scholarly journals Conducting a psychosocial and lifestyle assessment as part of an integrated care approach for childhood obesity: experiences, needs and wishes of Dutch healthcare professionals

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. W. Koetsier ◽  
M. M. A. van Mil ◽  
M. M. A. Eilander ◽  
E. van den Eynde ◽  
C. A. Baan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Approach ◽  
The Right ◽  
Visual Materials ◽  
Solution Focused

Abstract Background The causes and consequences of childhood obesity are complex and multifaceted. Therefore, an integrated care approach is required to address weight-related issues and improve children’s health, societal participation and quality of life. Conducting a psychosocial and lifestyle assessment is an essential part of an integrated care approach. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences, needs and wishes of healthcare professionals with respect to carrying out a psychosocial and lifestyle assessment of childhood obesity. Methods Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with Dutch healthcare professionals, who are responsible for coordinating the support and care for children with obesity (coordinating professionals, ‘CPs’). The following topics were addressed in our interviews with these professionals: CPs’ experiences of both using childhood obesity assessment tools and their content, and CPs’ needs and wishes related to content, circumstances and required competences. The interviews comprised open-ended questions and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed using template analyses and complemented with open coding in MAXQDA. Results Most CPs experienced both developing a trusting relationship with the children and their parents, as well as establishing the right tone when engaging in weight-related conversations as important. CPs indicated that visual materials were helpful in such conversations. All CPs used a supporting assessment tool to conduct the psychosocial and lifestyle assessment but they also indicated that a more optimal tool was desirable. They recognized the need for specific attributes that helped them to carry out these assessments, namely: sufficient knowledge about the complexity of obesity; having an affinity with obesity-related issues; their experience as a CP; using conversational techniques, such as solution-focused counselling and motivational interviewing; peer-to-peer coaching; and finally, maintaining an open-minded, non-stigmatizing stance and harmonizing their attitude with that of the child and their parents. Conclusions Alongside the need for a suitable tool for conducting a psychosocial and lifestyle assessment, CPs expressed the need for requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes. Further developing a supporting assessment tool is necessary in order to facilitate CPs and thereby improve the support and care for children with obesity and their families.

scholarly journals Picking the Right Tool for the Job: A Reliability Study of 4 Assessment Tools for Central Venous Catheter Insertion

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 422-429
Author(s):  
Jason A. Lord ◽  
Danny J. Zuege ◽  
Maria Palacios Mackay ◽  
Amanda Roze des Ordons ◽  
Jocelyn Lockyer
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Central Venous Catheter ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Generalizability Theory ◽  
Venous Catheter ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Global Rating ◽  
Central Venous ◽  
The Right

ABSTRACT Background Determining procedural competence requires psychometrically sound assessment tools. A variety of instruments are available to determine procedural performance for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion, but it is not clear which ones should be used in the context of competency-based medical education. Objective We compared several commonly used instruments to determine which should be preferentially used to assess competence in CVC insertion. Methods Junior residents completing their first intensive care unit rotation between July 31, 2006, and March 9, 2007, were video-recorded performing CVC insertion on task trainer mannequins. Between June 1, 2016, and September 30, 2016, 3 experienced raters judged procedural competence on the historical video recordings of resident performance using 4 separate tools, including an itemized checklist, Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), a critical error assessment tool, and the Ottawa Surgical Competency Operating Room Evaluation (O-SCORE). Generalizability theory (G-theory) was used to compare the performance characteristics among the tools. A decision study predicted the optimal testing environment using the tools. Results At the time of the original recording, 127 residents rotated through intensive care units at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Seventy-seven of them (61%) met inclusion criteria, and 55 of those residents (71%) agreed to participate. Results from the generalizability study (G-study) demonstrated that scores from O-SCORE and OSATS were the most dependable. Dependability could be maintained for O-SCORE and OSATS with 2 raters. Conclusions Our results suggest that global rating scales, such as the OSATS or the O-SCORE tools, should be preferentially utilized for assessment of competence in CVC insertion.

scholarly journals Clinicians’ Perceptions of the Implementation of the Structured Assessment of Protective Factors for Violence Risk (SAPROF) on an Inpatient Forensic Unit

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Domjancic ◽  
Treena Wilkie ◽  
Shaheen Darani ◽  
Brittney Williams ◽  
Bandhana Maheru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Consensus Scoring ◽  
Additional Value

