Computer technology is developing so rapidly that the extent to which it is being utilized by counselors and counselor educators in their work is virtually unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess how much and in what ways counselor experts believe computer-related technology (CRT) is being utilized by professional counselors today. An additional purpose of this study was to determine projected use of CRT by the year 2008.Data were collected by means of a modified futures Delphi method in which a panel of 21 counselor experts comprised of one group of counselor educators, three groups of counselor practitioners, and one group of computer technologists completed three rounds of questions. The study, which was conducted entirely on the World Wide Web, requested Likert-type ratings of 53 generic work-related tasks in eight task categories for frequency of CRT use to accomplish the tasks and reasons for the selections. In addition, panelists rated ten specific CRT tools for frequency of use, and supplied written examples of current and future CRT use by counseling professionals.The findings of the study indicate counselors and counselor educators are using a large variety of CRT tools, including word processors, spread sheets, a variety of software programs, e-mail, chatrooms, listservs, databases, and other web-related tools to assist them in over half of job-related tasks today. Experts forecast CRT use by counselors will significantly increase by the year 2008, when professional counselors are expected to utilize CRT for at least 90% of their work-related tasks.It is suggested that findings of this study may provide an important foundation for much needed research investigating potential differences between therapeutic work accomplished with the help of CRT and traditional therapy, i.e., face-to-face therapy, in which computer technology is not utilized. Finally, results establish the need to implement and promote computer skills training and competency assessments in counselor education programs. / Ph. D.

Yes / Objectives: Making a medical error can have serious implications for clinician wellbeing, affecting the quality and safety of patient care. Despite an advancing literature base, cross-country exploration of this experience is limited and a paucity of studies has examined the coping strategies used by clinicians. A greater understanding of clinicians¿ responses to making an error, the factors that may influence these, and the various coping strategies used are all essential for providing effective clinician support and ensuring optimal outcomes. The objectives were therefore to investigate a) the professional or personal disruption experienced after making an error, b) the emotional response and coping strategies used, c) the relationship between emotions and coping strategy selection, d) influential factors in clinicians¿ responses, and e) perceptions of organisational support. Methods: A cross-sectional, cross-country survey of 265 physicians and nurses was undertaken in two large teaching hospitals in the UK and USA. Results: Professional and personal disruption was reported as a result of making an error. Negative emotions were common, but positive feelings of determination, attentiveness and alertness were also identified. Emotional response and coping strategy selection did not differ due to location or perceived harm, but responses did appear to differ by professional group; nurses in both locations reported stronger negative feelings after an error. Respondents favoured problem-focused coping strategies and associations were identified between coping strategy selection and the presence of particular emotions. Organisational support services, particularly including peers, were recognised as helpful, but fears over confidentiality may prohibit some staff from accessing these. Conclusions: Clinicians in the UK and US experience professional and personal disruption after an error. A number of factors may influence clinician recovery; these factors should be considered in the provision of comprehensive support programmes so as to improve clinician recovery and ensure higher quality, safer patient care. / This research was funded by the Bradford Institute for Health Research as part of a PhD studentship and supported by a travel grant through the Postgraduate Study Visits scheme by the British Psychological Society.

According to DSM-IV criteria a child has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if the child consistently shows one or more of the following characteristics over a period of time, and to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with the child's developmental level: (1) inattention, (2) hyperactivity, and (3) impulsivity (Santrock, 2002). Despite the years of research and the advances in understanding and treating children with ADHD, the disorder continues to be a serious educational and social impairment (Weiss & Hechtman, 1993). When examining the literature on ADHD, what is very clear is the scarcity of published literature that draws from parental perceptions on the disorder. If we are to fully understand ADHD and the effect that it has upon our society it is vital that a candid examination of parents' perceptions occur. This qualitative, phenomenological study used in-depth interviews to explore parents' perceptions of raising a child with ADHD. The present study focused on parents' perceptions regarding five aspects of raising children with ADHD, namely: 1) parents' perceptions regarding their interaction with health professionals and the child's use of medication, 2) parents' perceptions regarding the effects of ADHD on family life, 3) parents' perceptions about their ADHD child and the school experience, 4) parents' concerns and hopes for their ADHD child, and 5) getting through the day and advice for other parents of ADHD children. A number of implications for health and educational professionals arose from the current study's examination of parents' experiences, insights, and strategies for dealing with the ADHD child. Parents also discussed their concerns for the future for their ADHD child and offered valuable advice for other parents whose child has just been diagnosed with ADHD. How parents view the experience of raising a child with ADHD, their feelings about the experience, the actions that they take, and the strategies that they use to cope is important information that will assist in understanding and interacting with families who have a child with ADHD. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which human resources capacity of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Namibia, influences health care services delivery to the Namibian population. A qualitative research model using exploratory and descriptive study designs was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 46 health workers from two referral hospitals and two directorates in Windhoek District. The study found that there is severe staff shortage in the MoHSS, which has resulted in high workload and poor health care. Health worker migration, new services and programmes, emerging diseases, and population growth were reported to have contributed to staff shortage and high workload in the MoHSS. Study findings suggested a need to create more posts to accommodate emerging needs, and to introduce an effective retention strategy to attract and retain health professionals with scarce skills, and those working under difficult conditions. / Public Administration & Management / M. Tech. (Public Management)

