child impacted their housing preferences and the options available to them (possibilities). To support the health of CMC and their families, policies targeting improved access to subsidized housing, improved sources of funding and regulations allowing families who rent to make accessibility changes are vital. Future research should investigate the impact of household income on housing need and identify interventions to support appropriate housing for CMC.

The Work-Life Balancing Act

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Dhruva Pathak ◽  
Vijayakumar Bharathi S. ◽  
Padma Mala E.
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personal Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
New Ways Of Working ◽  
Professional Attitude ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The Impact

The study investigated the impact of mandatory work from home due COVID-19 on personal and professional lives of people with different demographics. Statistical analysis of an online survey data (N=237) reveals that the impact on personal life dimensions—healthy lifestyle, family bonding, and physical stress—does not differ across people within different demographics. However, impact on emotional well-being is sensitive to gender and industry groups. Family size is also an important demographic factor impacted upon personal life dimensions. Professional dimensions related to work productivity and adopting new ways of working does not differ across demographics except for occupational role. Dimensions related to new skill development and change in professional attitude does differ across occupational roles. The study concludes by stating future research directions for mandatory work from home situation, and prescription to post-COVID-19 strategies for organizations.

scholarly journals Exploring the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education: an international cross-sectional study of medical learners

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Brown ◽  
Aliya Kassam ◽  
Mike Paget ◽  
Kenneth Blades ◽  
Megan Mercia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World ◽  
Geographic Regions ◽  
The Impact

Background: The evidence surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on medical learners remains anecdotal and highly speculative despite the anticipated impact and potential consequences of the current pandemic on medical training. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent that COVID-19 initially impacted medical learners around the world and examine global trends and patterns across geographic regions and levels of training. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of medical learners was conducted between March 25–June 14, 2020, shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Results: 6492 learners completed the survey from 140 countries. Most medical schools removed learners from the clinical environment and adopted online learning, but students reported concerns about the quality of their learning, training progression, and milestone fulfillment. Residents reported they could be better utilized and expressed concerns about their career timeline. Trainees generally felt under-utilized and wanted to be engaged clinically in meaningful ways; however, some felt that contributing to healthcare during a pandemic was beyond the scope of a learner. Significant differences were detected between levels of training and geographic regions for satisfaction with organizational responses as well as the impact of COVID-19 learner wellness and state-trait anxiety. Conclusions: The disruption to the status quo of medical education is perceived by learners across all levels and geographic regions to have negatively affected their training and well-being, particularly amongst postgraduate trainees. These results provide initial empirical insights into the areas that warrant future research as well as consideration for current and future policy planning.

scholarly journals Shame Mediates the Relationship Between Pain Invalidation and Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon L. Boring ◽  
Kaitlyn T. Walsh ◽  
Namrata Nanavaty ◽  
Vani A. Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Internalized Shame ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The experience of pain is subjective, yet many people have their pain invalidated or not believed. Pain invalidation is associated with poor mental health, including depression and lower well-being. Qualitative investigations of invalidating experiences identify themes of depression, but also social withdrawal, self-criticism, and lower self-worth, all of which are core components of shame. Despite this, no studies have quantitatively assessed the interrelationship between pain invalidation, shame, and depression. To explore this relationship, participants recounted the frequency of experienced pain invalidation from family, friends, and medical professionals, as well as their feelings of internalized shame and depressive symptoms. As shame has been shown to be a precursor for depression, we further explored the role of shame as a mediator between pain invalidation and depressive symptoms. All sources of pain invalidation were positively associated with shame and depressive symptoms, and shame fully mediated the relationship between each source of pain invalidation and depression. Relative to other sources, pain invalidation from family was most closely tied to shame and depression. Overall, findings indicate that one mechanism by which pain invalidation may facilitate depression is via the experience of shame. Future research may explore shame as a potential upstream precursor to depression in the context of pain. Findings provide more insight into the harmful influence of pain invalidation on mental health and highlight the impact of interpersonal treatment on the experiences of people in pain.

Cognitively Based Compassion Training

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Mascaro ◽  
Lobsang Tenzin Negi ◽  
Charles L. Raison
Keyword(s):  
Immune Function ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stress Physiology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Initial Research

Recent research has examined the beneficial impact of kindness-based meditation practices, including cognitively-based compassion training (CBCT). Here we provide a theoretical and practical account of CBCT and review the emerging evidence that it affects the brain and body in ways that are relevant for health. Initial research demonstrated that CBCT alters immune function and stress physiology, and augments empathy as well as the neural activity supporting it. More recent studies indicate that CBCT is differentially effective, depending on the population that practices. We suggest directions for future research to best examine the apparently complex effects of CBCT on health and well-being.

Working in a prison: Challenges, rewards, and the impact on mental health and well-being

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Dennard ◽  
Derek K. Tracy ◽  
Aaron Beeney ◽  
Laura Craster ◽  
Fiona Bailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Staff Support ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Driven Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Prisons are uniquely challenging working environments. Staff are often exposed to direct and indirect trauma, impacting negatively on their mental well-being. Due to the limited research into prison staff experience, this paper aims to explore what staff find most challenging, how they cope, what support they would like and rewarding aspects of their work. Design/methodology/approach This service development project was facilitated through a staff well-being event. A qualitative approach was used and 74 staff members provided anonymised responses. An inductive and data-driven approach was used to analyse the data, and the trustworthiness of the analysis was considered using criteria established by Lincoln and Guba (1985). Findings Thematic analysis identified six themes, namely, the challenging nature of the work, interactions with prisoners, staff interactions, inadequate resources, staff support and development and coping strategies. Key findings include managing distress, self-harm and violence and limited resources presenting challenges. Role variety and opportunities to support prisoners were reported as positive. A variety of coping strategies were identified. Wider availability of supervision and reflective practice was suggested by staff. Practical implications Recommendations for increased staff support are made. Suggestions for future research investigating methods to increase rewarding aspects of work within prisons are given. Originality/value This analysis adds to the limited body of qualitative research investigating prison staff experiences; in particular, aspects of the work that they find rewarding such as the role variety and opportunities to make positive changes to prisoners’ lives. Novel coping strategies were identified, including cognitive reframing and behavioural strategies for managing stress, which could be encouraged to increase resilience.

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