A thematic synthesis of the experiences of adults living with hemodialysis

Background and objectives In-center dialysis patients spend significant amounts of time on the dialysis unit; additionally managing ESKD affects many aspects of life outside the dialysis unit. To improve the care provided to patients requiring hemodialysis their experiences and beliefs regarding treatment must be understood. This systematic review aimed to synthesise the experiences of patients receiving in-center hemodialysis. Design, setting, participants, and measurements Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsychINFO, Google scholar and reference lists were searched for primary qualitative studies exploring the experiences of adult patients receiving treatment with in-center hemodialysis. A thematic synthesis was conducted. Results 17 studies involving 576 patients were included in the synthesis. 4 analytical themes were developed. The first theme “a new dialysis dependent self” describes the changes in identity and perceptions of self that could result from dialysis dependence. The second theme, “a restricted life”, describes the physical and emotional constraints patients described as a consequence of their dependence. Some patients reported strategies that allowed them to regain a sense of optimism and influence over the future and these contributed to the third theme, “regaining control”. The first three themes describe a potential for change through acceptance, adaption and re-gaining a sense of control. The final theme, “relationships with health professionals” describes the importance of these relationships for in-center patients and their influence on perceptions of power and support. These relationships are seen to influence the other three themes through information sharing, continuity and personalized support. Conclusions This synthesis has resulted in a framework that can be utilized to consider interventions to improve patients’ experiences of in-center hemodialysis care. Focusing on interventions that are incorporated into the established relationships patients have with their health care professionals may enable patients’ to progress towards a sense of control and improve satisfaction with care

The care priorities of haemodialysis patients

Background: Patients receiving haemodialysis have a reduced quality of life when compared to the general population and report deficiencies in satisfaction with care. As such it is important that we are able to evaluate dialysis care from the patients’ perspective. Despite this, there is currently a paucity of evidence to suggest which aspects of care are important to patients themselves. Aims: To describe what is important to patients about their haemodialysis care and whether their degree of involvement in treatment provision affects their experiences and priorities for care. Methods: A qualitative survey of all in-centre and home haemodialysis patients at two renal centres and their satellite units was conducted. 7 focus groups were then held at 2 renal centres (total of 29 patients and 3 carers). Patients were divided into focus groups by their mode of haemodialysis provision. Findings: Three final themes represent the aspects of dialysis that are important to patients. The first theme, ‘Finding personal control’ describes the emotional work and coping strategies utilised by patients as they tried to regain a sense of personal control. The second theme ‘Maintaining social viability’ illustrates how dialysis affects patients social roles and responsibilities. The final theme, ‘Integrating dialysis into life’, describes the physical and emotional challenges patients’ experience when trying to live their lives alongside dialysis. Conclusions: The interactions patients have with staff and the way that care is provided had significant effects on all three of the final themes. The data highlight many ways in which communication; relationships with staff and the way care is organised can both positively and negatively affect patients’ experiences of care. Understanding the care priorities of patients is fundamental to making real improvements to dialysis care which are of relevance to patients themselves

The Power Hour of Writing: An empirical evaluation of our online writing community

The “Power Hour of Writing” is an institution-led approach which brings together staff and postgraduate research students in a community that encourages participants to write regularly as part of their academic practice, helping to develop sustainable habits. This research into the “Power Hour of Writing” combines analysis of participant numbers with qualitative analysis of free text responses from online surveys taken at three different time points. Three themes emerged and were evident across all three surveys, independent of their time point: The importance of community; making writing a legitimate part of people’s everyday work; and accountability, which is built into the structure of the “Power Hour Of Writing”. Our research indicates that regular, short timeslots for writing can have a valuable impact on staff and postgraduate researchers. Not only did this intervention help build the community at a time while people were working even more in isolation due to the pandemic, but it also highlighted to participants that protecting time for writing benefits their work

Pilot investigation of a virtual gastric band hypnotherapy intervention

This was a pilot investigation of 30 men and women with a BMI > 27kg/m² over a 24 week period. It aimed to determine whether virtual gastric band (VGB) hypnotherapy has an effect on weight loss in overweight adults, compared to relaxation hypnotherapy and a self-directed diet. Levels of weight loss and gain ranged from -17kg to +4.7kg in the VGB hypnotherapy group and -9.3kg to +7.8kg in the relaxation group. There was no significant difference between VGB hypnotherapy as a main effect on weight loss (Chi²=0.67, p=0.41, df=1) and there was no evidence of differential weight loss over time (Chi²=4.2, p=0.64, df=6). Therefore, this study concludes that there was no significant difference between VGB hypnotherapy and the relaxation hypnotherapy

Vocal Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble III Debut Concert

This KSU School of Music Debut Concert features the Vocal Jazz Combo under the direction of Karla Harris, Artist-in-Residence in Vocal Jazz, and Jazz Ensemble III under the direction of Rob Opitz, Artist-in-Residence in Jazz Trumpet.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/2112/thumbnail.jp

The impact of a simulated intervention on attitudes of undergraduate nursing and medical students towards end of life care provision

BACKGROUND: The concerns of undergraduate nursing and medical students’ regarding end of life care are well documented. Many report feelings of emotional distress, anxiety and a lack of preparation to provide care to patients at end of life and their families. Evidence suggests that increased exposure to patients who are dying and their families can improve attitudes toward end of life care. In the absence of such clinical exposure, simulation provides experiential learning with outcomes comparable to that of clinical practice. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the impact of a simulated intervention on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing and medical students towards end of life care. METHODS: A pilot quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design. Attitudes towards end of life care were measured using the Frommelt Attitudes Towards Care of the Dying Part B Scale which was administered pre and post a simulated clinical scenario. 19 undergraduate nursing and medical students were recruited from one large Higher Education Institution in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: The results of this pilot study confirm that a simulated end of life care intervention has a positive impact on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing and medical students towards end of life care (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Active, experiential learning in the form of simulation teaching helps improve attitudes of undergraduate nursing and medical students towards end of life. In the absence of clinical exposure, simulation is a viable alternative to help prepare students for their professional role regarding end of life care

Effects of Amount of Information on Overconfidence

Title: Effects of amount of information on overconfidenceAuthors: Tsai, Claire; Klayman, Joshua; Hastie, ReidAffiliation: The University of ChicagoAbstract: When a person makes a judgment based on evidence and assesses confidence in that judgment, what is the effect of providing more judgment-relevant information? Findings by Oskamp (1965) and by Slovic and Corrigan (1977) suggest that more information leads to increasing overconfidence. , We replicate the finding that receiving more information leads judges to increase their confidence even when their predictive accuracy does not improve. We identify some likely candidates for cues people use to judge confidence that do not correlate well with actual accuracy

Tipping Points of Digitisation: The Case of Legal Services

This paper contributes to the literature by challenges the value proposition of digitalisation across three sectors of professional services namely: law, and accounting/finance services. Our study aims to reflect on the knowledge and application of new technologies, deliberating a case for improving the value proposition challenging the existing business models of legal services. The study makes a contribution through a reflection new technologies and business models, through the ‘arcs of integration’. An exploratory research design, embracing an abductive approach, was adopted to new technologies, perceived performance through 224 quantitative data responses. The findings identified the issues professional service firms face, particularly the scope of adoption new technologies and perceived value of digitisation. This research has created a model that impact of legal and financial services. It adds much needed value to the concepts of the value proposition and technology transfer