Kristianstad University
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Is it possible to gain energy at work? : a questionnaire study in primary health care
No full textOBJECTIVES: The area of regenerative work is still close to unexplored. The aim was to explore the possibility for employees to gain energy at work. METHODS: Questionnaire to all employees (n = 599) from different professions in public and private primary health care centers in one health care district in Sweden. The questionnaire, which had a salutogenic perspective, included information on self-rated health, psychosocial work environment and experiences, recovery, social climate, and energy. Having an energy-building experience was defined by a positive response to two combined questions regarding energy at work. Analyses were performed with bivariate correlation and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The response rate was 84%. Health and energy correlated positively (r = 0.54). In total, 44.5% of the employees reported having an energy-building experience. Predictors for having an energy-building experience were recovery [positive odds ratio (POR) = 2.78], autonomy (POR = 2.26), positive workplace characteristics (POR = 2.09), and internal work experiences (POR = 1.88). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that it is possible to gain energy at work, an area that is still close to unexplored. There is a high correlation between energy and health. Employees' energy-building experiences relate to well-being at work and correlates to recovery, autonomy, positive workplace characteristics, and positive internal work experiences. This knowledge can help in improving future work environment development
Conceptual subitizing and preschool class children's learning of the part-part-whole relations of number
No full textFew research studies within the field of mathematics education have focused on the ability to recognize quantities quickly and accurately without counting (i.e. subitizing). The aim of this research was to empirically explore the role of conceptual subitizing activities for enhancing preschool class children's learning of the part-part- whole relations of number. 24 children (aged 6-7) and two teachers participated in the intervention. Due to ethical issues, data were only collected from 18 of the children. The design was a collaborative and iterative intervention, employing a mixed-method approach. Data consisted of preand post-test, teacher observation notes and teacher responses to questions about the children's learning. Both the quantitative and qualitative analysis showed that conceptual subitizing activities supported children's knowledge development regarding part-part-whole relations of number. At the group level, the children ' s results between pre-and post-test showed an increase of 18.1 percent units and more than half of the children showed conceptual subitizing abilities in a qualitatively more developed way after having participated in the intervention. The result indicated that conceptual subitizing activities might enhance preschool class children's understanding of the part-part-whole relations of number. The results however also elucidated that not all children improved their understanding of the part-part -whole relations of number. Future research should therefore consider individual differences when developing and carrying out interventions
Detection of mosaics in hemophilia A by deep Ion Torrent sequencing and droplet digital PCR
No full textBackground: The occurrence of mosaicism in hemophilia A (HA) has been investigated in several studies using different detection methods. Objectives: To characterize and compare the ability of AmpliSeq/Ion Torrent sequencing and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) for mosaic detection in HA. Methods: Ion Torrent sequencing and ddPCR were used to analyze 20 healthy males and 16 mothers of sporadic HA patients. Results: An error-rate map over all coding positions and all positions reported as mutated in the F8-specific mutation database was produced. The sequencing produced a mean read depth of >1500X where >97% of positions were covered by >100 reads. Higher error frequencies were observed in positions with A or T as reference allele and in positions surrounded on both sides with C or G. Seventeen of 9319 positions had a mean substitution error frequency >1%. The ability to identify low-level mosaicism was determined primarily by read depth and error rate of each specific position. Limit of detection (LOD) was <1% for 97% of positions with substitutions and 90% of indel positions. The positions with LOD >1% require repeated testing and mononucleotide repeats with more than four repeat units need an alternative analysis strategy. Mosaicism was detected in 1 of 16 mothers and confirmed using ddPCR. Conclusions: Deep sequencing using an AmpliSeq/Ion Torrent strategy allows for simultaneous identification of disease-causing mutations in patients and mosaicism in mothers. ddPCR has high sensitivity but is hampered by the need for mutationspecific design
Low-achieving grade K-3 children’s early numeracy competences : a systematic literature review
