Death or Declaw: Dealing with Moral Ambiguity in a Veterinary Hospital

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Atwood-Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Medical Practice ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Political Debate ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Moral Ambiguity ◽  
Veterinary Hospital

AbstractThe medical practice of declawing has received much political debate over the past few years. Yet, empirical and theoretical research on how this practice is maintained and the ethical positions of those who actually participate in this work is lacking. Drawing from 9 months of ethnographic fieldwork in a feline-specific veterinary hospital and open-ended interviews with veterinarians and staff, this study examines veterinary staff members' attitudes toward, and strategies for, dealing with the medical practice of declawing. Specifically, findings show that a number of staff felt uncomfortable with their participation in onychectomy (declawing) and relied heavily on organizational support structures to cope both with these feelings and the moral ambiguity about the practice. Relying on these structures, the veterinarians and their staff are able simultaneously to define felines as subjects worthy of respect for their quality of life, protect their own self-identity as people who work toward the best interest of animals, and paradoxically support action toward felines that they find morally objectionable.

Communication Disordered: Program Implementation in Long-Term Care

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (15) ◽  
pp. 64-67
Author(s):  
George Barnes ◽  
Joseph Salemi
Keyword(s):  
Program Implementation ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Family Satisfaction ◽  
Regulatory Compliance ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Change Policy

The organizational structure of long-term care (LTC) facilities often removes the rehab department from the interdisciplinary work culture, inhibiting the speech-language pathologist's (SLP's) communication with the facility administration and limiting the SLP's influence when implementing clinical programs. The SLP then is unable to change policy or monitor the actions of the care staff. When the SLP asks staff members to follow protocols not yet accepted by facility policy, staff may be unable to respond due to confusing or conflicting protocol. The SLP needs to involve members of the facility administration in the policy-making process in order to create successful clinical programs. The SLP must overcome communication barriers by understanding the needs of the administration to explain how staff compliance with clinical goals improves quality of care, regulatory compliance, and patient-family satisfaction, and has the potential to enhance revenue for the facility. By taking this approach, the SLP has a greater opportunity to increase safety, independence, and quality of life for patients who otherwise may not receive access to the appropriate services.

A Consumer Behavior-Influenced Multidisciplinary Transcendent Model of Motivation for Music Making

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie L. Vaccaro
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Music Making ◽  
Self Actualization ◽  
Psychic Energy ◽  
Self Transcendence

This chapter reviews multidisciplinary research from the fields of consumer behavior, humanistic and positive psychology, music education, and other areas to develop a new Transcendent Model of Motivation for Music Making. One’s “extended self” identity can be defined partly by possessions and mastery over objects, and objects can “complete” the self. Music making involves a person’s investment of “psychic energy,” including attention, time, learning, and efforts, and is a creative path which can lead to peak experiences and flow. Music making can help satisfy social needs, achieve self-actualization, experience self-transcendence, enhance well-being, strengthen spirituality, and improve the quality of life.

scholarly journals Parental Involvement Policies for Minors Seeking Abortion in the Southeast and Quality of Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kari White ◽  
Subasri Narasimhan ◽  
Sophie A. Hartwig ◽  
Erin Carroll ◽  
Alexandra McBrayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Parental Involvement ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Patient Centeredness ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Staff Members

Abstract Introduction Thirty-seven states require minors seeking abortion to involve a parent, either through notification or consent. Little research has examined how implementation of these laws affect service delivery and quality of care for those who involve a parent. Methods Between May 2018 and September 2019, in-depth interviews were conducted with 34 staff members involved in scheduling, counseling, and administration at abortion facilities in three Southeastern states. Interviews explored procedures for documenting parental involvement, minors’ and parents’ reactions to requirements, and challenges with implementation and compliance. Both inductive and deductive codes, informed by the Institute of Medicine’s healthcare quality framework, were used in the thematic analysis. Results Parental involvement laws adversely affected four quality care domains: efficiency, patient-centeredness, timeliness, and equity. Administrative inefficiencies stemmed from the extensive documentation needed to prove an adult’s relationship to a minor, increasing the time and effort needed to comply with state reporting requirements. If parents were not supportive of their minor’s decision, participants felt they had a duty to intervene to ensure the minor’s decision and needs remained centered. Staff further noted that delays to timely care accumulated as minors navigated parental involvement and other state mandates, pushing some beyond gestational age limits. Lower income families and those with complex familial arrangements had greater difficulty meeting state requirements. Conclusions Parental involvement mandates undermine health service delivery and quality for minors seeking abortion services in the Southeast. Policy Implications Removing parental involvement requirements would protect minors’ reproductive autonomy and support the provision of equitable, patient-centered healthcare.

