scholarly journals Therapy Dogs in Educational Settings: Guidelines and Recommendations for Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Grové ◽  
Linda Henderson ◽  
Felicia Lee ◽  
Phoebe Wardlaw
Keyword(s):  
School Readiness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
School Support ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Therapy Dogs ◽  
Educational Settings ◽  
Therapy Dog ◽  
Whole School

Therapy dogs in educational settings have gained increase traction in recent years. Despite its potential benefits and popularity, there remain concerns of perceived risks such as sanitation, allergies, and safety issues, as well as a lack of guidelines, regulations and support resources available to school staff. Research is further lacking into the implementation process of therapy dog programs in educational settings. To construct a set of recommendations for school staff to achieve successful implementation of a therapy dog program, the present study investigated the perceived facilitative and impeding factors when implementing a therapy dog program. A total of 13 school staff and 2 coordinators from therapy dog organisations took part in an open-ended online survey and/or a semi-structured interview over the phone, with the aim of gathering their perspectives of implementing a therapy dog program in schools. The thematic analysis of the data indicated facilitative factors such as program flexibility, whole-school support, the need for communication and training for all staff, as well as dog welfare. Successful implementation of therapy dogs in an education setting appear to revolve around (1) flexibility of the dog therapy program to target school's needs, (2) qualities of program instigator, (3) whole-school support, (4) communication, training and education, (5) considerations for dog's welfare. Key barriers identified included a high workload, lack of guidelines on processes, lack of support from the school community, as well as the need for better understanding of the role of a therapy dog. The results highlighted the importance of a whole-school effort when implementing a therapy dog program, as well as the need for guidelines for assessing school readiness, key factors for consideration, and strategies to overcome challenges associated with program implementation.

scholarly journals Why validation is not enough: setting the scene for the implementation of the Kimberley Mum´s Mood Scale

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Carlin ◽  
Erica Spry ◽  
David Atkinson ◽  
Julia V Marley
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
North West ◽  
Aboriginal Women ◽  
User Acceptability ◽  
Anxiety Screening ◽  
Mood Scale

Abstract Background The two part Kimberley Mums’ Mood Scale (KMMS) has been developed and validated as a culturally appropriate perinatal depression and anxiety screening tool for Aboriginal women living in the sparsely populated Kimberley region of North West Australia. As part of implementation, aspects of user acceptability were explored to improve clinical utilisation of the KMMS. Methods Eighteen health professionals involved in perinatal care participated in an online survey or a qualitative semi-structured interview. Ten Aboriginal women (who held administrative, professional or executive roles) were subsequently interviewed in depth to further explore aspects of KMMS user acceptability. Results Many of the health professionals were not using the second part of the KMMS (a psychosocial yarning tool). Time constraints and a perception that the KMMS is only appropriate for women with literacy issues were identified as significant barriers to KMMS uptake. The Aboriginal women interviewed considered the KMMS to also be important for literate Aboriginal women and placed high value on having the time and space to yarn to health professionals about issues that are important to them. Implementing the KMMS across the Kimberley region requires robust training of health professionals and strategic engagement with health services to ensure those clinical environments are able to understand the rationale and significance of the KMMS and be engaged in its successful implementation. Conclusion Routine perinatal mental health screening that is efficacious and acceptable to Aboriginal women is an important public health priority. Identifying and addressing barriers to implementation contributes to our understanding of the complexity of improving routine clinical practise.

Management of indiscipline among secondary school students in Ilembe District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-156
Author(s):  
Ntombizandile Gcelu ◽  
◽  
Amy Sarah Padayachee ◽  
Sekitla Daniel Makhasane
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
South African ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
School Students ◽  
Whole School ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Whole School Approach ◽  
Meaningful Relationships

South African schools are faced with a serious problem of indiscipline. The available literature reveals that despite the efforts of school administrators and teachers to instil discipline among learners, indiscipline still abounds to the extent of getting out of hand. Based on the intention of this study, a qualitative study was adopted. A qualitative-based study underpinned by the interpretive research paradigm was employed to explore the perspectives of educators in their collaborative roles in managing discipline. The sample comprised twelve educators who were purposively selected from four secondary schools in the Ilembe District, KwaZulu-Natal. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect the data. The findings revealed that educators should apply the school code of conduct as a whole-school approach to managing discipline to create meaningful relationships with parents as stakeholders and communicate expected behaviours with learners. It is recommended that in implementing strategies to manage discipline, learners, educators, school managers and the school governing boards of all schools should take a collaborative approach to the management of discipline in secondary schools