The Structured Assessment of PROtective Factors for Violence Risk (SAPROF) is an assessment tool that examines protective factors when assessing for violence risk. There is limited research on clinicians’ perceptions of the use and implementation of risk assessment tools, and this study aimed to examine the experiences of clinicians using the SAPROF in a low secure forensic rehabilitation inpatient unit in Canada. An exploratory research design was used, and five clinicians participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed using a thematic approach and three central themes were identified: understanding of the patient from a strengths-based point of view, providing clinicians with a focus on how to help the patient, and bringing in opportunities to collaborate as a team. The findings highlight the additional value of the SAPROF as tool in helping forensic teams to adopt strengths based approaches to risk assessment, enhancing treatment planning and inter-professional collaboration.   Keywords: strengths, risk assessment, SAPROF, consensus scoring, recovery

scholarly journals The Patchwork Text as Assessment Tool for Postgraduate Law Teaching in South Africa

Obiter ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-308
Author(s):  
JG Horn ◽  
L Van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Alternative Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Traditional Assessment ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Problem Solvers ◽  
The Right

In the increasingly competitive higher education sphere, delivering graduates with a sound academic grounding in their discipline is no longer enough. Institutions of higher learning must yield lifelong learners who are employable and equipped with the practical skills required by the profession. To ensure this, the right assessment approach is key. While assessment has always been a crucial component of instruction, traditional assessment tools run the risk of being mere tools for certification, facilitating surface learning instead of deep learning. Assessment approaches need to be re-evaluated to strike a balance between encouraging deep learning and instilling proper academic knowledge in graduates. To contribute to such a re-evaluation of traditional assessment methods, this article reports on the introduction of the patchwork text (PWT) as an alternative assessment tool in postgraduate law teaching at the University of the Free State (UFS). After making the case for the move towards more authentic, alternative assessment techniques, the authors embark on a discussion of the main features of the PWT, as well as guidelines for drafting a PWT assessment. The focus then shifts to an overview of PWT implementation in other postgraduate modules, ending with a discussion of the authors’ experience introducing the PWT in their own teaching. Useful information about the authors’ approach is shared, including examples of formative assessment exercises used as part of the PWT, specifics regarding the portfolio of evidence of learning to be handed in, and an outline of the four “patches” making up the assessment. It is concluded that the PWT has proven to be a viable tool for assessing postgraduate students in certain law modules at the UFS. It has managed to promote deep learning, develop students into critical thinkers and problem-solvers, and compel them to continuously engage with the study material – all while achieving the intended learning outcomes. The PWT is therefore recommended to lecturers who seek to equip students with a macro-vision of their field of study, the ability to integrate and contextualise different areas of the discipline, and the skill to reflect critically on new, emerging developments in the field.

scholarly journals Development and evaluation of an integrated diabetes-periodontitis nutrition and health education module

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Aini Jamil ◽  
Shin Hwa Chau ◽  
Nabihah Iman Abdul Razak ◽  
Iffa Izzwani Shamsul Kamar ◽  
Shahida Mohd-Said ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Visual Materials ◽  
Module Development ◽  
Nutrition And Dietetics

Abstract Background A good understanding of the bi-directional relationship between diabetes and periodontitis is essential to ensure the successful management of both diseases. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an integrated diabetes-periodontitis nutrition and health education module. Methods The module was developed as an iterative and review process by five experts in nutrition and dietetics, periodontics, and dental public health. It consisted of three phases: (i) needs assessment on module contents and characteristics, (ii) module development and (iii) module evaluation by experts. Twelve healthcare professionals aged between 30 and 53 years (average 13.5 years of working experience) validated the module contents and its comprehensibility using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for printable materials (PEMAT-P) and audio-visual materials (PEMAT-A/V). Scores of 0 (disagree) or 1 (agree) were given for sets of understandability and actionability statements and presented as a total percentage. Results Seventeen infographic-flip charts and 13 short-videos were developed in the Malay language and grouped into four topics: (i) Introduction to Diabetes and Periodontitis, (ii) Diabetes and Periodontitis Care, (iii) Lifestyle Modification, and (iv) Myths and Facts. Flip charts were rated between 76-100% for understandability and 80–100% for actionability, while videos rated between 90-100% for understandability and 100% for actionability, respectively. Conclusion Overall, the newly developed module ranked high median scores for understandability and actionability. This finding reflects positive acceptance of the integrated module among the various healthcare professionals involved in managing patients with diabetes and periodontitis.

