Recurrent Themes (recurrent + themes)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Barriers to effective drug addiction treatment for women involved in street-level prostitution: a qualitative investigation

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2007
Frances M. Smith
Objectives,To examine barriers to effective drug addiction treatment for women involved in street-level prostitution. Methods,A qualitative approach was selected to enable a detailed exploration, in an informal and unthreatening manner, of the barriers to drug addiction treatment from the women's perspective. Nine in-depth interviews were conducted with women who were involved in street-level prostitution. Transcripts of one-to-one interviews were analysed for recurrent themes using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results,Barriers to effective addiction treatment are present at psychological, interpersonal, and wider societal levels. Themes identified included: an impoverished sense of self-worth, a lack of trust and consistency in treatment, and the absence of a comprehensive treatment package. Conclusion,Current services could be improved by the provision of a structured treatment programme designed to target the specific physical and psychological requirements of this population. Also, efforts to correct the fictitious, negative portrayals of women involved in prostitution are required, if treatment efficacy is to be improved. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Systematic review of the perceptions and experiences of accessing health services by adult victims of domestic violence

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 1 2008
Louise Robinson RGN RHV BSc (Hons) MSc
Abstract This systematic review synthesises evidence on the perceptions and experiences of adult victims of domestic violence when accessing healthcare services. The review was concerned with disclosure of domestic violence by adult victims when accessing health services, the responses of healthcare professionals to these victims, victims' perceived barriers to support, and the appropriateness of support and referrals. These aims required the review to focus on studies using in-depth qualitative methods to explore victims' perceptions and experiences. A comprehensive systematic search of 12 databases was carried out in June/July 2005. Application of the review protocol and inclusion criteria resulted in 10 studies (conducted in the UK, USA and Australia) being considered eligible for the review. Data were extracted from these studies and a quality assessment completed. Thematic analysis was carried out to enable the identification of recurrent themes within the included studies. Findings indicate that victims of domestic violence experience difficulties when accessing healthcare services. Victims perceive that these difficulties can be attributed to inappropriate responses by healthcare professionals, discomfort with the healthcare environment, perceived barriers to disclosing domestic violence, and a lack of confidence in the outcomes of disclosure to a health professional. The methodological quality of included studies was variable, but no papers were rejected based on quality issues. These results can contribute to and inform a comprehensive assessment of the experiences of adult victims of domestic violence when accessing healthcare services. The health service is in a unique position to contribute towards the assessment and identification of domestic violence and to provide access to appropriate support. The messages of this study are important for policy-makers and practitioners. [source]


Expanding the Andersen Model: The Role of Psychosocial Factors in Long-Term Care Use

HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5 2002
Elizabeth H Bradley
Objective. To examine a prevailing conceptual model of health services use (Andersen 1995) and to suggest modifications that may enhance its explanatory power when applied to empirical studies of race/ethnicity and long-term care. Study Setting. Twelve focus groups of African-American (five groups) and white (seven groups) individuals, aged 65 and older, residing in Connecticut during 2000. Study Design. Using qualitative analysis, data were coded and analyzed in NUD-IST 4 software to facilitate the reporting of recurrent themes, supporting quotations, and links among the themes for developing the conceptual framework. Specific analysis was conducted to assess distinctions in common themes between African-American and white focus groups. Data Collection. Data were collected using a standardized discussion guide, augmented by prompts for clarification. Audio taped sessions were transcribed and independently coded by investigators and crosschecked to enhance coding validity. An audit trail was maintained to document analytic decisions during data analysis and interpretation. Principal Findings. Psychosocial factors (e.g., attitudes and knowledge, social norms, and perceived control) are identified as determinants of service use, thereby expanding the Andersen model (1995). African-American and white focus group members differed in their reported accessibility of information about long-term care, social norms concerning caregiving expectations and burden, and concerns of privacy and self-determination. Conclusions. More comprehensive identification of psychosocial factors may enhance our understanding of the complex role of race/ethnicity in long-term care use as well as the effectiveness of policies and programs designed to address disparities in long-term care service use among minority and nonminority groups. [source]


