scholarly journals Impact of a Mobilized Stress Management Program (Pep-Pal) for Caregivers of Oncology Patients: Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaina L Carr ◽  
Jacqueline Jones ◽  
Susan Mikulich Gilbertson ◽  
Mark L Laudenslager ◽  
Jean S Kutner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Advanced Illness ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Independent Review ◽  
Evidenced Based

BACKGROUND Caregivers of patients with advanced diseases are known to have high levels of distress, including depression and anxiety. Recent research has focused on recognizing caregivers in need of psychosocial support to help them manage their distress. Evidenced-based technological interventions have the potential to aid caregivers in managing distress. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to describe caregiver perceptions of the usability and acceptability, and their suggestions for future adaptations, of a mobilized psychoeducation and skills-based intervention. METHODS This study was a part of a larger trial of a mobilized psychoeducation and skills-based intervention (Psychoeducation and Skills-Based Mobilized Intervention [Pep-Pal]) for caregivers of patients with advanced illness. This substudy used a mixed-methods analysis of quantitative data from all 26 intervention participants and qualitative data from 14 intervention caregivers who completed the Pep-Pal intervention. The qualitative semistructured individual interviews, which we conducted within the first 4 weeks after participants completed the intervention, assessed the acceptability and usability of Pep-Pal. Additionally, the qualitative interviews provided contextual evidence of how the intervention was helpful to interviewees in unanticipated ways. We conducted applied thematic analysis via independent review of transcripts to extract salient themes. RESULTS Overall, caregivers of patients with advanced cancer deemed Pep-Pal to be acceptable in all Web-based sessions except for Improving Intimacy. Caregivers perceived the program to be of use across the areas they needed and in others that they had not anticipated. Caregiver recommendations of key changes for the program were to include more variety in caregiver actors in sessions, change the title of Improving Intimacy to Improving Relationships, provide an audio-only option in addition to video, and change the format of the mobilized website program to a stand-alone mobile app. CONCLUSIONS The valuable feedback in key areas from individual interviews will be integrated into the final version of Pep-Pal that will be tested in a fully powered randomized clinical trial. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03002896; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03002896 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/76eThwaei)

scholarly journals Stopping to Listen: Using Qualitative Methods to Inform a Web-Based Platform for Adults With Neurofibromatosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110496
Author(s):  
Ethan G. Lester ◽  
Paula J. Popok ◽  
Victoria A. Grunberg ◽  
Alejandro Baez ◽  
Farahdeba Herrawi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Psychosocial Care ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Efficient Access ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Life Context ◽  
Specific Factors

Introduction: Psychosocial care for people with neurofibromatosis (NF) is challenging to access. Therefore, we sought to develop a self-guided web-based treatment platform for people with NF based on the live video relaxation response resiliency program for NF (3RP-NF). Here we report on qualitative interviews with adult patients who participated in the 3RP-NF to: (a) understand participant perceptions of the 3RP-NF program and (b) gather feedback for a self-guided web-based treatment platform (i.e., NF-Web). Methods: We conducted individual semistructured interviews ( N = 23; videoconferencing). We utilized both the Framework method and a hybrid deductive and inductive approach to analyze qualitative data. Results: We examined findings within the following themes for both 3RP-NF and NF-Web: (a) general attitudes, (b) barriers and facilitators, and (c) program-specific factors. Participants endorsed positive attitudes towards the 3RP-NF and NF-Web and described unique barriers and facilitators to each and provided suggestions regarding technology, NF-specific needs, and ways to promote social support virtually. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of gathering participant feedback when designing novel, illness-specific interventions. In future studies, we aim to provide people with NF effective and efficient access to psychosocial support that matches their needs and life context. Results are informing NF-Web development.

scholarly journals Exploration of user�s perspectives and needs and design of a type 1 diabetes management mobile app: mixed-methods study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyu Zhang ◽  
Xia Li ◽  
Shuoming Luo ◽  
Chaoyuan Liu ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Diabetes Education ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Patient Questionnaires ◽  
App Design ◽  
Doctor Communication

