“d+iD Empowering individuals” international research project exhibition and research publication (multi-component output, 2019-ongoing)

The diversity + inclusivity by Design Research (d+iD) at the School of Design, at the University of Greenwich and in partnership with the Cultural Section of the Cyprus High Commission in London is delighted to present an unprecedented number of outstanding research outputs in an innovative international exhibition. The exhibition showcases co-design research and explores how diverse and inclusive design become the ultimate communication tool to connect the world to go beyond expected boundaries, through a range of transdisciplinary approaches that positively impact our social and political landscapes. These works share a common objective: What is enabled when designers design with, and for, others? We have invited a group of Cypriot design researchers across the United Kingdom to explore the theme “Diversity and Inclusivity by Design: Empowering Individuals” and through extensive research to produce a piece of work with which they will participate in a group exhibition, which will be part of the prestigious London Design Festival 2019. The Practice Design Researchers have been collectively selected by the exhibition curators, Dr Anastasios Maragiannis, Deputy Head of the School of Design at the University of Greenwich, Dr Marios Psaras, Cultural Counsellor at the Cyprus High Commission, and researcher-designer Mala Siamptani (UAL), and include practice-researchers : Maya Angeli (Set Design), Alina Babaletsos (Flower Performance Design), Alexandros Kosmidis (Communication Design), Maria Papaleontiou (Architecture), Stacey Pitsillides (Design Research), Magdalene Theodorou (Fashion Design), and Mala Siamptani (Participatory Wearables). To design inclusively is to engage people deeply throughout the design process, sharing our practices and amalgamating people’s unique knowledge as design interventions. Through practice research d+iD aims to amplify, diversify, and mobilise this under-investigated aspect of practice and discourse; where design acts inclusively regardless of disability, gender, ethnicity, vulnerability, language or age. The exhibition reflects on developments in diversity and inclusivity by design in the current creative Cypriot landscape. There has been an interest in exploring themes involving the diverse design group from generic or specific geographical locations, and so the initial ideas for a curatorial concept will focus around this. d+iD previous research exhibition outputs together to this point have focused primarily on global creative industries and an amalgamation of national and international projects; now it is time to celebrate a specific design group to investigate the impact of their work in their region (Republic of Cyprus). Using the visual language of magazines, advertising, product design, mass media and film in either low-tech or highly stylised ways, these artists and designers point the spotlight on social issues, satirise the political world or share intimate thoughts and feelings with their audience. Issues such as politics, gender, conflict, and consumerism are perfectly suited to the formats of photography, film, and sound and this method of direct, accessible and socially engaged work has continued to influence these designers in Cyprus and beyond. The selected design practice researchers will diagnose and explore in depth key challenges and highlight opportunities where design can add measurable social, commercial and non-commercial value, through research and creativity. The group research exhibition outcomes will be hosted at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery at the University of Greenwich from September 14 until October 26, 2019 and will be accompanied by a catalogue and an associated programme of educational and public events. The exhibition will travel worldwide

Safety Culture in the Maternity Units: a census survey using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire

Background: Patient safety has been a priority for many societies and health care systems in the last decades. Identification of preventable risks and aversion of potentially unsafe situations and fatal complications in maternity units is life saving. The explicit need to focus on quality of care underpins the aim of the study to initially evaluate the safety culture and teamwork climate in the public Maternity Units of the 5 Regional Hospitals in Cyprus as measured by a validated safety attitudes tool. Methods. Data were collected from 140 midwives working in the public sector all over Cyprus by the Greek Version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire-Labor version. Results: One hundred and six (75.71%) registered midwives completed the questionnaire fully. The median of total work experience as a registered midwife was 3 years (IQR: 2-18.25); whereas the median of total working experience in the nursing and maternity units was 5 years (IQR: 2-21.75). Experienced midwives rated the following domains higher: team work, safety climate, job satisfaction and working conditions as opposed to the midwives with less experience. Additionally those with a longer working life in the current maternity units rated these domains higher: safety climate, job satisfaction and working conditions as opposed to the less experienced midwives. Conclusions: The high mean total score on team work and safety climate in the more experienced group of midwives is a predominant finding for the maternity units of Cyprus. In Cyprus where facilities are small in size and midwives know each other, share more responsibility towards patient safety. It could be suggested that younger midwives need more support and teamwork practice to enhance the safety and teamwork climate towards self-confidence

Factors influencing nurses' compliance with Standard Precautions in order to avoid occupational exposure to microorganisms: A focus group study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nurses may acquire an infection during the provision of nursing care because of occupational exposure to microorganisms. Relevant literature reports that, compliance with Standard Precautions (a set of guidelines that can protect health care professionals from being exposed to microorganisms) is low among nurses. Additionally, high rates of exposure to microorganisms among nurses via several modes (needlesticks, hand contamination with blood, exposure to air-transmitted microorganisms) occur. The aim of the study was to study the factors that influence nurses' compliance with Standard Precaution in order to avoid occupational exposure to pathogens, by employing a qualitative research design.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A focus group approach was used to explore the issue under study. Four focus groups (N = 30) were organised to elicit nurses' perception of the factors that influence their compliance with Standard Precautions. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as the theoretical framework and the data were analysed according to predetermined criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Following content analysis, factors that influence nurses' compliance emerged. Most factors could be applied to one of the main domains of the HBM: benefits, barriers, severity, susceptibility, cues to action, and self-efficacy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Changing current behavior requires knowledge of the factors that may influence nurses' compliance with Standard Precautions. This knowledge will facilitate in the implementation of programs and preventive actions that contribute in avoiding of occupational exposure.</p