scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and experience of palliative care amongst South African physiotherapists

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda M. Morrow ◽  
Charlotte Barnard ◽  
Zimkhitha Luhlaza ◽  
Kelisha Naidoo ◽  
Sarah Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
South African ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Holistic Management ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Care Training ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Background: Palliative care encompasses holistic management of patients and families facing life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. There is currently little known about South African physiotherapists’ palliative care knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, experience and training needs.Objectives: To describe the amount and adequacy of palliative care training received by South African physiotherapists, and their interest, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and experiences of palliative care.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey study of a convenience sample of physiotherapists, using an adapted Physical Therapy in Palliative Care-Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Experiences Scale (PTiPC-KABE Scale). Likert scale scores were converted to continuous data for analysis, presented as median (IQR). Seven universities were contacted to determine undergraduate palliative care curriculum content.Results: A total of 303 participants (8.4% response rate) completed the questionnaire, and 289 responses were included (5.35% margin of error with 95% CI). Participants had 16 (6–27) years of experience, with 85.5% in private practice. About 66.7% and 79% of participants reported not receiving any training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, respectively, with more than 80% expressing that training was inadequate at both levels. Universities (n = 4/7; 57.1%) reported a maximum 3 hours undergraduate palliative care training. Seventy-nine percent of respondents had clinical experience in providing palliative care; however ‘knowledge’ was the lowest scoring domain (56.3% (43.8%–62.5%). The ‘beliefs’ domain scored highest at 82.6% (69.6%–91.3%).Conclusion: Many South African physiotherapists manage patients requiring palliative care, despite inadequate training and limited knowledge in this field. More under- and postgraduate learning opportunities should be made available for physiotherapists in the area of palliative care.

scholarly journals Media and sustainable apparel buying intention

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orpha de Lenne ◽  
Laura Vandenbosch
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Efficacy Beliefs ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Actual Behavior ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Using the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between different types of media and the intention to buy sustainable apparel and test whether attitudes, social norms, and self-efficacy beliefs may explain these relationships. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 681 young adults (18-26 years old). Findings Exposure to social media content of sustainable organizations, eco-activists, and sustainable apparel brands, and social media content of fashion bloggers and fast fashion brands predicted respondents’ attitudes, descriptive and subjective norms, and self-efficacy beliefs regarding buying sustainable apparel. In turn, attitudes, descriptive norms, and self-efficacy beliefs predicted the intention to buy sustainable apparel. Fashion magazines predicted the intention through self-efficacy. Specialized magazines did not predict the intention to buy sustainable apparel. Research limitations/implications Results should be generalized with caution as the current study relied on a convenience sample of young adults. The cross-sectional study design limits the ability to draw conclusions regarding causality. Actual behavior was not addressed and needs to be included in further research. Practical implications The present study hints at the importance of social media to affect young consumers’ intentions to buy sustainable apparel. Sustainable apparel brands should consider attracting more young social media users to their social media pages. Originality/value This study is one of the first to examine the potential of different media to promote sustainable apparel buying intention.

scholarly journals Quality of collaboration and information handovers in palliative care: a survey study on the perspectives of nurses in the Southwest Region of the Netherlands

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 720-727
Author(s):  
Marijanne Engel ◽  
Andrée van der Ark ◽  
Rosanne Tamerus ◽  
Agnes van der Heide
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Regional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Organizational Collaboration ◽  
Deceased Patient

Abstract Background When patients receiving palliative care are transferred between care settings, adequate collaboration and information exchange between health care professionals is necessary to ensure continuity, efficiency and safety of care. Several studies identified deficits in communication and information exchange between care settings. Aim of this study was to get insight in the quality of collaboration and information exchange in palliative care from the perspectives of nurses. Methods We performed a cross-sectional regional survey study among nurses working in different care settings. Nurses were approached via professional networks and media. Respondents were asked questions about collaboration in palliative care in general and about their last deceased patient. Potential associations between quality scores for collaboration and information handovers and characteristics of respondents or patients were tested with Pearson’s chi-square test. Results A total of 933 nurses filled in the questionnaire. Nurses working in nursing homes were least positive about inter-organizational collaboration. Forty-six per cent of all nurses had actively searched for such collaboration in the last year. For their last deceased patient, 10% of all nurses had not received the information handover in time, 33% missed information they needed. An adequate information handover was positively associated with timeliness and completeness of the information and the patient being well-informed, not with procedural characteristics. Conclusion Nurses report that collaboration between care settings and information exchange in palliative care is suboptimal. This study suggests that health care organizations should give more attention to shared professionalization towards inter-organizational collaboration among nurses in order to facilitate high-quality palliative care.

