281 research outputs found
Developing a Corequisite Writing Textbook: How Two Novices Handled the Complex Nature of Open Textbook Production
Despite the growing body of scholarship focused on Open Educational Resources (OERs), studies tracking open textbook production are exceedingly rare. To gain insight into the complexities associated with open textbook development, this articleâs authors used concurrent verbalization and pre- and post-concurrent verbalization interviews to document writing episodes while composing their first coursebook, an open-source text designed for corequisite course pairings of writing fundamentals and introduction to technical writing. Corequisite classes combine content-area instruction with explicit skill-building opportunities, and although commercial publishing houses do produce corequisite textbooks for traditional general education courses, the authors were impelled by the need to create a specialized coursebook for a STEM-focused writing corequisite. Qualitative content analysis of the data collected during ongoing coursebook development revealed how the novice textbook authors navigated complexities when sourcing material for the book, formatting content, and embedding hyperlinks into chapters. Open textbook development offers a variety of professional development opportunities, and the details provided herein could be instructive to others embarking on open coursebook projects and inspire further inquiry into ongoing open textbook production. This paper also exposes the dynamic interaction between textbook content as designed and operationalized, offering implications for the research field of materials development
Mindful Technical Writing: An Introduction to the Fundamentals
Welcome to Mindful Technical Writing: An Introduction to the Fundamentals, an open textbook designed for use in co-requisite course pairings of developmental writing and introductory technical writing, or indeed in other lower-division college writing courses that focus on building study skills alongside effective workplace and academic writing skills. It offers a no-cost alternative to commercial products, combining practical guidance with interactive exercises and thoughtfully designed writing opportunities.
This bookâs modular design and ample coverage of topics and genres means that it can be used flexibly over semester-long or stretch courses, allowing instructors and students to select the chapters that are most relevant for their needs. By blending new material with reviews of key topics, such as academic integrity, the chapters provide fresh perspectives on matters vital to the development of strong writing skills
Ten years of the International Patient Decision Aid Standards Collaboration: evolution of the core dimensions for assessing the quality of patient decision aids
In 2003, the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) Collaboration was established to enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient decision aids by establishing an evidence-informed framework for improving their content, development, implementation, and evaluation. Over this 10 year period, the Collaboration has established: a) the background document on 12 core dimensions to inform the original modified Delphi process to establish the IPDAS checklist (74 items); b) the valid and reliable IPDAS instrument (47 items); and c) the IPDAS qualifying (6 items), certifying (6 items + 4 items for screening), and quality criteria (28 items). The objective of this paper is to describe the evolution of the IPDAS Collaboration and discuss the standardized process used to update the background documents on the theoretical rationales, evidence and emerging issues underlying the 12 core dimensions for assessing the quality of patient decision aids. © 2013 Volk et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd
Shared decision-making and health for First Nations, MĂ©tis and Inuit women: a study protocol
BACKGROUND: Little is known about shared decision-making (SDM) with MĂ©tis, First Nations and Inuit women (âAboriginal womenâ). SDM is a collaborative process that engages health care professional(s) and the client in making health decisions and is fundamental for informed consent and patient-centred care. The objective of this study is to explore Aboriginal womenâs health and social decision-making needs and to engage Aboriginal women in culturally adapting an SDM approach. METHODS: Using participatory research principles and guided by a postcolonial theoretical lens, the proposed mixed methods research will involve three phases. Phase I is an international systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions for Aboriginal peoplesâ health decision-making. Developed following dialogue with key stakeholders, proposed methods are guided by the Cochrane handbook and include a comprehensive search, screening by two independent researchers, and synthesis of findings. Phases II and III will be conducted in collaboration with Minwaashin Lodge and engage an urban Aboriginal community of women in an interpretive descriptive qualitative study. In Phase II, 10 to 13 Aboriginal women will be interviewed to explore their health/social decision-making experiences. The interview guide is based on the Ottawa Decision Support Framework and previous decisional needs assessments, and as appropriate may be adapted to findings from the systematic review. Digitally-recorded interviews will be transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively to identify participant decision-making approaches and needs when making health/social decisions. In Phase III, there will be cultural adaptation of an SDM facilitation tool, the Ottawa Personal Decision Guide, by two focus groups consisting of five to seven Aboriginal women. The culturally adapted guide will undergo usability testing through individual interviews with five to six women who are about to make a health/social decision. Focus groups and individual interviews will be digitally-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed inductively to identify the adaptation required and usability of the adapted decision guide. DISCUSSION: Findings from this research will produce a culturally sensitive intervention to facilitate SDM within a population of urban Aboriginal women, which can subsequently be evaluated to determine impacts on narrowing health/social decision-making inequities
Decision Quality Instrument for Treatment of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Psychometric Evaluation
A high quality decision requires that patients who meet clinical criteria for surgery are informed about the options (including non-surgical alternatives) and receive treatments that match their goals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and clinical sensibility of a patient self report instrument, to measure the quality of decisions about total joint replacement for knee or hip osteoarthritis
Lifestyle Interventions Targeting Body Weight Changes during the Menopause Transition: A Systematic Review
Objective. To determine the effectiveness of exercise and/or nutrition interventions and to address body weight changes during the menopause transition.
