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Persuading Chronically Ill Patients to Subscribe to Medical Services in Physician-Driven Online Health Communities
Get PDFWhile patient-driven online health communities (OHCs) have long been a fixture of the online healthcare landscape, physician-driven OHCs are becoming increasingly popular. Drawing on the persuasive communication literature, this study takes a physician’s perspective to examine how physicians signal their professional expertise and caring demeanor through online responses and influence patient medical service subscription decisions. By analyzing textual and image data collected from a leading physician-driven OHC, we found that regarding message framing, caring messages (emotional appeals) significantly boosted subscriptions among chronically ill patients, while technical messages (rational appeals) did not. The results were found to be the opposite for source framing: authoritative reputation (rational appeals) had a significant effect but smiling images (emotional appeals) did not. The results also punctuate the importance of congruence between message and source and between text and image in both rational and emotional appeals. Our findings make significant theoretical contributions and offer guidance for physicians seeking to optimize their OHC participation to enhance chronic disease care.</p
Co-design and feasibility testing of the heart failure carer support programme (HELP): A convergent, mixed-method study
Get PDFObjectives This study co-designed and feasibility tested a novel psychoeducational intervention delivered online to carers of patients with heart failure (HF) and examined the potential impact on carer-related outcomes. Methods The HEart faiLure carer support Programme (HELP) was co-designed with carers and healthcare professionals at a large University hospital. This intervention comprises an information booklet and six psychoeducational support group sessions delivered online by a multidisciplinary team. A convergent mixed-method design examined the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of HELP. Carers of patients with HF were recruited in the United Kingdom (UK) via clinical teams along with printed and online advertisements. Quantitative measurements included carer-related outcomes (carer burden, carer preparedness, quality of life, anxiety, depression, stress, and social support) and feasibility assessments (recruitment rates, attrition, and intervention usefulness). Focus groups conducted post-intervention qualitatively investigated the acceptability of HELP. Data was collected at baseline, 6 weeks post-intervention, and 3 months post-intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed with descriptive and thematic analysis, respectively. The results were integrated to generate a holistic understanding of the findings. Results 51 carers were eligible and 22 (43 %) provided consent. Of those 22, 18 (89 %) participated and 12 (67 %) completed all intervention sessions. Participants highly rated the usefulness of the intervention via a feedback questionnaire (4.7 ± 0.59 out of 5, overall) and positive changes were found across the following carer-related outcomes: anxiety, depression, caregiver burden, stress, preparedness, and social support. Data integration generated three key findings: (1) Improved carer preparedness and knowledge, (2) Support from group environment, and (3) Emotional support and personal wellbeing. Conclusions HELP delivery to carers of patients with HF is feasible and potentially provides emotional support and empowerment in their caring role. Practice implications HELP will advance to implementation testing across the UK to inform large-scale adoption in routine clinical practice
6G-ENABLED Integrated Sensing and Communications to Tackle Climate Change: the Geothermal Sensing and Monitoring Model and its Implications
Get PDFClimate change-induced natural disasters are seriously affecting the planet's ecosystem and disrupting the socio-economic development of humanity. This exigent issue leads to the developing of novel technologies and methodologies to utilize sustainable energy sources such as geothermal. However, geothermal reservoirs are highly location-specific, and identifying the potential zones is a daunting task for reservoir engineers. Moreover, the geothermal energy density of a place can change over time due to various environmental factors; therefore, it is crucial to monitor and assess its changes periodically. Concurrently, the accelerating advancements in the research of sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks and their possible disruptive technologies, such as integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), have recently received much attention from the broader research communities. In this article, we envision and introduce the general concept of a generalized geothermal sensing and monitoring (GeoSM) model and explore the role of the ISAC system in the localization and periodic monitoring of geothermal energy. Specifically, we illustrate the envisioned system architecture for the GeoSM model, present a general framework of the 6G-enabled ISAC system, and suggest possible enabling technologies to facilitate the distributed sensing and monitoring of the geothermal energy zones. Then, we describe the geothermal heat network as a prospective use case of the GeoSM model. Following that, we present a preliminary case study on the waveform optimization of our proposed ISAC framework of the envisioned GeoSM model for a specific application scenario. Finally, we outline the open research challenges and discuss possible future research directions
