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International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2021Correctional officers (COs) are exposed to a number of occupational stressors, and their health declines early in their job tenure. Interventions designed to prevent...
Correctional officers (COs) are exposed to a number of occupational stressors, and their health declines early in their job tenure. Interventions designed to prevent early decline in CO health are limited. This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a one-year peer health mentoring program (HMP) guided by Total Worker Health principles and using a participatory action research to collectively address worker safety, health, and well-being of newly hired COs. The HMP aimed to provide new COs with emotional and tangible forms of support during their first year of employment, including peer coaching to prevent early decline in physical fitness and health. The development and implementation of the HMP occurred across five main steps: (1) participatory design focus groups with key stakeholders; (2) adaptation of an existing mentoring handbook and training methods; (3) development of mentor-mentee recruitment criteria and assignment; (4) designing assessment tools; and (5) the initiation of a mentor oversight committee consisting of union leadership, corrections management, and research staff. Correctional employee engagement in the design and implementation process proved to be efficacious in the implementation and adaptation of the program by staff. Support for the HMP remained high as program evaluation efforts continued.
Topics: Humans; Mentoring; Mentors; Peer Group; Program Development; Program Evaluation; Workforce
PubMed: 34444462
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168712 -
Global Heart Dec 2016Successful prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the North Karelia Project and Finland has drawn international attention, particularly as cardiovascular diseases and... (Review)
Review
Successful prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the North Karelia Project and Finland has drawn international attention, particularly as cardiovascular diseases and more generally noncommunicable diseases have become the leading cause of premature mortality in the world. The questions have often been asked about what were the main reasons for success and whether or not the experience could be transferred elsewhere. The main lesson is that the possibilities and potential of cardiovascular prevention are great. The principles of population-based prevention are universal and are expressed in the strategies of World Health Organization. But, the practical implementation of the preventive work must be tailored to local cultural, social, and administrative (political) situations. This paper discusses many elements of the work in North Karelia and Finland that were likely important for success.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Finland; Health Promotion; Humans; Program Development; Risk Factors; World Health Organization
PubMed: 27938823
DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2016.10.015 -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Oct 2017Empirically based, consumer-informed programming to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) transitioning to college is needed. Informed by theory and... (Review)
Review
Empirically based, consumer-informed programming to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) transitioning to college is needed. Informed by theory and research, the Stepped Transition in Education Program for Students with ASD (STEPS) was developed to address this need. The first level (Step 1) supports high school students and the second level (Step 2) is for postsecondary students with ASD. Herein, we review the extant research on transition supports for emerging adults with ASD and describe the development of STEPS, including its theoretical basis and how it was informed by consumer input. The impact of STEPS on promotion of successful transition into college and positive outcomes for students during higher education is currently being evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.
Topics: Academic Success; Adolescent; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Female; Humans; Male; Program Development; Psychosocial Support Systems; Schools; Students; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 28685409
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3236-8 -
Perspectives on Medical Education Jan 2021Demanding working conditions in medical practice pressurise the well-being of physicians across all career stages, likely harming patients and healthcare systems....
BACKGROUND
Demanding working conditions in medical practice pressurise the well-being of physicians across all career stages, likely harming patients and healthcare systems. Structural solutions to harmful working conditions are necessary as well as interventions to support physicians in contemporary practice. We report on developing and piloting a team-based program for physicians to improve their working conditions and well-being.
APPROACH
Program development steps involved: a preparatory phase, needs assessment, and program design. The program consisted of (1) a feedback tool addressing working conditions and well-being, and an intervention including (2a) a facilitated team dialogue and (2b) a team training on communication and collaborative job crafting. In the program's pilot, 377 physicians from 48 teams in 14 Dutch hospitals used the feedback tool. Four teams participated in the team dialogue. Two teams performed the team training.
EVALUATION
Physicians indicated that the program was a useful format to gain insight into their working conditions and well-being, and possibly to improve their well-being collaboratively.
REFLECTION
We provide seven critical reflections on developing and piloting our program, accompanied by recommendations for developing well-being interventions. Our development approach, program components, and recommendations may support physicians and other healthcare professionals in demanding work environments.
Topics: Health Promotion; Hospitals; Humans; Medical Staff, Hospital; Program Development
PubMed: 32725344
DOI: 10.1007/s40037-020-00600-5 -
Brachytherapy 2020Developing any new radiation oncology program requires planning and analysis of the current state of the facility and its capacity to take on another program. Staff must...
Developing any new radiation oncology program requires planning and analysis of the current state of the facility and its capacity to take on another program. Staff must consider a large number of factors to establish a feasible, safe, and sustainable program. We present a simple and generic outline that lays out the process for developing and implementing a new HDR brachytherapy program in any setting, but with particular emphasis on challenges associated with starting the program in a limited resource setting. The sections include feasibility of a program, starting cases, machine and equipment selection, and quality and safety.
Topics: Brachytherapy; Humans; Program Development; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Radiation Oncology; Radiotherapy Dosage; Safety Management
PubMed: 32950407
DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2020.08.018 -
Cancer May 2021Multiple international organizations have called for exercise to become standard practice in the setting of oncology care. The feasibility of integrating exercise within... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
Multiple international organizations have called for exercise to become standard practice in the setting of oncology care. The feasibility of integrating exercise within systemic chemotherapy has not been investigated.
