American Evangelicals and Islam: Their Perspectives, Attitudes and Practices Towards Muslims in the US

Author(s):  
Amit A Bhatia

In light of the increasing presence of Muslims in the US, this article elucidates the perspectives, attitudes and practices of American evangelicals towards Muslims in the US. The discussion is informed by data that were gathered through a qualitative study of 40 lay American evangelicals and four pastors, as well as through a focus group study of an evangelical outreach ministry among Muslims. Literature on religious diversity in the US forms the background within which the information drawn from the qualitative interviews and focus group study is discussed and analyzed. The respondents’ perspectives and attitudes towards Islam and Muslims in general are quite negative, as well as conflicted in that while the respondents claimed to be open to interacting and dialoguing with Muslims, their practices towards Muslims were often not so hospitable. This inhospitality was a result of a general fear of Islam and Muslims exhibited by the respondents.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246868
Author(s):  
Sandrella M. Morrison-Lanjouw ◽  
Roel A. Coutinho ◽  
Kwasi Boahene ◽  
Robert Pool

While there is a growing body of research documenting unregulated African wild meat imports into Europe from the Africa continent, the drivers of this demand are virtually unknown. This study employs focus group discussions and a survey questionnaire to examine the attitudes and practices related to African wild meat consumption in the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Ghanaian community was selected as the object of this study, as it is the largest West African population in the Netherlands and represents an important part of Dutch society. We model our report on a recent US study of the Liberian community of Minneapolis, Minnesota, which allows for the comparison of results between two Western countries. The overall perceived health risk of consuming African wild meat in The Netherlands is low and unlikely to deter consumption. However, local prices for the meat may be prohibitive in some cases. Incentives include health benefits, cultural drivers and a strong preference for the taste of African wild meat over all local meat alternatives. The study calls for further research into the nature of the drivers of demand for African wild meat as well as its public health consequences, in the Netherlands and beyond.


2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ti-Hyun Jang ◽  
Samantha Wu ◽  
Debra Kirzner ◽  
Christine Moore ◽  
Gomana Youssef ◽  
...  

Objective.To understand the behavioral determinants of hand hygiene in our hospital.Design.Qualitative study based on 17 focus groups.Setting.Mount Sinai Hospital, an acute care tertiary hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.Participants.We recruited 153 healthcare workers (HCWs) representing all major patient care job categories.Methods.Focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was independently conducted by 3 investigators.Results.Participants reported that the realities of their workload (eg, urgent care and interruptions) make complete adherence to hand hygiene impossible. The guidelines were described as overly conservative, and participants expressed that their judgement is adequate to determine when to perform hand hygiene. Discussions revealed gaps in knowledge among participants; most participants expressed interest in more information and education. Participants reported self-protection as the primary reason for the performance of hand hygiene, and many admitted to prolonged glove use because it gave them a sense of protection. Limited access to hand hygiene products was a source of frustration, as was confusion related to hospital equipment as potential vehicles for transmission of infection. Participants said that they noticed other HCWs' adherence and reported that others HCWs' hygiene practices influenced their own attitudes and practices. In particular, HCWs perceive physicians as role models; physicians, however, do not see themselves as such.Conclusions.Our results confirm previous findings that hand hygiene is practiced for personal protection, that limited access to supplies is a barrier, and that role models and a sense of team effort encourage hand hygiene. Educating HCWs on how to manage workload with guideline adherence and addressing contaminated hospital equipment may improve compliance.


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Kikuta ◽  
Fauzia Gardezi ◽  
Vinita Dubey ◽  
Anna Taddio

INTRODUCTION: Despite the availability of a variety of evidence-based interventions, it has previously been reported that the majority of infants and children undergo vaccine injections without the benefit of analgesia. Nurses in public health administer a substantial number of injections; however, their attitudes and practices surrounding acute pain during vaccine injections have not been previously explored.METHODS: A focus-group interview was conducted in Toronto, Ontario, with 10 nurses who immunize children. Participants reported their perceptions and practices with regard to vaccine injection pain and pain management.RESULTS: Three key themes emerged: environmental and process factors, perceptions regarding the effectiveness of different analgesic interventions, and perceptions regarding pain and fear. Participants reported a lack of control over their environment, resulting in fear and discomfort for children. They recommended increased support from external partners such as school teachers and administrators. Participants reported that pharmacological interventions, such as topical local anesthetics, were not used; however, psychological and physical interventions were commonly used. Nurses questioned the effectiveness of topical anesthetics, and indicated that more education was required regarding effective analgesic interventions. Needle pain was reported to be the most prominent concern for children undergoing vaccine injections, and children were described as being fearful.DISCUSSION: Nurses reported vaccination setting, analgesic effectiveness and relative importance given to pain as important factors for pain and pain management during vaccine injections. Future studies should explore whether additional perspectives are present in vaccinators in other geographical regions. The effectiveness of educational resources and pain management programs aimed at improving current practices should be investigated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Precilla Catherine ◽  
Srinivasa Nambi ◽  
Priestly Vivekkumar ◽  
Navamani Natrajan ◽  
Saravanan PSL