“They don't just disappear”: Acknowledging death in the long-term care setting

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Maitland ◽  
Kevin Brazil ◽  
Bill James-Abra
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Long Term Care Facility ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Staff Members

AbstractObjective:The purpose of this study was to describe the value of a formal room blessing ritual held within a long-term care facility, from the perspectives of staff, residents, and family members.Method:A qualitative research study involving interviews with staff, residents, and family members was conducted to examine the perceived value of a room blessing ritual.Results:Twenty-four room blessing attendees participated in the study (nine staff, eight residents, and seven family members). Attendees felt that the room blessing provided an opportunity to formally acknowledge the death of the resident and their grief; the majority felt that this was a positive experience and that it provided an element of closure. Staff members and residents expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to connect with family members of the deceased to express their condolences during the ritual. Participants also identified the inclusivity of the ritual (i.e., an open invitation to all staff, residents, and family members) as a positive aspect that served as a reminder that others shared in their grief. Staff members felt that blessing the room for the new resident was an important component of the ritual, helping to bridge the gap between mourning and welcoming a new person. Staff, residents, and family members felt that the room blessing positively reflected the mission and values of the facility. The most highly valued aspect of the ritual for all attendees was the sharing of stories about the deceased to celebrate that person's life.Significance of results:Long-term care facilities need to recognize that formal supports to manage the bereavement needs of staff and residents, such as a room blessing ritual, should be incorporated into their model for managing end-of-life care, given the relationship between the emotional health of staff and the quality of care provided for residents.

Study on the effective discharge energy mechanism of vertical ultrasonic vibration assisted EDM processing

2021 ◽  
pp. 095440542110285
Author(s):  
Yinghuai Dong ◽  
Guangyan Li ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Jianbao Song ◽  
Shuo Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Discharge Energy ◽  
Movement Path ◽  
Energy Mechanism ◽  
Effective Discharge ◽  
Parameter Matching ◽  
Discharge Gap ◽  
Conventional Machining

Compared to traditional EDM processing, UEDM (Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted EDM) have a great improvement in optimizing discharge environment. In this study, ultrasonic vibration is attached to the electrode. According to the relative positional relationship between the movement path of the electrode tip and the discharge gap, four working states of UEDM are defined. The four working states are the path within the discharge gap, the path in contact with the edge of the discharge gap, part of the electrode end path outside the discharge gap, and the path in contact with the workpiece, respectively. States are analyzed from the effective discharge energy and discharge frequency. A mathematical model for effective discharge energy and surface roughness is established for two conventional working states. The correctness of the theoretical research is verified by experiments. As the experiment results shown, the influence of ultrasonic amplitude on the energy of UEDM is primary, while frequency is secondary. A working state with better discharge stability and higher discharge energy when the electrode end path is in contact with the edge of the discharge gap. In the first three conventional machining states, the surface quality of the workpiece increases with the increase of ultrasonic amplitude and frequency. The study can provide scientific guidance for parameter matching of UEDM.

Role and significance of responsibility in medical practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (88) ◽  
pp. 100-107
Author(s):  
K.P. Topalov ◽  
◽  
Ye.K. Skoromets ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Moral Responsibility ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Quality Of Medical Care

The article analyzes 249 expert opinions on the quality of medical care from the standpoint of the responsibility of medical workers for their professional activities. The principles of moral responsibility for medical workers are outlined.

Possible Influence of Geographic Location and Colony Counts on Guidelines for Diagnosis of Streptococcal Infections in Rheumatic Fever

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 636-636
Author(s):  
Norman Lewak
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Streptococcal Infection ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Streptococcal Infections ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Future

In their "Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Streptococcal Infection" (Pediatrics, 48:573, 1971), Honikman and Massell did not specify whether the guidelines should vary by geographic location. Taking into consideration the economic factors mentioned by the authors, should the same guidelines apply to different areas of the country which have markedly different incidences of rheumatic fever? We are all aware that the public is (rightfully) taking a close look at the quality of medical practice. Practice audits appear to be a certainty in the future.

