Knowledge management in the care for people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

The study aimed to gain insight into knowledge management in the intellectual dis-abilities (ID) care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored and describedhow knowledge producers, intermediaries, and knowledge users experienced knowl-edge management during this crisis situation, the responses to the specific knowl-edge needs in the ID-care sector, and changes in roles and collaboration during thisperiod. Twenty-five individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were conductedwith knowledge producers, intermediaries, and knowledge users in the Dutch ID-caresector. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Three key themes were identi-fied: (1) knowledge needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) experiences withknowledge management, and (3) roles and collaboration in knowledge management.There was an urgent need for specific ID-related knowledge and how to translateavailable evidence for the general population into ID-care settings. In knowledgemanagement, the focus was on knowledge production and exchange, with validationand application receiving less attention. Within stakeholder groups, collaboration andknowledge exchange were intensified by existing or new knowledge infrastructures.Between stakeholder groups, knowledge producers and users created short lines toexchange needs and produce knowledge. This paper provides unique insights intoknowledge management in the Dutch ID-care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.Implications are discussed to improve future knowledge management processes. Sup-port with knowledge validation and local knowledge infrastructures (complementaryto centralized national knowledge infrastructures) help to assess the reliability andusefulness of knowledge and improve its use in practice during future pandemic-related crisis situations

Evaluation design for a complex intervention program targeting loneliness in non-institutionalized elderly Dutch people

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this paper is to provide the rationale for an evaluation design for a complex intervention program targeting loneliness among non-institutionalized elderly people in a Dutch community. Complex public health interventions characteristically use the combined approach of intervening on the individual and on the environmental level. It is assumed that the components of a complex intervention interact with and reinforce each other. Furthermore, implementation is highly context-specific and its impact is influenced by external factors. Although the entire community is exposed to the intervention components, each individual is exposed to different components with a different intensity.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>A logic model of change is used to develop the evaluation design. The model describes what outcomes may logically be expected at different points in time at the individual level. In order to address the complexity of a real-life setting, the evaluation design of the loneliness intervention comprises two types of evaluation studies. The first uses a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design to evaluate the effectiveness of the overall intervention. A control community comparable to the intervention community was selected, with baseline measurements in 2008 and follow-up measurements scheduled for 2010. This study focuses on changes in the prevalence of loneliness and in the determinants of loneliness within individuals in the general elderly population. Complementarily, the second study is designed to evaluate the individual intervention components and focuses on delivery, reach, acceptance, and short-term outcomes. Different means of project records and surveys among participants are used to collect these data.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Combining these two evaluation strategies has the potential to assess the effectiveness of the overall complex intervention and the contribution of the individual intervention components thereto.</p

Health inequity in people with intellectual disabilities: from evidence to action applying an appreciative inquiry approach

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: The current understanding of health inequities in people with intellectual disabilities does not readily translate into improvements in health status or health care. To identify opportunities for action, the 2013 IASSIDD health SIRG conference organized ten intensive workshops. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The workshops each addressed separate topics, a workshop of self advocated was included as well. Workshop reports were analyzed using a qualitative thematical analysis approach. RESULTS: A total of 134 participants attended the workshops. The analysis of the workshop reports resulted in three main themes: approach, know-how and visibility and a pervasive theme, that of person-centered support. CONCLUSION: Everyone that can contribute to better care should be empowered and facilitated to do so, environments should be accessible and inclusive in nature. Sharing experiences, expertise and data sources within and outside intellectual disabilities care and research were mentioned as ways forward. Strong (policy) visions, felt urgency and shared responsibility are required

Revitalizing the setting approach:supersettings for sustainable impact in commuity health promotion

BACKGROUND: The concept of health promotion rests on aspirations aiming at enabling people to increase control over and improve their health. Health promotion action is facilitated in settings such as schools, homes and work places. As a contribution to the promotion of healthy lifestyles, we have further developed the setting approach in an effort to harmonise it with contemporary realities (and complexities) of health promotion and public health action. The paper introduces a modified concept, the supersetting approach, which builds on the optimised use of diverse and valuable resources embedded in local community settings and on the strengths of social interaction and local ownership as drivers of change processes. Interventions based on a supersetting approach are first and foremost characterised by being integrated, but also participatory, empowering, context-sensitive and knowledge-based. Based on a presentation of “Health and Local Community”, a supersetting initiative addressing the prevention of lifestyle diseases in a Danish municipality, the paper discusses the potentials and challenges of supporting local community interventions using the supersetting approach. DISCUSSION: The supersetting approach is a further development of the setting approach in which the significance of integrated and coordinated actions together with a participatory approach are emphasised and important principles are specified, all of which contribute to the attainment of synergistic effects and sustainable impact of supersetting initiatives. The supersetting approach is an ecological approach, which places the individual in a social, environmental and cultural context, and calls for a holistic perspective to change potentials and developmental processes with a starting point in the circumstances of people’s everyday life. The supersetting approach argues for optimised effectiveness of health promotion action through integrated efforts and long-lasting partnerships involving a diverse range of actors in public institutions, private enterprises, non-governmental organisations and civil society. SUMMARY: The supersetting approach is a relevant and useful conceptual framework for developing intervention-based initiatives for sustainable impact in community health promotion. It strives to attain synergistic effects from activities that are carried out in multiple settings in a coordinated manner. The supersetting approach is based on ecological and whole-systems thinking, and stipulates important principles and values of integration, participation, empowerment, context and knowledge-based development

Strongyloidiasis in Oceania

Strongyloidiasis is a potentially fatal disease caused by species of Strongyloides (Nematoda). In Oceania, two species infect humans: S. stercoralis and S. kellyi. S. stercoralis is widespread throughout Oceania and causes serious disease in any age group. S. kellyi is localised to Papua New Guinea and causes serious disease in infants. Infective larvae enter the body through the skin and migrate through the tissues. Adult females live in the mucosa of the proximal small intestine. The life cycle of S. stercoralis includes autoinfection, unusual in parasitic worms, whereby some of the offspring of the parasitic adults become infective in the lower intestine and complete the life cycle in the same person. This ensures that the infection persists, and the population of the worms can increase out of control, usually when the person is immunodefi cient or immunosuppressed. The worms can be eliminated by oral ivermectin, and the person is probably cured if their serology is negative 6 months after treatment. This chapter contains details of the life cycles, transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests and how to interpret them, most effective treatment options, how to ensure that treatment has been effective and what to consider when developing effective prevention and control strategies