Understanding the Experience of Geriatric Care Professionals in Using Telemedicine to Care for Older Patients in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenwen Chen ◽  
Ashley Flanagan ◽  
Pria MD Nippak ◽  
Michael Nicin ◽  
Samir K Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Older Patients ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Geriatric Care ◽  
Knowledge Network ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Greater Toronto Area ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Access To Knowledge

BACKGROUND Geriatric care professionals were forced to rapidly adopt the use of telemedicine technologies to ensure the continuity of care for their older patients in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is little current literature that describes how telemedicine technologies can best be employed to meet the needs of geriatric care professionals in providing care to frail older patients and their caregivers, and families. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the benefits and challenges geriatric care professionals face when using telemedicine technologies with frail older patients, their caregivers, and families, and how to maximize the benefits of this method of providing care. METHODS We conducted a mixed methods study that recruited geriatric care professionals to complete an online survey regarding their personal demographics and experiences with using telemedicine and participate in a semi-structured interview. Interview responses were analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). RESULTS We obtained quantitative and qualitative data from 30 practicing geriatric care professionals (22 geriatricians, 5 geriatric psychiatrists, and 3 geriatric specialist nurses) recruited from across the Greater Toronto Area. Analysis of interview data identified 5 CFIR contextual barriers (Complexity, Design quality and packaging, Patient needs and resources, Readiness for implementation, and Culture) and 13 CFIR contextual facilitators (Relative Advantage, Adaptability, Tension for Change, Available Resources, Access to Knowledge, Network and Communications, Compatibility, Knowledge and Beliefs, Self-Efficacy, Champions, External Agents, Executing, and Reflecting and Evaluating). The CFIR concept of External Policy and Incentives was found to be a neutral construct. CONCLUSIONS This is the first known study to use the CFIR to develop a comprehensive narrative to characterize the experiences of geriatric care professionals using telemedicine technologies in providing care. Overall, telemedicine can significantly enable most of the geriatric care that is traditionally provided in person, but is less useful in providing specific aspects of geriatric care to frail older patients and their caregivers, and families.

scholarly journals Acting Instead of Reacting—Ensuring Employee Retention during Successful Introduction of i4.0

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Steffen C. Eickemeyer ◽  
Jan Busch ◽  
Chia-Te Liu ◽  
Sonia Lippke
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
German Population ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Negative Attitudes

The increasing implementation of digital technologies has various positive impacts on companies. However, many companies often rush into such an implementation of technological trends without sufficient preparation and pay insufficient attention to the human factors involved in digitization. This phenomenon can be exacerbated when these technologies become highly dependent, as during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to better understand challenges and to propose solutions for a successful implementation of digitized technology. A literature review is combined with survey results and specific consulting strategies. Data from the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany were collected by means of an online survey, with a representative sample of the German population. However, we did not reveal any correlation between home office and suffering, mental health, and physical health (indicators of digitization usage to cope with COVID-19 pandemic), but rather that younger workers are more prone to using digitized technology. Based on previous findings that older individuals tend to have negative attitudes toward digital transformation, appropriate countermeasures are needed to help them become more tech-savvy. Accordingly, a software tool is proposed. The tool can help the management team to manage digitization efficiently. Employee well-being can be increased as companies are made aware of necessary measures such as training for individuals and groups at an early stage.

scholarly journals An Examination of Police Culture and its Effects on Patrol Officers Attitudes towards Restorative Justice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Braeden Broschuk
Keyword(s):  
Restorative Justice ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Work Group ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Police Culture ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Patrol Officers ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Training Specialist ◽  
Two Phases

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between restorative justice and police culture, and the level to which this culture acts as barrier to the successful implementation and use of restorative justice by frontline police officers. Using a multi-level work group framework, frontline officer’s attitudes and understanding of restorative justice and police culture beliefs are examined, and then their impact on frontline police work is assessed. This study employs an explanatory sequential mixed methods design and is conducted in two phases. The initial quantitative phase involved distributing a Likert-style survey to frontline officers to measure their attitudes and understanding of restorative justice and police culture variables. After analysis of the initial quantitative findings, semi-structured interview questions were developed building on these findings to provide for a more in-depth qualitative analysis. Results indicate that police culture variables such as solidarity, teamwork, crime fighting and tough on crime attitudes are still persistent in policing, but frontline officers are generally accepting of restorative justice, and believe that it has a place in their frontline work as a dispositional tool. Findings indicate, however, that officers perceive restorative justice as another option only for less serious crimes and low risk offenders, and not as a new method of managing offender activity. Restorative justice is not being used to its fullest potential. To increase use of RJ diversion more thorough training, specialist designations and supervisory and middle management direction is recommended.

