bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Training Community Members for Action: Washington's Action Training Network
Authors: Maranan Paola
Published: May 2024

The Children's Alliance in Washington State has established an ambi-tious goal of building the “Children's Action Network” (Network), a statewide network of children's advocates who regularly take action to inform public policy related to children and families. There are cur-rently about 3,000 members in the Network. Policy advocacy training is an integral component of the Network providing advocates with necessary tips and tools for communicating with policy-makers. In order to meet key objectives and overcome significant challenges and barriers, the training program evolved greatly over the last five years. This article describes some of the challenges faced, particularly in reaching specific target populations, key strategies undertaken, and how the curriculum developed over time.
The Burnout Risk for Male Caregivers in Providing Care to Spouses Afflicted with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Hubbell Larry , Hubbell Kelly
Published: May 2024

In a review of the Alzheimer's and burnout literature, it seems apparent that Alzheimer's caregivers, especially male caregivers, are particularly subject to burnout. Male caregivers are seemingly more likely to experience the typical symptoms of burnout, namely: depersonalization, diminished personal accomplishment, and emotional exhaustion. Unfortunately, male caregivers also seem less inclined to seek out community services. In addition to reviewing the literature, this article also proposes some research questions for further study.
Coordination among Health Care Stakeholders: Effects on State Health Policy Choices
Authors: McGinnis Sheila Kennelly
Published: May 2024

This article proposes that coordination among health stakeholders is reflected in the structural relations within state health care lobbies and treats lobbies as a mechanism of social control over the industry. This article compares the effects of structural relations of lobbies and also professional associations and economic conditions upon a regulatory typology of health policy outcomes. Results of network analysis show that special interest structures exert social control, regulatory policy reflects choices between markets and regulation and vertical industry relations, and network analysis is useful for studying these complex ideas.
Environmental Uncertainty and Colloboration among California Nonprofit Hospitals
Authors: Biel Melissa
Published: May 2024

Meeting the health needs of a community involves developing relationships with a wide range of partners. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of environmental uncertainty on the level of inter-organizational relations among nonprofit hospitals with the intent of providing community benefit. Findings indicate that nonprofit hospitals in California are collaborating to provide community benefit. Significant relationships were found between select hospital characteristics, perceived environmental uncertainty, and components of interorganizational relations.
Critical Elements in the Design of Culturally Appropriate Interventions Intended to Reduce Health Disparities: Immunization Rates among Hispanic Seniors in New Mexico
Authors: Levy Celinda , Carter Susan , Priloutskaya Galina , Gallegos Gertrude
Published: May 2024

The importance of immunization in protecting seniors against influenza and pneumonia has long been recognized. Nevertheless, immunization rates among Medicare beneficiaries continue to fall short of what is both desirable and achievable. The problem is even more acute among certain racial and ethnic groups in the United States within which rates are below the rate for the country as a whole. This is true in New Mexico where 40 percent of the population is estimated to be Hispanic.

As part of its work on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the New Mexico Medical Review Association (NMMRA) undertook a project aimed both at reducing the disparities that exist in immunization status between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic population in the state and attempting to increase overall rates in the state for all groups. Developing interventions to reduce disparaties in immunization rates between Hispanic seniors and the rest of the senior population requires more than a straightforward review of the literature and must take into account not only the cultural differences that exist between Hispanics and non-Hispanics but, certainly, in the case of New Mexico, it must attempt to understand the richness and diversity that exists within the Hispanic communities across the state.

To do otherwise runs the risk of designing interventions that are at best ineffective and at worst culturally insensitive and potentially damaging to future efforts to improve health status.

This article describes the process undertaken by NMMRA, a Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), to collect qualitative data from three culturally different groups of Hispanics in New Mexico. The data are used to design interventions that will increase immunization rates for all Hispanics in New Mexico.
Mergers and the New Workplace: The Effects of a Merger of two Emergency Departments on Nursing Staff
Authors: Lees Martin , Taylor Gina
Published: May 2024

Even small mergers have big consequences. This case study demonstrates the complex nature of organizational change found even in small organizational subunits and provides important insight for managers and leaders who have completed or are considering such mergers. The study examined the amalgamation of two emergency departments. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to analyze the planning, implementation, and outcomes of this amalgamation on the nursing staff. This case study draws upon the literature pertaining to change survivor's syndrome, prescribed approaches to change, and the difficulties in changing cultures and making complex decisions.

