19 research outputs found
An evaluation of Total Wellbeing Luton: an integrated health care pathway for physical and mental health
No full textFactors that facilitate or hinder whole system integrated care for obesity and mental health: a scoping review protocol
No full textIntroduction Integrated care aims to improve population health. Obesity and mental health are major health issues worldwide. The complexity of the multifactorial drivers of these public health problems has led to the adoption of a whole system approach. This review aims to highlight factors that influence the planning, implementation and evaluation of whole system integrated care for these conditions.Methods and analysis Using the framework of Arksey and O’ Malley, we will perform a comprehensive search in the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed, British Nursing Database, Web of Science, Health Systems Evidence, Cochrane Library and University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Further hand-search of reference lists and the grey literature will be conducted. The search will be restricted to articles published from 2000 to 2020. The review is expected to be completed by August 2021. Full texts of the potential studies will be screened for the inclusion criteria. Quality of studies will be appraised. Narrative synthesis will be completed using data extracted from the included studies.Ethics and dissemination A favourable ethics opinion for this study was obtained from the Institute for Health Research Ethics Committee of the University of Bedfordshire (IHREC937). This review expects to identify information relating to factors that facilitate or hinder whole system integrated care for obesity and mental health. The finding from this review will be widely disseminated to stakeholders to inform implementation of whole system integrated care initiatives
Spatial diagnosis and media treatments
No full textThesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 2005.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-130).Contemporary approaches toward the renovation of existing spaces are mainly driven by functional requirements and aesthetic purposes. While this design approach is valid, the purpose of this thesis is to develop a methodology for architects to analyze and evaluate the quality of existing spaces on a periodical basis and improve them with the use of digital media. The first part of this thesis project has a diagnostic purpose where the architect investigates historically and empirically the physical structure as well as the users' perceived imagery of the examined space. The second part uses the diagnosis' findings as a mapping device for the application of specific digital media, deemed appropriate for the task, and the orchestration of time-related events and information flows. The goal of this thesis, which focuses solely on public spaces for the extent of this research, is twofold. On a design level, it seeks to increase the quality of space and its potential to communicate with the users through a synergic, adaptive approach. On a research level, it seeks to bring together three diverse but not distant disciplines, those of architecture, cognitive psychology and information technology, suggesting a multi-disciplinary avenue for a retrospective design inquiry.by Marianthi Liapi.S.M
Factors that influence inter-organisational integration: a qualitative exploration of service providers' perspectives from an integrated care initiative.
No full textIntegrated care uses inter-professional and inter-organisational collaboration to ensure quality care for those with complex healthcare needs. Whilst inter-organisational collaboration is seen as a facilitator of integration, it has its own complexities and challenges. This study sought to investigate barriers to and facilitators of inter-organisational integration between the partnered organisations of an integrated care initiative in Luton, UK, as perceived by healthcare professionals. Face to face semi – structured interviews were conducted between November 2019 and March 2020 with twenty service providers of an integrated service for physical and mental health. Thematic analysis was used to explore the experiences and perceptions of service providers on the integration of healthy lifestyle and mental health services of “Total Wellbeing Luton”. Five primary themes were identified: (1) Culture, (2) Communication Structures, (3) Strategic alignment, (4) Workforce dynamics, and (5) Expectation and reality of the integration. The majority of the identified themes reflect factors that facilitate or impede the integration between the participating organisations. Excellent relationships between healthcare professionals and staff’s motivation have been identified as facilitators to inter-organisational integration, while high staff turnover, lack of shared IT system and absence of co-location have been identified as barriers. Also, a theme reveals that often there was a discrepancy between the expected and the actual implementation and outcomes of integration. As a part of a larger evaluation programme, this study attempts a comprehensive understanding of the inter-organisational integration in the specific context of Total Wellbeing Luton. The findings and recommendations can support the inter-organisational integration of current and future integrated care initiatives in the UK and elsewhere. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-13051-7
Mapping transitional care-pathways among young people discharged from adolescent forensic medium secure units in England
No full textUnderstanding the Experience of Service Users in an Integrated Care Programme for Obesity and Mental Health: A Qualitative Investigation of Total Wellbeing Luton
No full textObesity is a complex public health issue with multiple contributing factors. The emphasis on joined care has led to the development and implementation of a number of integrated care interventions targeting obesity and mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine user experience in an integrated care programme for obesity and mental health in Luton, UK. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of service users (N = 14). Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Analysis of the interviews identified six main themes for understanding service users’ experiences of integrated care: (1) ‘A user-centered system’, (2) ‘Supports behaviour change’, (3) ‘Valued social support’, (4) ‘Communication is key’, (5) ‘Flexible referral process’, and (6) ‘Positive impact on life’. These themes describe how the service is operated, evidence perceived value service users place on social support in behavior change intervention, and address which service areas work well and which require improvement. The findings of these interviews have offered a significant contribution to understanding what service users value the most in an integrated healthcare setting. Service users value ongoing support and being listened to by healthcare professionals, as well as the camaraderie and knowledge acquisition to support their own behaviour change and promote self-regulation following their participation in the programme