No full textThis systematic review analyses the research results of low-achieving grade K-3 children’s numeracy competencies by investigating the research approaches used, the definitions of low achievers and the numeracy competencies reported. 18 articles, identified in ERIC, PsycINFO and Web of Science, were selected for further analysis. The results show that the main part of the studies used a fixed-strategy design, mainly reporting on children’s numeracy competencies at a group level in which the children’s numeracy competencies were summarily described and focused on difficulties and common errors. Identification of what is defined as low achiever was based on test results from both standardised and non-standardised tests, as well as teacher assessments. The predominant numeracy competencies assessed were basic facts (automatic recall 0–20) and arithmetic skills (addition and subtraction), as well as competencies related to counting. Analyses of the children’s understanding when they do not follow the typical way of learning were not found, which indicates the need for a qualitative approach to the quantitative research results in order to provide deeper understanding of children’s ways of understanding and operating with numbers
“Our view has always been that we do not want to present established truths” : An analysis of the ideology in the concept sustainable development in the Swedish school system
No full textThis study aims to examine ways to understand the ideological dimension of Sustainable Development (SD), as it is portrayed in the Swedish school system, and the consequences thereof. By examining policy documents, in the form of curricula and formal reports from relevant agencies, the role of the concept of SD in the Swedish school system is discussed and analysed by applying the analytical methods of ideology criticism from a critical theory standpoint, with the aim to explore possible underlying ideological content. The research questions focus on if, and if so why, ideological components are apparent in the material through the theoretical framework of critical theory, with special attention paid to the theories of Žižek and Bauman. Special methodological considerations to the empirical aspect of this essay is applied to improve the rigidity of the analysis. A theoretical model of ideological awareness is sketched to illustrate the importance of theoretical knowledge going into the material. The analysis shows that the concept of SD can most accurately be described by using the marxist concept of fetischism, a form of reification, which displaces SD from its context and makes it both unquestionable and all encompassing. The ideological function of SD in the Swedish school system is argued to be the ability to suppress possibilities to discuss among other things: power inequalities, environmental questions from other aspects than SD as well as criticism of SD itself. The study concludes that raising an ideological awareness in teachers may be a way to grasp the immense ideological power the concept of SD holds in the Swedish school system and to counteract alienation in both teachers and students. New avenues of research are introduced from questions raised during this work and as a result of the conclusions reached
Children’s participation and influence in Preschool Education : It’s up to the preschool teacher
No full textEn kvalitativ studie om förskollärares uppfattningar om de yngsta barnens delaktighet och inflytande i förskolans verksamhet. Studiens syfte är att ta reda på förskollärarnas olika uppfattningar om arbetet med Barnkonventionens artikel 12 samt barns delaktighet och inflytande i förskolans verksamhet. Syftet är också att lyfta förskollärarnas uppfattningar om barns ålder och mognad och hur detta tas hänsyn till i verksamheten. En förhoppning är att studien ska kunna bidra med ökad förståelse för komplexiteten i de yngre barnens delaktighet och inflytande i verksamheten samt en medvetenhet kring hur förskollärarens förhållningssätt påverkar barns möjlighet till inflytande. Studien har utgått från en fenomenografisk ansats där empirin har samlats in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med verksamma förskollärare där fokus har varit att få syn på en variation av uppfattningar. Resultatet visar på en rad skilda uppfattningar om fenomenet delaktighet och inflytande hos de yngsta barnen i förskolan. Förskollärarna lyfte aspekter som förskollärarens förhållningssätt, krav och begränsningar uppifrån, svårigheter i att avgöra mognad, dilemmat i att möta det enskilda barnet i barngruppen samt omsorgsbegreppet. Resultatet har diskuterats utifrån barndomssociologin och relevanta begrepp inom denna teori
Comparison of corresponding scores From the cleft hearing appearance and speech questionnaire (CHASQ) and CLEFT-Q in Swedish patients with cleft lip and/or palate
No full textOBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to compare corresponding scores between 2 existing cleft-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)-Cleft Hearing Appearance and Speech Questionnaire (CHASQ) and CLEFT-Q. The second aim of the study was to investigate patient opinion on the 2 PROMs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire study. SETTING: Participants were recruited from a University Hospital. They answered CHASQ and CLEFT-Q either in the hospital or at home. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three participants with cleft lip and/or palate, aged 10 to 19 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: CHASQ and CLEFT-Q. RESULTS: The CHASQ scores and the corresponding CLEFT-Q scores on appearance correlated significantly. Corresponding scores regarding speech did not correlate significantly. A majority, 15 (58%) participants, answered that they liked CLEFT-Q more than CHASQ, 18 participants (69%) thought CHASQ was easier to complete, and 19 (76%) thought CLEFT-Q would better inform health care professionals. CONCLUSION: Both instruments showed strengths and limitations. Clinicians will have to consider each instrument's respective qualities when choosing to implement either PROM.Funding agency: Foundation for Research in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Skane University Hospital in Malmo</p