Change in hospitals has been shown to have negative consequences for nurses. The goal of this study was to examine in greater detail what aspects of change are associated with these effects. The findings suggest that the planning of the amalgamation was consistent with rational decision-making. The goals of changing to a single emergency unit and cost savings were achieved. However, the nurses experienced stress due to the pace of work and the physical layout of the newly renovated department. The findings also suggest that personal-level problems that the nurses experienced were consistent with the consequences of survivor's syndrome, the psychological contract, and communication issues. It was recommended that the organization undertake initiative to alleviate these stresses.
Suicide Prevention: A Vital National Public Health Issue
Authors: D'Orio Barbara , Garlow Steven J.
Published: May 2024

Suicide continues to be a major public health problem in the United States, with 30.000 deaths per year. The suicide rate, which hovers around 10–12/100,000, has remained virtually unchanged over the past three decade v. In 1999 the Surgeon General proposed a national plan to serve as a roadmap toward developing a comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy. The key features of this plan were encapsulated in the acronym AIM. Awareness, Intervention and Methodology, to define the relevant components of a national strategy. This refers to increasing public awareness of the problem of mental illness and suicide, providing increased access to treatment and prevention resources and developing improved research methodologies. Despite the overall numbers, suicide is a low base-rate event, which makes studying intervention and prevention strategies very difficult, as very7 large subject samples are required for meaningful outcome assessments. Suicide prevention and prevention research have received substantially fewer public resources than many other medical conditions, and apparent public health risks such as bio terrorism. It is for this reason that a comprehensive, national public health based suicide prevention program is required.
Defining and Implementing Arsenic Policies in Bangladesh: Possible Roles for Public and Private Sector Actors
Authors: Mahmood Shakeel Ahmed Ibne , Ball Carolyn
Published: May 2024

A UN report warned up to 50% of Bangladesh's population (57 million) are at risk of arsenic poisoning from naturally occurring arsenic in well water. This article explores how this problem occurred, assesses what factors impede progress eliminating this problem and recommends governmental measures for prevention of arsenic poisoning.
Healthcare Management-Training and Education in the Genomic Era
Authors: Betta Michela , Clulow Val
Published: May 2024

Increasingly the rapid developments by scientists working in the new business sector of biotechnology are being thrust into mainstream news reports. The incredible pace of the creation of neo-knowledge recently leads us to believe there has not been enough time between events for the healthcare sector, the general public, the legislators or the ethicists to reflect and conduct the checks and balances required for thoughtful progress. The decline of the hospital and the emergence of the laboratory as a consequence of the advent of the genomic era signal a profound shift, which will have unprecedented impacts on professionals in the healthcare system and its repercussions will force explicit changes in their education.
Anexpedited Model for Healthcare Administration Programs at the Graduate Level
Authors: Crow Stephen M. , Hartman Sandra J. , Henson Steve W.
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we report the development of a theoretical model for health care administration programs at the graduate level. Our model development was prompted by recently-expressed concerns that the training available to managers and executives in health care fields is encountering a number of problems: it is typically lengthy and expensive, and involves too many prerequisites. In terms of content, the training available may be too narrowly focused on performing functions, such as accounting, rather than managing the functions. We begin development by conducting a content analysis of several highly-regarded programs with commonly identified features. We next describe how those features can be incorporated into a fast-track, 33 hour program without prerequisites which is consistent with accreditation guidelines. Implications for executive education and research are discussed.
Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence: Human Services Issues
Authors: Appel Jonathan K. , Kim-Appel Dohee
Published: May 2024

A significant number of family violence cases involve what are called co-occurring cases of violence. What this means is that if a child is being maltreated, there is a high likelihood that domestic violence is also occurring between the parents. When these cases occur, several different human services systems may get involved. This paper examines the concept of co-occurring violence and addresses the fragmented response system. Suggestions for improving the response to co-occurring violence are provided.
Utilization of Prescription Medications and Ancillary Pharmacy Services among Rural Elders in West Texas: Distance Barriers and Implications for Telepharmacy
Authors: Collins Brian , Borders Tyrone F. , Tebrink Kristen , Xu Ke Tom
Published: May 2024

We examine the relationship between distance and access to prescription medications and ancillary pharmacy services among rural elders in west Texas. Further understanding this relationship is important because programs such as telepharmacy are largely justified on the basis of reducing distance barriers. We use data from the Texas Tech 5000 survey to evaluate the relationship between distance and access. In addition, we examine whether regulations that prohibit competition between independent pharmacies and telepharmacies create a distance barrier to prescription medication. Our findings suggest that distance is a barrier to access, but telepharmacy regulations in Texas do not exacerbate the impact of distance.
Effect of Local Competition on the Willingness of Community Pharmacies to Supply Medication Therapy Management Services
Authors: Brooks John M. , Klepser Donald G. , Urmie Julie M. , Farris Karen B. , Doucette William R.
Published: May 2024

