scholarly journals Cyberincivility in the Massive Open Online Course Learning Environment: Data-Mining Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie C De Gagne ◽  
Kim Manturuk ◽  
Hyeyoung K Park ◽  
Jamie L Conklin ◽  
Noelle Wyman Roth ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Cyberincivility is a pervasive issue that demands upfront thinking and can negatively impact one’s personal, professional, social, and educational well-being. Although massive open online courses (MOOCs) environments could be vulnerable to undesirable acts of incivility among students, no study has explored the phenomena of cyberincivility in this learning environment, particularly in a health-related course in which mostly current or eventual health professions students enroll. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of text entries posted by students enrolled in a medicine and health care MOOC. The objectives were to (1) examine the prevalence of posts deemed disrespectful, insensitive or disruptive, and inconducive to learning; (2) describe the patterns and types of uncivil posts; and (3) highlight aspects that could be useful for MOOC designers and educators to build a culture of cybercivility in the MOOC environment. METHODS We obtained data from postings in the discussion forums from the MOOC Medical Neuroscience created by a large private university in the southeast region of the United States. After cleaning the dataset, 8705 posts were analyzed, which contained (1) 667 questions that received no responses; (2) 756 questions that received at least one answer; (3) 6921 responses that applied to 756 posts; and (4) 361 responses where the initiating post was unknown. An iterative process of coding, discussion, and revision was conducted to develop a series of a priori codes. Data management and analysis were performed with NVivo 12. RESULTS Overall, 19 a priori codes were retained from 25 initially developed, and 3 themes emerged from the data—Annoyance, Disruption, and Aggression. Of 8705 posts included in the analysis, 7333 (84.24%) were considered as the absence of uncivil posts and 1043 (11.98%) as the presence of uncivil posts, while 329 (3.78%) were uncodable. Of 1043 uncivil posts analyzed, 466 were coded to >1 a priori codes, which resulted in 1509 instances. Of those 1509 instances, 826 (54.74%) fell into “annoyance”, 648 (42.94%) into “disruption”, and 35 (2.32%) into “aggression”. Of 466 posts that related to >1 a priori codes, 380 were attributed to 2 or 3 themes. Of those 380 posts, 352 (92.6%) overlapped both “annoyance” and “disruption,” 13 (3.4%) overlapped both “disruption” and “aggression,” and 9 (2.4%) overlapped “annoyance” and “aggression,” while 6 (1.6%) intersected all 3 themes. CONCLUSIONS This study reports on the phenomena of cyberincivility in health-related MOOCs toward the education of future health care professionals. Despite the general view that discussion forums are a staple of the MOOC delivery system, students cite discussion forums as a source of frustration for their potential to contain uncivil posts. Therefore, MOOC developers and instructors should consider ways to maintain a civil discourse within discussion forums.

Author(s):  
I. E. van Beukering ◽  
S. J. C. Smits ◽  
K. M. E. Janssens ◽  
R. I. Bogaers ◽  
M. C. W. Joosen ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Studies are increasingly showing that health related stigma is a barrier to employment, but it is not known how. The aim of this systematic review is to identify, appraise and analyse studies that have directly or indirectly addressed ways in which stigma affects sustainable employment and well-being at work of people with disabilities. Methods Using a multiphase screening process, this review is based on a comprehensive literature search (2000–2019) carried out in six electronic databases: Embase, Web of Science, Medline Ovid, Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. Results 7.263 publications were identified; 96 studies were found eligible to be included in the review. 72% of the studies were conducted in North America or Europe. Few studies directly assessed how stigma affects the employment of people with disabilities. Most studies highlighted that attitudes and behaviour of employers formed a barrier to employment, as well as anticipated stigma and self-stigma in people with health problems. However, the findings also showed that the attitudes and behaviour of co-workers, health care professionals, reintegration professionals, customers, and family and friends could act as a barrier to employment although these influences are under-researched. Although many similarities were seen in the relevant findings of studies about both physical and mental disabilities, several nuances were found. Conclusion Stigma hampers sustainable employment and well-being in multiple ways. Whereas the number of publications on this topic is rapidly increasing, the roles of health care professionals, reintegration professionals, co-workers, customers, and family and friends particularly warrant more attention.


