Personnel Interviewing Via Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing has many uses in education and management, and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service tried a new application of the technology

Communication Between Physicians and Physical Therapists

The purposes of this study were 1) to identify therapists\u27 and physicians\u27 attitudes and opinions about the physician-physical therapist communication dyad, 2) to identify potential areas for improvement in this communication process, and 3) to provide physical therapists and physical therapy students with basic guidelines for optimal communications. Ten physical therapists and 8 physicians participated in individual interviews that were taped and subsequently transcribed. The transcriptions were compiled and analyzed by an interpersonal communication expert (B.W.B.) for trends and themes. Findings of the study include 1) physical therapists want increased accessibility to and communication with physicians and 2) physicians want brief communication with clear objective data provided by the therapists. Basic guidelines developed for physical therapy students as a result of this study include 1) identify physicians with whom you can communicate most easily, 2) learn your physicians\u27 schedules, 3) organize beforehand so that communication is clear and concise, 4) be polite but self-assured, 5) ask your supervisor or other staff therapists for advice, and 6) use the telephone discriminately. This study emphasizes that communication with physicians must be approached on an individual basis. Each physician differs in personality, philosophy of patient care, and expectations of physical therapy. Therapists should take the initiative in developing good rapport and maintaining a viable relationship with physicians

Lost in transition: experiences following initial systemic anti-cancer treatment completion for haematological cancers in Wales, UK

The aim of this study was to explore Welsh adults’ experiences of the transition into survivorship from initial active systemic anti-cancer treatments for haematological cancers. An exploratory, qualitative descriptive study consisting of in-depth, face-to-face interviews was designed. A convenience sample of adults in Wales, UK, who had completed their initial systemic anti-cancer treatment for haematological cancer was recruited from one University Health Board. Data were generated in digitally recorded, individual, face-to-face interviews during 2017. Interviews were fully transcribed and analysed using a qualitative thematic approach. Seven people participated in interviews. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: encountering ambiguity, the pursuit of normality and navigating treatment completion. The transition from patient to survivor was characterised by trepidation and uncertainty. While participants sought to resume a sense of normality in their lives, they were beset by enduring treatment effects. They felt insufficiently prepared for these effects and were uncertain about the availability of the ongoing supportive care which met their individual needs. Participants articulated that they desired much more from haematology providers in preparing them for life beyond initial SACT

'We've just had to hit the ground running': Health professionals' experiences of cancer immunotherapy: A qualitative study

Background This paper reports early findings from a qualitative investigation of people’s experiences of cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer immunotherapy is transforming outcomes for some people affected by cancer. Clinical trials have found that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) demonstrate clinical benefit across various cancers. Several ICIs are now approved for a range of cancers and used across UK cancer centres. However, there is little research focused on UK healthcare professionals’ experiences of delivering and supporting people receiving ICI’s together with their associated education and training needs. Method This study sought to obtain in-depth insight into healthcare professionals’ experiences of caring for people receiving cancer immunotherapy and their associated education, training and support needs. NHS ethical approval was granted for the participating NHS sites. UK healthcare professionals (11 nurses, 3 doctors and 2 pharmacists) from oncology services, primary and secondary care (acute oncology) were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. In view of COVID-19 physical distancing requirements, digitally-recorded, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted between May and September 2020. Transcribed, anonymised data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive, thematic analysis. Results Data suggest healthcare professionals have variable educational and training needs relative to supportive care in cancer immunotherapy. The provision of immunotherapy care, particularly within oncology, is currently approached predominantly through the biomedical lens of toxicity management. Perspectives on holistic patient care, including psychological support, were limited. This disparity might be owing to ICI treatment as relatively novel compared with other anti-cancer treatments. Professionals considered ICIs as complex to manage, with significant efforts to establish a range of toxicities from both single-agent and combination ICI treatment ongoing, with many still considered unknown. Conclusion Further research should consider how healthcare professionals’ ongoing education and training needs for holistic supportive care can be best addressed. Impact statement This study seeks to make recommendations for ICI supportive care guidance development, cancer immunotherapy education materials for healthcare professionals, cancer policy and further research

Researchers’ experience with project management in health and medical research: Results from a post-project review

BackgroundProject management is widely used to deliver projects on time, within budget and of defined quality. However, there is little published information describing its use in managing health and medical research projects. We used project management in the Alcohol and Pregnancy Project (2006-2008) http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/alcoholandpregnancy and in this paper report researchers\u27 opinions on project management and whether it made a difference to the project.MethodsA national interdisciplinary group of 20 researchers, one of whom was the project manager, formed the Steering Committee for the project. We used project management to ensure project outputs and outcomes were achieved and all aspects of the project were planned, implemented, monitored and controlled. Sixteen of the researchers were asked to complete a self administered questionnaire for a post-project review.ResultsThe project was delivered according to the project protocol within the allocated budget and time frame. Fifteen researchers (93.8%) completed a questionnaire. They reported that project management increased the effectiveness of the project, communication, teamwork, and application of the interdisciplinary group of researchers\u27 expertise. They would recommend this type of project management for future projects.ConclusionsOur post-project review showed that researchers comprehensively endorsed project management in the Alcohol and Pregnancy Project and agreed that project management had contributed substantially to the research. In future, we will project manage new projects and conduct post-project reviews. The results will be used to encourage continuous learning and continuous improvement of project management, and provide greater transparency and accountability of health and medical research. The use of project management can benefit both management and scientific outcomes of health and medical research projects

