scholarly journals Comparing perspectives of family caregivers and healthcare professionals regarding caregiver burden in dementia care: results of a mixed methods study in a rural setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-207
Author(s):  
Simon Krutter ◽  
Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden ◽  
Roland Essl-Maurer ◽  
Laura Wurm ◽  
Alexander Seymer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Disruptive Behaviour ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Psychosocial Burden

Abstract Background Persons with dementia (PwD) need support to remain in their own homes as long as possible. Family caregivers, homecare nurses and general practitioners (GPs) play an important role in providing this support, particularly in rural settings. Assessing caregiver burden is important to prevent adverse health effects among this population. This study analysed perceived burden and needs of family caregivers of PwD in rural areas from the perspectives of healthcare professionals and family caregivers. Methods This was a sequential explanatory mixed methods study that used both questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaires measuring caregiver burden, quality of life and nursing needs were distributed to the caregivers; health professionals received questionnaires with adjusted items for each group. Additionally, in-depth qualitative interviews were carried out with eight family caregivers. Results The cross-sectional survey population included GPs (n = 50), homecare nurses (n = 140) and family caregivers (n = 113). Healthcare professionals similarly assessed the psychosocial burden and stress caused by behavioural disturbances as most relevant. Psychological stress, social burden and disruptive behaviour (in that order) were regarded as the most important factors from the caregivers’ perspective. It was found that 31% of caregivers reported permanent or frequent caregiver overload. Eight themes related to caregiver burden emerged from the subsequent interviews with caregivers. Conclusions Professional support at home on an hourly basis was found to be highly relevant to prevent social isolation and compensate for lack of leisure among caregivers of PwD. Improvement of interprofessional dementia-related education is needed to ensure high-quality primary care.

Uncertainty about cellulitis and unmet patient information needs: a mixed methods study

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X697349
Author(s):  
Anna Lalonde ◽  
Emma Teasdale ◽  
Ingrid Muller ◽  
Joanne Chalmers ◽  
Peter Smart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Patient Information Needs ◽  
History Of

BackgroundCellulitis is a common painful infection of the skin and underlying tissues that recurs in approximately a third of cases. Patients’ ability to recover from cellulitis or prevent recurrence is likely to be influenced by their understanding of the condition.AimTo explore patients’ perceptions of cellulitis and their information needs.MethodMixed methods study comprising semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and cross-sectional survey, recruiting through primary care, secondary care and advertising. Adults aged 18 or over with a history of cellulitis (first or recurrent) were invited to complete a survey, take part in an interview or both. Qualitative data was analysed thematically.ResultsThirty interviews were conducted between August 2016 and July 2017. Qualitative data revealed low prior awareness of cellulitis, uncertainty around diagnosis, concern/surprise at the severity of cellulitis, and perceived insufficient information provision. People were surprised they had never heard of the condition and that they had not received advice or leaflets giving self-care information. Some sought information from the internet and found this bewildering. Two hundred and forty surveys were completed (response rate 17%). These showed that, while most people received information on the treatment of cellulitis (60.0%, n = 144), they reported receiving no information about causes (60.8%, n = 146) or prevention of recurrence (73.3%, n = 176).ConclusionThere is a need for provision of basic information for people with cellulitis, particularly being informed of the name of their condition, how to manage acute episodes, and how to reduce risk of recurrence.

Habits-GDM mobile application in managing gestational diabetes in Singapore: A mixed-methods study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Surendran ◽  
Chang Siang Lim ◽  
Gerald Choon Huat Koh ◽  
Tong Wei Yew ◽  
E Shyong Tai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Automatic Data ◽  
Glucose Testing ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BACKGROUND The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing in Singapore and the cost of providing traditional care for GDM is high. Mobile health (mHealth) applications may act as useful tools in the management of GDM. OBJECTIVE The objective of this mixed-methods study was to measure the usage behaviour and explore users’ perceived usefulness of the Habits-GDM application when managing GDM in a randomised controlled trial. METHODS We conducted a quantitative analysis of the application usage behaviour in 170 Habits-GDM application users and 14 semi-structured interviews with users from a randomised controlled trial. RESULTS The convenience of automatic data transfer of weight values to the Habits-GDM application helped users (116/170, 68%) log their weight at least once a week. However, when the application had usability challenges, users avoided using that feature, i.e. users logged only an average of less than one meal/week out of the recommended six meals/week. Of the usability challenges, many users (12/14, 85.7%) mentioned food items not worded in the commonly known way and limited ethnic food database as the primary barriers. Only half of the users (84/170, 49.4%) accessed the educational lessons, but many (9/14, 64%) identified the provision of always available, valuable health-related information as an advantage of the educational lessons. ‘Healthy eating’ and ‘Why exercise’ were the most (56/84, 66.67%) and least (38/84, 45.24%) frequently accessed educational lessons, respectively. Users (10/14, 71.4%) reported sending messages to the coach via the chat interface only when they faced logistic issues and 86.45% of all the coach messages were replies typed by the research coordinator in response to the logistics issues (i.e. a request for blood glucose testing strips and appointment confirmation) raised by the users. Healthcare professionals lack of access to the coach’s dashboard discouraged users from asking queries related to GDM via the e-coaching feature. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that mHealth application acts as a useful tool in managing GDM. Culturally sensitive mHealth applications with a provision for women to interact with healthcare professionals should be developed in cooperation with the users. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable.

