scholarly journals Mobility and Participation of People With Disabilities Using Mobility Assistive Technologies: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Routhier ◽  
W Ben Mortenson ◽  
Louise Demers ◽  
Atiya Mahmood ◽  
Habib Chaudhury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Quebec City ◽  
Environmental Features ◽  
Research Ethics Board

BACKGROUND Many community-dwelling individuals living with a disability use mobility assistive technologies (MATs). MAT devices are generally beneficial for individuals with mobility impairments. However, less is known about the specific factors that may foster or deter mobility and community participation. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this protocol is to describe the methodology for a study including three main objectives: (1) to understand the places people using MAT go and the things they do, (2) to identify perceived barriers and facilitators as well as users’ desired environmental modifications, and (3) to understand subjective and objective issues related to environmental accessibility. METHODS A mixed-methods study was conducted in Vancouver and in Quebec City. Qualitative interviews were conducted to address all three objectives. In addition, Objective 1 was achieved through collection of global positioning system (GPS) data and activity diaries with 36 participants per site who represented six types of MAT users (ie, cane, walker, crutches, manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, and scooter). All participants were invited to take part in all aspects of data collection. PhotoVoice was used to address Objectives 2 and 3. Two environmental audits were used to address Objective 2. The Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhood (SWAN) measured perceptions related to a variety of community environmental features associated with mobility and participation. A total of 24 participants were recruited to each study site for SWAN data collection. The Measure of Environmental Accessibility (MEA) was also used to objectively measure access to exterior and interior environments selected earlier in the project by the participants that could benefit from improvements. RESULTS Funding for this study was obtained from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Approval was obtained from the University of British Columbia Research Ethics Board and the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale Research Ethics Board. Regarding the MEA evaluations, 19 locations (ie, buildings and exterior spaces) where obstacles have been identified by the participants of the PhotoVoice focus groups have been evaluated in Quebec City and 20 locations have been identified in the Vancouver region by the participants of the community forums. Data collection for this project was completed in December 2018. Analysis and writing of manuscripts are underway. CONCLUSIONS The use of a variety of methods to gather data on participation and mobility will allow a more holistic consideration of factors influencing mobility with a MAT device. This study will provide objective information about the mobility of participants and identify barriers and facilitators that impact their mobility and community participation. Through the mixed-methods approach employed in this study, we will gain a subjective evaluation of the participants’ neighborhoods, including personally meaningful information on environmental features that influence participants' everyday mobility and participation. We will also gain an objective evaluation of particular obstacles that community users of MAT identify as significant barriers to their ability to access public environments. We anticipate that these findings will help to identify a broad spectrum of solutions to improve the mobility and community participation of MAT users. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/12089

scholarly journals Problems in Coordinating and Accessing Primary Care for Attached and Unattached Patients Exacerbated During the COVID-19 Pandemic Year (the PUPPY Study): Protocol for a Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Gard Marshall ◽  
Mylaine Breton ◽  
Benoit Cossette ◽  
Jennifer Isenor ◽  
Maria Mathews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Research Ethics Board ◽  
Unattached Patients

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted primary care in Canada, with many walk-in clinics and family practices initially closing or being perceived as inaccessible; pharmacies remaining open with restrictions on patient interactions; rapid uptake of virtual care; and reduced referrals for lab tests, diagnostics, and specialist care. OBJECTIVE The PUPPY Study (Problems in Coordinating and Accessing Primary Care for Attached and Unattached Patients Exacerbated During the COVID-19 Pandemic Year) seeks to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the quadruple aims of primary care, with particular focus on the effects on patients without attachment to a regular provider and those with chronic health conditions. METHODS The PUPPY study builds on an existing research program exploring patients’ access and attachment to a primary care practice, pivoted to adapt to the emerging COVID-19 context. We intend to undertake a longitudinal mixed methods study to understand critical gaps in primary care access and coordination, as well as compare prepandemic and postpandemic data across 3 Canadian provinces (Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia). Multiple data sources will be used such as a policy review; qualitative interviews with primary care policymakers, providers (ie, family physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists), and patients (N=120); and medication prescriptions and health care billing data. RESULTS This study has received funding by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research COVID-19 Rapid Funding Opportunity Grant. Ethical approval to conduct this study was granted in Ontario (Queens Health Sciences & Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board, file 6028052; Western University Health Sciences Research Ethics Board, project 116591; University of Toronto Health Sciences Research Ethics Board, protocol 40335) in November 2020, Québec (Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Estrie, project 2020-3446) in December 2020, and Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia Health Research Ethics Board, file 1024979) in August 2020. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care systems, with particular focus on the issues of patient’s attachment and access to primary care. Through a multistakeholder, cross-jurisdictional approach, the findings of the PUPPY study will inform the strengthening of primary care during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as have implications for future policy and practice. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/29984

scholarly journals Involving High-Grade Glioma Patients and Their Carers in Qualitative Research to Promote Structured Physical Activity: A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692098213
Author(s):  
Ishrat Islam ◽  
Silvia Goss ◽  
Annmarie Nelson ◽  
Anthony Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
High Grade Glioma ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Ethical Approval

