Listening to Older Adults: A Qualitative Analysis of Advice Given During COVID-19

The life experience of older adults offers a unique perspective of coping through historical crises. Specific advice offered by older adults is generally underrepresented in the literature. This qualitative study explores advice offered by older adults to others on how to cope through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as advice for the community about the needs of older adults. A Midwestern sample of 67 older adults aged 70-97 completed one phone interview in June of 2020 as part of a larger study about their experiences with social distancing and isolation. Participants were asked what advice they would give to others during the pandemic and what advice they would give to communities and families about the needs of older adults during the pandemic. Transcripts of these conversations were coded using in vivo and holistic coding as first-cycle methods. These codes were then analyzed using pattern coding as a second-cycle method. Results indicated older adults offered advice along three domains: fostering physical and mental wellbeing, promoting positive life perspectives, and maintaining connections. Advice to communities regarding the needs of older adults included having a selfless attitude and taking intentional actions like grocery shopping and writing letters. However, older adults also recommended avoiding extremes to allow them to maintain their independence and preserve physical distance for safety. Older adults utilized their life perspective and their own coping strategies when offering advice. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of the advice given and how likely that the advice will be utilized by others.

Description of the use of multicriteria to support pricing and reimbursement decisions by European health technology assessment bodies

Background Heterogeneity in drug access throughout Europe may be influenced by differences in drug-assessment strategies. The EUnetHTA’s assessment core model (EUnetHTA-core) and the EVIDEM’s multicriteria framework are reference methodologies in this context, the latter including a wider compromise between non-contextual and contextual criteria. Compliance of 37 European Health Technology Assessment bodies (HTAb) with EUnetHTA-core has been reported, but the use of EVIDEM by this HTAb is still unknown. Methods To describe the uptake and use of multicriteria approaches to evaluate drug value by European HTAb using EVIDEM as reference framework, a multicriteria framework was obtained based on EVIDEM model. The criteria used for drug appraisal by HTAb was extracted from the EUnetHTA report, and completed through search of websites, publications and HTAb reports. Use of EVIDEM assessment model in 37 European HTAb has been described semi-quantitatively and summarized using an alignment heatmap. Results Aligned, medium or misaligned profiles were seen for 24,3%, 51,4% and 24,3% of HTAb when matching to EVIDEM dimensions and criteria was considered. HTAb with explicit responsibilities in providing specific advice on reimbursement showed more aligned profiles on contextual and non-contextual dimensions. Conclusions EUnetHTA’s core model is limited in assessing medicines while EVIDEM’s framework provides contextual dimension used by some HTAb in Europe that can be escalated to other agencies. Most of the 37 European HTAb have room to broaden their contextual assessment tools, especially when social and medical perception of need requires to be explicit to support payer’s decision on reimbursement.

Experimental Study on Reasonable Horizontal Load Value on the Top of Railings of Glass Bridges or Gallery Roads in Scenic Area

With the increase of glass bridges or glass walkways in the scenic area, the safety protection provided by railings cannot be neglected. However, there is a difference between the demands for a horizontal load on the top of railings in the present design specifications. Especially, it does not give specific advice on the horizontal load on the top of railings of glass bridges or glass roads in the scenic area. In this study, experimental research is conducted on railing columns based on the investigation of common railings of glass bridges or glass roads in the scenic area. The type of railing columns includes finished products and field production. The number of railing columns is 12. The displacement and strain results of the railing columns under different loads are obtained. The rigidity and strength are analyzed by numerical simulation combined with test results. A reasonable horizontal load on the top of the railings of a glass bridge or glass road is advised. These results provide a reference for the design, inspection, and evaluation of railings of glass bridges or gallery roads in the scenic area.

An Online Reputation Analysis of the Tourism Industry in Marbella: A Preliminary Study on Open Innovation

This research analyzed the online reputation of Marbella as a tourist destination and the profiles of the reviewers according to sociodemographic characteristics. A correlational, quantitative research technique was used in this study based on the manual extraction of more than 4000 reviews generated on TripAdvisor. The data used in this study were collected from the TripAdvisor website, taking, as a sample, tourists who had visited the city in the last three years. Ratings that did not provide full data on the variables were excluded. The findings show that Marbella is considered a luxury shopping destination. The preliminary conclusions allow us to generalize about the sociodemographic profile of its tourists. The findings of the study will provide valuable information for Marbella’s Destination Management Organization (DMO). On the one hand, this study highlights the importance of ranking the attractions of the city to create better communication strategies and enhance the appeal of those attractions that receive the best ratings, establishing the true vocation of Marbella as a tourist destination. On the other hand, it provides information on what tourists perceive to be negative elements, allowing the administration to create an improvement plan. The novelty of this research paper is that it delves into Marbella’s online reputation through an analysis of specific attractions’ ratings. Areas that require further attention in future research have been highlighted, along with specific advice on each attraction that contributes to the tourist offerings of the city.

Assistência remota aos docentes: que tipos de serviços podem ser prestados em home office?

