The Only Girl in the Class!

Author(s):  
Lauren Elliott ◽  
Julie Prescott

Four female students studying a games course at one UK University took part in a qualitative study of face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Although a small sample, the study provided an interesting insight into the experiences of the females on the course as well as their views of entering (or at least potentially entering) the male dominated computer games industry. The findings related by the chapter reveal that females choose to study games because they enjoyed playing games. Despite all participants experiencing the course positively, there was some apprehension about going into the industry. Interestingly, the study suggests the male dominated working environment may be off-putting to women, even to women studying and interested in going into that area of work. The main themes that emerged in regard to the negativity associated with the industry were the long hours culture and potential sexism within the industry.

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 228-236
Author(s):  
Tine Louise Dideriksen ◽  
Marianne Lisby ◽  
Nina Brünés ◽  
Pia Dreyer

Background: In the meeting between socially marginalised patients and somatic hospitals, healthcare systems often encounter complex challenges related to health inequalities that are difficult to resolve. To help reduce these challenges, a nursing approach employing a nurse (RN) with in-depth knowledge of socially marginalised patients and competences in rehabilitation (“social nurse”) has contributed to diminish health inequalities. However, further insight into the potential benefits of social nursing is required. Aim: To examine how social nurses describe and experience the social nursing approach situated at somatic hospitals. Methods: A qualitative study of social nurses’ descriptions and experiences with a social nurse approach included eight Danish hospitals. One male and 12 female nurses (n=13) employed as social nurses at somatic hospitals participated. Thirteen semi structured interviews were conducted using the methodological frameworks of phenomenology and hermeneutics. The interviews were analysed employing a method inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation. Results: Four themes emerged from the analysis: 1) A unique expertise encompassing experience and evidence-based knowledge 2) coordination towards a common goal to reduce patients’ vulnerability, 3) to see and understand patients as whole persons, thereby assuring successful treatment and 4) working with the system to avoid losing the patients. The themes describe a unique expertise emerging from focusing healthcare efforts on the socially marginalised patients and the system in charge. Conclusion: The study indicated that the social nurse approach is a holistic nursing approach. Applying this approach allows for optimised treatment that fosters a more equal outcome across the spectrum of socially marginalised patients. The social nurse approach may contribute to diminishing health inequalities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 87-892
Author(s):  
Zelal Kharaba ◽  
Rozina Kousar ◽  
Yassen Alfoteih ◽  
Saira Azhar ◽  
Shujaat Ali Khan ◽  
...  

Purpose: To evaluate the perception of nurses regarding pharmaceutical care services in the healthcare system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province of Pakistan.Methods: This qualitative study was implemented by conducting semi-structured interviews. For data collection, interviews (face-to-face) were conducted after developing an interview guide. The interviewees were 18 nurses and were interviewed at their nursing stations in hospitals.  Interviews were continued until the data reached a saturation point. The respondents signed a written consent form before the start of the interview.Results: From the thematic content analysis, five major themes were extracted as stated here: (a) incognizance of pharmaceutical care; (b) collaboration of nurses and pharmacists; (c) improper distribution system; (d) lack of provision of patient counseling; and (e) pharmacist’s role in reducing prescribing errors.Conclusion: Based to the findings, Pakistani nurses have poor knowledge of pharmaceutical care, thus highlighting the need for organizing pharmaceutical care awareness programs for nurses. On the other hand, nurses have a positive perception of pharmacists’ roles in the healthcare system and want to work with them. Keywords: Perception, Pharmaceutical care, Qualitative study, Nurse, Patient care


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Jafaralilou ◽  
Arman Latifi ◽  
Mehdi Khezeli ◽  
Atefeh Afshari ◽  
Farahnaz Zare

