“Their Own Personal Unicorn”: The Workplace Experiences of Transgender Teachers

Author(s):  
Laura C. Hart ◽  
Walter H. Hart

Multiple studies have shown that transgender individuals routinely face increased levels of hostility and discrimination in the workplace compared to their cisgender peers; this is also true for transgender educators, who are often marginalized or silenced for expressing their gender diversity. Exploring the experiences of transgender teachers can provide much-needed information for school and district leaders seeking to support and affirm transgender individuals as valued members of the school community. The workplace experiences of six transgender educators in various teaching roles were examined in this qualitative study. The researchers utilized semistructured interviews to explore participants’ professional lives, focusing on factors that affected decisions to reveal or conceal their gender identities, the climate of the schools in which they worked, and their support for LGBTQ students. Findings suggest that while support for LGBTQ teachers is growing, heteronormativity persists in troubling ways, particularly for transgender educators. Implications of these findings for school and district leaders are discussed.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e046537
Author(s):  
Sheera Sutherland ◽  
Kirsty E Durley ◽  
Kirsty Gillies ◽  
Margaret Glogowska ◽  
Daniel S Lasserson ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of the death of a patient in the haemodialysis unit on fellow patients.MethodsWe interviewed patients on dialysis in a tertiary dialysis centre using semistructured interviews. We purposively sampled patients who had experienced the death of a fellow patient. After interviews were transcribed, they were thematically analysed by independent members of the research team using inductive analysis. Input from the team during analysis ensured the rigour and quality of the findings.Results10 participants completed the interviews (6 females and 4 males with an age range of 42–88 years). The four core themes that emerged from the interviews included: (1) patients’ relationship to haemodialysis, (2) how patients define the haemodialysis community, (3) patients’ views on death and bereavement and (4) patients’ expectations around death in the dialysis community. Patients noticed avoidance behaviour by staff in relation to discussing death in the unit and would prefer a culture of open acknowledgement.ConclusionStaff acknowledgement of death is of central importance to patients on haemodialysis who feel that the staff are part of their community. This should guide the development of appropriate bereavement support services and a framework that promotes the provision of guidance for staff and patients in this unique clinical setting. However, the authors acknowledge the homogenous sample recruited in a single setting may limit the transferability of the study. Further work is needed to understand diverse patient and nurse experiences and perceptions when sharing the knowledge of a patient’s death and how they react to loss.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e044777
Author(s):  
Susanne Lundin ◽  
Marina Jonsson ◽  
Carl-Fredrik Wahlgren ◽  
Emma Johansson ◽  
Anna Bergstrom ◽  
...  

ObjectivesLearning to take control of one’s health is an important part of the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This study aimed to explore young adults’ perceptions of living with atopic dermatitis (AD) in relation to the concept of self-management.DesignA qualitative study with an inductive approach was performed through semistructured interviews (n=15). The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed with systematic text condensation.ParticipantsYoung adults (mean age 23,4 years) with persistent AD in a longitudinal population-based birth cohort. To capture experience of living with persistent AD (preschool/school-age onset) of different severity (mild to severe/very severe), a purposive selection was performed. In total, 15 young adults were included. Persistent AD (preschool/school-age onset) was defined as dry skin in combination with itchy rash of typical localisation in the 12 months preceding the 16-year and the 24-year follow-ups. Severity was self-assessed using the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure.ResultsDespite having experience of AD since childhood, the respondents expressed uncertainty about treatment and how it affected their bodies. Their uncertainties and feelings affected how they used topical corticosteroids. The respondents emphasised that they perceived availability of healthcare and knowledge about treatment of AD among healthcare providers to be limited. The participants did not state any experiences of support to self-management from healthcare, which affect young adults’ possibilities to take full control of their AD care.ConclusionsYoung adults with preschool/school-age onset of AD are unsure how to treat and manage the disease. One explanation may be insufficient transition process.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e047632
Author(s):  
Helen Humphreys ◽  
Laura Kilby ◽  
Nik Kudiersky ◽  
Robert Copeland

