2821 research outputs found
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Skilful surfing online for anxiety reduction (SO-FAR) in pregnancy: application development
No full textThe development of the Skilful surfing Online For Anxiety Reduction (SO-FAR) in pregnancy (SO-FAR) mental health (mHealth) application (app) was supported by previous research which modelled the theory of Skilful Surfing. The model informed the app development, with each facet of the model corresponding to a different intervention included in the app. The aim of this chapter was to report the development of an mHealth app to relieve pregnancy-specific health anxiety. App content inclusion was based on previous literature and recommendations for mHealth app inclusions. Overall, the chapter provides the reader with a comprehensive account of the development of the SO-FAR app which may reduce levels of pregnancy-specific HA by encouraging women to become more adept when navigating through online health information, self-aware, and educated and promoting the ability to identify triggers and understand when and why they are experiencing maladaptive cognition and rumination in a self-guided manner
Understanding what matters most to patients in acute care in seven countries, using the flash mob study design
Get PDFBackground
Truly patient-centred care needs to be aligned with what patients consider important, and is highly desirable in the first 24 h of an acute admission, as many decisions are made during this period. However, there is limited knowledge on what matters most to patients in this phase of their hospital stay. The objective of this study was to identify what mattered most to patients in acute care and to assess the patient perspective as to whether their treating doctors were aware of this.
Methods
This was a large-scale, qualitative, flash mob study, conducted simultaneously in sixty-six hospitals in seven countries, starting November 14th 2018, ending 50 h later. One thousand eight hundred fifty adults in the first 24 h of an acute medical admission were interviewed on what mattered most to them, why this mattered and whether they felt the treating doctor was aware of this.
Results
The most reported answers to “what matters most (and why)?” were ‘getting better or being in good health’ (why: to be with family/friends or pick-up life again), ‘getting home’ (why: more comfortable at home or to take care of someone) and ‘having a diagnosis’ (why: to feel less anxious or insecure). Of all patients, 51.9% felt the treating doctor did not know what mattered most to them.
Conclusions
The priorities for acutely admitted patients were ostensibly disease- and care-oriented and thus in line with the hospitals’ own priorities. However, answers to why these were important were diverse, more personal, and often related to psychological well-being and relations. A large group of patients felt their treating doctor did not know what mattered most to them. Explicitly asking patients what is important and why, could help healthcare professionals to get to know the person behind the patient, which is essential in delivering patient-centred care
The role of customer intelligence in developing markets: a case study on IT organisations developing emerging markets of the Middle East in the B-to-B context
Get PDFDue to the changing in the way that technology is used, marketers will have to deal with
changes in customers’ behaviours and expectations, in ever more complicated market settings, across both developed and emerging economies. Realising the potential of the Emerging Markets (EM) requires insightful customer knowledge and market information.
This research examines the role of Customer Intelligence (CI) in EM for IT multinational corporations in the Middle East region in a Business to Business (B2B) context, thereby bridging
knowledge gaps in literature and practice. The knowledge gained is used here to develop a
conceptual framework to reflect the impact of CI on developing existing markets and opening new markets in the ME / B2B world.
This research followed a qualitative approach and data were collected through semi structured interviews addressing the key areas identified in existing literature and prevalidated by experts in the field. The researcher conducted interviews at two sites in the region, Dubai in United Arab Emirates and Amman in Jordan. Thirty-five elite interviews were
conducted with purposively selected leaders, directors, and managers with the average of
20.8 years of experience in the field, working for 32 international organisations based in the
ME including all the industry leaders. A total of interview 1140 minutes ensued, with an average of 32.5 minutes per interview. Thematic analysis using NVivo software resulted in
1678 codes, interpreted inductively to yield eight main themes and 46 influential factors
that enclosed 150 variables.
The main findings of this research revealed that CI and DT are mutually interactive and have
a reciprocal relationship with a changing business model, that encompasses characteristics
of emerging markets, marketing activities, partner eco-systems, customer segmentation
with the use and the value of marketing systems and tools. However, there were indications
that many firms, due to lack of CI strategy and investment, fail to reap the benefits of using
CI for market coverage. A conceptual framework and model for identifying market potential
and the role of CI was developed and validated by elite practitioners. This “Chandelier Model” is presented as a tool to enable practitioners to make more effective use of CI to enhance the development of emerging marke
Obesity and weight management in women
Get PDFObesity is a chronic condition associated with risk factors for many comorbidities and medical complications and such as some types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases osteoarthritis, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, type-2 diabetes, and different psychopathological disorders and psychosocial issues. (WHO, 2014). Evidence-based strategies to improve weight loss, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce related comorbidities typically integrate different interventions: dietetic, nutritional, physical, behavioral, psychological, and if necessary, pharmacological and surgical ones. Such treatments are implemented in a multidisciplinary context with a clinical team composed of endocrinologists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and sometimes surgeons. This review article is an overview of the effectiveness of behavioral change techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that lead to weight loss and aid the treatment of obesity in women.
