Analysing audio-recorded data : using computer software applications

Conventional methods of qualitative data analysis require transcription of audio-recorded data prior to conduct of the coding and analysis process. In this paper Alison Hutchinson describes and illustrates an innovative method of data analysis that comprises the use of audio-editing software to save selected audio bytes from digital audio recordings of meetings. The use of a database to code and manage the linked audio files and generate detailed and summary reports, including reporting of code frequencies according to participant code and/or meeting, is also highlighted. The advantage of using this approach in the analysis of audio-recorded data is that the process may be undertaken in the medium in which the data were collected. Though time-consuming, this process negates the need for expensive and time intensive transcription of recorded data.<br /

How is patient safety understood by healthcare professionals? The case of Bhutan

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore how the term patient safety is understood by healthcare professionals (nurses, educators, doctors, ward managers, senior managers, and health assistants), all of whom are responsible for promoting the patient safety agenda in the Bhutanese healthcare system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Methods: The study was conducted as a naturalistic inquiry using qualitative exploratory descriptive inquiry. A purposeful sample of 94 healthcare professionals and managers was recruited from three different hospitals, a training institute, and the Ministry of Health. Data were collected via in-depth individual interviews. All data were subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis strategies. &nbsp;Results: Data analysis revealed variation in the understanding of patient safety among healthcare professionals. Although most participants understood patient safety as fundamentally concerning &ldquo;doing no harm&rdquo; or &ldquo;reducing the risk of harm or injuries&rdquo; to patients, some understood patient safety as simply having sturdy infrastructure/buildings with sufficient space to manage public health emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, and epidemics. Some confused patient safety with quality of care and patient rights. &nbsp;Conclusions: Inadequate understanding of the term patient safety has potential to hinder improvement of patient safety processes and practices in the Bhutanese healthcare system. To improve patient safety in Bhutan&rsquo;s healthcare system, patient safety training and education need to be provided to all categories of healthcare professionals.</div

Differentiating captive and wild African lion (Panthera leo) populations in South Africa, using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis

The international trade in lion (Panthera leo) products, particularly bone, has increased substantially over the last decade. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has established a zero-export quota for wild- origin lion bones. Whilst the trade of lion bone is permittable from captive-bred South African populations, there is no established method to differentiate between captive and wild-sourced lion derivatives in trade. This study acts as a preliminary investigation, by examining the stable carbon (d13C) and nitrogen (d15N) isotope composition of hair from wild and captive lion populations as well as wild prey animals in South Africa, to judge the accuracy and applicability of this method for future bone analysis. Isotopic values for d15N are found to be significantly enriched in some wild populations, however it is not possible to discriminate between captive and wild populations using d13C analysis alone. Using the classification algorithm k-Nearest Neighbour, the origin of simulated data was identified with 70% accuracy. When using the model to test the origin of seized samples, 63% were classified as of wild origin. Our study indicates the potential for stable isotope analysis to discriminate between captive and wild populations. Additional study of captive husbandry, and analysis of bone samples from populations of a known origin and feeding regime is recommended to improve the utility of this method for maintaining transparency in trade

An Exploration of the Gross National Happiness Approach to Assure Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality in Bhutan

Although the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH) are currently being used as the overall framework for Bhutan’s development programs (including healthcare services), little is known about how Bhutanese healthcare professionals perceive the relationship between GNH and patient safety or how the GNH principles could help in improving patient safety in Bhutan’s healthcare system. The aim of this study was to explore how Bhutanese healthcare professionals, educators, managers, and policy makers perceive the relationship between GNH and patient safety and what they believe should be done to improve patient safety in Bhutan. A qualitative exploratory descriptive study using in-depth interviews was undertaken. All audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content and thematic analysis strategies. Four major themes were identified: patient safety being important for GNH; incorporating the concept of GNH in healthcare; adopting the GNH values, whereby everyone believes that “someone’s happiness would be our happiness”; and educating healthcare professionals about GNH. Incorporation of the concept of GNH in healthcare could help transform the attitudes and behaviors of healthcare professionals toward patient care by producing a “Bhutanized” doctors and healthcare professionals and creating a Bhutanized healthcare system

