Browsing by Subject "Qualitative Research"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Dual Degree Programs in Social Work and Divinity: Graduates' Experiences of Journey Companions
    (2010-07-21T19:40:41Z) Muehlhausen, Beth L.; Adamek, Margaret E.; Byers, Katharine V.; Caucci, Frank; Sloan, Rebecca S.
    There is a growing trend for graduate schools of social work to offer students the option of receiving dual degrees, which gives students the ability to obtain a Master of Social Work (MSW) along with a second graduate degree in less time than it would take to complete each degree individually. As of 2005, there were approximately 30 different types of degrees that could be combined with graduate studies in social work--one of which is a Master of Divinity (M.Div.). Very little is known about the effectiveness of such programs and the experiences of graduates completing them. The aim of this study was to describe the lived experiences of persons receiving an MSW and an M.Div. from dual degree programs. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) includes religious and spiritual beliefs in its definition of culturally competent practice within the code of ethics. Dual degree graduates are trained to engage in culturally competent practice by virtue of being extensively trained in the cultural context of the church through their M.Div. degree and extensively trained in the context of social work service delivery though their MSW degree. Dual degree programs in social work and divinity are quite timely given that 96% of Americans say they believe in God or a universal spirit. Phenomenology seeks to understand a particular phenomenon from the point of view of those who have experienced it. With this in mind, this study reports the findings resulting from interviews conducted with 16 graduates regarding their experiences while in a dual degree program. One of the key phenomenological patterns that emerged in all the interviews conducted was that dual degree graduates want “journey companions,” i.e. persons who share their worldview.
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    Identifying Metaphors Used by Clinicians That Help Patients Conceptualize Complex Cardiac Device Data for Managing Their Health
    (2021-12) Daley, Carly Noel; Holden, Richard; Jones, Josette; Bolchini, Davide; Bute, Jennifer
    Metaphors are used to conceptualize one thing in terms of another that is more familiar or concrete. The use of metaphors in patient-provider communication has helped providers generate empathy and explain concepts effectively, improving patient satisfaction and understanding of health-related concepts. With advances in technology, concepts related to health monitoring have become increasingly complex, making the potential for using metaphors in health communication at its highest relevancy. With the increase in health data there is a need to improve tools to help people understand complex information. Ethical considerations, such as possible misinterpretation of health data, as well as the potential to widen disparities because of factors such as health literacy, must be addressed. Metaphors are powerful tools that can make explanation of information accessible, accurate, and effective for people who are monitoring their data. The current research aims to contribute design recommendations for using metaphors in communication between clinicians and patients for monitoring biventricular (BiV) pacing, a complex device data element used in the monitoring of patients with heart failure (HF) who have cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. The overarching goal is to understand this process such that it can be applied to broader communication needs in health informatics. The study addresses the following aims: Aim 1: Identify metaphors clinicians use to conceptualize BiV pacing for CRT devices using semi-structured interviews with clinician experts. Aim 2: Identify metaphors that help patients conceptualize BiV pacing for CRT devices using semi-structured interviews with patients, and exploring the metaphors identified in Aim 1. Aim 3: Develop design recommendations for health informatics interventions using an understanding of metaphors that help patients understand BiV pacing for CRT devices. Themes from analysis of Aims 1 and 2 contribute to recommendations for the use of metaphors in health informatics interventions. The purpose of this work is to contribute to an in-depth understanding of metaphors in a specific health informatics context. Importantly, this research applies methods and principles from the field of health communication to address a communication-related issue in health informatics.
