An online narrative archive of service user experiences to support the education of undergraduate physiotherapy and social work students in North East England: An evaluation study.

Background: Patient narratives are a viable process for patients to contribute to the education of future health professionals and social workers. Narratives can facilitate a deeper understanding of the self and others through self-reflection and encourage transformative learning among students. Increasingly, accounts of health and care are available online but their use in health and social work education requires evaluation. This study explored the experiences of stakeholders who contributed to, developed and used an online narrative archive, which was developed in collaboration with five universities and healthcare providers in the North East of England (CETL4HealthNE). Methods: Realistic evaluation principles were used to underpin data collection, which consisted of semi-structured interviews, a focus group and observations of educators using narrative resources in teaching sessions with different professional groups in two universities. Participants included educators, storytellers, narrative interviewers, students and a transcriber. Data were analysed thematically by two researchers and verified by a third researcher. Findings: Stakeholders reported that listening to patient narratives was challenging. The process of contributing the story was a positive cathartic experience for patients, and the powerful storyteller voice often evoked empathy. Students commented on the ability of the online audio-visual narratives to enable them to see the patient holistically, and educators reported that narratives provided a means to introduce sensitive topics. Conclusions: The use of a locally generated online narrative archive is beneficial for storytellers, students and educators, providing an opportunity to influence healthcare professional training. Care needs to be taken when exposing individuals to potentially sensitive narratives

Bedside Manners: Play and Workbook

[Excerpt] Our goal in the play was to create a balanced work. In Bedside Manners, the reader will find people who communicate poorly and those who communicate well. Although the play focuses primarily on physicians and nurses and the acute-care hospital setting, we have tried to expand the cast of characters to include others on the health care team and to include other settings. As the safety literature documents, poor communication between members of the health care team is not simply an individual problem—a question of a few bad apples spoiling the barrel—but is rather a system problem that stems from how health care has historically developed. Although it is beyond the scope of this commentary to describe that historical development, suffice it to say that the problems of contemporary health care team relationships have a long history and are shaped not only by economics but also by gender, culture, religion, ethnicity, and many other factors. Although our play is meant to stimulate discussion about health care teamwork and suggest ways that doctors, nurses, and others in health care can develop the skills necessary to create and sustain genuine interprofessional teams, it is primarily a work of theater. Its goal is to help those who work in health care approach a very hot topic in a way that is both interesting and even, dare I say it, fun. To accompany the play and make it more user-friendly, Scott Reeves, Lisa Hayes, and I have also written a workbook, which explains the various ways it can be performed, how to mount a performance, and how to lead a discussion or workshop after the play is over. We also explain how to use the play as part of an interprofessional curriculum. Although some in our audiences have scoffed at such a touchy feely or unconventional way to present a serious issue, our experience has convinced us that theater is a useful tool to enhance teamwork, patient safety, and also to create more satisfying workplace relationships. Theater has been with humankind since almost the beginning of our history precisely because it is such a powerful tool. It can be used by those in health care who spend their days working with sick, frightened, anxious people, people who are, by definition, not at their best. Under the best of circumstances, their work is beyond difficult. Good communication and teamwork not only produces good patient outcomes; it helps health care professionals care for one another

A GENERALIZED SUPPLY RESPONSE/FACTOR DEMAND MODEL AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE FEEDER CATTLE MARKET

The appropriate specification of expectations in empirical models of supply response or factor demand is discussed. A general model that admits both extrapolative and rational expectations is formulated and analyzed. The model is used to investigate the decision making process of cattle feeders by incorporating information on futures prices (as representations of rational forecasts) and lagged prices. The findings provide some evidence that cattle feeders form their expectations of future prices using both types of information.Demand and Price Analysis, Livestock Production/Industries,

Investigating Self-Directed Learning and Adult Learner Readiness Attributes in a Call Center Environment