ObjectivesTo explore the lived experience of long COVID with particular focus on the role of physical activity.DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews.Participants18 people living with long COVID (9 men, 9 women; aged between 18–74 years; 10 white British, 3 white Other, 3 Asian, 1 black, 1 mixed ethnicity) recruited via a UK-based research interest database for people with long COVID.SettingTelephone interviews with 17 participants living in the UK and 1 participant living in the USA.ResultsFour themes were generated. Theme 1 describes how participants struggled with drastically reduced physical function, compounded by the cognitive and psychological effects of long COVID. Theme 2 highlights challenges associated with finding and interpreting advice about physical activity that was appropriately tailored. Theme 3 describes individual approaches to managing symptoms including fatigue and ‘brain fog’ while trying to resume and maintain activities of daily living and other forms of exercise. Theme 4 illustrates the battle with self-concept to accept reduced function (even temporarily) and the fear of permanent reduction in physical and cognitive ability.ConclusionsThis study provides insight into the challenges of managing physical activity alongside the extended symptoms associated with long COVID. Findings highlight the need for greater clarity and tailoring of physical activity-related advice for people with long COVID and improved support to resume activities important to individual well-being.


Author(s):  
Aashna Sadana ◽  
Aneesh Kumar

Abstract Previous studies have shown that collaboration between school counsellors and other stakeholders such as teachers and administrators leads to improved outcomes for students and a better school climate. The current qualitative study explored the experiences and perceptions of novice school counsellors in India regarding collaboration with teachers and administrators. The sample included 11 novice school counsellors working in five different cities who were recruited using purposive sampling. The thematic analysis of the data collected via semistructured interviews revealed six main themes: ‘Counsellors’ perceptions about collaboration’, ‘Collaboration with teachers’, ‘Collaboration with administrators’, ‘Challenges faced during collaboration’, ‘Strategies helpful in collaboration’ and ‘Impact of training’. Implications discussed include the need for school counsellors to advocate for their role, the need for training programs to prepare stakeholders for collaboration, and the need for policies to integrate the role of a school counsellor into schools.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110373
Author(s):  
Moor Avigail ◽  
Otmazgin Michal ◽  
Tsiddon Hagar ◽  
Avivit Mahazri

The goal of the present study was to refine sexual assault therapy through the examination of the level of agreement between survivor and therapist assessments of key recovery-promoting therapeutic interventions. This is the first study to explore the level of agreement between those who partake in the treatment process from either position. Semistructured interviews were conducted in this qualitative study with 10 survivors and 10 experienced therapists. The results document considerable concurrence between them regarding relational and trauma processing treatment components alike. Together, these reports outline key effective interventions, both common and specific in nature, concomitantly supported by both groups.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 428-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon-Marc G. Rodriguez ◽  
Marcy H. Towns

Student understanding regarding topics in upper-division courses, such as biochemistry, is not well represented in the literature. Herein we describe a study that investigated students’ reasoning about Michaelis–Menten enzyme kinetics and enzyme inhibition. Our qualitative study involved semistructured interviews with fourteen second-year students enrolled in an introductory biochemistry course. During the interviews students were provided an enzyme kinetics graph, which they were prompted to describe. Students were asked to look for patterns and trends in the data and interpret the graph to draw conclusions regarding the types of enzyme inhibition observed, providing the opportunity for the students to engage in the science practiceanalyzing and interpreting data. Findings indicate students were able to attend to the relevant parameters (VmaxandKm) in the graph and subsequently associate changes inVmaxandKmto different types of enzyme inhibitors. However, students expressed difficulty explaining why a specific type of inhibition caused the observed change in the kinetic parameters and there was confusion regarding the distinction between noncompetitive and uncompetitive inhibition. Based on our results, we suggest instruction on enzyme kinetics should emphasize qualitative descriptions of the particulate-level mechanisms related to competitive and noncompetitive inhibition, with less emphasis on discussions of uncompetitive and mixed inhibition in introductory biochemistry courses.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 424-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Reed-Berendt ◽  
Roz Shafran ◽  
Dawn Langdon ◽  
Deborah Christie ◽  
Rachael Hough ◽  
...  

