scholarly journals Adapting despite “walls coming down”: Healthcare providers’ experiences of Covid-19 as an implosive adaptation

Author(s):  
Sayra Cristancho ◽  
Emily Field ◽  
Taryn Taylor

Abstract Background The Covid-19 pandemic has been a daunting exercise in adaptation for healthcare providers. While we are beginning to learn about the challenges faced by teams during the Covid-19 pandemic, what remains underexplored are the ways team members identified and adapted to these challenges. This is the goal of this study. Methods We interviewed 20 healthcare workers at various hospitals in Ontario, who provided care as part of clinical teams during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data was collected and analyzed following Constructivist Grounded Theory principles including iteration, constant comparison and theoretical sampling. Results Participants’ accounts of their experiences revealed the process of ‘implosive adaptation’. The ‘reality check’, the ‘scramble’, and the ‘pivot’ comprised this process. The reality check described the triggers, the scramble detailed the challenges they went through, and the pivot prescribed the shifting of mindset as they responded to challenges. These stages were iterative, rather than linear, with blurred boundaries. Conclusion That not all adaptations have to be successful during a crisis was the major insight gained by our participants. The language of Reality Check, Scramble, and Pivot provides a framework for teams to talk about and make sense of their approaches to crisis, even beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith A. MacDonnell ◽  
Mahdieh Dastjerdi ◽  
Nimo Bokore ◽  
Nazilla Khanlou

This paper reports on grounded theory findings that are relevant to promoting the mental health and well-being of immigrant women in Canada. The findings illustrate how relationships among settlement factors and dynamics of empowerment had implications for “becoming resilient” as immigrant women and how various health promotion approaches enhanced their well-being. Dimensions of empowerment were embedded in the content and process of the feminist health promotion approach used in this study. Four focus groups were completed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 35 racialized immigrant women who represented diverse countries of origin: 25 were from Africa; others were equally represented from South Asia (5), Asia (5), and Central or South America and the Caribbean (5). Participants represented diverse languages, family dynamics, and educational backgrounds. One focus group was conducted in Somali; three were conducted in English. Constructivist grounded theory, theoretical sampling, and a critical feminist approach were chosen to be congruent with health promotion research that fostered women’s empowerment. Findings foreground women’s agency in the study process, the ways that immigrant women name and frame issues relevant to their lives, and the interplay among individual, family, community, and structural dynamics shaping their well-being. Implications for mental health promotion are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
Jennifer Clegg ◽  
Sarah Craven-Staines

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to further understand the needs of carers when a relative with dementia is admitted to an organic impatient ward. Design/methodology/approach A constructivist grounded theory approach was employed to generate a substantive theory to understand the needs of carers and how staff perceive carer needs when a relative is admitted to a dementia ward. Five relatives and six members of staff were interviewed using purposive and theoretical sampling. Interview transcripts were analysed using initial, focused and theoretical coding using constant comparative methods to develop the end theory. Findings The grounded theory concluded that carers have three categories of needs: “The Safe and Cared for Relative”, “The Informed Carer and “The Understanding, Responsive and Available Service”. Underpinning the needs are the relationships between carers, their relative and staff. Three barriers were identified which can impact on these needs being effectively met. These identified barriers were: Loss, Time and Ineffective Communication. Originality/value The grounded theory demonstrates that carers needs fundamentally relate to their relatives being safe and cared for and being included and informed during the admission. Relationships can be ruptured when a barrier prevents the needs from being effectively met. Recommendations are made to aim to reduce the impact of the barriers and to aid staff in developing their understanding of the carer experience.


Management ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Lin ◽  
Elaine Hollensbe

Grounded theory is a commonly used approach to analyzing qualitative data in management studies. It was originally developed by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss in the 1960s as a means of generating middle-range theories in sociology, and it has since moved across disciplines and developed in different versions (e.g., Glasserian, Straussian, constructivist grounded theory). Grounded theory seeks to construct theory that emerges from the data (i.e., theory “grounded” in data), and is characterized by an iterative process in which the researcher constantly compares the emerging theory, the data, and existing literature, engages in theoretical sampling, and strives for theoretical saturation of the data.


Author(s):  
David Morgan

Recently, there have been calls for renewed attention to the roots of Grounded Theory in pragmatism, and this article continues that effort at both the theoretical and the procedural level. From a theoretical perspective, it counters the claim that pragmatism is compatible with a relativist epistemology, as claimed by advocates of Constructivist Grounded Theory, and argues instead for a cyclical process of inquiry that moves from beliefs to actions to consequences. At the procedural level, the article demonstrates four concrete principles so that pragmatism: replaces induction with abduction; emphasizes the importance of prior beliefs as starting points; treats theoretical sampling as action following earlier inquiry; and, justifies the importance of verification in developing theory. Overall, it demonstrates the value of pursuing a more fully pragmatic version of Grounded Theory.


Author(s):  
Ria Garg ◽  
Nevena Rebić ◽  
Neda Amiri ◽  
Glen Hazlewood ◽  
Corisande Baldwin ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Partners of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often take on supportive roles given the debilitating nature of RA. Our objective was to explore the perspectives, attitudes, and experiences of partners of female patients with RA regarding reproductive experiences and decision making. Methods We conducted a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with partners of female patients with RA. We defined a ‘partner’ as an individual within a romantic relationship. Constructivist grounded theory was applied to interview transcripts to identify and conceptualize themes. Results We interviewed 10 partners of female patients with RA (10 males; mean age, 35 [23–56]) of which 40% had at least one child with a female patient with RA and did not desire additional children. We identified four themes representing stages of reproductive decision making: (1) developing an understanding of RA, (2) contemplating future family decision making, (3) initiating reproductive decision making with partner, and (4) reflecting on past reproductive experiences. Participants contemplated their attitudes and perspectives towards pregnancy and employed available information to support their partner’s medication decisions. When reflecting on their reproductive experiences, participants shared the impacts of past reproductive decisions on their romantic relationship and their mental health and wellbeing. Conclusion Our study highlights the need for comprehensive supports for both female patients with RA and their partners at all stages of reproductive decision making. Healthcare providers can identify opportunities for intervention that involves female patients with RA and their partners to minimize stress and its negative impacts on the family.


