scholarly journals The impact of narrative writing on empathy, perspective-taking, and attitude: Two randomized controlled experiments on violations of Covid-19 protection regulations

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254501
Author(s):  
Martina Bientzle ◽  
Marie Eggeling ◽  
Marie Kanzleiter ◽  
Kerstin Thieme ◽  
Joachim Kimmerle
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Narrative Text ◽  
Narrative Writing ◽  
Controlled Experiments ◽  
Empathy Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type ◽  
The Impact

Objective Two randomized controlled experiments investigated if writing a narrative text about a fictional person who shows disapproved of behavior in the Covid-19 pandemic influenced empathy, perspective-taking, attitude, and attribution of causes regarding that person’s behavior. Methods In both studies, a fictional scenario was described, and participants answered questions regarding empathy, perspective-taking, attitude, and attribution regarding a fictional person’s disapproved of behavior (pre-post-measurement). Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In the experimental condition, they wrote a narrative text about the fictional person. In the control condition, they wrote about an unrelated topic. Results We found that writing a narrative text increased empathy more strongly than writing about an unrelated topic; Study 1: p = 0.004, part.η2 = 0.06, Study 2: p < .001, part.η2 = 0.19. This did not apply to perspective-taking; Study 1: p = 0.415; Study 2: p = 0.074. We also found that writing a narrative text about a fictional person resulted in a more positive attitude toward this person; Study 1: p = 0.005, part.η2 = 0.06; Study 2: p<0.001, part.η2 = 0.10. Finally, in Study 2 we found that participants who wrote a narrative text attributed the person’s behavior to internal causes to a lesser degree; p = 0.007, part.η2 = 0.05. Conclusion Our findings indicate that empathy and attitude are positively modifiable through narrative writing tasks. Empathy training could potentially prevent discrimination related to Covid-19. Trial registration The studies presented in this article were pre-registered on the pre-registration platform AsPredicted (aspredicted.org) before we began data collection; registration numbers and URL: #44754 https://aspredicted.org/vx37t.pdf (Study 1), and #44753 https://aspredicted.org/ig7kq.pdf (Study 2).

scholarly journals Frequency of repositioning for preventing pressure ulcers in patients hospitalized in ICU: protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga L. Cortés ◽  
Mauricio Herrera-Galindo ◽  
Juan Carlos Villar ◽  
Yudi A. Rojas ◽  
María del Pilar Paipa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Pressure Ulcers ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Despite being considered preventable, ulcers due to pressure affect between 30 and 50% of patients at high and very high risk and susceptibility, especially those hospitalized under critical care. Despite a lack of evidence over the efficacy in prevention against ulcers due to pressure, hourly repositioning in critical care as an intervention is used with more or less frequency to alleviate pressure on patients’ tissues. This brings up the objective of our study, which is to evaluate the efficacy in prevention of ulcers due to pressure acquired during hospitalization, specifically regarding two frequency levels of repositioning or manual posture switching in adults hospitalized in different intensive care units in different Colombian hospitals. Methods A nurse-applied cluster randomized controlled trial of parallel groups (two branches), in which 22 eligible ICUs (each consisting of 150 patients), will be randomized to a high-frequency level repositioning intervention or to a conventional care (control group). Patients will be followed until their exit from each cluster. The primary result of this study is originated by regarding pressure ulcers using clusters (number of first ulcers per patient, at the early stage of progression, first one acquired after admission for 1000 days). The secondary results include evaluating the risk index on the patients’ level (Hazard ratio, 95% IC) and a description of repositioning complications. Two interim analyses will be performed through the course of this study. A statistical difference between the groups < 0.05 in the main outcome, the progression of ulcers due to pressure (best or worst outcome in the experimental group), will determine whether the study should be put to a halt/determine the termination of the study. Conclusion This study is innovative in its use of clusters to advance knowledge of the impact of repositioning as a prevention strategy against the appearance of ulcers caused by pressure in critical care patients. The resulting recommendations of this study can be used for future clinical practice guidelines in prevention and safety for patients at risk. Trial registration PENFUP phase-2 was Registered in Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04604665) in October 2020.