Barriers and facilitators for individualized rehabilitation during breast cancer treatment : a focus group study exploring health care professionals' experiences
No full textBACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) and related treatment are associated with the risk of developing a wide range of persistent disabling impairments. Despite extensive research in the field and an enhanced focus on BC rehabilitation, up to 34-43% of these patients are at risk of developing chronic distress. In addition, it is known that these patients repeatedly report unmet needs, which are strongly associated with reduced quality of life. However, despite knowledge that patients' needs for support during BC rehabilitation varies greatly, individualized rehabilitation is often lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to explore health care professionals' (HCPs) experiences of current rehabilitation practice and describe current barriers and facilitators for individualized rehabilitation for patients following BC treatment. METHODS: A total of 19 HCPs were included, representing various professions in BC care/rehabilitation within surgical, oncological and specialized cancer rehabilitation units at a university hospital in Sweden. Five semi structured focus group interviews were conducted and inductively analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Three categories were captured: (1) varying attitudes towards rehabilitation; (2) incongruence in how to identify and meet rehabilitation needs and (3) suboptimal collaboration during cancer treatment. The results showed a lack of consensus in how to optimize individualized rehabilitation. It also illuminated facilitators for individualized rehabilitation in terms of extensive competence related to long-term experience of working with patients with BC care/rehabilitation. Further, the analysis exposed barriers such as a great complexity in promoting individualized rehabilitation in a medically and treatment-driven health care system, which lacked structure and knowledge, and overarching collaboration for rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the cancer trajectory is medically and treatment-driven and that rehabilitation plays a marginal role in today's BC trajectory. It also reveals that structures for systematic screening for needs, evidence-based guidelines for individualized rehabilitation interventions and structures for referring patients for advanced rehabilitation are lacking. To enable optimal and individualized recovery for BC patients', rehabilitation needs to be an integrated part of the cancer trajectory and run in parallel with diagnostics and treatment
Self-reported impairments among people with late effects of polio : a mixed-method study
No full textObjective: To determine how much people with late effects of polio are bothered by various impairments and their influence on everyday life. Design: A mixed-methods design. Subjects/patients: Seven women and 7 men (mean age 70 years) with late effects of poli. Methods: Self-reported Impairments in Persons with late effects of Polio (SIPP) scale and face-to-face interviews. In SIPP, the participants rated, from 1 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), how much they had been bothered by late effects of polio-related impairments. Qualitative data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Each quotation was deductively analysed based on its conceptual representation regarding perceived influence on everyday life. Results: Participants were most bothered by muscle and/or joint pain during physical activity, muscle weakness and general fatigue, which corresponded with the number of interview quotations. The impairments negatively influenced daily life, such as household chores, walking, riding a bicycle and social participation. Increased impairments and reduced functioning on the less-affected side also caused worry and distress. Conclusion: Common late effects of polio-related impairments greatly affected participants' activity and participation. By using both the SIPP scale and face-to-face interviews, an increased understanding of how late effects of polio-related impairments influence everyday life was achieved
Making your school nurse philosophy visible
No full textAs a school nurse, it can be challenging to make values and philosophy useful in the context of a busy and stressful workday. However, values and philosophy can help guide school nurses in their profession. This article proposes strategies for how school nurses can make their school nurse’s values and philosophy visible. The first step in formulating a school nurse philosophy is to identify overall values, such as how one views society and people’s equal values. A peer-mentoring group, such as a mastermind group, could offer a place to have philosophical discussions with colleagues