scholarly journals Understanding Decision Making through Complexity in Professional Networks

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Kon Shing Kenneth Chung
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Professional Networks ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
Network Metrics

The attitudes of general practitioners (GP) play an influential role in their decision making about patient treatment and care. Considering the GP-patient encounter as a complex system, the interactions between the GP and their personal network of peers give rise to “aggregate complexity,” which in turn influences the GP’s decisions about patient treatment. This study models aggregate complexity and its influence in decision making in primary care through the use of social network metrics. Professional network and attitudinal data on decision making responsibility from 107 rural GPs were analysed. Social network measures of “density” and “inclusiveness” were used for computing the “interrelatedness” of components within such a “complex system.” The “number of components” and “degree of interrelatedness” were used to determine the complexity profiles, which was then used to associate with responsibility in decision making for each GP. GPs in simple profiles (i.e., with low components and interactions) in contrast to those in nonsimple profiles, indicate a higher responsibility for the decisions they make in medical care. This study suggests that social networks-based complexity profiles are useful for understanding decision making in primary care as it accounts for the role of influence through the professional networks of GPs.

scholarly journals Evaluating Professional Networks in a Gerontological Pre-Dissertation Initiative Using Social Network Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 549-550
Author(s):  
Erin Murphy ◽  
Rebecca Mauldin ◽  
Jennifer Greenfield ◽  
Nancy Kusmaul ◽  
Noelle Fields ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Professional Relationships ◽  
Professional Networks ◽  
Professional Needs ◽  
Early Career Faculty ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
Conference Presentations

Abstract Professional networks are critical for PhD students and early career faculty, yet there is scant research on the development of their professional networks. Social network analysis is a useful approach to describe the development of professional networks. This methodological paper explains its use and benefits, using a social network analysis of alumni from the first three cohorts of the Association of Gerontological Education in Social Work (AGESW)’s Pre-Dissertation Fellowship Program (PDFP) as an example. We present results, challenges, and recommendations. Alumni (n = 12) reported meeting an average of 20 scholars (SD = 13.2) through AGESW. These professional relationships led to collaborations on conference presentations and manuscripts as well as opportunities to leverage the relationships for future professional needs. Suggested applications of social network analysis for program evaluation, such as co-author and citation networks, are also presented with a focus on training programs designed to support robust professional network development.

scholarly journals From Point-of-Care Testing (PoCT) and vaccination to changing the care paradigm: the role of primary care

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Petelos ◽  
C Lionis
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions

Abstract The speaker will discuss the role of primary care for all patients and cancer patients, elaborating on prescribing patterns vaccinations, recommendations for Over-The-Counter medicines (OTCs) nutritional supplements, and as well as its contribution of behavioural change to raise awareness and change prescription practice. The role of PoCT for reducing the threat of AMR and for improving the differential diagnosis will be discussed, according to the WHO Approach of “diagnostic stewardship” for the appropriate use of microbiological diagnostics to guide therapeutic decisions. In the context of syndromic surveillance and preparedness, as well as in terms of protecting cancer patients at times of epidemics, methods of specimen collection for limited community transmission and for the timely pathogen identification along with accurate, timely reporting of results to guide patient treatment will be discussed. The role of behavioural modification interventions will be discussed, incl. in relation to vaccination and the role it can play in AMR. Improvement of the survivorship experience will be examined in the context of improving health literacy. The case of Greece, currently having the highest antibiotic consumption in Europe and the fourth highest globally, along with an increasing trend on antibiotic use will also be discussed.

Polypharmacy, deprescribing and shared decision-making in primary care: the role of the accredited pharmacist

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Anderson ◽  
Christopher Freeman ◽  
Debra Rowett ◽  
Judith Burrows ◽  
Ian Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision

scholarly journals Role of social network in decision making for increasing uptake and continuing use of long acting reversible (LARC) methods in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariyam Sarfraz ◽  
Saima Hamid ◽  
Patrick Rawstorne ◽  
Moazzam Ali ◽  
Rohan Jayasuriya
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Modern Method ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Modern Contraceptive Method ◽  
Long Acting

