scholarly journals Proposta de Uma Escala Portuguesa para a Avaliação da Qualidade do Aconselhamento Genético: Uma Nova Ferramenta para os Profissionais da Saúde

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milena Paneque ◽  
Catarina Costa ◽  
Carolina Lemos ◽  
Miguel Alves-Ferreira ◽  
Jorge Sequeiros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Genetic Counselling ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Psychometric Validation ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Counselling Practice ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Development And Validation

Introduction: The lack of tools for quality assessment of genetic counselling is recognized in national and international studies. The correlation of quality of healthcare practice with greater satisfaction of patients and affected families is also well established. The present study describes the development and validation of the first Portuguese scale for quality assessment of genetic counselling practice. It encompasses a proposal of a new tool for the evaluation of the process by professionals.Material and Methods: The definition of an initial pool of items and their organization was based on a literature review and identification of the main genetic counselling dimensions as well as the theoretical dimensions of the Reciprocal Engagement Model. After a pre-test validation the scale was submitted to psychometric validation using a sample of 30 participants who evaluated 81 genetic counselling sessions.Results: Based on statistical and empirical criteria the best items were selected. The final 50 items- version comprises five dimensions: education, counselees’ characteristics and decision-making, therapeutic relationship, effects of the process on the counselees andservices organization.Discussion: Results showed consistent psychometric properties of the scale supported on theoretical and practice concepts of genetic counseling. The reduced number of participants involved in psychometric validation is a limitation of the study, which reflected thereduced number of professionals in genetic healthcare services.Conclusion: The scale proposed at this study is a novel and multidimensional instrument that aimed to contribute to the improvement of genetic counselling practice in Portugal.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of a Nutrition-Specific Set of Tools to Assess the Quality of Nutrition Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1377-1377
Author(s):  
Karima Benkhedda ◽  
Stephen Brooks ◽  
Linda Greene-Finestone ◽  
Shannon Kelly ◽  
Amanda MacFarlane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Quality Appraisal ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Perfect Agreement ◽  
Development And Validation

Abstract Objectives To develop and validate a set of 3 quality assessment instruments (QAls) for evaluating the quality of nutrition studies, for each of the commonly used study designs: (1) randomized controlled trials (RCTs), (2) prospective cohort, and (3) case-control studies. Methods The QAI development and validation process included 8 steps: 1) identify and evaluate existing general QAls for adaptation with nutrition-specific quality appraisal items; 2) scan the literature to identify nutrition-specific quality appraisal issues; 3) generate nutrition-specific items to be added to each of the general QAIs, adapt existing guidance for general items for nutrition applications and develop guidance for added nutrition items; 4) review, by two experts in clinical and population nutrition, of the modified general QAIs with added nutrition-specific items and guidance; 5) assess reliability and validity of the QAI for each study design; 6) improve the usability and feasibility, of the QAIs by considering feedback from the validation exercise to refine the wording of the guidance; 7) develop a worksheet to help evaluate, a priori, topic-specific methodology to address risk of bias; and  8) validate the final QAIs using five peer-reviewed studies identified from published systematic reviews with reported quality assessment. Agreement and reliability were determined for each QAI. Results Results of the validation show good to perfect agreement among evaluators for the overall study rating and across domains. When compared to the study quality assessment reported in the systematic review, nutrition- specific items had the greatest impact on study ratings, generally resulting in a downgrade of the overall rating. Conclusions A set of nutrition-specific QAls were developed to assess the quality and robustness of nutrition studies. These tools incorporate general quality issues of study design and conduct, as well as address recognised nutrition study-specific issues. They will improve consistency in how nutrition studies are assessed particularly in nutrition-related systematic reviews. This will contribute to the overall quality of assessment of diet and Funding Sources This work was supported by Health Canada.

scholarly journals Defining Parameters for Urban-Environmental Quality Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Oto Novacek ◽  
Jesus Lopez Baeza ◽  
Jan Barski ◽  
Jorg Rainer Noenning
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Environmental Quality Assessment ◽  
Physical Elements ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Positive And Negative Emotions

Measuring the quality of the urban environment has been a matter of research rooted in different fields of knowledge. Several methods and indicators have been deployed through the years, as have horizontal approaches from mixed perspectives. However, currently established indexes to measure urban performance depend on the actual definition of quality and on the weighted relevance of the different features influencing it. This contribution compares the level of emphasis paired by established indexes to measure urban quality, in contrast to what people mention the most when asked about what they like or dislike about the urban environment. The underlying idea is to obtain first-hand information about the way people make decisions about their movements in urban space. As a result, we observe a lack of correlation between the two groups of indicators, and between the key urban elements driving positive and negative emotions. In conclusion, we observe a tendency of people to perceive and report individual physical elements, rather than intangible concepts like safety or comfort.

