scholarly journals Avoiding Difficult Conversations in the Australian Health Sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 237796082094197
Author(s):  
Christine King ◽  
Tanya Edlington ◽  
Brett Williams
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Clinical Supervisors ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Difficult Conversations

Background Health professionals avoiding difficult conversations with each other can lead to serious negative consequences for patients. Clinical supervisors are in the unique position of interacting both with students as well as colleagues and peers. This study explores the avoidance of difficult conversations from the perspective of clinical supervisors in order to better understand why health professionals avoid difficult conversations. Objective This study aimed to identify the reasons why difficult conversations are avoided between health-care professionals and to gain deeper insight into the phenomenon of avoiding difficult conversations in general. Methods Convergent interviewing was used with 20 clinical supervisors to explore the following question: Why do you think that people in your workplace avoid difficult conversations? Results Major reasons for avoiding difficult conversations included the fear of negative consequences, a general distaste for confrontation, and a lack of confidence in their skills to have such conversations. Additional factors included individual qualities such as personality type and communication style, available time, size of the workplace, and a range of perceived cultural barriers standing in the way of having difficult conversations. Conclusion There is a need to encourage clinical supervisors and other health professionals to embrace difficult conversations to reduce adverse events and enhance patient outcomes. This requires additional training and educational opportunities to enhance knowledge, skills, and confidence to plan and engage in difficult conversations. Some types of difficult conversations require more skills than others.

Surviving “Risk Factor Frenzy”: The Perils of Incorrectly Applying Epidemiological Research in Health Education and Promotion

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan I. Robison ◽  
Gregory Kline
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Lifestyle Change ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Epidemiological Research ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Education And Promotion

In health education and promotion, “risk factors” for disease gathered from epidemiological research form the basis from which the majority of recommendations to individuals for lifestyle change are made. Unfortunately, many health practitioners are unaware that this type of research was never intended to be applied to individuals. The result is ongoing public confusion and anxiety concerning health recommendations and a loss of credibility for health professionals. This article: 1) briefly reviews the most commonly encountered limitations inherent in epidemiological research; 2) explores the problems and potential negative consequences of incorrectly applying epidemiological research in health education and promotion; and 3) makes recommendations to help health practitioners more skillfully interpret and incorporate into their work findings from epidemiological research.

scholarly journals Interprofessional collaboration among health professionals in cleft lip and palate treatment and care in the public health sector of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phumzile Hlongwa ◽  
Laetitia C. Rispel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Cleft Lip And Palate ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Collaborative Leadership ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Group Function ◽  
Public Health Sector ◽  
Effective Group

Abstract Background Collaboration among different categories of health professionals is essential for quality patient care, especially for individuals with cleft lip and palate (CLP). This study examined interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among health professionals in all CLP specialised centres in South Africa’s public health sector. Methods During 2017, a survey was conducted among health professionals at all the specialised CLP centres in South Africa’s public health sector. Following informed consent, each member of the CLP team completed a self-administered questionnaire on IPC, using the Interprofessional Competency Framework Self-Assessment Tool. The IPC questionnaire consists of seven domains with 51 items: care expertise (8 items); shared power (4 items); collaborative leadership (10 items); shared decision-making (2 items); optimising professional role and scope (10 items); effective group function (9 items); and competent communication (8 items). STATA®13 was used to analyse the data. Descriptive analysis of participants and overall mean scores were computed for each domain and analysed using ANOVA. All statistical tests were conducted at 5% significance level. Results We obtained an 87% response rate, and 52 participants completed the questionnaire. The majority of participants were female 52% (n = 27); with a mean age of 41.9 years (range 22–72). Plastic surgeons accounted for 38.5% of all study participants, followed by speech therapists (23.1%), and professional nurses (9.6%). The lowest mean score of 2.55 was obtained for effective group function (SD + -0.50), and the highest mean score of 2.92 for care expertise (SD + -0.37). Explanatory factor analysis showed that gender did not influence IPC, but category of health professional predicted scores on the five categories of shared power (p = 0.01), collaborative leadership (p = 0.04), optimising professional role and scope (p = 0.03), effective group function (p = 0.01) and effective communication (p = 0.04). Conclusion The seven IPC categories could be used as a guide to develop specific strategies to enhance IPC among CLP teams. Institutional support and leadership combined with patient-centred, continuing professional development in multi-disciplinary meetings will also enrich IPC.