BACKGROUND With the popularity of smart phones, mobile apps have great potential for the management of diabetes, but the effectiveness of current diabetes apps for T1DM is poor. No study has explored the reasons from the user’s perspective. OBJECTIVE To explore the perspectives and needs of T1DM patients and diabetes experts concerning diabetes app and to design a new T1DM management mobile app. METHODS A mixed methods design combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews was used to explore user needs and perspectives. Experts were surveyed at two diabetes conferences using paper questionnaires. T1DM patients were surveyed using Sojump on a network. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with adult T1DM patients or parents of child patients who had ever used diabetes apps. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded for theme identification. RESULTS The expert response rate was 63.5% (127/200). They thought that the reasons for app invalidity were that patients did not stick to using the app (76.4%, 97/127), little guidance was received from health care professionals (HCPs) (73.2%, 93/127), diabetes education knowledge was unsystematic (52.8% 67/127) and the app functions were incomplete (44.1%, 56/127). A total of 245 T1DM patient questionnaires were collected, of which 21.2% (52/245) of the respondents had used diabetes apps. The reasons for their reluctance to use an app were limited time (39%, 20/52), complicated operations (25%, 13/52), uselessness (25%, 13/52) and cost (25%, 13/52). Both the experts and patients thought that the most important functions of the app were patient-doctor communication and diabetes diary. Two themes that were useful for app design were identified from the interviews: (1) problems with patients’ diabetes self-management and (2) problems with current apps. Additionally, needs and suggestions for a diabetes app were obtained. CONCLUSIONS Patient-doctor communication is the most important function of a diabetes app. Apps should be integrated with HCPs rather than stand alone. We advocate that doctors follow up with their patients using diabetes app. Our user-centered method explored comprehensively and deeply why the effectiveness of current diabetes apps for T1DM was poor and what T1DM patients needed for a diabetes app, and provided meaningful guidance for app design.

scholarly journals Exploration of user�s perspectives and needs and design of a type 1 diabetes management mobile app: mixed-methods study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyu Zhang ◽  
Xia Li ◽  
Shuoming Luo ◽  
Chaoyuan Liu ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Diabetes Education ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Patient Questionnaires ◽  
App Design ◽  
Doctor Communication

BACKGROUND With the popularity of smart phones, mobile apps have great potential for the management of diabetes, but the effectiveness of current diabetes apps for T1DM is poor. No study has explored the reasons from the user’s perspective. OBJECTIVE To explore the perspectives and needs of T1DM patients and diabetes experts concerning diabetes app and to design a new T1DM management mobile app. METHODS A mixed methods design combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews was used to explore user needs and perspectives. Experts were surveyed at two diabetes conferences using paper questionnaires. T1DM patients were surveyed using Sojump on a network. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with adult T1DM patients or parents of child patients who had ever used diabetes apps. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded for theme identification. RESULTS The expert response rate was 63.5% (127/200). They thought that the reasons for app invalidity were that patients did not stick to using the app (76.4%, 97/127), little guidance was received from health care professionals (HCPs) (73.2%, 93/127), diabetes education knowledge was unsystematic (52.8% 67/127) and the app functions were incomplete (44.1%, 56/127). A total of 245 T1DM patient questionnaires were collected, of which 21.2% (52/245) of the respondents had used diabetes apps. The reasons for their reluctance to use an app were limited time (39%, 20/52), complicated operations (25%, 13/52), uselessness (25%, 13/52) and cost (25%, 13/52). Both the experts and patients thought that the most important functions of the app were patient-doctor communication and diabetes diary. Two themes that were useful for app design were identified from the interviews: (1) problems with patients’ diabetes self-management and (2) problems with current apps. Additionally, needs and suggestions for a diabetes app were obtained. CONCLUSIONS Patient-doctor communication is the most important function of a diabetes app. Apps should be integrated with HCPs rather than stand alone. We advocate that doctors follow up with their patients using diabetes app. Our user-centered method explored comprehensively and deeply why the effectiveness of current diabetes apps for T1DM was poor and what T1DM patients needed for a diabetes app, and provided meaningful guidance for app design.

