scholarly journals “Will You Still Feel Beautiful When You Find Out You Are Different?”: Parents’ Experiences, Reflections, and Appearance-Focused Conversations About Their Child’s Visible Difference

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110392
Author(s):  
Kristin J. Billaud Feragen ◽  
Anita Myhre ◽  
Nicola Marie Stock

To investigate parents’ reflections and experiences of having a child born with an appearance-altering condition, interviews with 33 parents of children born with rare craniofacial conditions were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: “Managing emotions: A dynamic process,” “Through another lens: External reminders of difference,” and “Awareness of difference: Approaching the child.” Findings suggest that although parents learned to accept and love their child’s visible difference, external factors such as appearance-altering surgery and other people’s reactions activated difficult emotions in parents. Parents struggled to decipher whether and when to raise appearance-related issues with their child, and how this could be done without distressing the child. Anticipatory guidance that facilitates positive appearance-focused conversations both within and outside the home seems to be needed. Parenting skills could also be strengthened by preparing parents for social reactions to the child’s visible difference, and their child’s changed appearance following surgery.

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rayner Kay Jin Tan ◽  
Nashwinder Kaur ◽  
Mark I-Cheng Chen ◽  
Chen Seong Wong

Although factors associated with HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing among gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) men are well-established in the literature, few studies have attempted to delineate the processes underlying different patterns of testing. We conducted a qualitative study involving 35 semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of GBQ men in Singapore from October 2017 to July 2018. Topics explored included formative sexual experiences, relationships, and experiences of HIV/STI testing. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. A typology comprising four distinct HIV/STI testing patterns was identified from the data, categorized based on the regularity of testing, relative to internal or external factors that motivate testing behaviors. These include triggered episodic testing, influenced episodic testing, institutionalized regular testing, and value-based regular testing. The typology highlights the preconditions that underlie different testing patterns and provides a framework for developing interventions that promote HIV/STI testing among GBQ men.


Author(s):  
W. M. Charmant ◽  
P. J. van der Wees ◽  
J. B. Staal ◽  
R. van Cingel ◽  
J. M. Sieben ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The therapeutic alliance (TA) is the bond between a patient and a physiotherapist during collaboration on recovery or training. Previous studies focused on the TA between physiotherapists and patients of the general population. Little information exists on whether this is similar in the demanding environment of elite athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the components of TA between elite athletes and physiotherapists. Methods Ten elite athletes and ten physiotherapists were interviewed using one-on-one semi-structured interviews between June 2020 and October 2020. Athletes were included if they competed at national or international championships. Physiotherapists had to treat elite athletes on a regular basis. Interview questions were based on TA components of the general physiotherapy population. The interviews were transcribed and coded using inductive thematic analysis. Results The analysis resulted in an elite athlete TA framework which consists of nine themes and ten subthemes that could influence the TA. The nine themes are trust, communication, professional bond, social bond, elite athlete, physiotherapist, time, pressure and adversity, and external factors. This showed that the TA consists of bonds on different social levels, depends on the traits of both elite athletes and physiotherapists, and can be positively and negatively influenced by the external environment. The influences from the external environment seem to be more present in the elite athlete TA compared to the TA in the general physiotherapy setting. Multiple relations between themes were discovered. Trust is regarded as the main connecting theme. Conclusion This study provides a framework to better understand the complex reality of the TA between elite athletes and physiotherapists. Compared to the general physiotherapy setting, new themes emerged. The created framework can help elite athletes and physiotherapists to reflect and improve their TA and subsequently improve treatment outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000888
Author(s):  
Dane Vishnubala ◽  
Katherine Rose Marino ◽  
Margaret Kathryn Pratten ◽  
Andy Pringle ◽  
Steffan Arthur Griffin ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo explore the services National Health Service (NHS)-based sport and exercise medicine (SEM) clinics can offer, and the barriers to creating and integrating SEM services into the NHS.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were undertaken to collect data from identified ‘stakeholders’. Stakeholders were identified as individuals who had experience and knowledge of the speciality of SEM and the NHS. An inductive thematic analysis approach was taken to analyse the data.ResultsN=15 stakeholder interviews. The management of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries (both acute and chronic) and concussion were highlighted as the two key services that SEM clinics can offer that would most benefit the NHS. MSK ultrasound was also mentioned by all stakeholders as a critical service that SEM clinics should provide. While exercise medicine is an integral part of SEM, SEM clinics should perhaps not have a heavy exercise medicine focus. The key barriers to setting up SEM clinics were stated to be convincing NHS management, conflict with other specialities and a lack of awareness of the speciality.ConclusionThe management of acute MSK injuries and concussion should be the cornerstone of SEM services, ideally with the ability to provide MSK ultrasound. Education of others on the speciality of SEM, confirming consistent ‘unique selling points’ of SEM clinics and promoting how SEM can add value to the NHS is vital. If the successful integration of SEM into the NHS is not widely achieved, we risk the NHS not receiving all the benefits that SEM can provide to the healthcare system.


