Career Sustaining Factors for Campus-Based Fraternity/Sorority Advising Professionals: A Grounded Theory Study

The purpose of this study was to understand the process Fraternity/Sorority Advising (FSA) professionals utilize to sustain their careers beyond five years. Participants’ wellness practices and burnout experiences were explored through semi-structured interviews. This study included 26 participants who had sustained their career as a full-time, campus-based FSA for a minimum of five years. Through a grounded theory method, several themes were found, and a career sustainability and wellness model was generated. Career sustaining practices are defined, and applicable use of the model is presented

Men’s health – the impact of stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of adult death and the most common cause of complex disability in the UK. This article discusses the incidence and impact of stroke, focusing on a range of issues from a male perspective, including stroke prevention, psychological needs, sexuality and return to work. There are some gender differences in modifiable risk factors for stroke, and women have better knowledge of stroke symptomatology. For men, the development of post-stroke depression is associated with greater physical disability. (c) Sherborne Gibbs Limite

Structural biologists, lets mind our colors

In structural biology, most figures of macromolecules are aimed at those well-versed in structure, requiring prior familiarity with scales and commonly used color schemes. Yet, as structural biology becomes democratized with the increasing pace of structure determination, the accessibility of structural data is paramount. Here, we identify three keys, and have written accompanying software plugins, for structural biologists to create figures truer to the hard-won data and clearer across different modes of color vision and to non-expert readers. Use perceptually uniform colormaps Consider readers with different modes of color vision Be explicit about scales and color usag

Structural biologists, lets mind our colors

In structural biology, most figures of macromolecules are aimed at those well-versed in structure, requiring prior familiarity with scales and commonly used color schemes. Yet, as structural biology becomes democratized with the increasing pace of structure determination, the accessibility of structural data is paramount. Here, we identify three keys, and have written accompanying software plugins, for structural biologists to create figures truer to the hard-won data and clearer across different modes of color vision and to non-expert readers. Use perceptually uniform colormaps Consider readers with different modes of color vision Be explicit about scales and color usag

A systematic review of personal smart technologies used to improve outcomes in adults with acquired brain injuries

Objective:This review aimed to determine the effectiveness of personal smart technologies on outcomes in adults with acquired brain injury.Data sources:A systematic literature search was conducted on 30 May 2019. Twelve electronic databases, grey literature databases, PROSPERO, reference list and author citations were searched.Methods:Randomised controlled trials were included if personal smart technology was used to improve independence, goal attainment/function, fatigue or quality of life in adults with acquired brain injury. Data were extracted using a bespoke form and the TIDieR checklist. Studies were graded using the PEDro scale to assess quality of reporting. Meta-analysis was conducted across four studies.Results:Six studies met the inclusion criteria, generating a total of 244 participants. All studies were of high quality (PEDro ⩾ 6). Interventions included personal digital assistant, smartphone app, mobile phone messaging, Neuropage and an iPad. Reporting of intervention tailoring for individual needs was inconsistent. All studies measured goal attainment/function but none measured independence or fatigue. One study (n = 42) reported a significant increase in memory-specific goal attainment (p = 0.0001) and retrospective memory function (p = 0.042) in favour of the intervention. Another study (n = 8) reported a significant increase in social participation in favour of the intervention (p = 0.01). However, our meta-analyses found no significant effect of personal smart technology on goal attainment, cognitive or psychological function.Conclusion:At present, there is insufficient evidence to support the clinical benefit of personal smart technologies to improve outcomes in acquired brain injury. Researchers need to conduct more randomised studies to evaluate these interventions and measure their potential effects/harms

Comparing face-to-face with online training for occupational therapists in advising on fitness for work: Protocol for the CREATE study

© The Author(s) 2020. Introduction: Occupational therapists play a key role in advising on fitness for work; however, there is a concern that they lack knowledge and confidence in using the Allied Health Professions health and work report (formerly the Allied Health Professions advisory fitness for work report), developed in the United Kingdom. Comparing a reusable learning object with face-to-face training for occupational therapists in advising on fitness for work (CREATE) compares face-to-face training with online training for occupational therapists in completing the Allied Health Professions health and work report. Method: A mixed methods study. Phase 1, occupational therapists will co-design an online training resource. A standardised face-to-face group-based training session will also be developed based on the same content. Phase 2, a feasibility study will be conducted. Thirty occupational therapists will either attend face-to-face group training or access the online resource. Data on self-reported knowledge and confidence in using the Allied Health Professions health and work report will be collected at baseline, 1 week and 8 weeks post-training. Feedback on the training will be collected by interview and, for the online resource, using an online tool. Results: Quantitative results will be predominantly analysed descriptively. If appropriate, between-group responses will be compared using the Mann–Whitney test. Qualitative findings will be analysed thematically. Conclusion: CREATE will have made a significant contribution to the debate around appropriate training methods in advising on fitness for work

