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Users' Views (user + views)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	78%

Distribution within Medical Sciences

Consumer Health General	53%
Nursing General	35%

Selected Abstracts

Users' views of prison health services: a qualitative study

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 3 2007
Louise Condon
Abstract Title. Users' views of prison health services: a qualitative study. Aim., This paper is a report of a study of the views of prisoners about health services provided in prisons. Background., Prison provides an opportunity for a ,hard to reach' group to access health services, primarily those provided by nurses. Prisoners typically have high health and social needs, but the views and experiences of prisoners about health services in prison have not been widely researched. Method., Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 111 prisoners in purposively selected 12 prisons in England in 2005. Interviews covered both prisoners' views of health services and their own ways of caring for their health in prison. Interviews were analysed to develop a conceptual framework and identify dominant themes. Findings., Prisoners considered health services part of a personal prison journey, which began at imprisonment and ended on release. For those who did not access health services outside prison, imprisonment improved access to both mental and physical health services. Prisoners identified accessing services, including those provided by nurses, confidentiality, being seen as a ,legitimate' patient and living with a chronic condition as problems within the prison healthcare system. At all points along the prison healthcare journey, the prison regime could conflict with optimal health care. Conclusion., Lack of autonomy is a major obstacle to ensuring that prisoners' health needs are fully met. Their views should be considered when planning, organizing and delivering prison health services. Further research is needed to examine how nurses can ensure a smooth journey through health care for prisoners. [source]

A Delphi survey of patients' views of services for borderline personality disorder: A preliminary report

PERSONALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2008
Daniel Webb
Background,Department of Health guidelines stipulate that specialist personality disorder services should gather feedback from service users. Aim,The Gwylfa Therapy Service (GTS) is a new specialist service for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The aim of this study was to gather users' views of services sought and/or received before the inception of the GTS and their views of the GTS. Method,A Delphi survey method was used first to elicit patients' views on services, and then to identify levels of consensus on the views generated. Results,The findings presented here identify what service users value in the treatment they receive, namely respect, professionalism, a service that meets their needs and personal support. Opinions regarding non-specialist services indicated that, overall, police, general practitioners, community psychiatric nurses, psychologists and counsellors were viewed positively, and psychiatric hospital staff was viewed positively but with room for improvement. General hospital staff was viewed unfavourably. Users' views of the GTS were favourable. Discussion,This study begins to shed light upon the education, training and supervision needs of staff from services that come into contact with patients with BPD. Furthermore, the way these services may be better integrated with each other and GTS is identified as requiring attention. Care must be taken to avoid distressing, damaging and disaffecting patients as they pass through general services en route to a specialist team. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Support workers in social care in England: a scoping study

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 3 2010
Jill Manthorpe MA
Abstract This paper reports the findings of a scoping study designed to describe the evidence base with regard to support workers in social care in the United Kingdom and to identify gaps in knowledge. Multiple bibliographic databases were searched for studies published since 2003. The results revealed that the support worker role, though not well-defined, could be characterised as one aimed at fostering independence among service users, undertaking tasks across social and health-care, and not being trained in, or a member of, a specific profession. The studies identified were predominantly small-scale qualitative projects which considered issues such as role clarity, training and pay, worker satisfaction, service user views and the amount of time support workers are able to spend with service users compared to other staff. The review concluded that the research base lacks longitudinal studies, there is definitional confusion and imprecision, and there is limited evidence about employment terms and conditions for support workers or about their accountability and performance. The desirability and value of training and how it is resourced need further analysis. It is concluded that moves to self-directed support or personalisation and the increased reliance on and use of support workers, in the form of personal assistants, call for closer scrutiny of the role. [source]

New labour and reform of the English NHS: user views and attitudes

HEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 2 2010
Andrew Wallace PhD
Abstract Background, The British National Health Service has undergone significant restructuring in recent years. In England this has taken a distinctive direction where the New Labour Government has embraced and intensified the influence of market principles towards its vision of a ,modernized' NHS. This has entailed the introduction of competition and incentives for providers of NHS care and the expansion of choice for patients. Objectives, To explore how users of the NHS perceive and respond to the market reforms being implemented within the NHS. In addition, to examine the normative values held by NHS users in relation to welfare provision in the UK. Design and setting, Qualitative interviews using a quota sample of 48 recent NHS users in South East England recruited from three local health economies. Results, Some NHS users are exhibiting an ambivalent or anxious response to aspects of market reform such as patient choice, the use of targets and markets and the increasing presence of the private sector within the state healthcare sector. This has resulted in a sense that current reforms, are distracting or preventing NHS staff from delivering quality of care and fail to embody the relationships of care that are felt to sustain the NHS as a progressive public institution. Conclusion, The best way of delivering such values for patients is perceived to involve empowering frontline staffs who are deemed to embody the same values as service users, thus problematizing the current assumptions of reform frameworks that market-style incentives will necessarily gain public consent and support. [source]