2021 ◽  
pp. 205715852199445
Author(s):  
Kristina Sundt Eriksen ◽  
Sissel Iren Eikeland Husebø ◽  
Hartwig Kørner ◽  
Kirsten Lode

Colorectal cancer affects a large number of people aged ≥80 years. Little is known about how they manage after discharge from hospital. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of individuals aged ≥80 years recovering from surgery for colorectal cancer, and the challenges they may encounter after discharge from hospital. Data were collected between January and March 2016 through in-depth interviews with ten participants approximately one month after surgery. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. The COREQ checklist was used in reporting this study. Two themes were identified: Managing the recovery from CRC surgery, and Insufficient follow-up from the healthcare services after CRC surgery. The findings indicate that older people treated for colorectal cancer manage surprisingly well after discharge despite challenges in their recovery; however, there are seemingly areas of improvement in their follow-up healthcare.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Hasani ◽  
P. Malliaras ◽  
T. Haines ◽  
S. E. Munteanu ◽  
J. White ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although telehealth is becoming more popular for delivery of care for individuals with musculoskeletal pain, to our knowledge telehealth has not been used to manage Achilles tendinopathy. This research aimed to explore the experience of participants and physiotherapists with gym-based exercise interventions for Achilles tendinopathy monitored via videoconference. Methods A qualitative, interpretive description design was performed using semi-structured interviews (8 participants) and a focus group (7 physiotherapists). Participants and physiotherapists were interviewed about their experiences of the use of telehealth during a gym-based exercise intervention incorporating different calf load parameters for Achilles tendinopathy. We employed an inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the data. Results Three themes identified from both participants and physiotherapists included i) acceptability of telehealth; ii) enablers to adherence with telehealth; and iii) barriers to adherence with telehealth. Two extra themes arose from participants regarding adherence with gym-based exercise, including enablers to adherence with the exercise intervention, and barriers to adherence with the exercise intervention. Both participants and physiotherapists expressed overall satisfaction and acceptability of telehealth monitoring of gym-based exercise. Conclusion Gym-based exercise intervention for Achilles tendinopathy involving weekly telehealth monitoring was acceptable to both participants and physiotherapists. Potential enablers and barriers were identified that may improve adherence to this type of intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205920432110225
Author(s):  
Amanda E Krause ◽  
Solange Glasser ◽  
Margaret Osborne

Investigations of music in everyday life are dominated by a functional perspective, drawn from work using the theory of Uses and Gratifications. In so doing, we may have neglected to fully appreciate the value people place on music listening. Therefore, the present study considered if, and why, people value music listening and probed instances when they may not want to listen to music in everyday life. A sample of 319 university students residing in Australia (76.50% female, M age = 20.64) completed an online questionnaire, on which they were asked to provide short responses to open-ended questions directly addressing two research questions. Inductive thematic analysis yielded 13 themes synthesizing how participants valued listening to music, such as appreciation, emotion, time and engagement, cognitive factors, and mood regulation. Reasons for not listening to music were summarized by eight themes dominated by interference with activities that required focus or concentration, followed by environmental context, affective responses, music engagement and inversely, a preference for silence or other auditory stimuli. Fifteen percent of participants stated there was never a time they did not want to listen to music. The findings provide a novel perspective on the value of music listening beyond that considered by uses and gratifications with regard to the function of listening to music in everyday life.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjinnov-2020-000498
Author(s):  
Stephanie Aboueid ◽  
Samantha B Meyer ◽  
James R Wallace ◽  
Shreya Mahajan ◽  
Teeyaa Nur ◽  
...  