L’accessibilité aux soins de santé est une priorité de nombreux gouvernements à travers le monde. En Haïti, les gouvernements se sont succédés et ont tenté à travers les années des interventions dont les résultats ne sont souvent pas satisfaisants. Le programme d’assistance médicale cubain, actuellement appliqué dans le pays, est en œuvre dans plus d’une vingtaine de pays en développement, mais il existe très peu d’évaluations indépendantes qui permettent de l’appréhender. Cet ouvrage se donne pour objectif de vérifier le bien fondé de cette intervention en tenant compte du contexte, d’établir la plausibilité en fonction des moyens du pays et finalement, de proposer des solutions qui améliorent la situation. Pour répondre à ces objectifs, l’étude de cas a été adoptée comme stratégie de recherche. Cette technique permet de mieux analyser le contexte, et de comprendre ses effets sur le programme. Des entrevues semi-structurées ont été réalisées pour permettre de faire les analyses stratégique et logique nécessaires pour atteindre les objectifs sus-cités. Les entrevues ont visé successivement la compréhension du modèle théorique, la détermination des problèmes pertinents auxquels fait le système de santé, les causes de la difficulté de rétention des professionnels et finale l’analyse du modèle. L’évaluation a révélé que l’accessibilité aux soins de santé est complexe et qu’un grand nombre de facteurs l’influencent. En Haïti, ces facteurs ne sont pas différents de ceux recensés dans la littérature. Mais la composante géographique associée à l’aspect administratif du système de santé en général constituent les éléments qui auraient l’impact le plus important sur l’accessibilité du système de santé. Vu les conditions actuelles, la modernisation de la gestion représente l’avenue à privilégier en attendant que les moyens permettent d’agir sur les autres facteurs. La rétention des professionnels de santé est un facteur essentiel de l’accessibilité aux soins de santé. Pour être efficace, les mécanismes de rétention utilisés doivent s’accompagner de mesures comme l’amélioration des conditions de travail, ainsi qu’un salaire compétitif. Les conditions de vie dans le milieu rural haïtien ne peuvent en rien être comparées à celles des pays développés. On ne peut espérer les mêmes résultats avec les programmes de rétention utilisés par cette intervention. Tenant compte du contexte socioéconomique et du tableau épidémiologique haïtien, il serait peut-être plus efficient de créer de nouveaux corps de métier. Ces derniers devraient être en mesure de régler les problèmes de santé simples, et occasionneraient des coûts moins importants. Ce serait à court terme et même à moyen terme une solution viable dans le contexte actuel. Le programme actuel s’il semble respecter les données probantes en matière d’accessibilité aux soins, néglige d’incorporer les paramètres spécifiques au milieu haïtien, nécessaires à l’atteinte de ses objectifs. La politisation excessive est aussi un facteur qui à terme pourrait conduire à l’échec de ce programme. Si à court terme le programme parvient à augmenter le nombre de professionnels de santé dans le pays, il est peu probable que cela dure. Les moyens précaires du pays ne lui permettent pas de se payer des professionnels hautement qualifiés dans les milieux sous desservis. L’intervention pour réussir doit intégrer les caractéristiques particulières du milieu et mettre plus d’accent sur la gestion du système. / Health care accessibility is a priority for numerous governments across the world. In Haiti, governments have succeeded one another and attempted interventions across the years in which the results are not often satisfactory. The Cuban medical care program, nowadays applied in the country, has been implemented in more than about twenty developing countries, but little independent assessment has been conducted to allow capturing it. This assessment has given itself the objective of verifying mainly the well-founded of this intervention; by taking into account not only the context but also the practical aspect regarding the country’s wealth. The case study has been chosen as analyzing technique. It allows a better understanding of the context and its effects on the project. Some semi-structured interviews have been done to help the strategic and logic analysis important for reaching the goals of this study. The interviews enable us to do the modeling of the intervention, to understand all the problems currently existing within the health system, the causal model of the retention difficulties and finally the analysis of the logic model. The evaluation revealed that accessibility to healthcare is complex, and a huge number of factors influence it. In Haiti those factors do not differ from those found in the literature review, but geographical accessibility associated to the management of the healthcare system constitute the elements that have the most important impact in the accessibility of the system. In view of actual conditions, the modernization of management constitutes the pathway to be favored until other important aspects can be resolved. Health professionals retention is an important part of accessing healthcare, but must also be accompanied by improvement of working conditions and competitive salaries. The living conditions in rural Haitian cannot be compared to any developed country; therefore, the same results cannot be expected. New professions accounting for the socio-economic and the epidemiologic contexts of the country should provide a more efficient solution. The current program is evidence based, however; it neglects to integrate specific parameters of the Haitian context that is important to attain its objectives. Excessive political interference is also a factor that eventually could drive to its failure. In short-term, the program succeeds in increasing the number of health professionals in the country, it is unlikely that situation continues based on the country’s poor resources. To be successful, the intervention must include the specific characteristics of the environment and emphasize more the managerial aspects of the system, if it wants to achieve sustainable results.