scholarly journals Defining Parameters for Urban-Environmental Quality Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Environmental Quality Assessment ◽  
Physical Elements ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Positive And Negative Emotions

Measuring the quality of the urban environment has been a matter of research rooted in different fields of knowledge. Several methods and indicators have been deployed through the years, as have horizontal approaches from mixed perspectives. However, currently established indexes to measure urban performance depend on the actual definition of quality and on the weighted relevance of the different features influencing it. This contribution compares the level of emphasis paired by established indexes to measure urban quality, in contrast to what people mention the most when asked about what they like or dislike about the urban environment. The underlying idea is to obtain first-hand information about the way people make decisions about their movements in urban space. As a result, we observe a lack of correlation between the two groups of indicators, and between the key urban elements driving positive and negative emotions. In conclusion, we observe a tendency of people to perceive and report individual physical elements, rather than intangible concepts like safety or comfort.

scholarly journals A Quality Assessment Directory for Evaluating Multi-functional Public Spaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-151
Author(s):  
M. Salim Ferwati ◽  
Ali Keyvanfar ◽  
Arezou Shafaghat ◽  
Omar Ferwati
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Space Design ◽  
The Social ◽  
Life Impact ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Public spaces facilitate opportunities for social interaction and promote social life. The social-spatial complexity of public spaces can be explored through the relationship between built forms and users’ daily social activities. The contemporary needs of users have retrofitted or replaced the controversial public spaces such as streets, depriving the prime function of sustaining and facilitating social life. Thus, any factors influencing users’ social/public life impact the quality of public spaces. Also, contextualization and definition of public spaces necessitate an evaluation of their quality. The lack of a quality assessment directory (QAD) for evaluating multi-functional public spaces motivated us to address it. To achieve the aim, this research has conducted a systematic literature review applying the content analysis to explore the principles and indicators influencing and enhancing social interactions in multi-functional public space design and then performed a normalization analysis to measure the weight of each indicator. The QAD constitutes five criteria (C1 – Inclusiveness, C2 – Desirable activities, C3 – Comfort, C4 – Safety, C5 – Pleasurability), and forty-two (42) embedded sub-criteria. The research found that Inclusiveness (Wn C1 = 4.38) and Pleasurability (Wn C2 = 3.88) have received the highest weights. Also, the research found that the sub-criteria ‘Physical/visual connection or openness to adjacent spaces’ (Wn Sc.4.1 = 1.00), ‘Users of diverse ages’ and ‘Community gathering third places’ (Wn = 0.750) have received the highest weights. Using such a QAD, urban professionals can quantify the effectiveness and efficiency of public spaces’ environmental and physical qualities in promoting social interactions and sociability.

scholarly journals How to Improve Reprocessing of Flexible Endoscopes Nationwide? Data from the German Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eckhart Fröhlich ◽  
Ottmar Leiß ◽  
Reinhold Muller
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Substantial Improvement ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
International Studies ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cancer Screening Program ◽  
Microbiological Surveillance

Background and Aims. International studies revealed prevalences of around 50% of microbiological contaminations in reprocessed flexible endoscopes. In Germany a system was installed where the qualification for refund for colonoscopies was made conditional on successfully passing twice annually a microbiological surveillance test of reprocessed endoscopes. This study is an implementation and outcome evaluation as well as a general discussion of the quality assessment assurance in colonoscopy in Germany. Methods. German data from 2003–2008 were analysed: number of endoscopic units performing therapeutic and/or screening colonoscopies; results of all microbiological surveillance tests of reprocessing quality; number of failed surveillance tests and retests; number of qualifications for refund from the public health system cancelled due to repeated failure of microbiological surveillance tests. Results. After the introduction of the quality assessment assurance, the percentage of failed microbiological surveillance tests dropped significantly and steadily from close to 17% to below 5%. Conclusions. This study evidences (1st) the successful implementation of the quality assessment assurance in Germany and (2nd) a substantial improvement in the quality of reprocessing flexible endoscopes achieved by these measures.

