1,721,031 research outputs found
Developing digital applications in healthcare: toolkit
Get PDFThe purpose of this toolkit is to provide a ‘how to’ manual for projects which aim to engage patients in co-creating and implementing Apps for the self-management of long-term conditions.The toolkit is based on experience gained together with the wider literature during a project to customise, deploy and evaluate an App to support the self-management of long-term conditions using Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Academic libraries
Get PDFAcademic librarianship is well suited to evidence based library and information practice (EBLIP). In this chapter, we provide some context as to why this is the case – the rapidly changing role of academic libraries and librarians, as well as higher education institutions more generally. The knowledge base of evidence is described, both in terms of the types of research available and the size and scope of the available evidence. The knowledge base in academic librarianship is growing quickly, due to research on developing issues in higher education and academic libraries, as well as an increased focus on assessment and evaluation programs for continuous improvement and demonstrating value. We discuss the types of evidence sources available for academic librarians to draw on beyond the traditional journal article and conference presentation, and examine how librarians are creating evidence, in some cases by collaborating with those who work outside of libraries. Methods used by academic librarians for finding and using evidence to inform decision making are presented, along with considerations regarding organisational climate, or readiness for evidence based practice. Finally, we conclude with examples from the academic library sector of successfully applying the principles of EBLIP for informing changes to practice and transforming organisational processes
Ethnic minority disparities in progression and mortality of pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease: a systematic scoping review
Get PDFBackground There are a growing number of studies on ethnic differences in progression and mortality for pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD), but this literature has yet to be synthesised, particularly for studies on mortality.MethodsThis scoping review synthesized existing literature on ethnic differences in progression and mortality for adults with pre-dialysis CKD, explored factors contributing to these differences, and identified gaps in the literature. A comprehensive search strategy using search terms for ethnicity and CKD was taken to identify potentially relevant studies. Nine databases were searched from 1992 to June 2017, with an updated search in February 2020.Results 8,059 articles were identified and screened. Fifty-five studies (2 systematic review, 7 non-systematic reviews, and 46 individual studies) were included in this review. Most were US studies and compared African-American/Afro-Caribbean and Caucasian populations, and fewer studies assessed outcomes for Hispanics and Asians. Most studies reported higher risk of CKD progression in Afro-Caribbean/African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians, lower risk of mortality for Asians, and mixed findings on risk of mortality for Afro-Caribbean/African-Americans and Hispanics, compared to Caucasians. Biological factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease contributed to increased risk of progression for ethnic minorities but did not increase risk of mortality in these groups. ConclusionsHigher rates of renal replacement therapy among ethnic minorities may be partly due to increased risk of progression and reduced mortality in these groups. The review identifies gaps in the literature and highlights a need for a more structured approach by researchers that would allow higher confidence in single studies and better harmonization of data across studies to advance our understanding of CKD progression and mortality. <br/
Assessing the impact of evidence summaries in library and information practice
No full textObjective: This study developed, validated and administered an instrument to investigate the impact of research evidence summaries published in the journal, Evidence Based Library and Information Practice. Methods: Using the critical incident technique, this mixed methods study began by developing and testing a survey questionnaire, disseminating it to readers of the journal and conducting follow-up interviews with a subsample. Findings: A total of 86 practitioners responded to the survey and 13 took part in interviews. Evidence summaries led to impact at four levels: librarian knowledge, librarian practice, workplace practice, and library users. The instrument was revised as a result of the findings. Conclusion: This study provides unique insight into whether evidence summaries are an effective means of bridging the research-practice gap for the library community and its scholarly communication channels. The validated impact assessment instrument may also be adapted for other means of disseminating research in library and information practice
Cultural Beliefs and Practices Influencing the Health Seeking Behaviour of Women During Pregnancy in Ota, Southwest Nigeria
Get PDFMaternal mortality is a global health challenge affecting women within the reproductive age group. The main causes of maternal death in low and middle- income countries are infections, obstructed labour, eclampsia, haemorrhage, and unsafe abortion. Sociological, economic, and demographic factors are the indirect factors contributing to poor maternal health outcomes. The review of the literature shows that the utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) and delivery in the presence of skilled birth attendants are evidenced-based approaches to improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing pregnancy-related complications.The medical literature currently provides little information about beliefs and practices in relation to other factors within the human environment. Yet these factors are considered an essential part of ANC that cannot be ignored due to their impact on pregnancy outcomes. While healthcare stakeholders in different countries with high maternal healthcare indexes are developing new strategies targeted at reducing maternal deaths and improving pregnancy outcomes, this has not been effective in proffering a solution to all identified pregnancy-related issues. Thus, it is important to develop new approaches that will focus more on the needs of women seeking healthcare.This research was carried out through an ethnographic approach, with the aim of exploring the beliefs and practices that may influence the health seeking behaviour of women in Nigeria in relation to their ANC needs. The study participants consisted of eight maternity service providers and twenty pregnant women in Ota, a community located in the south- western part of Nigeria. The pregnant women who were accessing a range of maternity service providers, were selected through a purposive sampling method whilst the maternity service providers were selected through the snowballing method. The data for the study were collected through semi-structured interviews and observations. The data were then analysed through thematic analysis. The findings of this study provide insights into the indigenous beliefs and practices of the stakeholders involved in pregnancy, such as the use of safety pins, the preparation and consumption of a special soup made with snail or fish. In addition, due to previous pregnancy experience or fear of the unknown outcome of pregnancy, women seek care from local maternity service providers for protection from evil spirits. According to their individual beliefs, women will seek care from a range of maternity service providers to ensure they have a safe childbirth, where mother and child are alive and healthy. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by offering, as its central theme, a theoretical rendering of what may be described as the supernatural power of caring. The participants in this study believe in the existence of a form of supernatural power. This power is being used for protection from any form of harm that could affect either the mother or the baby during pregnancy or on the day of childbirth. This unique perspective highlights the need to acknowledge indigenous practices alongside a biomedical model of care
