Applied Health Services Research as a Framework for Patient-Oriented Research: A Suggested Framework for Health Care Researchers

Engaging the general population in the research process provides new visions that may lead to innovations and research that are relevant to patients. Many developed countries like Canada are working toward engaging the population in healthcare research to achieve outcomes pertaining to enhanced accountability, transparency, and population empowerment in research. For example, Canada created Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) (Canadian Institute of Health Research [CIHR], 2011) to empower the patient's role in health research and the healthcare system.  However, there appears to be a gap in the literature because few studies or reports could be found on how applied health services research might be used as a framework for patient-oriented research. The aims of these authors in this paper are to (1) discuss how the applied health services research (AHSR) can be used as a framework for patient-oriented research (POR); and (2) describe salient challenges and potential outcomes that may result from implementing applied health research as a framework for patient-oriented research. This is a multidimensional framework for patient engagement using AHSR as a framework for POR as they have shared crossover research aspects between them. Conducting POR at different levels of AHSR reduces the gap between health research and practice, and empower patients to be responsible for their own health and health services (Gooberman-Hill et al., 2013). The multidisciplinary nature of AHSR and POR may face challenges related to research interests, patients, patient involvement, environmental/ organizational regulations and policies, and research culture

Philosophical Roots of Classical Grounded Theory: Its Foundations in Symbolic Interactionism

Although many researchers have discussed the historical relationship between the Grounded Theory methodology and Symbolic Interactionism, they have not clearly articulated the congruency of their salient concepts and assumptions. The purpose of this paper is to provide a thorough discussion of this congruency. A hypothetical example about smoking among college students is included in this paper to illustrate this relationship. This paper will be useful for qualitative researchers who seek a fuller understanding of how the assumptions and concepts provided by Symbolic Interactionism can inform the researcher who adopts a Grounded Theory methodology to investigate human behaviour. The relevance of this congruency for nursing researchers is discussed

Data Saturation: The Mysterious Step In Grounded Theory Method

The aim of this paper is to provide a discussion that is broad in both depth and breadth, about the concept of data saturation in Grounded Theory. It is expected that this knowledge will provide a helpful resource for (a) the novice researcher using a Grounded Theory approach, or for (b) graduate students currently enrolled in a qualitative research course, and for (c) instructors who teach or supervise qualitative research projects. The following topics are discussed in this paper: (1) definition of data saturation in Grounded Theory (GT); (2) factors pertaining to data saturation; (3) factors that hinder data saturation; (4) the relationship between theoretical sampling and data saturation; (5) the relationship between constant comparative and data saturation; and (6) illustrative examples of strategies used during data collection to maximize the components of rigor that Yonge and Stewin (1988) described as Credibility, Transferability or Fittingness, Dependability or Auditability, and Confirmability

Influence of Population Growth on Supply, Demand, and Quality Issues of Water Resources in the Yarmouk River Basin in Jordan

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of population growth on supply, demand, and quality issues of water resources in the Yarmouk River Basin in Jordan for twenty years. The population growth data for the years 1997 and 2017 was derived from four Jordan governorates, i.e., Mafraq, Irbid, Jerash, and Ajloun, as well as for the population of the Yarmouk Basin was calculated, where a part of the population of these governorates resides within Basin. The water supply and the number of wells were also determined during this study. Various physicochemical parameters of water, like pH, EC, TDS, DO, NO2, and NO3, were also evaluated. Water supply, demand, and quality issues were also identified in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The study showed an increase in the Kingdom's population in four governorates from about 1.27 to 2.88 million inhabitants, while the population of four governorates in the Yarmouk Basin increased from about 639,992 to 1.53 million inhabitants, and it is more than doubling. Comparing the population with the water supply, the numbers of wells and their uses showed significant changes, as evidenced by the substantial increase in the water supply. The studied physiochemical parameters were within the permissible limits of the National Standards. The critical water issues reported in the study area are difficulties in law enforcement and rapid population growth, which interactively affect the water supply. The study's findings will assist decision-makers in managing future water supplies as they face challenges in securing additional water, and there is an urgent need for research and future scenarios to meet water needs

Determinants of Physical Activity among Jordanian University Students

Study Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine the relationships between university students’ physical activity, self-efficacy and perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, and to identify predictors of physical activity among university students.Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study. A translated version of Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Exercise Self-efficacy Scale were used to collect study data. A convenience sample of 517 university students participated in the study. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.Results: Exercise self-efficacy demonstrated the highest positive correlation with physical activity (r=0.31, p<0.001) followed by exercise benefits (r=0.24, p<0.001). Exercise barriers were negatively correlated with physical activity. Exercise self-efficacy and exercise benefits significantly predicted physical activity among university students. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that exercise self-efficacy and perceived benefits of exercise affect university students’ participation in physical activity

