Post-surgical pain, physical activity and satisfaction with the decision to undergo hernia surgery : a prospective qualitative investigation

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Development and Evaluation of a Reflective Log Assignment Designed to Enhance Postgraduate Psychology Students’ Learning Experience

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a reflective log assignment introduced on a taught postgraduate psychology programme. Whether the reflective logs were an effective tool to enhance thinking and learning across a module was examined and how valuable students found the logs was explored. Logs of 13 students were examined using content analysis to establish the extent of reflective writing. Students demonstrated high levels of reflection across the course. Eight students participated in focus groups which explored their experiences of completing logs, and focus group transcripts were analysed thematically. Participants generally viewed the log positively, using it to aid retention, voice opinions and further deep thinking. Preference for the log to count towards course credits was voiced. The logs therefore proved to be effective learning aids and were acceptable to, and valued by, postgraduate psychology students. Further consideration as to how logs are assessed is required

Perceptions of self-testing for chlamydia:understanding and predicting self-test use

Background: Self-testing technology allows people to test themselves for chlamydia without professional support. This may result in reassurance and wider access to chlamydia testing, but anxiety could occur on receipt of positive results. This study aimed to identify factors important in understanding self-testing for chlamydia outside formal screening contexts, to explore the potential impacts of self-testing on individuals, and to identify theoretical constructs to form a Framework for future research and intervention development. Methods: Eighteen university students participated in semi-structured interviews; eleven had self-tested for chlamydia. Data were analysed thematically using a Framework approach. Results: Perceived benefits of self-testing included its being convenient, anonymous and not requiring physical examination. There was concern about test accuracy and some participants lacked confidence in using vulvo-vaginal swabs. While some participants expressed concern about the absence of professional support, all said they would seek help on receiving a positive result. Factors identified in Protection Motivation Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, such as response efficacy and self-efficacy, were found to be highly salient to participants in thinking about self-testing. Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest that self-testing independently of formal health care systems may no more negatively impact people than being tested by health care professionals. Participants’ perceptions about self-testing behaviour were consistent with psychological theories. Findings suggest that interventions which increase confidence in using self-tests and that provide reassurance of test accuracy may increase self-test intentions

The Acceptability of Physical Activity to Older Adults Living in Lower Socioeconomic Status Areas: A Multi-Perspective Study

From MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-11-01, pub-electronic 2021-11-10Publication status: PublishedFunder: University of Manchester, President's Doctoral Scholarship awarded to first author funded this study; Grant(s): No grant numberOlder adults in lower socioeconomic status (SES) areas are the least active of all adult groups but are often absent from physical activity research. The present study aimed to elicit perspectives on acceptability of physical activity from older adults and physical activity providers in lower SES areas. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 older adults and eight physical activity trainers/providers in lower SES areas. An inductive, multi-perspective Thematic Analysis was conducted. Eight themes were identified that covered one or both groups’ perceptions of what was important in ensuring acceptability of activity provision. Older adults perceived a lack of value that was reinforced by lack of resources and unequal provision. Acceptability was hindered by centralisation of facilities and lack of understanding of needs by facility management. Facilitating social interaction within physical activities appeared key, thereby meeting multiple needs with fewer resources. In conclusion, to increase acceptability of physical activity for older adults in low SES areas, providers should address the lack of perceived value felt by many older adults. Equitable provision of physical activities addressing multiple needs may allow older adults with limited resources to be physically active without sacrificing other needs. Facilitating creation of social bonds may foster maintenance of physical activities

Older adults’ construal of sedentary behaviour: Implications for reducing sedentary behaviour in older adult populations