Benefits, Challenges, and Social Impact of Health Care Providers’ Adoption of Social Media

2021 ◽  
pp. 089443932110257
Author(s):  
Md Irfanuzzaman Khan ◽  
Jennifer (M.I.) Loh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Use Of Social Media

With the advent of telecommunication technologies and social media, many health care professionals are using social media to communicate with their patients and to promote health. However, the literature reveals a lacuna in our understanding of health care professionals’ perception of their behavioral intentions to use innovations. Using the Unified Technology Acceptance Framework (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 Australian health care experts to uncover their intent and actual use of social media in their medical practices. Results revealed that social media tools offered five significant benefits such as (i) enhanced communication between health care professionals and their patients, (ii) community support, (iii) enabled e-learning, (iv) enhanced professional network, and (v) expedited health promotion. However, result also revealed barriers to social media usage including (i) inefficiency, (ii) privacy concerns, (iii) poor quality of information, (iv) lack of trust, and (v) blurred professional boundary. Peer influence and supporting conditions were also found to be determinants of social media adoption behaviors among health care professionals. This study has important implications for health care providers, patients, and policy makers on the responsible use of social media, health promotion, and health communication. This research is also among the very few studies that explore Australian health care professionals’ intent and actual use of innovations within a health care setting.

How Do Public Service Professionals Behave in Risky Situations? The Importance of Organizational Culture

2021 ◽  
pp. 027507402110103
Author(s):  
Emily Rose Tangsgaard
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Organizational Cultures ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Subsequent Behavior ◽  
Hospital Wards

Many situations in public service delivery are characterized by uncertainty about the potential negative consequences following decisions. These risky situations make the behavior of frontline professionals particularly important. But what shapes the risk perception and subsequent behavior of frontline professionals in risky situations? This article explores the idea that organizational culture provides part of the answer. To examine this, a comprehensive qualitative study with participant observations and interviews at five public hospital wards was conducted. The findings demonstrate the importance of organizational culture on risk perception and behavior in risky situations. Basic cultural assumptions related to professional discussion, administering medicine, grading of adverse events, and prioritizing follow-up activities matter to behavior in risky situations. In organizational cultures with high levels of trust and dialogue about decision-making, the health professionals rely on each other and ask for second opinions, when making decisions in risky situations. Conversely, in organizational cultures with little trust and professional discussion, the health professionals are less likely to ask for second opinions and follow up on risky situations, which increases the possibility of unintended, negative consequences. In this way, organizational culture can be a driver of risk-reducing and risk-seeking behavior among frontline professionals.

Combating IPV With Community Leaders in Honduras: An Evaluation of an IPV Training Program Among Teachers and Health Professionals

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110089
Author(s):  
Chunrye Kim ◽  
Joel A. Capellan ◽  
Hung-En Sung ◽  
Eduardo Rafael Orellana
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Safety Planning ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
The Impact

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among women in Latin America, including Honduras, is serious. To help IPV victims, a community-based educational program has been implemented. This study aims to examine the impact of IPV training among teachers and health care professionals ( n = 160) on increases in IPV knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy when dealing with IPV victims using a pretest and posttest design. We found that the treatment group who received IPV training showed significantly lower justification for IPV, higher gender equality attitudes, and higher IPV knowledge as well as higher confidence levels in identifying IPV victims and safety planning for victims. We concluded that the IPV training program using the community-based approaches has the potential to help IPV victims in Honduras. More efforts should be made to increase the educational opportunities the community members can receive.

scholarly journals Preoperative bariatric surgery programme barriers facing Pacific patients in Auckland, New Zealand as perceived by health sector professionals: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e029525
Author(s):  
Tamasin Taylor ◽  
Wendy Wrapson ◽  
Ofa Dewes ◽  
Nalei Taufa ◽  
Richard J Siegert
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
Emotional Safety ◽  
Minority Ethnic