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) provides a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible seniors that includes access to medication therapy management services (MTMS) through pharmacists. We theorize that local community pharmacy market competition affects the decision of individual community pharmacies to provide MTMS. Our model suggests that MTMS services are more apt to be supplied in markets at the extremes of community pharmacy concentration (very low and very high). We found that local community pharmacy competition affected the service choices made by the pharmacy decision-makers willing to provide MTMS in a manner consistent with our theory. As a result, patient access to MTMS services depends on both (1) patient access to pharmacies willing to provide MTMS and (2) the level of local community pharmacy competition.
Health Implications of Physical Activity in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Literature Review
Authors: Fernhall Bo , Heffernan Kevin , Jae Sae Young , Hedrick Brad
Published: May 2024

Physical activity has demonstrated beneficial effects on health and longevity in the general population, and physically active individuals are at lower risk for many chronic diseases compared to their sedentary peers. Individuals with disabilities in general are less active than individuals without disabilities, but it is still unknown if physical activity confers the same level of risk reduction in populations with as without disabilities. Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) have among the lowest levels of physical activity participation compared to other populations. They also demonstrate early onset of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. This literature review discusses evidence for the potential benefits of physical activity in persons with SCI and provides a summary of pertinent studies to date. Although being physically active and physically fit appears to be associated with several health benefits in persons with SCI, most studies are small and little longitudinal evidence exists. Future studies will be needed to address this need.
Providing Appropriate Services to Individuals in the Community: A Preliminary Case-Mix Model for Allocating Personal Care Services
Authors: Phillips Charles D. , Dyer James , Janousek Vit , Halperin Lisa , Hawes Catherine
Published: May 2024

Personal care services are often provided to clients in community settings through highly discretionary processes. Such processes provide little guidance for caseworkers concerning how public resources should be allocated. The results of such processes almost guarantee that individuals with very similar needs will receive very different levels of care resources. Such disparities in treatment open the door to inequity and ineffectiveness. One way to address this problem is through case-mix classification systems that allocate hours of care according to client needs. This paper outlines the preliminary steps taken by one state in its movement toward such a system.
Health and Economic Development: Introduction to the Symposium
Authors: Clay Joy A. , Mirvis David M.
Published: May 2024

This symposium explores the role of health as an ‘economic engine’ in the lower Mississippi River Delta region of the United States. The health as an economic engine model proposes that health is an important and perhaps critical determinant of economic growth and development. This model is the reverse of the more commonly considered paradigm in which economic conditions are major determinants of health status. This reframing of the conventional pathway draws upon an existing and extensive internationally-based body of knowledge, predominantly from research done in Africa and Asia. We suggest, in this symposium, that the health as an economic engine model can also be applied within the United States, particularly in regions that are economically underdeveloped and have poor health. This reframing has significant implications for population health policy as public health advancement can be legitimately argued to be an investment rather than just an expense. Viewing health as an economic engine supports a call to community-based participatory action on the part of policy makers, researchers, and educators to further both public and private investment in health, particularly for children and the poor.
Workplace Lactation Program: A Nursing Friendly Initiative
Authors: Angeletti Michelle A.
Published: May 2024

The U.S. is experiencing a nursing shortage that is threatening its quality of healthcare. One contributing factor that has been identified is the level of dissatisfaction that nurses have with their working conditions. Health Services Organizations can use female and family friendly initiatives, such as workplace lactation programs to demonstrate that they are willing to support a female employee's task of balancing familial and profession roles. By meeting the needs of breastfeeding mothers, organizations can have a positive impact on employees’ levels of satisfaction, which can positively impact recruitment efforts, productivity and retention.
Variation in Infant Birth Weight: Socioeconomic Factors versus Medical Conditions
Authors: Hunter Kennith G. , Taslimi M. Mark
Published: May 2024

This paper seeks to determine the relative effect of socioeconomic variables and medical conditions in explaining changes in infant birth weight, specifically, low birth weight (LBW). Using ordinary least squares regression, we first analyze the effects of these variables on the birth weight of 621 infants. Four of the independent variables – gestational age in number of days, sex, parity, and health insurance – are statistically significant (P<.05) and explain 64 percent of the variation in infant birth weight. But in a subset of 18 infants born with LBW to mothers ≤18 years of age or 35≥ years of age, only gestational age in number of days is statistically significant.
Mentoring and Organisational Constraints as Predictors of Attitudes to Work in the Nigerian Public Health Sector
Authors: Okurame David E.
Published: May 2024

