scholarly journals ‘Cold bedrooms’ and other cooling facilities in UK children’s hospices, how they are used and why they are offered: A mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632098433
Author(s):  
Julia Hackett ◽  
Bryony Beresford

Background: The death of a child is acutely distressing. Evidence on the benefits and value to parents of spending time with their dead child have now been integrated into routine practice and is regarded as a bereavement support intervention. UK children’s hospices have a tradition of using ‘cooling facilities’ (cold bedrooms, cooled blanket/mattress) to extend this period of time by slowing deterioration of the body. Aims: To describe: (1) type and use of cooling facilities in UK children’s hospices, policies and practices regarding their use, and any changes over time. (2) Director of care’s views on the purpose of cooling facilities and the rationale for hospice-specific practices. Methods: An explanatory mixed-methods design consisting two phases: a crosssectional survey of directors of care of UK children’s hospices ( n = 52) followed by semi-structured telephone interviews with a sub-sample of respondents. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and interview data using directed content analysis. Results: 41/52 hospices completed the survey and 13 directors of care were interviewed. All hospices had cooling facilities. Some offered use of portable cooling facilities at home, though take-up appears low. Hospices differed in approaches to managing care and duration of use. Views on whether parents should observe deterioration informed the latter. Directors of care believed they provide families with time to say ‘goodbye’ and process their loss. Challenges for staff were reported.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiki Yokokawa ◽  
Kiyoshi Shikino ◽  
Akiko Ikegami ◽  
Tomoko Tsukamoto ◽  
Kazutaka Noda ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundFundoscopic exams are conducted during outpatient consultations to assess intracranial disease and complications from chronic diseases. Low level of confidence in these skills which physicians have is one of the causes that Implementation frequency is low. We quantitatively verified increases in exam implementation for patients suggested for fundoscopic exams, as well as improvements in physicians' confidence in the procedures, by introducing a checklist. We also conducted a qualitative analysis in order to clarify the process by which they gain confidence in examination procedures.MethodsThis study is a before-after study, within an embedded-experimental mixed methods design. Phase 1 spans April to May 2016, April to May 2017, and October to November 2017. Phase 2 spans the two months following each phase 1 period. We sampled 15 physicians in department of general medicine at a university hospital assigned to initial consultation. The introduction of a checklist that verifies whether the fundoscopic exam was implemented. Measures are implementation ratio of the fundoscopic exam to the total number of indication cases, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) values ​​for the confidence in procedure are measured between the two phases. To analyze, we obtained qualitative data from interviews and used the Modified Grounded Theory Approach.ResultsWe observed significant increases in the implementation ratio (19.2% (29/151 cases) vs. 64.8% (105/162 cases), p<0.001), and in the VAS value for the confidence (1.89mm vs 4.68 mm (p<0.001)) between the two phases. Analysis of the interviews produced five themes from the initial 632 codes, 31 concepts (with <>), and 8 categories. To increase the implementation, it is necessary to reduce the <Lack of confidence> and < Forgetting>, which is preventing by the checklist. The <Lack of successful experiences in detecting abnormalities> leads to a <Lack of confidence>. Repeated executions result in <Successful experiences and confidence building>.ConclusionsThe intervention increased the implementation ratio, thereby increasing successful experiences and confidence among physicians. The growth of confidence boosted motivations to implement fundoscopic exams.


2022 ◽  
pp. 105382592110732
Author(s):  
Farah Otaki ◽  
Nerissa Naidoo ◽  
Saba Al Heialy ◽  
Anne-Marie John-Baptiste ◽  
Dave Davis ◽  
...  

Background: Some medical schools offer co-curricular experiential education programs. Despite the established value of such experiences, there are no published studies that reflect upon the systematic integration of perceptions of primary stakeholders, whose engagement is necessary for program continuity. Purpose: To showcase how stakeholders’ theory can be deployed to holistically evaluate the quality of experiential learning opportunities and the value they offer to all stakeholders. Methodology/Approach: Based on a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, data was solicited from 14 Program Organizers, 107 Participating Students, and 107 Onsite Mentors. Findings/Conclusions: The Program Organizers strongly agreed (95.5%) that the co-curricular program is efficacious. A majority of Participating Students rated the overall quality-of-experience as excellent (81.6%), and most Onsite Mentors rated students’ attendance as excellent (88.7%). There was a dependency between Participating Students’ attendance and extent to which they were engaged in teamwork. The qualitative analysis generated the “Global Citizenship” conceptual framework. Implications: Stakeholders’ theory can be leveraged to broaden the analytic scope of experiential learning, encapsulating the development that occurs at the community level due to individuals’ engagement. This conceptual framework can be utilized by other institutions to guide the development of similar co-curricular programs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 660-672
Author(s):  
Suzanne H. Kimball ◽  
Toby Hamilton ◽  
Erin Benear ◽  
Jonathan Baldwin

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the emotional tone and verbal behavior of social media users who self-identified as having tinnitus and/or hyperacusis that caused self-described negative consequences on daily life or health. Research Design and Method An explanatory mixed-methods design was utilized. Two hundred “initial” and 200 “reply” Facebook posts were collected from members of a tinnitus group and a hyperacusis group. Data were analyzed via the LIWC 2015 software program and compared to typical bloggers. As this was an explanatory mixed-methods study, we used qualitative thematic analyses to explain, interpret, and illustrate the quantitative results. Results Overall, quantitative results indicated lower overall emotional tone for all categories (tinnitus and hyperacusis, initial and reply), which was mostly influenced by higher negative emotion. Higher levels of authenticity or truth were found in the hyperacusis sample but not in the tinnitus sample. Lower levels of clout (social standing) were indicated in all groups, and a lower level of analytical thinking style (concepts and complex categories rather than narratives) was found in the hyperacusis sample. Additional analysis of the language indicated higher levels of sadness and anxiety in all groups and lower levels of anger, particularly for initial replies. These data support prior findings indicating higher levels of anxiety and depression in this patient population based on the actual words in blog posts and not from self-report questionnaires. Qualitative results identified 3 major themes from both the tinnitus and hyperacusis texts: suffering, negative emotional tone, and coping strategies. Conclusions Results from this study suggest support for the predominant clinical view that patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis have higher levels of anxiety and depression than the general population. The extent of the suffering described and patterns of coping strategies suggest clinical practice patterns and the need for research in implementing improved practice plans.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-480
Author(s):  
Carina Katigbak ◽  
Dale Dagar Maglalang ◽  
Tam Nguyen ◽  
Minna Wang ◽  
Cheuk-Lam Lo

