scholarly journals Designing and Implementing a VR Mental Wellbeing Experience using Digital Creative Practice.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Jerdan ◽  
Mark Grindle ◽  
Hugo C Van Woerden ◽  
Ania Zubala
Keyword(s):  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Therapeutic Tool ◽  
Creative Practice ◽  
Patient Feedback ◽  
Diabetes Specialist ◽  
Real World Setting ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Specialist Nurses

Abstract Background An increasing amount of evidence is emerging surrounding virtual reality’s (VR) potential as a clinical and therapeutic tool for mental wellbeing treatment. The design and creation of VR software requires a skillset vastly different to that required to evaluate its effect on mental wellbeing outcomes. In this article we present a VR experience designed to improve mental wellbeing in patients in secondary care. Results The resulting piece of software is a VR intervention that combines nature and mindfulness, allowing patients with diabetes to spend time in a calming environment before regular clinic appointments with diabetes specialist nurses. Some initial insights from patient feedback are provided. Conclusion This piece of research demonstrates that engagement with creative practice allows researchers to identify research problems and find solutions in a creative manner. It illustrates how someone with no prior experience of software design is able to create and implement a VR experience, used in a real-world setting, targeted at improving patient wellbeing. By documenting this process, we hope to encourage more social researchers to create digital tools aimed at tackling health issues and to create a base of knowledge that bridges the gap between the computer and social sciences.

scholarly journals Telemedicine and mental health: coming of age?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ohannessian ◽  
A Scardoni ◽  
L Bellini ◽  
S Salvati ◽  
A Amerio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Massachusetts General Hospital ◽  
Coming Of Age ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Remote Patient

Abstract Telemedicine is the practice of medicine from distance using information technology and include mainly teleconsultation via video and/or chat, teleexpertise to request the opinion of a specialist, and remote patient monitoring to improve the follow-up of patients. The use of telemedicine in mental health and most specially psychiatry has been one of the first use case described in the scientific literature, via video teleconsultation, due to the absence of physical patient examination. One of the oldest telepsychiatry case from the literature was published in 1973 for patients assessed from 1968 with the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, USA. Despite its medical and technical ease, telepsychiatry is still not widely spread and integrated into healthcare systems due to organisational and implementation challenges. More recently, telepsychology and other telemedicine interventions in mental health have been growing across the globe, including for mental wellbeing promotion and prevention of mental health conditions in specific environments. The rise of consumer digital healthcare directly through mobile app and dedicated websites is also to be considered in the wide opportunities of telemedicine opportunities to address mental health issues at a global scale. Various models needs thus to be considered between digital only care and blended approach mixing face-to-face and digital ways, as well as telemental health delivered only via the existing healthcare system or via new private digital players. The objective of the presentation is to describe the spectrum of existing telemedicine interventions in mental health, the digital features enabling its adoption and the assessment of its impact on clinical and public health outcomes.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic disparities in access to intensive insulin regimens for adults with type 1 diabetes: a qualitative study of patient and healthcare professional perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Scott ◽  
Alicia O’Cathain ◽  
Elizabeth Goyder
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Diabetes Education ◽  
Socioeconomic Disparities ◽  
Socioeconomic Groups ◽  
Diabetes Specialist ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Specialist Services ◽  
Specialist Nurses

Abstract Background Type 1 diabetes is a complex chronic condition which requires lifelong treatment with insulin. Health outcomes are dependent on ability to self-manage the condition. Socioeconomic inequalities have been demonstrated in access to treatment and health outcomes for adults with type 1 diabetes; however, there is a paucity of research exploring how these disparities occur. This study explores the influence of socioeconomic factors in gaining access to intensive insulin regimens for adults with type 1 diabetes. Methods We undertook a qualitative descriptive study informed by a phenomenological perspective. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 28 patients and 6 healthcare professionals involved in their care. The interviews were analysed using a thematic approach. The Candidacy theory for access to healthcare for vulnerable groups framed the analysis. Results Access to intensive insulin regimens was through hospital-based specialist services in this sample. Patients from lower socioeconomic groups had difficulty accessing hospital-based services if they were in low paid work and because they lacked the ability to navigate the healthcare system. Once these patients were in the specialist system, access to intensive insulin regimens was limited by non-alignment with healthcare professional goals, poor health literacy, psychosocial problems and poor quality communication. These factors could also affect access to structured diabetes education which itself improved access to intensive insulin regimens. Contact with diabetes specialist nurses and attendance at structured diabetes education courses could ameliorate these barriers. Conclusions Access to intensive insulin regimens was hindered for people in lower socioeconomic groups by a complex mix of factors relating to the permeability of specialist services, ability to navigate the healthcare system and patient interactions with healthcare providers. Improving access to diabetes specialist nurses and structured diabetes education for vulnerable patients could lessen socioeconomic disparities in both access to services and health outcomes.