Reconfiguring Gene Regulatory Neural Network Computing for Regulating Biofilm Formation
Get PDFThe Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) in biological cells orchestrates essential functions for adaptation and survival in diverse environments, drawing on structural similarities with the Artificial Neural Network (ANN), which can be transformed into a Gene Regulatory Neural Network (GRNN). This transformation enables exploration of their natural computing capabilities regarding network reconfigurability and controllability, facilitating dynamic adjustments of gene-gene interaction weights to regulate biological processes. In this paper, we present a control-theoretic model for the GRNN that determines optimal chemical input concentrations, steering the GRNN towards desired weight configurations using the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) approach. This method enhances network robustness by balancing stability and reconfigurability, ensuring responsive weight adjustments in dynamic environments. We develop mathematical models to identify critical genes using a Continuous-Time Markov Chain (CTMC) and derive temporal weight configurations, providing insights into the system's reconfiguration dynamics, while also quantifying stability and reconfigurability. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the control model in mitigating Clostridioides difficile biofilm formation, outperforming sub-optimal and stochastic perturbation inputs, and highlighting the importance of determining optimal inputs for robust network behavior across diverse complexities
A Review of Recycled Polymers in Low-Risk Medical Applications
Get PDFThe National Health Service in the UK produces approximately 133,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, but less than 5% is recycled (Xiaocheng Hu, et al., 2022). Therein, large amounts of medical waste, which contains recyclable polymers like polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), are commonly used in single-use or multi-use medical devices but are often sent for energy recovery (incineration) due to biological contamination and system limitations (Czuba, 2014).This review provides a foundation for advancing the use of recycled thermoplastics in low-risk medical applications. Evaluating both material performance and the perceptual challenges that influence stakeholder acceptance highlights the dual importance of technical validation and communication strategy. The findings will inform upcoming ethics-approved focus groups and support the development of service design strategies that integrate additive manufacturing and circular economy principles into sustainable healthcare delivery
Portuguese translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Person-Centered Practice Inventory – Care
Get PDFBackgroundIn person-centered practice implementation and development, it is essential to incorporate standardized measurements that consider the perspectives of those involved in the therapeutic relationship. This work aims to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Person-Centered Practice Inventory – Care (PCPI-C) for the Portuguese healthcare context. The PCPI-C is derived from the middle-range theory of the Person-Centered Practice Framework and is an 18-item self-reported inventory.MethodsThis methodological study followed a two-stage research design entailing the translation and cultural adaptation of the PCPI-C from English to European Portuguese and the Portuguese healthcare context in phase I, followed by a psychometric evaluation (N = 312) conducted using principal component and confirmatory factor analysis in SPSS version 27.0 and SPSS AMOS version 21.0 in phase II. The model was continuously and iteratively refined until it was considered acceptable per gold standard estimators.ResultsIn phase I, the results revealed linguistic and contextual cultural differences compared to the original version. The cognitive debriefing showed that the respondents considered the items understandable and adequate for the purpose. In phase II, among the two adjusted PCPI-C models fit, i.e., first-order, and single-factor, the best fit to the empirical data was revealed by the single-factor structure, reflecting a good fit (x2/df = 2.408, CFI = .93, RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .05).ConclusionsThe PCPI-C is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the perceptions of Portuguese service users regarding person-centered practice. It is necessary to consider the purpose for which the instrument is used to select the most appropriate measurement model, i.e., process evaluation as an outcome or as an inventory measure for continuous improvement
Understanding the Mother Identity: Changing Meanings During Middle Childhood