Global scoping of wildlife crime offences, penalties, and statistics

At a time of escalating biodiversity and climate crises, there is an urgent need to effectively respond to harms and crimes toward wildlife and the environment. This study gathers information for a global scoping analysis of wildlife offences and penalties, and of the availability of crime statistics. This is a starting point for assessing the effectiveness of mainstream criminal justice responses (fines and prison) to wildlife crime and a baseline for comparing restorative justice as an alternative approach. &nbsp;We examine 1,256 pieces of legislation from 185 countries to assess the scope of wildlife-related offences and their corresponding penalties. The analysis shows that penalties are highly varied around the globe, although fines and imprisonment are the predominant response. What counts as a wildlife offence is highly variable across wildlife, forestry, fisheries, and environmental legislation. This also makes for differences in the way government departments identify and prosecute wildlife offences. To display the complexity of the data we introduce a publicly available dashboard and database detailing offence types and penalties, including restorative and non-custodial actions. We then make a rapid assessment of the availability of official sources of wildlife crime statistics, highlighting how very few countries make this information publicly available. This limits our ability to assess whether wildlife offences are being sanctioned as the law requires and whether enforcement reduces re-offending. To make wildlife crime prevention and disruption strategies more effective, better data on wildlife law enforcement and its long-term impacts are urgently needed

Quality care outcomes following transitional care interventions for older people from hospital to home: a systematic review

&nbsp;BackgroundProvision of high quality transitional care is a challenge for health care providers in many western countries. This systematic review was conducted to (1) identify and synthesise research, using randomised control trial designs, on the quality of transitional care interventions compared with standard hospital discharge for older people with chronic illnesses, and (2) make recommendations for research and practice.MethodsEight databases were searched; CINAHL, Psychinfo, Medline, Proquest, Academic Search Complete, Masterfile Premier, SocIndex, Humanities and Social Sciences Collection, in addition to the Cochrane Collaboration, Joanna Briggs Institute and Google Scholar. Results were screened to identify peer reviewed journal articles reporting analysis of quality indicator outcomes in relation to a transitional care intervention involving discharge care in hospital and follow-up support in the home. Studies were limited to those published between January 1990 and May 2013. Study participants included people 60 years of age or older living in their own homes who were undergoing care transitions from hospital to home. Data relating to study characteristics and research findings were extracted from the included articles. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for risk of bias.ResultsTwelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Transitional care interventions reported in most studies reduced re-hospitalizations, with the exception of general practitioner and primary care nurse models. All 12 studies included outcome measures of re-hospitalization and length of stay indicating a quality focus on effectiveness, efficiency, and safety/risk. Patient satisfaction was assessed in six of the 12 studies and was mostly found to be high. Other outcomes reflecting person and family centred care were limited including those pertaining to the patient and carer experience, carer burden and support, and emotional support for older people and their carers. Limited outcome measures were reported reflecting timeliness, equity, efficiencies for community providers, and symptom management.ConclusionsGaps in the evidence base were apparent in the quality domains of timeliness, equity, efficiencies for community providers, effectiveness/symptom management, and domains of person and family centred care. Further research that involves the person and their family/caregiver in transitional care interventions is needed

Delivering education reform in Wales: a flexible route into teaching

This discussion paper explores the development and implementation of a new flexible route into the teaching profession. This flexible route is offered within an education system in the midst of wide reform, which has partnership working between universities and schools at the centre of its Initial Teacher Education. Key elements of the new programme examined include how student teachers acquire the knowledge they need, with interconnectivity, immersive practice and blended learning of significance. This case study illustrates the importance of flexibility in the development of the student teacher’s personal construct and communities of practice. The programme’s adaptive learner-centred approach is delivering an alternative, flexible route into the teaching profession, broadening the experience base of the future teaching workforce and beginning to successfully address key government policy drivers