Introduction: Structured physical activity may improve physical, cognitive, and social functionality, as well as overall quality of life of people with high-grade glioma. Yet, engaging them in such activities remains highly challenging due to their unique disease burden and perceived “loss of control.” A greater understanding of patients’ interests, preferences, behavioral motivations, and perceived barriers around physical activity is needed to design tailored and patient-led physical activity interventions. This protocol describes the method and ethical considerations of a cross-sectional mixed-methods study that has been developed to collect such information from glioma patients and their carers. Methods and analysis: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ 7, short form) and semi-structured interviews will be used for data collection. IPAQ scoring protocol will be followed to examine objective data and Clarke and Braun’s thematic approach will be used to analyze the interview transcripts. Ethics: Ethical approval was obtained from Cardiff University’s Research Ethics Committee and from the regional NHS Research Ethics Committee. The main ethical concerns are to maintain patients’ safety and comfort and ensure that their consent remains informed and valid throughout the recruitment, data collection, management, and dissemination stage. Risks associated with their physical condition, emotional distress, and time commitment should be continuously assessed and necessary actions should be taken accordingly. Conclusion: The protocol will work as a step by step guide for future researchers for developing similar qualitative research and obtaining ethical approval when involving vulnerable individuals like high-grade glioma patients in studies.

scholarly journals A Mixed Methods Study on the Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity Associated with Residential Relocation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Grazia Salvo ◽  
Bonnie M. Lashewicz ◽  
Patricia K. Doyle-Baker ◽  
Gavin R. McCormack
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Residential Relocation ◽  
Quantitative Phase ◽  
Neighbourhood Walkability ◽  
Perceived Change ◽  
Leisure Physical Activity

Despite evidence suggesting that neighbourhood characteristics are associated with physical activity, very few mixed methods studies investigate how relocating neighbourhood, and subsequent changes in the built environment, influences physical activity. This sequential mixed methods study estimates associations between changes in overall physical activity and transportation walking and cycling and changes in objectively assessed neighbourhood walkability (quantitative phase) and describes perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity following residential relocation (qualitative phase). During the quantitative phase, self-reported changes in transportation walking, transportation cycling, and overall physical activity following residential relocation were measured using a 5-point scale: (1) a lot less now, (2) a little less now, (3) about the same, (4) a little more now, and (5) a lot more now. Walkability improvers reported a slight increase in transportation walking (mean = 3.29, standard deviation (SD) = 0.87), while walkability decliners reported little or no perceived change in their transportation walking after relocation (mean = 2.96, SD = 1.12). This difference approached statistical significance (p=0.053). Furthermore, walkability decliners reported a slight decrease in transportation cycling (mean = 2.69, SD = 0.96), while walkability improvers reported little or no perceived change in their transportation cycling after relocation (mean = 3.02, SD = 0.84). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Change in walkability resulting from relocation was not significantly associated with perceived change in overall physical activity. Our qualitative findings suggest that moving to a neighbourhood with safe paths connecting to nearby destinations can facilitate transportation walking and cycling. Some participants describe adjusting their leisure physical activity to compensate for changes in transportation walking and cycling. Strong contributors to neighbourhood leisure physical activity included the presence of aesthetic features and availability of recreational opportunities that allow for the creation of social connections with community and family.

scholarly journals Health and Access to Healthcare in Homeless People: Protocol for a Mixed-methods Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Bedmar Pérez ◽  
Miquel Bennasar-Veny ◽  
Berta Artigas Lelong ◽  
Francisca Salvà Mut ◽  
Joan Pou Bordoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Access To Healthcare ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Structural Factors

Abstract BackgroundHomelessness is a more complex problem than the simple lack of a place to live. Homeless people (HP) often suffer from poor health and premature death due to their limited access healthcare, and are also deprived of basic human and social rights. The study protocol described here aims to evaluate the complex relationship between homelessness and health, and identify the barriers and facilitators that impact access to healthcare by HP.MethodsThis is a mixed-methods study that uses an explanatory sequential design. The first phase will consist of a cross-sectional study of 300 HP. Specific health questionnaires will be used to obtain information on health status, challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, self-reported use of healthcare, diagnoses and pharmacologic treatments, substance abuse (DAST-10), diet quality (IASE), depression (PHQ-9), and human basic needs and social support (SSQ-6). The second phase will be a qualitative study of HP using the “life story” technique with purposive sampling. We will determine the effects of different personal, family, and structural factors on the life and health status of participants. The interviews will be structured and defined using Nussbaum's capability approach. DiscussionIt is well-known that HP experience poor health and premature death, but more information is needed about the influence of the different specific social determinants of these outcomes and about the barriers and facilitators that affect the access of HP to healthcare. The results of this mixed methods study will help to develop global health strategies that improve the health and access to healthcare in HP.

The Lady Knows the Recipe

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-38
Author(s):  
Alice Guilluy
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Feminist Research ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Feminist Methodology ◽  
Romantic Comedy ◽  
National Differences ◽  
Phd Thesis

This article outlines the methodology of my PhD thesis, which examined the reception of contemporary Hollywood romantic comedy in Britain, France and Germany. I underline the significant epistemological and methodological shift which took place over the course of four years, as my research went from a positivist mixed-methods study aiming to describe national differences in reception, to a constructivist and qualitative interrogation of the specific pleasures of romantic comedy viewing as manifested by a small group of participants. I conclude that whilst there is no single perfect feminist methodology, doing feminist research must include a degree of self-introspection at all stages of the research, from recruitment to data collection to analysis.

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