A theory of change for parents and caregivers towards a technology-enhanced education system in Bangladesh

The third of a trilogy of Theories of Change (TOCs) that focuses on parents and caregivers as key agents of change in the development of an increasingly technology-enhanced education system in Bangladesh. The TOC was created following a period of desk research and in-country stakeholder workshops. It offers a theory for how parents’ and caregivers’ experiences in diverse programmes and initiatives will enable them to support children to improved educational outcomes, and take advantage of available technology. It offers a tool for programme designers, implementers, and evaluators to think critically about how their initiative(s) will impact parents and caregivers for the longer-term benefits of their children

Let’s CHAT (community health approaches to) dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial

Background: Documented rates of dementia and cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND) in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is 3–5 times higher than the rest of the population, and current evidence suggests this condition is under-diagnosed and under-managed in a clinical primary care setting. This study aims to implement and evaluate a culturally responsive best practice model of care to optimise the detection and management of people with cognitive impairment and/or dementia, and to improve the quality of life of carers and older Aboriginal and Torres Islander Peoples with cognitive impairment. Methods/design: The prospective study will use a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial design working with 12 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) across four states of Australia. Utilising a co-design approach, health system adaptations will be implemented including (i) development of a best practice guide for cognitive impairment and dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (ii) education programs for health professionals supported by local champions and (iii) development of decision support systems for local medical software. In addition, the study will utilise a knowledge translation framework, the Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (iPARIHS) Framework, to promote long-term sustainable practice change. Process evaluation will also be undertaken to measure the quality, fidelity and contextual influences on the outcomes of the implementation. The primary outcome measures will be rates of documentation of dementia and CIND, and evidence of improved management of dementia and CIND among older Indigenous peoples attending Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary care services through health system changes. The secondary outcomes will be improvements to the quality of life of older Indigenous peoples with dementia and CIND, as well as that of their carers and families. Discussion: The Let’s CHAT Dementia project will co-design, implement and evaluate a culturally responsive best practice model of care embedded within current Indigenous primary health care. The best practice model of care has the potential to optimise the timely detection (especially in the early stages) and improve the ongoing management of people with dementia or cognitive impairment

A study of outcomes of patients treated at a UK major trauma centre for moderate or severe injuries one to three years after injury

Objective: To assess return to work outcomes of major trauma patients treated at a level 1 UK major trauma centre and evaluate factors associated with improved outcomes. Design: Cross-sectional cohort design. Subjects: Ninety-nine Patients at 1, 2 or 3 years post-discharge from a Major Trauma Centre with an injury severity score above 9, in full time work or education prior to injury, aged 18 to 70 and discharged between April 2012 and June 2015. Main Measures: Self report questionnaire including the Trauma Outcome Profile, the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening questionnaire and questions pertaining to work and education. Results: Of the ninety-nine in full time work pre injury, sixty-five made a complete return to work, fifteen made an incomplete return to work, and nineteen did not return to work, where incomplete return to work was defined as working below 80% of previous working hours. Twenty-five participants scored below the cut-off point on physical disabilities, forty-six below the cut-off point on mental functioning and thirty-eight below the cut-off point on social interaction. Reduced anxiety and higher mental functioning was consistently associated with complete return to work. Conclusions: Sixty-six percent of patients with moderate to severe injuries made a complete return to work. A range of psycho-social, physical and functional health issues were persistent at long term follow up

Return to work after stroke: feasibility six year follow-up

Background: In a feasibility trial of early occupational therapy vocational rehabilitation (VR), more VR participants were in work at 12 months compared to those who received usual NHS rehabilitation after stroke (UC) (11 [65%] v 6 [35%]) (Radford et al., 2013). However, the longer-term is unknown. Aim: To follow up and explore work status six years post stroke. Method: Postal questionnaires measuring employment, income, mood, functional ability and quality of life (QoL) were sent to participants in an earlier feasibility trial by the lead stroke clinician. Respondents were invited to participate in interviews exploring working six years after stroke. Ethical and HRA approvals obtained (REC 16/EM/0423) Results: Of 48 identified participants, five (10.4%) had died; 19/43 (44.2%) responded. Fourteen were men; mean age 62 (24-78) years. Respondents classified themselves as in paid work 10/19 (53%), voluntary work 3/19 (16%), full time education 1/19 (5%) and solely retired 5/19 (26%). Six respondents were working over the age of 65 (26.3%). Most remained with preinjury employers (11/13). Half (8/15 53%) reported a decrease in income since stroke. Compared to one year, mean functional ability improved marginally from 56.6 (SD 12) to 59.4 (SD 9) but quality of life reduced from mean 77.4 (SD 11) vs 70.7 (SD14). Six interviewees felt working was the correct decision but lacked support with invisible impairments (fatigue, memory) which impacted workability.Conclusion: Work remains important to stroke survivors. Vocational rehabilitation should address hidden disabilities. Response bias may have influenced these findings