Narratives of Spirituality

Author(s):  
Jennifer Lynne Bird ◽  
Eric T. Wanner

How does spirituality inform narratives? Some readers may view the experiences survived by the authors as a series of random coincidences, but because religion plays a large role in the lives of both authors, they believe that their experiences happened for a reason. They are not trying to convert you to a certain religion but simply want to show the power religion can have. It is recommended to take out all prejudgments on this issue and read the chapter as is. After that, take out of it what you wish. When the authors conducted a research study, they discovered potentially groundbreaking implications for the fields of patient education and health education. The official narrative of the research follows the research project from the initial idea to the final statistical analysis. The unofficial narrative of the research illustrates all the moments that cannot be captured in a statistical table as the authors answer questions, share stories, and provide information of what they learned.

Author(s):  
Jennifer Lynne Bird ◽  
Eric T. Wanner

In research, statistics tell most of the story. A statistical test reveals a trend between patients who use positive language in their writing and objective physical therapy measures. A correlation exists between patients who articulated a goal in writing and achieved that goal. Keeping a positive outlook and writing about it can lead to healing. When the authors conducted a research study, they discovered potentially groundbreaking implications for the fields of patient education and health education. They learned lessons and their findings will continue to educate adults about health issues. However, statistics don't tell the entire story. The field of narrative inquiry examines qualitative stories in addition to the quantitative data. In this chapter, the authors discuss what they learned about patient education, as well as the stories of the moments that made this research process a memorable journey.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Travers ◽  
Roman Romero-Ortuno ◽  
Declan Lyons ◽  
Marie-Therese Cooney

Abstract Background Our hospital routinely offers a weekly group discussion session for inpatients on aspects of ageing as part of an ‘evergreen programme’ (EP) of health education. Topics are varied and facilitated by a doctor in an informal, open forum. Feedback from nurses, doctors and patients suggested that the EP was lacking in emphasis on the benefits of exercise to improve the levels of physical activity among inpatients. As part of a local quality improvement (QI) initiative, the EP set out to incorporate the provision of patient education on the reported benefits of strength exercises in delaying and reversing frailty. Here we describe the development of this QI initiative and its evaluation. Methods New health education content was added to an EP group discussion to address four key aspects of frailty, namely: definition, risks, screening and interventions. The Socratic health education method was used in the next weekly group discussion (e.g., what does frailty mean to you? What are the consequences? How would you measure frailty? What if it could be delayed or reversed?). An exercise leaflet was provided and strength exercises were demonstrated. Results 18 of 27 over-65-year-old patients attended the group discussion, mean age 75, 11 female (61%). 2 participants were interested in doing strength exercises at the start of the session (11%, 0 female) when asked. Most participants had not been aware that strength exercises can delay and reverse frailty. 14 participants (78%, 8 female) declared interest in doing strength exercises at the end. Interested participants used the exercise leaflet for independent exercise in hospital and brought it home on discharge. Conclusion The EP at our hospital has been improved to include greater emphasis on the benefits of strength exercises in delaying and reversing frailty. QI initiatives can allow translation of research evidence into patient education.


Author(s):  
Megan M Cory ◽  
Wasif A Osmani ◽  
Kevin S Cory ◽  
Staci Young ◽  
Rebecca Lundh

Objective As appointments become more rushed, it is crucial that primary care clinicians consider new and effective ways to provide preventive health education to patients. Currently, patient education is often handouts printed from the electronic medical record system; however, these pieces of paper often do not have the desired impact. Well-established advertising methods reveal that repeated exposure is key in recall and swaying consumer decisions. The Creating Health Education for Constructive Knowledge in Underserved Populations (CHECK UP) Program is a medical student-led program that aims to improve patient recall of health information, health promoting behaviors and health outcomes by applying modified advertising concepts to the delivery of health education. Methods Patients were given large magnets containing health education information. These patients were interviewed 3–4 months afterwards to assess use and effectiveness of magnets as a means to provide health education. Results In total, 25 of the 28 patients given CHECK UP magnets agreed to participate. The majority of participants (23/25) kept the magnets and reported that they, as well as others in their households, see the magnets daily. All 23 participants recalled at least 1 health tip from 1 of the magnets. Conclusions The use of non-traditional materials for patient education allowed for repeated exposure and recall of health information. Consideration for modified use of evidence-based advertising and marketing strategies for the delivery of patient education may be an easy and effective way to provide information to patients outside of the clinical setting and promote health behavioral changes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Torres ◽  
Venka Simovska

