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‘At least you got to see people when you went out for a walk’: older adults’ lived, embodied experiences during COVID-19 times in the United Kingdom
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic presented myriad global challenges, placing unprecedented pressure on health services. Currently, there is limited qualitative research exploring the ‘felt’ impact of the pandemic on older adults’ health experiences and wider social life. Here, we report on the embodied experiences of older adults (65 and above), before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in the UK, to chart the physical, social, and mental-health challenges. A figurational sociological lens was adopted to examine data from semi-structured interviews with 18 older adults, face-to-face or via telephone/video call. Notes from follow-up conversations were also recorded. Combined data were analysed thematically. Salient themes cohered around: physical activity engagement; health experiences; the role of family, friends, and community; and the role of modern technology. Our results highlight how older adults reported the felt benefits of increased PA during lockdowns, but also the negative impacts of treatment delays on experiences of hospital services. Participants also recounted how new social community connections were forged during lockdowns. Saliently, we identified a need to support older adults with modern technology so as to capture its potential to modernise, expand, and personalise healthcare within UK health services
Exploring health care disparities in genetic testing and research for hereditary cardiomyopathy: Current state and future perspectives
Get PDFHereditary cardiomyopathies are commonly occurring myocardial conditions affecting heart structure and function with a genetic or familial association, but the etiology is often unknown. Cardiomyopathies are linked to significant mortality, requiring robust risk stratification with genetic testing and early diagnosis. We hypothesized that health care disparities exist in genetic testing for hereditary cardiomyopathies within clinical practice and research studies. In a narrative fashion, we conducted a literature search with online databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Science Direct on papers related to hereditary cardiomyopathies. A comprehensive analysis of findings from articles in English on disparities in diagnostics and treatment was grouped into four categories. Racial and ethnic disparities in research study enrollment and health care delivery favor White populations and higher socioeconomic status, resulting in differences in the development and implementation of effective genetic screening. Such disparities have shown to be detrimental, as minorities often suffer from disease progression to heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Barriers related to clinical genetic testing included insurance-related issues and health illiteracy. The underrepresentation of minority populations extends to research methodologies, as testing in ethnic minorities resulted in a significantly lower detection rate and diagnostic yield, as well as a higher likelihood of misclassification of variants. Prioritizing minority-based participatory research programs and screening protocols can address systemic disparities. Diversifying research studies can improve risk stratification strategies and impact clinical practice. [Abstract copyright: The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
Research co-creation and the development of epistemically insightful curricula
No full textDrawing on a four-year process of co-creating research-engaged curricula opportunities in primary and secondary schools in England, this chapter examines the processes, pedagogy, and tools that enable the development and implementation of epistemically insightful learning experiences within formal school settings. The processes and interventions being discussed have been implemented in English primary (age 5-11) and secondary (11-18) school settings but have global applicability as they are designed to work within curriculum and assessment constraints. Furthermore, it explores the potential tensions between finding an approach to curriculum design that best fits the needs and experiences of individual schools and implementing the findings of generalised evidence-based educational research undertaken within a university context. We discuss the process and impact of establishing a research-led co-creation partnership designed to transform curriculum practice and policy whilst maintaining teachers’ agency within a whole school approach to curriculum transformation. Drawing on our findings we argue that “best practice” for researcher- participant relationship is one where the research actively involves the participants, as a community, rather than the research being “done on” them. This is evidenced by the high return rate of student surveys and the fact that within three years one of the schools has moved from previously being “research-engaged” as participants to being a research-led school where staff training and development takes place through inter-departmental research communities
Exploring subjective experiences of eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) for psychosis - a Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) informed narrative inquiry
No full textAn extensive body of evidence supports the association between life adversity and experiences such as hearing voices and holding beliefs that others may find unusual. Emerging evidence suggests Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) may be an effective intervention for reducing the emotional impact of trauma memories in the context of psychosis and, as a result, may lessen the impact of unusual experiences. Despite this, there has been limited research into clients’ subjective experiences of EMDR for psychosis with existing research predominantly focused on its ability to resolve what are viewed as ‘comorbid symptoms’ of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The theoretical assumptions of the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) suggest that unusual experiences can be understood as trauma related distress. In line with this perspective, the aims of the current study were to explore what focusing therapeutically on traumatic experiences in the context of psychosis might reveal about the link between adversity and psychosis and, furthermore, to explore what clients’ depict as important when engaging with EMDR for psychosis. Participants recruited from specialist psychosis community mental health services were interviewed and a qualitative narrative analysis methodology employed. Within the narratives, trauma-derived personal meanings were common and could be linked to the content of unusual experiences. Participants consistently positioned themselves as advocates of EMDR for psychosis, citing improved relationships and feeling calmer amongst positive changes. In reflecting on their experiences of EMDR, participants more commonly cited the importance of a trusting therapeutic relationship than specific EMDR techniques. A number of clinical implications are raised, including recommendations for care resourcing and planning
Antibody drug conjugates in urological cancers: A review of the current landscape
No full textOur review delves into the progress across urological malignancies and discusses ongoing challenges and future directions in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development, emphasising their transformative potential in cancer care. ADCs have advanced from hematologic to solid tumours, notably in breast cancer, and are now pivotal in metastatic urological cancers as both monotherapies and in combination regimens, underscored by the FDA's approval of enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan for metastatic urothelial cancer. Progress in metastatic prostate cancer, particularly with ADCs targeting PSMA and STEAP1, is noteworthy, although renal cell cancer presents ongoing challenges. There is a continual search for agents in the metastatic, relapsed testicular cancer landscape. ADCs have emerged as a pivotal innovation in oncology, blending targeted antibody therapy with potent cytotoxic drugs, significantly advancing treatment options for urological malignancies. [Abstract copyright: © 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
"We may have to defend ourselves": Black women and campaigns against police sexual violence during the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter eras
No full textThis chapter uses two case studies, fifty-years apart in distinct moments, to explore how Black women proffered their own gendered analyses in their activism against systemic sexual violence committed by law enforcement. Through juxtaposing two police sexual violence campaigns led by Dorothy Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women, and artist-activists Grace Franklin and Candace Liger, in the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter eras, respectively, this chapter provides insights into Black women’s organizing in local and national contexts, as well as resonances and knowledge-building across the decades
Emergency admission predictive risk stratification models: assessment of implementation consequences (PRISMATIC 2): protocol for a mixed methods study.
