30 research outputs found

    Bbookx: An automatic book creation framework

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    ABSTRACT As more educational resources become available online, it is possible to acquire more up-to-date knowledge and information. We propose BBookX, a novel computer facilitated system that automatically and collaboratively builds free open online books using publicly available educational resources such as Wikipedia. BBookX has two separate components: one creates an open version of existing books by linking different book chapters to Wikipedia articles, while another with an interactive user interface supports interactive realtime book creation where users are allowed to modify a generated book from explicit feedback

    J Public Health Manag Pract

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    ContextColorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death among cancers affecting both men and women in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\ue2\u20ac\u2122s Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) supports both direct clinical screening services (screening provision) and activities to promote screening at the population level (screening promotion).ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to characterize patient navigation (PN) programs for screening provision and promotion for the first 1 to 2 years of program funding.ParticipantsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of the 29 CRCCP grantees (25 states and 4 tribal organizations) and 14 in-depth interviews to assess program implementation.Main Outcome MeasuresThe survey and interview guide collected information on CRC screening provision and promotion activities and PN, including the structure of the PN program, characteristics of the navigators, funding mechanism, and navigators\ue2\u20ac\u2122 activities.ResultsTwenty-four of 28 CRCCP grantees of the survey used PN for screening provision whereas 18 grantees used navigation for screening promotion. Navigators were often trained in nursing or public health. Navigation activities were similar for both screening provision and promotion, and common tasks included assessing and responding to patient barriers to screening, providing patient education, and scheduling appointments. For screening provision, activities centered on making reminder calls, educating patients on bowel preparation for colonoscopies, and tracking patients for completion of the tests. Navigation may influence screening quality by improving patients\ue2\u20ac\u2122 bowel preparation for colonoscopies.ConclusionsOur study provides insights into PN across a federally funded CRC program. Results suggest that PN activities may be instrumental in recruiting people into cancer screening and ensuring completed screening and follow-up.CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United StatesU48D001946/PHS HHS/United StatesU48DP001909/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48DP001911/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48DP001934/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48DP001938/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48DP001949/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesUL1 TR000371/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States2016-09-01T00:00:00Z25140407PMC461837

    BMC Public Health

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    BackgroundSpecial events are common community-based strategies for health promotion. This paper presents findings from a systematic literature review on the impact of special events to promote breast, cervical or colorectal cancer education and screening.MethodsArticles in English that focused on special events involving breast, cervical, and/or colorectal cancer conducted in the U.S. and published between January 1990 and December 2011 were identified from seven databases: Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstract, Cochrane Libraries, and EconLit. Study inclusion and data extraction were independently validated by two researchers.ResultsOf the 20 articles selected for screening out of 1,409, ten articles on special events reported outcome data. Five types of special events were found: health fairs, parties, cultural events, special days, and plays. Many focused on breast cancer only, or in combination with other cancers. Reach ranged from 50\ue2\u20ac\u201c1732 participants. All special events used at least one evidence-based strategy suggested by the Community Guide to Preventive Services, such as small media, one-on-one education, and reducing structural barriers. For cancer screening as an outcome of the events, mammography screening rates ranged from 4.8% to 88%, Pap testing was 3.9%, and clinical breast exams ranged from 9.1% to 100%. For colorectal screening, FOBT ranged from 29.4% to 76%, and sigmoidoscopy was 100% at one event. Outcome measures included intentions to get screened, scheduled appointments, uptake of clinical exams, and participation in cancer screening.ConclusionsSpecial events found in the review varied and used evidence-based strategies. Screening data suggest that some special events can lead to increases in cancer screening, especially if they provide onsite screening services. However, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that special events are effective in increasing cancer screening. The heterogeneity of populations served, event activities, outcome variables assessed, and the reliance on self-report to measure screening limit conclusions. This study highlights the need for further research to determine the effectiveness of special events to increase cancer screening.U48 DP001934/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48D001946/PHS HHS/United StatesU48DP001909/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48DP001924/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48DP001938/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48DP001949/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States24661503PMC398780