Young people with cancer are at increased risk of psychological difficulty; yet there is little research on their experiences of low mood or depressive symptoms to help inform treatment interventions. This qualitative study explored experiences and opinions of low mood or depression in young people with cancer, how their mood related to developmental challenges, strategies used to cope, and how services could improve support. Nineteen young people diagnosed and treated for cancer completed semistructured interviews. Transcripts were thematically analyzed using the framework approach, and analysis produced eight themes, organized into three domains: “A Harder Time of Life,” “Interpersonal Impact of Cancer,” and “Learning to Understand and Describe Low Mood,” Participants interviewed experienced low mood during cancer and predominantly felt “low mood” was a helpful term to describe their emotions. There were similarities and variations in their reported mood compared with clinical depression. The developmental challenges of being a young person with cancer negatively affected their mood. Participants used a variety of different coping strategies to manage these challenges. Young people were clear that they would like others to help them understand negative emotions experienced through cancer are normal to feel and support for low mood to be accessible and available.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-73
Author(s):  
Rebecca Richardson ◽  
Besiki Luka Kutateladze

Objectives: We investigate path dependence and barriers to the acceptance and implementation of reform-minded prosecution, which focuses on reducing unnecessary incarceration, promoting fairness, engaging with the community, and improving accountability in the criminal justice system. Method: Using semistructured interviews with 47 prosecutors in two Florida jurisdictions, both with newly elected state attorneys, we explore reform-minded prosecution priorities and barriers to their effective implementation. Results: Findings suggest that though reform-minded priorities are present in the study prosecutor’s offices, existing prosecutorial norms, case-focused decision-making, policy ambiguities, and communication challenges serve as barriers to their effective implementation. Conclusions: The study highlights the role that line agents play in determining the success of reform-minded prosecution. It also identifies key barriers to reform that reform-minded prosecutors must overcome if they are to achieve meaningful changes toward greater effectiveness, transparency, and impartiality in prosecution.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e25-e25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Dunbar ◽  
Bernie Carter ◽  
Jayne Brown

BackgroundLimited knowledge exists of parents’ perceptions and experiences of children’s hospices and how these contribute to the varied access and uptake of services.AimThis study aimed to explore parents’ perspectives and experiences of a hospice, to understand the barriers and/or facilitators to accessing a hospice, and what characteristics parents wanted from hospice provision.MethodsA two-phase qualitative study underpinned by a constructivist grounded theory methodology was employed. Phase 1 used focus groups to collect data from parents of children already accessing the hospice (n=24). Phase 2 used in-depth semistructured interviews with parents of children who did not use the hospice (n=7) and with parents who had previous experience of using a hospice (n=7).ResultsA grounded theory of place bonding was developed which illustrates the cognitive journey taken by parents of children with life-limiting conditions considering/receiving hospice care for their child.ConclusionsFinding a place where they belonged and felt at ‘home’ made the decision to accept help in caring for their child with a life-limiting condition more acceptable. The theory of place bonding offers children’s hospices a new perspective from which to view how parents access, accept and build relationships at the hospice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Baird ◽  
Marta H. Woolford ◽  
Carmel Young ◽  
Margaret Winbolt ◽  
Joseph Ibrahim

Effective self-management is the cornerstone of chronic disease self-management. However, self-management of chronic disease in patients with comorbid dementia is particularly challenging. It is vital that clinicians, patients and carers work collaboratively to tailor self-management programs to each patient with dementia. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of successful self-management in the context of cognitive impairment in order to optimise the capacity for self-management for persons with dementia (PWD). A qualitative study based on semistructured interviews was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Interviews were conducted with 12 people (employed in the ambulatory and dementia care sectors), representing six health services. Participants identified a healthcare system that is complex, not dementia friendly and not accommodating the needs of PWD who have comorbidities. Individual and systemic barriers contributed to ineffective self-management. Chronic disease support programs do not routinely undertake cognitive assessment or have guidelines for modified management approaches for those with cognitive impairment. Support needs to be long-term and requires a specialised skillset that recognises not only chronic disease management, but also the effect of cognition on self-management. Although formal guidelines are needed, care also needs to be tailored to individual cognitive abilities and deficits.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document