scholarly journals Obstacles and Solutions Driving the Development of a National Teleradiology Network

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1684
Author(s):  
Leonie Goelz ◽  
Holger Arndt ◽  
Jens Hausmann ◽  
Christian Madeja ◽  
Sven Mutze

Background: Teleradiology has the potential to link medical experts and specialties despite geographical separation. In a project report about hospital-based teleradiology, the significance of technical and human factors during the implementation and growth of a teleradiology network are explored. Evaluation: The article identifies major obstacles during the implementation and growth of the teleradiology network of the Berlin Trauma Hospital (BG Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin) between 2004 and 2020 in semi-structured interviews with senior staff members. Quantitative analysis of examination numbers, patient numbers, and profits relates the efforts of the staff members to the monetary benefits and success of the network. Identification of qualitative and quantitative factors for success: Soft and hard facilitators and solutions driving the development of the national teleradiology network are identified. Obstacles were often solved by technical innovations, but the time span between required personal efforts, endurance, and flexibility of local and external team members. The article describes innovations driven by teleradiology and hints at the impact of teleradiology on modern medical care by relating the expansion of the teleradiology network to patient transfers and profits. Conclusion: In addition to technical improvements, interpersonal collaborations were key to the success of the teleradiology network of the Berlin Trauma Hospital and remained a unique feature and selling point of this teleradiology network.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Parker ◽  
Monika Kastner ◽  
Karen Born ◽  
Nida Shahid ◽  
Whitney Berta

Abstract Background:Choosing Wisely (CW) is an international movement comprised of national campaigns in more than 20 countries to reduce low-value care (LVC). Hospitals and healthcare providers are examining existing practices and putting interventions in place to reduce practices that offer little to no benefit to patients or may cause them harm. De-implementation, the reduction or removal of a healthcare practice is an emerging field of research. Little is known about the factors which (i) sustain LVC; and (ii) the magnitude of the problem of LVC. In addition, little is known about the processes of de-implementation, and if and how these processes differ from implementation endeavours. The objective of this study was to explicate the myriad factors which impact the processes and outcomes of de-implementation initiatives that are designed to address national Choosing Wisely campaign recommendations.Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals implementing Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations in healthcare settings in four provinces. The interview guide was developed using concepts from the literature and the Implementation Process Model (IPM) as a framework. All interviews were conducted virtually, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results:Seventeen Choosing Wisely team members were interviewed. Participants identified numerous provider factors, most notably habit, which sustain LVC. Contrary to reporting in recent studies, the majority of LVC in the sample was not ‘patient facing’; therefore, patients were not a significant driver for the LVC, nor a barrier to reducing it. Participants detailed aspects of the magnitude of the problems of LVC, specifically the impact of harm and resources. Unique factors influencing the processes of de-implementation reported were: influence of Choosing Wisely campaigns, availability of data, lack of targets and hard-coded interventions.Conclusions: This study explicates factors ranging from those which impact the maintenance of LVC to factors that impact the success of de-implementation interventions intended to reduce them. The findings draw attention to the significance of unintentional factors, highlight the importance of understanding the impact of harm and resources to reduce LVC and illuminate the overstated impact of patients in de-implementation literature. These findings illustrate the complexities of de-implementation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A Cooke ◽  
Jennifer Baumbusch

Abstract Background and Objectives Much of the literature examining the staffing-care quality link in long-term care (LTC) homes focuses on staffing ratios; that is, how many staff are on shift. Far less attention is devoted to exploring the impact of staff members’ workplace relationships, or who is on shift. As part of our work exploring workplace incivility and bullying among residential care aides (RCAs), we examined how RCAs’ workplace relationships are shaped by peer incivility and bullying and the impact on care delivery. Research Design and Methods Using critical ethnography, we conducted 100 hours of participant observation and 33 semi-structured interviews with RCAs, licensed practical nurses, support staff and management in two non-profit LTC homes in British Columbia, Canada. Results Three key themes illustrate the power relations underpinning RCAs’ encounters with incivility and bullying that, in turn, shaped care delivery. Requesting Help highlights how exposure to incivility and bullying made RCAs reluctant to seek help from their co-workers. Receiving Help focuses on how power relations and notions of worthiness and reciprocity impacted RCAs receipt of help from co-workers. Resisting Help/ing outlines how workplace relationships imbued with power relations led some RCAs to refuse assistance from their co-workers, led longer-tenured RCAs to resist helping newer RCAs and dictated the extent to which RCAs provided care to residents for whom another RCA was responsible. Discussion and Implications Findings highlight ‘who’ is on shift warrants as much attention as ‘how many’ are on shift, offering additional insight into the staffing-care quality link.


