scholarly journals Codesigning consumer engagement strategies with ethnic minority consumers in Australian cancer services: the CanEngage Project protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e048389
Author(s):  
Reema Harrison ◽  
Merrilyn Walton ◽  
Elizabeth Manias ◽  
Carlene Wilson ◽  
Afaf Girgis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Cancer Service ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Human Research Ethics ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Engagement Interventions ◽  
Healthcare Associated

IntroductionConsumer engagement is central to high-quality cancer service delivery and is a recognised strategy to minimise healthcare-associated harm. Strategies developed to enhance consumer engagement specifically in relation to preventing healthcare harm include questioning health professionals, raising concerns about possible mistakes or risks in care and encouraging patients and caregivers to report suspected errors. Patients from ethnic minority backgrounds are particularly vulnerable to unsafe care, but current engagement strategies have not been developed specifically for (and with) this population. Using an adapted approach to experience-based codesign (EBCD) to support the target population, the aim of the project is to codesign consumer engagement interventions to increase consumer engagement and safety in New South Wales and Victorian cancer inpatient, outpatient and day procedure services.Methods and analysisA mixed-method project will be undertaken at six study sites. Our EBCD approach includes a preparatory phase in which we will provide training and support to the codesign participants, in addition to recruiting and training consumer cofacilitators for the codesign workshops. The project will follow the EBCD process of gathering and synthesising observational data from each cancer service, with interview data from consumers and staff. With the resulting in-depth understanding of the safety threats commonly experienced by ethnic minority consumers in each site, we will work through feedback events and codesign groups with consumers and staff to determine how they can be more involved with their care to minimise the potential for patient harm. Consumer engagement interventions will be coproduced in each of the six participating services that are tailored to the ethnic minority populations served.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained from the Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee. The project will provide strategies for ethnic minority consumers to engage with cancer services to minimise healthcare-associated harm that may be applied to diverse healthcare settings.

Derivation of Respiratory Metrics in Health and Asthma; Machine Learning Methodology (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Prinable ◽  
Peter Jones ◽  
David Boland ◽  
Alistair McEwan ◽  
Cindy Thamrin
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Reference Signal ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Training Dataset ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Human Research Ethics ◽  
Expiration Time ◽  
Wide Variability

BACKGROUND The ability to continuously monitor breathing metrics may have indications for general health as well as respiratory conditions such as asthma. However, few studies have focused on breathing due to a lack of available wearable technologies. OBJECTIVE Examine the performance of two machine learning algorithms in extracting breathing metrics from a finger-based pulse oximeter, which is amenable to long-term monitoring. METHODS Pulse oximetry data was collected from 11 healthy and 11 asthma subjects who breathed at a range of controlled respiratory rates. UNET and Long Short-Term memory (LSTM) algorithms were applied to the data, and results compared against breathing metrics derived from respiratory inductance plethysmography measured simultaneously as a reference. RESULTS The UNET vs LSTM model provided breathing metrics which were strongly correlated with those from the reference signal (all p<0.001, except for inspiratory:expiratory ratio). The following relative mean bias(95% confidence interval) were observed: inspiration time 1.89(-52.95, 56.74)% vs 1.30(-52.15, 54.74)%, expiration time -3.70(-55.21, 47.80)% vs -4.97(-56.84, 46.89)%, inspiratory:expiratory ratio -4.65(-87.18, 77.88)% vs -5.30(-87.07, 76.47)%, inter-breath intervals -2.39(-32.76, 27.97)% vs -3.16(-33.69, 27.36)%, and respiratory rate 2.99(-27.04 to 33.02)% vs 3.69(-27.17 to 34.56)%. CONCLUSIONS Both machine learning models show strongly correlation and good comparability with reference, with low bias though wide variability for deriving breathing metrics in asthma and health cohorts. Future efforts should focus on improvement of performance of these models, e.g. by increasing the size of the training dataset at the lower breathing rates. CLINICALTRIAL Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (#LNR\16\HAWKE99 ethics approval).

