An analysis of productivity app strengths: An environmental scan

BACKGROUNDIn recent years, productivity apps have become the most commonly used apps. While some may feel productivity apps work solely as a result of the placebo effect , productivity apps have been shown to have three major benefits: accountability, assessment, and improvement. Stress levels were especially reduced in the two meditation groups as opposed to the muscle relaxation group . Furthermore, there has been reported evidence on the effectiveness of app-based meditation and mindfulness in reducing stress and increasing productivity for users.METHODSIn order to answer the research question, published articles from ProQuest, Business Source Premier and Web of Science were used. Additionally, Harvard Business Review was also used as a source of grey literature. Information was collected in order to determine the strengths of competing productivity apps and how they could limit or be applied to the Felicity App. The research was reviewed based on screening tools that assessed validity and relevance. Included studies were published within Asia, North America, Australia, or Europe, and were either quantitative, qualitative, randomized controlled trial (RCT), surveys, experiments with participants, or academic studies. Study screening and extraction were completed independently among two authors. Disagreements following reconciliation between the two authors were settled by a third author.RESULTSThe selected articles discuss information including methods of improving productivity, mobile-based interventions that are effective at improving either overall health or productivity, and techniques that may be applicable to the Felicity App as a mobile-based intervention.CONCLUSIONThe results show that the Felicity App can improve user outcomes by integrating features from other applications.

Exploring Evidence-Based Management in Military Planning Processes as a Critically Appraised Topic

This study uses a critically appraised topic (CAT) to explore the potential of integrating evidence-based management (EBMgt) and military judgment and decision-making (MJDM). The study uses the five focus areas of the Commandant’s Planning Guidance: 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps to search scholarly databases such as the ABI/INFORM Collection from ProQuest and Business Source Premier from EBSCO. The search process was conducted using a research question variable synthesis (RQVS), introduced specifically for this study by the author. The RQVS applied to each of the Commandant’s five priority focus areas in separate inquiries, producing five separate data sets. The RQVS is a search enhancement methodology developed by the author. This methodology improves the linkage between the search process and the research question (RQ) and enhances rigor and transparency of the overall study. The key findings are that there is sufficient scholarship to address problem areas in each of the Commandant’s five priority focus areas. This study demonstrates that an integration of EBMgt and MJDM is both feasible and pragmatic.

Impact of physical therapy and occupational therapy student placements on productivity: a scoping review

Introduction: Clinical educators may perceive that student supervision is time consuming and reduces productivity. This perception is in contrast to research conducted in the 1990’s that found students do not negatively impact productivity. There is a need to review the current literature on this topic as a result of health care cost-containment measures that emphasize efficiency. The purpose of this scoping review was to map and examine the impact of physical and occupational therapy student placements on productivity in the clinical environment. Methods: PRISMA Scoping review methodology was used to identify relevant papers. A search was completed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC and Business Source Premier. Included studies measured clinician productivity while supervising a physical or occupational therapy student. Two reviewers independently reviewed studies according to pre-determined eligibility criteria. Results and discussion: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Overall, the studies suggest that the supervision of students does not have a negative impact on productivity. However, the productivity measures varied in the type and methods which limits comparisons. This variability, along with the experience of stress by clinical educators as they attempt to satisfy multiple roles may account for the discrepancy between the perception and actual measure of productivity. Conclusions: This scoping review found some evidence that students do not negatively impact productivity. This contrasts with the perception held by the supervising physical and occupational therapists. Further research is recommended to explore this discrepancy and determine optimal productivity measures matched to the characteristics of the environment.

Indigenous Community-Led Programs to Address Food and Water Security: Protocol for a Systematic Review

The connection between indigenous peoples and Country (a multidimensional concept including land and water) enabled communities to thrive and survive over millennia. This has been eroded by colonisation, dispossession and increasing food and water insecurity due to climate change and supply constraints. Globally, indigenous peoples experience a disproportionate burden of chronic disease and poor nutrition is a major risk factor. Indigenous leaders have been advocating for community-led solutions. The primary aim of this systematic review is to determine what community-led programs have been undertaken to address food and/or water security globally. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature will be performed in EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, LILACs, Informit and Business Source Premier. The grey literature search will include grey literature databases, customised Google search engines, targeted websites, and consultation with experts. The search strategy will consist of four concepts, combined as follows: (1) indigenous peoples AND (2) community program AND (3) food security OR (4) water security. Covidence will be used for study screening and data extraction by two authors. A deductive thematic analysis using indigenous-informed methodologies will be used to synthesise data. This review seeks to provide insight on models and mechanisms to encourage action and metrics for quantifying success of indigenous community-led programs to improve food and water security.