The present study examines work attitudes in the public health sector using the relative impact of mentoring and organisational constraints on job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Data was collected from 161 employees in a large government-owned hospital in south western Nigeria. Results of the hierarchical regression analysis (which controlled for the effects of relevant covariates) showed that when informal mentoring and perceived organisational constraints were entered in the second step, R2 for organisational commitment and job satisfaction increased from .17 to .45 (p = < .001), and from .15 to .49 (p = < .001), respectively. These findings suggest that work attitudes in the public health sector can be improved by facilitating mentoring relationships and removing organisational obstacles. The implications of these findings for policy formulation and effective health care delivery are explained.
The Influence of Environmental and Organizational Factors on Hospitals’ Clinical it Sophistication
Authors: Xiao Qian , Savage Grant T. , Zhuang Weiling
Published: May 2024

The present study examines the separate and combined effects of environmental and organizational variables on hospitals’ clinical IT sophistication in a multivariate framework. The analyses focused on two distinct but related questions. First, in the context of the bivariate hypotheses, what is the relative significance empirically of each of the environmental and organizational classes of variables? And second, within classes and on an overall basis, which specific variables make the largest contribution to explained variance in the dependent variable hospitals’ clinical IT sophistication when all other variables are held constant? Data collected from 99 Texas hospitals are analyzed to assess the effects of the antecedent variables both within and across classes. Our findings suggest the bigger contribution of environmental antecedents to the level of clinical IT sophistication in hospitals, compared to that of organizational antecedents. We end by discussing the limitations and implications of the study.
Organizational Change for Services Integration in Public Human Service Organizations: Experiences in Seven Counties
Authors: Packard Thomas , Patti Rino , Daly Donna , Tucker-Tatlow Jennifer
Published: May 2024

This is a study of organizational change strategies employed in seven county human service agencies to improve the coordination of services through the structural integration of previously free standing organizations or the development of voluntary interagency collaborative service delivery systems. the central question involves the identification of organizational change tactics which contributed to the success of the organizational change initiatives. the literature on organizational change is reviewed, with particular attention to a framework developed by Fernandez and Rainey based on their extensive review and synthesis of the research on successful change strategies in the public and business sectors. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from over 250 individuals and from agency documents. Findings are compared with the success factors identified by Fernandez and Rainey, and refinements to their propositions are suggested. More precise methods for measuring successful and unsuccessful change initiatives are suggested. Implications for practice and research are presented.
Exploring the Use of Grounded Theory as a Methodological Approach to Examine the ‘Black Box’ of Network Leadership in the National Quality Forum
Authors: Hoflund A. Bryce
Published: May 2024

This paper describes how grounded theory was used to investigate the “black box” of network leadership in the creation of the National Quality Forum. Scholars are beginning to recognize the importance of network organizations and are in the embryonic stages of collecting and analyzing data about network leadership processes. Grounded theory, with its focus on deriving theory from empirical data, offers researchers a distinctive way of studying little-known phenomena and is therefore well suited to exploring network leadership processes. Specifically, this paper provides an overview of grounded theory, a discussion of the appropriateness of grounded theory to investigating network phenomena, a description of how the research was conducted, and a discussion of the limitations and lessons learned from using this approach.
Organizational Capacity of Nonprofit Social Service Agencies
Authors: Paynter Sharon , Berner Marueen
Published: May 2024

The U.S. social safety net is formed by governmental and nonprofit organizations, which are trying to respond to record levels of need. This is especially true for local level organizations, such as food pantries. the organizational capacity literature has not covered frontline, local, mostly volunteer and low resource organizations in the same depth as larger ones. This analysis is a consideration of whether grassroots nonprofit organizations have the ability to be a strong component of the social safety net. Based on the literature on organizational capacity, a model is developed to examine how service delivery at the local level is affected by organizational capacity. Surprisingly, we find few of the characteristics previously identified as important are statistically significant in this study. Even when so, the material effect is negligible. Current organizational capacity research may apply to larger nonprofits, but not to the tens of thousands of small community nonprofits, a significant limitation to the research to date.
Initial Exploration of Newly Implemented Public Health Policy Using Geographic Information Systems: The Case of a U.S. Silver Alert Program
Authors: Yamashita Takashi , Carr Dawn C. , Brown J. Scott
Published: May 2024

Context.

Public health policies are designed for specific subsets of the population. Evidence that a policy is effectively designed should be based on whether it effectively addresses its mission. a critical factor is determining whether utilization patterns reflect the mission and the efficacy of public health policies, particularly during early stages of implementation. We assert that utilization patterns can be effectively assessed using geographic information systems (GIS).

