Improving healthcare for people with learning disabilities, autism or both: A co-produced research project

Study title: Improving healthcare for people with learning disabilities, autism or both: A co-produced research project. Research aims: To identify the barriers and facilitators that people with learning disabilities and/or autism experience in accessing and or using healthcare for their general health. Methods: Group discussions involving 23 people with learning disabilities and / or autism, supported by their carers, were held in January 2019

Two Sports, Two Systems, One Goal: A Comparative Study of Concussion Policies and Practices of the Australian Football League and Hockey Canada

Concussion in sport is today regarded as both a public health issue and high profile injury concern in many contact and collision sports. This paper undertakes a comparative review of the current policies and practices of two high profile national sporting organisations of such sports—the Australian Football League (AFL) and Hockey Canada (HC)—in governing the issue as a regulatory concern. By examining the policies and practices of the AFL and HC, this study aims to identify common themes, divergent practices, and nuanced sport-specific approaches to develop understandings on the regulation and governance of this high profile sports injury. The paper aims to contribute to understanding concussion as a regulatory concern, while at the same time recognising the heterogeneity of sport and reinforcing nuanced understandings that align to specific social and cultural settings. We make recommendations based on regulatory and cultural legitimacy. The paper concludes that these NSOs are institutional actors with historical and cultural roots who assert regulatory legitimacy by steering and influencing behaviour and directing the regulatory agenda to manage and mitigate the harm associated with concussion

An exploration of lifestyle/obesity programmes for adults with intellectual disabilities through a realist lens: Impact of a ‘context, mechanism and outcome’ evaluation

Background Obesity is higher in people with intellectual disabilities. Aims There are two aims of this explorative paper. Firstly, using a realist lens, to go beyond ‘what works’ and examine the ‘context, mechanisms and outcomes’ (CMO) of lifestyle/obesity programmes for this population. Second, using a logic model framework to inform how these programmes could be implemented within practice. Method We explored six‐review papers and the individual lifestyle/obesity programmes that these papers reviewed using the CMO framework. Results There were few theoretically underpinned, multi‐component programmes that were effective in the short to long‐term and many failed to explore the ‘context and mechanisms’. We developed a logic model and engaged in two co‐production workshops to refine this model. Discussion Using a realist approach, programmes need to be underpinned by both individual and systems change theories, be multi‐component, have a closer understanding of the interplay of the ‘context and mechanisms’, and co‐designed using a logic model framework

Collaborative systems for enhancing the analysis of social surveys: the grid enabled specialist data environments

This paper describes a group of online services which are designed to support social survey research and the production of statistical results. The 'Grid Enabled Specialist Data Environment' (GESDE) services constitute three related systems which offer facilities to search for, extract and exploit supplementary data and metadata concerned with the measurement and operationalisation of survey variables. The services also offer users the opportunity to deposit and distribute their own supplementary data resources for the benefit of dissemination and replication of the details of their own analysis. The GESDE services focus upon three application areas: specialist data relating to the measurement of occupations; educational qualifications; and ethnicity (including nationality, language, religion, national identity). They identify information resources related to the operationalisation of variables which seek to measure each of these concepts - examples include coding frames, crosswalk and translation files, and standardisation and harmonisation recommendations. These resources constitute important supplementary data which can be usefully exploited in the analysis of survey data. The GESDE services work by collecting together as much of this supplementary data as possible, and making it searchable and retrievable to others. This paper discusses the current features of the GESDE services (which have been designed as part of a wider programme of ‘e-Science’ research in the UK), and considers ongoing challenges in providing effective support for variable-oriented statistical analysis in the social sciences

The tailoring and implementation of evidence-based multi-component weight management interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities who are obese: a whole systems approach

Adults with intellectual disabilities in the UK are more likely to be obese than their non-disabled peers and are at risk of experiencing serious medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. UK weight management guidance recommends multi-component weight management interventions, tailored for different population groups. The aim of this thesis was to explore how evidence-based multi-component weight management interventions can be tailored for adults with intellectual disabilities who are obese. The thesis comprised three phases. Phase One included an integrative review of evidence-based multi-component weight management interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities; an exploration of theories used to underpin weight management interventions for this population; and a mapping exercise to investigate the extent of weight management service provision for adults with, and without, intellectual disabilities. The review found emerging evidence to suggest that multi-component weight management interventions can be tailored and are effective for adults with intellectual disabilities. However, the review identified few studies (n=5) and none of the identified studies explored this population’s views and experiences of such interventions. Phase One also found gaps in underpinning theories and insufficient service provision for this population. Phase Two comprised three studies to explore participants’ views and experiences of the barriers and facilitators to weight management for adults with intellectual disabilities. These studies included a qualitative study involving interviews with 14 health care practitioners; a co-produced focus group qualitative study involving 19 adults with intellectual disabilities and 8 of their carers; and a survey involving 19 carers and support workers. Thematic analysis of participants’ responses highlighted their frustrations with several barriers including a lack of accessible healthy lifestyle information, a lack of resources, a lack of reasonable adjustments, inconsistencies in caring support, unmet training needs for carers and support workers, and socio-economic and environmental barriers. Facilitators included the provision of clear and accessible healthy lifestyle information, provision of resources, consistent caring support, reasonable adjustments, and training for carers, support workers and health care practitioners. Phase Three involved a synthesis of findings from Phases One and Two. The overall findings imply that it is inequitable support and barriers associated with complex systems-related issues, rather than poor lifestyle choices or a lack of motivation, which inhibits this population from managing their weight if they want to. A whole systems approach is needed to address the systems-related issues and barriers experienced by this population, rather than a sole reliance on non-evidence-based weight management interventions (such as diet-only or exercise-only interventions) focused primarily on individual behaviour change to achieve short-term weight loss. The thesis has implications for research, policy and practice. It presents a whole systems approach and a logic model outlining the types of systems-related activities needed at several levels to overcome identified barriers and to contribute to reductions in the inequities and inequalities experienced by adults with intellectual disabilities who want to manage their weight

Make Art Real

The Make Art Real project aims to introduce new audiences to the arts. It supports Theme II of VCU’s Quest for Distinction by promoting and fostering creative expression through innovative collaborations. The project involves displaying existing connections between art and non-art disciplines, as well as making new connections. These unusual pairings are then placed on exhibition through a lunch-time lecture series named “Unexpected_Connections,” which allow faculty, staff, and students to lead and participate in discussions about the reality of art. The lecture series is the first sustainable and reoccurring program to be held in the Depot building, a multidisciplinary facility which is intended to foster interdisciplinary collaborations. The targeted audience includes faculty, staff, students, and members of the greater VCU community