2003 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bev O'Connell ◽  
Susan Bailey ◽  
Arlene Walker

Research has indicated that carers are concerned about their ageing status, their deteriorating health and their abilityto continue to care for their dependants. Given that the health care system will become increasingly reliant on carersthe health care needs of carers should be a concern for all health care professionals. This paper describes the first stageof a project designed to enhance older carers health promotion knowledge and skills and improve their healthpromoting behaviors. This stage investigated the mental and physical health status of older carers. It also soughtinformation on older carers' levels of participation in health related and social activities and identification of barriersto participation in these types of activities. The results highlighted that carers responding to the survey experiencedcompromised physical and mental health. Many carers reported being unable to participate in social and health-typeactivities as they were unable to leave the care recipient. Of note, is that carers identified their own mental fragilityand felt they needed further emotional support.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-180
Author(s):  
Francisco Brenes

Hispanics, the largest minority group in the United States, are a heterogeneous group that contains a large portion of immigrants from Latin America. Recently, anti-immigrant policies and anti-Hispanic discriminatory practices have heightened at state and national levels. These policies and practices serve to endanger the mental health of Hispanics and play a major role in health care disparities. Positive correlations have been found between chronic discrimination and depression as well as other comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and substance use, and physical disorders. This report provides an overview of the changes in law/policy in recent history that negatively affect the well-being of Hispanics. Recommendations for health care professionals, educators, and researchers are presented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-25
Author(s):  
James Appleyard

Objectives: To reflect on the present international culture of professional burnout in health care systems and the need for a radical new approach with an increased understanding of a person- and people-centered attitudes in the promotion of training in wellbeing and the prevention and management of burnout among physicians and health care professionals Methods: A literature search worldwide was undertaken for significant research papers on professional education related to burnout with particular reference to both medical staff resilience and health care system factors. Findings: Burnout among doctors is a global phenomenon. The incidence of burnout reported in a selection of studies among pediatric residents and staff are 25% in Argentina, 37% in the United Kingdom, and 70% in Saudi Arabia. In a national survey in the United States where the overall rate was 59% burned out residents reported significantly increased stress, poorer mental health, and decreased empathy, mindfulness, resilience, self-compassion, and confidence in providing compassionate care Three levels of change that should be the focus of training in prevention, health promotion, and stress reduction awareness have been recommended to reduce the risk of burnout: (1) modifying the organizational structure and work processes; (2) improving the fit between the organization and the individual doctor through professional development programs so that better adaption to the work environment occurs; and (3) individual-level actions to reduce stress and poor health symptoms through effective coping and promoting healthy behavior. Discussion: The history of burnout shows important links with increased work complexity. Narrow training interventions such as debriefing after an adverse clinical event have not been found effective. A more comprehensive personcentered approach with a variety of measurable interventions has resulted in a reduction of 50% in the pediatric faculty in one study. A person- and people-centered cybernetic approach is needed with six standards are to establish and sustain a healthy work environment (1) authentic leadership (2) meaningful recognition, (3) skilled communication, (4) true collaboration, (5) effective decision making, and (6) appropriate staffing. Conclusion: With such high levels of burnout, health systems worldwide can be viewed as failing their populations on a grand scale. Only an organizational paradigm change to a person- and people cybernetic centered system that incorporates complexity is adaptive and integrative will a health system be effective in preventing and ameliorating the effects of burnout and reduce the increasingly unaffordable misuse of human resources.


Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Hogben ◽  
Christopher Harper ◽  
Melissa A. Habel ◽  
Kathryn Brookmeyer ◽  
Allison Friedman

Background Several common global definitions of sexual health refer to physical, emotional and social well-being, with respect to sexuality, and also to the need for this well-being to be reflected for all individuals in relationships. How well sexual health definitions fit US youths’ attitudes to sexual health, and associations between these attitudes, sexual behaviours and sexual health care were assessed. Methods: In total, 4017 youth aged between 15 and 25 years via an online survey panel, weighted to be representative of the US population, were surveyed. Respondents reported their attitudes towards seven dimensions of sexual health that we abstracted from existing global definitions (emotional fulfillment, social connectedness, spirituality, overall pleasure, physical intimacy, mental fulfillment, reciprocal benefits). Respondents also reported on sexual health-related discussions with partners, sexual behaviours, and their use of sexual health care. Outcomes through weighted frequency estimates and ordinal regression models were reported. Results: Youth generally construed all seven dimensions as important to sexual health, with the emotional dimension rated most favourably. Attitudes to the dimensions of overall pleasure, physical intimacy and spirituality were most consistently related to sexual health discussions and behaviours. The behaviours most consistently related to sexual health attitudes were going for a sexual health check-up, discussing birth control/pregnancy and discussing risk before sex without a condom. Conclusions: Youth construal of sexual health fits well with global sexual health definitions. Attitudes to dimensions of sexual health were related to some sexual health-related behaviours, especially healthcare use and complex discussions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Wei ◽  
Hadley Kifner ◽  
Melanie E. Dawes ◽  
Trent L. Wei ◽  
Jenny M. Boyd