The inclusion challenge with reduced-load professionals: The role of the manager

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2008
Pamela Lirio
Increased interest in reduced-load (part-time) work among professionals who want to have a life beyond work has led to new challenges for managers who must sustain productivity while also supporting employees. However, to date, little attention has been focused on exactly how managers facilitate effective implementation of these alternative work arrangements. This study presents findings from an interview study of 83 cases of reduced-load professionals in 43 organizations in the United States and Canada. Analysis of the interviews with both professionals and their managers surfaced recurrent themes that led to identification of five clusters of behaviors and five clusters of dispositions that capture the nature of managerial support in implementing reduced-load work. The ten categories of behaviors and dispositions expand on existing notions of supervisory support and provide new insight into the role of managers in fostering inclusiveness. Additional quantitative analyses found significant relationships between the success of the reduced-load arrangements and specific managerial behaviors and dispositions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Zero tolerance of abuse of people with intellectual disabilities: implications for nursing

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 22 2008
Robert Jenkins
Aims., This paper explores the concept of ,zero tolerance' to abuse in the context of the professional responsibilities of all nurses. The workability of zero tolerance will be considered in light of findings of a study into abuse. Background., Registered nurses are led to believe that zero tolerance of abuse of patients is the only philosophy consistent with protecting the public. However, the approach of zero tolerance is not without its difficulties. Staff, particularly registered nurses, who come into contact with people with intellectual disabilities have a professional responsibility to prevent and report all forms of abuse. Design., This study used a multiphase, multimethod approach (literature review, survey and focus groups). Methods., The results reported here relate to the focus group stage of the study. There were 70 participants in the focus group who worked either as direct care staff with people with intellectual disabilities or as investigators of abuse. Results., Analysis of recurrent themes indicated that both individual (e.g. a positive value base) and systemic factors (e.g. environment) seemed to have an impact on how staff will respond to abuse. Conclusions., This study found that a ,hierarchy of abuse' existed among staff who worked with people with intellectual disabilities. Individual staff members seemed to be ,weighing up' what they perceived as serious abuse before reporting areas of concern. This is in contrast to a philosophy of zero tolerance which registered nurses have to adhere to. Relevance to clinical practice., There needs to be a consistent approach to abuse and nurses need to have appropriate training in which to gain confidence in their role in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse of patients or clients. [source]


Patients' experiences of the impact of periodontal disease

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Louise K. O'Dowd
O'Dowd LK, Durham J, McCracken GI, Preshaw PM. Patients' experiences of the impact of periodontal disease. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 334,339. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2010.01545.x. Abstract Aim: To examine critically patients' experiences of the impact of periodontal disease on their daily lives. Material and Methods: Semi-structured interviews of a purposive sample of patients with periodontal conditions were conducted using a flexible evolving topic guide. Data collection and analysis were an inductive, iterative process that occurred concurrently. The data were organized in a framework and recurrent themes identified. Interviews occurred until it was felt that no new themes or ideas were being expressed by respondents (n=14). Results: Effects of periodontal disease on patients' daily lives included impairment, functional limitation, discomfort and disability (including physical, psychosocial and social disability). A large number of the emergent themes from the analysis were relevant to the domains of Locker's conceptual model of oral health. The domain within Locker's model that had no data relevant to it in the context of periodontal disease was death. Two additional themes emerged that appeared unrelated to Locker's model, these were stigma and retrospective regret. Conclusion: Periodontal disease reportedly affects patients' lives in a negative manner in a variety of ways. This is of relevance in the management of patients with periodontitis. [source]


Working systemically with family violence: risk, responsibility and collaboration

JOURNAL OF FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 4 2001
Arlene Vetere
In this article we describe a project which aims to ensure prevention and continued protection from violence for family members. We outline our theoretical approach to assessment and working with violence in family relationships and the associated ethical problems. We identify three recurrent themes: risk, collaboration, and responsibility. We focus on our work with couples, where the man is violent towards the woman. Within this discussion we identify other important clinical issues. [source]