The Value of Integrating Interpretive Research Approaches in the Exposition of Healthcare Context

Aim. This paper discusses the use of a nested set of methodologies (dramaturgy, ethnomethodology and ethnography) to characterize and interpret the settings, practices and interactions inherent in the healthcare environment. The aim is to explain how a set of methodologies can help make sense of research data in the clinical setting. Background. Despite the recognition of the importance of the context of care there has been limited debate about the use and value of research methods and methodologies and how they can be best applied to the healthcare context. Discussion. Using dramaturgy the physical and social scene can clearly be established, to enable insight into 'how the scene is contrived'. The ethnomethodological approach assists in the examination of taken-for-granted assumptions inherent in the interactions between individuals in the 'scene', and the underlying 'shared' knowledge within interactions. 'Shared knowledge' identifies knowledge as a medium for communication. The use of ethnography ensures that social and cultural symbols, which are an integral component of how individuals collectively attribute meaning to places and events, become a significant part in the interpretation of interactions. Conclusion. The combination of these methods is advantageous in assisting qualitative researchers in the healthcare environment to 'make sense' of their complex field notes

Experiences of social exclusion among young deaf adults influencing their beliefs and perceptions of HIV/AIDS

This paper reports on a Master's study whose aim was to capture the beliefs and perceptions of young deaf adults about HIV/AIDS in the Cape Metropole and surrounding areas. The study utilised the explorative, contextual and qualitative descriptive study design. Purposive sampling was implemented and data were collected through focus groups and in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using content analysis. Ethical considerations were adhered to. The main findings of the study indicate that numerous myths and misperceptions about HIV/AIDS prevail among deaf people. This paper advocates for policymakers to include deaf people, particularly sign language users, in HIV-prevention programmes

A Study Of The Impact Of Discharge Information For Surgical Patients

AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish whether the routine information surgical patients receive about the management of pain and wound care during their hospitalization is sufficient for them to care for themselves without seeking assistance from a health professional or health care agency. BACKGROUND: While there has been considerable evidence suggesting cost benefits of discharge information the health care environment is constantly changing. Contemporary issues such as increased patient participation, extensive use of technology, reduction in health care expenditure, and greater awareness of consumer rights necessitate further inquiry into the appropriateness of discharge information. METHOD: One hundred and fifty-eight adult patients discharged within a week of their operation participated in the study. A written questionnaire was distributed within 24 hours prior to discharge and a telephone interview conducted 1 to 2 weeks after discharge. At the time of discharge the majority of patients had received information. FINDINGS: Those patients who had received information were less likely to access a health facility than those who had not received information. However, the telephone interview, revealed that there was no evidence that patients who believed they were well informed within 24 hours of discharge about the management of their wound, still felt well informed 1 to 2 weeks later. CONCLUSION: Nurses need to be aware that patients who leave the hospital with little or no discharge information may not be confident in the management of their health condition and therefore may access a health facility, if even just for reassurance

Project Home Evaluation: Final Report

Evaluates a New York State Department of Health-funded project to help nursing home patients move home or into community-based settings through discharge planning services, training, and education. Examines differentiating factors such as Medicaid status

Religiosity and music copyright theft among Canadian Baptist youth

This study examines the views of 706 Canadian Baptist youth (between the ages of 14 and 18 years) on the moral issue of music copyright theft, and explores the influence on these views of age, sex, Sunday church attendance, personal prayer, personal Bible reading, and conservative Bible believing. The participants were attending Springforth 2005 (a major Canadian Baptist Youth Conference). The data demonstrate a high level of acceptance of music copyright theft, with only 26% of the participants agreeing that downloading copyright music from the Internet without paying is always wrong. Employing multiple regression modelling, the data demonstrated that, as Canadian Baptist youth mature (grew older), as they became more familiar with Bible teaching (through frequent reading of the scriptures), and as they became more integrated within the community of faith (through frequent Sunday church attendance), so they take a tougher line against music copyright theft

