Characteristics of expert vocalists’ practice

This study investigated expert vocalists’ approaches to practice in terms of planning, time, and strategy usage. Participants were 79 university voice professors and members of professional choirs. The researchers sent each participant the Vocal Practice Survey (VPS)which collected data on the participants’ professional backgrounds, attitudes toward specific practice strategies, and personal practice habits. Results indicated variety in expert vocalists’ approaches to practice, including number of practice sessions per week, length of practice sessions, and structure of practice sessions. Most participants reported using practice resources, especially a piano and a mirror. Participants reported a broad range of frequency in strategy use, with holistic practice strategies dominating. Comments from participants indicated that group rehearsals also served as individual practice opportunities, that there were differences between students’ and experts’ practice, and that an important role of practice was facilitating vocal health. The findings of this study provide a point of reference for comparing vocal practice to instrumental practice and for further development of research of vocal musicians at varying levels of expertise. The researchers also provide recommendations for music educators regarding the instruction and promotion of effective individual vocal practice.

Organizational dynamics in community ensembles

Looking into organizational dynamics in community ensembles, this chapter addresses the questions of: (1) how musical, social, and paramusical factors shape participation in community music ensembles; (2) how participants progress from peripheral or non-participation to full participation in such ensembles; and (3) what factors both facilitate and impede such participation, and how these tensions might be addressed. The meaning of participation in community music ensembles is something which is constantly negotiated and renegotiated between those involved. The chapter introduces a number of theoretical perspectives as “lenses” through which to view the resulting discussion. These include a consideration of the inherent tensions involved in performing both “works” and “relationships” as a holistic practice, as well as the value of a “situated” understanding of sociocultural practice, and how this can lead to the formation of “rational communities” of practice which both include and exclude participants in the formation of group identity.

Yoga: A Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment and Recovery

Yoga is increasingly becoming a strategy for wellness in the United States. A 2016 survey found that nearly 37 million Americans practice yoga and an additional 12 million say they intend to try it in the coming year. Yoga is also being studied as an intervention for a number of physical and behavioral health disorders. This short report examines yoga’s utility as a treatment or adjunctive tool for addiction recovery. Because addiction is characterized as a biopsychosocial-spiritual disorder and yoga is a holistic practice focusing on the integration of body, mind, and spirit, It is logical to test yoga's efficacy on the treatment and recovery of addiction. Yoga’s positive effect on craving and negative mood states make it a promising modality for addiction recovery.

Hidden Tales of Ebola: Airing the Forgotten Voices of Ugandan “Ebola Nurses”

Introduction According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ebola has affected the lives of thousands, including health care workers. With few studies describing the experience of nurses who survived Ebola, the study aimed to describe Ugandan nurses’ experiences. Method Using a phenomenological design, in-depth interviews were conducted among five Ugandan nurses who contracted Ebola and survived. Result Thematic analysis revealed themes of expectations of dying, hopelessness, loneliness, and betrayal by family, community, and the health system. Discussion Results support the need for policies targeting holistic practice protocols to protect all health care professionals during future outbreaks. Last, nursing survivors should have access to government-guaranteed support programs, including free health care and financial stipends. These results and recommendations transcend to the current reality of living with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Efficient practice protocols could protect all rights and privileges and contribute to access to treatment and stigma removal.

Patient-centered approach to pharmaceutical care in the recovery of patients with post-Covid syndrome

The possibilities for pharmaceutical care in the recovery of patients with post-COVID syndrome in the context of a patient-centered approach have been explored. The global COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a reorientation of the concept of providing healthcare to patients with COVID and post-COVID syndrome in patient-centered treatment and rehabilitation. Maximum recovery in holistic practice adopts a broader view of the patient’s health, disease and treatment process. Applying a patient-centered approach to patients who have had a coronavirus infection will lead to many benefits, both in terms of the quality of health and pharmaceutical care, and in increasing their satisfaction with their quality of life.

P29 Bringing into focus treatment limitation and DNACPR decisions: How COVID-19 has changed practice

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced further challenges into Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions. Existing evidence suggests success rates for CPR in COVID-19 patients is low and the risk to healthcare professionals from this aerosol-generating procedure complicates the benefit/harm balance of CPR. Methods The study is based at a large teaching hospital in the United Kingdom where all DNACPR decisions are documented on an electronic healthcare record (EHR). Data from all DNACPR/TEAL status forms between 1st January 2017 and 30th April 2020 were collected and analysed. We compared patterns of decision making and rates of form completion during the 2-month peak pandemic phase to an analogous period during 2019. Results A total of 16,007 forms were completed during the study period with a marked increase in form completion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with a form completed were on average younger and had fewer co-morbidities during the COVID-19 period than in March-April 2019. Several questions on the DNACPR/TEAL forms were answered significantly differently with increases in patients being identified as suitable for CPR (23.8% versus 9.05%; p < 0.001) and full active treatment (30.5% versus 26.1%; p = 0.028). Whilst proportions of discussions that involved the patient remained similar during COVID-19 (95.8% versus 95.6%; p = 0.871), fewer discussions took place with relatives (50.6% versus 75.4%; p < 0.001). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, the emphasis on senior decision making and conversations around ceilings of treatment appears to have changed practice, with a higher proportion of patients having DNACPR/TEAL status documented. Understanding patient preferences around life-sustaining treatment versus comfort care is part of holistic practice and supports shared decision making. It is unclear whether these attitudinal changes will be sustained after COVID-19 admissions decrease.

 The Role of Human Services Providers in Addressing Social Determinants of Health

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are circumstances in which people grow, live, work, and play. Unmet SDOH needs can adversely affect mental and physical health; however, to date, there are no comprehensive publications that highlight human services providers’ (HSPs’) role in addressing SDOH. This article defines SDOH, delineates HSPs’ role in addressing SDOH, and provides conceptual frameworks that can be used by HSPs to promote SDOH in practice. Special consideration is given for a collective approach that incorporates multiple frameworks to promote holistic practice and health equity. The article concludes with implications for HSPs, administrators, and educators.

Experiences of Caring Through Providing Touch Near End-of-Life

We analyzed interviews from participants who provided massage or simple touch to patients with advanced cancer near end of life. We employed qualitative, descriptive, content analysis to participants responding to a semistructured interview. Three themes emerged that align with a unitary caring perspective: caring relationships, pattern recognition and wholeness, and transformations and transcendence. Findings from this study are significant for human care and caring. Providing touch for those near end of life is a catalyst in developing caring relationships and essential for holistic practice.

Nexus of Green Management, Green Marketing, Sustainability, and Financial Performance

Consumer and organizational awareness of environmental sustainability is ever increasing. In the era of global warming and climate change, organizations need to move away from traditional marketing strategies to green marketing strategies and green management to remain sustainable. The objectives of this chapter are to provide stakeholders with the overview and importance of green marketing, establish the link between green marketing mix and strategic green marketing, and reveal what organizations should focus on in developing green management to remain competitive and profitable. Green marketing strategies activities for financial services were highlighted, and lastly, the authors examined the impact of green management on firm financial performance. The chapter offers a holistic practice and recommendation of going green for both financial services and other businesses. Practical implications for managers were pointed out through commitment to green marketing and management to yield positive outcomes on firm financial performance in the long run.