Peaks and troughs,an exploration of patient perspectives of dangerous and severe personality disorder assessment (Peaks Unit, Rampton Hospital)

PERSONALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2008
Lisa Maltman
Rationale,Although accessing user-perspectives is a key National Health Service initiative, the literature reporting user's views of forensic services, particularly dangerous and severe personality disorder (DSPD) services, is in its infancy. Aim and Design,This qualitative study applied thematic analysis to 12 semi-structured interviews aimed to enhance professional understanding of how Peaks Unit treatment-ward participants retrospectively perceive their experience of being admitted and assessed at the unit. Findings,Reported themes include ,fear' associated with participants' personal safety concerns and apprehensions regarding inhumane treatment and prolonged detention. The local metaphor of the DSPD Unit as the ,dark side' exacerbated such fears. ,Shock' also emerged as a primary theme resulting from unexpected admissions, security measures and some staff responses. ,Offering hope' provided a further theme with many participants reporting a climate of therapeutic optimism within staff teams and ,refreshing' opportunities for change. Reservations were also expressed about the service potentially offering ,false hope'. Several suggestions are proposed for future assessment strategy including escalating user-involvement activity, managing expectations, promoting therapeutic optimism and helping patients to attain a realistic sense of hope in order to maximise therapeutic engagement. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Cancer as a chronic illness?

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 3 2002
Reconsidering categorization, exploring experience
Cancer as a chronic illness? Reconsidering categorization and exploring experience This article explores the different ways that user experience is defined and conceptualized, and the various policy and professional contexts in which emphasis is placed on exploring users' views. We go on to examine the experience of cancer as a chronic illness and argue that, although there are common features in the experience of cancer and people with chronic illness, the differences are too significant and cancer should not be defined as a chronic condition. We conclude with a consideration of the methodological difficulties of documenting user experience and identify the need for further methodological development. [source]

Research sensitivities to palliative care patients

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 3 2002
J. Addington-Hall phd
Research sensitivities to palliative care patients This paper considers the methodological challenges of researching the health care experiences of palliative care patients and their families. Difficulties in defining a ,palliative care patient' are highlighted, and the question of whether there are specific ethical issues when researching palliative care explored. Methodological issues are discussed, including the negotiation of access via health professionals, the choice of appropriate data collection methods and tools, the consequences of high attrition rates and the use of retrospective surveys of bereaved relatives. Key areas for research are identified. These include patients' and families' experiences of research participation, the impact of being approached on those who decline, how the characteristics of those who participate differ from those who do not and the likely impact of this on findings. Research is also needed into patient and family motivations for participation, and whether and how these change as the disease progresses. To ensure that the voices of palliative care patients and their families are heard by both service providers and policy-makers, research in this area needs to address the methodological challenges raised in this paper, as well as continuing to explore users' views. [source]

Involving mental health service users in quality assurance

HEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 2 2006
Jenny Weinstein BPhil BA(Hons) Msc
Abstract Objective, This study compares the process and outcomes of two approaches to engaging mental health (MH) service users in the quality assurance (QA) process. Background, QA plays a significant role in health and care services, including those delivered in the voluntary sector. The importance of actively, rather than passively, involving service users in evaluation and service development has been increasingly recognized during the last decade. Design, This retrospective small-scale study uses document analysis to compare two QA reviews of a MH Day Centre, one that took place in 1998 as a traditional inspection-type event and one that took place in 2000 as a collaborative process with a user-led QA agenda. Setting and participants, The project was undertaken with staff, volunteers and service users in a voluntary sector MH Day Centre. Intervention, The study compares the management, style, evaluation tools and service user responses for the two reviews; it considers staff perspectives and discusses the implications of a collaborative, user-led QA process for service development. Results, The first traditional top,down inspection-type QA event had less ownership from service users and staff and served the main purpose of demonstrating that services met organizational standards. The second review, undertaken collaboratively with a user-led agenda focused on different priorities, evolving a new approach to seeking users' views and achieving a higher response rate. Conclusions, Because both users and staff had participated in most aspects of the second review they were more willing to work together and action plan to improve the service. It is suggested that the process contributed to an evolving ethos of more effective quality improvement and user involvement within the organization. [source]

