scholarly journals Perceptions of Shared Leadership within Academic Libraries Suggest Room for Improvement

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Genevieve C. Gore
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Shared Leadership ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Third ◽  
Level Of Agreement

Objective – To survey middle managers’ beliefs regarding their participation in shared leadership and their libraries’ practices of shared leadership. Design – Cross-sectional survey. Setting – Twenty-two academic libraries within four-year public master’s level institutions in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Subjects – A total of 115 middle managers were invited to participate; 77 completed the survey for a response rate of 66.9%. Methods – Selected middle managers were contacted by email a total of five times and were invited to complete a Web-based survey composed of three sections. The first section contained 10 statements for rating shared leadership within their own institutions, which they were asked to rate on an eight-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly agree) to 7 (strongly disagree), with 8 as an option for no opinion. The second section used the same scale to rate their levels of agreement with conceptual definitions of shared leadership from Jackson’s Framework. Jackson’s Framework consists of four components for ascertaining levels of shared leadership from both managerial and staff perspectives: accountability, equity, partnership and ownership. The third section invited subjects to provide their own definition of shared leadership. A three-part pretest served to validate the survey instrument. Mean scores were calculated for each statement. Main Results – In the first section, there was the highest overall level of agreement (1.52) with the statement “I am accountable for the decisions within the scope of my responsibility” followed by “I share information with the senior library administration” (1.71). There was the lowest overall level of agreement (3.65) with the statement that “Ideas presented at all levels of staff in the library are equally considered.” In the second section, respondents’ mean scores for Jackson’s definitions of four concepts of shared leadership were 2.62 for ownership, 2.68 for both partnership and equity, and 2.77 for accountability. In the third section, respondents most often linked their definitions of shared leadership with communication, learning and collaboration. Conclusion – Examining middle managers’ perceptions of shared leadership may help us understand organizational trends and capacity for leadership within libraries. Future research could examine shared leadership at levels below middle management as well as the relationship between accountability and shared leadership throughout the organization.

scholarly journals Dewey Decimal Classification Trending Downward in U.S. Academic Libraries, but Unlikely to Disappear Completely

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-158
Author(s):  
Jordan Patterson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Decimal Classification ◽  
The U.S

A Review of: Lund, B., & Agbaji, D. (2018). Use of Dewey Decimal Classification by academic libraries in the United States. Cataloging and Classification Quarterly, 56(7), 653-661. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639374.2018.1517851 Abstract Objective – To determine the current use of Dewey Decimal Classification in academic libraries in the United States of America (U.S.). Design – Cross-sectional survey using a systematic sampling method. Setting – Online academic library catalogues in the U.S. Subjects – 3,973 academic library catalogues. Methods – The researchers identified 3,973 academic libraries affiliated with degree-granting post-secondary institutions in the U.S. The researchers searched each library’s online catalogue for 10 terms from a predetermined list. From the results of each search, the researchers selected at least five titles, noted the classification scheme used to classify each title, and coded the library as using Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), Library of Congress Classification (LCC), both DDC and LCC, or other classification schemes. Based on the results of their data collection, the researchers calculated totals. The totals of this current study’s data collection were compared to statistics on DDC usage from two previous reports, one published in 1975 and one in 1996. The researchers performed statistical analyses to determine if there were any discernible trends from the earliest reported statistics through to the current study. Main Results – Collections classified using DDC were present in 717 libraries (18.9%). Adjusting for the increase in the number of academic libraries in the U.S. between 1975 and 2017, DDC usage in academic libraries has declined by 56% in that time frame. The number of libraries with only DDC in evidence is unreported. Conclusion – The previous four decades have seen a significant decrease in the use of DDC in U.S. academic libraries in favour of LCC; however, the rate at which DDC has disappeared from academic libraries has slowed dramatically since the 1960s. There is no clear indication that DDC will disappear from academic libraries completely.