METHODS
Patients slated to receive infusion therapy between April 2017 and October 2018 were screened for possible inclusion. The study goal was to establish the acceptability and feasibility of embedding an exercise professional into the chemotherapy infusion suite as a method of making exercise a standard part of cancer care. The exercise prescriptions provided to patients were individualized according to results of brief baseline functional testing.
RESULTS
In all, 544 patients were screened, and their respective treating oncologists deemed 83% of them to be medically eligible to participate. After further eligibility screening, 226 patients were approached. Nearly 71% of these patients (n = 160) accepted the invitation to participate in the Exercise in All Chemotherapy trial. Feasibility was established because 71%, 55%, 69%, and 63% of the aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility exercises prescribed to patients were completed. Qualitative data also supported the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention from the perspective of patients and clinicians. The per-patient cost of the intervention was $190.68 to $382.40.
CONCLUSIONS
Embedding an exercise professional into the chemotherapy infusion suite is an acceptable and feasible approach to making exercise standard practice. Moreover, the cost of the intervention is lower than the cost of other common community programs. Future studies should test whether colocating an exercise professional with infusion therapy could reach more patients in comparison with not colocating.
LAY SUMMARY
Few studies have tested the implementation of exercise for patients with cancer by embedding an exercise professional directly into the chemotherapy infusion suite. The Exercise in All Chemotherapy trial shows that this approach is both acceptable and feasible from the perspective of clinicians and patients.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents; Costs and Cost Analysis; Exercise; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Patient Safety; Patient Selection; Physical Functional Performance; Program Development
PubMed: 33332587
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33390 -
American Journal of Pharmaceutical... Nov 2021To assess preceptor teaching challenges and development programming design preferences through a qualitative needs assessment of Doctor of Pharmacy student and resident...
To assess preceptor teaching challenges and development programming design preferences through a qualitative needs assessment of Doctor of Pharmacy student and resident preceptors. In 2018, 148 experiential education stakeholders across North Carolina (eg, preceptors, residency program directors, experiential faculty administrators, and practice site administrators) were invited to participate in a 60-minute semi-structured interview as part of a broad preceptor development needs assessment. Interview questions focused on: precepting challenges, positive and negative features of development programs, and preferences for program design. Interview transcripts were coded using thematic analysis. Forty-two participants completed interviews, including preceptors from various rotation types, residency program directors, experiential faculty administrators, and institution administrators. Participants identified numerous teaching challenges related to learners, preceptors, and institutional level factors. Participants often noted there was inadequate time, resources, and support to effectively teach. Desirable preceptor development program features included practical strategies, collaboration with preceptors, delivery by education and practice experts, and topics specific to precepting experience. Participants identified live, on-demand, and webinar formats as acceptable if collaboration and engagement were included. Participants also desired unique training opportunities such as online platforms, coaching programs, and simulated learning environments. Preceptors for pharmacy students and residents face numerous challenges and require sufficient time, support, and resources to develop their skills. Participants requested training that included on-demand, frequent sessions delivered through various modalities, collaboration opportunities, a choice in topics and delivery formats, and sessions from educational and practice experts.
Topics: Education, Pharmacy; Humans; Needs Assessment; Preceptorship; Problem-Based Learning; Program Development; Students, Pharmacy
PubMed: 34301535
DOI: 10.5688/ajpe8450 -
American Journal of Men's Health 2023Men are less likely than women to access or engage with a range of generic health programs across a diversity of settings. Designing health programs that mitigate...
Men are less likely than women to access or engage with a range of generic health programs across a diversity of settings. Designing health programs that mitigate barriers associated with normative ideals of masculinity has been widely viewed as a key factor in how health systems should respond, but strategies to engage men have often narrowly conceptualized male health behavior and risk inadvertently reinforcing negative and outdated gender stereotypes. Currently absent from the men's health literature is practical guidance on gender-transformative approaches to men's health program design-those which seek to quell harmful gender norms and purposefully promote health equity across wide-ranging issues, intervention types, and service contexts. In this article, we propose a novel conceptual model underpinned by gender-transformative goals to help guide researchers and practitioners tailor men's health programs to improve accessibility and engagement. The "5C framework" offers key considerations and guiding principles on the application of masculinities in program design irrespective of intervention type or service context. By detailing five salient phases of program development, the framework is intended as a designate approach to the design of accessible and engaging men's health programs that will foster progressive changes in the ways in which masculinity can be interpreted and expressed as a means to achieve health for all.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Men's Health; Health Promotion; Masculinity; Health Behavior; Program Development
PubMed: 37496323
DOI: 10.1177/15579883231186463 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Nov 2021
Topics: Algorithms; Humans; Implementation Science; Machine Learning; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Program Development; Program Evaluation; Quality Improvement; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 34750185
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.210036-f -
Journal of the American College of... Oct 2018
Topics: Cardiology; Humans; Leadership; Program Development
PubMed: 30360832
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.09.029