Experiences of Volunteers Supporting Parents Following a Fatal Fetal Anomaly Diagnosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232098783
Author(s):  
Stacey Power ◽  
Keelin O’Donoghue ◽  
Sarah Meaney
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Fetal Anomaly ◽  
Voluntary Organizations ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Bereaved Parents ◽  
Collaborative Working ◽  
And Training

Ireland has had a reliance on voluntary groups to provide peer-to-peer bereavement support. The aim of this study was to explore volunteers’, within these voluntary groups, experiences of supporting parents following a fatal fetal anomaly diagnosis. Purposive sampling was used to recruit volunteers ( n = 17) and face-to-face interviews undertaken. NVivo12 was utilized to assist in the thematic analysis of the data. Five themes; “motivation for altruistic acts,” “being challenged,” “value of education and training,” “supporting volunteers to support others,” and “it is not a sprint, it is a marathon” were identified. Volunteers felt comfortable in their peer-support role but found the lack of knowledge regarding newly implemented termination of pregnancy (TOP) services challenging. The importance of education/training was identified, emphasizing the need for collaboration with health care professionals and other voluntary organizations for support. The findings illustrate the need for collaborative working between health care professionals and volunteers to assist them in supporting bereaved parents.

Potentially Inappropriate Medications Use in A Population of Iraqi Geriatric Outpatients According to Beers Criteria

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ola Albaghdadi ◽  
Salam , Mohammad Hassan Morteza, Firas A Ahjel ◽  
Mohammad Hassan Morteza ◽  
Firas Aziz Rahi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Beers Criteria ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medications ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Inappropriate Drugs ◽  
Elderly Outpatients ◽  
Inappropriate Medications

Aims: Elderly in Iraq kept suffering multiple burdens, as they are a truly fragile and vulnerable segment. A major public health issue among elderly is adverse drug reactions. This study is aimed at contributing in overcoming this treatment gap by determining the prevalence of inappropriate medications used by a group of Iraqi elderly outpatients. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in a sample of 85 Iraqi elderly aged ≥65 years of either gender. Participants had face-to-face interviews to answer a comprehensive questionnaire. Each drug taken by the patient was evaluated according to Beers criteria. Results: Females constituted 45.9% of the total. The average age was 69.9 years (± 4.6). Nearly 30% of the patients had 3 different diseases, and 17.8% had ≥4 different ones, with cardiovascular diseases were the most prevalent. Polypharmacy was notably identified in 47.1% of the total studied population. Twenty-eight out of 85 patients did not know the actual reason of taking at least one of their medications, and 42% were not taking their drugs as directed. Remarkably, 43.5% of patients were recognized as taking at least one medication to be avoided in elderly people according to the Beers criteria. The most common inappropriate drugs were glyburide, and proton-pump inhibitors. Conclusion: There was an obvious absence of any role of pharmacists in the health care system for our studied population. Health care professionals are encouraged to review the medications prescribed for geriatric patients using updated safety guidelines to prevent the risks associated with potentially inappropriate medications.

Do Health-Care Students Know About Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear Weapons?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Cagla Yigitbas
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nuclear Weapons ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Field Education ◽  
Health Care Education ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Care Students ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Survey Form ◽  
Ongoing Training

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of students receiving different levels of health-care education (doctors, nurses, paramedics) on chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear weapons (CBRNW). Methods: This study was designed as a qualitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional research. The study reached 87.68% of the population. A survey form was created by the researcher in line with the literature. Ethical permission and verbal consents were obtained. The data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Results: It was observed that there was no difference between the enrolled departments, that the participants had very low levels of knowledge on the subject despite considering it a likely threat for Turkey, and that they thought the public and the health-care professionals in this field had insufficient knowledge. Sex, age, and field education were the variables that created a difference. Conclusion: Training regarding CBRNW should be further questioned and individuals should receive ongoing training to increase and update their knowledge and skills.

scholarly journals Combining online and offline peer support groups in mental health care: A qualitative study of service users� experiences (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Strand ◽  
Deede Gammon ◽  
Lillian Sofie Eng ◽  
Cornelia Ruland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Individual Interviews