Get PDFFor decades, scholars have stressed the importance of counsellors understanding the mother identity in more depth. Yet, little academic attention has been paid to the mother's experience and identity during middle childhood, a significant period of transition for children which inevitably impacts on a mother. To gain insight into the identity and experiences of mothers in middle childhood, fifteen mothers of two or more children aged between 5 and 12 years old participated in semi-structured interviews and follow-up responses. Data analysis closely aligned with constructivist grounded theory resulted in the construction of the category, evolving into a different mother, which included three subcategories: (1) shaping children's present and adult selves; (2) dealing with a child's expanding social world; (3) changing worries and concerns. Understood through the lens of identity theory, specifically the meanings of ‘teacher’, ‘nurturer’ and ‘negative emotions’, this research found significant change within the mother identity during middle childhood, change caused by shifting interactions with one's children, and the influence of culture and society. Implications for professionals interacting with mothers in mental health and educational settings are discussed
The Academic, The Entrepreneur, The Female in a Dress: A Micro-Level Exploration of Multiple Role Identities
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how female academic entrepreneurs navigate and negotiate their changing role identities. In particular, the study is interested in the coping strategies–the identity work–undertaken by female academic entrepreneurs at the micro-level as they navigate and negotiate their changing role identities and ensuing role conflict within the university environment. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative feminist methodology is adopted coupled with a narrative approach to uncover and address the nuanced ways in which gender roles and biases may impact the experiences and choices of 15 female academic entrepreneurs. Findings: The empirical evidence reveals that female academics must undertake a specific type of identity work to be deemed legitimate and credible as academic entrepreneurs. In seeking to address gender-based disparity and increase female representation across a variety of platforms, the findings reveal that institutional support mechanisms designed to reduce gender disparity are placing greater pressure on female academic entrepreneurs requiring them to undertake additional roles and duties not expected of their male counterparts. Originality/value: This study provides a nuanced understanding of the lived experiences of female academic entrepreneurs at the micro-level. In particular, the findings show how efforts aimed at mitigating gender disparities often had unintended consequences on their identity as female academic entrepreneurs. This study advances identity work literature by highlighting the particular forms of role identity work that female academic entrepreneurs engaged in, in order to fit in and build legitimacy. This included overcoming visibility and invisibility and developing a sense of belonging.</p
Duplication in a Divided Society: a case study of primary schools in Northern Ireland
Get PDFEducation is an important component of peacebuilding in divided societies. Northern Ireland is one such society emerging from conflict yet it retains a divided system of education with ‘Protestants’ and ‘Catholics’ generally educated separately. This causes duplication of provision with settlements having to cater for both communities, leaving schools smaller than they could be, and raising questions of sustainability. It also segregates children. This paper analyses Geographic Information to identify and quantify duplication in provision at primary level, building on earlier research. Results show a lack of improvement in levels of duplication in Northern Ireland’s primary education over a 5-year period, despite multiple school closures during this time designed to address sustainability within a tight education budget. There is even some suggestion that levels of duplication, and thus waste, are increasing. This is important in terms of planning for education provision to address the future needs of parents and children in Northern Ireland and may have wider relevance to other societies dealing with divided education systems
Creativity is a journey, not a destination: A team flow theory perspective for service workers
Get PDFTeamwork, recognised for supporting employee creativity, is crucial to organisational sustainability and survival. However, the ways of unlocking teamwork for creativity remain an unrealised opportunity. By integrating team flow theory, we exemplify how flow can be activated in teams and give rise to creativity, adding to the nascent literature on teams achieving an optimal state. Using a creative problem-solving intervention, qualitative data was collected via participant observation and semi-structured interviews with front-line hotel managers. We show the creativity outcomes at the individual, team, and organisational levels resulting from team flow, with our data emphasising the longer-term impacts on individual creativity. Notably, we extend team flow theory with our model, contributing to the discussion of creativity processes and offering important insights into how the reciprocal relationship between teamwork and individual creativity can be achieved. Our findings have implications for business leaders seeking to drive high-performing, creative organisations