Implementation of step-down Intermediate Care (IC) in Buckinghamshire, UK: a qualitative evaluation study of healthcare professionals' experiences and perspectives
No full textStep-down intermediate care aims to offer short-term care for people who are medically optimised for discharge but needing a period for further assessment and/or rehabilitation. The aim of this study, which was nested in a larger evaluation project, was to explore the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals to understand the implementation of a step-down IC service in Buckinghamshire, UK. The evidence is used to inform the service providers of what elements worked well and what areas require improvement. A qualitative study using semistructured interviews was conducted in May 2022. Ten healthcare professionals participated. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The following five core themes were developed: (1) the developmental period of step-down IC, (2) providing care together, (3) perceived functions of the integrated hub, (4) communication, and (5) resources. Findings from the interviews highlighted the excellent working relationships among healthcare professionals from different disciplines, which contributed to their job satisfaction and the efficiency of the service. In addition, healthcare professionals stressed the importance of the integrated hub, as it facilitated the communication between the teams and speeded up the decision-making. Several organisational challenges, such as communication issues, healthcare professionals’ capacity, and the need for further funding were also voiced. Involving staff in the evaluation of a step-down intermediate care service has provided useful information on the service’s implementation process and will inform the development of a long-term strategy for intermediate care
Evaluating step-down, intermediate care programme in Buckinghamshire, UK:a mixed methods study
No full textIntermediate care (IC) services are models of care that aim to bridge the gap between hospital and home, enabling continuity of care and the transition to the community. The purpose of this study was to explore patient experience with a step-down, intermediate care unit in Buckinghamshire, UK. A mixed-methods study design was used. Twenty-eight responses to a patient feedback questionnaire were analysed and seven qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted. The eligible participants were patients who had been admitted to the step-down IC unit. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Our interview data generated five core themes: (1) "Being uninformed", (2) "Caring relationships with health practitioners", (3) "Experiencing good intermediate care", (4) "Rehabilitation" and (5) "Discussing the care plan". When comparing the quantitative to the qualitative data, these themes are consistent. Overall, the patients reported that the admission to the step-down care facility was positive. Patients highlighted the supportive relationship they formed with healthcare professionals in the IC and that the rehabilitation that was offered in the IC service was important in increasing mobility and regaining their independence. In addition, patients reported that they were largely unaware about their transfer to the IC unit before this occurred and they were also unaware of their discharge package of care. These findings will inform the evolving patient-centred journey for service development within intermediate care
Mapping transitional care-pathways among young people discharged from adolescent forensic medium secure units in England
No full textThis study tracked young offenders transitioning from national adolescent forensic medium secure units to adult services in the UK within a six-month period. We used a mapping exercise to identify eligible participants moving during the study period from all national adolescent forensic medium secure units in England. Young people older than 17.5 years or those who had turned 18 years (transition boundary) and had been referred to adult and community services were included. Of the 34 patients identified, 53% moved to forensic adult inpatient services. Psychosis was the most prevalent symptom among males (29%), and emerging personality disorder symptomatology was commonly reported among females (18%) followed by learning disability (24%). The mean time for transition to adult mental-health services and community settings was eight months. There were no shared transition or discharge policies, and only two hospitals had discharge guidelines. The findings highlight the need for consistency between policy and practice among services along with the development of individualised care pathways. Future qualitative research is needed to understand and reflect on young people’s and carers’ experiences to improve transition service delivery
Evaluating step-down, intermediate care programme in Buckinghamshire, UK: a mixed methods study
No full textBACKGROUND: Intermediate care (IC) services are models of care that aim to bridge the gap between hospital and home, enabling continuity of care and the transition to the community. The purpose of this study was to explore patient experience with a step-down, intermediate care unit in Buckinghamshire, UK. METHODS: A mixed-methods study design was used. Twenty-eight responses to a patient feedback questionnaire were analysed and seven qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted. The eligible participants were patients who had been admitted to the step-down IC unit. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Our interview data generated five core themes: (1) "Being uninformed", (2) "Caring relationships with health practitioners", (3) "Experiencing good intermediate care", (4) "Rehabilitation" and (5) "Discussing the care plan". When comparing the quantitative to the qualitative data, these themes are consistent. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the patients reported that the admission to the step-down care facility was positive. Patients highlighted the supportive relationship they formed with healthcare professionals in the IC and that the rehabilitation that was offered in the IC service was important in increasing mobility and regaining their independence. In addition, patients reported that they were largely unaware about their transfer to the IC unit before this occurred and they were also unaware of their discharge package of care. These findings will inform the evolving patient-centred journey for service development within intermediate care
