scholarly journals Tackling Complex Social Challenges within Neoliberal Constraints: The Context Shaping ‘Intellectual Quality of Life’ (iQoL) in a Canadian University Context

Societies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Huot ◽  
Jocelyn McKay ◽  
Skye Barbic ◽  
Alison Wylie ◽  
Dominique Weis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Intellectual Quality ◽  
Research Initiative

The contemporary academic environment in Canada has undergone reorganization based on neoliberal principles, and has increased attention focused on the importance of supporting interdisciplinary initiatives to address complex problems affecting global society. The purpose of our study was to examine the experience of people participating in a specific university-funded interdisciplinary research initiative. As there is a strong emphasis within this program on reporting on the outcomes of the funding that supports interdisciplinary collaboration, our aim was to explore how participation may shape one’s intellectual quality of life (iQoL) and how one’s iQoL could be conceptualized and understood. Using a pragmatic constructivist case study, focus group and individual interviews were undertaken with 30 participants involved with university-funded interdisciplinary research teams. Findings illustrate that their iQoL was shaped by their capacity to engage in and achieve what they viewed as their core work and its outcomes. Related sub-themes addressed the social and relational climate, institutional environment and structure, and expectations and resources. We argue that further development of iQoL as a unique construct is required to adequately measure the full range of people’s experiences in academia, particularly when aiming to address ‘wicked’ social and global problems within a predominantly neoliberal context.

scholarly journals Analysis of Medication Adherence and Its Influencing Factors in Patients with Schizophrenia in the Chinese Institutional Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4746
Author(s):  
Wei Yu ◽  
Jie Tong ◽  
Xirong Sun ◽  
Fazhan Chen ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale

Background: Factors related to medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia have always been key to the treatment and rehabilitation of these patients. However, the treatment modes in different countries are not the same, and there is no research on the factors influencing medication adherence under different mental health service modes. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore medication adherence and its influencing factors in patients with schizophrenia in the Chinese institutional environment. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of hospitalized persons living with schizophrenia from November 2018 to January 2019. A systematic sampling method was used to select 217 hospitalized persons living with schizophrenia. The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS), and Scale of Social Skills for Psychiatric Inpatients (SSPI) were used to explore medication compliance and its influencing factors in the Chinese institutional environment. Results: The descriptive analysis and ANOVA showed that there were no significant differences in medication adherence when assessed by demographic characteristics such as sex, marital status, and education level (p > 0.05). A correlation analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between medication adherence and mental symptoms (p > 0.05) but that there was a positive correlation with self-efficacy, quality of life, and activities of daily living (p < 0.01). The linear regression analysis showed that self-efficacy, psychosocial factors, symptoms/side effects, and activities of daily living had significant effects on medication adherence (F = 30.210, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings show that the self-efficacy, quality of life, and social function of patients with schizophrenia are important self-factors influencing medication adherence in the Chinese institutional environment.

Central perforated VRAM flap and neurostimulated levator augmentation for functional and aesthetical reconstruction after abdominoperineal excision in cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Silvia Bernuth ◽  
Michael Jakubietz ◽  
Christoph Isbert ◽  
Joachim Reibetanz ◽  
Rainer Meffert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Abdominoperineal Excision ◽  
Soft Tissue Coverage ◽  
Soft Tissue Reconstruction ◽  
Sphincter Function

BACKGROUND: Preservation of quality of life regarding fecal continence after abdominoperineal excision (APE) in cancer is challenging. Simultaneous soft tissue coverage and restoration of continence mechanism can be provided through an interdisciplinary collaboration of colorectal and plastic reconstructive surgery. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of surgical procedure and outcome combining soft tissue reconstruction using a central perforated vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (VRAM), implementing a perineostoma and restoring anorectal angle augmenting the levator ani by neurostimulated graciloplasty. METHODS: 14 Patients underwent APE due to cancer. In all patients coverage was achieved by pedicled VRAM and simultaneous pull-through descendostomy (perineostoma). 10 of those patients received a levator augmentation additionally. Postoperative complications, functional measures of continence as well as quality of life were obtained. RESULTS: Perineal minor complication rate was 43% without need of surgical intervention. All but one VRAM survived. Continence measures and disease specific life quality showed a good preservation of continence in most patients. CONCLUSION: The results present a complex therapy option accomplished by a collaboration of two highly specialized partners (visceral and plastic surgery) after total loss of the sphincter function and consecutive fecal insufficiency after APE.

