An Adaptive Superintendent Induction Program

This study examined a recently established induction program for new superintendents in the Canadian province of Alberta over a three-year period. In keeping with principles of design-based research data were collected from a variety of sources from the 26 new superintendents and their 25 mentors to assess and adjust programming through three design research cycles. Data from surveys, focus groups, interviews, participant observations and participant reflections were analyzed at the end of each year, and the findings were used to adapt the next program iteration. Results from the study indicate that the transitions of educational leaders into new positions as superintendents are more likely to be successful though access to quality induction programs that feature the following five program components: (1) standards based design, (2) orientation, (3) trained mentorship, (4) like-group support, and (5) large-group support. Further, this research supports the development of such induction programs through reciprocal change processes characterized by informed design, dialogic adoption, implementation as learning, and meaningful outcomes

Predicting the onset and persistence of episodes of depression in primary health care. The predictD-Spain study: Methodology

Background: The effects of putative risk factors on the onset and/or persistence of depression remain unclear. We aim to develop comprehensive models to predict the onset and persistence of episodes of depression in primary care. Here we explain the general methodology of the predictD-Spain study and evaluate the reliability of the questionnaires used. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. A systematic random sample of general practice attendees aged 18 to 75 has been recruited in seven Spanish provinces. Depression is being measured with the CIDI at baseline, and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. A set of individual, environmental, genetic, professional and organizational risk factors are to be assessed at each follow-up point. In a separate reliability study, a proportional random sample of 401 participants completed the test-retest (251 researcher-administered and 150 self-administered) between October 2005 and February 2006. We have also checked 118,398 items for data entry from a random sample of 480 patients stratified by province. Results: All items and questionnaires had good test-retest reliability for both methods of administration, except for the use of recreational drugs over the previous six months. Cronbach's alphas were good and their factorial analyses coherent for the three scales evaluated (social support from family and friends, dissatisfaction with paid work, and dissatisfaction with unpaid work). There were 191 (0.16%) data entry errors. Conclusion: The items and questionnaires were reliable and data quality control was excellent. When we eventually obtain our risk index for the onset and persistence of depression, we will be able to determine the individual risk of each patient evaluated in primary health care.The research in Spain was funded by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (grant FIS references: PI04/1980, PI0/41771, PI04/2450, and PI06/1442), Andalusian Council of Health (grant references: 05/403, 06/278 and 08/0194), and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (grant reference SAF 2006/07192). The Malaga sample, as part of the predictD-International study, was also funded by a grant from The European Commission (reference QL4-CT2002-00683)

TYTÖSTÄ NAISEKSI JA POJASTA MIEHEKSI : Produktio murrosiän muutoksista 4. – luokkalaisille

Mpaka-Nsenga, Paulette; Pasanen, Hanna & Pellinen Julia. Tytöstä naiseksi ja Pojasta mieheksi produktio. Helsinki, kevät 2010. 52 s., 2 liitettä. Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu, Diak Etelä, Helsinki, Terveysalan koulutus-ohjelma, terveydenhoitaja (AMK). Opinnäytetyömme oli produktio, joka kuului Koulu lapsen hyvinvointia tukemassa -hankkeeseen, osana valtakunnallista Ääni Lapselle 2009–2011 kehittämishanketta. Koulu lapsen hyvinvointia tukemassa -hankkeen tavoitteena oli nuoren psykososiaalisen terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin tukeminen. Produktiomme tavoitteena oli nuoren psyykkisen, fyysisen ja sosiaalisen kasvun terveyden edistäminen sekä suvaitsevaisuuden edistäminen luokkayhteisössä. Tavoite oli saada nuoret ymmärtämään eri kasvu- ja kehitysvaiheessa olevia luokkayhteisön jäseniään. Produktio Tytöstä naiseksi ja Pojasta mieheksi käsitti murrosiästä kertovan esitteen laatimisen sekä toiminnallisen terveystunnin nuoren fyysisestä ja psykososiaalisesta kehityksestä Helsingin Mellunmäen ala-asteen 4.-luokan oppilaille. Työn aihe tuli oppilaiden luokanopettajalta. Produktion tuotoksen, murrosiän tuomista muutoksista kertovan esitteen, laadimme terveystunnilla käsiteltyjen teemojen pohjalta sekä oppilaspalautteista esille tulleiden kehittämisideoiden pohjalta. Yhteiseen vuorovaikutukseen painottuva terveystunti pidettiin Mellunmäen ala-asteella 25.3.2010. Yhteistyökumppaneina toimi Mellunmäen ala-asteen terveydenhoitaja ja oppilaiden luokanopettaja. Työn aikataulu oli tiukka meistä riippumattomista syistä. Tästä johtuen kirjallisen työn työstämiseen aikaa jäi niukasti. Koimme silti onnistuneemme vastaamaan sekä työn tilaajan että oppilaiden tarpeisiin. Erityisen tyytyväisiä olimme toiminnallisen terveystunnin antiin, jossa pääsimme oppilaiden kanssa avoimeen vuorovaikutukseen sekä saamaamme hyvään palautteeseen