Providing Data-Driven Equitable Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Structurally Vulnerable Populations: A Pilot Survey of Information Management Strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-249
Author(s):  
Akshay Rajaram ◽  
Trevor Morey ◽  
Sonam Shah ◽  
Naheed Dosani ◽  
Muhammad Mamdani
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
North America ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Data Infrastructure

Background: Considerable gains are being made in data-driven efforts to advance quality improvement in health care. However, organizations providing hospice-oriented palliative care for structurally vulnerable persons with terminal illnesses may not have the enabling data infrastructure or framework to derive such benefits. Methods: We conducted a pilot cross-sectional qualitative study involving a convenience sample of hospice organizations across North America providing palliative care services for structurally vulnerable patients. Through semistructured interviews, we surveyed organizations on the types of data collected, the information systems used, and the challenges they faced. Results: We contacted 13 organizations across North America and interviewed 9. All organizations served structurally vulnerable populations, including the homeless and vulnerably housed, socially isolated, and HIV-positive patients. Common examples of collected data included the number of referrals, the number of admissions, length of stay, and diagnosis. More than half of the organizations (n = 5) used an electronic medical record, although none of the record systems were specifically designed for palliative care. All (n = 9) the organizations used the built-in reporting capacity of their information management systems and more than half (n = 6) augmented this capacity with chart reviews. Discussion: A number of themes emerged from our discussions. Present data collection is heterogeneous, and storage of these data is highly fragmented within and across organizations. Funding appeared to be a key enabler of more robust data collection and use. Future work should address these gaps and examine opportunities for innovative ways of analysis and reporting to improve care for structurally vulnerable populations.

Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol Use in an Outpatient Palliative Medicine Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 589-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget H. Highet ◽  
Elizabeth R. Lesser ◽  
Patrick W. Johnson ◽  
Judith S. Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Chronic Illness ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Palliative Medicine ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample

Background: Palliative medicine physicians are challenged by lack of guidance regarding effectiveness and dosing of cannabis products in the setting of their emerging popularity. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe early patterns of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) use in Florida following passage of the state’s first medical marijuana law. We describe here the perceived benefits, side effects, and beliefs expressed by patients in a single outpatient academic palliative medicine practice. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed of a sequential convenience sample of patients who presented to an outpatient academic palliative medicine clinic over a 3-month period. Results: In all, 24% (14/58) of respondents reported THC use, with half using THC on a daily basis. Patients reported improvements in pain, appetite, and nausea. In all, 71% (10/14) began using THC after the diagnosis of their chronic illness, and the most common form of usage was vaping. In all, 24% (14/58) of patients reported CBD use. Patients reported improvements in pain, and the most common form of usage was topical application. None of the patients had used CBD prior to the onset of their chronic illness. In all, 21% (3/14) of THC users and 21% (3/14) of CBD users thought that their substance was helping to cure their illness. Individual reported side effects in both groups were minimal. Conclusions: Approximately a quarter of outpatient palliative care patients use THC or CBD, often on a daily basis. Palliative care providers should be aware of the frequency, diverse usage, and beliefs behind cannabis product use in this patient population.

scholarly journals Awareness of prevention of teenage pregnancy amongst secondary school learners in Makhado municipality