scholarly journals Achieving equitable uptake of handwashing and sanitation by addressing both supply and demand-based constraints: findings from a randomized controlled trial in rural Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarker Masud Parvez ◽  
Musarrat Jabeen Rahman ◽  
Rashidul Azad ◽  
Mahbubur Rahman ◽  
Leanne Unicomb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Efficacy Trial ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Change Promotion ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Supply driven programs that are not closely connected to community demand and demand-driven programs that fail to ensure supply both risk worsening inequity. Understanding patterns of uptake of behaviors among the poorest under ideal experimental conditions, such as those of an efficacy trial, can help identify strategies that could be strengthened in routine programmatic conditions for more equitable uptake. WASH Benefits Bangladesh was a randomized controlled efficacy trial that provided free-of cost WASH hardware along with behavior change promotion. The current paper aimed to determine the impact of the removal of supply and demand constraints on the uptake of handwashing and sanitation behaviors across wealth and education levels. Methods The current analysis selected 4 indicators from the WASH Benefits trial— presence of water and soap in household handwashing stations, observed mother’s hand cleanliness, observed visible feces on latrine slab or floor and reported last child defecation in potty or toilet. A baseline assessment was conducted immediately after enrolment and endline assessment was conducted approximately 2 years later. We compared change in uptake of these indicators including wealth quintiles (Q) between intervention and control groups from baseline to endline. Results For hand cleanliness, the poorest mothers improved more [Q1 difference in difference, DID: 16% (7, 25%)] than the wealthiest mothers [Q5 DID: 7% (− 4, 17%)]. The poorest households had largest improvements for observed presence of water and soap in handwashing station [Q1 DID: 82% (75, 90%)] compared to the wealthiest households [Q5 DID: 39% (30, 50%)]. Similarly, poorer household demonstrated greater reductions in visible feces on latrine slab or floor [Q1DID, − 25% (− 35, − 15) Q2: − 34% (− 44, − 23%)] than the wealthiest household [Q5 DID: − 1% (− 11, 8%). For reported last child defecation in potty or toilet, the poorest mothers showed greater improvement [Q1–4 DID: 50–54% (44, 60%)] than the wealthier mothers [Q5 DID: 39% (31, 46%). Conclusion By simultaneously addressing supply and demand-constraints among the poorest, we observed substantial overall improvements in equity. Within scaled-up programs, a separate targeted strategy that relaxes constraints for the poorest can improve the equity of a program. Trial registration WASH Benefits Bangladesh: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT01590095. Date of registration: April 30, 2012 ‘Retrospectively registered’.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Kepemimpinan, Kompensasi dan Laba pada Kepuasan Kerja Karyawan PT. Bank Bukopin Tbk. Cabang Denpasar

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 437
Author(s):  
Made Dwi Pradipta Utama ◽  
Maria M. Ratna Sari
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Collection Method ◽  
Data Collection Method ◽  
The Impact

Job satisfaction is an individual positive attitude in general towards his/her job. In order for the employee to have high job satisfaction, an organization needs to take attention factors which influencing job satisfaction. The research aims to find out the impact of leadership and compensation towards employee’s job satisfaction. In addition also to find out the bigger or stronger impact from both variables towards employee’s job satisfaction. The research was conducted at PT. Bank Bukopin (Persero) Tbk. branch of Denpasar. Amount of sample taken was 89 employees with data collection method was carried out by using questionnaire. Keywords : Impact of Leadership, Compensation, Profit, Job Satisfaction. 

scholarly journals The search engine manipulation effect (SEME) and its possible impact on the outcomes of elections

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (33) ◽  
pp. E4512-E4521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Epstein ◽  
Ronald E. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Search Engine ◽  
The United States ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Controlled Experiments ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Democratic Elections ◽  
The Impact

Internet search rankings have a significant impact on consumer choices, mainly because users trust and choose higher-ranked results more than lower-ranked results. Given the apparent power of search rankings, we asked whether they could be manipulated to alter the preferences of undecided voters in democratic elections. Here we report the results of five relevant double-blind, randomized controlled experiments, using a total of 4,556 undecided voters representing diverse demographic characteristics of the voting populations of the United States and India. The fifth experiment is especially notable in that it was conducted with eligible voters throughout India in the midst of India’s 2014 Lok Sabha elections just before the final votes were cast. The results of these experiments demonstrate that (i) biased search rankings can shift the voting preferences of undecided voters by 20% or more, (ii) the shift can be much higher in some demographic groups, and (iii) search ranking bias can be masked so that people show no awareness of the manipulation. We call this type of influence, which might be applicable to a variety of attitudes and beliefs, the search engine manipulation effect. Given that many elections are won by small margins, our results suggest that a search engine company has the power to influence the results of a substantial number of elections with impunity. The impact of such manipulations would be especially large in countries dominated by a single search engine company.

