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11 – 20 of 115
Article
Publication date: 1 September 2001

R.D. Plant and C. Lossing‐Rangecroft

Six professions allied to medicine (PAMs) participated in a one‐year project designed to provide a novel self‐sustaining framework within which to increase research and…

1222

Abstract

Six professions allied to medicine (PAMs) participated in a one‐year project designed to provide a novel self‐sustaining framework within which to increase research and development effectiveness in the Northern and Yorkshire region. The project was based on recognition that the multiplicity and diversity of professional structures and lack of representation of clinical PAMs were obstacles to effective governance. All 37 clinical NHS trusts within the Region took part. The professions selected to participate were chiropody and podiatry, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and therapeutic radiography. A planned process of consultation and consensus was used involving Trust representatives, development workers and advisory group. A PAMs R&D network and forum were achieved and operate at three levels: Trust; locality; and region. Access to existing structures is facilitated at each level and the Forum offers a reliable and rapid route for transfer of information, engagement with R&D and consultation with policy initiatives.

Details

British Journal of Clinical Governance, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1466-4100

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2013

Deon V. Canyon

Crisis-prone organizations are reactive and unprepared, and are characterized by deficiencies in damage containment mechanisms (DCMs), which are tools and processes intended to…

581

Abstract

Purpose

Crisis-prone organizations are reactive and unprepared, and are characterized by deficiencies in damage containment mechanisms (DCMs), which are tools and processes intended to prevent and/or manage crises. In the literature, DCMs are usually studied piecemeal and have not been studied in health organizations in a broader organizational context. Thus, this study aims to identify the use of DCMs and the frequency with which they are inspected, maintained and reviewed for design flaws.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained by questionnaire from decision-making executives in hospitals, medical centers, aged care, pharmacies, dental clinics and practices in physiotherapy, chiropractic and podiatry.

Findings

Heavy reliance was placed on planning and technological DCMs while human and social methods were typically not considered. Organizations considered limited crisis types and there was a disconnect between the types of DCMs and the crises they targeted. Over half the organizations reviewed DCMs annually or more frequently. Backup DCMs mostly consisted of on-call staff and first responders with some auxiliary communications systems. Interviewees stated that these were designed to prevent financial, equipment breakdown, human resource and occupational safety crises.

Originality/value

Most organizations had inadequate DCMs due to a lack of top-down support, planning and foresight. Furthermore, these health organizations demonstrated a lack of understanding of what DCMs are and how they function. The conclusion is that most of the health organizations surveyed are crisis-prone and health leaders need to put more effort into looking broadly at DCMs to improve organizational preparedness.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 January 2024

Domingo de-Pedro-Jiménez, Esther Foncubierta-Sierra, Esther Domínguez-Romero, Juan Vega-Escaño, Marta Hernández Martín and Cristina Gavira Fernández

This paper aims to study the influence of leisure-time physical activity on depression crises and the difficulty in performing light household tasks.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the influence of leisure-time physical activity on depression crises and the difficulty in performing light household tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2020 European Health Survey in Spain. A total of 1,076 individuals diagnosed with depression were selected. ANOVA, chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and Mann–Whitney U test were applied, and a simple moderation analysis was conducted using the SPSS PROCESS 4.0 macro.

Findings

Women had higher percentages of some or much difficulty in performing domestic activities (p = 0.007). Differences were found between experiencing a crisis in the past 12 months versus not having one (p < 0.001): less physical activity was performed, perceived health was worse and difficulty in performing domestic activities increased. The moderation analysis confirmed the moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between experiencing a crisis and having difficulty with domestic activities (p = 0.017).

Research limitations/implications

The usual limitation of descriptive cross-sectional studies, which cannot establish causal relationships, must be added to low sample sizes in some categories.

Practical implications

The analysis with gender differentiation, promoting gender-specific adapted practices, considering age and personal circumstances of the patient, appropriate exercise prescription, as well as its evaluation and follow-up, are areas where specialist nurses need to delve deeper to enhance the quality of care.

Originality/value

Leisure-time physical activity moderates the relationship between experiencing a crisis and having difficulty with light household tasks: those who engage in occasional physical activity have less difficulty compared to those who do not engage in it.

Details

Journal of Public Mental Health, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5729

Keywords

Content available

Abstract

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

Article
Publication date: 5 March 2018

Le Ma and Richard Reed

As the “baby boomer” generation continues to enter their senior post-retirement years, the provision of affordable retirement housing has become increasingly important for the…

1320

Abstract

Purpose

As the “baby boomer” generation continues to enter their senior post-retirement years, the provision of affordable retirement housing has become increasingly important for the community, practitioners and policymakers. However, relatively little attention has to date been placed on identifying an effective market mechanism for the industry of the independent-living retirement villages to meet this increased and unprecedented demand. This study aims to develop an innovative and affordable retirement village development model which meets the needs of all stakeholders including seniors, retirement village residents, the retirement village industry and government.

Design/methodology/approach

The attributes of this study are as follows: structure of individual living units, retirement village characteristics, retirement village facilities and services and support mechanisms. The analysis was undertaken based on data relating to independent-living retirement villages in five Australian states. A hedonic pricing model was used where the price distributions relating to these four aspects were estimated.

Findings

The results confirmed the structures of the independent living units and the retirement village characteristics were closely related to pricing, followed by services and supports with a lesser relationship, although the facilities were not significantly related to pricing.

Research limitations/implications

This research is not able to address the entire retirement village market in Australia because the available market data are limited.

Practical implications

This research uses an innovative supply-side approach to assess retirement village attributes and values, which provides stakeholders with up-to-date market information to assist in guiding the performance of the retirement village industry.

Social implications

The market evaluations imply that seniors are reluctant to pay for village attributes that are not regarded as highly sought-after. A cost-effective strategy of new retirement village developments and upgrades can be further induced, which in turn can enhance the market efficiency and affordability of the retirement villages.

Originality/value

This pricing model for retirement village units extends previous studies into retirement villages and presents stakeholders with an innovative and reliable market-oriented model.

Details

Facilities, vol. 36 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2005

Jeanette Clelland, Danny Scott and Donna McKenzie

The training of care staff in care homes for older people is important to ensure the maintenance of evidence‐based and effective care. Moreover, training can assist in changing…

Abstract

The training of care staff in care homes for older people is important to ensure the maintenance of evidence‐based and effective care. Moreover, training can assist in changing attitudes and promoting improved quality care for residents.To this end the Allied Health Professional (AHP) Care Homes Training Team provides training to care staff throughout the greater Glasgow area. This study sought to elicit service user views and opinions about the team's current provision to assist in informing prospective developments and enhancing future performance. Many of the responses discussed training in general in care homes and so should be of interest to all AHPs and others with an interest in care homes. Ten semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with home management staff, which were thematically analysed. The response rate was 100%. 648 care staff had received training from the team in the ten care homes. However, only 36% of these staff remained employed by the homes at the time of the study. Therefore, only the remaining staff received postal semi‐structured questionnaires. The response rate was 14% for these staff. A range of service users' opinions and views were elicited.Topics covered included: induction training, career progression through training, training records, team training and support provision, changes implemented as a result of training, barriers to implementing training, structure/times/content and delivery of training sessions, training gaps, information and training for managers and appropriate topics for training. Feedback was extremely positive but the study raised wider implications for older people's care in care homes, which merit further research and debate.

Details

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-7794

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2006

Keng Boon Harold Tan

In 2002 the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) audited doctors' compliance with diabetes clinical practice guidelines in public healthcare institutions and attempted to postulate…

1119

Abstract

Purpose

In 2002 the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) audited doctors' compliance with diabetes clinical practice guidelines in public healthcare institutions and attempted to postulate factors that influenced the degree of conformity. This study aims to address this issue

Design/methodology/approach

A retrospective cross‐sectional chart review of diabetes patient records sampled from hospital specialist outpatient clinics (SOCs) and polyclinics was performed. Childhood, gestational and secondary diabetes cases were excluded. The nine audit parameters used were process measures concerning the assessment of HbA1c, weight, blood pressure, urinary protein, serum creatinine, serum lipids, electrocardiography, retina and feet. Age‐standardised prevalence rate ratios of parameter adherence were calculated. Of the SOC cases, 89 per cent were analysed. Of the polyclinic cases, 94 per cent were analysed.

Findings

Adherence to ECG and foot assessment parameters was poor among SOC cases, while poor adherence to weight and foot assessment parameters was seen in the polyclinics. There was poorer adherence to blood pressure and ECG parameters in the SOCs, but better adherence was seen for weight assessment. Among the SOC cases, Cluster A fared better than Cluster B in ECG monitoring. In the polyclinics, better adherence was seen in Cluster A for urinary protein, serum creatinine, lipids, ECG, retinal and foot assessment parameters.

Originality/value

Based on pre‐existing information on local diabetes care, certain system, physician, patient and guideline factors are postulated to explain clinical practice guideline non‐compliance among doctors.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2020

Lisa Beasley, Sandra Grace and Louise Horstmanshof

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the response and adaption to change of allied health professionals. Understanding how individuals respond and adapt to…

1742

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the response and adaption to change of allied health professionals. Understanding how individuals respond and adapt to change is essential to assist leaders to manage transformational change effectively. Contemporary health-care environments are characterised by frequent and rapid change, often with unrealistic and challenging time frames. Individuals operate independently, but also as members of teams, professions and organisations. Therefore, having a sound understanding of individual response to change is important for change leaders. In the Australian context, allied health professionals represent a quarter of the health-care workforce. There is a significant gap in understanding how allied health professionals respond and adapt to change.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping review was designed to report on the nature and extent of the literature on the response and adaption to change in the context of allied health professionals. Change leaders in the health-care environment face a number of complex challenges when attempting to facilitate change. While this scoping review did not identify any specific literature on the response and adaption to change of allied health professionals, it did however provide information on change models and factors to take into consideration when implementing a change process.

Findings

The results of this scoping review identified findings in two main areas with regard to response and adaptation of allied health to change: a review of change management literature at the organisation level and change management for allied health. Most of the literature described organisational level change management without providing a structural framework for change. At the professional individual level, the literature focused on specific clinical interventions, rather than on the response and adaption to change for allied health. Minimal literature was identified in regard to the response and adaption to change of allied health professionals. In an environment characterised by continuous change and policy reform, a greater understanding of the response and adaption to change by allied health is a priority for research, policy and practice.

Research limitations/implications

This scoping review was undertaken to explore the response and adaption to change of allied health. It sought to identify the factors that may explain why certain disciplines within the allied health professional group responded to change differently. Scoping reviews do not set out to comprehensively source all relevant literature but rather to ascertain the nature and extent of the published literature in the field. Therefore, it is possible that a systematic review might uncover additional relevant papers. However, this scoping review provides a clear indication of the nature and extent of the literature in allied health.

Practical implications

Social implications

This scoping review will assist change leaders to gain a better understanding of theoretical frameworks of individual, team and organisational change processes and the impacts these have individually and collectively on change processes.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this scoping review is the first of its kind to identify the minimal literature available on the way allied health professionals respond and adapt to change.

Details

Leadership in Health Services, vol. 33 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1879

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1999

Paul Hattam and Alison Smeatham

Historically, provision of orthopaedic services has been hospital based with GPs referring patients for specialist opinion. Growing demands on the service have led to new…

Abstract

Historically, provision of orthopaedic services has been hospital based with GPs referring patients for specialist opinion. Growing demands on the service have led to new initiatives to reduce waiting times. One such initiative has been the introduction of orthopaedic assistants, usually physiotherapists, working with an extended scope of practice who see patients after referral to secondary care and determine the patients on‐going management. Studies to date have examined the effect of an orthopaedic assistant working alongside a consultant in the hospital environment. This study describes the impact on the management of the orthopaedic caseload in one general practice resulting from “screening” prior to referral to secondary care by a physiotherapist with an extended scope of practice. It demonstrates the successful management of the majority of patients within primary care.

Details

British Journal of Clinical Governance, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1466-4100

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2013

Philippa Pearce, Bev Phillips, Margaret Dawson and Sandra G. Leggat

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the content of clinical supervision for nursing and allied health professionals.

4074

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the content of clinical supervision for nursing and allied health professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors searched CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO and Cochrane Database. Studies were included if the participants involved were nursing, medical or allied health practitioners, but not students, and if the studies contained discussion regarding the content of clinical supervision. Critical analysis of the articles was carried out by two independent researchers to ensure consistency and thematic analysis was applied.

Findings

Twenty included articles were in three main categories: cross‐sectional studies (n=9), including interview, survey and focus group methods of data collection; literature reviews (n=2); and nine published opinion pieces. Themes related to the content of clinical supervision that were identified were reflective practice; task oriented content; diversity of content; and stress management. The results indicated that current research into the content of clinical supervision for nursing and allied health practitioners is limited and of low quality and that further research is needed to determine what content in clinical supervision is associated with better quality and safety, particularly for health professions other than nursing and psychology.

Originality/value

This is the first review of the current evidence for what constitutes the most appropriate content of clinical supervision for health professionals. Clinical supervision is an important component of quality assurance and clinical governance frameworks and it is essential that health care organizations are assured that effective clinical supervision is in place.

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

Keywords

11 – 20 of 115