Technikgestützte zahnmedizinische Hausbesuche durch nicht-ärztliches Fachpersonal zur Minderung des Ansteckungsrisikos

ZusammenfassungZiel des Beitrags ist die Identifikation von Problemen, Meta-Anforderungen und Designprinzipien für den Einsatz von Mixed und Virtual Reality Brillen zur Unterstützung nicht-ärztlichen Fachpersonals bei zahnmedizinischen Hausbesuchen. Im Rahmen von zwei Gruppendiskussionen und einem Experteninterview wurden zunächst mögliche Einsatzszenarien identifiziert. Anschließend wurde eine systematische Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken CINAHL, Business Source Premier und MEDLINE durchgeführt. In der gefundenen Literatur konnten 14 Probleme bei der Anwendung von Mixed und Virtual Reality Brillen identifiziert werden. Darauf basierend wurden 14 Meta-Anforderungen abgeleitet und in fünf Designprinzipien zusammengefasst. Abschließend wurden die Ergebnisse mit den Spezifikationen der Microsoft HoloLens 2 abgeglichen, um eine Eignung für die Unterstützung der geplanten Hausbesuche festzustellen. Zudem wurde ein Umsetzungskonzept skizziert. Die Ergebnisse dienen als wichtige Empfehlungen für die praxisnahe Umsetzung zukünftiger Konzepte bezüglich der Anwendung von Mixed und Virtual Reality Brillen im (zahn-)medizinischen Kontext. Die Literaturrecherche zeigt eine Forschungslücke im Bereich zahnmedizinischer Hausbesuche auf. Die Ergebnisse dieses Beitrags schaffen daher eine solide Basis für die zukünftige Forschung.

Current trends in the application of causal inference methods to pooled longitudinal observational infectious disease studies—A protocol for a methodological systematic review

Introduction Pooling (or combining) and analysing observational, longitudinal data at the individual level facilitates inference through increased sample sizes, allowing for joint estimation of study- and individual-level exposure variables, and better enabling the assessment of rare exposures and diseases. Empirical studies leveraging such methods when randomization is unethical or impractical have grown in the health sciences in recent years. The adoption of so-called “causal” methods to account for both/either measured and/or unmeasured confounders is an important addition to the methodological toolkit for understanding the distribution, progression, and consequences of infectious diseases (IDs) and interventions on IDs. In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and in the absence of systematic randomization of exposures or interventions, the value of these methods is even more apparent. Yet to our knowledge, no studies have assessed how causal methods involving pooling individual-level, observational, longitudinal data are being applied in ID-related research. In this systematic review, we assess how these methods are used and reported in ID-related research over the last 10 years. Findings will facilitate evaluation of trends of causal methods for ID research and lead to concrete recommendations for how to apply these methods where gaps in methodological rigor are identified. Methods and analysis We will apply MeSH and text terms to identify relevant studies from EBSCO (Academic Search Complete, Business Source Premier, CINAHL, EconLit with Full Text, PsychINFO), EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science. Eligible studies are those that apply causal methods to account for confounding when assessing the effects of an intervention or exposure on an ID-related outcome using pooled, individual-level data from 2 or more longitudinal, observational studies. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles, will be independently screened by two reviewers using Covidence software. Discrepancies will be resolved by a third reviewer. This systematic review protocol has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020204104).

Work Engagement and the Validity of Job Demands–Resources Model Among Nurses in Japan: A Literature Review

Background: Work engagement (WE) is defined as a positive, fulfilling, and work-related state of mind. Enhancing WE leads to positive outcomes in both individuals and organizations. Although cultural factors may influence the antecedents and outcomes of WE, no reviews summarized these factors among nurses, mainly in Asia. This review aimed to identify the antecedents and outcomes of WE among nurses in Japan. This may offer novel insights into the influencing factors on WE. Methods: A literature search was conducted using six data sources: PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, Business Source Premier, Ichushi-Web, and CiNii. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies that included registered nurses and/or midwives at hospitals or facilities were included in this review. The antecedents and outcomes were classified into four themes based on the job demands–resources model (JD-R model). Findings: Many variables in three components of the JD-R model (i.e., job resources, personal resources, and favorable outcomes) exhibited positive relationships with WE as theorized. Many other variables in job demands demonstrated negative relationships with WE as hypothesized. Many factors that were identified in this review were consistent with the JD-R model. The model in turn was found to be applicable among nurses. The antecedents and outcomes in this review were similar to those in previous studies in Western countries, while this review also revealed teamwork nursing as a possible antecedent of WE, which has not previously been reported. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Improving job resources (e.g., teamwork nursing) and personal resources may effectively enhance WE among Japanese nurses.