ObjectiveSymptom checkers are potentially beneficial tools during pandemics. To increase the use of the platform, perspectives of end users must be gathered. Our objectives were to understand the perspectives and experiences of young adults related to the use of symptom checkers for assessing COVID-19-related symptoms and to identify areas for improvement.MethodsWe conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 22 young adults (18–34 years of age) at a university in Ontario, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsWe identified six main themes related to the decision of using a symptom checker for COVID-19 symptoms: (1) presence of symptoms or a combination of symptoms, (2) knowledge about COVID-19 symptoms, (3) fear of seeking in-person healthcare services, (4) awareness about symptom checkers, (5) paranoia and (6) curiosity. Participants who used symptom checkers shared by governmental entities reported an overall positive experience. Individuals who used non-credible sources reported suboptimal experiences due to lack of perceived credibility. Five main areas for improvement were identified: (1) information about the creators of the platform, (2) explanation of symptoms, (3) personalised experience, (4) language options, and (5) option to get tested.ConclusionsThis study suggests an increased acceptance of symptom checkers due to the perceived risks of infection associated with seeking in-person healthcare services. Symptom checkers have the potential to reduce the burden on healthcare systems and health professionals, especially during pandemics; however, these platforms could be improved to increase use.


Human Affairs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-193
Author(s):  
Filip Sulejmanov ◽  
Klára Seitlová ◽  
Martin Seitl ◽  
Barbora Kasalová

Abstract The aim of this study is to explore the antecedents of studying abroad. First, we explore motivations for and barriers against studying abroad in two groups of students (who had studied abroad, and who had not studied abroad). Second, differences in attachment dimensions and styles are examined in both groups. A deductive thematic analysis supported the thematic structure identified by Krzaklewska (2008) in regard to motivations. Furthermore, five barriers were identified using inductive thematic analysis. Although the same motivational and barrier themes were found in both groups, there were some notable qualitative differences in meaning attached to them. A one-way MANOVA showed non-significant differences between the two groups of students and attachment dimensions. Finnaly, Fisher’s exact test was conducted, and the post hoc comparison showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of students who had studied abroad and had a secure attachment style compared to students who had not studied abroad.


Author(s):  
Cathal Blake ◽  
Louise Hopper

Ageing is a significant risk factor for developing dementia; however, some people develop symptoms before the age of 65. Although less common, it is referred to as young-onset dementia. Estimating prevalence rates in Ireland is difficult, as there has been little study around what it is like to live with/care for this cohort; consequently, it is poorly understood. Nine primary carers were interviewed using semi-structured one-to-one interviews. Interview data were analysed with inductive thematic analysis. Themes included sense of loss, diagnostic issues, appropriateness of services, stigma and carer strain, illustrating the complex nature of caring for someone with young-onset dementia.


2019 ◽  
pp. 135910531988459
Author(s):  
Lucy Prodgers ◽  
Brendan Gough

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with stigmatising symptoms. Online support platforms eschew stigma, thus may appeal more to men who avoid traditional forms of health support. Using a critical realist netnographic approach and inductive thematic analysis, this study examined six blogs written by UK-based men to explore how inflammatory bowel disease was narrated. Three subthemes and one overarching theme – The (in)visible paradox of IBD – were developed. Findings suggest private aspects of inflammatory bowel disease risk experiential erasure, whereas public aspects lack control. Blogging facilitates the regaining of control, leading to important support connections and a re-imagining of the male inflammatory bowel disease body.


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