scholarly journals Web-Based Health Coaching for Spinal Cord Injury: Results From a Mixed Methods Feasibility Evaluation (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya Allin ◽  
John Shepherd ◽  
Teri Thorson ◽  
Jennifer Tomasone ◽  
Sarah Munce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Secondary Conditions ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Before And After

BACKGROUND Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at high risk of experiencing secondary conditions like pressure injuries. Self-management programs may reduce the risk of complications, but traditional programs have proven to be insufficiently tailored to the needs of people with SCI. To overcome barriers to self-management support, a web-based, self-management program was developed for Canadians with SCI called <i>SCI &amp; U</i>. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential impact of the <i>SCI &amp; U</i> program in the context of a mixed methods pilot study. METHODS The study followed an explanatory, sequential mixed methods design. Participants (N=11) were Canadians with SCI who had been living in the community for more than 1 year. Each took part in a self-paced, six-session self-management program guided by a trained peer health coach. During sessions, participants could discuss a health topic with their coach from a predefined list (eg, skin or bowel management). Quantitative data were gathered before and after program participation to assess program feasibility and impact. Feasibility measures included attrition rates, frequency of topics selected, and recorded goals, whereas impact measures included measures of self-efficacy (University of Washington Self-Efficacy Scale [UW-SES]), mood (Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale [PHQ-8]), secondary conditions (Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale [SCI-SCS]), and resilience (Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Resilience Scale [SCI-QOL-R]). Qualitative measures were based on postintervention interviews; these were designed to confirm and expand on quantitative RESULTS Of the 11 participants, 10 completed pre- and postassessments, and 6 coaching sessions. Sessions lasted between 31 and 81 min (average 55, SD 13), and the duration of the program ranged from 35 to 88 days (average 56, SD 23). Diet and exercise were selected as topics 40% (20/50 sessions with topics) of the time, whereas topics such as mental health, bladder management, pain, and bowel management were chosen less frequently. Results gathered before and after the pilot study demonstrated improvements with moderate effect sizes on the UW-SES and the electronic health literacy scale (ie, Hedges g&gt;0.5). Effect sizes for measures of resilience (SCI-QOL-R), depression (PHQ-8), and secondary conditions (SCI-SCS) were small (ie, Hedges g&gt;0.3). Qualitative results confirmed a common focus on diet and exercise, and defined coaches as sources of accountability, information, reassurance and affirmation, and emotional and technical support. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrated that a web-based self-management program is feasible and acceptable by Canadians with SCI. Results also indicated a web-based, peer-led self-management program may impact resilience, self-efficacy, mood, and secondary complications. Finally, results illuminated the role of the coach in facilitating behavior change. Future work seeks to validate results in the context of a randomized controlled trial.

scholarly journals Web-Based Health Coaching for Spinal Cord Injury: Results From a Mixed Methods Feasibility Evaluation

10.2196/16351 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e16351
Author(s):  
Sonya Allin ◽  
John Shepherd ◽  
Teri Thorson ◽  
Jennifer Tomasone ◽  
Sarah Munce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Secondary Conditions ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Before And After