Get PDFEmergency admissions are costly, increasingly numerous, and associated with adverse patient outcomes. Policy responses have included the widespread introduction of emergency admission risk stratification (EARS) tools in primary care. These tools generate scores that predict patients' risk of emergency hospital admission and can be used to support targeted approaches to improve care and reduce admissions. However, the impact of EARS is poorly understood and there may be unintended consequences. To assess effects, mechanisms, costs, and patient and healthcare professionals' views related to the introduction of EARS tools in England. Quasi-experimental mixed methods design using anonymised routine data and qualitative methods. We will apply multiple interrupted time series analysis to data, aggregated at former Clinical Commissioning Group level, to look at changes in emergency admission and other healthcare use following EARS introduction across England. We will investigate GP decision-making at practice level using linked general practice and secondary care data to compare case-mix, demographics, indicators of condition severity and frailty associated with emergency admissions before and after EARS introduction. We will undertake interviews ( ~48) with GPs and healthcare staff to understand how patient care may have changed. We will conduct focus groups ( =2) and interviews ( ~16) with patients to explore how they perceive that communication of individual risk scores might affect their experiences and health seeking behaviours. Findings will provide policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patients, with a better understanding of the effects, costs and stakeholder perspectives related to the introduction of EARS tools. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024, The Authors.
An exploration of the experiences of children and young people with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Get PDFBackground: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a complex and highly variable genetic syndrome characterised by multiple complex physical abnormalities and neurodevelopmental challenges affecting both social and educational outcomes for young people. Method: This study comprised a systematic review of the longitudinal literature relating to neurodevelopmental trajectories in children and young people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and the impact of these trajectories on social and educational outcomes. Data was extracted from the included studies (N=9) and a quality appraisal and narrative analysis of key findings was produced. Results: The findings suggests that while cognitive and executive functioning abilities do not predict social outcomes in children and young people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, ADHD diagnosis may be predictive of social outcomes. In addition, both executive functioning and language abilities uniquely and independently predict educational outcomes in children and young people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. While executive functioning has been found to be predictive of school achievement in typically developing peers, current evidence indicates a stronger relationship between executive functioning and school achievement for children and young people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Conclusion: Although equivocal, the evidence suggests that further investigation of different domains of neurodevelopment and their impact on social and educational outcomes would be valuable areas of enquiry. Limitations of the review and gaps in the existing research are discussed
Exploring experiences of parents of individuals with an eating disorder
Get PDFBackground: Parents play a significant role in caring for children with an eating disorder (ED). This role contributes to carer burden, impacting on their wellbeing and ability to respond supportively to their child’s ED behaviours. No existing review focuses specifically on the emotional experiences of parenting a child with an ED, therefore this review aimed to synthesise existing research to explore parental emotional experiences of caring for their child with an ED. Method: 16 qualitative studies were identified through a systematic search of four online databases. Quality assessment of these studies was undertaken, and methodological concerns were discussed. Results: Through thematic synthesis, five themes were developed, providing insight into the emotional experiences of parents caring for their child with an ED: guilt, overwhelm, grief, isolation vs connection and gratefulness. Several of these themes also had relevant subthemes. Discussion: Parenting a child with an ED was challenging, resulting in significant distress. However, some parents also described personal growth through the experience. A theoretical model is proposed, linking parental self-criticism and guilt with parental distress and responses to ED behaviours. Research and clinical implications,and strengths and limitations of the review are discussed
Design of IoT-based smart energy meter for e-billing and prepaid electricity
No full textThis study focuses on the utilization of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart energy meter for the purpose of wirelessly analyzing power usage in electrical systems. The objective is to alleviate the need for manual processing of electricity bills, enhance demand management, facilitate prepaid electricity supply, and reduce instances of power theft. With the escalating demand for electricity, the manual tracking and prevention of power theft pose significant challenges. The Internet of Things (IoT) is employed for the purpose of managing power consumption by consumers, implementing prepaid electricity supply systems, and ensuring the efficient operation of microgrids through the regulation of power generation and demand ratios. In this study, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart energy meter is developed utilizing the ESP8266 as a Wi-Fi module, the Arduino Uno as an interface microcontroller, and voltage and current sensors to accurately measure power usage. The collected data is stored and accessed through the ThingSpeak cloud platform. Additionally, a relay is incorporated into the system to regulate power flow for a prepaid system