Linguistic sensitivity, indigenous peoples and the mental health system in Wales

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2004
Iolo Madoc-Jones
Abstract: This paper presents findings from a pilot research project to explore the significance and availability of mental health services in the medium of Welsh in Wales, UK. Based on small-scale research with Welsh-speaking mental health service users this article argues that being bilingual can be a significant factor in the complex biopsychosocial matrix that underpins mental health problems amongst Welsh speakers. It also argues that the destructive effects of linguistic oppression, and the difficulties of second language communication for mental health service users, are such that an appropriate health and social care response in Wales involves providing services in a user's preferred language. Service users' views about the current state of bilingual service provision in Wales are presented, which suggests that insufficient attention is being paid to the linguistic needs of Welsh speakers. Eight principles are proposed for mental health service policy and practice in Wales. [source]

Patients' satisfaction with a community-based, nurse-led benign prostatic hyperplasia assessment clinic

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2008
Eilis McCaughan
Abstract The increase in the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is putting pressure on existing general practitioners' and urologists' services. Nurses are rising to the challenge by taking an active part in the assessment of this condition. It is important, however, to know users' views of these services. The aims of this study were to explore users' experience and perceptions of a community-based, nurse-led BPH clinic and to evaluate their satisfaction with the services provided. Out of a target population of 65 users, a random sample of 10 were interviewed and the rest (n = 55) were sent a questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. The findings from both methods were consistent in showing an overwhelmingly positive evaluation of the appointment procedures, the environment of the clinic, the consultation process and the way they were treated. Users' concerns about the condition were addressed, as were their health promotion needs. This evaluation shows that specialist urology nurses have an important part in assessing, educating and reassuring users with BPH symptoms. [source]

Concordance with community mental health appointments: service users' reasons for discontinuation

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7 2004
Tony Hostick MSc
Background., Quality issues are being given renewed emphasis through clinical governance and a drive to ensure service users' views underpin health service development. Aims., To establish service users' reasons for discontinuation of community based mental health appointments in one National Health Service Trust. Method., A two-phase survey of all non-completers over a year. Phase one using a structured postal questionnaire. Phase two using structured interviews with respondents to phase one by post, telephone and face to face. Results., A total of 243 discharges because of non-completion were identified by local services over the 12 months of the study and followed up by initial questionnaire. This represents 8.19% of all discharges (2967) within the same period. Forty-four users were engaged and followed up within phase two of the survey. Data were subject to both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Conclusions., Analysis of responses suggests that the main reasons for non-completion are because of dissatisfaction although the reasons are varied and the interplay between variables is complex. Whilst this user group are not apparently suffering from ,severe mental illness', there is clear, expressed need for a service. Relevance to clinical practice., Whoever provides such a service should be responsive to expressed need and a non-medical approach seems to be favoured. If these needs are appropriately met then users are more likely to be engaged and satisfaction is likely to be improved. Although this in itself does not necessarily mean improved clinical outcomes, users are more likely to stay in touch until an agreed discharge. Practical problems of applied health service research are discussed and recommendations are made for a review of referral systems, service delivery and organization with suggestions for further research. [source]

A Delphi survey of patients' views of services for borderline personality disorder: A preliminary report

Perspectives on Health Among Adult Users of Illicit Stimulant Drugs in Rural Ohio

THE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2006
Harvey A. Siegal PhD
ABSTRACT:,Context: Although the nonmedical use of stimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine is increasingly common in many rural areas of the United States, little is known about the health beliefs of people who use these drugs. Purpose: This research describes illicit stimulant drug users' views on health and health-related concepts that may affect their utilization of health care services. Methods: A respondent-driven sampling plan was used to recruit 249 not-in-treatment, nonmedical stimulant drug users who were residing in 3 rural counties in west central Ohio. A structured questionnaire administered by trained interviewers was used to collect information on a range of topics, including current drug use, self-reported health status, perceived need for substance abuse treatment, and beliefs about health and health services. Findings: Participants reported using a wide variety of drugs nonmedically, some by injection. Alcohol and marijuana were the most commonly used drugs in the 30 days prior to the interview. Powder cocaine was used by 72.3% of the sample, crack by 68.3%, and methamphetamine by 29.7%. Fair or poor health status was reported by 41.3% of the participants. Only 20.9% of the sample felt they needed drug abuse treatment. Less than one third of the sample reported that they would feel comfortable talking to a physician about their drug use, and 65.1% said they preferred taking care of their problems without getting professional help. Conclusions: Stimulant drug users in rural Ohio are involved with a range of substances and hold health beliefs that may impede health services utilization. [source]