    Pressing ahead: developing and testing of new measures in implementation science

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    Measurement forms the foundation of any scientific field; yet, systematic reviews reveal that many available measures of implementation context, process, and outcomes lack reliability or validity. An urgent need exists for psychometrically strong measures in implementation science; without them, the field cannot produce cumulative knowledge about implementation barriers, facilitators, processes, or generate sound evidence about which implementation strategies work best, when, and for whom. In this panel session, three researchers reported on their efforts to develop and test new measures of constructs featured in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Maria Fernandez described the work of the CDC/NCI-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network to create measures for seven constructs in the inner-setting domain of CFIR and assess the psychometric properties of those measures using data from a multi-state sample of community health centers. Shuting Liang reported on the Network’s effort to develop and assess measures of selected constructs in other CFIR domains and discussed the inter-relationships of these constructs at both the individual and clinic level of analysis. Sara Jacobs explored in two different study contexts the psychometric properties of, and measurement issues associated with, a new theory-based measure of implementation climate. Building on the presentations, Stephen Taplin moderated a discussion between panelists and participants about the role of theory in measurement, the challenges of adapting existing measures, the implications of item-wording choices, the effects of context on measurement properties, and the measurement of organization-level constructs using individual-level data. Participants learned about new measures they could use in their own research; in addition, they engaged in dialogue about needs, opportunities, challenges, and recommended practices in measurement in implementation scienc

    Developing measures to assess constructs from the Inner Setting domain of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research

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    Abstract Background Scientists and practitioners alike need reliable, valid measures of contextual factors that influence implementation. Yet, few existing measures demonstrate reliability or validity. To meet this need, we developed and assessed the psychometric properties of measures of several constructs within the Inner Setting domain of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Methods We searched the literature for existing measures for the 7 Inner Setting domain constructs (Culture Overall, Culture Stress, Culture Effort, Implementation Climate, Learning Climate, Leadership Engagement, and Available Resources). We adapted items for the healthcare context, pilot-tested the adapted measures in 4 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and implemented the revised measures in 78 FQHCs in the 7 states (N = 327 respondents) with a focus on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening practices. To psychometrically assess our measures, we conducted confirmatory factor analysis models (CFA; structural validity), assessed inter-item consistency (reliability), computed scale correlations (discriminant validity), and calculated inter-rater reliability and agreement (organization-level construct reliability and validity). Results CFAs for most constructs exhibited good model fit (CFI > 0.90, TLI > 0.90, SRMR < 0.08, RMSEA < 0.08), with almost all factor loadings exceeding 0.40. Scale reliabilities ranged from good (0.7 ≤ α < 0.9) to excellent (α ≥ 0.9). Scale correlations fell below 0.90, indicating discriminant validity. Inter-rater reliability and agreement were sufficiently high to justify measuring constructs at the clinic-level. Conclusions Our findings provide psychometric evidence in support of the CFIR Inner Setting measures. Our findings also suggest the Inner Setting measures from individuals can be aggregated to represent the clinic-level. Measurement of the Inner Setting constructs can be useful in better understanding and predicting implementation in FQHCs and can be used to identify targets of strategies to accelerate and enhance implementation efforts in FQHCs

    A systematic review of special events to promote breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening in the United States

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    BACKGROUND: Special events are common community-based strategies for health promotion. This paper presents findings from a systematic literature review on the impact of special events to promote breast, cervical or colorectal cancer education and screening. METHODS: Articles in English that focused on special events involving breast, cervical, and/or colorectal cancer conducted in the U.S. and published between January 1990 and December 2011 were identified from seven databases: Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstract, Cochrane Libraries, and EconLit. Study inclusion and data extraction were independently validated by two researchers. RESULTS: Of the 20 articles selected for screening out of 1,409, ten articles on special events reported outcome data. Five types of special events were found: health fairs, parties, cultural events, special days, and plays. Many focused on breast cancer only, or in combination with other cancers. Reach ranged from 50–1732 participants. All special events used at least one evidence-based strategy suggested by the Community Guide to Preventive Services, such as small media, one-on-one education, and reducing structural barriers. For cancer screening as an outcome of the events, mammography screening rates ranged from 4.8% to 88%, Pap testing was 3.9%, and clinical breast exams ranged from 9.1% to 100%. For colorectal screening, FOBT ranged from 29.4% to 76%, and sigmoidoscopy was 100% at one event. Outcome measures included intentions to get screened, scheduled appointments, uptake of clinical exams, and participation in cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Special events found in the review varied and used evidence-based strategies. Screening data suggest that some special events can lead to increases in cancer screening, especially if they provide onsite screening services. However, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that special events are effective in increasing cancer screening. The heterogeneity of populations served, event activities, outcome variables assessed, and the reliance on self-report to measure screening limit conclusions. This study highlights the need for further research to determine the effectiveness of special events to increase cancer screening

    Uusperheiden palvelua kehittämässä Pirkanmaalla: StepApp-intervention implementointi ammattilaisten näkökulmasta