Building organisational resilience for the construction industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulkfli Sapeciay ◽  
Suzanne Wilkinson ◽  
Seosamh B. Costello
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Community Resilience ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Disaster

Purpose This paper aims to explore New Zealand construction practitioners’ approaches to organisational resilience practice in built environment discipline, based on survey and interview results. The objective was to explore the resilience practice within the construction sector with the intention of developing a resilient assessment tool specifically for construction organisations. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted to gather information on assessment tools for measuring organisational resilience, their characteristics and indicators. Subsequently, a set of questions was formulated to collate opinions from construction practitioners in New Zealand, using a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. Findings This paper concludes by showing that the construction industry lacks resilience practice, especially from an organisational perspective. The findings suggest that the industry would benefit from a resilience assessment tool to help improve resilience. The adoption of such a tool could potentially enhance organisational capacity to recover quickly from crises and disasters. Practical implications Improving the resilience of construction organisations to natural disasters not only minimises the negative consequences to their organisations post-disaster and enhances their organisational performance during business as usual but also helps to improve community resilience. Originality/value Improving the resilience of construction organisations also helps to improve community resilience and overall post-disaster recovery. However, at present, little research has been conducted on how construction organisations deal with the risk of natural disasters.

scholarly journals Understanding what impacts on disclosing anal incontinence for women when comparing bowel-screening tools: a phenomenological study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Tucker ◽  
Elizabeth Mary Ann Murphy ◽  
Mary Steen ◽  
Vicki L. Clifton
Keyword(s):  
Anal Incontinence ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Subsequent Pregnancy ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Childbearing Age

Abstract Background There is limited research defining the true prevalence of anal incontinence (AI) in women of childbearing age. Understanding the limitations of the current assessment tools in the identification of AI is paramount for identifying the prevalence of AI and improving the care and management for women of childbearing age. The aim of this research was to explore and develop an understanding of women’s experiences in disclosing AI when completing a new bowel-screening questionnaire when compared to two established AI tools. Methods A phenomenological qualitative research study was undertaken in a maternity setting in a large tertiary hospital. Parous women in the first trimester of a subsequent pregnancy were recruited to complete a specifically designed screening tool (BSQ), St Marks Faecal incontinence score (Vaizey) and Cleveland (Wexner) score. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were utilised to identify experiences in disclosing AI. Results Women (n = 16, 22–42 years) with a history of anal incontinence either following the first birth (n = 12) or the second (n = 4) provided differing responses between the three assessment tools. All women answered the BSQ while the Vaizey and Wexner scores were more difficult to complete due to clinical language and participants level of comprehension. Women identified three major themes that were barriers for disclosing incontinence, which included social expectations, trusted space and confusion. Conclusion There are barriers for disclosing AI in the pregnant and post-natal population, which can be improved with the use of an easy assessment tool. The BSQ may facilitate discussion on AI between the patient and health professional leading to earlier identification and improvement in short and long-term health outcomes.

scholarly journals Health Literacy questionnaire development for 9 and 10 years old: a discussion of assessment tools!

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Reis ◽  
I Barroso ◽  
L Saboga-Nunes ◽  
O Okan ◽  
T Bollweg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
A Priori ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Questionnaire Development ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Settings

Abstract Background With Health literacy (HL) investments - to promote health and self-care during people’s life cycles (childhood, especially) - health professionals approach is multi-dimensional: within the family, school settings and community. The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility and usability of a questionnaire to characterize HL levels among 9 and 10 years old. It is expected that this will help health care personal to better focus health promotion initiatives in the school setting. Methods The CrAdLiSa project in conjunction with the HLCA German Consortium, implemented a field test for the newly developed HL assessment tool for children in the Portuguese context. This is a deductive-inductive, exploratory-descriptive study including 16 children, with 9 and 10 years old, from 2 different elementary schools in Santarém District (rural and urban areas). Semi-structured interviews aim at exploring the cognitive appraisal of concepts and indicators at the base of the questionnaire developed to assess HL levels. Data was subjected to content analysis, with a priori and a posteriori categorization. Results Preliminary results point to the cognitive comprehension by children of the feasibility of an instrument to assess their HL levels. It depicts discriminatory capabilities (to allow characterization of low, medium or high levels of HL). Children living in urban areas, having better financial resources are less likely to develop obesity, or low weight. Better self-perception of school performance, good relationship with family members, parents with higher education or higher levels of HL appear to have better quality of life. Conclusions Results suggest the need to invest in children’s and families’ HL, while taking into consideration personal, environmental and socioeconomic determinants. School settings should be considered as a natural arena to improve children’s (and, as a result, families’ and communities’) HL levels.

scholarly journals Assessing collaborative performance on construction projects through knowledge exchange

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 968-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gergana Staykova ◽  
Jason Underwood
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Continuous Assessment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Performance