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate concerning community participation in school-based health education and health promotion, with regard to food and nutrition. Design/methodology/approach Based on empirical data generated over the course of one year of fieldwork in three rural communities and schools in Ecuador, the study examines community participation related to the implementation of the school feeding programme (SFP) in rural schools in Ecuador. The conceptual framework for the study is shaped by the concepts of student and community participation within the health promoting school (HPS) paradigm. Findings The findings help identify and portray different forms of community participation, ranging from a total absence of meaningful participation, though very limited, to consequential participation determined as community influence on the SFP practices to meet the community needs, priorities and systems of meanings. Research limitations/implications The study shows that the meaningful participation of the parents and community members in small rural schools in a low- to middle-income country such as Ecuador can be linked to an empowered stance towards the SFP so that it is better tuned to local conditions, priorities and systems of meaning. School leadership, geographical characteristics and internal community organization seem to influence how participation is valued and enacted. Challenges remain in the interpretations of community participation, including counter- and non-participation of members. Originality/value The study contributes to an understanding of policy implementation and the implications of a HPS approach to health education and health promotion in small rural schools.


2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 179-183
Author(s):  
Karim Bandali ◽  
Lynn Zhu ◽  
Paul A.W. Gamble

Each year, the Canadian health education system graduates thousands of health professionals who have the best intentions of practising to their full scope of knowledge and skills to help improve the patient care experience in this country. However, a recent research study points to the fact that members of the healthcare team may be practising in a challenging environment in which only a limited number of their skills are actually being used. The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences believes that these issues, which include increased role specialization, limited scopes of practice, rapidly advancing technology, and challenges transitioning from hospital to community settings, have broader health education and health system implications that need to be addressed by policy makers, educators, and healthcare system leaders in order to enhance health professional education as well as patient care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilana G. Raskind ◽  
Rachel C. Shelton ◽  
Dawn L. Comeau ◽  
Hannah L. F. Cooper ◽  
Derek M. Griffith ◽  
...  

Data analysis is one of the most important, yet least understood, stages of the qualitative research process. Through rigorous analysis, data can illuminate the complexity of human behavior, inform interventions, and give voice to people’s lived experiences. While significant progress has been made in advancing the rigor of qualitative analysis, the process often remains nebulous. To better understand how our field conducts and reports qualitative analysis, we reviewed qualitative articles published in Health Education & Behavior between 2000 and 2015. Two independent reviewers abstracted information in the following categories: data management software, coding approach, analytic approach, indicators of trustworthiness, and reflexivity. Of the 48 ( n = 48) articles identified, the majority ( n = 31) reported using qualitative software to manage data. Double-coding transcripts was the most common coding method ( n = 23); however, nearly one third of articles did not clearly describe the coding approach. Although the terminology used to describe the analytic process varied widely, we identified four overarching trajectories common to most articles ( n = 37). Trajectories differed in their use of inductive and deductive coding approaches, formal coding templates, and rounds or levels of coding. Trajectories culminated in the iterative review of coded data to identify emergent themes. Few articles explicitly discussed trustworthiness or reflexivity. Member checks ( n = 9), triangulation of methods ( n = 8), and peer debriefing ( n = 7) were the most common procedures. Variation in the type and depth of information provided poses challenges to assessing quality and enabling replication. Greater transparency and more intentional application of diverse analytic methods can advance the rigor and impact of qualitative research in our field.


1982 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-290
Author(s):  
Audrey Marie Deveaux ◽  
William A. Darity

Health education is a new component of the health care delivery system in the Bahamas. In the past, confusion and uncertainty was expressed regarding the contribution of health education to the health care services. The intention of this study was to investigate the perceptions of selected health and social service providers to health problems, their most likely solutions, and to health education and health education related issues in the Bahamas. A questionnaire was either mailed or hand delivered to 412 selected health and social service providers in New Providence and the Family Islands in the Bahamas. Of these 127 (31%) usable questionnaires were returned. A discussion of the study findings, study limitations, implications for health education and suggestions for future research are presented. The survey results showed that a majority of respondents indicated consistent support for health education and health education related issues. This support was evident even when responses were crosstabulated with such variables as age, profession, and years of experience in present occupation.


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