scholarly journals “We Just Take Care of Each Other”: Navigating ‘Chosen Family’ in the Context of Health, Illness, and the Mutual Provision of Care amongst Queer and Transgender Young Adults

Author(s):  
Nina Jackson Levin ◽  
Shanna K. Kattari ◽  
Emily K. Piellusch ◽  
Erica Watson

“Chosen family”—families formed outside of biological or legal (bio-legal) bonds—is a signature of the queer experience. Therefore, we address the stakes of “chosen family” for queer and transgender (Q/T) young adults in terms of health, illness and the mutual provision of care. “Chosen family” is a refuge specifically generated by and for the queer experience, so we draw upon anthropological theory to explore questions of queer kinship in terms of care. We employ a phenomenological approach to semi-structured interviews (n = 11), open coding, and thematic analysis of transcriptions to meet our aims: (1) Develop an understanding of the beliefs and values that form the definition of “chosen family” for Q/T young adults; and (2) Understand the ways in which “chosen family” functions in terms of care for health and illness. Several themes emerged, allowing us to better understand the experiences of this population in navigating the concept of “chosen family” within and beyond health care settings. Emergent themes include: (1) navigating medical systems; (2) leaning on each other; and (3) mutual aid. These findings are explored, as are the implications of findings for how health care professionals can better engage Q/T individuals and their support networks.

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Jacobi ◽  
Rod MacLeod

INTRODUCTION: A diagnosis of any chronic progressive illness can be a traumatic experience. People wonder how they will be able to cope and health care professionals wonder how they can help those so affected. The aim of the study was to discover how people find meaning when they are diagnosed with chronic illness. The research question asked is: How do people make sense of living with chronic progressive illness? METHOD: This is a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach to apply what is learned to developing therapeutic strategies in order to help those so diagnosed to find the meaning they need in order to live with resilience. Semi-structured interviews with seven people were held in order to determine how they cope with living with chronic progressive illness. The results were then used to develop some suggestions for health professionals as they seek to assist people with chronic progressive illness. FINDINGS: All participants displayed much resilience and determination which was found to emerge from three main themes: memory, hope and meaning. Memory was seen to be the link between all the themes. These are described and, arising out of the results of this study, some suggestions are made in order to assist in management. CONCLUSION: It is possible for health care professionals to assist patients to make sense of chronic illness by helping them to view their illness as part of life, and therefore a challenge to be faced rather than seeing life as dominated by illness. KEYWORDS: Chronic disease; resilience, psychological; narration; psychology, existential


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Sheikhansari ◽  
Charles Abraham ◽  
Sarah Denford

Background: Only limited Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) is provided in Iranian schools and universities while research has highlighted demand and need for improved SHRE among young adults. We explored health-care professionals' (HCPs) assessments of, and recommendations for, SHRE and service provision for young people in Tehran.Design and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 17 HCPs based in Tehran and verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Participants confirmed the need for improved SHRE and service provision for young adults. HCPs described how a lack of reliable educational resources for young adults, taboo and cultural barriers, and a lack of trust and confidentiality prevented young people from accessing information and services. They unanimously supported education and services to be augmented, and provided recommendations on how this could be achieved.Conclusions: A number of positive suggestions for the improvement of SHRE and Iranian sexual health services in Iran were identified.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Massey ◽  
Karin Fisher ◽  
Anne Croker ◽  
Tony Smith

For those involved in supporting and educating children with traumatic brain injury, the interface between health care and education is complex. This paper reports the findings of a study exploring how teachers of children with traumatic brain injury experience collaboration with health-care professionals. A phenomenological approach was used to understand teachers’ experience of collaboration. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with five teachers who taught children with traumatic brain injury in a regional area of Australia. The findings revealed that the experience of collaboration for teachers is characterised by moving through three notional spaces (starting out in the interactive space, moving into a collaborative space and embracing the collaborative space). As they move through these spaces, teachers widen their self-sufficient practice horizon to develop reciprocity with health-care professionals. The findings from this study highlight a need for health-care professionals to be sensitive to, and aware of, teachers’ familiarity with interdisciplinary collaboration, issues related to knowledge differentials and time constraints.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232199204
Author(s):  
Hester Hockin-Boyers ◽  
Megan Warin