scholarly journals Organizational and economic potential of rural areas: indicative approach to management

2019 ◽  
pp. 91-98
Author(s):  
Александр Семин ◽  
Aleksandr Semin ◽  
Т. Бухтиярова ◽  
T. Buhtiyarova ◽  
Юлия Немыкина ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rural Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Economy ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Economic Potential ◽  
State Management ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Low Efficiency

Abstract. Introduction. Analytical study of the current state of rural areas allows us to identify a number of socio-economic problems: the low efficiency of the implementation of modern mechanisms and methods of state management of rural development, the lack of necessary methods to assess the effectiveness of their development. These problems dramatically increase the need to find approaches that can ensure the development of rural areas, vectors of sustainable development of agricultural enterprises of various forms of management. Qualitative improvement of the organizational and economic potential of rural development is objectively necessary in the overall system of solving the problems of management of spatial development of territories, the quality of life of the population. The purpose is to systematize features, conditions of formation of organizational and economic potential for development of vectors of improvement of management of social and economic development of rural territories. To achieve this goal, a list of the following tasks is defined: a review of a set of scientific approaches; determination of the directions of realization of possibilities of indicative approach in an assessment of efficiency; the organizational and economic mechanism of management of potential of rural territory. Methods. The paper uses generally recognized research methods: monographic review of various sources, abstract and logical generalization, economic and statistical, regulatory processes of formation and implementation of organizational and economic potential of rural areas. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the formulation and solution of the question of the need to determine and assess the quality characteristics of the potential of rural areas through the use of tools and mechanisms of an indicative approach. Results. An important condition for the implementation of an effective policy of organizational and economic potential of rural areas is a system of strategic measures and proposals to improve the competitiveness of the rural economy, improve the quality of life in rural areas. Management of rural development is based on the principles of regulation, the interaction of potential elements with the institutional environment. Summary. The monographic review of the literature allowed to systematize measures to improve the level of socio-economic stability; development of strategic programs for the development of rural areas with the definition of indicators of economic growth, indicators of improving the quality of life of the population; evaluation of options and opportunities for the transition to a new socio - economic situation of rural areas.

scholarly journals The Correlation between Social Support and Quality of Life of Seniors without Cognitive Disorders from an Institutional Environment—A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Chruściel ◽  
Beata Dobrowolska
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Nature

The aim of this study was to confirm the correlation between social support and the quality of life of seniors who live without cognitive disorders, but are living in an institutional environment. The measurement of variables was based on a cross-sectional survey method. A representative sample of 957 seniors participated in the survey. The study covered public nursing homes (NHs) and residential care homes (RCHs) selected for the study by stratified sampling. The results confirmed a linear correlation between social support and the quality of life of seniors (p < 0.001). It was also confirmed that there were differences in the range of studied variables depending on the type of institution (NH versus RCH; p < 0.001). Social support is a significant component, and at the same time, a modifier of the perception of the quality of life for older people. Its variable level determines the subjective assessment of functioning in particular domains of quality of life. RCH as an institution of a social nature satisfies the needs for support at a higher level than NH, which translates into a better perception of older people’s quality of life.

scholarly journals Correction to: Advancing interdisciplinary research in head and neck cancer through a multicenter longitudinal prospective cohort study: the NETherlands QUality of life and BIomedical Cohort (NET-QUBIC) data warehouse and biobank

BMC Cancer ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. M. Verdonck-de Leeuw ◽  
F. Jansen ◽  
R. H. Brakenhoff ◽  
J. A. Langendijk ◽  
R. Takes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Data Warehouse ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Prospective Cohort

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported the name of R.J. Baatenburg de Jong was incorrectly tagged in the HTML version of the article.