Objective.

This paper uses the Silver Alert program, a recently implemented public health policy, as a case for how and why GIS can be used to examine utilization patterns.

Design.

GIS are employed to visualize and spatially analyze a new health policy – North Carolina's Silver Alert policy. We use visualized data and spatial statistics to assess utilization patterns and mission adherence.

Results.

Results show disproportionate utilization patterns of the Silver Alert policy. in particular, an outstanding number of Silver Alerts were used in Wake County and its surrounding counties, which are both the political and media center of North Carolina. Other counties, including populous counties, had few if any alerts.

Conclusion.

Findings suggest that the North Carolina's Silver Alert policy needs to be adjusted to more effectively address its mission. We identify several factors that need further examination prior to a statewide evaluation. From this case study, we propose ways future programs, particularly the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014, might use GIS to examine utilization patterns as a means to better understand whether and in what ways the health care needs of the public are being met with such a policy.
California State University Catastrophic (Cat) Leave Donation Program: Demographics, Economic Security, and Social Equity
Authors: Muller Christina
Published: May 2024

The California State University (CSU) Chancellor's Office reached an agreement with all CSU collective bargaining units and Employee Relations on a uniform Catastrophic (CAT) Leave Donation Program in 1992. The CAT Leave Donation Program allows employees to donate sick and/or vacation leave credits to employees who are incapacitated due to a catastrophic illness or injury and have exhausted all of their own leave credits. This also extends to employees with whom family illnesses are deemed catastrophic, thus requiring the employee to care for an immediate family member. Stakeholders include union represented employees who accrue leave credits as well as any employee who receives or donates hours of leave credits in the program. Other stakeholders include the family members and program administrators.
Evaluation of the Family Medicine Practice in Ankara Province by Family Physicians
Authors: Tengilimoğlu Dilaver , Menawi Wafaa , Dinçer Metin , Kisa Adnan , Younis M. Z.
Published: May 2024

Turkey's family physician or practice system was established in the beginning of the 2010 across Turkey's 81 provinces and provides low-cost health care, preventive and curative basic medical services to the population. Public health centers across Turkey have now become Family Health Centers (ASMs) as part of Turkey's efforts to harmonize its health care system with that of the European Union. The aim of This studyis to analyz and evaluate the implementation and performance of Family Practice in Ankara province by family physicians. A questionairre form of 42 question was designed and used to determine opinions of the physicians about effective service & quality improvement, patient-physician relationship, efficiency in the area of responsibility, productivity, job satisfaction and equity. The result of the study shows that family physicians were defined to be generally satisfied with the system and performance implementation and significant differences were found according to work seniority, gender and productivity of the participants. Finally this study should be taken within it's limiation. The work seniority and gender was one of the most important factor to improve satfications and productivity for family physcains in Turkey. The sample size was represenative for the country, however, one limitation might be cosnidred the increase of sample size in future research if appropriate funding becaome avlaible in the future. This study did not have any souirce of funding.
Using Focus Groups to Modify the Workplace Affective Commitment Multidimensional Questionnaire (Wacmq) for Use in Health Care
Authors: Perreira Tyrone , Berta Whitney
Published: May 2024

Background

The Workplace Affective Commitment Multidimensional Questionnaire (WACMQ) measures affective commitment towards eight work-related targets. While this questionnaire was developed in the business sector, we believe that the multi-target conceptualization of affective commitment has applicability to complex health care contexts where providers of care, in the production and delivery of care, likely develop commitment toward a multiplicity of targets. Affective commitment is a strong predictor of extra-role workplace behavior; indispensable behaviors which enable health systems to function. Objective: The aim of this psychometric exercise is to content validate the WACMQ questions for use in health care. Methods: Two focus groups were conducted, consisting of nurses working in acute care and emergency hospitals in Ontario. Linguistic validation and cognitive debriefing were used. Results: A total of 14 modifications to the wording of items on the original WACMQ questionnaire were made. Conclusions: This modified version of the WACMQ reflects the need for researchers in health care settings to acknowledge the complex context of health care and the attendant complexities of worker attitudes. Health care workers can experience affective commitment toward leadership (clinical or administrative), co-workers (nurses or interprofessional), patients, their profession, organization, work or tasks. Further, in some health care settings, features like union membership may have important implications when examining affective commitment or behaviors. Psychometric properties of the modified WACMQ will be established in an upcoming study that will examine the relationships between extra-role behaviors, commitment, perceived organizational support and justice within acute care and emergency departments of hospitals operating in Ontario.
How Do Healthy Eating and Active Living Policies Influence the Potential for A Community's Healthy Behavior? The Case of Mississippi State
Authors: Scutelnicu Gina
Published: May 2024

A community's health can be enhanced through access to healthy eating and active living which, in turn, can be supported through the built environment. While local and state governments have taken active steps toward promoting healthy communities, efforts of encouraging healthy eating and active living have not reached their full potential. The state of Mississippi is known as “the fattest state” in the United States and one of the factors that has led to such a classification is related to the way development occurs throughout the state.