The appropriate form, regularity, and intensity of exercise for individuals recovering from eating disorders is not agreed upon among health care professionals or researchers. When exercise is permitted, it is that which is mindful, embodied, and non-competitive that is considered normative. Using Canguilhem’s concepts of “the normal and the pathological” as a theoretical frame, we examine the gendered assumptions that shape medical understandings of “healthy” and “dysfunctional” exercise in the context of recovery. The data set for this article comes from longitudinal semi-structured interviews with 19 women in the United Kingdom who engaged in weightlifting during their eating disorder recovery. We argue that women in recovery navigate multiple and conflicting value systems regarding exercise. Faced with aspects of exercise that are pathologized within the eating disorder literature (such as structure/routine, body transformations, and affect regulation), women re-inscribe positive value to these experiences, thus establishing exercise practices that serve them.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrine Håland Jeppesen ◽  
Kirsten Frederiksen ◽  
Marianne Johansson Joergensen ◽  
Kirsten Beedholm

Abstract Background From 2014 to 17, a large-scale project, ‘The User-involving Hospital’, was implemented at a Danish university hospital. Research highlights leadership as crucial for the outcome of change processes in general and for implementation processes in particular. According to the theory on organizational learning by Agyris and Schön, successful change requires organizational learning. Argyris and Schön consider that the assumptions of involved participants play an important role in organizational learning and processes. The purpose was to explore leaders’ assumptions concerning implementation of patient involvement methods in a hospital setting. Methods Qualitative explorative interview study with the six top leaders in the implementation project. The semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed in accordance with Kvale and Brinkmanns’ seven stages of interview research. Result The main leadership assumptions on what is needed in the implementation process are in line with the perceived elements in organizational learning according to the theory of Argyris and Schön. Hence, they argued that implementation of patient involvement requires a culture change among health care professionals. Two aspects on how to obtain success in the implementation process were identified based on leadership assumptions: “The health care professionals’ roles in the implementation process” and “The leaders’ own roles in the implementation process”. Conclusion The top leaders considered implementation of patient involvement a change process that necessitates a change in culture with health care professionals as crucial actors. Furthermore, the top leaders considered themselves important facilitators of this implementation process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1294.1-1294
Author(s):  
C. Helin Hollstrand ◽  
K. Nilke Nordlund

Background:With the launch of The Swedish Young Rheumatics Report in April of 2018, we also presented new way of thinking and a tool called the Dreamscale, our complement to the traditional VAS scale used to assess pain. In October of 2018, we organized a workshop together with communication consults where we invited some of our members in different ages and health care professionals working with children, youths and young adults with rheumatic diseases, to try and reach a joint definition of what the Dreamscale is and could be, as we saw its huge potential. This is where the idea of the Dreamcatcher was born.Objectives:The objective is to create an innovative digital tool for young people with rheumatic disease. It takes its starting point in what is healthy and what is possible, rather than focusing on sickness and limitations. Using behavioral science, nudging and social functions, the Dreamcatcher has the potential to lower the barriers to living an active lifestyle, while also serving as a tool for dialogue with health care professionals, resulting in more efficient meetings, better resource planning and the gathering of valuable data to the national quality registers. It is also a digital tool with a big potential for development thanks to its open source code and its focus on enabling activity and participation, there is an obvious potential to develop its functions to also serve other actors and patient groups.Methods:We teamed up with communication bureau Gullers Grupp, pharmaceutical company Pfizer, and two health care clinics in Stockholm, one for children and youths with rheumatic disease and one for adults, and received funding for one year of development from Vinnova, the Swedish innovation authority, in April of 2019. We started the project by conducting a study to try and narrow down what focuses the Dreamcatcher should have. The pilot study contains both workshops with patients, both children, youths and young adults, and with teams of health care professionals, as well as more in-depth interviews with both patients and health care professionals. Based on the study, we will develop a prototype of what the Dreamcatcher could look like, and it will most likely be an application used for smartphones.Results:The study narrows down the Dreamcatcher into three things: the Dreamscale, Dream data, and the Dream collective.The Dreamscaleis as previously explained a complement to the traditional pain-scale and a tool for patients to set goals towards their dreams, and for patients and health care professionals to co-plan care and medical treatment based on what’s most important to the patient.Dream datais where patients can self-track their disease, data which is also available for the health care to view and therefore to be better prepared before meeting with the patient. It is also a goal to have the Dream data transferred to the national quality registers.The Dream collectiveis a social function where patients using the app can connect and get inspired by each other. It is a place to share your dreams and build a community to show that rheumatic disease isn’t something that should ever stop you from going after your dreams!Conclusion:The prototype of the Dreamcatcher will be presented in May of 2020 and we think this it has great potential to help shift focus withing health care, to not just focusing on sickness and limitations but rather on dreams, joy of life and possibilities!References:[1]https://ungareumatiker.se/nytt-digitalt-patientverktyg-unga-reumatiker-tar-fram-dromfangaren/[2]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD6PwSKeb8IDisclosure of Interests:None declared


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Wailling ◽  
Brian Robinson ◽  
M Coombs