Instructional leadership and the impact on student achievement

Bibliography: p. 201-21

Approaching Etuaptmumk - introducing a consensusbased mixed method for health services research

With the recognized need for health systems’ improvements in the circumpolar and indigenous context, there has been a call to expand the research agenda across all sectors influencing wellness and to recognize academic and indigenous knowledge through the research process. Despite being recognized as a distinct body of knowledge in international forums and across indigenous groups, examples of methods and theories based on indigenous knowledge are not well documented in academic texts or peer-reviewed literature on health systems. This paper describes the use of a consensus-based, mixed method with indigenous knowledge by an experienced group of researchers and indigenous knowledge holders who collaborated on a study that explored indigenous values underlying health systems stewardship. The method is built on the principles of Etuaptmumk or two-eyed seeing, which aim to respond to and resolve the inherent conflicts between indigenous ways of knowing and the scientific inquiry that informs the evidence base in health care. Mixed methods’ frameworks appear to provide a framing suitable for research questions that require data from indigenous knowledge sources and western knowledge. The nominal consensus method, as a western paradigm, was found to be responsive to embedding of indigenous knowledge and allowed space to express multiple perspectives and reach consensus on the question at hand. Further utilization and critical evaluation of this mixed methodology with indigenous knowledge are require

Indigenous Values and Health Systems Stewardship in Circumpolar Countries

Circumpolar regions, and the nations within which they reside, have recently gained international attention because of shared and pressing public policy issues such as climate change, resource development, endangered wildlife and sovereignty disputes. In a call for national and circumpolar action on shared areas of concern, the Arctic states health ministers recently met and signed a declaration that identified shared priorities for international cooperation. Among the areas for collaboration raised, the declaration highlighted the importance of enhancing intercultural understanding, promoting culturally appropriate health care delivery and strengthening circumpolar collaboration in culturally appropriate health care delivery. This paper responds to the opportunity for further study to fully understand indigenous values and contexts, and presents these as they may apply to a framework that will support international comparisons and systems improvements within circumpolar regions. We explored the value base of indigenous peoples and provide considerations on how these values might interface with national values, health systems values and value bases between indigenous nations particularly in the context of health system policy-making that is inevitably shared between indigenous communities and jurisdictional or federal governments. Through a mixed methods nominal consensus process, nine values were identified and described: humanity, cultural responsiveness, teaching, nourishment, community voice, kinship, respect, holism and empowerment

Indigenous Values and Health Systems Stewardship in Circumpolar Countries

Circumpolar regions, and the nations within which they reside, have recently gained international attention because of shared and pressing public policy issues such as climate change, resource development, endangered wildlife and sovereignty disputes. In a call for national and circumpolar action on shared areas of concern, the Arctic states health ministers recently met and signed a declaration that identified shared priorities for international cooperation. Among the areas for collaboration raised, the declaration highlighted the importance of enhancing intercultural understanding, promoting culturally appropriate health care delivery and strengthening circumpolar collaboration in culturally appropriate health care delivery. This paper responds to the opportunity for further study to fully understand indigenous values and contexts, and presents these as they may apply to a framework that will support international comparisons and systems improvements within circumpolar regions. We explored the value base of indigenous peoples and provide considerations on how these values might interface with national values, health systems values and value bases between indigenous nations particularly in the context of health system policy-making that is inevitably shared between indigenous communities and jurisdictional or federal governments. Through a mixed methods nominal consensus process, nine values were identified and described: humanity, cultural responsiveness, teaching, nourishment, community voice, kinship, respect, holism and empowerment