Electronic Resources for Online Mathematics Primary Education – Specifics, Types, Quality

2021 ◽  
Vol LXIV (1) ◽  
pp. 62-83
Author(s):  
Lyubka Aleksieva ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematics Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Teachers ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Electronic Resources ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Online Mathematics

This paper presents a theoretical research on electronic resources provided for mathematics education in primary school including online education, which has become ubiquitous as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various aspects and forms of application of e-resources in mathematics education are explored in the literature, but the issue of their quality is less studied. E-resources potential to dynamically illustrate the mathematical learning content is defined as their main advantage, but this potential could be realized only in compliance with the principles of multimedia, as well as the requirements for accessibility, ergonomics and visual design. Therefore, in this study the parameters for the quality of e-resources for mathematics education in primary school are derived and specific criteria and requirements for their quality are proposed. Thus, in addition to providing a basis for future research, this paper could serve to primary teachers as a guide for measuring the quality of e-resources that they select or create for online mathematics education.

Advances in the data rescue and digitization of historical wind speed observations in Sweden: the WINDGUST project

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Engström ◽  
Cesar Azorin-Molina ◽  
Lennart Wern ◽  
Sverker Hellström ◽  
Christophe Sturm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
The 1960S

<p>Here we present the progress of the first work package (WP1) of the project “Assessing centennial wind speed variability from a historical weather data rescue project in Sweden” (WINDGUST), funded by FORMAS – A Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (ref. 2019-00509); previously introduced in EGU2019-17792-1 and EGU2020-3491. In a global climate change, one of the major uncertainties on the causes driving the climate variability of winds (i.e., the “stilling” phenomenon and the recent “recovery” since the 2010s) is mainly due to short availability (i.e., since the 1960s) and low quality of observed wind records as stated by the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).</p><p>The WINDGUST is a joint initiative between the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) and the University of Gothenburg aimed at filling the key gap of short availability and low quality of wind datasets, and improve the limited knowledge on the causes driving wind speed variability in a changing climate across Sweden.</p><p>During 2020, we worked in WP1 to rescue historical wind speed series available in the old weather archives at SMHI for the 1920s-1930s. In the process we followed the “Guidelines on Best Practices for Climate Data Rescue” of the World Meteorological Organization. Our protocol consisted on: (i) designing a template for digitization; (ii) digitizing papers by an imaging process based on scanning and photographs; and (iii) typing numbers of wind speed data into the template. We will report the advances and current status, challenges and experiences learned during the development of WP1. Until new year 2020/2021 eight out of thirteen selected stations spanning over the years 1925 to 1948 have been scanned and digitized by three staff members of SMHI during 1,660 manhours.</p>

Ethical Decisions in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: The Dutch Experience

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 729-732
Author(s):  
Pieter J. J. Sauer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Withholding Treatment ◽  
Intensive Care Treatment ◽  
Best Interest

Modern technology makes it possible to keep more sick, extremely small, and vulnerable neonates alive. Many neonatologists in the Netherlands believe they should be concerned not only about the rate of survival of their patients, but also about the way the graduates of their care do, in fact, survive beyond the neonatal period. In most cases, we use all available methods to keep newborns alive. However, in some instances there is great concern about the quality of life, if the newborn should survive; here questions do arise about continuing or withholding treatment. In this commentary, I present my impression of the opinions held by a majority of practicing neonatologists in the Netherlands, as well as some personal thoughts and ideas. Recently, a committee convened by the Ministers of Justice and Health in the Netherlands issued an official report regarding the practice of euthanasia and the rules of medical practice when treatment is withheld.1 In this report of more than 250 pages, only 2 pages focus on the newborn. The following conclusions were made in this small section of the report. In almost one half of the instances of a fatal outcome in a neonatal intensive care unit in the Netherlands, discussions about sustaining or withholding treatment did take place at some stage of the hospital stay. A consideration of the future quality of life was always included in the discussion. The committee agreed with doctors interviewed for the report that there are circumstances in which continuation of intensive care treatment is not necessarily in the best interest of a neonate.

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