Integrating health disparities content into health informatics courses: a cross-sectional survey study and recommendations (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uba Backonja ◽  
Annie T. Chen ◽  
Kenrick Cato
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Body Type ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Informatics Training

BACKGROUND Research suggests that while informatics solutions can help understand and address health disparities, there is potential for solutions to exacerbate existing or create new health disparities. To help future research and development of equitable solutions, we need to look upstream at how disparities are being integrated into informatics training programs. Doing so provides understanding and informs development of curricula that provide a foundation for future informaticists to build solutions that are ethical and equitable. OBJECTIVE To examine how the topic of health disparities is integrated into informatics courses. METHODS This cross-sectional, descriptive study took place April-October 2019 in the United States. Individuals teaching courses in informatics programs were recruited via listservs and email to complete an online survey. Instructors were eligible if they integrated disparities content into their informatics courses. Survey questions examined administrative aspects of the course (e.g., class size, mode of teaching, discipline of enrolled students) and disparities content integrated into the course (e.g., social determinants of health [SDOH] covered, how students were assessed on disparities related content). Participants also reported challenges they faced integrating disparities content into their courses. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; qualitative data were analyzed using inductive coding. RESULTS Invitations were sent to 141 individuals, including contacts for the National Library of Medicine (NLM) biomedical informatics training programs, and 11 listservs. We obtained data for 24 informatics courses that contained health disparities content. Courses were taught primarily in graduate programs (n=21, 87.5%) in informatics (n=9, 33.3%), nursing (n=7, 25.9%), and information science (n=6, 22.2%). Of the 24 courses, six (25.0%) were taught in an NLM training program. The most frequently covered SDOHs were socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity (both n=21, 87.5%); the least frequently covered were body type (n=0), low resource areas (n=2, 8.3%), and urban residences (n=3, 12.5%). Instructors noted three main types of challenges when integrating disparities related content into their courses: the need for additional resources, student-related challenges, and topic sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Our sample included 24 informatics courses -- fewer than we had hoped -- that integrated disparities content; these courses spanned disciplines and varied in terms of the topics covered. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for the intentional development of informatics programs to support the training of future generations of informaticians with foundational and transnational knowledge in health disparities so they are well-equipped to develop equitable informatics solutions. CLINICALTRIAL This study was not a clinical trial.

scholarly journals Perspectives of Canadian and American Cat Owners on Provision of Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Owned Domestic Cats

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. L. Tan ◽  
Sarah Jajou ◽  
Anastasia C. Stellato ◽  
Lee Niel
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Attitudes And Practices

While uncontrolled outdoor access can increase opportunities for cat physical and mental stimulation, it can also increase risks of injury and illness, and result in predation of wild birds and small animals. In Canada and the United States, it is often recommended to keep cats indoors, but many owners still provide some level of outdoor access. The objectives of this study were to use a cross-sectional survey to explore the attitudes and practices of cat owners in Canada and the United States toward outdoor access and to identify factors that influence the provision of uncontrolled outdoor access. A convenience sample of cat owners (N = 7,838) were recruited to complete an online survey, and a mixed logistic regression model was used to examine associations between cat and owner-related factors, and uncontrolled outdoor access for cats, with province/state included as a random effect. In total, 57% of owners kept their cats indoors, and 43% provided some form of outdoor access, with 21% of total owners providing uncontrolled outdoor access. Provision of uncontrolled outdoor access was associated with factors related to cat characteristics (e.g., sex, breed, presence of health, and behavioral issues), the home environment (e.g., living with other pets, types of enrichment provided), owner perspectives on outdoor access (e.g., level of agreement with potential benefits and consequence of outdoor access), and owner demographics (e.g., gender, education, area of residence). For cats with uncontrolled outdoor access, few owners reported their cats having a collar or a microchip, suggesting a need to increase education about precautionary measures to protect the welfare of outdoor cats. Results reveal how owners are caring for their cats in terms of providing outdoor access and generate hypotheses for future research to examine the influence of the owner-pet bond and educational programs on owner practices around providing outdoor access.

Building and enhancing library services: Patrons’ awareness of, and engagement with social media in academic libraries in Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110367
Author(s):  
Monica Mensah ◽  
Omwoyo Bosire Onyancha
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Library Staff

This study sought to examine academic libraries’ patrons’ level of awareness of, and engagement with social media in the use of academic libraries services in Ghana. The study employed the cross-sectional survey whereby quantitative data were collected from a total of 417 respondents, who consisted of students and library staff from public, private and technical universities in Ghana. Findings indicated that the academic libraries have adopted and used a number of social media applications, with Facebook and instant messaging as the most popular and frequently used platforms, for the provision and access to library services and resources as well as for contacting the academic libraries. However, the level of awareness, extent of use, as well as the level of engagement with the platforms was low as social media tools adopted by the libraries were not prevalent among the library patrons. Recommendations and conclusions based on the research findings are offered in the paper. This study uses a cross-sectional survey, with the data being collected at a specific point in time. However, due to rapid technological change and trends, future research studies could consider longitudinal studies to investigate the adoption and use of social media in academic libraries across time and environment. The analysis of social media use for academic library services from both the library staff and library patrons’ perspectives will inform decisions on how to improve the use of such platforms for effective and efficient library services delivery and access.