Drawing on a case study approach, the purpose of this study is to describe how local policy efforts can influence the potential for healthy eating and active living in the state of Mississippi. The paper examines the content of existing municipal comprehensive plans in terms of goals, objectives and policies related to healthy eating and active living over a 15-year time-frame (2000 - 2015).
The Roles of Parent Perception and Insurance Status in Child Health Care Utilization
Authors: Cronin Cory , Kelley Jessica
Published: May 2024

This study identifies ways in which parent perception of child health affects health care utilization with consideration of child health insurance status and type. Specifically, this study explores how perceived need and available resources relate to two dimensions of child health care utilization: preventive care visits and recognition of a source of sick care. After analyzing data from the 2011 National Survey of Children's Health, our findings showed that uninsured children and children with poorer perceived health had lesser utilization in each dimension, indicating that access to resources was more predictive of utilization than perceived need. The relationship between parent perception and Medicaid status shows that poorer perceived health may increase utilization when resources are established. Considering the relationship of these two factors offers insights into the roles of resources and need in child health care utilization and may be useful in considering policies to remove barriers to access.
Understanding the Implementation of Telemental Health in Rural Mississippi: An Exploratory Study of using Technology to Improve Health Outcomes in Impoverished Communities
Authors: Holland Joseph “Jody” , Hatcher William , Meares Wesley L.
Published: May 2024

Residents in rural communities often lack access to affordable mental healthcare, which is a significant policy problem. Access to health care is also a major concern for the sustainability of rural communities. Telemental Health (TMH) is the provision of mental health services from a distance by using communication and Internet-based technologies. Our research examines the efficacy of TMH as an administrative tool to provide rural mental health service, to improve the mental health of rural patients, and to advance the sustainability of rural communities. The project was made possible by a grant from the Intelligent Community Institute at Mississippi State University, with the purpose of examining approaches to build prosperous, inclusive, sustainable intelligent rural communities. Given that the administrative features of TMH is an understudied topic, we implemented an exploratory research design to gather foundational knowledge for future work. We conducted semi-structured interviews with subjects working at Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) in Mississippi. We found that rural providers hold negative and positive opinions of TMH. The interviewees argued that TMH increases access to mental health professionals, and they noted how patients were mostly pleased with the care provided by TMH. However, providers noted a lack of clinical procedures for TMH, less of a rapport between counselor and patient, and an increase in costs of care.
Building social connection and inclusion through rock music in the Western Balkans: Fostering the art of small changes
Authors: Howell Gillian , Bartleet Brydie-Leigh , Davidson Jane
Published: May 2024

This article explores community-based rock music education as a site for strengthening social cohesion in a context of postwar, interethnic divisions. Focusing on small and incremental changes, it examines the practices of Music Connects, a project in the Western Balkans, and its goals of revitalizing rock culture in support of a more inclusive social life and greater freedom of movement in the region. The article explores the ways that an organizational and participant focus on aesthetic practices and artistic goals can still contribute to social goals. It highlights three key tasks connected to rock music education and revitalization, captured in the novel conceptual constructs of rehearsal space, the incubator, and the expansion of normal. Drawing upon qualitative data gathered in 2019 and 2021 from 40 participants, the article tells a story of small social changes through music-making that added up to significant developments in the region, musically and socially.
Playing “mental judo”: Mapping staff compassion in Canadian federal prisons
Authors: Bogosavljević Katarina , Kilty Jennifer M
Published: May 2024