From SAGE Publishing via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: epub 2020-03-01Publication status: PublishedFunder: Economic and Social Research Council; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000269; Grant(s): 7325648Older adults are the most sedentary age group, with sedentary behaviour having negative health-related consequences. There is currently limited understanding of how older adults view sedentary behaviour. This study investigated older adults’ understanding of the concept of sedentary behaviour. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 community-dwelling older adults in urban North-West England, selected to be diverse in socio-economic background and activity levels. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Participants often construed sedentary behaviour as synonymous with a lack of physical activity, and many perceived reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to be the same thing. Participants perceived the term ‘sedentary’ to have negative connotations and were often judgemental of people who engaged in high levels of sedentary behaviour. Most participants considered reducing sedentary behaviour to be of value, though more active individuals were unconvinced that reducing sedentary behaviour has value beyond the benefits of being physically active. Interventions may wish to provide education to address the misconception that increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is necessary in order to reduce sedentary behaviour. Educating older adults on the independent health consequences of sedentary behaviour may also prove beneficial

Psychological preparation and postoperative outcomes for adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia

Acknowledgements We wish to dedicate this work to the memory of Christian Osmer, a dedicated, caring doctor who was committed to achieving the best care for his patients and their relatives. He saw his contribution to this project as a way of advancing best care for surgical patients. We are very grateful for his valuable input to this work and the pleasure we had in working with him. We are grateful to Karen Hovhanisyan (former Trials Search Co-ordinator, Cochrane Anaesthesia, Critical and Emergency Care Group (ACE)) for carrying out the electronic database searches and to Jane Cracknell (Managing Editor, ACE) for her support throughout the review process. We would also like to thank W Alastair Chambers and Manjeet Shehmar for clinical advice relating to judgements about general anaesthesia usage, and Yvonne Cooper and Louise Pike who retrieved documents and screened papers as research assistants in earlier stages of the review. We are grateful to the following colleagues who helped us with foreign language papers - either by screening papers or by providing translation: Stefano Carrubba, Chuan Gao, Chen Ji, Kate Rhie, Reza Roudsari and Alena Vasianovich. We would like to thank Andy Smith (content editor), Nathan Pace (statistical editor), Michael Donnelly, Allan Cyna and Michael Wang (peer reviewers), and Shunjie Chua (consumer referee) for their help and editorial advice during the preparation of this systematic review. We would also like to thank Andrew Smith (content editor), Nathan Pace (statistical editor), Michael Wang and Allan Cyna (peer reviewers), and Lynda Lane (Cochrane Consumer Network representative) for their help and editorial advice during the preparation of the protocol (Powell 2010). Sources of support Internal sources Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, University of Manchester, UK. An award of £2000 was received to support research assistant costs. External sources British Academy, UK. We received a small research grant of £7480 to support research assistant costs.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

An online study combining the constructs from the theory of planned behaviour and protection motivation theory in predicting intention to test for chlamydia in two testing contexts

Chlamydia is a common sexually-transmitted infection that has potentially serious consequences unless detected and treated early. The health service in the UK offers clinic-based testing for chlamydia but uptake is low. Identifying the predictors of testing behaviours may inform interventions to increase uptake. Self-tests for chlamydia may facilitate testing and treatment in people who avoid clinic-based testing. Self-testing and being tested by a health care professional (HCP) involve two contrasting contexts that may influence testing behaviour. However, little is known about how predictors of behaviour differ as a function of context. In this study, theoretical models of behaviour were used to assess factors that may predict intention to test in two different contexts: self-testing and being tested by a HCP. Individuals searching for, or reading about chlamydia testing online were recruited using Google Adwords. Participants completed an online questionnaire that addressed previous testing behaviour and measured constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Protection Motivation Theory, which propose a total of eight possible predictors of intention. The questionnaire was completed by 310 participants. Sufficient data for multiple regression were provided by 102 and 118 respondents for self-testing and testing by a HCP respectively. Intention to self-test was predicted by vulnerability and self-efficacy, with a trend-level effect for response efficacy. Intention to be tested by a HCP was predicted by vulnerability, attitude and subjective norm. Thus, intentions to carry out two testing behaviours with very similar goals can have different predictors depending on test context. We conclude that interventions to increase self-testing should be based on evidence specifically related to test context