Diversity on corporate boards: A systematic review

This study conducts a systematic review and provides a comprehensive up-to-date review of the literature about diversity on corporate boards. Unlike previous studies, we do not restrict our search to a specific type of diversity (e.g., gender diversity) or limited firm outcomes (e.g., firm performance). Our aim is to review, evaluate, synthesize, and summarize the literature and extend our knowledge on five key areas: 1) the theoretical approach (going beyond the theoretical analysis of each article by exploring how the theoretical perspective informs their focus); 2) dominant framing and theorizing (single theory vs multi-theories); 3) determinants and consequences; 4) how board diversity is defined and operationalized; and 5) the outcomes of board diversity. In reviewing the research from 2010 to February 2021 and using Saint Mary’s University Business Source Premier (SMU EBSCO) database, we identify 46 articles. Our findings reveal that agency theory no longer dominates board diversity research and has given way to institutional theory. The increasing use of institutional theory, which considers the effect of social structure on organizational outcomes, may be caused by most of the literature (based on our findings) using cross-country data. At the same time, there is a tendency to use a more multi-theoretical approach rather than a single theory one, and there are methodological limitations, including a paucity of rich data collection methods (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, and interviews). In addition, the current literature, according to the findings, focuses more on the consequences than the determinants of board diversity. Finally, our study intends to highlight and outline crucial research gaps that invite future investigation

Mobile banking adoption: a systematic review

PurposeThis study is a systematic review of mobile banking services. Its main objective is to provide a state-of-the-art review of this particular growing type of services. It inventories and assesses the most significant determinants of and barriers to consumers' adoption of mobile banking. Moreover, it identifies the most common consequences of this adoption.Design/methodology/approachBy using three major academic databases (ABI/INFORM global, Web of Science and Business Source Premier), this paper selected 76 manuscripts and produced a systematic review that exposes the main theories, conceptual frameworks and models used to explain consumers' adoption of mobile banking.FindingsThe results show that the TAM (technology of acceptance model), followed by the UTAUT (unified theory of acceptance and usage of technology), are still the main conceptual frameworks and models adopted and adapted by scholars to explain consumers' use or intention of using mobile banking. Using the vote counting method, a myriad of antecedents and consequences that are frequently used in the literature of mobile banking are reported. These were categorized into five main perspectives: (1) m-banking attributes-based perspective, (2) customer-based perspective, (3) social influence-based perspective, (4) trust-based perspective and (5) barriers-based perspective.Originality/valueAn integrated model regrouping and relating the five perspectives is proposed, leading to intriguing implications for both academics and practitioners.

Investigating associations between physical activity and presenteeism: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionConsidering that physical activity plays a key role in the health of workers, a growing number of researchers are studying its relationship with various workplace outcomes, such as presenteeism. Numerous scientists recognise the relevance of further studying this relationship in order to improve our understanding of it. However, studies about the association between physical activity and presenteeism show some discrepancy in the results obtained. Disparity in the way of measuring presenteeism makes it even more challenging to compare results. In addition, it remains difficult to determine the optimal frequency, intensity, duration and type of physical activity to increase the productivity benefits of physical activity. In light of these issues, clarification through a scoping review of the literature on the subject is warranted.Method and analysisA search strategy will be conducted in six scientific databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ABI Inform Global, Web of Science and Business Source Premier. A screening process by two independent reviewers will lead to study selection. Quantitative and qualitative studies written in English about the relation between physical activity and presenteeism will be considered for inclusion. Data on the definition and measurement of presenteeism as well as the measurement of physical activity will be extracted. Additional data will be extracted to provide a descriptive overview of studies that have examined the relationship between presenteeism and physical activity.Ethics and disseminationAs this study will be based only on published studies, ethics approval is not required. Through the manner in which the included studies will be presented (categorised by their approach to presenteeism), this scoping review has the potential to improve our understanding of some of the inconsistencies observed in the literature. This review can also identify gaps in the existing evidence base and lead to new avenues of research.