Narratives of Developing Counsellors’ Preferred Theories of Counselling Storied Through Text, Metaphor, and Photographic Images

Reflective practice is integral for developing counsellors to maintain self- awareness and to recognize influences upon one’s personal theory of counselling. In this exploratory narrative inquiry research, four doctoral level counselling psychologists participated to uncover “What are the personal stories of developing counsellors and in what ways are lived stories reflective of counsellors\u27 personal theories of counselling? The researcher employed a butterfly metaphor, and photographs to illustrate lived stories. Dawn, East, Crystal, Sean, and the researcher’s own lived stories elucidated personal counselling theories and approaches. The view that all theories are constructed portraits of theorists\u27 lives is substantiated. A strong link between lived stories and preferred theories in counselling is demonstrated. Directions for future research are provided

Expanding Qualitative Research Interviewing Strategies: Zoom Video Communications

The proliferation of new video conferencing tools offers unique data generation opportunities for qualitative researchers. While in-person interviews were the mainstay of data generation in qualitative studies, video conferencing programs, such as Zoom Video Communications Inc. (Zoom), provide researchers with a cost-effective and convenient alternative to in-person interviews. The uses and advantages of face-to-face interviewing are well documented; however, utilizing video conferencing as a method of data generation has not been well examined. The purpose of this paper is to examine the specific attributes of Zoom that contribute to high quality and in-depth qualitative interviews when in person interviewing is not feasible. While video conferencing was developed to facilitate long-distance or international communication, enhance collaborations and reduce travel costs for business these same features can be extended to qualitative research interviews. Overall, participants reported that Zoom video conferencing was a positive experience. They identified strengths of this approach such as: (1) convenience and ease of use, (2) enhanced personal interface to discuss personal topics (e.g., parenting), (3) accessibility (i.e., phone, tablet, and computer), (4) time-saving with no travel requirements to participate in the research and therefore more time available for their family. Video conferencing software economically supports research aimed at large numbers of participants and diverse and geographically dispersed populations

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

The Heart of the Matter: Connecting with Clients on Antidepressants

David Schaefer was unable to co-present this paper at the conference. As such, I was sole presenter of this work. It was well received by about 20 delegates who all received hard copies of the powerpoint presentation. Discussion was rich (about half an hour) after the presentation where delegates had questions in regards to the methodology of the research, antidepressant medication being prescribed by a host of other illnesses and diseases that aren’t related to depression, and whether or not psychopharmacology training should be mandatory, or not, in counsellor education. David Schaefer and I have discussed what delegates talked about and are continuing to proceed with a manuscript preparation of this research to the journal ‘Canadian Psychology’. Furthermore, we have a manuscript currently in review with the Canadian Journal of Counselling, which focuses specifically on the pedagogical implications of the research. Overall, the presentation was a success and I much appreciate the support of the AU APDF to attend the Canadian Counselling Association Annual Conference.This presentation is specifically intended for all counselors, in all practice setting, that work with depressed clients who take antidepressant medication or are potential candidates for this type of medication. However, this presentation may also be of interest to all clinicians that work with clients that take other psychotropic medications and/or clients that may be potential candidates for other types of psychotropic medication.Academic & Professional Development Fund (A&PDF

Women & Distance Education: Issues and Perspectives

In North America, where the majority of Distance Education (DE) learners are female, women face a multitude of barriers and challenges, the effects of which can result in undue stress and attrition in DE programs. Dr. Gina Wong-Wylie, Assistant Professor, Counselling Psychology/Applied Psychology, will present: issues and perspectives discussed in extant literature; poignant themes that emerged through recent qualitative research involving women in early motherhood who were concurrently engaged in distance learning; a reflection on themes and strategies associated with success in women learning virtually anywhere

Wēijī : East Asian Mothering

This conference presentation will highlight the conference theme of exploring motherhood and mothering in a global context. Wēijī represents the Chinese symbol for “crisis” and “opportunity” whereby reversing the characters changes the meaning to the other. East Asian mothering indeed is characterized by opportunity and crisis; as well as empowerment, resistance, and oppression. Examining the commonality and diversity in East Asian mothering, this presentation will posit feminist mothering practices, share narratives of mothering in this cross-cultural context from the presenter who is a Chinese Canadian mother and academic, and examine issues of empowerment and oppression. Filial piety, a Confucian virtue, dictates that children respect parents and ancestors. Yale law professor Amy Chua (2011) wrote in her best-selling memoir Tiger Moms: Battle of the Hymms about the Eastern mothering approach of the ‘Chinese tiger mom’ where filial piety is a must as children are expected to excel at all costs and to listen to their mothers at all cost. Chua proudly exposes her rigid Chinese tiger mom iron-fist and accuses Western parenting approaches for being too weak, not demanding, nor holding high enough standard of achievement for kids. Chua’s views have incited a North American debate to the extent that she received death threats and intense vitriol online from mothers while at the same time is loved and applauded by many others. This presentation will tie in discussions of the Chinese Tiger mom with an overall address into East Asian cultural and historic perspectives on mothering while examining the overall significance to academic, scholarship, and motherwork in a global context