The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive survey of studies examining the efficacy of some behavioral change techniques. I identified 2251 studies and reviewed of those a representative sample of 28 studies examining behavior change techniques for weight loss in obese women. From the twenty eight studies included in this review, the twenty six of them, provide weight loss, fat loss or health improvement. Only two of the included studies provide neutral results on weight loss, after the intervention. From these data compiled, I concluded that behavioral change techniques are useful in reducing fat and treating general health. Behavioral change techniques should be a potential tool emerging in the treatment of obesity. Especially cognitive behavioral theory and social cognitive theory, are providing evidence that could be a successful tool for weight loss. However larger randomized control trials on its use in clinical practice and in reaching rural populations are bound to shed more light on the effectiveness of this tool along with spreading awareness among physician and patient communities.
The purpose of this study is to provide a narrative review of the prospective epidemiological evidence in which scientists have provided data on weight loss methods in obese women other than dieting. The main purpose of this study is to identify nutrition behavior therapy and nutrition counseling methods that can increase adherence to recommended dietary behavior or could help in dietary change and lead to weight loss in obese women. Τhe data so far, in relation with weight management and obesity, seems to be incomplete so it is believed that this study will aid in practical application in order to promote weight loss in obese women
“A Blank Slate”: preparing for Tokyo 2021 during COVID-19
Get PDFThis article presents a case study of an applied consultancy experience with WL, an Olympic athlete preparing for Tokyo 2021. WL sought psychological support after decreases in performance and well-being forced them to consider their future as an athlete. COVID-19 and the lockdown of the United Kingdom were highly influential to the consultancy process, providing WL with the opportunity to explore their identity in the absence of sport. WL framed their emergence from the lockdown as a “Blank Slate,” which was a critical moment allowing them to “find themselves on and off the mat.” The sport psychologist’s existential philosophy is presented and discussed in detail. Furthermore, reflections are provided by WL’s strength and conditioning coach about the referral process and by WL themself about the efficacy of the interventions. The importance of supporting both the person and the performer when working with aspiring Olympic athletes is also discussed
Developing student connectedness under remote learning using digital resources: A systematic review.
Get PDFOnline learning is negatively associated with student connectedness. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Higher Education (HE) institutions have pivoted to blended and online learning. Subsequently, HE institutions have seen a shift in student connectedness resulting in loneliness, isolation, social and psychological distance. Consequently, it is essential for teacher practitioners to respond with innovative digital learning resources that aim to develop student connectedness. The current systematic review aimed to explore the research question: what are the characteristics of effective digital teaching resources when the aim of the resource is to build student connectedness? This systematic literature review was conducted in line with published guidance for undertaking reviews (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, 2009). Successively, 17 papers met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using a thematic synthesis approach. Results identified five key themes that are important when designing digital resources to build connectedness: usability; teacher interaction; immediacy; synchronicity; and community. The findings of this research are expected to provide a template to assist teacher practitioners in creating innovative digital resources that facilitate connectedness
The effects of some phosphorus-containing fire retardants on the properties of glass fibre-reinforced composite laminates made from blends of unsaturated polyester and phenolic resins
Get PDFThis study investigated the effects of phosphorus fire retardants (FRs) in matrices from co-cured blends of an unsaturated polyester (UP) with inherently fire-retardant phenolic resoles (PH) on the mechanical and flammability properties of resultant glass fibre-reinforced composites.
Three different phenolic resoles with UP have been used:
(i) an ethanol soluble (PH-S), (ii) an epoxy-functionalised (PH-Ep), and (iii) an allyl-functionalised resin (PH-Al) with two different phosphorus
FRs: resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-
oxide (DOPO). The flammabilities of the resultant composites were evaluated using cone calorimetry
and the UL-94 test. Cone calorimetric results showed reductions in peak heat release rate (PHRR)
and total heat released (THR) as expected compared to those of UP and respective UP/PH composite
laminates without FRs. UL-94 tests results showed that while all composites had HB rating, FR
containing samples self-extinguished after removal of the flame. The mechanical properties of the
composites were evaluated using flexural, tensile and impact tests. All FRs reduced the mechanical
properties, and the reduction in mechanical properties was more severe in UP/PH-S (least compatible
blends) composites with FRs than in UP/PH-Al (most compatible blends) composites with FRs.
Amongst the different composites, those from UP/PH-Al with DOPO showed the best fire retardancy
with little deterioration of mechanical performance