BACKGROUND Peer support groups for people with long-term mental health problems are at the heart of recovery-oriented approaches in mental health care. When conducted face-to-face (offline) or on the Internet (online), peer support groups have proven to have differing strengths and weaknesses. Little is known about the benefits and challenges of combining the two formats. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to gain insights into the benefits and challenges of combining online and offline peer support groups facilitated through an Internet intervention designed to support recovery processes. METHODS In this exploratory and descriptive study, an e-recovery portal called ReConnect was used by service users in two mental health communities in Norway for 6-12 months. The portal included an online peer support forum which also facilitated participation in local in-person ReConnect-cafés. Both formats of peer support were facilitated by an employed service user consultant with lived experience of mental health problems and with training in peer support. Qualitative data about service users’ experiences of using the portal were collected through focus groups and individual interviews and inductively analyzed thematically with focus on benefits and challenges of peer support online and offline. RESULTS A total of 14 service users 22-63 years of age with various diagnoses, receiving services at both primary and specialist levels of mental health care participated in three focus groups and 10 individual interviews. Two main themes were identified in the analysis: 1) balancing anonymity and openness, and 2) enabling connectedness. These themes are further illustrated with the subthemes: i) dilemmas of anonymity and confidentiality, ii) towards self-disclosure and openness, iii) new friendships, and iv) networks in the local community. Three of the subthemes mainly describe benefits. Challenges were more implicit and cut across the subthemes. Identified challenges were linked to transitions from anonymity to revealing one’s identity, how to protect confidentiality, or to participation at face-to-face meetings in the local community. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that online peer support groups and offline meetings complement each other, and the combination is mainly beneficial to users. The identified benefits appeared to arise from participants’ options of one format or the other, or that they could combine formats in ways that suited their individual values and comfort zones. We also identified challenges related to combination of formats, and both formats require appropriate facilitation of peer support. Combining online formats that enable anonymity, a non-judgmental atmosphere, and 24/7 accessibility regardless of location, with offline formats that foster local, in-person community ties, is a promising concept for facilitating recovery-oriented care, and warrants continued research.

scholarly journals Interpreting in Sexual and Reproductive Health Consults With Burma Born Refugees Post Settlement: Insights From an Australian Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amita Tuteja ◽  
Elisha Riggs ◽  
Lena Sanci ◽  
Lester Mascarenhas ◽  
Di VanVliet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Consultation Room ◽  
Privacy And Confidentiality

Interpreters work with health care professionals to overcome language challenges during sexual and reproductive (SRH) health discussions with people from refugee backgrounds. Disclosures of traumatic refugee journeys and sexual assault combined with refugees’ unfamiliarity with Western health concepts and service provision can increase the interpreting challenges. Published literature provides general guidance on working with interpreters in primary care but few studies focus on interpretation in refugee SRH consults. To address this, we explored the challenges faced by providers of refugee services (PRS) during interpreter mediated SRH consultations with Burma born refugees post settlement in Australia. We used qualitative methodology and interviewed 29 PRS involved with migrants from Burma including general practitioners, nurses, interpreters, bilingual social workers, and administrative staff. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis following independent coding by the members of the research team. Key themes were formulated after a consensus discussion. The theme of “interpretation related issues” was identified with six sub-themes including 1) privacy and confidentiality 2) influence of interpreter’s identity 3) gender matching of the interpreter 4) family member vs. professional interpreters 5) telephone vs. face-to-face interpreting 6) setting up the consultation room. When faced with these interpretation related challenges in providing SRH services to people from refugee backgrounds, health care providers combine best practice advice, experience-based knowledge and “mundane creativity” to adapt to the needs of the specific patients. The complexity of interpreted SRH consultations in refugee settings needs to be appreciated in making good judgments when choosing the best way to optimize communication. This paper identifies the critical elements which could be incorporated when making such a judgement. Future research should include the experiences of refugee patients to provide a more comprehensive perspective.

