scholarly journals Positive Health and the happy professional: a qualitative case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caro H. C. Lemmen ◽  
Gili Yaron ◽  
Rachel Gifford ◽  
Marieke D. Spreeuwenberg

Abstract Background Primary care professionals (PCPs) face mounting pressures associated with their work, which has resulted in high burn-out numbers. Increasing PCPs’ job satisfaction is proposed as a solution in this regard. Positive Health (PH) is an upcoming, comprehensive health concept. Among others, this concept promises to promote PCPs’ job satisfaction. However, there is limited research into PH’s effects on this topic. This study, therefore, aims to provide insight into how adopting PH in a general practice affects PCPs’ job satisfaction. Methods An ethnographic case study was conducted in a Dutch general practice that is currently implementing PH. Data collected included 11 semi-structured interviews and archival sources. All data were analyzed thematically. Results Thematic analysis identified three themes regarding PCPs’ adoption of PH and job satisfaction, namely [1] adopting and adapting Positive Health, [2] giving substance to Positive Health in practice, and [3] changing financial and organizational structures. Firstly, the adoption of PH was the result of a match between the practice and the malleable and multi-interpretable concept. Secondly, PH supported PCPs to express, legitimize, and promote their distinctive approach to care work and its value. This strengthened them to further their holistic approach to health and stimulate autonomy in practice, with respect to both patients and professionals. Thirdly, the concept enabled PCPs to change their financial and organizational structures, notably freeing time to spend on patients and on their own well-being. This allowed them to enact their values. The changes made by the practice increased the job satisfaction of the PCPs. Conclusions PH contributed to the job satisfaction of the PCPs of the general practice by functioning as an adaptable frame for change. This frame helped them to legitimize and give substance to their vision, thereby increasing job satisfaction. PH’s malleability allows for the frame’s customization and the creation of the match. Simultaneously, malleability introduces ambiguity on what the concept entails. In that regard, PH is not a readily implementable intervention. We recommend that other organizations seeking to adopt PH consider whether they are willing and able to make the match and explore how PH can help substantiate their vision.

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X696929
Author(s):  
Jill Mitchell

BackgroundThere is an emerging debate that general practice in its current format is out-dated and there is a requirement to move to a federated model of provision where groups of Practices come together. The emergence of federations has developed over the past 5 years but the factors that influence how federations develop and the impact of this new model is an under researched area.AimThe study explored the rationale around why a group of independent GP practices opted to pursue an alternative business venture and the benefits that this strategy offered.MethodA single organisational case study of a federation in the North of England was conducted between 2011–2016. Mixed methods data collection included individual and group semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys.ResultsFederations promote collaborative working, relying on strategic coherence of multiple individual GP practices through a shared vision and common purpose. Findings revealed many complexities in implementing a common strategy across multiple independent businesses. The ability of the federation to gain legitimacy was two dimensional – externally and internally. The venture had mixed successes, but their approach to quality improvement proved innovative and demonstrated outcomes on a population basis. The study identified significant pressures that practices were experiencing and the need to seek alternative ways of working but there was no shared vision or inclination to relinquish individual practice autonomy.ConclusionOrganisational development support is critical to reform General Practice. Whether central funding through the GP Five Year Forward View will achieve the scale of change required is yet to be evidenced.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110651
Author(s):  
Jiamin Dai ◽  
Joan C. Bartlett ◽  
Karyn Moffatt

Growing dementia-friendly library services are contributing to community-based dementia care. Emerging community programs in libraries and museums provide notable opportunities for promoting engagement and inclusivity, but these programs have yet to receive in-depth assessments and analyses to guide future research and practice. This paper presents a case study examining a social and storytelling program for people with dementia run by a Canadian public library. It investigates two research questions: How can public library programs contribute to community-based dementia care? And what are public libraries’ strengths and challenges in running programs for people with dementia? The study involves participant observations of the program and semi-structured interviews with people with dementia, caregivers, and program facilitators (librarians and Alzheimer Society coordinators). Through thematic analysis of fieldnotes and transcripts, the study reveals how this inclusive platform supports engagement, fosters relationships, helps caregivers, and reaches broader communities. This research further uncovers the librarians’ diversified roles as demonstrated through their collaboration with professionals, preparation and research, and facilitation of the sessions. This paper advances librarianship research on enriching community-based dementia care, including furthering inclusivity and engagement and extending accessible library services. By analyzing library programming for the dementia community and assessing its strengths and challenges, the paper highlights librarians’ awareness of the community’s evolving needs and their collaboration with other professionals. It offers practical insights on useful resources and emerging best practices that will hopefully inspire other initiatives in which information professionals can help improve the well-being of vulnerable populations.


Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Monica Lillefjell ◽  
Ruca Elisa Katrin Maass

Five principles for health promotion (HP) stand out in various forms, providing guidance for HP measures and policy implementation: (1) a broad and positive health concept, (2) participation and involvement of key stakeholders, (3) build action and action competence by involving and empowering target groups, (4) a setting perspective, and (5) equity in health. The purpose of this study is to describe, and critically discuss, how the five HP principles can be applied to structure collaboration processes for implementing HP measures in local communities. A case study methodology was applied when investigating how the HP principles guided actions and focus-of-attention throughout the process of implementing a local community HP measure. Of special importance was the broad involvement of stakeholders and the anchoring of overarching, as well as specific, HP goals in the municipal strategic documents to ensure political commitment, ownership, and adequate resources. Direction on how to apply or achieve the HP principles should be further explored, described, and brought into systematic day-to-day work for a better society-development.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Betina Cardoso ◽  
Ana Haydeé Ladio

The Patagoniansteppe is a cultural landscape which is constantly being recreated by man. In this case study, peridomestic forestation oftree species was analysed in a small community, including the richness of plants used and the reasons behind their choice.In the Mapuche population of Pilkiniyeu del Limay (Río Negro) free and semi-structured interviews were carried out with28 interviewees. The data was analysed using both uni- and multivariate methods. Results indicate that nine exotic speciesare used. These forested areas, used for meetings and recreation, provide useful living space and are of great socialimportance. The principal motivation behind this forestation is the need for materials for building fences (96%), toprovide shelter from the elements (86%), firewood (43%), and cattle fodder (11%). The MSD revealed a shared valuesystem with respect to the forestation. The traditional ecological knowledge that people use in the selection and use offirewood species does not seem to have an influence on choices made when planting trees around their homes. This couldindicate that forestation is a general practice deeply rooted and influenced by the oblique transmission carried out byexternal agriculture agents who visit and offer help to this community.


Author(s):  
Sergio Sánchez Castiñeira

This case study analyses some of the processes that are restructuring public social assistance in the inequality regime that emerges from the recent economic recession in Spain. It shows how social workers turn what could be an inefficient public program into an active social policy through a cognitive, normative and emotional approach. A highly qualified and vocational workforce compensates meagre institutional support and lack of opportunities by instilling in the new poor new knowledge, abilities and attitudes to access basic informal resources from the local context. However, social workers’ agency could eventually contribute to confine clients within the material and symbolic limits of an expanding grey zone with scarce opportunities and diminished well-being, between inclusion and exclusion. This research is based on semi-structured interviews (17) and focus groups (8).


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6836
Author(s):  
Rocío Santo-Tomás Muro ◽  
Carlota Sáenz de Tejada Granados ◽  
Eva J. Rodríguez Romero

Providing conditions for health and well-being, especially for those most exposed to social and environmental inequalities, is a precondition for sustainable development. Green infrastructures in peri-urban areas have the potential to improve the quality of life of locals by fostering healthy practices, providing views, or bringing nature closer to the city. This work explores the local perception of well-being within urban green infrastructures (UGI) in the peri-urban fringe of Madrid (Spain) through a combination of qualitative methods: “go-alongs” and “semi-structured static interviews”. The grounded-theory based codification of the data using NVivo software and their subsequent analysis results in the identification of social, natural, and perceptual elements that prove to play a relevant role in locals’ perception of well-being. Among these, connectivity with other green spaces, panoramic views and place-based memories are aspects that seem to make UGI serve the community at its full potential, including perceived physical and psychological well-being. We identify in each case study both positive characteristics of UGI and dysfunctional aspects and areas of opportunity. Lastly, a methodological, geographical, and theoretical discussion is made on the relevance of the case studies and pertinence of the two interview methods as valuable tools for analysis and intervention in the peri-urban landscape.


BMC Nursing ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Schönenberger ◽  
Beat Sottas ◽  
Christoph Merlo ◽  
Stefan Essig ◽  
Stefan Gysin