Background: Lecture, practical, and dissection classes have been the mainstay of teaching in first-year bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery (MBBS) courses. Competency-based medical education (CBME) implemented by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2019 aims to improve teaching-learning experiences and outcomes. A clear idea about attitudes and perceptions of students toward the present teaching-learning methods will help better implement CBME. Objectives: (1) To find the attitudes and practices of first-year MBBS students toward lecture, practical, and dissection classes, using a focus group discussion (FGD) as a tool of a qualitative study. (2) To analyze the factors that prevent active students from participating in different teaching-learning methods in pre-clinical subjects. Methods: This qualitative study using an FGD was performed after obtaining the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) approval in 36 first-year MBBS students, both female and male, divided into six groups. Written informed consent for the audio recording was obtained. A semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions was used. The FGD was recorded, transcribed in spoken language, and converted into English. Content analysis was performed, key concepts were extracted and coded manually, and common themes were generated. Results: The following seven themes emerged: (1) Attendance being prioritized by students, (2) Note-taking done as a chore during lecture classes, (3) The time duration of the lectures as a hindrance to effective learning, (4) Inadequacy of self-directed learning, (5) Preference of practical sessions over theory sessions, (6) Cell phone usage as a reason for not being attentive in the class, and (7) Interest in interactive methods. Conclusions: This study identifies factors that impede the utilization of teaching-learning methods by medical students. The CBME model addresses many of these problems. Further studies on students under the new curriculum will help refine our teaching-learning methods. The strength of this study is the FGD sessions conducted by a medical student, which would have put the participants at ease.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysegul Dirik ◽  
Justina Kaselionyte ◽  
Domenico Giacco ◽  
Stefan Priebe

Background The value of carer involvement has been extensively researched and promoted. However, the field lacks exploration of conceptual issues, which might help to explain why there are widespread difficulties in putting policy into practice in this area, as implementation rates remain low internationally. Aims This qualitative study explored patients’, carers’ and clinicians’ perspectives on the role of carers in mental healthcare, particularly with regards to in-patient settings. Method Sixteen focus groups were conducted with patients, carers and clinicians who have current or previous experience of in-patient settings. A thematic analysis was conducted on the transcripts, exploring two key domains: (a) what a ‘carer’ is, and (b) how the ‘carer’ role is described within the context of the hospital environment. Results Participants diverged in their opinions of what the ‘carer’ role entails, and the perceived helpfulness of it. Issues unique to the in-patient setting were identified, such as the role of the hospital environment in enabling or being a barrier to carer involvement. These differing perspectives and contextual factors had an impact on the position of carers in the hospital setting, as they could be viewed as helpful, a hindrance or as passive visitors, depending on the perspectives of clinicians. Conclusions More clarity and agreement is needed between patients, carers and clinicians in terms of how the ‘carer’ role is defined. This has the potential to improve carers’ experience of involvement in hospital settings.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen H. McWhirter ◽  
Marina Valdez ◽  
Alisia R. Caban ◽  
Christina L. Aranda

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
S. Malhotra ◽  
R. Hatala ◽  
C.-A. Courneya

The mini-CEX is a 30 minute observed clinical encounter. It can be done in the outpatient, inpatient or emergency room setting. It strives to look at several parameters including a clinical history, physical, professionalism and overall clinical competence. Trainees are rated using a 9-point scoring system: 1-3 unsatisfactory, 4-6 satisfactory and 7-9 superior. Eight months after the introduction of the mini-CEX to the core University of British Columbia Internal Medicine Residents, a one hour semi-structured focus group for residents in each of the three years took place. The focus groups were conducted by an independent moderator, audio-recorded and transcribed. Using a phenomenological approach the comments made by the focus groups participants were read independently by three authors, organized into major themes. In doing so, several intriguing common patterns were revealed on how General Medicine Residents perceive their experience in completing a mini-CEX. The themes include Education, Assessment and Preparation for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Internal Medicine exam. Resident learners perceived that the mini-CEX process provided insight into their clinical strengths and weaknesses. Focus group participants favored that the mini-CEX experience will benefit them in preparation, and successful completion of their licensing exam. Daelmans HE, Overmeer RM, van der Hem-Stockroos HH, Scherpbier AJ, Stehouwer CD, van der Vleuten CP. In-training assessment: qualitative study of effects on supervision and feedback in an undergraduate clinical rotation. Medical Education 2006; 40(1):51-8. De Lima AA, Henquin R, Thierer J, Paulin J, Lamari S, Belcastro F, Van der Vleuten CPM. A qualitative study of the impact on learning of the mini clinical evaluation exercise in postgraduate training. Medical Teacher January 2005; 27(1):46-52. DiCicco-Bloom B, Crabtree BF. The Qualitative Research Interview. Medical Education 2006; 40:314-32.


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