Evaluation of a no-smoking resource pack and training for primary health care professionals

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 113-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola T A Hopkins ◽  
John A White ◽  
Lesley Rushton ◽  
Jackie Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
And Training

Management of Child and Adolescent Obesity: Attitudes, Barriers, Skills, and Training Needs Among Health Care Professionals

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 110 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 210-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary T. Story ◽  
Dianne R. Neumark-Stzainer ◽  
Nancy E. Sherwood ◽  
Katrina Holt ◽  
Denise Sofka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Adolescent Obesity ◽  
Behavioral Management ◽  
Registered Dietitians ◽  
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners ◽  
And Training

Objective. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate among health care professionals their attitudes, perceived barriers, perceived skill level, and training needs in the management of child and adolescent obesity. Methods. A national needs assessment consisting of a mailed questionnaire was conducted among a random sample of health care professionals. The survey was completed by 202 pediatricians, 293 pediatric nurse practitioners, and 444 registered dietitians. Results. The majority of all respondents felt that childhood obesity was a condition that needs treatment (75%–93%), and affects chronic disease risk (76%–89%) and future quality of life (83%–93%). The most frequent barriers were lack of parent involvement, lack of patient motivation, and lack of support services. Registered dietitians were less likely to identify barriers to treatment compared with pediatricians or pediatric nurse practitioners. The most common areas of self-perceived low proficiency were in the use of behavioral management strategies, guidance in parenting techniques, and addressing family conflicts. All 3 groups expressed high interest in additional training on obesity management of children and adolescents, especially in the area of behavioral management strategies and parenting techniques. Those practitioners with >10 years of practice reported the greatest interest in training. Conclusions. Pediatric practitioners view child and adolescent obesity with concern and feel that intervention is important. However, several important barriers interfere with treatment efforts and will need to be addressed. There is also a need for increased training opportunities related to obesity prevention and treatment. The results of this study provide directions and priorities for training, education, and advocacy efforts.

scholarly journals Scientia Potentia Est: How the Italian World of Oncology Changes in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. 1017-1023
Author(s):  
Zelmira Ballatore ◽  
Lucia Bastianelli ◽  
Filippo Merloni ◽  
Nicoletta Ranallo ◽  
Luca Cantini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Information Protection ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Individual Perception ◽  
And Training

PURPOSE After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the WHO, a response from the Italian Health System to react to an unprecedented condition became necessary and sudden. The COVID-19 pandemic has required oncologists to redefine clinical organization and patient management. The purpose of our study was to document the difficulties emerging during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Italian oncology. METHODS We broadcasted an electronic survey to oncologic health care professionals. It consisted of 45 questions ranging from individual perception of pandemic management by hospital centers to physicians’ and nurses’ psychological distress and patient care. RESULTS A total of 383 oncology health workers participated in the survey. The majority were female (71.8%) and from central Italy (46.2%). Impressively, a total of 357 (93%) participants declared the oncologic department reorganized routine clinical activity, but only 40.5% were adequately trained about the required procedures; 20% of the survey respondents think they have not received adequate and timely protective devices. CONCLUSION Our survey demonstrated the flexibility of oncologic teams. However, the emergency response quality has been heterogeneous, and several drawbacks have emerged from the first analyses investigating how the world of oncology changes in the COVID-19 pandemic. Information, protection, testing, and training of health care professionals are key words that should be kept in mind to encourage recovery after this tragedy and to be ready to face a similar emergency in the future.

Investigating the Attitudes of Health-Care Professionals towards the Use of Integrated Care Pathways in a District General Hospital: A Thematic Analysis of Focus Group Discussion

2005 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Claridge ◽  
Dianne Parker ◽  
Gary Cook
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Integrated Care Pathways

Context: Integrated care pathways (ICPs) are an increasingly common approach to the standardization and integration of health-care practice in the NHS. They delineate interdisciplinary critical decision points and evidence-based daily treatment regimens for patients in specific disease groups. ICP champions assert that they have the potential to decrease medical errors, increase the accuracy of data capture, increase the efficiency of personnel and ultimately improve the quality of patient care. Despite the theoretical benefits of ICP use, there was anecdotal evidence of staff unease and audit evidence of variable compliance with ICPs at a district general hospital (DGH). Objective: This focus group study was one of the three interdependent methodologies used to investigate the attitudes of health-care professionals towards ICPs in a DGH. It was anticipated that thematic analysis of the focus group discussion would facilitate further the interpretation of qualitative data already analysed in a previous phase of the project, and inform the development of a survey questionnaire investigating the attitudes of the health-care professionals towards ICPs. Design: Ten focus groups comprising on average, six health-care professionals were conducted. The staff involved included doctors, nurses, professions allied to medicine, a member of the Community Health Council and non-clinical managers. The focus groups included staff with a range of seniority and speciality. Results: Analysis of the data achieved facilitated the confirmation and identification of themes underpinning the focus group discussion. These are reported here and illustrated by representative quotations. Conclusion: The focus group study provided a valuable insight into the attitudes regarding ICPs of over 60 health-care professionals. The themes identified were used to facilitate the development of a survey questionnaire to explore them in a quantifiable way. Focus group methodology proved to be a useful way to explore emerging issues in depth, and to observe areas of disagreement among staff.