scholarly journals 868. Investigations of Healthcare-Associated Elizabethkingia Infections – United States, 2013-2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S472-S472
Author(s):  
Matthew B Crist ◽  
John R McQuiston ◽  
Maroya Spalding Walters ◽  
Elizabeth Soda ◽  
Heather Moulton-Meissner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Patient Exposure ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Water Management Plans ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Ventilated Patients

Abstract Background Elizabethkingia (EK) are non-motile gram-negative rods found in soil and water and are an emerging cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We describe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consultations for healthcare-associated EK infections and outbreaks. Methods CDC maintains records of consultations with state or local health departments related to HAI outbreaks and infection control breaches. We reviewed consultations involving EK species as the primary pathogen of concern January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019 and summarized data on healthcare settings, infection types, laboratory analysis, and control measures. Results We identified 9 consultations among 8 states involving 73 patient infections. Long-term acute-care hospitals (LTACHs) accounted for 4 consultations and 32 (43%) infections, and skilled nursing facilities with ventilated patients (VSNFs) accounted for 2 consultations and 31 (42%) infections. Other settings included an acute care hospital, an assisted living facility, and an outpatient ear, nose, and throat clinic. Culture sites included the respiratory tract (n=7 consultations), blood (n=4), and sinus tract (n=1), and E. anophelis was the most commonly identified species. Six consultations utilized whole genome sequencing (WGS); 4 identified closely related isolates from different patients and 2 also identified closely related environmental and patient isolates. Mitigation measures included efforts to reduce EK in facility water systems, such as the development of water management plans, consulting water management specialists, flushing water outlets, and monitoring water quality, as well as efforts to minimize patient exposure such as cleaning of shower facilities and equipment, storage of respiratory therapy supplies away from water sources, and use of splash guards on sinks. Conclusion EK is an important emerging pathogen that causes HAI outbreaks, particularly among chronically ventilated patients. LTACHs and VSNFs accounted for the majority of EK consultations and patient infections. Robust water management plans and infection control practices to minimize patient exposure to contaminated water in these settings are important measures to reduce infection risk among vulnerable patients. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Resilience revisited: AIDS and resilience among a Yi ethnic minority in Southwest China

2021 ◽  
pp. 095935432110011
Author(s):  
Rachel Sing-Kiat Ting ◽  
Louise Sundararajan ◽  
Yuanshan Luo ◽  
Junyi Wang ◽  
Kejia Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Conceptual Space ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Aids Pandemic ◽  
Western Psychology ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

This study attempts to widen the conceptual space of resilience in (Western) psychology in order to better capture the resilience landscape of an ethnic minority group ravaged by the HIV/AIDS pandemic—the Nuosu-Yi in Southwest China. Without decolonizing the construct of resilience, non-Western versions of coping with adversities cannot be properly understood. Our process of decolonization of resilience involved two steps: First, we conducted semistructured interviews with the target population ( N = 21) to take inventory of their Indigenous notions of resilience. Second, for conceptual comparison, we mapped the themes and categories, derived from thematic analysis, of the interview data onto the conceptual space of the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), which we used as proxy for mainstream conceptualizations of resilience. This mapping revealed multiple lacunae in the theoretical framework of RSA, and unique properties in the Indigenous approach to adversities in contrast. Far reaching theoretical and practical implications of this investigation are discussed.

scholarly journals Web-Based Dissemination of a Civic Engagement Curriculum to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living in Rural Towns: The eHEART Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2571
Author(s):  
Rebecca Seguin-Fowler ◽  
Meredith Graham ◽  
Urshila Sriram ◽  
Galen Eldridge ◽  
Jimin Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Active Living ◽  
Health Educators ◽  
Rural Environments ◽  
Engagement Interventions ◽  
Physical Activity Environments