This study investigated the self-directed learning (SDL) attributes of call center employees and explored the impact of an adaptive learning intervention used within the corporate training program. In order to explore the perception of the learners, the self-rated scale of self-directed learner readiness (SRSSDLR) survey instrument was used to gather participant feedback (Williamson, 2008). Qualitative data was collected from the surveys, completion scores were gathered through the LMS system, and performance data focused on trainee proficiency on the job following training. Quantitative analysis was conducted using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and t-tests to determine relationship between the self-directed learning attributes and the outcome on the course completion scores, as well as each business efficiency metric. Results revealed that the participants rated highly in the SDL measures scoring a mean of 235.5 out of a 300 total score, based on the SRSSDLR survey instrument. The majority of learners acknowledged the valuable impact of adaptive learning on their learning experiences. While the researcher initially anticipated lower SDL scores in the participant population, results revealed higher scores. Qualitative feedback revealed that 17% of the learners commented that the heavily scheduled and restrictive learning environment competed with their ability to direct their own learning to deepen knowledge acquisition. The mismatch between teaching technique and the student’s stage for learning was evidenced in alignment with Grow’s (1996) research on choosing the teaching techniques in alignment with the learner’s needs. The theme of constant change competed with the learners’ abilities to keep pace with all the changes while meeting performance demands on the job

Effect of a No-Smoking Policy Aboard a U. S. Navy Aircraft Carrier

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact if a no-smoking policy aboard the Atlantic Fleet carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) on the crew\u27s smoking behavior and exposure to ETS, as well as crew attitudes regarding smoking policy. All crew members aboard ship were asked to participate in a baseline and post-intervention survey

Ceramics and Socio-Economic Statues of the Green Family, Windsor, Vermont

No abstract available at this time

Relationship between central and peripheral visual tendencies and center of balance responses to yoked prism

Peripheral vision has been shown to help stabilize subjects on a balance task more than central vision. Lenses and prisms have been shown to affect a person\u27s center of balance. A study by Jeske demonstrated significant shifts in center of balance upon the application of yoked prism. The question posed by this study is, do subjects who tend to pay more attention to peripheral visual information respond differently to 12 prism diopters of vertically yoked prism than do those subjects who pay more attention to central visual information? Replication of the results found by Jeske was also attempted. Subjects were 25 non-optometry students. The subject\u27s tendency to pay attention to peripheral or central visual information was measured using a combination of the scores on a distance maddox rod phoria, peripheral visual response speed as measured by the Wayne Peripheral Awareness Tester and Trainer, and score on the rod and frame apparatus. The subject\u27s center of balance response to vertically yoked prism was measured using the BALANCE SYSTEM: from the Chattecx corporation. It consists of a computerized balance platform from which footplates take rapid samples of percent of body weight shift based on an X-Y coordinate system. The X values quantified leftward or rightward center of balance position (X COB). The Y values quantified the forward or rearward center of balance positions (YCOB). Postural sway, dispersion, was also measured (PS). No significant differences were found between the prism conditions in the XCOB or PS analysis. Significant differences were seen in the YCOB variable when the base-down yoked prism condition was compared to the base\u27 UP prism condition. The central or peripheral processing characteristics did not show a significant relationship to YCOB response to yoked prism. Effects of refractive error and habitual standing posture on YCOB response to yoked prism was also measured. The myopes and the emmetropes responded significantly (p\u3c 0.05) more to the base-up prism than did the hyperopes, and the hyperopes and emmetropes responded signiticantly (p\u3c 0.05) more to the base-down yoked prism. Signiticant differences (p\u3c0.05) between subjects with a forward habitual posture and those with a rearward habitual posture were found for the base-down and baseup conditions, as well as the post base-up condition. Jeske\u27s study was only partially replicated. The center versus peripheral processing characteristics are not predictors of an individual\u27s response to yoked prism. Better predictors of center of balance response to yoked prism are refractive error and habitual standing posture