Purpose How knowledge exchange (KE) can be used for the continuous assessment and improvement of collaborative performance of project-based organisations in construction is explored. Collaboration on construction projects must be facilitated by people alongside practice of continuous performance assessment and improvement. Currently available assessment tools fail to explicitly define appropriate behaviours and actions due to a poor understanding of what it means for people to collaborate. In contrast, it is established that KE is the focus of collaborative efforts on construction projects; therefore, as most knowledge resides with people, it represents their role in collaboration. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Through a phenomenological/interpretivist and qualitative methodology, how KE can be used for the continuous assessment and improvement of collaborative performance in project-based organisations in construction is explored. A single case study of a UK rail strategic alliance was adopted and six semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed through a thematic analysis. Findings An assessment tool is proposed based on a set of 20 characteristics of KE, divided into seven categories and linked to indicators of collaboration. The tool can be applied to highly collaborative projects where BIM and Lean are implemented, and project participants are collocated. By measuring their performance against the set criteria, project teams can assess which of their behaviours and actions are inappropriate, and focus their efforts on correcting them. Originality/value Defining the abstract indicators traditionally used to assess collaboration in terms of characteristics pertinent to day-to-day communication amongst participants on collaborative projects to facilitate the continuous assessment and improvement of collaborative performance.

scholarly journals Facilitating trial recruitment: A qualitative study of patient and staff experiences of an orthopaedic trauma trial

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Phelps ◽  
Elizabeth Tutton ◽  
Xavier Griffin ◽  
Janis Baird
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Orthopaedic Trauma ◽  
Trial Recruitment ◽  
Research Culture ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Qualitative research has been used to explore patients’ and healthcare professionals’ experiences of surgical randomised controlled trials (RCTs). From this research, reasons why patients accept or decline participation and barriers to engaging clinicians in trials have been identified. In a trauma setting, recruitment to surgical trials can be particularly difficult as patients may require urgent treatment and their ability to consider their options, ask questions and reach a decision may be hindered by the impact of their injury. Little research however, has explored patients’ and healthcare professionals’ experiences of surgical RCTs in a trauma setting. This study aimed to understand participants’ and staffs’ experiences of an orthopaedic trauma trial. Methods: We carried out semi-structured interviews with 11 participants and 24 staff (10 surgeons and 14 research associates) participating in a UK multi-centre feasibility trial comparing intramedullary nails versus distal locking plates for fractures of the distal femur (TrAFFix). Interviews explored patients’ experience of TrAFFix and their reason for participating and staffs’ experience of recruiting to TrAFFix and trauma trials more generally. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were identified. These were i) navigating research with patients after orthopaedic trauma, ii) knowing that it is the right decision and iii) making it work. These themes reflect: i) how research associates supported and guided patients through the consent process enabling them to participate, ii) the difficulty in engaging surgeons in a trial when individual equipoise and experience of the interventions is low despite the presence of community equipoise and iii) the way in which research teams worked together and encouraged the development of a research culture within the clinical teams in order to facilitate recruitment. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the pivotal role of research associates (RAs) in facilitating trial recruitment. RAs supported patients to enable them to make a decision about participation and assisted in developing a research culture within the team by promoting studies and communicating research to clinical staff. Our findings also reinforce surgeons’ difficulty with equipoise and suggest that accepting community equipoise could facilitate recruitment. Keywords: Qualitative, Interviews, experience, recruitment, trials,

scholarly journals Preferences on how to measure and discuss health related quality of life within integrated care for children with obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minke M. A. Eilander ◽  
Marieke M. A. van Mil ◽  
Leandra W. Koetsier ◽  
Jacob C. Seidell ◽  
Jutka Halberstadt
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Psychosocial Wellbeing ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background Childhood obesity can affect physical as well as psychosocial wellbeing. Therefore, childhood obesity care aims to improve all dimensions of health related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL can be measured with the generic questionnaire PedsQL4.0 and the weight-specific IWQOL-Kids. In the Netherlands, HRQoL assessment is conducted by the coordinating professional (CP). The aim of this qualitative study was to examine how and when to implement the measurement and discussion of HRQoL using the PedsQL4.0 and IWQOL-Kids within the integrated care for children with obesity in the Netherlands. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fourteen CPs, in which the following was discussed: a) familiarity and attributions with regard to the assessment of HRQoL; b) wishes and needs with regard to the usage of the questionnaires; c) its practical incorporation. Results Interviews revealed that most CPs gained insight into the HRQoL by talking with families. One CP used the PedsQL4.0, the remaining CPs were unfamiliar with the two questionnaires. Even though some barriers, for instance a lack of time, might hinder the implementation of the PedsQL4.0 and IWQOL-Kids, all participants think the usage of either one or both questionnaires would have additional value to the support and care for children with obesity. There was no consensus about the questionnaire of preference. Conclusions When the right preconditions are met, HRQoL questionnaires have the potential to support CPs in improving the care for children with obesity, tailored to each individual child.

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