Author(s):  
Anisha Vyas ◽  
Cathy Spain ◽  
David Rawlinson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact working in a therapeutic community (TC) has on staff practice and personal development. Design/methodology/approach Eight female members of staff who work in the TC participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used. Findings The findings of this paper show three superordinate themes: confidence gained within TC; the staff impact of the intensity of TC; and staff value for specific TC principles. Research limitations/implications Limitations include researcher bias as both authors work in the TC and/or in the service. Reasonable adjustments were made in order to account for this. Practical implications Implications for future research include understanding and supporting the needs of staff and further exploration of the impact of staff working within TCs for people diagnosable with emotionally unstable personality disorders. Originality/value The research was carried out at one of the longest running TCs for people with emotional instability in the country. It offers a unique opportunity to garner the views of staff members with up to 27 years of experience. Findings may be of value to practitioners, administrators, policy makers and researchers interested in therapeutic communities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Mohammad Almoaily

Most of the research on language policies in educational institutions has hitherto focused on the creation, interpretation, or appropriation of language policies that govern language use in the classroom. Language policies, however, can be instantiated or implemented in out-of-classroom settings. Hence, the current study examines the impact of language policies, in terms of both beliefs and practices, as mechanisms of power in communication between staff members in official meetings taking place at higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia. An online survey taken by 208 members, in addition to semi-structured interviews with eight department chairpersons, revealed that the implementation of monolingual English language policies can minimize the proportion of engagement of staff members, who are less competent in English, in department council meetings, committee meetings, and other official meetings. The data also suggested that the majority of participants in the study believe that multilingual language policies (allowing the use of both Arabic and English) should be avoided in order to not exclude non-Arabic speaking staff members from participation in official dialogue. The study concludes with implications for language policy creation and implementation for out-of-classroom English use in EFL educational institutions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 35-53
Author(s):  
Katlego Ncaagae

This article presents the findings of the study which sought to assess e-discovery readiness at the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) in Botswana and make recommendations to improve the e-discovery process. The assessment adopted the Document Labs’ (Doculabs) Discovery Maturity Curve to examine: the e-discovery process; policies, procedures, and guidelines of e-discovery; and information organisation. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools were used. Semi-structured interviews with the records manager and IT manager were carried out to gain an insight into the state of e-discovery at the MTC and to allow the participants to describe the phenomena. With regard to quantitative data, the respondents were selected from 56 staff members in the IT, records management and administrative division, as they deal with the management of records. Data was analysed thematically and presented according to the objectives of the study. The study established that MTC was not e-discovery ready as the components that determine success in e-discovery such as undefined e-discovery processes, lack of policies, procedures as well as guidelines that promote successful e-discovery and the lack of a data map were not there. It is recommended that to be successful in e-discovery, MTC needs to develop and implement policies, procedures and guidelines for e-discovery; e-records retention policy; and a data map.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Fukuyama ◽  
Simon Tanner

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study to examine, determine and propose the optimal approach to develop impact assessment indicators for the UK Web Archive.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses the existing literature on impact assessment frameworks for digital resources and the types of impact in related fields to set an approach to develop an impact assessment plan. Primarily drawing from the Balanced Value Impact Model, the approach consists of three stages: context setting, indicator development and indicator evaluation.FindingsThe development of a set of potential impact assessment indicators for the UK Web Archive shows not only an optimal approach for the development but also recommendations for web archiving organisations.Research limitations/implicationsThe research did not carry out follow-up interviews regarding the feedback from UK Web Archive's staff. Adoption of the new set of indicators will further this development.Practical implicationsThe staff's duties influence their prioritisation of the indicators, so discussions among partners will be helpful in recognising different perceptions, unnoticed strengths and potential values. A progressive accumulation of assessment and improvements from the current state and small regular evaluations will be also helpful to demonstrate the impact and value to the stakeholders in the future.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a set of 13 potential indicators for the UK Web Archive of which functionality was checked against set quality criteria and tested through semi-structured interviews and survey submissions with the UK Web Archive staff members.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 937-938
Author(s):  
Eun Jeong Lee ◽  
KeliAnne Hara-Hubbard ◽  
Sonia Bishop ◽  
Jae Lim ◽  
Linda Ko