Background Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at high risk of experiencing secondary conditions like pressure injuries. Self-management programs may reduce the risk of complications, but traditional programs have proven to be insufficiently tailored to the needs of people with SCI. To overcome barriers to self-management support, a web-based, self-management program was developed for Canadians with SCI called SCI & U. Objective This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential impact of the SCI & U program in the context of a mixed methods pilot study. Methods The study followed an explanatory, sequential mixed methods design. Participants (N=11) were Canadians with SCI who had been living in the community for more than 1 year. Each took part in a self-paced, six-session self-management program guided by a trained peer health coach. During sessions, participants could discuss a health topic with their coach from a predefined list (eg, skin or bowel management). Quantitative data were gathered before and after program participation to assess program feasibility and impact. Feasibility measures included attrition rates, frequency of topics selected, and recorded goals, whereas impact measures included measures of self-efficacy (University of Washington Self-Efficacy Scale [UW-SES]), mood (Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale [PHQ-8]), secondary conditions (Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale [SCI-SCS]), and resilience (Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Resilience Scale [SCI-QOL-R]). Qualitative measures were based on postintervention interviews; these were designed to confirm and expand on quantitative Results Of the 11 participants, 10 completed pre- and postassessments, and 6 coaching sessions. Sessions lasted between 31 and 81 min (average 55, SD 13), and the duration of the program ranged from 35 to 88 days (average 56, SD 23). Diet and exercise were selected as topics 40% (20/50 sessions with topics) of the time, whereas topics such as mental health, bladder management, pain, and bowel management were chosen less frequently. Results gathered before and after the pilot study demonstrated improvements with moderate effect sizes on the UW-SES and the electronic health literacy scale (ie, Hedges g>0.5). Effect sizes for measures of resilience (SCI-QOL-R), depression (PHQ-8), and secondary conditions (SCI-SCS) were small (ie, Hedges g>0.3). Qualitative results confirmed a common focus on diet and exercise, and defined coaches as sources of accountability, information, reassurance and affirmation, and emotional and technical support. Conclusions Results demonstrated that a web-based self-management program is feasible and acceptable by Canadians with SCI. Results also indicated a web-based, peer-led self-management program may impact resilience, self-efficacy, mood, and secondary complications. Finally, results illuminated the role of the coach in facilitating behavior change. Future work seeks to validate results in the context of a randomized controlled trial.

scholarly journals Coping Skills Mobile App to Support the Emotional Well-Being of Young People During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Serlachius ◽  
Kiralee Schache ◽  
Anna Boggiss ◽  
David Lim ◽  
Kate Wallace-Boyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Web Based

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to increase anxiety and distress in young people worldwide. It is important to prioritize mental health during crisis events to mitigate the negative and often long-term effects of the crises on young people, families, and society. Mental health and well-being apps represent a scalable approach for improving psychological outcomes in young people and have potential to improve the equity of service access. OBJECTIVE The Whitu: 7 Ways in 7 Days well-being app was recently developed by our group to address the urgent need for innovative approaches to reach young New Zealanders who are struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is twofold: to evaluate the acceptability of the prototype app and to examine the effectiveness of the refined app at improving mental and emotional well-being and reducing depression, anxiety, and stress in young people in New Zealand. METHODS A two-phase mixed methods study will be undertaken to achieve these aims. During the first phase, 20 young people aged 16-30 years (including those of Māori and Pacific ethnicity) will participate in a qualitative study to help refine the prototype app. During the second phase, 90 young people aged 16-30 years will participate in a randomized waitlist-controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of the refined Whitu app at 4 weeks and 3 months after baseline. Outcomes will be evaluated using validated web-based questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks, and 3 months. RESULTS The study received ethics approval in May 2020, and recruitment for the focus groups commenced in June 2020. Recruitment for the RCT is expected to commence in October 2020. Participants for both study phases will be recruited via social media and web-based communities. Data collection for the RCT is expected to be completed by January 2021, and analyses are expected to be completed by March 2021. Linear mixed modelling will be used to determine between-group differences in psychological outcomes. CONCLUSIONS There is an urgent need to develop culturally appropriate, scalable mental health interventions to address the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we will develop and test an evidence-based well-being app that, if effective, can be made available to all young people in New Zealand and internationally. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000516987); https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=379597. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/23716

scholarly journals Acceptability and Usefulness of a Dyadic, Tailored, Web-Based, Psychosocial and Physical Activity Self-Management Program (TEMPO): A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 3284
Author(s):  
Sylvie D. Lambert ◽  
Lindsay Rosamond Duncan ◽  
Janet Ellis ◽  
Jamie Lynn Schaffler ◽  
Ekaterina Loban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Physical Symptom ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Web Based