Abstract Introduction Despite evidence from recent Demographic Health Surveys that show 98% of the adult Pakistani population have an awareness of at least one modern contraceptive method, only 25% of married couples in Pakistan used a modern method of contraception. Of the modern contraceptive methods, LARC usage has increased only from 2.1 to 3%. This low uptake is puzzling in the context of high awareness of LARC methods and its availability through public sector facilities at subsidized costs. This study aimed to understand the social influences in initiating and continuing use of an LARC methods for contraception in a rural setting in Pakistan. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 women who were using a LARC method for contraception. Data was managed using NVivo 12 and themes were identified using a content analysis approach to analyze the transcripts. Results Four key themes, supported by sub-themes relating to a temporal model, were identified to explain women’s experiences with initiating and continuing use of a LARC. The themes were (i) Use of trusted networks for information on LARCs; (ii) Personal motivation and family support in decision to use LARC; (iii) Choice of LARC methods and access to providers; and (iv) Social and professional support instrumental in long term use of LARC. Results highlight the significant role of immediate social network of female family members in supporting the women in initiating LARCs and maintaining the method’s use. Conclusion This study contributes to an in depth understanding of the decision-making process of women who adopted LARC and maintained its use. Women who proceeded to use an LARC and who persisted with its use despite the experience of side effects and social pressures, were able to do so with support from other female family members and spouse.

scholarly journals Retirement Age Preferences: The Role of Social Interactions and Anchoring at the Statutory Retirement Age

De Economist ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 167 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Vermeer ◽  
Maarten van Rooij ◽  
Daniel van Vuuren
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Social Embeddedness ◽  
Retirement Age ◽  
The Social ◽  
Retirement Decisions

Abstract Using a specifically designed survey, we investigate the role of the social network in shaping workers’ retirement preferences. We find that the preferred retirement age is influenced by the advice and retirement decisions of coworkers, family, and friends. Workers value in particular the advice of their spouse and children and take their personal circumstances into consideration. Responses to vignette questions imply that workers increase their preferred retirement age with on average 3 months in response to a 1 year increase in the retirement age of coworkers, family and friends. Workers are particularly willing to postpone retirement if the planned retirement age was below the statutory retirement age. The results suggest that advice of the social environment and factors like ‘social embeddedness’ or social norms likely play a role when it comes to retirement decision-making.

scholarly journals Role of Social Network in Decision Making for Increasing Uptake and Continuing Use of Long Acting Reversible (LARC) Methods in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariyam Sarfraz ◽  
Saima Hamid ◽  
Patrick Rawstorne ◽  
Moazzam Ali ◽  
Rohan Jayasuriya
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Modern Method ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Modern Contraceptive Method ◽  
Long Acting

Abstract Background: Despite evidence from recent Demographic Health Surveys that show 98% of the adult Pakistani population have an awareness of at least one modern contraceptive method, only 25% of married couples in Pakistan used a modern method of contraception. Of the modern contraceptive methods, LARC usage has increased only, from 2.1% to 3%. This low uptake is puzzling in the context of high awareness of LARC methods and its availability through public sector facilities at subsidized costs. This study aimed to understand the social influences in initiating and continuing use of an LARC methods for contraception in a rural setting in Pakistan.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 women who were using a LARC method for contraception. Data was managed using NVivo 12 and themes were identified using a comparative content analysis approach to analyze the transcripts.Results: Four key themes, supported by sub-themes relating to a temporal model, was identified to explain women’s experiences with initiating and continuing use of a LARC. The themes were (i) Use of trusted networks for information on LARCs; (ii) Personal motivation and family support in decision to use LARC; (iii) Choice of LARC methods and access to providers; and (iv) Social and professional support instrumental in long term use of LARC. Results highlight the significant role of immediate social network of female family members in supporting the women in initiating LARCs and maintaining their use.Conclusion: This study contributes to an in depth understanding of the decision-making process of women who adopted LARC and maintained its use. Women who proceeded to use an LARC and who persisted with its use despite the experience of side effects and social pressures, were able to do so with support from other female family members and spouse.

The mind is an ecosystem

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Thibodeau ◽  
Anna Winneg ◽  
Cynthia Frantz ◽  
Stephen Flusberg
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Causal Structure ◽  
Target Domain ◽  
Holistic Thinking ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
The Mind

Is income inequality more of a blemish or a failing organ in our economy? Both metaphors capture something about wealth disparities, but only failing organ seems to emphasize the fact that our economy is a complex system, where activity in one region may lead to a cascade of problems in other parts of the system. In the present study, we introduce a novel method for classifying such ‘systemic’ metaphors, which reveals that people can reliably identify the extent to which a metaphor highlights the complex causal structure of a target domain. In a second experiment, we asked whether exposing people to more systemic metaphors would induce a systems-thinking mindset and influence reasoning on a seemingly unrelated task that measured the degree to which people reasoned about a domain in terms of complex causal relations. We found that participants who were primed with systemic metaphors scored higher on subsequent tasks that measured relational and holistic thinking, supporting the view that these metaphors can promote systems thinking. Our discussion highlights the potential role of systemic metaphors in facilitating reasoning and decision-making in complex domains.

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