Methods. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using electronic databases, grey literature, and hand searching. Two independent researchers screened for studies using experimental designs to evaluate the impact of exercise and/or nutrition interventions on body weight and/or central weight gain performed during the menopausal transition. Studies were quality appraised using Cochrane risk of bias. Included studies were analyzed descriptively. Results. Of 3,564 unique citations screened, 3 studies were eligible (2 randomized controlled trials, and 1 pre/post study). Study quality ranged from low to high risk of bias. One randomized controlled trial with lower risk of bias concluded that participation in an exercise program combined with dietary interventions might mitigate body adiposity increases, which is normally observed during the menopause transition. The other two studies with higher risk of bias suggested that exercise might attenuate weight loss or weight gain and change abdominal adiposity patterns. Conclusions. High quality studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions targeting body weight changes in women during their menopause transition are needed. Evidence from one higher quality study indicates an effective multifaceted intervention for women to minimize changes in body adiposity
Engaging Clinical Nurses in Research: Nursesâ Experiences Delivering a Communication Intervention in a Behavioral Oncology Clinical Trial
Despite the recognized need for clinical nurses to engage in the conduct of research, little is known about their research experiences. This article describes the experiences of nurses who delivered the communication intervention in a behavioral oncology clinical trial for parents of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted of nurse intervenersâ (NIsâ) reflections on their experiences delivering the communication intervention. Ten data-generating questions were developed to guide NIsâ reflections. Twelve NIs responded via verbal discussions. Six of these also provided written responses. Overall, nursesâ experiences as interveners were powerful and positive, and included time and space to be fully present with patients and families. NIs identified barriers to their involvement in research related to time constraints, administrative support, physical space to privately conduct the intervention, and difficulties maintaining expertise with the intervention. The importance of ongoing collaboration between nurses, unit staff, leaders, and study teams was corroborated. An unexpected finding was the importance of Reflective Clinical Research
Validating a conceptual model for an inter-professional approach to shared decision making: a mixed methods study
Rationale, aims and objectives Following increased interest in having inter-professional
(IP) health care teams engage patients in decision making, we developed a conceptual
model for an IP approach to shared decision making (SDM) in primary care. We assessed
the validity of the model with stakeholders in Canada.
Methods In 15 individual interviews and 7 group interviews with 79 stakeholders, we
asked them to: (1) propose changes to the IP-SDM model; (2) identify barriers and
facilitators to the modelâs implementation in clinical practice; and (3) assess the model
using a theory appraisal questionnaire.We performed a thematic analysis of the transcripts
and a descriptive analysis of the questionnaires.
Results Stakeholders suggested placing the patient at its centre; extending the concept of
family to include significant others; clarifying outcomes; highlighting the concept of time;
merging the micro, meso and macro levels in one figure; and recognizing the influence of
the environment and emotions. The most common barriers identified were time constraints,
insufficient resources and an imbalance of power among health professionals. The most
common facilitators were education and training in inter-professionalism and SDM, motivation
to achieve an IP approach to SDM, and mutual knowledge and understanding of
disciplinary roles. Most stakeholders considered that the concepts and relationships
between the concepts were clear and rated the model as logical, testable, having clear
schematic representation, and being relevant to inter-professional collaboration, SDM and
primary care.
Conclusions Stakeholders validated the new IP-SDM model for primary care settings and
proposed few modifications. Future research should assess if the model helps implement
SDM in IP clinical practice
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