Assessment of Air Pollutants Emissions from a Cement Plant: A Case Study in Jordan

This paper presents predictions of air pollutants (dust, SO2, NOx and CO) emitted from a cement plant that will be constructed in Wadi Alabyad area located about 100 km south of Amman, Jordan. The Gaussian air pollution model is used and the predicted concentrations of the air pollutants are compared with the Jordanian air quality standards (JS 1140/2006). It is found that the month of September represents the worst-case scenario where the atmospheric stability condition is classified as A and the average wind speed is 1.7 m/s. The predicted SO2 hourly and the 24-hour concentrations -when using fuel oil- reached 0.8 ppm and 0.42 ppm, consequently, at a distance of 750 m from the plant, which exceed the standard values of 0.3 ppm and 0.14 pmm, consequently. In case of natural gas as source of energy, the SO2 concentration is predicted to be negligible. The hourly concentration of NOx is 0.32 ppm at a distance of 750 m from the plant exceeding the standard limit of 0.21 ppm. It is found that the maximum TSP 24-hour concentration will be expected to reach 359.61 &amp;#956;g/m3 exceeding the standard value of 260 &amp;#956;g/m3. The TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the values set by the standard near the vicinity of the cement plant at a distance closer than 300 m. The proposed mitigation measures should limit the ambient air pollutant concentrations to be in compliance with the standard values

The Economic Determinants of Systematic Risk in the Jordanian Capital Market

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Perceived barriers to healthcare utilization among Jordanian families: A family centered approach

Aim: This study aimed to understand the barriers to health services utilization by Jordanian families. Background: Access to quality healthcare services is a significant issue facing healthcare systems. Healthcare systems must identify and apply measures to overcome barriers that face utilizing health services and thus increase clients\u27 satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative research design was used in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-five families to elicit the model of health services barriers. Results: The analysis of the family interviews led to four main themes related to health services barriers: service system, structural/physical barriers, equipment and medication, and staff competency. This study would increase awareness about underserved populations that avoid seeking medical care. Conclusion: Public health efforts are required to increase awareness about the importance of contacting the healthcare system as early as possible. However, public health policy may require developing new initiatives that reduce these perceived barriers, such as enhancing communication skills among healthcare workers, increasing supervision and inspection of healthcare quality, and enhancing patient engagement by using phone calls and messages as appointment reminders and careful follow-up. © 202

The Perception of Staff Nurses and their Experience with the Critical Care Outreach Team in Oman: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Previous research indicated the benefits of the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) in improving patients' health outcomes; however, in Oman, there is a dearth of evidence examining the perceptions of nurses regarding the Critical Care Outreach Team as well as its effectiveness. This study aimed to explore staff nurses' perceptions about the CCOT services in Oman and to explore the relationship between the staff's demographics (age, education, and years of work experience) and their call status to the CCOT services. A valid and reliable questionnaire that includes 19 items and a 5- point Likert scale format submitted online via Survey Monkey to the ward staff nurses who work in the area where Critical Care Outreach Team service is provided. One open-ended question was added to the questionnaire to collect qualitative data. SPSS was used to analyze the quantitative data while the qualitative data emerged to support the quantitative findings. A total of 91 participants completed the questionnaire; nurses perceived the CCOT as accessible, approachable and effective in recognizing deterioration, thereby reducing serious events; providing teaching and coaching to staff; helping in referring the patient to allied health and improving patient management on the ward. There was no significant correlation between participant demographic variables such as age (p = 0.616), gender (p = 0.370) or years of experience (p = 0.243) and educational level on the call status to CCOT services. The quantitative perception was supported and explained qualitatively by participants' direct quotations when they answered the open-ended question. It is concluded that nurses in Oman perceived CCOT positively, which indicates that the existence of CCOT in hospitals of Oman is necessary, important and effective in enhancing the patients' outcomes and helping provide teaching and couch for other nurses.&nbsp; &nbsp

SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS OF PATIENTS FOLLOWING AN ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common complication resulting from surgical procedures. As they impact patient recovery, well-being, and the health care system, SSIs cost time and money. Researchers have identified a number of factors influencing the causation and prevention of SSIs. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature in regard to factors that have an impact on the incidence of SSI. A review of the literature was guided by the following PICO question: "In women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy, what are the most effective interventions to be used in a standardized care plan, when compared to current practice with varied and undefined interventions, in reduction of surgical site infection?". Four key variables were identified that either influence the incidence of SSI, or are important in shaping policy concerns regarding SSI. The most evident interventions were prophylactic antibiotics and preoperative washing. The findings from literature regarding dressings remain inconclusive in the reduction of SSI incidence. Furthermore, the findings for obese women showing a higher risk for SSI remain inconclusive, but specialized interventions can be used for this group. These findings help to bring further attention to how research in these key areas can improve future nursing practice