scholarly journals Development of a tool for identifying and addressing prioritised determinants of quality improvement projects led by healthcare professionals: a mixed-methods study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne van Tuijl ◽  
Hub C. Wollersheim ◽  
Cornelia R.M.G. Fluit ◽  
Petra. J. van Gurp ◽  
Hiske Calsbeek
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Priority Score ◽  
A Priority

Abstract Background: Several frameworks have been developed to identify essential determinants for healthcare improvement. These frameworks aim to be comprehensive, leading to the creation of long lists of determinants that are not prioritised based on being experienced as most important. Furthermore, most existing frameworks do not describe the methods or actions used to identify and address the determinants, limiting their practical value. The aim of this study is to describe the development of a tool with prioritised facilitators and barriers supplemented with methods to identify and address each determinant. The tool can be used by those performing quality improvement initiatives in healthcare practice. Methods: A mixed-methods study design was used to develop the tool. First, an online survey was used to ask healthcare professionals about the determinants they experienced as most facilitating and most hindering during the performance of their quality improvement initiative . A priority score was calculated for every named determinant, and those with a priority score ≥ 20 were incorporated into the tool. Semi-structured interviews with implementation experts were performed to gain insight on how to analyse and address the determinants in our tool Results: The 25 healthcare professionals in this study experienced 64 facilitators and 66 barriers when performing their improvement initiatives. Of these, 12 facilitators and nine barriers were incorporated into the tool. Sufficient support from management of the department was identified as the most important facilitator, while having limited time to perform the initiative was considered the most important barrier. The interviews with 16 experts in implementation science led to various inputs for identifying and addressing each determinant. Important themes included maintaining adequate communication with stakeholders, keeping the initiative at a manageable size, learning by doing and being able to influence determinants. Conclusions: This paper describes the development of a tool with prioritized determinants for performing quality improvement initiatives with suggestions for analysing and addressing these determinants. The tool is developed for those engaged in quality improvement initiatives in practice, so in this ways it helps to bridging the research to practice gap of determinants frameworks. More research is needed to validate and develop the tool further.

scholarly journals Motivation and job satisfaction of healthcare professionals in urban and rural areas in the autonomous province of Vojvodina, Serbia

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 33-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Grujicic ◽  
Jelena Jovicic-Bata ◽  
Budimka Novakovic
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Rural Healthcare ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Autonomous Province

Introduction. ?otivation and job satisfaction of healthcare professionals represent the basis for providing quality health care. The aim of the study was to establish whether ther? is a difference in motivation and job satisfaction among healthcare professionals in urban and rural areas in Vojvodina, Serbia. Material and Methods. The study included 574 healthcare professionals in urban area, and 145 in rural setting, from three health centers. Data collection was performed by a self-administered questionnaire. Results. Urban healthcare professionals, compared to rural healthcare workers, were significantly more motivated by the factor of work motivation - achieving the goals of the health center. In comparison with rural healthcare professionals, urban healthcare workers are significantly more satisfied with personal qualities of their immediate supervisors, job security guaranteed by their institution, immediate support at work they received from managers, and professional supervision of their work. Conclusion. Compared to rural healthcare professionals, urban healthcare workers are more work motivated and job satisfied.