Paradox of Prescribing Late Chemotherapy: Oncologists Explain

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. e1006-e1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minnie Bluhm ◽  
Cathleen M. Connell ◽  
Raymond G. De Vries ◽  
Nancy K. Janz ◽  
Kathleen E. Bickel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Clinical Factors ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Supportive Interventions ◽  
Nuanced Understanding

Purpose: The value of chemotherapy for patients with cancer in the last weeks of life warrants examination. Late chemotherapy may not improve survival or quality of life but typically precludes hospice enrollment and may result in additional symptoms, increased use of other aggressive treatments, and worsening quality of life. Few studies have explored oncologists’ rationales for administering chemotherapy near death. This study examines the self-reported factors that influence oncologists’ decisions about late chemotherapy. Methods: In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 17 oncologists through a semistructured interview guide. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using conventional content analysis, a qualitative method that allows the detection and analysis of patterns in the data. Results: Clinical factors take priority in determining late chemotherapy decisions when clear treatment choices exist. When clinical factors are ambiguous, emotion becomes a highly salient influence. Oncologists view late chemotherapy to be patient driven and use it to palliate emotional distress and maintain patient hope even when physical benefit is unexpected. Oncologists experience unique and difficult challenges when caring for dying patients, including emotionally draining communication, overwhelming responsibility for life/death, limitations of oncology to heal, and prognostic uncertainty. These challenges are also eased by offering late chemotherapy. Conclusion: The findings reveal a nuanced understanding of why oncologists find it difficult to refuse chemotherapy treatment for patients near death. Optimal end-of-life treatment decisions require supportive interventions and system change, both of which must take into account the challenges oncologists face.

Using Photovoice to Explore Quality of Life Factors of Adults With Crouzon Syndrome

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly J. Wheeler ◽  
Jody O. Early
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
The United States ◽  
Crouzon Syndrome ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Phenomenological Studies

In the United States, one in 60,000 adults live with Crouzon Syndrome (CS) and facial malformations. Phenomenological studies about their lived experiences and quality of life are lacking. The purpose of this participatory action research study was to gain a richer understanding of the perceived biopsychosocial and socioecological factors that impact quality of life for adults living with CS using Photovoice. Another aim was to develop a conceptual framework of quality of life for those experiencing CS to enhance tailored health education and services. A purposeful sample of nine adults with CS were recruited from U.S. national surgery centers and support groups. Participants used photography to represent their experiences and participated in individual interviews and focus groups. Data were analyzed with the participants using thematic analysis, and 44 themes emerged which informed the development of a quality of life conceptual framework and action plan described in this article.

scholarly journals Quality of Life and Burnout in Paediatric Dentists: No Cause For Alarm?

The Physician ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Ionov
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research

Poster presented at Forum for Interdisciplinary Research in Medicine, Science & Technology Conference, Moscow 2020 Peer reviewed by JS Bamrah, Ananthakrishnan Raghuraman, Soumit Dasgupta & Jyothi Srinivasan

Paradox and Polarities: Finding Common Ground and Moving Forward Together

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cliff Kayser ◽  
Margaret Seidler ◽  
Barry Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Organizational Systems ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
The Core

This chapter chronicles the experience of citizens and public officials in Charleston, South Carolina as they used the polarity approach to address complex and polarized human social challenges. This chapter will first introduce some of the core tenets of polarity theory and practice tools (the Polarity Map®, the five-step “Small” process, and the Polarity Approach for Continuity and Transformation (PACT) assessment) and then relate them contextually in the unfolding of Charleston’s story, which includes a broad range of challenges, which involved a devastating tragedy and its aftermath. The conclusion calls for leaders and organizational systems to broaden competency to supplement “or” thinking with “and” thinking to increase resilience, reduce polarization, and enhance the quality of life for all.

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