Civic engagement interventions aimed at improving food and physical activity environments hold promise in addressing rural health disparities, but ensuring feasible and sustained dissemination remains a challenge. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a civic engagement curriculum adapted for online dissemination (Healthy Eating and Activity in Rural Towns (eHEART)). The eHEART curriculum and website were developed based on feedback from local health educators and community members. eHEART groups were facilitated by local Extension educators across three rural towns in three U.S. states (Montana, Wisconsin, and Alaska). Implementation feasibility was assessed through monthly project reports and interviews with educators. All eHEART groups successfully completed curriculum activities and met their project goals after nine months (November 2018 to July 2019). Groups ranged in size from 4 to 8 community residents and implemented varied strategies to improve aspects of their local food and/or physical activity environments. Facilitators of implementation included clear guidance on facilitating curriculum activities and the flexible and community-driven nature of eHEART projects. Recommended changes included more guidance on evaluating projects and contacting stakeholders as well as providing online tools and support for project management. Findings from this work have important implications for creating healthier rural environments. Local health educators and other community groups can feasibly use the eHEART curriculum to foster environmental changes that support healthy eating and active living.

scholarly journals Consumer Engagement Strategies Among State Medicaid Agencies

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (S1) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
J. Zhu ◽  
R. Rowland ◽  
R. Gunn ◽  
S. Gollust ◽  
D. Grande
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Engagement Strategies

scholarly journals Understanding rural caregivers’ experiences of cancer care when accessing metropolitan cancer services: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e028315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Ugalde ◽  
Sarah Blaschke ◽  
Anna Boltong ◽  
Penelope Schofield ◽  
Sanchia Aranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Cancer Service ◽  
Rural Caregivers ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Rural Australia

ObjectiveTo explore the experiences of cancer caregivers who live in rural Australia and travel to a metropolitan cancer health service to access cancer treatment.DesignA qualitative study using semistructured, audio-recorded interviews conducted between December 2017 and July 2018 with caregivers and social workers. Thematic analysis using interpretative descriptive techniques performed on textual interview data within a critical realist paradigm to develop understanding of rural caregivers’ lived experiences.SettingParticipants were from rural areas attending a metropolitan cancer centre in Australia and social workers.Participants21 caregivers (16 female) of people with cancer living in rural Australia within a minimum distance of 100 km from the metropolitan cancer centre where they access treatment, and five social workers employed at a metropolitan cancer service with experience of working with rural patients and caregivers.ResultsThematic analysis developed two overarching themes: theme 1:caregiving in the rural settingdescribes the unique circumstance in which caregiving for a person with cancer takes place in the rural setting at considerable distance from the cancer service where the person receives treatment. This is explored in three categories: ‘Rural community and culture’, ‘Life adjustments’ and ‘Available supports’. Theme 2:accessing metropolitan cancer servicescaptures the multiplicity of tasks and challenges involved in organising and coordinating the journey to access cancer treatment in a metropolitan hospital, which is presented in the following categories: ‘Travel’, ‘Accommodation’ and ‘Health system navigation’.ConclusionsCaregivers who live in rural areas face significant challenges when confronting geographic isolation between their rural home environment and the metropolitan setting, where the patient accessed cancer treatment. There is a need for healthcare services to identify this group to develop feasible and sustainable ways to provide interventions that have the best chance of assisting rural caregivers in supporting the patient while maintaining their own health and well-being.

Improving the identification of cancer patients’ caring relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 585-590
Author(s):  
Sian White ◽  
Natalie Hart ◽  
Suzanne Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Health District ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Central Coast ◽  
Caring Relationships ◽  
Support Unit ◽  
Environmental Scan ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Carer Support

The Carer Support Unit of the Central Coast Local Health District (New South Wales, Australia) is working with the District’s inpatient cancer services to improve the identification of caring relationships for cancer inpatients. The first stage of the project was to do a literature review and environmental scan to assess the extent of the issue. We found significant barriers to carer identification, including: carer self-identification issues; definitional issues around the label ‘carer’; system and process issues; and health workforce issues. This article outlines the findings of the literature review and environmental scan, supported by quotes from carers and health professionals. It incorporates recommendations for increasing the rate of carer identification for cancer inpatients at Central Coast Local Health District.