Current Research Status of Palliative Care in Mainland China

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Wang ◽  
Alex Molassiotis ◽  
Betty Pui Man Chung ◽  
Jing-Yu Tan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Research Status ◽  
Palliative Care Services ◽  
And Training

Objectives: This study aimed to obtain an overview of the current research status of palliative care in Mainland China and identify research directions for future studies by characterizing palliative care studies conducted among patients with any life-limiting illness in Mainland China and published in a peer-reviewed journal before November 2016. Methods: A review guide with 7 categories was initially developed based on existing international palliative care definitions and guidelines through content analysis. Ten databases were used to identify relevant studies from the inception of online cataloging to November 2016. Studies conducted in Mainland China and their research topic that fell within one of the categories of the review guide were included for further analysis. Descriptive analysis was adopted to summarize the relevant findings. Results: 54 studies found to be relevant were included for the analysis. Three studies on “palliative care education and training” (category 1) asserted that education and training programs were scant in Mainland China and that only 1 program had been devised within the health-care context of Shanghai. Five studies on “palliative care screening and timely identification” (category 2) highlighted the absence of early screening criteria or checklists and referral procedures for palliative care. Thirty-one studies on “palliative care needs assessment (n = 12/31) and implementation (n = 19/31)” (category 3) were identified, and various methodological flaws were observed in most of these included studies. Twelve studies on “advanced decision-making” (category 4) were identified, all of which focused on investigating the attitudes of patients with cancer, their families, and/or health-care professionals toward advanced decision-making only. The percentage of patients, family members, and health-care professionals who held positive attitudes toward advanced decision-making were varied and suboptimal, particularly for family members (51.4%-58.0%). Five studies on “caring for patients at the end of life” (category 5) were identified, and the experience of health-care professionals in caring for those patients was explored. No studies relating to “death and bereavement care” (Category 6) and “psychological support for palliative care providers” (Category 7) were identified. Conclusion: The current research status of palliative care in Mainland China remains at an early stage with minimal palliative care services used. Although several knowledge gaps were identified, the first step, which should be addressed, is assessing the palliative care needs. An appropriate and ongoing needs assessment could provide important information for constructing comprehensive education and training programs of palliative care, identifying prognostic factors of timely palliative care referral, and developing evidence-based and tailored palliative care services.

Improving diagnosis by improving education: a policy brief on education in healthcare professions

Diagnosis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L. Graber ◽  
Joseph Rencic ◽  
Diana Rusz ◽  
Frank Papa ◽  
Pat Croskerry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Reasoning ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
And Training

Abstract Diagnostic error is increasingly recognized as a major patient safety concern. Efforts to improve diagnosis have largely focused on safety and quality improvement initiatives that patients, providers, and health care organizations can take to improve the diagnostic process and its outcomes. This educational policy brief presents an alternative strategy for improving diagnosis, centered on future healthcare providers, to improve the education and training of clinicians in every health care profession. The hypothesis is that we can improve diagnosis by improving education. A literature search was first conducted to understand the relationship of education and training to diagnosis and diagnostic error in different health care professions. Based on the findings from this search we present the justification for focusing on education and training, recommendations for specific content that should be incorporated to improve diagnosis, and recommendations on educational approaches that should be used. Using an iterative, consensus-based process, we then developed a driver diagram that categorizes the key content into five areas. Learners should: 1) Acquire and effectively use a relevant knowledge base, 2) Optimize clinical reasoning to reduce cognitive error, 3) Understand system-related aspects of care, 4) Effectively engage patients and the diagnostic team, and 5) Acquire appropriate perspectives and attitudes about diagnosis. These domains echo recommendations in the National Academy of Medicine’s report Improving Diagnosis in Health Care. The National Academy report suggests that true interprofessional education and training, incorporating recent advances in understanding diagnostic error, and improving clinical reasoning and other aspects of education, can ultimately improve diagnosis by improving the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of all health care professionals.

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