scholarly journals USING ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS IN PRIMARY EDUCATION: STUDENTS-PROSPECTIVE PRIMARY TEACHERS' VIEWS

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-473
Author(s):  
Lyubka Aleksieva
Keyword(s):  
Primary Education ◽  
Prospective Teachers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Preschool Education ◽  
Primary Teachers ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Electronic Textbooks ◽  
Teaching Aids ◽  
Prospective Primary Teachers

Bulgaria is now in а process of major changes and reforms in the field of education that involve the implementation of various strategies and regulations. Updating the curricula for school and preschool education has led to the development of new textbooks and teaching aids. Primary and middle school textbooks sets for all subjects were replaced with new ones complemented by their compulsory electronic versions. These e-versions are not only covering the topics and content of the printed versions of the textbooks, but include additional e-resources. Some research of the new textbooks contents has already been done by authors such as Kirova (Kirova, 2018; Kирова, 2018). She compares different components of the curriculum content and the way they are developed in the mathematics textbooks, but the components of the adjunct electronic textbooks (e-textbooks) are not yet analysed. Their examination is necessary for teachers’ practice as well as for the preparation of prospective primary teachers for using e-textbooks in the classroom. No special training for working with e-textbooks is provided in prospective teachers’ current university preparation. However, digital competence is one of the key competences which are developed in primary education programs in Faculty of Educational Studies and the Arts (FESA), Sofia University, Bulgaria. Although it is generally acknowledged that students use digital devices very often and their skills are sufficient for blended learning (Цанев, 2018), yet it is not clear if students’ digital competencies are sufficient for using e-textbooks. Furthermore, there is a gap in the literature about students’ views and attitudes towards working with e-textbooks. Along with their competencies, students’ attitudes are important for successful implementation of e-textbooks in their teaching. Therefore, Sofia University Scientific Research Fund funded project №80-10-170/2019 "Practical aspects of students-prospective primary teachers’ preparation for working with electronic resources" whose main objectives include exploration of the views, preparation and readiness of students-prospective primary teachers about the usage of e-textbooks in primary education. As a part of the project, this study analyses students’ views in terms of necessity of using e-textbooks, their benefits and the requirements that e-textbooks have to meet in order to be used effectively in primary education.Data include an online survey which was conducted during the summer term of academic year 2018-2019 and was completed by 166 students-prospective primary teachers from bachelor and master degree programs at FESA (SU), Bulgaria. The results revealed that the surveyed students generally have positive views about the usage of e-textbooks in education and are well aware of their advantages. They recognized their potential to better visualise learning content and save teachers time. The content that e-textbooks should include and the requirements that e-textbooks have to meet in order to be effectively used in the classroom are also discussed in the paper.

scholarly journals USING STUDENT SELF-GOVERNANCE FOR CREATING LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR AND FUNDAMENTALS OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY

2021 ◽  
pp. 44-55
Author(s):  
Tatiana Daragan ◽  
◽  
Oksana Vlasyuk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Leadership Behavior ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
University Education ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Student Government ◽  
University Autonomy ◽  
Management Activity

The article examines the stages of implementation of the main aspects of university autonomy, in particular the organization of student governance in domestic higher education institutions. It is necessary to realize that the creation of effective student government is a key condition for building a domestic system of higher education in accordance with the best practices of the European educational space. It is determined that in the process of restructuring higher education through the formation of university autonomy, students should be considered as a full partner in the process of modernization of the domestic higher education system. It is established that the work of student government should significantly expand its scope and be more active in developing key issues of organization and content of university education. The main points of formation of student self-governance in Ukrainian HEIs are determined and a comparative analysis of the key principles under which European universities operate is carried out. The authors analyzed the Law of Ukraine «On Higher Education», in particular in terms of organizing the work of student government. The main issues of student self-governance, which are reflected in the statutes of higher education institutions, are summarized. The article shows the results of the study conducted during the research «Implementation of university autonomy in the context of decentralization of HEIs, the democratization of the educational process, increasing responsibility for the quality of education». The stance of the students to the process of the autonomy of educational institutions in general is studied. The information on the respondents’ awareness of the regulatory framework is summarized. The degree of activity of student self-government bodies in solving issues of improving the educational process is analyzed. The proposals of the participants of the online survey on the next stages of activity for the successful implementation of university autonomy have been studied.