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    International Research Ethics: A Needs Assessment of Research Ethics Capacity Final Report and Responses
    (2006-09-11T13:32:14Z) Meslin, Eric M.; Sidle, JE; Wools-Kaloustian, K; Were, E; Salmon, K; Chuani, C
    International collaborative research often raises challenging ethical issues for researchers, review committees and institutions. To date, much of the commentary and discussion surrounding these issues have focused on difficulties in interpreting guidelines, regulations, and policies and on the lack of harmonization. Efforts at regulatory reform and guideline development is one method of contributing to research ethics capacity building, but these are “top-down” approaches involving governments, regulatory agencies, and the challenge of achieving consensus. A complementary strategy is to work from the “ground up”: fashioning collaborative agreements between institutions, ethics review committees, and researchers. Working from the “ground up,” we conducted a needs assessment with participants from the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Moi University Faculty of Health Science in order to determine how best to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) developed between the two institutions. The MOU was designed to address the working relationship between the two universities with respect to their joint research activities and was the product of a Workshop convened in Eldoret, Kenya in February 2003. This work is a direct result of the MOU which explicitly states that “It is expected and intended that among the actions arising from this MOU will be the development of policies, Standard Operating Procedures and other resources that will address specific issues not mentioned here.” The interviews and focus groups provided a wealth of information about current knowledge, policies, procedures, and systems in place at MU and IU, respectively. They also provided a rich source of ideas for enhancing research ethics capacity.
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    Patients’ Experiences with Telecare for Chronic Pain and Mood Symptoms: A Qualitative Study
    (Oxford, 2020-10) Matthias, Marianne S.; Evans, Erica; Porter, Brian; McCalley, Stephanie; Kroenke, Kurt; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Objective Pain, anxiety, and depression commonly co-occur, can have reciprocal effects, and are associated with substantial disability and health care costs. However, few interventions target treatment of pain and mood disorders as a whole. The Comprehensive vs. Assisted Management of Mood and Pain Symptoms (CAMMPS) trial was a randomized trial comparing two pragmatic telecare interventions, a high- vs low-resource approach to pain and anxiety/depression treatment. The purpose of the current study is to better understand patients’ perspectives on both intervention approaches, including intervention components, delivery, patient experiences, and patient outcomes. Design Qualitative, semistructured interviews. Setting A Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Subjects Twenty-five patients were purposefully sampled from both study arms. Methods Patients were interviewed about their experiences with pain and mood treatment, perceived benefits and changes, and experiences with the intervention model to which they were randomized. The constant comparison method guided analysis. Results Pain was more important than mood for most participants. Participants described developing increased awareness of their symptoms, including connecting pain and mood, which enabled better management. Participants in the high-resource intervention described the added value of the study nurse in their symptom management. Conclusions Patients in a telecare intervention for chronic pain and mood symptoms learned to connect pain and mood and be more aware of their symptoms, enabling more effective symptom management. Patients in the high-resource intervention described the added benefits of a nurse who provided informational and motivational support. Implications for tradeoffs between resource intensity and patient outcomes are discussed.
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    "We don't know what we don't know" A Qualitative Study of Medical Student Perceptions of Student Affairs
    (2022-08-28) Fromke, Molli; Starr, Brooke; Haywood, Antwione; Walvoord, Emily; Longtin, Krista
    BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE As one of the largest medical schools in the U.S. with nine regional campuses, Indiana University School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is designed to address students’ concerns and facilitate their personal and professional development (PPD). U.S. medical schools are evaluated on these areas using a nationally-normed graduation questionnaire of fourth-year students. This study used focus groups to better understand second-year students’ expectations, experiences, and ideas related to PPD programming and relationships with the OSA. METHODS All second-year medical students were invited to participate in a focus group in exchange for a modest meal and school-branded merchandise. The first and second author conducted seven, semi-structured focus groups (3-8 participants each) with a total of 39 students. Discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Three authors used NVivo™ qualitative analysis software to perform inductive thematic analysis according to established methods. RESULTS Four themes were identified: 1. “It’s a Two-Way Street”: students expect accessibility to faculty who can affect change, and ongoing responsiveness about inquiries that have been submitted. 2. Proximally-Relevant Information: information students define as pertinent and ideas about communicating more effectively. 3. Guidance for the Future: students desire mentorship from individuals who truly understand physicians career paths. 4. In the Classroom and Beyond: students want relevant topics and formats for PPD. Participants also provided insights into existing, valuable programming. CONCLUSION/IMPACT Second-year medical students have specific needs for their development, including clinical experience, discussion of current events, and mentorship. Students expressed concern that opportunities for development are not comparable across all campuses. In their relationships with OSA, students desire easy access to voice inquiries and robust responsiveness about resolution. Results of this study can be used at institutions with a regional campus model to shape future programming for PPD and improve channels of communication with all students.