Semi-structured capture and display of telephone conversations

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1992.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-85).by Debby Hindus.M.S

Accessing elite nurses for research: reflections on the theoretical and practical issues of telephone interviewing

Elite groups are interesting as they frequently are powerful (in terms of position, knowledge and influence) and enjoy considerable authority. It is important, therefore, to involve them in research concerned with understanding social contexts and processes. This is particularly pertinent in healthcare, where considerable strategic development and change are features of everyday practice that may be guided or perceived as being guided, by elites. This paper evolved from a study investigating the availability and role of nurses whose remit involved leading nursing research and development within acute NHS Trusts in two health regions in Southern England. The study design included telephone interviews with Directors of Nursing Services during which time the researchers engaged in a reflective analysis of their experiences of conducting research with an `elite' group. Important issues identified were the role of gatekeepers, engagement with elites and the use of the telephone interview method in this context. The paper examines these issues and makes a case for involving executive nurses in further research. The paper also offers strategies to help researchers design and implement telephone interview studies successfully to maximise access to the views and experiences of `hard to reach groups', such as elites, while minimising the associated disruption

The Impact of Cognitive Functioning on Daily Occupations for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study

Background: Cognitive rehabilitation research in multiple sclerosis is ever-developing, but the impact of cognitive difficulties, seen in 40% to 80% of people, on daily occupations is not well known. The aim of this study is to explore the needs of people with MS who have self-reported cognitive deficits. Methods: An exploratory qualitative descriptive research design was used. Data was collected through semi-structured telephone interviews with the participants. Recordings were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results: Seven participants were recruited (mean age 47). Three themes were developed through associations found in the data. “Neglected symptom” reported the participants’ frustrations around the importance afforded to cognition by health care providers. “Impact on participation in daily occupations” described the everyday impacts of cognitive difficulties. “Adaptations and adjustments to continued participation” reported how the participants manage, despite their difficulties. Conclusion: The findings describe how cognitive difficulties affect individuals with multiple sclerosis and their occupations, as well as the dissatisfaction felt with the progress in and access to cognitive treatment and research. The results indicate the need for occupation-focused interventions in cognition for people with multiple sclerosis that address daily challenges

Disruptive Innovation: Enabling Practitioners to Tackle the "Innovators Dilemma" With Graphical Techniques - A Focus on Resource Allocation

This paper presents the findings of part of a 30 month investigation, conducted to better understand the persistent failure of management practitioners to fund potentially disruptive innovations. A Mode 2 case study strategy was employed. The iterative transfer of knowledge, between four industrial cases and academia, has successfully culminated in new academic understanding of disruptive innovation and guidance for practitioners. It was found that funding decisions are mainly constrained by mental not physical processes. Organisations wishing to pursue disruptive innovations can challenge psychological attachments to incrementalism, and overcome the funding barrier, with a holistic understanding delivered through graphical portfolio tools

Groupware design : principles, prototypes, and systems

Computers are valuable tools for a wide range of work tasks. A substantial limitation on their value, however, is the predominant focus on enhancing the work of individuals. This fails to account for the issues of collaboration that affect almost all work. Research into computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) aims to eliminate this deficiency, but the promise of computer systems for group work has not been met. This thesis presents four design principles that promote the development of successful groupware. The principles identify the particular problems encountered by groupware, and provide guidelines and strategies to avoid, overcome, or minimise their impact. Derived from several sources, the major influence on the principles development is an investigation into the relationship between factors affecting groupware failure. They are stimulated by observations of groupware use, and by design insights arising from the development of two groupware applications and their prototypes: Mona and TELEFREEK. Mona provides conversation-based email management. Several groupware applications allow similar functionality, but the design principles result in Mona using different mechanisms to achieve its user-support. TELEFREEK provides a platform for accessing computer-supported communication and collaboration facilities. It attends to the problems of initiating interaction, and supports an adaptable and extendible set of "social awareness" assistants. TELEFREEK offers a broader range of facilities than other groupware, and avoids the use of prohibitively high-bandwidth communication networks. TELEFREEK demonstrates that much can be achieved through current and widely accessible technology. Together, Mona and TELEFREEK forcefully demonstrate the use of the design principles, and substantiate the claim of their utility

Development and evaluation of a leaflet for concerned family members and friends: “It’s safe to talk about suicide”

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from SAGE Publications via the DOI in this record.Objectives: Significant others can play a key role in suicide prevention but little attention has been given to the resources they need in order to do so successfully. Based on previous qualitative research, and working in partnership with suicide prevention charities, we developed a simple educational leaflet to help family members and friends recognise and respond to a possible suicidal crisis. 15,000 copies were disseminated through a wide range of community agencies within one English local authority. This paper describes the development, distribution and evaluation of the leaflet. The aim of the evaluation was to assess: how the distribution strategy was working; whether the leaflet was regarded as useful and acceptable; how it was being used, and whether there were any concerns about its content. Design: Interview study Methods: We conducted two rounds of semi-structured telephone interviews with every agency on the distribution list, and in-depth qualitative interviews with a purposefully-selected sub-sample. Results: The leaflet was seen as filling an important gap. It was eagerly embraced by staff in frontline agencies, who either passed it on to clients, used it for their own personal/professional development and to support clients or colleagues, or used it as a teaching aid. No concerns were raised about its content. Conclusion: The findings reveal a deep-seated fear of talking about suicide among frontline staff. They were using the leaflet in ways we had not anticipated, demonstrating lateral thinking and a real commitment to suicide prevention in agencies that are not typically associated with it.Funding for all or part of this project was provided by The James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial Fund, The Horne Family Charitable Foundation, Devon County Council and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) CLAHRC for the South West Peninsula

An evaluation of the Sure Start Widnes Trailblazer pampering group

This project report discusses an evaluation of the pampering group of the Widnes Sure Start Widnes Trailblazer programme. The pampering group is a weekly service of health and beauty tratments to parents and parents-to-be, as well as informal advice from other parents and professionals about childbirth and child rearing in order to support parents during pregnancy and a baby's first year.The report was comissioned by Sure start Widnes Trailblazer and funded by Halton Borough Council