Abstract Background Considering shortages of general practitioners (GP) and strategies for improving the quality of health care provision, many countries have implemented interprofessional care models with advanced practice nurses (APN). International evidence suggests that APN care results in high patient satisfaction. In Switzerland, the role is still new, and the patient perspective has not yet been researched. Our aim was therefore to explore patients’ experiences with the APN role in Swiss family practices. Methods We conducted 22 semi-structured interviews in four different family practices with patients aged 18 to 97 suffering from minor acute to multiple chronic diseases, and who had at least one consultation with an APN. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results The analysis resulted in five themes: Despite the unfamiliarity, all patients were willing to be consulted by an APN because it was recommended by their GP (1); after several encounters, most participants perceived differences between the APN and the GP consultation in terms of the length and style of the consultations as well as the complexity of their tasks (2); the interviewees emphasised coaching, guidance, care coordination, and GP-assisting tasks as APN core competencies and attributed the characteristics empathetic, trustworthy, and competent to the APN role (3); most patients especially valued home visits and the holistic approach of the APNs, but they also noticed that in certain cases GP supervision was required (4); and due to the close collaboration between the APN and the GP, patients felt safe, well cared for and experienced improvements in physical and psychological well-being as well as in daily activities (5). Conclusion Our results suggested that patients value the APNs’ competencies, despite their initial lack of role knowledge. Trust in the GP seemed to be the most important factor for patients’ receptiveness toward the APN role. Overall, patients perceived an added value due to the enlargement of the scope of practice offered by APNs. The patient perspective might provide valuable insights for further APN role implementation in Swiss family practices.


Author(s):  
Nozibusiso Nkosi ◽  
Vuyelwa Maweni

The existing misclassifications in correctional centers have negative effects on inmates’ well-being—emotional and physical. This is fueled by overcrowding in correctional centers, making rehabilitation of offenders, as envisaged by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), an impossible mandate. Overcrowding causes various issues, including poor healthcare, scarcity of resources, lack of nutritious meals, and the perpetuation of violent behavior. The aim of the article is to determine the effects of overcrowding on the rehabilitation process of offenders. This study was conducted at the biggest correctional center (Durban Westville) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with the use of semi-structured interviews with selected inmates and officials at the Medium B facility. The findings of this article reveal the negative physical, social, and psychological effects of overcrowding on the lives of offenders and the effects they have on rehabilitation programs. The article suggests that in order for rehabilitation programs to be a success, decisive steps need to be taken to improve the correctional environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C M A De Bot ◽  
C Boemaars ◽  
J A J Dierx

Abstract Background The current WHO definition of health seems to no longer meet the changes in the current Dutch health system. An alternative approach which puts emphasis on health, not disease, is Positive Health. This focus shifts the emphasis on improving resilience and well-being rather than the perspective on what is lacking in health. In 2014, this new definition of Positive health was included in the professional profile ’physiotherapist’ of the Royal Dutch Association for Physiotherapy. This study examines the attitude of physiotherapists to Positive Health and to what extent they experience this concept in their current working practice. Methods A mixed method study was used, with a quantitative and qualitative method. A survey was completed by 276 physiotherapists and 7 semi-structured interviews were conducted among physiotherapists. Results Positive health was considered positive by 68% of the physiotherapists that health is seen as a dynamic concept rather than static, and 60.5% consider it important that the emphasis is on self-regulation. However, physiotherapists wonder if all patients have the ability to self-manage skills. The qualitative analysis shows that all therapists find the new definition positive and that it covers all aspects of health. Conclusions In general, physiotherapists are positive about the definition of positive health. Positive health can help physiotherapists in their work with clients and other professionals because of the multidisciplinary approach. Key messages Positive health can help physiotherapists to promote health in their clients. Positive health can stimulate cooperation between physiotherapists and client to increase self-management.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Bradshaw ◽  
Lesley Dunleavy ◽  
Ian Garner ◽  
Nancy Preston ◽  
Sabrina Bajwah ◽  
...  

Objectives: To explore the experiences of, and impact on, staff working in palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Qualitative multiple case study using semi-structured interviews between November 2020 and April 2021 as part of the CovPall study. Data were analysed using thematic framework analysis. Setting: Organisations providing specialist palliative services in any setting. Participants: Staff working in specialist palliative care, purposefully sampled by the criteria of role, care setting and COVID-19 experience. Main outcome measures: Experiences of working in palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Five cases and 24 participants were recruited (n=12 nurses, 4 clinical managers, 4 doctors, 2 senior managers, 1 healthcare assistant, 1 allied healthcare professional). Central themes demonstrate how infection control constraints prohibited and diluted participants ability to provide care that reflected their core values, resulting in experiences of moral distress. Despite organisational, team, and individual support strategies, continually managing these constraints led to a crescendo effect in which the impacts of moral distress accumulated over time, sometimes leading to burnout. Solidarity with colleagues and making a valued contribution provided moral comfort for some. Conclusions: This study provides a unique insight into why and how healthcare staff have experienced moral distress during the pandemic, and how organisations have responded. Despite their experience of dealing with death and dying, the mental health and well-being of palliative care staff was affected by the pandemic. Organisational, structural, and policy changes are urgently required to mitigate and manage these impacts.


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