scholarly journals Utilization of Routine Medical Checkup and Factors Influencing Use of Routine Medical Checkup among Saudi Students Studying in the USA in 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25
Author(s):  
Ali Mohammed A. Alzahrani ◽  
Holly C. Felix ◽  
M. Kate Stewart ◽  
James P. Selig ◽  
Taren Swindle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Checkup ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Factors Influencing

Introduction: The few studies that have investigated patterns of routine checkup (hereafter routine checkups) among Saudis have found overall low rates of use. Those studies focused mainly on understanding the influence of individual characteristics on use of routine checkup. Aims: The main purpose of this study was to consider a wider array of factors beyond individual characteristics, including system-based factors, beliefs, attitudes, and satisfaction, and to examine their influence on use of routine checkup among Saudi students studying in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional survey targeting Saudi students studying in the United States aged 19 years or older was conducted to gather information about their sociodemographic characteristics, needs for healthcare, use of routine checkup and satisfaction with access to primary care services. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine factors influencing use of routine checkup among Saudis. Results: 381 surveys were eligible to be included in the analyses. Among the included participants, only 25.5% had a routine checkup after the age of 18 years. The likelihood of having routine checkup after the age of 18 was significantly higher among those who trusted provided primary care, believed in the importance of routine checkup, had health insurance, had chronic conditions and were physically active, and was significantly lower among married individuals. Conclusions: The use of routine checkup is low among Saudis and this study has laid the foundation for future research that can inform policy and decision-making related to improving use of routine care in Saudi Arabia.

A Silenced Population

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Gryglewicz ◽  
Melanie Bozzay ◽  
Brittany Arthur-Jordon ◽  
Gabriela D. Romero ◽  
Melissa Witmeier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Peer Relationship ◽  
Student Records ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Method Student

Abstract. Background: Given challenges that exceed the normal developmental requirements of adolescence, deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) youth are believed to be at elevated risk for engaging in suicide-related behavior (SRB). Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that put these youth potentially at risk. Aims: To determine whether peer relationship difficulties are related to increased risk of SRB in DHH youth. Method: Student records (n = 74) were retrieved from an accredited educational center for deaf and blind students in the United States. Results: Peer relationship difficulties were found to be significantly associated with engagement in SRB but not when accounting for depressive symptomatology. Limitations: The restricted sample limits generalizability. Conclusions regarding risk causation cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for future research that examines the mechanisms of the relationship between peer relationship difficulties, depression, and suicide risk in DHH youth and potential preventive interventions to ameliorate the risks for these at-risk youth.

scholarly journals Analyzing Predictors of Control Measures and Psychosocial Problems Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Eight Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Sheikh Saifur Rahman Jony ◽  
Ubydul Haque ◽  
Nathaniel J. Webb ◽  
Emily Spence ◽  
Md. Siddikur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Primary Determinant

COVID-19 has harshly impacted communities globally. This study provides relevant information for creating equitable policy interventions to combat the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to predict the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the COVID-19 pandemic at a global level to determine control measures and psychosocial problems. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to October 2020 using an online questionnaire. Questionnaires were initially distributed to academicians worldwide. These participants distributed the survey among their social, professional, and personal groups. Responses were collected and analyzed from 67 countries, with a sample size of 3031. Finally, based on the number of respondents, eight countries, including Bangladesh, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, the United States, and Zambia were rigorously analyzed. Specifically, questionnaire responses related to COVID-19 accessibility, behavior, knowledge, opinion, psychological health, and susceptibility were collected and analyzed. As per our analysis, age groups were found to be a primary determinant of behavior, knowledge, opinion, psychological health, and susceptibility scores. Gender was the second most influential determinant for all metrics except information about COVID-19 accessibility, for which education was the second most important determinant. Respondent profession was the third most important metric for all scores. Our findings suggest that greater encouragement from government health authorities and the promotion of health education and policies are essential in the dissemination of COVID-19-awareness and increased control of the spread of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Training among Medical Schools in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110287
Author(s):  
Robert L. Cooper ◽  
Mohammad Tabatabai ◽  
Paul D. Juarez ◽  
Aramandla Ramesh ◽  
Matthew C. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Injection Drug Users ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to be an effective method of HIV prevention for men who have sex with-men (MSM) and -transgender women (MSTGWs), serodiscordant couples, and injection drug users; however fewer than 50 000 individuals currently take this regimen. Knowledge of PrEP is low among healthcare providers and much of this lack of knowledge stems from the lack or exposure to PrEP in medical school. We conducted a cross sectional survey of medical schools in the United States to assess the degree to which PrEP for HIV prevention is taught. The survey consisted Likert scale questions assessing how well the students were prepared to perform each skill associated with PrEP delivery, as well as how PrEP education was delivered to students. We contacted 141 medical schools and 71 responded to the survey (50.4%). PrEP education was only reported to be offered at 38% of schools, and only 15.4% reported specific training for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) patients. The most common delivery methods of PrEP content were didactic sessions with 11 schools reporting this method followed by problem-based learning, direct patient contact, workshops, and small group discussions. Students were more prepared to provide PrEP to MSM compared to other high-risk patients. Few medical schools are preparing their students to prescribe PrEP upon graduation. Further, there is a need to increase the number of direct patient contacts or simulations for students to be better prepared.