scholarly journals Contextualization of Forest Governance for Implementation of REDD+ in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-177
Author(s):  
Md Danesh Miah ◽  
Gazi Azizul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Organizational Structures ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Forest Governance ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Forest Department ◽  
Forestry Sector

Poor governance accelerates the deforestation and forest degradation through corruption in Bangladesh due to the enhancement of prevalent activities such as excessive collection of forests products, trafficking of logs out of reserve forests, land grabs by powerful actors, illegal encroachment of forests, etc. The study was conducted with a view to assessing the present scenario of the forest governance system based on five UN principles in Bangladesh which will be the driving force to the successful implementation of the REDD+. The study was conducted in Rangamati, Madhupur, and Sreemangal, through focus group discussion, key informants interview, and an online survey. The study shows that lack of transparency, accountability, and integrity is one of the main underlying drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. Restriction to accessing reports on fiscal activities, lack of laws and regulation concerning to public funds, lack of independent institution, ineffective monitoring and testing systems, and inadequate detection, investigation, and prosecution practices, etc. enhance the corruption in the forestry sector and the hindrances of effective REDD+ implementation in Bangladesh. The study suggested taking legal protection, engaging civil society and improving the organizational structures of the forest department to check the corruption in the forestry sector of Bangladesh. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 148-177, 2019

Medical student and psychiatrist perceptions towards a psychiatric career

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-323
Author(s):  
Thomas Flamini ◽  
Natasha R. Matthews ◽  
George S. Castle ◽  
Elliot M. Jones-Williams
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate perceptions towards a career in psychiatry among medical students and psychiatrists and identify how recruitment into the specialty may be improved. Design/methodology/approach This study locally compares medical student and psychiatric doctor responses to a structured online survey and structured interviews with key managerial figures in the Humber NHS Foundation Trust. Findings Comparison across two main areas (pre-decision exposure to psychiatry and reasons for considering a psychiatric career) found that both students and doctors were influenced to make a choice about a career in psychiatry during medical school. Medical students found compatibility with family life to be more important when considering psychiatry, whereas doctors cited content-based reasons as significant pull factors. Stigma and fear of being harmed deterred some students from choosing a career in psychiatry. Structured interview responses reiterated the importance of pre-medical school and undergraduate mentorship in bolstering future recruitment to psychiatry. Practical implications Medical students perceive certain career issues differently to their postgraduate counterparts. Widening the content-based appeal of psychiatry and optimising the medical school experience of the specialty via varied and high-quality placements may be a key step towards tackling the national shortfall in qualified psychiatrists. Originality/value This is the first published study comparing medical student and psychiatric doctor perceptions of a career in psychiatry.

2021 AAHA Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dog Guidelines

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 253-277
Author(s):  
Cynthia M. Otto ◽  
Tracy Darling ◽  
Lisa Murphy ◽  
Zenithson Ng ◽  
Bess Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapy Dogs ◽  
Goal Directed Therapy ◽  
Therapy Dog ◽  
Extensive Training ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Working Dogs ◽  
Scent Detection ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
High Level ◽  
Consensus Report

ABSTRACT The guidelines are the first comprehensive consensus report on veterinary healthcare recommendations for working, assistance, and therapy dogs. This category of canine patients includes a broad assortment of animals, some with well-defined functions and others that provide a more generalized support role. The guidelines discuss recommendations for dogs trained for protection, odor/scent detection, service functions for people with diagnosed disabilities or physical limitations, emotional support, and therapeutic intervention. Although the term is often used to describe dogs providing animal-assisted activities, true therapy dogs provide goal-directed therapy, often under the supervision of a healthcare professional such as an occupational therapist or psychologist. Many working dogs undergo extensive training and have rigorous physical demands placed upon them. These factors make working, assistance, and therapy dogs inherently valuable and impose a need for a high level of primary veterinary care as described in the guidelines. Because working dogs have a particularly close relationship with their handlers, a trust relationship between the practice team and the working-dog client is imperative.

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