CJEM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Armour ◽  
Jennie Helmer ◽  
John Tallon

Abstract Objective Progression in Anglo-American models of out-of-hospital care has resulted in the development of alternative roles for paramedics, including advanced paramedics providing teleconsultations to frontline paramedics. Traditionally provided by physicians, little is known about how paramedics perceive peer-to-peer teleconsultations. This research aimed to explore paramedic perceptions of paramedic-delivered teleconsultations. Methods This investigation employed a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Six focus groups were conducted with purposive and theoretical sampling and data analyzed using open coding and continual comparative analysis. Results 33 paramedics from across British Columbia, Canada, participated in the focus groups. Seven key themes emerged during the focus groups; the perceived roles and status of paramedic specialists and physicians in healthcare, the influence of relationships and culture on clinical consultations, practicalities of out-of-hospital care and the importance of lived experience, provision of appropriate clinical advice, professional trust and respect, mentorship in out-of-hospital care and clinical governance and education requirements. This led to the development of the grounded theory paramedics increasing ownership of their profession. Conclusion Paramedics reported a number of areas in which paramedic-delivered teleconsultations provided benefits not seen with traditional physician-delivered teleconsultation model. Emergency health systems delivering an Anglo-American model of care should consider the possible benefits of paramedic-delivered teleconsultations.


Author(s):  
Esthika Ariany Maisa ◽  
Yulastri Arif ◽  
Wawan Wahyudi

Purpose: To explore the nurses’ positive deviance behaviors as an effort to provide solutions in preventing and controlling infections in the hospital. Method: This is a qualitative research using grounded theory approach. Thirteen nurses from Dr.M.Djamil hospital were selected based on theoretical sampling in order to develop theory as it appears. Nurses were interviewed from June to September 2014. Interviews were thematically analyzed using techniques of grounded theory to then generate a theory from themes formed. Findings: The modes of positive deviance behavior identified were practicing hand hygiene beyond the standards (bringing handsanitizer from home), applying nursing art in wound care practice, placing patients with MRSA infections at the corner side, giving a red mark on a MRSA patient’s bed for easy identification by nurses, changing clothes and shoes in hospital, reducing hooks on the wall, and cleaning the ward on scheduled days. Conclusion: The study shows that nurses have a number of positive deviance behaviors to prevent infection transmission in the wards. It is sugested that the hospital management and nursing managers adopt some of the uncommon solution highlighted by the nurses to solve the HAIs problems in the hospital.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e038406
Author(s):  
Sayra Cristancho ◽  
Emily Field

ObjectivesThis interview-based qualitative study aims to explore how healthcare providers conceptualise trace-based communication and considers its implications for how teams work. In the biological literature, trace-based communication refers to the non-verbal communication that is achieved by leaving ‘traces’ in the environment and other members sensing them and using them to drive their own behaviour. Trace-based communication is a key component of swam intelligence and has been described as a critical process that enables superorganisms to coordinate work and collectively adapt. This paper brings awareness to its existence in the context of healthcare teamwork.DesignInterview-based study using Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology.SettingThis study was conducted in multiple team contexts at one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals.Participants25 clinicians from across professions and disciplines. Specialties included surgery, anesthesiology, psychiatry, internal medicine, geriatrics, neonatology, paramedics, nursing, intensive care, neurology and emergency medicine.InterventionNot relevant due to the qualitative nature of the study.Primary and secondary outcomeNot relevant due to the qualitative nature of the study.ResultsThe dataset was analysed using the sensitising concept of ‘traces’ from Swarm Intelligence. This study brought to light novel and unique elements of trace-based communication in the context of healthcare teamwork including focused intentionality, successful versus failed traces and the contextually bounded nature of the responses to traces. While participants initially felt ambivalent about the idea of using traces in their daily teamwork, they provided a variety of examples. Through these examples, participants revealed the multifaceted nature of the purposes of trace-based communication, including promoting efficiency, preventing mistakes and saving face.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that clinicians pervasively use trace-based communication despite differences in opinion as to its implications for teamwork and safety. Other disciplines have taken up traces to promote collective adaptation. This should serve as inspiration to at least start exploring this phenomenon in healthcare.


Author(s):  
Sarah Lawson ◽  
Helen Griffiths

AbstractDespite the global impact of substance misuse, there are inadequate levels of specialist service provision and continued difficulties with treatment engagement. Within policy and research, there is substantial consideration of the importance of these factors. However, there is little empirical evidence of the views of non-treatment-seeking substance users, who make up the majority of the substance using population. The aim of this study was to understand how these individuals make sense of their behaviour and their reasons for not accessing treatment. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to interview eight individuals who were currently using substances and not seeking help to stop. The analysis highlighted the importance of attachment to an identity associated with substance use, and relational variables such as connectedness to others, for treatment decisions for individuals who use substances. Understanding these influences, through trauma- and attachment-informed service provision, may reduce barriers to help-seeking and improve treatment uptake.


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