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    Tutkimus käsittelee uusperheitä tukevan StepApp-intervention käyttöönottoa Pirkanmaalla viiden kunnan alueella syksyn 2020 - kevään 2021 aikana. Tutkimustehtävänä tutkielmassa on selvittää miten sosiaali-, terveys – ja kasvatusalan ammattilaiset kokevat organisaation valmiudet intervention vastaanottamiseen, sekä miten soveltuvana ammattilaiset kokevat uuden intervention. Tutkimus on tehty yhteistyössä Suomen Uusperheiden Liitto ry:n kanssa. Tutkimus on monimenetelmäinen tutkimus, jossa on käytetty puolistrukturoituja kyselyitä sekä avoimia kysymyksiä selvittämään työntekijöiden kokemuksia implementoinnista. Aineistoa kerättiin ensimmäisessä vaiheessa CFIR -mittaria käyttäen ja toisessa vaiheessa AIM, IAM ja FIM -mittareita käyttäen. Ensimmäisessä mittarissa menetelmän pääalueita on viisi, jotka vaikuttavat toisiinsa monin eri tavoin ja nämä alueet vaikuttavat käyttöönoton tehokkuuteen. Vastauksia tutkimuskyselyn ensimmäisessä vaiheessa vastaanotettiin 30. Toisella tutkimuskyselyllä tutkittiin uuden intervention (StepApp -valmennus) hyväksyttävyyttä, soveltuvuutta ja toteutettavuutta. Kyselyyn vastaajia oli lopulta vain 12. Tällä kyselyllä on tarkoitus selvittää, millaisia asenteita ammattilaisilla on ja onko interventio tarkoituksenmukainen ja soveltuva käytettäväksi. Pieneksi jäänyt aineisto analysoitiin tilastollisesti taulukoiden ja laadullisin menetelmin teemoittelua käyttäen. Tutkimuksen mukaan organisaation sisällä on hyviä valmiuksia intervention vastaanottoon. Niitä ovat työntekijöiden motivaatio, halu ja usko muutokseen sekä ratkaisukeskeisyys. Tutkimuksen mukaan myös organisaatioissa kollegat kannustavat toisiaan ideoiden jakamisessa eli ilmapiirin voisi usein ajatella olevan rohkaiseva ja innovatiivinen. Organisaation heikommiksi valmiuksiksi tutkimuksessa ilmeni suuri työtaakka, jatkuva kiire sekä resurssivaje. Johdon tuki tulisi olla aktiivisempaa, jotta työntekijät kokisivat selkeästi saavansa tukea ja kannustusta työssä. Vastaajat eivät kokeneet heillä olevan aikaa ja tilaa keskustelulle muutoksia koskien, myöskään johdon ei aktiivisesti nähty edistävän miellyttävän työpaikan statusta. Tutkimuksen toisessa vaiheessa kaikki vastaajat olivat osallistuneet StepApp-valmentajakoulutukseen (StepApp-valmentajakoulutuksen käyneet voivat vetää StepApp-valmennuksia), ja vastasivat kokemuksensa pohjalta siihen, kuinka käyttöönotettava tämä uusi interventio on. Intervention hyväksyttävyyden, soveltuvuuden ja käytettävyyden arviointi sai jokaiselta osa-alueelta korkeat pisteet ja näin ollen kyseinen valmennus tavoittaa merkityksellisyyden uusperheiden kanssa käytettäessä. Johtopäätöksenä voidaan todeta, että implementointi vaatii onnistuakseen sitoutumista, ja sekä johdon, että työntekijöiden halua viedä uusia menetelmiä oikeasti käytäntöön. Organisaatioissa on omat haasteensa, jotka jarruttavat onnistunutta käyttöönottoa. Niitä ovat sosiaali-, terveys- ja kasvatusalalla resurssipula, jatkuva kiire työssä sekä osin puuttuva johdon tuki. Kuitenkin tutkittavilla alueilla on nähtävissä myös hyviä valmiuksia uusien menetelmien käyttöönottoon. Sosiaali-, terveys- ja kasvatusalalla työntekijät kokevat innostuneisuutta ja muutoshalukkuutta. He ovat myös valmiita panostuksiin työn onnistumiseksi ja kehittämiseksi. Suomen Uusperheiden Liitolle jatkotutkimusehdotuksena olisi tutkia StepApp-intervention käyttökokemuksia työntekijöiden näkökulmasta. Kiinnostavaa olisi myös kuulla uusperheiden lasten ja nuorten kokemuksista sovelluksen digitaalisuudesta ja pelillisyydestä

    Global Perspectives on China's Belt and Road Initiative

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    This edited volume discusses the question of how different actors give shape to BRI projects. It outlines how, rather than treating nation states as singular, monolithic actors, this volume teases apart the way different people and organizations insert themselves into BRI decision-making and implementation
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