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Aim: This study explored how doctors, nurses and managers working in a New Zealand tertiary hospital understand patient safety. Background: Despite health care systems implementing proven safety strategies from high reliability organisations, such as aviation and nuclear power, these have not been uniformly adopted by health care professionals with concerns raised about clinician engagement. Design: Instrumental, embedded case study design using qualitative methods. Methods: The study used purposeful sampling, and data was collected using focus groups and semi-structured interviews with doctors (n = 31); registered nurses (n = 19); and senior organisational managers (n = 3) in a New Zealand tertiary hospital. Results: Safety was described as a core organisational value. Clinicians appreciated proactive safety approaches characterized by anticipation and vigilance, where they expertly recognized and adapted to safety risks. Managers trusted evidence-based safety rules and approaches that recorded, categorized and measured safety. Conclusion and Implications for Nursing Management: It is important that nurse managers hold a more refined understanding about safety. Organisations are more likely to support safe patient care if cultural complexity is accounted for. Recognizing how different occupational groups perceive and respond to safety, rather than attempting to reinforce a uniform set of safety actions and responsibilities, is likely to bring together a shared understanding of safety, build trust and nurture safety culture.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa McCann ◽  
Kathryn A McMillan ◽  
Christopher Hewitt

BACKGROUND A diagnosis of cancer in young adulthood can pose many different and unique challenges for individuals. The provision of adequate and appropriate information as well as care and support for teenagers and young adults at the time of diagnosis is central to their health care experience going forward. Moreover, appropriate and accessible information provision is critical to ensure that young individuals with cancer feel equipped and empowered to make decisions about, and be involved in, their treatment and recovery throughout their experience; this is a concept known as prehabilitation. As digital interventions and resources that support teenagers and young adults with cancer are an increasingly desirable part of health care provision, this study will focus on the development of an age- and population-appropriate electronic prehabilitation (e-Prehabilitation) system of care. OBJECTIVE We will conduct an exploratory, co-design research project that will inform the development of an e-Prehabilitation system of care to support teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer. A collaborative approach to data collection and prototype design will ensure that a patient-centered approach is embedded throughout. METHODS A qualitative, co-design study utilizing surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions is being conducted with teenagers and young adults, health care professionals, and technologists. RESULTS This research study is in progress; recruitment and data collection activities have commenced and findings are expected in early 2019. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study will have important implications for informing the future development and evaluation of an e-Prehabilitation system of care to support teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer. REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER RR1-10.2196/10287


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santuzza Arreguy Silva VITORINO ◽  
Marly Marques da CRUZ ◽  
Denise Cavalcante de BARROS

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the modeling stages of food and nutrition surveillance in the Primary Health Care of the Unified Health Care System, considering its activities, objectives, and goals Methods: Document analysis and semi-structured interviews were used for identifying the components, describe the intervention, and identify potential assessment users. Results: The results include identification of the objectives and goals of the intervention, the required inputs, activities, and expected effects. The intervention was then modeled based on these data. The use of the theoretical logic model optimizes times, resources, definition of the indicators that require monitoring, and the aspects that require assessment, identifying more clearly the contribution of the intervention to the results Conclusion: Modeling enabled the description of food and nutrition surveillance based on its components and may guide the development of viable plans to monitor food and nutrition surveillance actions so that modeling can be established as a local intersectoral planning instrument.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Diviani ◽  
Eva Haukeland Fredriksen ◽  
Corine S. Meppelink ◽  
Judy Mullan ◽  
Warren Rich ◽  
...  

Background. Online health information (OHI) is widely available and consulted by many people in Western countries to gain health advice. The main goal of the present study is to provide a detailed account of the experiences among people from various demographic backgrounds living in high-income countries, who have used OHI. Design and methods. Thematic analysis of 165 qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted among OHI users residing in Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland was performed. Results. The lived experience of people using OHI seem not to differ across countries. The interviews show that searches for OHI are motivated from curiosity, sharing of experiences, or affirmation for actions already taken. Most people find it difficult to appraise the information, leading them to cross-check sources or discuss OHI with others. OHI seems to impact mostly some specific types of health behaviors, such as changes in diet or physical activity, while it only plays a complementary role for more serious health concerns. Participants often check OHI before seeing their GP, but are reluctant to discuss online content with health care personnel due to expected negative reception. Conclusions. This study adds to the body of knowledge on eHealth literacy by demonstrating how OHI affects overall health behavior, strengthens patients’ ability to understand, live with, and prepare themselves for diverse health challenges. The increasing digitalization of health communication and health care calls for further research on digital divides and patient-professional relations. Health care professionals should acknowledge OHI seeking and engage in discussions with patients to enable them to appreciate OHI, and to support shared decision making in health care. The professionals can utilize patient’s desire to learn as a resource for health prevention, promotion or treatment, and empowerment.


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