scholarly journals Negotiating barriers: prisoner and staff perspectives on mental wellbeing in the open prison setting

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Danks ◽  
Alexandria Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Early Prevention ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Staff Experiences

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the perspectives of prisoners and prison staff in relation to mental wellbeing and the negotiation of barriers to accessing and providing support. This small-scale study includes the experiences of 11 prison staff and 9 prisoners within a Category D male prison. Design/methodology/approach A focus group was conducted with the prisoners and interviews with prison staff. Thematic analysis identified three core themes: “context enabling factors”, “barriers to accessing support for mental wellbeing” and “peer support roles”. Findings Prisoners conveyed a reluctance in reporting mental health issues due to the fear of being transferred to closed conditions. All staff indicated the benefits of peer support roles. Research limitations/implications Further research is required on a wider scale, as it is acknowledged that the findings of this study are from one prison and may not apply to other settings. Although there are barriers that may impact the reporting of mental wellbeing issues, there may be small relational steps that can be taken to address these. Originality/value Few studies exist that explore the nuances and barriers within open prisons, perhaps due to the overwhelming need within closed conditions. A context-specific approach considering early prevention strategies to support a safer prison system and successful rehabilitation is explored. The combination of prisoner and staff experiences is of value to both academia and policymakers.

scholarly journals Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 17-23
Author(s):  
B. Sue Graves ◽  
Sigourney Kame
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Medical Professional ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Patient Feedback ◽  
Persistent Fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome is an enduring disease, characterized by a level of persistent fatigue for 6 months or a longer time period. At this time, the etiology is unknown. The other symptoms individuals effected by chronic fatigue syndrome, may experience are sore throat, headaches, impaired cognition, depression, sleep disturbances, and many others. While the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome can be challenging, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a set of guidelines to help characterize the presence of this condition in patients. Chronic fatigue syndrome has far-reaching consequences impacting an individual’s physical and mental wellbeing. The best approach in helping these individuals to still engage in physical activity is through gentle, lowlevel exercise program with the use of patient feedback to individualize the treatment as well as providing guidance and support through support groups and therapy as prescribed by a medical professional.

scholarly journals A Short Communication on Indoor-Based Therapies to Reduce Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-101
Author(s):  
Karam Daljit Singh ◽  
Rajoo Keeren Sundara ◽  
Muharam Farrah Melissa ◽  
Zulperi Dzarifah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
General Public ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Healthy Body

Preserving mental health during the COVID-19 crisis should be a priority for individuals worldwide. In this regard, mental health professionals should advise the general public on the actions/activities that they can take to prevent mental health issues from becoming the next pandemic. However, the general public should also actively take measures to improve their mental wellbeing. Music therapy, aromatherapy or indoor nature therapy may or may not have the potential to preserve mental wellbeing, but individuals should experiment with them to ascertain the effects on themselves. Moreover, the guidelines provided by WHO should also be adhered to, as a healthy mind starts with a healthy body.

scholarly journals Collaborative service delivery to address public health issues within a musculoskeletal setting: evaluation of the Healthy Mind, Healthy Body project

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Kelly Holehouse ◽  
Karen Oliver ◽  
Gillian Rawlinson ◽  
Hazel Roddam
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Patient Feedback ◽  
Body Project

Background/Aims There is a need for greater focus on public health and its impact on musculoskeletal conditions within healthcare delivery. Physiotherapists are well positioned to support this. Outpatient physiotherapy musculoskeletal services traditionally focus on rehabilitation and physical exercise, yet many service users require support to improve both their mental and physical health. This innovative service improvement aimed to embed integrated health promotion within musculoskeletal physiotherapy service delivery. Methods A physiotherapy-led multidisciplinary team introduced patients to other community-based support services to address wider health needs. Results Service evaluation demonstrated a high uptake of self-referral to community services, validating the potential benefit for musculoskeletal condition management. Positive patient feedback indicates that patients valued the service and were well-supported to engage with health improvement. Conclusions Musculoskeletal physiotherapy services need to consider the wider aspects of health, putting public health at the heart of musculoskeletal service delivery.

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