Prisons are inherently emotional environments where both staff and prisoners engage in a continuous process of emotion management while working and living in carceral spaces. This paper explores how Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) values and norms shape how predominantly nonuniformed staff manage compassion inside the prison environment. This includes when and to whom they are allowed to express compassion, when they need to hide or suppress the expression of compassion, and how expressing compassion toward prisoners can elicit feelings of disgust among some staff. We argue that, in the emotional arena that is prison, compassion is (re)configured into an individualized and compulsory emotion by way of CSC's organizational emotion culture that emphasizes punishment and control (the security-care nexus) rather than a transformative act that helps to resist the harms of incarceration and encourages healing. Compassion thus becomes a disciplinary apparatus whereby staff self-discipline as they alter their own emotional orientation toward their work, prisoners, and other staff and as a practice to collectively surveil, evaluate, and regulate one another. We contend that compassion bound to questions and practices of security stifles rehabilitation in this environment and that health and other care work must be reintegrated into community settings.
A qualitative study of the benefits and challenges of different models of extra care housing for residents living with dementia
Authors: Oatley Rebecca , Atkinson Teresa
Published: May 2024

Extra care housing (ECH) is a type of housing with care and support designed to enable older people to age in place. Approximately one fifth of residents living in ECH are living with dementia and yet, there remains gaps as to how best to support people to live well with dementia in the context. ECH stock across the United Kingdom (UK) includes a diverse range of options that can be grouped into integrated, specialist and separated accommodation. Integrated models involve residents with dementia living alongside residents without dementia. Specialist ECH offer accommodation exclusively for people living with dementia. Separated models offer a separate area for residents with dementia within a larger, integrated site. How these different models work for residents living with dementia is little known and has remained a significant gap in knowledge that impairs both professionals and people living with dementia when choosing housing and care. This paper reports on findings from a large study of residents living with dementia in ECH. The focus is on the potential benefits and challenges of different models of provision. Data were generated from interviews with 100 participants (residents, family members, staff, and adult social care professionals) at eight case study sites across England. Findings demonstrated that there are potential benefits and challenges within each model, but the limited diversity of stock limits choice. Multiple variables beyond the model of provision affect the lived experience, meaning that there is no universal model of optimal support. Rather, the approach and resources of each site is more important than the model of provision. Suggestions for future research directions are considered.
Existential Recovery: Re-making and Remembering Through Geo-Storytelling
Authors: Mislán Cristina
Published: May 2024

This article draws from a larger auto-ethnographic project in which I have collected life stories via unstructured interviews with Black residents and environmental activists living in southern Louisiana, my hometown. I highlight three in-depth narratives to illustrate how geo-storytelling within racialized communities cultivates what I call existential recovery. Intersecting scholarship in Black ecology, memory studies, and geo-storytelling, I argue that existential recovery communicates a form of environmental justice that turns sacrifice zones into sacred “Black spaces of belonging.” From these narratives, we see that those who inhabit “lands of no-one” are practicing memory-work—remembering pasts and re-making plantation futures. As residents and activists resist those structures that render their geographies “unlivable,” they help shape what it means to live under environmental disaster. A focus on discursive resistance to environmental racism then emphasizes how communities of color re-frame and re-claim what it means to adapt under environmental and climate crises.
Online video resources pertaining to cerebral palsy: A YouTube-based quality control study
Authors: Thomas Nicholas D , Melchor Julian , Carr Rachel , Ripps Sarah , Pham Nicole , Golan Roei , Talathi Nakul , Thompson Rachel M , Spence David , Chambers Hank
Published: May 2024

Aim:

To assess the content and quality of YouTube videos related to cerebral palsy to provide insights into the online video resources available for individuals affected by cerebral palsy and suggest strategies for improvement.

Methods:

YouTube videos were analyzed based on interaction parameters, content characteristics/category, and video source. Video reliability and quality were assessed using the Journal of American Medical Association benchmark, Global Quality Scale, and cerebral palsy-specific score. Statistical analyses examined associations between video characteristics and reliability/quality scores.

Results:

The average video ( n = 48) length was 6.8 min, with 29 informational and 19 experiential videos. The mean Journal of American Medical Association score was 2.0, indicating moderate reliability. The Global Quality Scale suggested good quality content (average: 3.5), but only 14% were rated as good via cerebral palsy-specific score. Higher views were associated with higher Journal of American Medical Association score and cerebral palsy-specific score ( p = 0.002 and p = 0.006), and nonphysician medical expert videos had lower Journal of American Medical Association scores than academic videos ( p = 0.042). Video content was not significantly associated with either score.

Conclusion:

YouTube provides moderate to good quality information on cerebral palsy. Critical evaluation of video sources and content is essential. Findings can guide strategies to enhance the quality of cerebral palsy-related YouTube content, benefiting individuals with cerebral palsy, health care providers, and caregivers.
Epilepsy first aid awareness among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Albarrak Anas M , AlAseeri Ali A , Albadrani Ahmed A , Alqahtani Mohammed Saad , Almalki Daifallah M , Algarni Saleh A , Al-Dosary Abdullah S , Alquwaiz Ibrahim Abdulrahman I
Published: May 2024

Objectives:

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting more than 50 million human lives of all ages, its social, physical and psychological implications is of huge concern. The current study and as a continuation of epilepsy knowledge assessment projects conducted by our research team is aimed to assess the knowledge of healthcare workers regarding epilepsy first aid in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out from 2020 to 2021.

