Health care staff perceptions of a coaching and mentoring programme: a qualitative case study evaluation

This study aimed to determine the value of the Coaching and Mentoring (C&M) Programme within a large National Health Service (NHS) system (‘Trust’) in London, England. A case study design was utilised with units of analysis: mentors, mentees, coaches, coachees, and line managers. Semi-structured interviews (n=32) took place in 2015. Findings revealed how individuals were able to develop personally and professionally. Findings support the need for more staff opportunities to engage in shared activities. The study also identified the importance of there being strong organisation-wide leadership of the programme, as well as managerial support to enable staff to engage in the programm

Hotspot sheep scab management: A community-based regional approach in England

Background: Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab), caused by an infestation of the mite Psoroptes ovis , leads to clinical disease, economic loss and severely compromised animal welfare. Here, a community‐based approach to the management of scab in three high‐risk areas of England is described. Methods: For each of the 254 farms included in the study, an initial survey of their clinical sheep scab history was followed up by a blood test (ELISA) to detect the presence of antibodies to P. ovis. This facilitated the coordination of treatment across groups of farms in each region. Blood testing was then repeated at the end of the treatment programme. Results: On the first blood test in 2021/2022, 25.6% (±5.5%) of the flocks were positive for sheep scab. On the second test in 2022/2023, 9% (±3.94%) of the flocks tested were positive, showing a highly statistically significant reduction in prevalence overall, but with strong regional variation. Limitations: generating an understanding of the flock‐level nature of the blood test and confidence in its detection of scab where clinical signs were not apparent provided ongoing challenges. Conclusions: The programme demonstrated that a focused community‐based approach can be used to significantly reduce the prevalence of sheep scab in high‐risk areas of England. The use of the blood test on all farms allowed the identification of subclinical sheep scab. The programme provides an effective model for sheep scab management on a national scale

Establishing a new journal for systematic review products

Welcome to a new age in publishing systematic reviews. We hope the launch of Systematic Reviews will resonate with a broad spectrum of readers interested in using them in a variety of ways, such as providing comprehensive and up to date evidence for patient management, informing health policy, and developing rigorous practice guidelines. Systematic reviews are increasingly popular. Our journal is committed to publishing a wide variety of well conducted and transparently reported systematic reviews and associated research. We are open access and electronic and not confined by space and so offer scope for publishing reviews in detail and providing a modern and innovative approach to publishing. We look forward to participating in the voyage with all of our readers

Qualitative exploration of the nature of grief-related beliefs and expectations

Societal expectations of grief impact the experience of bereavement. The congruence of societal expectations with current scientific understanding of grief is unknown. Therefore two qualitative studies explored community perceptions of grief. In study one, three small focus groups (N = 9) examined grief-related expectations associated with hypothetical scenarios of bereavement. In study two, the impact of grief-related perceptions on the lived experience of bereavement for 11 individuals was explored through semi-structured interviews. Across both studies, elements of a traditional stage model view of grief were evident, with participants viewing emotional expression of grief as important. An avoidant coping style in the bereaved was considered problematic. Findings of study two suggested that grief-related beliefs may impact the bereavement experience via appraisal of the grief response and willingness to support bereaved individuals. The studies suggested that stage model assumptions in the beliefs of the general population persist, although there was a recognition of diversity in the grief response.<br /

Improving Equitable Access to Healthy Foods in the Campus Community at North Carolina State University

The nutrition environment is a driver of food choices; unhealthy decisions prompted by environments that do not support access to healthy foods are a known factor in rising rates of diet related chronic diseases. Many college and university campuses have been shown to be obesogenic; in response, organizations have partnered with these institutions to improve their campus nutrition environment and overall campus health, such as the Partnership for a Healthier America’s (PHA) Healthier Campus Initiative (HCI). No studies have systematically examined the effects of these new alliances on the campus nutrition environment, or on health behaviors that impact diet quality such as perceptions of individual access to healthy food. While the primary population of these initiatives is the student body, other groups are affected by these changes. Food service staff are one such population; they are often earning low incomes and at greater risk for metabolic syndrome and other diet-related chronic diseases as well as food insecurity. This proposed study will address Action Area 3 of the RWJF Culture of Health Action Framework – Creating healthier, more equitable communities. Access to healthy foods is a key measure of built environment and physical conditions, which is a driver of such communities and is our measure of interest. We will explore HCI participation as a means of increasing equitable healthy food access among different campus populations, including students and food service workers. Additionally, we will examine barriers to and facilitators of HCI implementation as a measure of organizational support for this initiative. The study will be conducted at NC State University. This three-part study will assess changes to the NC State nutrition environment (Aim 1), perceptions of healthy food access by food service staff and students (Aim 2), and organizational supports for HCI participation (Aim 3). We are requesting $204,005.39 over 24 months.Master of Public Healt

Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds as potential anticancer agents

Abstract available: p. iv-v

Home Literacy Initiatives of Middle School Families During the 2020 Quarantine Period: Transformation in Education?

The coronavirus pandemic changed everything almost overnight for students and their families. The purpose of this qualitative case study, thus, was to investigate the views of families about the sudden change in education for their middle school children, particularly literacy practices, during the pandemic. Drawing upon Bourdieu’s theoretical framework of cultural capital, coupled with socioeconomic status, funds of knowledge, and crisis management, we conducted interviews with 4 parents. Using the in vivo coding data analysis method, we identified some key preliminary findings: all-day-happy-hour, the strange disconnection between teachers and parents, and soft and hard approaches to school-home literacy. Participants revealed very distinctive dispositions to make this “school-home” education work on their own. These parental dispositions and new meaning-making from their children’s education developed into what we referred to as parentagogy, as they determined for themselves the skills they would need and use to help their children succeed in their new roles as parent and educator. This study confirms the importance of parental value in education

A focus group based study of the perspectives of the Maltese population and healthcare professionals on medication wastage.

The World Health Organization states that globally more than half of all medication is inappropriately prescribed, dispensed or sold with a need to implement wastage reduction strategies. Developing processes which include behaviour change theories, such as the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), significantly impacts the positive implementation of evidence into healthcare practice. Objective To describe and understand the beliefs and behaviours regarding medication wastage of the Maltese public and healthcare professionals (HCPs) and to explore potential solutions. Setting: Malta. Method Five 90 min audio recorded focus groups (2 public and 3 HCPs) were conducted with a purposive sample who responded to a previous survey study and were willing to participate in focus groups in Malta. The guide was based upon the TDF with interview questions derived from findings of the questionnaire phase. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis was carried using the framework approach. Main outcome measure Beliefs and behaviours regarding medication wastage and potential solutions to reduce medication wastage. Results A total of eleven pharmacists, six doctors and six members of the public consented to participate. Focus groups conducted with HCPs and the general public identified the following four key themes aligned with the TDF domains to address proposed solutions to minimise medication wastage: (1) practitioner effects; (2) patients effects; (3) political effects; (4) societal effects. Conclusion This study has employed a theoretical framework to obtain a better understanding of facilitators which require attention as part of strategic development