scholarly journals Craving Empathy: Studying the Sustained Impact of Empathy Training on Clinicians

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110433
Author(s):  
Ankit Mehta ◽  
Nell Adams ◽  
Mary Fredrickson ◽  
Wojciech Kraszkiewicz ◽  
Jerome Siy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Longitudinal Impact ◽  
Training Curriculum ◽  
Empathy Training ◽  
Empathy Scale ◽  
The Impact

Evidence is sparse when it comes to the longitudinal impact of educational interventions on empathy among clinicians. Additionally, most available research on empathy is on medical trainee cohorts. We set out to study the impact of empathy and communication training on practicing clinicians’ self-reported empathy and whether it can be sustained over six months. An immersive curriculum was designed to teach empathy and communication skills, which entailed experiential learning with simulated encounters and didactics on the foundational elements of communication. Self-reported Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) was scored before and at two points (1–4 weeks and 6 months) after the training. Overall, clinicians’ mean self-empathy scores increased following the workshop and were sustained at six months. Specifically, the perspective taking domain of the empathy scale, which relates to cognitive empathy, showed the most responsiveness to educational interventions. Our analysis shows that a structured and immersive training curriculum centered on building communication and empathy skills has the potential to positively impact clinician empathy and sustain self-reported empathy scores among practicing clinicians.

scholarly journals One-Way and Two-Way Mobile Phone Text Messages for Treatment Adherence Among Patients With HIV: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dickson Shey Nsagha ◽  
Vincent Verla Siysi ◽  
Same Ekobo ◽  
Thomas Obinchemti Egbe ◽  
Odette Dzemo Kibu
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sms Text Messaging

BACKGROUND Incomplete adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the factors that contribute to HIV drug resistance, and it is a major problem for the public health system in controlling the HIV pandemic. There is emerging evidence that SMS can play an important role in health care delivery among patients with HIV on ART, especially in resource-limited settings. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to assess the impact of two-way and one-way SMS text messaging on adherence to HIV treatment. We hypothesized that sending weekly text messages through the one-way and two-way SMS text messaging approach will improve adherence to ART among patients with HIV and improve associated clinical outcomes (quality of life). METHODS A randomized controlled trial is being carried out among participants with HIV who have been on ART for at least one month from an accredited treatment center, namely the Buea Regional Hospital and Kumba District Hospital of South West Region, Cameroon. Participants with HIV, both male and female, aged 21 years and older make up a sample size of 207. The interventions involved the use of mobile phone text messages. Before commencing the intervention, a focus group discussion was carried out among the participants to understand their perception about the use of SMS-based interventions to improve adherence. A total of 246 participants were randomized to receive either a one-way text message (SMS sent to a recipient without recipient sending a reply) or two-way text message (SMS sent to a recipient and recipient sends a reply) or the control (no SMS, only standard care). Data on adherence and quality of life were collected at baseline and after 6 months and will be analyzed using SPSS version 21, while qualitative data will be analyzed using Atlas.ti 7.5. RESULTS Data collection began in September 2019 with focus group discussions and baseline data collection. After 1 month of baseline data collection, the intervention began in October 2019, and postintervention data were collected after 6 months (March 2020). At the end of the study, we will be able to understand the perception of patients toward SMS text messaging–based interventions and also assess the impact of one-way and two-way SMS text messages on treatment adherence among patients with HIV and on associated clinical outcomes (quality of life). CONCLUSIONS The impact of SMS text messaging varies across different settings. The results from this study will determine the perception of patients toward an SMS text messaging–based intervention and its impact on adherence to ART. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/16127

scholarly journals The impact of deep versus standard neuromuscular block on intraoperative safety during laparoscopic surgery: an international multicenter randomized controlled double-blind strategy trial — EURO-RELAX TRIAL

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Honing ◽  
Gabby Reijnders-Boerboom ◽  
Salome Dell-Kuster ◽  
Monique van Velzen ◽  
Chris Martini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Surgery ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Neuromuscular Block ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Deep Neuromuscular Block ◽  
The Impact ◽  
International Multicenter