Background Professional burnout is a widespread phenomenon in health care. The health of patients and organizations begins with the well-being of health care professionals. Identifying and understanding self-care strategies that professionals perceive to be helpful is crucial to combat burnout. Objective To determine perceptions of self-care strategies to combat professional burnout among nurses and physicians in pediatric critical care settings. Methods This was a qualitative descriptive study with a phenomenological overtone. The study was conducted in a 20-bed pediatric intensive care unit and an 8-bed intermediate care unit of a children’s hospital in the United States. Information flyers and emails were used to introduce the study. A combination of convenience and purposive sampling methods was used to recruit participants who were full-time nurses and physicians in the 2 units. Information saturation was used to regulate sample sizes, resulting in 20 participants. Data were collected through a onetime face-to-face interview with each participant. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to analyze the data. The first author was the primary coder and discussed the codes with the coauthors throughout the coding process. Results Six major self-care strategies were identified: finding meaning in work, connecting with an energy source, nurturing interpersonal connections, developing an attitude of positivity, performing emotional hygiene, and recognizing one’s uniqueness and contributions at work. Conclusions Developing effective self-care strategies helps promote health care professionals’ physical and psychological well-being and reduce burnout. It is vital for health care professionals to care for themselves so that they can best care for others.


Author(s):  
Amy Hasselkus

The need for improved communication about health-related topics is evident in statistics about the health literacy of adults living in the United States. The negative impact of poor health communication is huge, resulting in poor health outcomes, health disparities, and high health care costs. The importance of good health communication is relevant to all patient populations, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Efforts are underway at all levels, from individual professionals to the federal government, to improve the information patients receive so that they can make appropriate health care decisions. This article describes these efforts and discusses how speech-language pathologists and audiologists may be impacted.


Author(s):  
Kelly R. Arora

Interspiritual conversations are becoming more common in health care settings as providers recognize that patients’ diverse spiritual/religious values, beliefs, and practices may influence their health care decision-making and general well-being. This essay explores the practical dimensions of teaching health care professionals how to use an interspiritual dialogue approach grounded in values and particularism through a course entitled “Faith, Spirituality and Culture in Health Care,” which was designed for and taught to doctoral students at a Denver, Colorado, School of Pharmacy. After considering the contemporary context for teaching interspiritual dialogue to healthcare professionals, the essay reflects upon and relates the pedagogical choices made in designing and teaching the course, as well as the course structure, outline, objectives, and schedule.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110066
Author(s):  
Amy R. Mechley

Primary care has been shown to significantly decrease the overall cost of a population’s health care while improving the quality of each person’s well-being. Lifestyle medicine (LM) is ideally positioned to be delivered via primary care and has been shown to improve short- and long-term health outcomes of patients and populations. Direct primary care (DPC) represents a viable alternative to the fee-for-service reimbursement model. It has been shown to be economically and financially sustainable. Furthermore, it has the potential to fulfill the Quadruple Aim of health care in the United States. LM practiced in a DPC model has the potential to transform health care delivery. This article will discuss the need for health care systems change, provide an overview of the DPC model, demonstrate a basic understanding of the benefits, and review the steps needed to de-risk the investment of time, money, and resources for our future DPC providers.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan R. Fleischman ◽  
Kathleen Nolan ◽  
Nancy N. Dubler ◽  
Michael F. Epstein ◽  
Mary Ann Gerben ◽  
...  

Background. Much has been written about the care of the hopelessly ill adult, but there is little guidance for pediatric health care professionals in the management of children who are critically or terminally ill. Methods. Through a 3-day meeting in Tarrytown, NY, attended by a group of pediatricians and others directly involved in these issues, a principled approach was developed for the treatment of, and health care decision-making for, children who are gravely ill. Results. The group agreed that the needs and interests of the child must be the central focus of any treatment plan and that the child should be involved to as great extent possible, consistent with developmental maturity, in the decision-making process. Quality of future life should be viewed as being relevant in all decisions. Parents are believed to be the natural guardians of children and ought to have great latitude in making decisions for them. However, parental discretion is not absolute and professionals must maintain an independent obligation to protect the child's interests. Conclusions. Decision-making should be collaborative among patient, parents, and professionals. When conflict arises, consultation and ethics committees may assist in resolution. When cure or restoration of function is no longer possible, or reasonable, promotion of comfort becomes the primary goal of management. Optimal use of pain medication and compassionate concern for the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the child and family should be the primary focus of the professionals caring for the dying child.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document