Realisation of a joint consumer engagement strategy in the Nepean Blue Mountains region

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilse Blignault ◽  
Diana Aspinall ◽  
Lizz Reay ◽  
Kay Hyman
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Health District ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Consumer Participation ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Blue Mountains ◽  
Existing Structures ◽  
Critical Success

Ensuring consumer engagement at different levels of the health system – direct care, organisational design and governance and policy – has become a strategic priority. This case study explored, through interviews with six purposively selected ‘insiders’ and document review, how one Medicare Local (now a Primary Health Network, PHN) and Local Health District worked together with consumers, to establish a common consumer engagement structure and mechanisms to support locally responsive, integrated and consumer-centred services. The two healthcare organisations worked as partners across the health system, sharing ownership and responsibility. Critical success factors included a consumer champion working with other highly motivated consumers concerned with improving the health system, a budget, and ongoing commitment from the Medicare Local or PHN and the Local Health District at executive and board level. Shared boundaries were an enormous advantage. Activities were jointly planned and executed, with consumer participation paramount. Training and mentoring enhanced consumer capacity and confidence. Bringing everyone on board and building on existing structures required time, effort and resources. The initiative produced immediate and lasting benefits, with consumer engagement now embedded in organisational governance and practice.

The Functional Building Blocks of Emoji in Consumer Engagement

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-32
Author(s):  
Jing Ge
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Digital Space ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Visual Semiotics ◽  
New Form ◽  
Social Listening

Firms are struggling with developing effective consumer engagement strategies on social media. Emoji have been identified as a potent tool for consumer engagement. Yet, their use in this context is not well understood. Treating emoji as digitally mediated visual signs, this study provides a framework of five functional building blocks of emoji in the consumer engagement domain (i.e., beatification, affection, information, participation, conversation), and offers emoji strategy recommendations (i.e., branding aesthetics, brand humanization, social listening, online community engagement). The proposed framework can advance visual semiotics theory by applying it in the context of social media, and also broaden emoji and consumer engagement literatures by providing conceptual support that addresses the symbolic significance of emoji in the complex and dynamic digital space. Utilised individually and together, these building blocks allow marketers to understand emoji as a new form of marketing semiotics, while also guiding them to enable and shape consumer engagement on social media.

scholarly journals What is the role of cultural competence in ethnic minority consumer engagement? An analysis in community healthcare

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reema Harrison ◽  
Merrilyn Walton ◽  
Ashfaq Chauhan ◽  
Elizabeth Manias ◽  
Upma Chitkara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Competence ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
System Service ◽  
Quality Health

Abstract Background Effective patient engagement has been associated with high quality health care. There is a dearth of evidence around effective engagement with consumers from ethnic minority backgrounds; specifically in relation to the role of cultural competence amongst healthcare professionals in effective engagement with consumers from ethnic minority backgrounds. To address this knowledge gap, we analysed the role of cultural competence in the consumer engagement approaches taken by community healthcare professionals working with consumers from ethnic minority backgrounds. Methods Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 21 healthcare professionals employed across four community healthcare and affiliated services in four local government areas in Australia. Results Adopting patient-centric approaches (that seek to understand and be responsive to the patient as an individual) featured as an underpinning theme that transcended other emerging themes. Recognition of diversity within communities and individuals in those communities, all with their own story, was described as pivotal to effective engagement. This was encapsulated in the theme of Cultural standpoints and personal context that contained four further themes of: (1) Build foundations of trust and respect; (2) Diversify communication channels; (3) Generate system, service and community partnerships; (4) Take the time. Conclusion Our findings indicate that cultural competence and effective consumer engagement are closely linked in ethnic minority populations. Embedding cultural competence as a health system, service and professional capability is therefore critical to ensure equitable healthcare quality for consumers from all ethnic backgrounds.

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