Messages that increase women\u27s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy: results from quantitative testing of advertising concepts

BackgroundPublic awareness-raising campaigns targeting alcohol use during pregnancy are an important part of preventing prenatal alcohol exposure and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Despite this, there is little evidence on what specific elements contribute to campaign message effectiveness. This research evaluated three different advertising concepts addressing alcohol and pregnancy: a threat appeal, a positive appeal promoting a self-efficacy message, and a concept that combined the two appeals. The primary aim was to determine the effectiveness of these concepts in increasing women’s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.MethodsWomen of childbearing age and pregnant women residing in Perth, Western Australia participated in a computer-based questionnaire where they viewed either a control or one of the three experimental concepts. Following exposure, participants’ intentions to abstain from and reduce alcohol intake during pregnancy were measured. Other measures assessed included perceived main message, message diagnostics, and potential to promote defensive responses or unintended consequences.ResultsThe concepts containing a threat appeal were significantly more effective at increasing women’s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy than the self-efficacy message and the control. The concept that combined threat and self-efficacy is recommended for development as part of a mass-media campaign as it has good persuasive potential, provides a balance of positive and negative emotional responses, and is unlikely to result in defensive or unintended consequences.ConclusionsThis study provides important insights into the components that enhance the persuasiveness and effectiveness of messages aimed at preventing prenatal alcohol exposure. The recommended concept has good potential for use in a future campaign aimed at promoting women’s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy

Attitudes and behaviour predict women\u27s intention to drink alcohol during pregnancy: The challenge for health professionals

Background: To explore women’s alcohol consumption in pregnancy, and potential predictors of alcohol consumption in pregnancy including: demographic characteristics; and women’s knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol consumption in pregnancy and its effects on the fetus. Methods: We conducted a national cross-sectional survey via computer assisted telephone interview of 1103 Australian women aged 18 to 45 years. Participants were randomly selected from the Electronic White Pages. Pregnant women were not eligible to participate. Quotas were set for age groups and a minimum of 100 participants per state to ensure a national sample reflecting the population. The questionnaire was based on a Health Canada survey with additional questions constructed by the investigators. Descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations of alcohol consumption in pregnancy with participants’ characteristics, knowledge and attitudes. Results: The majority of women (89.4%) had consumed alcohol in the last 12 months. During their last pregnancy (n = 700), 34.1% drank alcohol. When asked what they would do if planning a pregnancy (n = 1103), 31.6% said they would consume alcohol and 4.8% would smoke. Intention to consume alcohol in a future pregnancy was associated with: alcohol use in the last pregnancy (adjusted OR (aOR) 43.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 27.0 to 71.4); neutral or positive attitudes towards alcohol use in pregnancy (aOR 5.1; 95% CI 3.6 to 7.1); intention to smoke in a future pregnancy (aOR 4.7; 95% CI 2.5 to 9.0); and more frequent and higher current alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Women’s past pregnancy and current drinking behaviour, and attitudes to alcohol use in pregnancy were the strongest predictors of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Targeted interventions for women at higher risk of alcohol consumption in pregnancy are needed to change women’s risk perception and behaviour

Messages that increase women\u27s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy: Results from quantitative testing of advertising concepts

Background: Public awareness-raising campaigns targeting alcohol use during pregnancy are an important part of preventing prenatal alcohol exposure and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Despite this, there is little evidence on what specific elements contribute to campaign message effectiveness. This research evaluated three different advertising concepts addressing alcohol and pregnancy: a threat appeal, a positive appeal promoting a self-efficacy message, and a concept that combined the two appeals. The primary aim was to determine the effectiveness of these concepts in increasing women\u27s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. Methods. Women of childbearing age and pregnant women residing in Perth, Western Australia participated in a computer-based questionnaire where they viewed either a control or one of the three experimental concepts. Following exposure, participants\u27 intentions to abstain from and reduce alcohol intake during pregnancy were measured. Other measures assessed included perceived main message, message diagnostics, and potential to promote defensive responses or unintended consequences. Results: The concepts containing a threat appeal were significantly more effective at increasing women\u27s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy than the self-efficacy message and the control. The concept that combined threat and self-efficacy is recommended for development as part of a mass-media campaign as it has good persuasive potential, provides a balance of positive and negative emotional responses, and is unlikely to result in defensive or unintended consequences. Conclusions: This study provides important insights into the components that enhance the persuasiveness and effectiveness of messages aimed at preventing prenatal alcohol exposure. The recommended concept has good potential for use in a future campaign aimed at promoting women\u27s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy