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Article
Publication date: 15 March 2019

Akash Angral

The purpose of this paper is to contextualise the architect–client relationship and evaluate the factors responsible for its deterioration, and then define the impact of these…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contextualise the architect–client relationship and evaluate the factors responsible for its deterioration, and then define the impact of these factors on the future needs of architects and clients, including how such knowledge can help emerging architects to develop an understanding of the profession at an early stage. It will attempt to reveal new insights and build consensus around issues, such as functionality and aesthetics, per cent-based fee structure, conflict of interest amongst architects, contractors and clients.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of qualitative online survey, semi-structured interviews and online focus group discussions under the comprehensive umbrella of the case study method has been used to construct a pragmatic framework. The data collection was focused on revealed preferences rather than stated preferences, in terms of likes and dislikes, in a standard survey.

Findings

Overall, this paper strengthens the idea that the predicament of the profession and the marginalisation of architects is due to their detachment from clients. The findings suggest that the fee structure might be a major source of discontent and there is an urgent need for alternative routes of procurement, particularly for private residential clients. While most clients prefer functionality over aesthetics and want architects to be affordable, they are more willing to invest their trust in architects who can deliver from concept to completion.

Research limitations/implications

The arguments contested in this paper attempt to demystify the dynamics that are at play during the construction stage. It looks at power sharing, responsibilities and silent hierarchies that transpire between architects, clients and contractors, particularly in private residential projects.

Originality/value

The main recommendation of this paper is that to secure the future of the architecture profession emerging architects need to be trained more in client-centric skills than design-centric aptitude.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2017

Carolyn Stubley and Garth Popple

Developing therapeutic community (TC) programs in Australia for individuals on opioid substitution treatment (OST) has been a process spanning 16 years for the We Help Ourselves…

Abstract

Purpose

Developing therapeutic community (TC) programs in Australia for individuals on opioid substitution treatment (OST) has been a process spanning 16 years for the We Help Ourselves (WHOS) organization. Supported reduction of OST and stabilization services for those remaining on OST are offered to this population and continue to break down barriers of discrimination in offering the same services to all drug using populations. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A number of research projects have been undertaken with the WHOS Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) TC services profiling clients accessing the services; looking at health benefits whilst in the programs; looking at retention and completion rates and conducting an evaluation post-treatment for one of the two programs currently being offered.

Findings

The excerpts from the research findings are presented identifying the complexity of individuals accessing WHOS services; highlighting the benefits for individuals on OST and assessing the effectiveness of the TC model for the client groups.

Originality/value

Working with multiple complex needs clients on OST in a residential TC environment offers many challenges and opportunity to work with an array of issues that present before during and after the residential stay. Provision of a history and overview of the WHOS OTP TC services and recent enhancements to these programs highlight a continuum of care for the individual on OST.

Details

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, vol. 38 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0964-1866

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2014

Adedapo Adewunmi Oluwatayo, Eziyi Ibem and Dolapo Amole

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors which define and predict the satisfaction of first-time residential clients of architects in Nigeria using Lagos as a case…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors which define and predict the satisfaction of first-time residential clients of architects in Nigeria using Lagos as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on the notion that satisfaction of first-time residential clients with architectural services is a combination of satisfaction with service, design and relationship qualities as well as reputation of the architect. A cross-sectional survey of randomly selected first-time residential clients of architects in the study area was conducted using pre-tested questionnaire as the principal data gathering instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor and regression analyses.

Findings

Of the seven factors identified, the factors which best define the satisfaction of the first-time residential clients were personalization of service, reliability of, confidence inspired by and personality of the architect. The best predictors of the satisfaction of the first-time residential clients of architects in Nigeria varied with the nature of service. However, it was observed that the experience of the architect cut across all service types as a significant predictor of client satisfaction.

Research limitation/implication

Only residential clients were considered in the study. Other categories of clients may be considered in further studies.

Practical implications

There is need for architects to consider the nature of services provided in their quest to satisfy their first-time residential clients.

Originality/value

Previous studies have focused on experienced and mostly public sector clients. This study provides empirical data on the factors that influence the satisfaction of first-time private clients who engaged the services of architects for their personal homes.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 June 2016

Kerry A Thomas and Debra J Rickwood

The purpose of this paper is to examine the recovery environment of a sub-acute residential mental health service. Such services are increasingly filling a gap in the continuum of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the recovery environment of a sub-acute residential mental health service. Such services are increasingly filling a gap in the continuum of care for people with recurrent mental illness and have a major role supporting the processes of recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional design was used with clients and staff completing the recovery enhancing environment measure. Nine clients who had entered the service from the community (step-up), 18 who had transferred from an inpatient unit (step-down) and ten staff completed the measure.

Findings

Clients and staff rated the organisational climate of the service positively, with the role of caring staff being identified as particularly valuable. Clients and staff had similar positive views on the importance of recovery-based elements and rated the service as performing well in these areas. Step-up clients identified performance gaps in the areas of self-management, general health, personal strengths, and personal relationships. Step-down clients identified a range of gaps, including meeting basic needs, empowerment, and fundamental recovery processes.

Practical implications

An assessment of the perceptions of clients and staff can allow services to identify differences in the attitudes of each group and ascertain areas in which the service can be improved to better meet the needs of individual clients. This may include being responsive to the setting from which clients have entered the service.

Originality/value

This is the first study that has examined the recovery environment of a residential mental health service and how it meets the recovery needs of both step-up and step-down admissions.

Details

Mental Health Review Journal, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-9322

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 April 2014

Janetta Astone-Twerell, Keith Morgen and Chu Hsiao

The residential therapeutic community (TC) treatment modality has been shown to effectively reduce drug use and improve psychiatric/medical health among clients who are often…

Abstract

Purpose

The residential therapeutic community (TC) treatment modality has been shown to effectively reduce drug use and improve psychiatric/medical health among clients who are often disproportionately impacted by medical conditions and have a co-occurring psychiatric disorder such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Yet not much is known regarding how clients’ health may impact their treatment satisfaction. Using path analysis, the interrelationship between PTSD, perceived health, and treatment satisfaction was examined. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey including the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Specific (PCL-S), a perceived health rating, and a Treatment Satisfaction Scale was collected from 303 clients at three comparable long-term residential TC treatment programs in New York City.

Findings

Findings indicated that clients with PTSD rated their health significantly worse than those without PTSD. Although no direct relationship between PTSD and treatment satisfaction was found, there was a significant positive correlation between perceived health and treatment satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

Findings likely constitute a regional sample thus generalizability is limited.

Practical implications

Simultaneously addressing addiction, PTSD, and medical issues can improve clients’ treatment satisfaction, consequently increasing treatment retention and producing greater positive post-treatment outcomes.

Originality/value

Few if any studies have examined the extent to which PTSD and perceived health impact treatment satisfaction within residential substance abuse treatment programs.

Details

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0964-1866

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 November 2012

Gregory A. Aarons, Elizabeth A. Miller, Amy E. Green, Jennifer A. Perrott and Richard Bradway

Evidence‐based practices (EBPs) are increasingly being implemented in real‐world settings. While intervention effectiveness is dependent on fidelity, interventions are often…

986

Abstract

Purpose

Evidence‐based practices (EBPs) are increasingly being implemented in real‐world settings. While intervention effectiveness is dependent on fidelity, interventions are often adapted to service settings according to the needs of stakeholders at multiple levels. This study aims to examine the naturalistic implementation of The Incredible Years (IY) parenting programme in a residential substance abuse treatment programme for pregnant and parenting women.

Design/methodology/approach

The study took place in a residential substance abuse treatment programme serving pregnant and parenting women and their children. Participants included 120 female clients. The primary IY facilitator was a master's level counselling psychologist. In person observations of IY sessions were completed by a trained bachelor's level anthropologist. Ethnographic field notes were collected and then coded in keeping with a priori themes and to identify emergent themes. The Parent Group Leader Checklist was used to evaluate quality and integrity of the IY basic parent programme.

Findings

Quantitative analyses indicate that fidelity varied by type of checklist activity. Specifically, adherence to the IY programme was highest in beginning topic activities, setup, and home activity review, and lowest in role play, vignettes, and wrap‐up activities. Qualitative analyses revealed a number of adaptations in implementation of IY. Adaptations fit into two broad categories: modification of programme delivery and modification of programme content. Within each of these categories modifications included organisation‐driven adaptations, provider‐driven adaptations, and consumer‐driven adaptations.

Practical implications

Changes to evidence‐based practice generally take two forms – adaptations consistent with model intent and theoretical approach and changes that represent drift from core elements of the EBP. The challenge for implementation science is to develop frameworks in which models can be adapted enough to make them viable for the service context (or the service context adapted to fit the model), yet avoid drift and maintain fidelity. Attending to the complexities of adaptation prior to and during implementation in a planned way is likely to help organisations better utilise EBPs to meet their unique needs while maintaining fidelity.

Originality/value

The paper shows that identification of types of intervention adaptations and drift allows for consideration of systematic approaches, frameworks, and processes to increase adherence during EBP implementation in community mental health and substance abuse treatment settings.

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1997

Man Cheung Chung

Substantial research on the evaluation of residential services for people with learning difficulties emerged over the last ten years in the UK. Reviews some of the major findings…

Abstract

Substantial research on the evaluation of residential services for people with learning difficulties emerged over the last ten years in the UK. Reviews some of the major findings (N = 14). Their measures on the effectiveness of services were based on three components: the reduction of clients’ challenging behaviour; the level of engagement between staff and clients; and clients’ community involvement. An overall impression showed inconsistency and controversy in the first two components but a negative trend in the third. Discusses some methodological issues and suggests other components for service evaluation research.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 10 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 December 2011

William Spence

The paper reports on the implementation of the Revised Elderly Persons' Disability Scale use – a 53‐item, seven sub‐scale functional assessment tool – in a range of older adult…

393

Abstract

Purpose

The paper reports on the implementation of the Revised Elderly Persons' Disability Scale use – a 53‐item, seven sub‐scale functional assessment tool – in a range of older adult care institutions. Staff education on the instrument's use is provided; patient assessments collated centrally; and results fed back to respective care facilities. This study explores the views of qualified and unqualified staff on the use of the scale in their respective UK National Health Service, Local Authority or Private Residential older adult care facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

An action research mode was adopted where the researcher was a member of a team responsible for planning, development, and co‐ordination of community care projects for adults leaving hospital care. Structured and semi‐structured interviewing was employed to explore personal experience of the instrument's use in older adult care institutions. A total of 20 care staff qualified in nursing or social work and nine unqualified staff participated in this research.

Findings

Participants reported that scale use contributed positively to the planning and delivery of care. Its use influenced the admission of individuals for care by the institutions studied and improvements in the quality of the transfer of clients between settings were reported. It proved straightforward to use and unqualified staff reported their greater involvement in the care planning process as a result of its implementation. Participants reported that instrument use contributed to the identification of staff training needs.

Originality/value

Evidence for functional assessment scale effectiveness is equivocal and little has been published on the experience of scale use by a range of elder care staff. This experience forms this study's sole focus and scale use is shown to have the potential to contribute to care improvement.

Details

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-7794

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 October 2007

Abdul‐Rasheed Amidu and Bioye Tajudeen Aluko

In recent years, studies have established that valuation estimates are likely to be biased estimates of market values due to client influence. These studies, which have made a…

2103

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, studies have established that valuation estimates are likely to be biased estimates of market values due to client influence. These studies, which have made a significant contribution to real estate literature, were based mainly on UK, USA and New Zealand experience. The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence of client influence and the impact on valuation in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administered to estate surveyors and valuers to gauge their professional opinion with regard to client influence, sources of such influence and types of threats used by clients. A behavioural experiment, incorporating two non‐valuation factors, was also included for the respondents to role‐play the decision of an estate surveyor and valuer subject to an ethical dilemma.

Findings

The survey revealed that nearly 80 per cent of estate surveyors and valuers claimed some knowledge of client influence, mostly from a private individual. The results of the logistic regression model also indicated that the decisions of estate surveyors and valuers as to whether to alter valuation outcome upon clients' request are not affected by either of the two non‐valuation factors (client size and value adjustment).

Research limitations/implications

It is recognised that the findings from the behavioural experiments (role play) utilised in the survey, may or may not be a true reflection of the real world responses of estate surveyors and valuers.

Originality/value

The paper contributes significantly to the empirical literature on behavioural real estate research. In particular, the findings from the study could serve as a framework for improving Estate Surveyors and Valuers Guidance Notes of 1985 to ensure transparency in the valuation process.

Details

Property Management, vol. 25 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2015

Anita Helen Harris

Research has shown mindfulness-based therapies to be an effective therapeutic intervention for a wide range of illnesses and disorders. However, little is known about how it may…

Abstract

Purpose

Research has shown mindfulness-based therapies to be an effective therapeutic intervention for a wide range of illnesses and disorders. However, little is known about how it may be helpful to individuals with addiction problems. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate by qualitative approach the impact of the newly introduced mindfulness-based relapse prevention programme (MBRP) programme on the TC to which it was introduced and to explore clients perception of and attitude to the programme. More specifically it aimed to examine how it may be helpful for individuals with substance abuse problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was drew upon using both focus group methods and individual semi-structured interviews with clients of the TC to which it was introduced. Thematic analysis was performed on data collected.

Findings

Notwithstanding implementation issues, findings suggest MBRP to be a valuable and worthwhile programme with real perceived benefits.

Research limitations/implications

Clients’ detoxing cited real perceived gains as a result of participating which has clear implications for a TC which offers methadone detoxification.

Originality/value

It is noted that MBRP research is in its infancy, and whilst a number of quantitative studies have been carried out, little qualitative research exists. If MBRP is to be considered an effective relapse prevention strategy, research must clarify the process underlying participant’s use of mindfulness in a drug-free setting.

Details

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, vol. 36 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0964-1866

Keywords

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