Abstract Background Muscle relaxants are routinely used during anesthesia to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to optimize surgical conditions. However, controversy remains about the required depth of neuromuscular block (NMB) needed for optimal surgical working conditions and how this relates to other outcomes. For instance, a deep neuromuscular block yields superior surgical working conditions compared to a standard NMB in laparoscopic surgery, however, a robust association to other (safety) outcomes has not yet been established. Methods Trial design: an international multicenter randomized controlled double-blind strategy trial. Trial population: 922 patients planned for elective, laparoscopic or robotic, abdominal surgery. Intervention: Patients will be randomized to a deep NMB (post-tetanic count 1–2 twitches) or standard care (single-dose muscle relaxant administration at induction and repeated only if warranted by surgical team). Main trial endpoints: Primary endpoint is the difference in incidence of intraoperative adverse events during laparoscopic surgery graded according to ClassIntra® classification (i.e., ClassIntra® grade ≥ 2) between both groups. Secondary endpoints include the surgical working conditions, 30-day postoperative complications, and patients’ quality of recovery. Discussion This trial was designed to analyze the effect of deep neuromuscular block compared to standard neuromuscular block on intra- and postoperative adverse events in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04124757(EURO-RELAX); registration URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04124757, registered on October 11th, 2019. 

Impact of an Empathy Training Program on Children’s Perspective-Taking Abilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 2394-2409
Author(s):  
Durmuş Aslan ◽  
Aysel Köksal Akyol
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Empathy Training ◽  
Preschool Program ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Program Data

This study investigated the impact of an empathy training program developed by the researchers to promote perspective-taking abilities of preschool children. Participants were 34 children from two different kindergartens. Children in the treatment group attended an empathy training program that consisted of 30 activities and lasted for 10 weeks, whereas those in the nonintervention group attend the regular preschool program. Data were obtained through individual interviews with children. Perspective-Taking Test for Children, designed by the researchers, was used to assess children’s perspective-taking abilities. The results of the study demonstrated that the training program significantly improved perspective-taking performance of children in the treatment group compared to their peers in the nonintervention group, and this effect persisted one month after the intervention.

scholarly journals One-Way and Two-Way Mobile Phone Text Messages for Treatment Adherence Among Patients With HIV: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/16127 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e16127
Author(s):  
Dickson Shey Nsagha ◽  
Vincent Verla Siysi ◽  
Same Ekobo ◽  
Thomas Obinchemti Egbe ◽  
Odette Dzemo Kibu
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sms Text Messaging

Background Incomplete adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the factors that contribute to HIV drug resistance, and it is a major problem for the public health system in controlling the HIV pandemic. There is emerging evidence that SMS can play an important role in health care delivery among patients with HIV on ART, especially in resource-limited settings. Objective This paper aims to assess the impact of two-way and one-way SMS text messaging on adherence to HIV treatment. We hypothesized that sending weekly text messages through the one-way and two-way SMS text messaging approach will improve adherence to ART among patients with HIV and improve associated clinical outcomes (quality of life). Methods A randomized controlled trial is being carried out among participants with HIV who have been on ART for at least one month from an accredited treatment center, namely the Buea Regional Hospital and Kumba District Hospital of South West Region, Cameroon. Participants with HIV, both male and female, aged 21 years and older make up a sample size of 207. The interventions involved the use of mobile phone text messages. Before commencing the intervention, a focus group discussion was carried out among the participants to understand their perception about the use of SMS-based interventions to improve adherence. A total of 246 participants were randomized to receive either a one-way text message (SMS sent to a recipient without recipient sending a reply) or two-way text message (SMS sent to a recipient and recipient sends a reply) or the control (no SMS, only standard care). Data on adherence and quality of life were collected at baseline and after 6 months and will be analyzed using SPSS version 21, while qualitative data will be analyzed using Atlas.ti 7.5. Results Data collection began in September 2019 with focus group discussions and baseline data collection. After 1 month of baseline data collection, the intervention began in October 2019, and postintervention data were collected after 6 months (March 2020). At the end of the study, we will be able to understand the perception of patients toward SMS text messaging–based interventions and also assess the impact of one-way and two-way SMS text messages on treatment adherence among patients with HIV and on associated clinical outcomes (quality of life). Conclusions The impact of SMS text messaging varies across different settings. The results from this study will determine the perception of patients toward an SMS text messaging–based intervention and its impact on adherence to ART. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/16127

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