Quality assessment of a campus medical facility: a users' perspective approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 585-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad A. Hassanain ◽  
Ammar H. A. Dehwah ◽  
Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire ◽  
Wahhaj Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Medical Facility ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the quality of an on-campus medical facility at a leading university.Design/methodology/approachPublished literature was consulted to review knowledge areas on the usability and quality performance requirements of healthcare facilities. Quality indicators were, thus, developed from the extant literature and verified by a walkthrough of a case study medical facility. Then, a quality assessment survey was developed and administered to obtain feedback from users of the medical facility. Additionally, a focus group meeting was conducted to obtain more qualitative feedback on the issues identified through the questionnaire survey.FindingsThe results show that users were generally satisfied with the identified evaluation categories, indicating moderate quality. Potential quality issues related to the exterior and interior finishes, furniture and the indoor air were noted through focus group meetings. The study proposed a number of recommendations to enhance the design quality of the medical center.Originality/valueThe importance of this study is evident in the fact that the quality of healthcare facilities has a direct link to the performance and overall well-being of its intended users, as well as the overall success of its host organization. The study demonstrates the value of users' feedback on the quality of a built facility. It re-emphasizes the point that buildings can only be judged to be of high quality if the users' are highly satisfied.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of Class I Preparation and Restoration Quality Assessment Methods

2021 ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
Danielle Wajngarten ◽  
Júlia Margato Pazos ◽  
Tamíris da Costa Neves ◽  
Patricia Petromilli Nordi Sasso Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Composite Resin ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Class I ◽  
Cavity Preparation ◽  
Experimental Laboratory ◽  
Composite Resin Restoration ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Descriptive Statistical Analysis

This study sought to develop and validate two methods of quality assessment, one for Class I cavity preparation and another for composite resin restoration. This was an experimental laboratory study. The methods are named Class I Cavity Preparation Assessment – COCA and Class I Cavity Restoration Assessment – COCRA. During the development of the methods, 5 items were elaborated for COCA and 10 items for COCRA. Each item should be classified as appropriate, partially appropriate, or inappropriate. For each method, after evaluation, all item values should be added with a maximum possible score of ten points. The reliability of the COCA and COCRA was estimated through intra-observer reproducibility. For the methods application, 80 Class I cavity preparation and restoration in first molars were evaluated. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and the intra-observer concordance was estimated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ρ). As a result, it was possible to observe that the reproducibility for COCA of evaluator 1 (ρ=0.76) and evaluator 2 (ρ=1.00) was classified as good and excellent, respectively. The reproducibility for COCRA of evaluator 1 (ρ=0.99) and evaluator 2 (ρ=0.77) was classified as excellent and good, respectively. It was concluded that COCA and COCRA were valid and reliable for the assessment of quality of Class I cavity preparation and restoration.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of the Perceived Societal Marginalization Scale

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bollwerk ◽  
Bernd Schlipphak ◽  
Mitja Back
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Psychometric Validation ◽  
Total N ◽  
Psychological Determinants ◽  
Threat Perceptions ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Structure Reliability ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Development And Validation

Current societal conflicts are characterized by identity struggles and discontent concerning globalization and modernization. While the literature identifies several psychological determinants of this discontent, systematic measurement approaches based on well-defined constructs are rare. Here, we present the development and validation of the Perceived Societal Marginalization (PSM) scale, which aims to assess individual differences in people’s subjective perceptions of the insignificance and lack of recognition of their own social groups in the economy, culture, and politics. We first provide a definition of PSM and a conceptual analysis of its components based on (a) a top-down review of relevant psychological, sociological and political science theories and (b) a bottom-up approach involving semi-structured group interviews with various German citizen associations followed by a qualitative content analysis. We then present the results of a psychometric validation of the PSM scale (factor structure, reliability) based on three large online surveys with heterogeneous samples (total N = 2,566) and explore sociodemographic, personality, and attitudinal correlates. The discussion focuses on applications of the PSM scale, that is, the role of PSM in explaining societal cleavages as well as threat perceptions towards and rejection of cultural, ethnic, and religious minorities.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of the Perceived Societal Marginalization Scale

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Michael Bollwerk ◽  
Bernd Schlipphak ◽  
Mitja D. Back
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Psychometric Validation ◽  
Total N ◽  
Psychological Determinants ◽  
Threat Perceptions ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Structure Reliability ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Development And Validation

Abstract. Current societal conflicts are characterized by identity struggles and discontent concerning globalization and modernization. While the literature identifies several psychological determinants of this discontent, systematic measurement approaches based on well-defined constructs are rare. Here, we present the development and validation of the Perceived Societal Marginalization (PSM) scale, which aims to assess individual differences in people’s subjective perceptions of the insignificance and lack of recognition of their own social groups in the domains of economy, culture, and politics. We first provide a definition of PSM and a conceptual analysis of its components based on (a) a top-down review of relevant psychological, sociological, and political science theories and (b) a bottom-up approach involving semi-structured group interviews with various German citizen associations followed by qualitative content analysis. We then present the results of psychometric validation of the PSM scale (factor structure, reliability) based on three large online surveys with heterogeneous samples (total N = 2,566) and explore sociodemographic, personality, and attitudinal correlates. The discussion focuses on applications of the PSM scale, that is, the role of PSM in explaining societal cleavages as well as threat perceptions towards and rejection of cultural, ethnic, and religious minorities.

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