Abstract Community-based organizations (CBOs) are essential settings for older Asian American (AA) and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults for accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate services and connecting with and support each other. This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CBOs’ ability to serve older AA & NHPI adults. This mixed methods study (survey and semi-structured interviews) used a sequential exploratory design. We recruited 65 leaders and staff members from 40 CBOs serving older AA & NHPI adults nationally. Descriptive analysis was conducted with the survey data followed by thematic analysis of the interview data. Many CBOs were impacted by the increased demands for services (80%) and created new services (75%) while experiencing programming disruption (69%), decreased staffing (55%), and loss of revenue (38%). Some CBOs temporarily closed their organizations (38%), while others closed permanently (3%). To remain in operation, many CBOs (65%) increased their online presence, hired staff (52%), and recurred to financial reserves (20%). The semi-structured interviews identified four themes: 1) CBOs resourcefulness to acquire and share resources, 2) technology as a connector for CBOs and an isolator for older adults, 3) heightened racial discrimination against Asians, and 4) emergence of multi-level resilience (personal/ community/organizational). CBOs experienced disruption in their operation, and heightened racial discrimination during the pandemic. Yet, CBO’s ability to remain resilient was critical to continue to provide key programs for older adults. Future studies may want to examine evolving needs of CBOs as they adjust to new public health challenges during the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haddy Jallow ◽  
Suresh Renukappa ◽  
Subashini Suresh

PurposeIn December 2019, news broke out from the World Health Organisation (WHO), with the first outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China. On 11 March 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 to officially be a pandemic. The UK was put under lockdown on the 23 March 2020 by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the lockdown introduced strict measures put into place including the restriction for unnecessary working from offices, and only leaving houses if it is deemed essential. Therefore, this paper focusses on the changes that the infrastructure sector has had to undertake in order to adhere to the COVID-19 lockdown rules while being productive.Design/methodology/approachGiven the new and unexplored nature of the research problem, a qualitative research methodology was adopted. In total, five semi-structured interviews from three infrastructure sector organisations were conducted to collect data, which was then analysed using thematic analysis for inference and conclusion.FindingsThe results indicate that the lockdown is proving to be difficult to manage projects as staff members are working from home. This leads to delays on a project activities as many staff members cannot physically go on site and conduct works. The managers are finding difficult to manage their teams. However, technological tools such as video chat and meetings via online platforms have proven to be most effective in communications with project teams. The Building Information Modelling Design has been useful as the 3D design models helps to visualise the project within team meetings in order to comply with the COVID-19 rules and follow social distancing guidelines while still carrying on works. However, induction to any new starter is proving to be difficult to manage with the pandemic and lockdown as it involves a drugs and alcohol test prior to commencing work of that project.Originality/valueThis paper provides a rich insight into the understanding and awareness of the impact of COVID-19 and the changes that the infrastructure sector has had to undertake in order to adhere to the lockdown rules while being productive. This study contributes towards informing policymakers on some lessons learnt from the management of the COVID-19 from an infrastructure sector perspective. Furthermore, 12 key implications are drawn for decision-makers within the infrastructure sector business to rethink and act to deal with the pandemic crisis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Pia Schmidt ◽  
Almut Hartenstein-Pinter ◽  
Carola Hasan ◽  
Kathrin Stening ◽  
Boris Zernikow ◽  
...  

Background: Children with life-limiting conditions have a high risk of colonisation with a multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO). To avoid the spread of hospital-aquired infections to other patients, children with a MDRO are moved to an isolated room or ward. However, such isolation prevents social participation, which may reduce the child's quality of life (QoL). To overcome this challenge of conflicting interests on a paediatric palliative care inpatient unit, a hygiene concept for patients colonised with MDRO, called PALLINI, was implemented. PALLINI advises that, instead of isolating the affected children, strict barrier nursing should be used. Aim: To identify the impact of a complex hygiene concept on children's and parents' QoL and social participation. Methods: Cross-sectional mixed-methods research approach, comprising semi-structured interviews with parents and staff members, and a QoL-questionnaire focusing on the child which was completed by parents. Findings: In paediatric patients with life-limiting conditions who have MDRO colonisation, using a complex hygiene protocol resulted in both benefits and barriers to social participation. However, the child's QoL did not appear to be affected. Conclusion: All staff members and families have to be familiar with the hygiene concept and the concept has to be self-explanatory and easy to apply.


Author(s):  
Elizabeth Mitchell

Abstract This article explores the “Coffee House,” a community music therapy performance event held biannually at an adolescent mental health treatment facility in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. In this paper, I draw upon techniques and theory from narrative inquiry in order to investigate the experiences and perspectives of 7 adolescent clients and 11 staff members who participated in the event as performers and audience members. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through qualitative coding; the participants’ voices are presented here. Building upon a previous article, in which I attribute the Coffee House’s success to its participatory ethos, this article examines the impact of performing upon participants’ musical and personal identities as well as upon their relationships with others at the facility. The shifts and transformations that took place within youths’ identities were interdependent with the relational features of the performance context; expansions in youths’ self-identities were indelibly connected to staff members’ expanded perspectives on these youths, afforded through witnessing their performances. Participants’ narratives validate not only the ways in which identity and relationship intersect, but also the way in which musical performance’s impact upon identity and relationship is uniquely musical.


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