Results:

During the study period, 272 healthcare workers were recruited; participants were males and females from different nationalities in various Saudi Arabian cities, possess diverse qualifications, and belong to several healthcare-related professions. The question, “Did you witness an epileptic seizure”? was answered as “Yes” by 42% of participants, and in response to the question “If you know that this patient struggles during seizure attacks,” 58% of respondents stated that they would not call an ambulance. Moreover, the question “Put something in his/her mouth to prevent tongue biting” was incorrectly answered as “Yes” by 42% of respondents, and the question “Try to catch him/her and stop his/her movement” in order to control the attack was answered “Yes” by 21% of respondents. Furthermore, almost 90% of healthcare participants do not know how to use the Vagus Nerve Stimulation device. The mean knowledge score among participants was 23.7; sex, as well as type of higher qualification obtained, was found to be significantly associated with the score of knowledge.

Conclusion:

Knowledge toward epilepsy and epilepsy first aid among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia was found fragile. Further research is appreciated to support the current findings.
Who worries about microplastics? The relative importance of personal values and individual risk judgements / ¿A quién le preocupan los microplásticos? La importancia relativa de los valores personales y los juicios individuales de riesgo
Authors: Felipe-Rodriguez Marcos , Böhm Gisela , Doran Rouven
Published: May 2024

An online survey was distributed to a national sample of the Norwegian public ( N = 699) to investigate factors associated with the extent to which people worry about microplastics. Respondents were asked about their familiarity with and the extent to which they worry about the issue, after which they answered a battery of questions about their perceptions of risk and personal values. Microplastics were judged to be moderately known, somewhat uncontrollable, very threatening to humankind, and even more so to plants and animals. Perceived personal threat was lower than that to plants, animals and humankind. Regression analyses predicted worry about microplastics from sociodemographic variables and personal values, and from different aspects of people’s risk perceptions. Gender, age group and endorsing self-transcendence over self-enhancement values predicted greater worry, yet these variables were not significantly associated when risk perceptions were included in the regression model. These findings shed further light on how individual risk judgements can explain self-reported levels of worry about microplastics, beyond individual differences in personal values.
Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Augmentation Repair for Primary Patellar Dislocation With Concomitant Chondral or Osteochondral Injury in Children and Adolescents: Outcomes at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Gornick Bryn R. , Kwan Kevin Z. , Schlechter John A.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Treatment of primary patellar dislocation (PPD) with chondral or osteochondral injury without patellar stabilization in the adolescent population may lead to unsatisfactory outcomes. Surgical treatment, with or without traditional medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, is a topic of interest.

Purpose:

To compare postoperative outcomes and rates of patellar redislocation and return to the operating room (OR) in patients who sustained a PPD with chondral or osteochondral injury and were surgically treated with versus without suture tape augmentation repair of the MPFL.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Adolescents who sustained a PPD with chondral or osteochondral injury confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and who were treated by a single surgeon between January 2009 and November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped into those who underwent chondral or osteochondral treatment with suture tape augmentation repair of the MPFL (ST group; n = 20) and those who did not have suture tape augmentation or repair (no-ST group; n = 20; 11 patients within the no-ST group did undergo medial imbrication). Demographic characteristics, postoperative knee range of motion, pre- and postoperative radiographic measurements, and preoperative MRI parameters were recorded, and minimum 2-year patient-reported outcomes were collected. Data were compared between the ST and no-ST groups.

Results:

The mean patient age was 15.02 years (range, 12.64-17.61 years) in the ST group and 14.18 years (range, 10.56-16.38 years) in the no-ST group, with a mean follow-up of 3.63 years (range, 2.01-6.11 years) in the ST group and 4.98 years (range, 2.23-9.03 years) in the no-ST group. Significantly more patients returned to the OR in the no-ST group compared with the ST group (7 [35%] vs 0 [0%]; P = .008). Further patellar stabilization with an MPFL allograft (n = 5) and manipulation under anesthesia (n = 2) were reasons for returning to the OR. There were no redislocation events in the ST group.

Conclusion:

Treating PPDs with chondral or osteochondral injury using suture tape to augment and repair the MPFL has promising advantages over not repairing it—including lower rates of postoperative patellar instability and return to the OR.