Browsing by Author "Welch, J."

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    247 Identifying Factors that Contribute to Joy and Gratitude for Emergency Medicine Healthcare Workers Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
    (Elsevier, 2021-10) Kelker, H.; Cushman, E.; Munson, C.; Yoder, K.; Musey, P.; Reed, K.; Henderson, B.; Vynas, P.; Johnson, O.; Welch, J.; Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine
    Study Objective: During COVID-19, emergency medicine (EM) providers have labored to protect the health of their patients, often at the expense of their own well-being. Increased demands imposed on providers without intentional efforts to evaluate and improve wellness can lead to burnout, attrition, and compromise patient care. Practices that promote mindfulness, reflection and gratitude have been shown to reduce burnout. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Framework for Improving Joy In Work provides an approach to restore joy and engagement by first identifying elements that "matter most” to healthcare workers. The objective of this study was to identify common themes and associations that contribute to EM provider and staff (1) joy in work, (2) gratitude, and (3) personal wellness. Methods: This descriptive study used an electronic survey tool with open-ended questions adapted from the IHI framework to assess what matters most. Q1: What brings you joy in your work? Q2: Thinking back to what matters most, what are you grateful for? Q3: What do you do to maintain your personal wellness? In Nov. 2020, email listservs were used to recruit a voluntary sample of emergency physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), residents, fellows, nurses and staff from 10 academic and community hospitals. Data were managed in Qualtrics and Excel. Qualitative analysis used inductive thematic coding by two authors independently, with verification by a third. Information redundancy signaled saturation for common themes. Pivot tables examined themes across demographics, and associations were analyzed with 2x2 contingency tables using chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and odds ratios (95% CI). Results: Of 254 respondents, 63% were female and 89% identified as White. Roles were 32% physicians, 8% APPs, 16% residents/fellows, and 44% nurses/staff. Response rates were 39-54% for providers. Common themes for joy in work were patient care (47%) and teamwork/camaraderie (43%), followed by feeling valued/appreciated (13%), making a difference (13%), and teaching/mentoring (9%). EM providers at academic sites were more likely to find joy in teaching/mentoring than those in the community (p=0.01; OR 10.5, 95% CI 1.3-82.6). For gratitude, themes were teamwork/ camaraderie (13%), family (12%), health (7%), and supportive work environment (7%). Themes for maintaining personal wellness were physical exercise (46%), time with family and friends (32%), hobbies (15%), and self-care (13%). Conclusions: Results of this study reveal common themes for EM providers and staff surrounding joy, gratitude, and wellness. By identifying elements that matter most, systems can take the next steps in the IHI framework to support and rejuvenate their healthcare team. Implications from our findings suggest that practices and future research to remove barriers and encourage meaningful provider-patient interactions, team camaraderie, teaching/mentoring, physical activity, and time with family/friends could increase joy and fulfillment for frontline healthcare workers.
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    The Kenya cancer research and control stakeholder program: Evaluating a bilateral partnership to strengthen national cancer efforts
    (Elsevier, 2017) Morgan, C.; Cira, M.; Karagu, A.; Asirwa, Fredrick C.; Brand, N. R.; Buchanan Lunsford, N.; Dawsey, S. M.; Galassi, A.; Korir, A.; Kupfer, L.; Loehrer, P. J.; Makumi, D.; Muchiri, L.; Sayed, S.; Topazian, H.; Welch, J.; Williams, M. J.; Duncan, K.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background In response to a growing cancer burden and need for improved coordination among stakeholders in Kenya, the US National Cancer Institute and the Kenya Ministry of Health collaboratively hosted a stakeholder meeting in 2014 which identified four priority areas of need (research capacity building, pathology and cancer registries, cancer awareness and education, and health system strengthening) and developed corresponding action plans. Methods Surveys were conducted with participants to collect input on the progress and impact of the 2014 stakeholder meeting. Findings Of 69 eligible participants, 45 responded from academia, healthcare institutions, civil society, government, and international agencies. Of the four technical focus areas, three have continued to conduct working group meetings and two have conducted in-person meetings to review and update their respective action plans. Accomplishments linked to or enhanced by the meeting include: Kenyan and international support for expansion of population-based cancer registries, increased availability of prioritized diagnostic tests in selected regional referral hospitals, a greater focus on development of a national cancer research agenda, strategic planning for a community education strategy for cancer awareness, and improved coordination of partners through in-country technical assistance. Interpretation The Stakeholder Program has successfully united individuals and organizations to improve cancer control planning in Kenya, and has enhanced existing efforts and programs across the country. This model of partners working in parallel on prioritized track activities has supported development of long term coordination of cancer research and control activities sustainable by the Kenyan government and Kenyan institutions.