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giliana M. Maxwell ◽  
Makondelele Radzilani-Makatu ◽  
James F. Takalani
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
South African ◽  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
The Social ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Background: Sexuality plays a very significant role in the lives of both boys and girls. It is, therefore, considered important for schools to recognise and accept sexuality as part of the development process of the child. Professor Kader Asmal (previous South African Minister of Education) suggested that the earlier the school begins to teach learners about sexuality, the better because they can be easily misled by their peers if proper guidance regarding their sexuality is not given.Aim: The current study was conducted to assess the awareness of teenagers on the prevention of teenage pregnancy (TP) in six secondary school learners situated in the Soutpansberg-West circuit, Makhado Municipality in Limpopo province.Setting: The study was conducted at six secondary schools situated in the Soutpansberg-West circuit, Makhado Municipality in Limpopo province in 2014.Methodology: A quantitative descriptive survey study was conducted where data were collected, using self-administered questionnaires, from 381 systematically sampled participants from six secondary schools situated in the Soutpansberg-West circuit, Makhado Municipality in Limpopo province. Data were analysed descriptively using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 22.0. Necessary approval procedures and ethical clearance were obtained prior to data collection.Results: Ninety-four percent of participants agreed that TP can be prevented through abstaining from sex, whilst 65% of participants agreed that TP could be prevented by using contraceptives such as pills and injections. Eighty-three percent of participants agreed that T Pcould be prevented through the use of condoms. Seventy-four percent participants disagreed that bathing after sex prevents teenage pregnancies. Furthermore, 28% participants agreed that TP can be prevented by oral sex.Conclusion: The conclusion drawn was that learners are aware of the measures for preventing TP.Keywords: Effectiveness, Sexuality Education, Teenage Pregnancy, Teenagers.

scholarly journals College Students’ Stress Coping Behaviors and Perception of Stress-Effects Holistically

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Rose Dexter ◽  
Katie Huff ◽  
Mollie Rudecki ◽  
Sam Abraham
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Christian College ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Coping Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Stress Effects ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to determine college students’ stress coping behaviors and perception of stress-effects holistically (emotionally, mentally, and physically).Participants: The current study was conducted using a convenience sample of 120 students in a Midwestern Christian college with a student population of about 2000. Participants were mostly from the education, nursing, and ministry departments.Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional, with a descriptive survey design was most suitable for this study.Results: Students deal with stressors in positive and negative ways. Positive ways included exercise, depending more on faith, and telling themselves that everything will be “Okay.” Negative ways included eating more, sleeping less, increased use of the Internet and more procrastination.Conclusions: College students are aware of constructive ways to cope with stress; however, these techniques are rarely used.

scholarly journals Burdens, resources, health and wellbeing of nurses working in general and specialised palliative care in Germany – results of a nationwide cross-sectional survey study

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Diehl ◽  
Sandra Rieger ◽  
Stephan Letzel ◽  
Anja Schablon ◽  
Albert Nienhaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Chronic Back Pain ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Robert Koch Institute ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Abstract Background Palliative care in Germany is divided into general (GPC) and specialised palliative care (SPC). Although palliative care will become more important in the care sector in future, there is a large knowledge gab, especially with regard to GPC. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the burdens, resources, health and wellbeing of nurses working in GPC and SPC. Such information will be helpful for developing prevention programs in order to reduce burdens and to strengthen resources of nurses. Methods In 2017, a nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 437 nurses in GPC and 1316 nurses in SPC completed a questionnaire containing parts of standardised instruments, which included parts of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), the Resilience Scale (RS-13) Questionnaire, a single question about back pain from the health survey conducted by the Robert Koch Institute as well as self-developed questions. The differences in the variables between GPC and SPC nurses were compared. Results SPC nurses reported higher emotional demands as well as higher burdens due to nursing care and the care of relatives while GPC nurses stated higher quantitative demands, i.e. higher workload. SPC nurses more often reported organisational and social resources that were helpful in dealing with the demands of their work. Regarding health, GPC nurses stated a poorer health status and reported chronic back pain as well as a major depressive disorder more frequently than SPC nurses. Furthermore, GPC nurses reported a higher intention to leave the profession compared to SPC nurses. Conclusions The findings of the present study indicate that SPC could be reviewed as the best practice example for nursing care in Germany. The results may be used for developing target group specific prevention programs for improving health and wellbeing of nurses taking the differences between GPC and SPC into account. Finally, interventional and longitudinal studies should be conducted in future to determine causality in the relationship of burdens, resources, health and wellbeing.

Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgeons and Palliative Care: A National Survey Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Morell ◽  
Jess Thompson ◽  
Satish Rajagopal ◽  
Elizabeth D. Blume ◽  
Rachna May
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Provider Attitudes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Palliative Care Consultation ◽  
Care Consultation ◽  
Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Background: The majority of children with advanced heart disease in the inpatient setting die in an intensive care unit under 1 year of age following multiple interventions. While pediatric cardiology and palliative care provider attitudes have been described, little is known about pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon attitudes toward palliative care in children with advanced heart disease. Objective: To describe perspectives of pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons regarding palliative care in pediatric heart disease. Design: Cross-sectional web-based national survey. Results: Of the 220 surgeons who were e-mailed the survey, 36 opened the survey and 5 did not meet inclusion criteria (n = 31). Median years of practice was 23.5 (range: 12-41 years), and 87.1% were male. Almost all (90%) reported that they had experience consulting palliative care. While 68% felt palliative care consultation was initiated at the appropriate time, 29% felt it occurred too late. When asked the appropriate timing for palliative care consultation in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, 45% selected “at time of prenatal diagnosis” and 30% selected “when surgical and transcatheter options have been exhausted.” Common barriers to palliative care involvement included the perception of “giving up” (40%) and concern for undermining parental hope (36%). Conclusions: While a majority of pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons are familiar with palliative care, there is variation in perception of appropriate timing of consultation. Significant barriers to consultation still exist, including concern that parents will think they are “giving” up, undermining parental hope, and influence of palliative care on the medical care team’s approach.

Barriers to and Facilitators of Neonatal Palliative Care Among Neonatal Professionals in China

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912110462
Author(s):  
Lin Gu ◽  
Zhen-Zhen Li ◽  
Niang-Huei Peng ◽  
Jian-Fu Zhou ◽  
Bi-Rong Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Care Training

Objectives: This study investigated institutional and personal barriers to and facilitators of neonatal palliative care facing neonatal professionals in China. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire surveyed 231 neonatal clinicians employed in 5 neonatal intensive care units from 2 children’s hospitals and 3 medical centers in China. Measurements: The translated modified version of the Neonatal Palliative Care Attitude Scale was used to survey neonatal clinicians’ attitudes and beliefs regarding neonatal palliative care. Results: Findings highlight 4 facilitators and 5 barriers among participating clinicians. Participants gave contradictory responses regarding the relative importance of curative treatment versus palliative care in the NICU. Negatively traumatic feelings, cultural issues and moral distress may impact this contradictory response and discourage clinicians from providing neonatal palliative care. Additionally, neonatologists and nurses held differing attitudes on several topics (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Further research should address strategies to improve knowledge and attitudes and relieve moral distress in NICU clinicians. Neonatal clinicians providing neonatal palliative care should receive regular palliative care training addressing culture-specific issues and communication skills. Practice Implications: Study findings will be beneficial to inform clinical education and practice. Regular interdisciplinary team training is needed to enhance support for palliative care and decrease clinicians’ moral distress during end-of-life care.

scholarly journals Estimation of true height: a study in population-specific methods among young South African adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christen Renée Lahner ◽  
Susanna Maria Kassier ◽  
Frederick Johannes Veldman
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Height Estimation ◽  
Black African ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
And Gender

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy of arm-associated height estimation methods in the calculation of true height compared with stretch stature in a sample of young South African adults.DesignA cross-sectional descriptive design was employed.SettingPietermaritzburg, Westville and Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2015.SubjectsConvenience sample (N 900) aged 18–24 years, which included an equal number of participants from both genders (150 per gender) stratified across race (Caucasian, Black African and Indian).ResultsContinuous variables that were investigated included: (i) stretch stature; (ii) total armspan; (iii) half-armspan; (iv) half-armspan ×2; (v) demi-span; (vi) demi-span gender-specific equation; (vii) WHO equation; and (viii) WHO-adjusted equations; as well as categorization according to gender and race. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21.0. Significant correlations were identified between gender and height estimation measurements, with males being anatomically larger than females (P<0·001). Significant differences were documented when study participants were stratified according to race and gender (P<0·001). Anatomical similarities were noted between Indians and Black Africans, whereas Caucasians were anatomically different from the other race groups. Arm-associated height estimation methods were able to estimate true height; however, each method was specific to each gender and race group.ConclusionsHeight can be calculated by using arm-associated measurements. Although universal equations for estimating true height exist, for the enhancement of accuracy, the use of equations that are race-, gender- and population-specific should be considered.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document