A jornada do docente universitário se assenta em quatro pilares: ensino, pesquisa, extensão e gestão. Em vista disso, tais sustentáculos se materializam em produtos, dentre eles projetos, relatórios, artigos, resumos, ensaios teóricos, produção de material didático, o que pode requerer assessorias específicas para lidar com uma produção acadêmico-universitária extensa. Assim, o objetivo geral deste estudo é verificar se os docentes universitários possuem a necessidade de um assessoramento remoto para suas atividades acadêmicas e administrativas. A abordagem teórica foi centrada no assessoramento virtual e na jornada de trabalho desse professor, sendo que a pesquisa é de abordagem qualitativa, com aplicação de um questionário a 26 docentes de várias partes do Brasil. As técnicas de análise de dados foram a análise de conteúdo e distribuição de frequências. Os resultados mostram que os docentes têm se envolvido com os quatro pilares da academia, sendo ensino e pesquisa os mais destacados e que há possibilidades de contratação de assessoramento virtual para a prestação de serviços acadêmicos, principalmente em gestão/arquivamento de documentos, elaboração/revisão de materiais pedagógicos e gerenciamento de e-mails. Logo, infere-se que esse campo de trabalho remoto pode ser visto como uma possibilidade a ser explorada pelo profissional de secretariado. Palavras-chave: Jornada docente. Secretariado Executivo. Teletrabalho. ABSTRACT The university professor's journey is based on four pillars: teaching, research, extension and management. Thus, these pillars are materialized in many products, including projects, reports, articles, abstracts, theoretical essays, production of teaching material, which may require specific advice to better deal with such an extensive academic-university production. Thus, the general objective of this study is to verify whether university professors have the need for remote assistance for their academic and administrative activities. The theoretical approach centered on virtual advice and on the university professor's work period, and the research is of a qualitative approach, with the application of a questionnaire to 26 professors from various parts of Brazil. The data analysis techniques were content analysis and frequency distribution. The results show that teachers have been involved with the four pillars of the academy, with teaching and research being the most detached and that there are possibilities for hiring virtual advisory services for academic demands, mainly in document management/filing, preparation/review pedagogical materials and e-mail management. Soon, this field of remote work being a possibility to be explored by the secretarial professional. Keywords: Professor journey. Executive Secretariat. Telework

Best Practices for Microbiome Study Design in Companion Animal Research

The gut microbiome is a community of microorganisms that inhabits an animal host's gastrointestinal tract, with important effects on animal health that are shaped by multiple environmental, dietary, and host-associated factors. Clinical and dietary trials in companion animals are increasingly including assessment of the microbiome, but interpretation of these results is often hampered by suboptimal choices in study design. Here, we review best practices for conducting feeding trials or clinical trials that intend to study the effects of an intervention on the microbiota. Choices for experimental design, including a review of basic designs, controls, and comparison groups, are discussed in the context of special considerations necessary for microbiome studies. Diet is one of the strongest influences on the composition of gut microbiota, so applications specific to nutritional interventions are discussed in detail. Lastly, we provide specific advice for successful recruitment of colony animals and household pets into an intervention study. This review is intended to serve as a resource to academic and industry researchers, clinicians, and veterinarians alike, for studies that test many different types of interventions.

Description of the use of Multicriteria to Support Pricing and Reimbursement Decisions by European Health Technology Assessment Bodies.

BackgroundHeterogeneity in drug access throughout Europe may be influenced by differences in drug-assessment strategies. The EUnetHTA’s assessment core model (EUnetHTA-core) and the EVIDEM’s multicriteria framework are reference methodologies in this context, the latter including a wider compromise between non-contextual and contextual criteria. Compliance of 37 European Health Technology Assessment bodies (HTAb) with EUnetHTA-core has been reported, but the use of EVIDEM by this HTAb is still unknown.ObjectiveTo describe the uptake and use of multicriteria approaches to evaluate drug value by European HTAb using EVIDEM as reference framework. MethodsMulticriteria framework was obtained based on EVIDEM model. The criteria used for drug appraisal by HTAb was extracted from the EUnetHTA report, and completed through search of websites, publications and HTAb reports. Use of EVIDEM assessment model in 37 European HTAb has been described semi-quantitatively and summarized using an alignment heatmap.ResultsAligned, medium or misaligned profiles were seen for 24,3%, 51,4% and 24,3% of HTAb when matching to EVIDEM dimensions and criteria was considered. HTAb with explicit responsibilities in providing specific advice on reimbursement showed more aligned profiles on contextual and non-contextual dimensions. ConclusionsMost of the 37 European HTAb have room to broaden their contextual assessment tools, especially when social and medical perception of need requires to be explicit to support payer’s decision on reimbursement.

Pharmacy Technology to Better Public Health

Healthcare access and delivery faces significant global and local challenges. This article aimed to explore the public's use of pharmacy services and aimed to obtain 200 completed surveys across eight districts of Bristol, UK, from non-registered pharmacy premises. Respondents reported as follows: 1) ability to order a repeat prescription (79.47%), 2) ability to collect a repeat prescription (72.63%), 3) ability to collect an acute prescription (66.84%), ability to purchase over the counter (OTC) medicines (59.79%), 4) followed by asking for specific advice on prescription medicines (48.42%), and 5) minor ailments (44.15%). Respondents had used the pharmacy at least once for collecting a repeat prescription for a routine medication (59.47%) or acute prescription (55.79%) and for buying OTC medicines (47.89%). Majority of respondents never approached a community pharmacist to specifically ask advice on medicines (51.32%). Participants had not ever approached a community pharmacist for minor ailment/health advice (71.58%).

Development of a BI application. Moving from a business idea to formulation of the problem

Development of BI applications and, in general, Business Intelligence are no longer new concepts for the market. Nevertheless, there is practically no literature of practical significance. This article is aimed at analyzing the author’s practical experience with the generation of conclusions and specific advice for a novice business analyst to use in his work. Inexperienced professionals just starting their careers in BI can face a variety of challenges, especially when dealing with business customers and developers. Therefore, the article pays special attention to the description of research objects and their correct interaction with each other. It also provides a detailed analysis of the initial stages: from the customer’s need to develop an application to setting clear detailed requirements for the contractor. The result of this work was the proposed methodology for step-by-step work and analysis of the difficulties that may be encountered on the way of the “newly minted” business analyst.