Abstract Background Waterpipe is one of the oldest methods of tobacco smoking, which has become the public health challenge, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Iran. This study aimed to investigate the waterpipe smoking (WPS) in the young people of Kermanshah in 2020, using a qualitative method. Methods This was a qualitative study conducted with the approach of content analysis. Participants were young waterpipe user aged 17 to 25 years selected by purposeful sampling method in Kermanshah city, located in the west of Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in face-to-face and audio-recorded methods based on an interview guideline during June to August 2020. Then researchers transcribed verbatim and analyzed the content of the interviews thematically. Results In this study, 23 young people who were waterpipe users at the time of the study participated. The results showed that social aspects in three sub-categories were involved in WPS including “socio-cultural aspects”, “socio-environmental aspects”, and “social relations”. Individual aspects of waterpipe use as second category also consisted of two sub-categories including “motivational aspects” and “lack of psycho-protective aspects”. Conclusions It seems that the implementation of the policy of reducing access to waterpipe in public environments is effective in reducing waterpipe consumption. It is suggested that educational and interventions, based on targeted models and theories be implemented in order to increase young people’s belief and perception on dangers of WPS, and to improve their self-efficacy to smoking cessation.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chirag Patel ◽  
Gregory B Crawford

Abstract Background: Blindness from corneal opacity accounts for 12% of cases of blindness worldwide. There is a severe shortage of corneas for donation worldwide for transplantation and research purposes. One group of individuals who could potentially be donors are those who die within the inpatient palliative care unit. The aims of the study were to 1. determine the frequency of corneal donation discussion; 2. determine whether inpatient palliative care unit patients and clinicians were aware of the potential for corneal donation discussions and 3. explore the attitudes and beliefs of inpatient palliative care unit patients and clinicians about corneal donation. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was designed where inpatient palliative care unit patients and clinicians were invited to a semi-structured interview. A total of 46 face to face interviews were undertaken involving inpatient palliative care unit patients (20) and clinicians (26) in three major inpatient palliative care units in South Australia. Results: Very few patient participants were asked about corneal donations during their time in palliative care. Most inpatient palliative care unit clinicians did not bring up the topic as they felt other areas of care took precedence. Inpatient palliative care unit patients thought if inpatient palliative care unit clinicians did not raise the topic, then it was not important. Conclusions: Findings suggest that patients are receptive to discussing corneal donations, but few discussions are occurring. There were some differences between patient and clinician views, such as preference about who raises the possibility of donation and when the discussion might occur.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Whelan ◽  
Sharon Feeney

The Irish Defence Forces currently employs approximately 8,750 personnel, with some 7,300 employed in the army. Approximately 3,139 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) have changed career paths into civilian roles between the years 2000-2015. Many of these individuals found the transition from a military career to a civilian career challenging, despite having obtained some useful transferable skills. One of the most pertinent challenges has been the lack of any appreciation by employers of the range of transferrable skills that were gained by NCOs during their military careers. This paper aims to identify what transferable skills contribute to the transition from a military career to a civilian career from the perspective of a small sample of former army NCOs. The methodology consists of a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with key personnel who previously served in the Irish Defence Forces. The findings indicate that the range of transferable skills gained in a military career have important and timely relevance to careers in a civilian context. Recommendations are proposed in relation to how the Defence Forces might assist retiring personnel to target civilian employers and jobs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justina N. Amadhila ◽  
Gisela H. Van Rensburg

Abstract Background The baby and mother friendly initiative is a breastfeeding programme in Namibia aimed to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. The purpose of this study was to describe nurse managers’ perceptions and experiences of implementing the baby and mother friendly initiative in order to identify its successes and failures, as well as to develop guidelines for the strengthening of the programme. Methods An evaluation research design to collect qualitative data through face-to-face interviews was conducted. A total of 33 interviews with nurse managers in charge of the baby and mother friendly hospitals, were conducted. Results This study gave insight into the strength and weaknesses in the implementation of the programme implementation and make recommendations for improvement thereof. Four themes emerged from the study, namely: the extent of programme implementation, perceived benefits of the programme, challenges/hindrance to the implementation of the programme and recommendations for strengthening of the programme. The information was used to develop and validate guidelines that would help to strengthen the implementation of the programme. Conclusions The study makes a contribution to the body of knowledge in nursing in that it provides guidelines for the strengthening of the baby and mother programme.