Are Future Doctors Prepared to Address Patients’ Nutritional Needs? Cooking and Nutritional Knowledge and Habits in Medical Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110181
Author(s):  
Sam Sugimoto ◽  
Drew Recker ◽  
Elizabeth E. Halvorson ◽  
Joseph A. Skelton
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
The United States ◽  
First Year ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutritional Needs ◽  
Second Year ◽  
First Year Medical Students

Background. Many diseases are linked to lifestyle in the United States, yet physicians receive little training in nutrition. Medical students’ prior knowledge of nutrition and cooking is unknown. Objective. To determine incoming medical students’ prior nutrition knowledge, culinary skills, and nutrition habits. Methods. A dual-methods study of first-year medical students. Cross-sectional survey assessing prior knowledge, self-efficacy, and previous education of cooking and nutrition. Interviews of second-year medical students explored cooking and nutrition in greater depth. Results. A total of 142 first-year medical students participated; 16% had taken a nutrition course, with majority (66%) learning outside classroom settings. Students had a mean score of 87% on the Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire versus comparison group (64.9%). Mean cooking and food skills score were lower than comparison scores. Overall, students did not meet guidelines for fiber, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Interviews with second-year students revealed most learned to cook from their families; all believed it important for physicians to have this knowledge. Conclusions. Medical students were knowledgeable about nutrition, but typically self-taught. They were not as confident or skilled in cooking, and mostly learned from their family. They expressed interest in learning more about nutrition and cooking.

scholarly journals Engagement with daily testing instead of self-isolating in contacts of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex F. Martin ◽  
Sarah Denford ◽  
Nicola Love ◽  
Derren Ready ◽  
Isabel Oliver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Negative Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Close Contacts

Abstract Background In December 2020, Public Health England with NHS Test and Trace initiated a pilot study in which close contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19 were given the option to carryout lateral flow device antigen tests at home, as an alternative to self-isolation for 10–14 days. In this study, we evaluated engagement with daily testing, and assessed levels of adherence to the rules relating to behaviour following positive or negative test results. Methods We conducted a service evaluation of the pilot study, examining survey responses from a subset of those who responded to an evaluation questionnaire. We used an online cross-sectional survey offered to adult contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases who consented to daily testing. We used a comparison group of contacts who were not offered testing and instead self-isolated. Results Acceptability of daily testing was lower among survey respondents who were not offered the option of testing and among people from ethnic minority groups. Overall, 52% of respondents reported being more likely to share details of people that they had been in contact with following a positive test result, if they knew that their contacts would be offered the option of daily testing. Only 2% reported that they would be less likely to provide details of their contacts. On the days that they were trying to self-isolate, 19% of participants reported that they left the house, with no significant group differences. Following a negative test, 13% of respondents reported that they increased their contacts, but most (58%) reported having fewer risky contacts. Conclusions Our data suggest that daily testing is potentially acceptable, may facilitate sharing contact details of close contacts among those who test positive for COVID-19, and promote adherence to self-isolation. A better understanding is needed of how to make this option more acceptable for all households. The impact of receiving a negative test on behaviour remains a risk that needs to be monitored and mitigated by appropriate messaging. Future research should examine attitudes and behaviour in a context where infection levels are lower, testing is more familiar, and restrictions on activity have been reduced.

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