The benefits of physical activity for successful aging are well established. Few interventions however, target older Asian Americans who may have distinct needs for cultural and linguistic tailoring. The heterogeneity among Asian Americans underscores the need to elucidate specific physical activity preferences by ethnic subgroup. To better understand older Chinese Americans’ perceptions about physical activity, we conducted a community-engaged, mixed methods study with 60 participants. Through survey and focus groups, four emerging themes characterized perceptions of physical activity: (a) physical activities benefit the body and mind, (b) traditional Chinese culture influences perceptions and preferences for physical activity, (c) physical activity presents opportunities for social engagement, and (d) physical activity facilitates family harmony. Design recommendations includes encouraging mind–body approaches, incorporating culturally specific practices, highlighting opportunities for social engagement, and emphasizing the potential for improved harmony.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Napat Khirikoekkong ◽  
Supa-at Asarath ◽  
Mayreerat Munruchaitrakun ◽  
Naw Blay ◽  
Naomi Waithira ◽  
...  

Abstract The decline of malaria in Southeast Asia has complexified how fever is perceived and what actions are taken towards it. Using a mixed-methods design, we investigated the concept of fever and the determinants influencing health-seeking behaviour among migrants on the Thai-Myanmar border, where rapid economic developments collide with precarious political and socio-economic conditions. Fever corresponded with a high diversity of terms, symptoms and believed causes. The qualitative analysis identified distance and legal status as key barriers for accessing health care. The quantitative analysis further investigated determinants influencing health-seeking behaviour: living near a town where a cost-free clinic operated was inversely associated with seeking care at health posts (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.40, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] [0.19-0.86]), and public hospital attendance (aOR 0.31, 95% CI [0.14-0.67]). Living further away from the nearest town was associated with health posts attendance (aOR 1.05, 95% CI [1.00-1.10] per 1 km). Having legal status was inversely associated with cost-free clinics attendance (aOR 0.27, 95% CI [0.10-0.71]), and positively associated with private clinic (aOR 2.56, 95% CI [1.00-6.54]) and public hospital attendance (aOR 5.15, 95% CI [1.80-14.71]). Fever conception and believed causes are context-specific and should be investigated prior to any intervention.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitra Javanmard ◽  
Mary Steen ◽  
Rachael Vernon ◽  
Megan Cooper

BACKGROUND Approximately, 13% of the total Australian midwifery workforce is internationally qualified. Although they play a significant role in the Australian midwifery system, there is limited understanding of their transitional experiences. OBJECTIVE This mixed methods study aims to explore the transitional experiences and perspectives of internationally qualified midwives practising in Australia. METHODS This study uses an explanatory sequential mixed methods design incorporating two phases. The first phase of the study includes an e-survey that will be distributed to internationally qualified midwives in Australia, via the website e-bulletins of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and Australian College of Midwives. Additionally, potential respondents will be recruited via social media (Twitter, Facebook) and associated snowball sampling. At the end of the e-survey, respondents will be asked whether they are willing to take part in an interview. Data from the e-survey will be statistically analysed. The results of the e-survey and literature review will help to develop a guide for interview questions, with these interviews taking place during the second phase. A nested sample of participants will be created using the same selection criteria as for the e-survey. Semi-structured interviews will provide a deeper insight into the transitional experiences of internationally qualified midwives. Data will then be thematically analysed. RESULTS An integration of the e-survey results and interview findings will be synthesised to explore and better understand the transitional experiences of this group of midwives. The resulting data may potentially be used to formulate recommendations for future recruitment and retention practices, and to aid the Australian midwifery workforce in valuing diversity and fostering a supportive work environment. CONCLUSIONS At the time of writing this protocol, data collection had not yet commenced, however collection was subsequently completed in late 2018 and analysis is currently underway. CLINICALTRIAL This study was approved by the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee (Protocol Number: 0000036397).


10.2196/15399 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e15399
Author(s):  
Jan Porthun ◽  
Jonas Manschel

Background Currently, the importance of osteopathy within the health care system is controversial. The training structures and the acknowledgment of the occupational profile strongly differ in the German-speaking territory. Objective This study aims to examine the characteristics of the osteopathic profession as well as the possibilities and challenges for osteopaths in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Methods This study adopted a mixed methods design. The research topic will be examined based on qualitative and quantitative partial studies that will be conducted in parallel as well as sequentially. By applying different research methods and sample testing and by using standardized, validated measurement methods, we expect to be able to gain new insights into the work area of osteopathy. Results In November 2018, we started the research and data collection. Currently, we are conducting the first two partial studies. The planned duration of each of the partial study is 6-9 months. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2021. Conclusions This study will examine how osteopaths define themselves in comparison with professionals from other occupational profiles and how they describe the characteristics of their work. The identification of central issues is expected to help clarify the issues and define the profession. As such, the results might contribute to the conservation and improvement of the quality of osteopathic treatment. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/15399


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