The Effect Of Music On Preprocedure Anxiety In Hong Kong Chinese Day Patients

Aims and objectives. To identify the effect of music on preprocedure anxiety levels of Hong Kong Chinese patients undergoing day procedures in a local community based hospital. Design. Pre and post-test quasi experimental design with non-random assignment. Method. A total of 113 participants were assigned to the control group or intervention group depending on the day of their procedure. Participants' anxiety levels were measured objectively by comparing their vital signs and subjectively by the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Scale. Participants' physiological parameters (blood pressure, pulse and respiration) and State Trait Anxiety Scale were measured at two time periods. The control group undertook the usual relaxing activities provided in the waiting room compared with the intervention group who listened to music of their own choice in reclining chairs while waiting for the procedure. Results. The physiological parameters for both the control and intervention groups dropped significantly during the waiting period, however, only the intervention group had a significant reduction in reported anxiety levels. Conclusions. These results suggest that providing self-selected music to day procedure patients in the preprocedure period assists in the reduction of physiological parameters and anxiety, yet, a relaxing environment can assist in the reduction of physiological parameters. Relevance to clinical practice. The administration of self-selected music to day procedure patients in the preprocedure period can be effective in the reduction of physiological parameters and anxiety.C

Creating intentional environments for impromptu collaboration: Designing forms with affordances to support engagement and collaboration in the atrium of a higher education facility

The impact of a single object’s presence within a space can be immense. This fact alone, calls to mind the power and responsibility of designers as they influence the creation of these objects directly. The idea that the affordances of designed forms can create beneficial opportunities for interaction has inspired the method for designing intentional environments that is discussed in this paper and a larger research exploration: studying the ways in which the affordances of designed forms influence perceptions of and interactions with material landscapes in various contexts and at various scales. The designed forms found within the material landscapes of our lives create a network of objects and spaces. Environments that we repeatedly interact with have the potential to influence and shape our identities and overall wellbeing. The affordances of a single designed form within a material landscape have the potential to shift a visitor’s understanding of that space and inspire, or warn against, specific interactions. As creatures of habit, these affordances become particularly important in areas where people spend the most time; leading to our homes, workplaces, and learning environments having a drastic influence on our behaviors, decision-making, and socialization patterns. Fortunately, designed forms not only have the ability to create spaces, they can also adapt spaces -- transforming existing structures through a user-centered design process. This paper details the research and design development of a flexible workstation pod, designed to create an intentional environment that engages users in creative creation and collaboration through the use of affordances and symbolism. This product was designed as part of the re-imagination of the atrium of Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. This re-imagination project began as an interdisciplinary exploration of concepts to refresh the facility’s vast atrium space. From that research and ideation process a product opportunity and research method arose; utilizing an understanding of human cognition and perceptions of the affordances and symbolism of a designed form to create intentional spaces that shape opportunities within a building that is world renowned for advancement through collaboration

Smart Columbus Grid Modernization: AMI Innovation Adoption

Course Code: ENR/AEDE 4567Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is an integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management systems that enables two-way communication between utilities and customers. This technology is intended to improve efficiency, identify and respond to outages more efficiently, and better monitor and control the distribution system. The only way to see direct benefits of this technology is to engage with the new features it provides. This analysis highlights the strengths and weaknesses of AMI from the consumer perspective for marketing purposes for the City of Columbus as an extension of the Smart Columbus initiatives in order to capitalize on positive sustainable behavior change.Smart ColumbusColumbus Division of PowerAEP OhioAcademic Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainabilit

An Online Engagement Framework for Higher Education

Student engagement is understood to be an important benchmark and indicator of the quality of the student experience for higher education; yet the term engagement continues to be elusive to define and it is interpreted in different ways in the literature. This paper firstly presents a short review of the literature regarding online engagement in the higher education environment, moving beyond discipline-specific engagement. It then presents a conceptual framework which builds upon recurring themes within the literature, including students’ beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. The framework was developed by adopting a constant comparison method to analyse the literature, and to search for and identify current and emerging themes. The framework identifies indicators for five key elements of online engagement, and the authors propose that the framework provides a guide for researchers and academics when exploring online engagement from a conceptual, practical and research basis. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for practice, outlining how the framework might be used to reflect critically upon the effectiveness of online courses and their ability to engage students