Chapter 10. Public Libraries
Get PDFCole, Becky and Pam Ryan. (2016). Chapter 10: Public Libraries. In Denise Koufogiannakis and Alison Brettle(Eds.), Being evidence based in library and information practice. London: Facet Press
Exploring psychological distress and expressive writing in Chinese breast cancer patients
Get PDFBreast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience intense psychological distress and emotional suppression, which lowers the survivors’ quality of life and impacts their adherence to treatment. Given the insufficient identification and intervention of psychological distress and the specific traditional cultural beliefs and emotional reactions of Chinese breast cancer patients, there is an overwhelming need for exploring the current situation and providing culturally-appropriate psychosocial support that is congruent with the beliefs and values of the target group. Expressive writing, a convenient and culturally sensitive intervention, still needs much more exploration to identify factors that may moderate the effects of such writing exercises in breast cancer patients; thus, helping clinicians to identify the individuals most likely to benefit from expressive writing in China.This portfolio of six published papers and fifteen supporting publications makes a unique contribution to existing knowledge by exploring psychological distress in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and evaluating the effects of expressive writing on health outcomes in this population, particularly in the Chinesecontext.Collectively, this work provides a body of knowledge which suggest that there was relatively low concordance between breast cancer patients’ reports and caregivers’ perceptions of psychological distress. Family caregivers tended to underestimate breast cancer patients’ psychological distress. In addition, given the non-lasting momentum of expressive writing that we have identified in themeta-analysis, this work makes a unique contribution to knowledge by first confirmation that writing dosage does not moderate the effects of expressive writing on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Furthermore, this is the first study to provide evidence that the level of emotional expressivity and the pattern ofaffective word use could be factors that moderate the effects of expressive writing on the quality of life of breast cancer patients. These results have expanded our knowledge on the expressive writing in patients with breast cancer
Male Clients' Perspective Of Their Experience Of Counselling In Prisons Stephen Brian Fauguel
Get PDFThe use of psycho-therapeutic interventions within prisons in recent years has been widespread. In order to improve the results of therapy, it is necessary to measure the effectiveness of the outcome (Castonguay, 2013). However, the measurement of outcomes is difficult to gauge, in particular because of the hostile environment within prison, which encourages the client to enter a state in which life is stripped of purpose and responsibility. Heidegger (1927) explains his philosophical view of the awareness of existence with his statement of ‘Dasein’ (being there) (Heidegger, 1927). Incarceration in a prison excludes the possibility that individuals experience and express themselves in an open manner without fear, as Sartre explained as ‘existential anxiety’ (Sartre, 1945), the feeling of anxiety emerging within a prisoner creating a feeling of loss of freedom of choice.Considering the prisoner’s choices within prison, for example,the counsellor of their own choice, accessto counselling appointments, unrestrictivecounselling facilities, and counselling venues are issues that arise more frequently in prison than in any other therapeutic contexts. The focus of this research is on the male client’s perspective of counselling in prison.The purpose of the study is three-fold:to gainanunderstanding of how the male prisoners’experience counselling; to explore what is useful and what is notusefulabout counselling;and to further improve knowledge of counselling therapy,so thatcounselling may be enhancedfor the benefit of prison clients.Thisstudyis qualitative,adopting the theoretical framework of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Male prisoners who have had counselling in prison have spoken of their experience of being counselled in prison and this has filled the gap in the literature.Thisstudy makes a unique contribution to the existing knowledge base regardinghow male clients perceive counselling and may improvethe effectiveness of counselling in prisonsbyensuringthat future counselling of men in prison will become more effective and appropriate to their need
A qualitative exploration of factors that influenced health literacy among women diagnosed with breast cancer in Kenya during their cancer journey
Get PDFBackgroundIn Kenya, there are approximately 6,000 new breast cancer (BC) cases annually and 2,550 deaths. Approximately 80% of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages (III–IV), contributing to the high death rate. Research has shown that BC can be cured when discovered early; thus, providing information and improving BC awareness is essential. Health literacy (HL) is an important skill that can shift behaviour towards better breast health and outcomes, yet little is known about HL experiences among Kenyan patients with BC. AimTo explore the experiences and factors that influenced health literacy for women with BC presenting at a public and a private tertiary hospital in an urban area of Kenya.MethodsA qualitative longitudinal approach using serial semi-structured face-to-face interviews from a purposive sample of 11 women, thematically analysed using Colaizzi’s technique. FindingsTwo themes were generated: Information experiences of BC patients and Socio-ecological factors that influenced health literacy. A number of factors influenced HL among patients with BC; these spanned different levels of the SEM and were the forces that influenced how participants accessed, understood and used health information to make decisions in their BC journey. Conclusions This study provides a deeper understanding of the HL concept through the literature review, which showed that globally, HL skills are crucial for all stages of the BC journey. Uniquely the study used the SEM in Kenya, which enabled a focus on the circumstantial factors that explained participant’s HL behaviour and linkages across the three SEM levels. Rather than using the conventional SEM, policy factors as the dominant influencers should be placed at the fore. Finally, the journey model and qualitative longitudinal approach enabled prolonged engagement with participants and was valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of their experiences; this approach can be used for studying other chronic conditions.Keywords: Breast cancer; health literacy; cancer journey; socio-ecological model; Keny
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