Minority ethnic patient groups typically have the highest bariatric surgery preoperative attrition rates and lowest surgery utilisation worldwide. Eligible patients of Pacific Island ethnicity (Pacific patients) in New Zealand (NZ) follow this wider trend.ObjectivesThe present study explored structural barriers contributing to Pacific patients’ disproportionately high preoperative attrition rates from publicly-funded bariatric surgery in Auckland, NZ.SettingPublicly-funded bariatric surgery programmes based in the wider Auckland area, NZ.DesignSemi-structured interviews with health sector professionals (n=21) were conducted.Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.ResultsTwo primary themes were identified: (1) Confidence negotiating the medical system, which included Emotional safety in clinical settings and Relating to non-Pacific health professionals and (2) Appropriate support to achieve preoperative goals, which included Cultural considerations, Practical support and Relating health information. Clinical environments and an under-representation of Pacific staff were considered to be barriers to developing emotional safety, trust and acceptance of the surgery process with patients and their families. Additionally, economic deprivation and lower health literacy impacted preoperative goals.ConclusionsHealth professionals’ accounts indicated that Pacific patients face substantial levels of disconnection in bariatric surgery programmes. Increasing representation of Pacific ethnicity by employing more Pacific health professionals in bariatric teams and finding novel solutions to implement preoperative programme components have the potential to reduce this disconnect. Addressing cultural competency of staff, increasing consultancy times and working in community settings may enable staff to better support Pacific patients and their families. Programme structures could be more accommodating to practical barriers of attending appointments, managing patients’ preoperative health goals and improving patients’ health literacy. Given that Pacific populations, and other patients from minority ethnic backgrounds living globally, also face high rates of obesity and barriers accessing bariatric surgery, our findings are likely to have broader applicability.

scholarly journals The effect of multimodal comprehensive care methodology training on oral health care professionals’ empathy for patients with dementia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Kobayashi ◽  
Mio Ito ◽  
Yasuyuki Iwasa ◽  
Yoshiko Motohashi ◽  
Ayako Edahiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Oral Care ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Comprehensive Care ◽  
Dental Hygienists ◽  
People With Dementia

Abstract Background The prevalence of oral diseases in people with dementia has increased, and patients with dementia have worse oral health than people without dementia. However, in the provision of oral care, these patients often exhibit care-resistant behaviours. Empathy is important for health care professionals who provide dental care for people with dementia. A study was conducted to assess whether a multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme, Humanitude™, was associated with an improvement in empathy for people with dementia among oral health care professionals. Methods This research was a pre-post prospective study. A total of 45 dentists and dental hygienists participated in a 7-h multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme. Participants’ empathy for their patients was evaluated with the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Health Professionals Version (JSPE-HP) before the training and 1 month after the training (primary outcome). Each participant listed 3 patients with poor oral health due to the refusal of usual oral care or dental treatment from his or her clinical practice. The oral health of the 3 care-resistant patients listed by each participant was evaluated by the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) before the training and 1 month after the training (secondary outcome). Results The post-training response rate was 87% (21 dentists and 18 dental hygienists). From pre-training to post-training, the multimodal comprehensive care methodology training significantly increased the mean empathy score (from 113.97 to 122.95, P < 0.05, effect size = 0.9). Regardless of gender, profession and years of clinical experience, all post-training subgroup scores were higher than the pre-training subgroup scores. The tongue, natural teeth, and oral hygiene scores of patients with dementia who resisted usual oral care or dental treatment, as assessed by the OHAT, were significantly improved compared with those before the training. Conclusions The multimodal comprehensive care methodology training was associated with an improvement in oral health professionals’ empathy for patients with dementia. These findings suggest that randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes will be needed. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000041687. Registered 4 September 2020 – Retrospectively registered, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000047586

Spiritual issues and needs: Perspectives from patients with advanced cancer and nonmalignant disease. A qualitative study

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELIZABETH GRANT ◽  
SCOTT A. MURRAY ◽  
MARILYN KENDALL ◽  
KIRSTY BOYD ◽  
STEPHEN TILLEY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Nonmalignant Disease

Objective: Health care professionals and policy makers acknowledge that spiritual needs are important for many patients with life-limiting illnesses. We asked such patients to describe their spiritual needs and how these needs may impinge on their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Patients were also encouraged to explain in what ways their spiritual needs, if they had any, could be addressed.Methods: We conducted two qualitative interviews, 3 months apart, with 20 patients in their last year of life: 13 patients with advanced cancer and 7 with advanced nonmalignant illness. We also interviewed each patient's general practitioner. Sixty-six interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed.Results: Patients' spiritual needs centered around their loss of roles and self-identity and their fear of dying. Many sought to make sense of life in relation to a nonvisible or sacred world. They associated anxiety, sleeplessness, and despair with such issues, which at times resulted in them seeking support from health professionals. Patients were best able to engage their personal resources to meet these needs when affirmed and valued by health professionals.Significance of results: Enabling patients to deal with their spiritual needs through affirmative relationships with health professionals may improve quality of life and reduce use of health resources. Further research to explore the relationship between spiritual distress and health service utilization is indicated.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document