scholarly journals OPTImising the implementation of pulMonary rehAbiLitation in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (the OPTIMAL study): mixed methods study protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Hug ◽  
Vinicius Cavalheri ◽  
Daniel F. Gucciardi ◽  
Richard Norman ◽  
Kylie Hill
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Pulmonary Rehabilitation ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory condition characterised by dyspnoea during daily life. As the disease progresses, people with COPD can experience poor quality of life, reduced exercise capacity, worsening of symptoms and increased hospital admissions. Pulmonary rehabilitation, which includes exercise training, optimises both psychological and physical function, reduces symptoms and mitigates healthcare utilisation in people with COPD. There is, however, a gap in implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation programs, with global access limited to a small fraction of people with COPD. The overall aim of this study is to gather evidence that will optimise the implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation in people with COPD living in Perth, Western Australia. Methods This is a mixed methods study protocol informed by a critical realist perspective. The study will comprise four phases. In Phase 1, we will quantify target behaviours of healthcare professionals and people with COPD which are related to the implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation at three tertiary hospitals. In Phase 2, we will conduct semi-structured interviews to explore the determinants of these target behaviours from the perspectives of healthcare professionals, people with COPD and their primary support person. In Phase 3, knowledge gained in Phases 1 and 2 will be used by healthcare professionals and people with COPD to co-create, field test and apply strategies that optimise these target behaviours. In Phase 4, we will re-quantify these target behaviours to determine the influence of co-created strategies. The cost effectiveness of implementing the co-created strategies will be explored by an economic analysis. Discussion Understanding current clinical practice and the determinants of target behaviours pertaining to the implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation is crucial when developing strategies that successfully bridge the pulmonary rehabilitation implementation gap. If co-created strategies are effective, more people with COPD living in Perth, Western Australia will have access to pulmonary rehabilitation enabling them to derive the health benefits associated with this intervention.

Healthcare professionals’ attitudes of implementing a chemotherapy electronic prescribing system: A mixed methods study

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1164-1171
Author(s):  
Annette (Netty) V Cracknell
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Anticancer Therapy ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Electronic Prescribing ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
System A ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Published Research

Purpose Recent research has investigated the attitudes of healthcare professionals when implementing electronic healthcare systems such as electronic medical records or electronic prescribing in primary care. There is limited research on implementation of electronic prescribing in secondary care and no published research exploring implementation of systemic-anticancer therapy (includes chemotherapy, TKIs, monoclonal antibodies, etc) electronic prescribing. By considering what attitudes healthcare professionals had towards the implementation of systemic-anticancer therapy (SACT) electronic prescribing systems, recommendations could be developed and used to aid successful future implementations. Methods This mixed methods study was in three phases. The first phase was a qualitative exploration of attitudes of healthcare professionals towards the implementation of a systemic-anticancer therapy electronic prescribing system, with the development of a questionnaire based on these findings. This was followed by a quantitative second phase where the results from the questionnaire were used to assess if the qualitative results could be generalised to a larger population. Further progression in phase three looked at developing recommendations based on the factors found in order to aid future implementations for hospitals. Results Thirteen factors were found relating to attitudes of healthcare staff when implementing systemic-anticancer therapy electronic prescribing. Nine of these factors were cited by other researchers when implementing other electronic healthcare systems. Four factors appeared to be specific to systemic-anticancer therapy electronic prescribing implementations. Nineteen recommendations were proposed when implementing a systemic-anticancer therapy electronic prescribing system. Conclusion This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine the attitudes of healthcare professionals when implementing a systemic-anticancer therapy electronic prescribing system and the first to define important factors and list recommendations to manage these.

scholarly journals Parental concerns and uptake of childhood vaccines in rural Tanzania – a mixed methods study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lavanya Vasudevan ◽  
Joy Noel Baumgartner ◽  
Sara Moses ◽  
Esther Ngadaya ◽  
Sayoki Godfrey Mfinanga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Childhood Vaccines

Abstract Background Vaccine hesitancy has been recognized as an important barrier to timely vaccinations around the world, including in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, 1 in 4 children is not fully vaccinated. The objective of this mixed methods study was to describe and contextualize parental concerns towards vaccines in Tanzania. Methods Between 2016 and 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional survey (n = 134) and four focus group discussions (FGDs, n = 38) with mothers of children under 2 years of age residing in Mtwara region in Southern Tanzania. The survey and FGDs assessed vaccination knowledge and concerns and barriers to timely vaccinations. Vaccination information was obtained from government-issued vaccination cards. Results In the cross-sectional survey, 72% of mothers reported missed or delayed receipt of vaccines for their child. Although vaccine coverage was high, timeliness of vaccinations was lower and varied by vaccine. Rural mothers reported more vaccine-related concerns compared to urban mothers; literacy and access to information were identified as key drivers of the difference. Mothers participating in FGDs indicated high perceived risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses, but expressed concerns related to poor geographic accessibility, unreliability of services, and missed opportunities for vaccinations resulting from provider efforts to minimize vaccine wastage. Conclusions Findings from our cross-sectional survey indicate the presence of vaccination delays and maternal concerns related to childhood vaccines in Tanzania. In FGDs, mothers raised issues related to convenience more often than issues related to vaccine confidence or complacency. Further research is necessary to understand how these issues may contribute to the emergence and persistence of vaccine hesitancy and to identify effective mitigation strategies.

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