2020 ◽  
pp. 175319342096752
Author(s):  
Lucy McDougall ◽  
Joanne Kennedy ◽  
Christopher Coombs ◽  
Anthony Penington

This qualitative study explored the psychosocial concerns of children born with congenital hand and upper limb differences (CHULDs) from the point of view of these children and their parents. Qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face with eight parent–child dyads. Open format questions allowed spontaneous emergence of relevant themes, followed by guided questioning. Thematic analysis of audio-recorded and transcribed interviews found that children as young as 5 years old had unique and meaningful opinions about their CHULD, of which parents were sometimes unaware. Children reported that unsolicited questions from peers caused significant stress, and this increased around the time of surgery. All children used planned responses to peers as an effective coping mechanism. Children also identified positive aspects of their difference, including an increased sense of determination and an appreciation for being unique. Strategies that may improve psychosocial outcomes for children with CHULDs are discussed. Level of evidence: IV


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2389-2409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung Him Lau ◽  
Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige ◽  
Patrick T.I. Lam ◽  
Arshad Ali Javed

Purpose Project delays and cost over-runs are few common major problems arising from conventional contracts. To overcome these issues, the Hong Kong Government has been practicing the use of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) forms in several public works projects. However, despite the successful outcomes and the positive signs of adopting NEC, it appears that NEC forms of contracts are not widely adopted in the Hong Kong construction industry even after 25 years of their first introduction. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges and barriers for not implementing NEC widely in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach Based on a questionnaire survey data collected from 45 senior industry professionals, and six semi-structured interviews, the study evaluated the perceptions of construction professionals as to why NEC is still not popular in the industry and reported the relative importance of challenges in the implementation of NEC in Hong Kong. Findings The results reveal that “People are not willing to change,” “Limited number of trained professionals” and “Insufficient case law and adjudication experience” are the most significant challenges and barriers in adopting NEC. These findings are also supported by the opinions of construction professionals through semi-structured interviews. Practical implications The findings are relevant and would benefit to the industry stakeholders for adopting NEC contracts by informing them of the most significant challenges so that proper strategies may be devised to overcoming them for early contractors’ involvement, controlling cost and time overruns in infrastructure projects. Originality/value The empirical evidence of the study provides an insight into the challenges faced by the construction industry of Hong Kong. NEC form of contract is the way forward in order to create a better working environment conducive for all the parties that would result in better construction project performance and productivity.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097243
Author(s):  
Colins B Tanyuy ◽  
Chinyere M Aguocha ◽  
Emeka C Nwefoh ◽  
Mispar G Wankam

Background: People with mental illness are vulnerable to abuse in the community. Cultural and social practices may be contributory. Aim: To explore the social representation of abuse of persons with mental illness among the inhabitants of Jakiri municipality in Cameroon. Method: This was a qualitative study based on the Theory of Reasoned Action, conducted in 2018 among 11 inhabitants of Jakiri municipality, aged above 18 years and who had lived in the town for at least 2 years. In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using the basic thematic approach. Results: The belief that mental illness is incurable, a curse from the gods, a result of witchcraft, and a punishment for violation of core social norms were identified as the reasons for physical violence against persons with mental illness. Beliefs that persons with mental illness were disorganized, destructive, physically aggressive, and dependent on others were identified as reasons for emotional abuse. Conclusion: A misconception of mental illness was the major underlying factor for the abuse of persons with mental illness.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
Dayyanah Sumodhee ◽  
Rachel Povey ◽  
Nikolas Pontikos

AbstractIntroductionAccording to UK guidelines, stop smoking practitioners are expected to be open and supportive towards e-cigarette users. As adequate support from practitioners can be instrumental for smokers to successfully quit smoking, it is crucial to explore the challenges that stop smoking practitioners face when advising on e-cigarette use.AimThis qualitative study explores the challenges that stop smoking practitioners face when advising patients on e-cigarettes.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted with semi-structured interviews with 10 stop smoking practitioners from four stop smoking services in London. Face to face interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted to explore practitioners' experiences when advising on e-cigarettes.FindingsTwo themes were noted: practitioners' concerns and practitioner–patient interactions. Practitioners were particularly concerned regarding the lack of information, safety issues and the maintenance of addiction linked with e-cigarettes. They emphasised the difficulty of advising on a product that they cannot prescribe. Overall, practitioners expressed the lack of confidence when advising on e-cigarettes since they were often unprepared and not able to answer patients' questions on e-cigarettes.ConclusionsStop smoking practitioners' lack of confidence and limited knowledge regarding e-cigarettes emphasises the necessity for training and guidance on e-cigarettes to improve their interactions with patients on this subject. In particular, practitioners need to be provided with clear guidance on how to counsel patients about how and where to buy e-cigarettes.


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