Caregivers of men with prostate cancer report high burden, and there is a need to develop cost-effective programs to support them in their roles. This study reports on the acceptability of a dyadic, Tailored, wEb-based, psychosocial and physical activity (PA) self-Management PrOgram called TEMPO. TEMPO was accessed by a convenience sample of 19 men with prostate cancer and their caregivers (n = 18), as well as six health care professionals (HCPs). User feedback was gathered via semi-structured qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Most dyads were satisfied with TEMPO, particularly with the dyadic feature of TEMPO, the focus on goal setting to integrate self-management, and the extensive health library. The patients and caregivers motivated each other as they worked through TEMPO. Most goals to achieve during TEMPO pertained to increasing PA, followed by learning physical symptom management. One unanticipated benefit of TEMPO for the dyads was improved communication. HCPs agreed that TEMPO was a novel approach to online cancer self-management and they echoed the benefits reported by dyads. Key suggestions for improving TEMPO were to reduce repetition, tailor content, add more exercise ideas, and have more printing options. This study provides a strong foundation on which to plan a larger trial.

scholarly journals Locate your soundscape: interacting with the acoustic environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Orio ◽  
Berardina De Carolis ◽  
Francesco Liotard
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Initial Experiment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Entire Country ◽  
Interactive Map ◽  
Main Components ◽  
The City

AbstractAlthough overshadowed by visual information, sound plays a central role in how people perceive an environment. The effect of a landscape is enriched by its soundscape, that is, the stratification of all the acoustic sources that, often unconsciously, are heard. This paper presents a framework for archiving, browsing, and accessing soundscapes, either remotely or on-site. The framework is based on two main components: a web-based interface to upload and search the recordings of an acoustic environment, enriched by in- formation about geolocation, timing, and context of the recording; and a mobile app to browse and listen to the recordings, using an interactive map or GPS information. To populate the archive, we launched two crowdsourcing initiatives. An initial experiment examined the city of Padua’s soundscape through the participation of a group of undergraduate students. A broader experiment, which was proposed to all people in Italy, aimed at tracking how the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown was dramatically changing the soundscape of the entire country.

Management of e-resources in academic libraries in Ghana: Copyright implications

IFLA Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 034003522110271
Author(s):  
Theresa L Adu ◽  
Thomas B van der Walt
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Library Staff

This study investigated the copyright issues surrounding the management of e-resources in academic libraries in Ghana. Forty-seven library staff and head librarians from four academic libraries were engaged using questionnaires and qualitative interviews in a sequential mixed-methods approach to generate data for this study. The findings indicate that in all four institutions copyright issues arose with the provision of distance learning, online courses and e-reserves services. All the respondents stated that they or their colleagues had had faculty ask questions on copyright issues. However, the professional librarians indicated that the library was not consulted and the instructors for online courses or distance education programmes did not cooperate with librarians; rather, the department posting the materials made the decisions on copyright regarding the usage of digital resources for distance learning, online courses or e-reserves. This does not augur well for the management of copyright of e-resources in academic libraries in Ghana.

The Path to Adulthood: A Mixed-Methods Approach to the Exploration of the Experiences of Unaccompanied Minors in Portugal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Moleiro ◽  
Sandra Roberto
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Autobiographical Narratives ◽  
Unaccompanied Minors ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Age Of Majority ◽  
The Voice

Abstract Unaccompanied minors who reach the age of majority often experience this transition as a complex stage. Insecurity and helplessness may arise and, in some cases, survival without the support of the institutions and services that previously protected them as minors in the host country may mean becoming at risk for social exclusion. The objective of the present study was to characterize unaccompanied minors in Portugal (N = 67) and understand the processes of transition into the age of majority, using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews on autobiographical narratives) methodologies were used as a means of acknowledging the voice of minors/young adults in their trajectories and experiences. Two groups were included, with minors (in residential care) and youths who had already reached adulthood (living independently). Results illustrate diverse reasons for arrival in Portugal and distinct strengths and struggles in the integration experiences, with both positive and negative aspects being identified in the transition to autonomy.

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