Introduction : Les pressions sont fortes envers les professionnels de la santé pour qu’ils appliquent une pratique factuelle. Toutefois, un écart important demeure entre les résultats des recherches et la réalité clinique. Par son aspect interactif, le Web 2.0 peut contribuer à l’application des données probantes en facilitant l’accès et l’échange de connaissances. Objectif : Ce projet de recherche s’inscrit dans une étude visant à élaborer une plateforme informatisée pour les professionnels travaillant avec la clientèle ayant subi un accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC). L’objectif de la présente étude est de décrire la perception des professionnels de la santé face à l’introduction du Web 2.0 dans leur pratique. Méthode : Un devis de recherche qualitatif avec une approche phénoménologique a été utilisé. Des entrevues individuelles semi-structurées ont été menées auprès de 24 professionnels et gestionnaires. Résultats : Les personnes interviewées étaient toutes des femmes avec un âge moyen de 45 ans (± 18). Le transfert des connaissances est l’utilité du Web 2.0 qui émerge des participants comme étant la plus importante. Les répondants ont également exprimé avoir besoin d'une plateforme conviviale. Les résultats soulignent également un paradoxe lié au temps. En effet, les répondants estiment que le Web 2.0 pourrait leur permettre de sauver du temps, cependant ils affirment qu'ils n'auront pas le temps de l'utiliser. Conclusion : Bien que le Web 2.0 demeure un outil de transfert de connaissances peu intégré dans la pratique, les professionnels travaillant avec la clientèle AVC perçoivent généralement positivement son introduction dans leur pratique. / Introduction: Health professionals are increasingly encouraged to adopt an evidence-based practice. However, gaps continue to be observed between scientific evidence and practice. Through its interactive capabilities, Web 2.0 can contribute to an evidence-based practice by improving exchange of relevant clinical and scientific information’s. Objective: This study is a part of a project that wants to design a Web 2.0 platform for health professionals working with stroke patients. The aim is to gain a better understanding of professionals’ perceptions of Web 2.0 before platform development. Methods: A qualitative study following the phenomenological approach was chosen. We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 24 clinicians and managers. Results: Interviewed people were all women with a mean age of 45 years (± 18). Knowledge transfer was identified to be the most useful outcome of a Web 2.0 platform. Respondents also expressed their need for a user-friendly platform. Results also highlight a time paradox. Clinicians feel that the Web 2.0 will help them save time while they argue that they will not have time to use it. Conclusion: While Web 2.0 remains a knowledge transfer tool not yet integrated in clinical practice, professionals working with stroke patients generally receive its implementation positively.

Introduction: La participation sociale "optimale" peut se définir comme une congruence parfaite entre les attentes de l'individu et sa réalité. La conciliation travail-famille fait appel à l'équilibre des différentes sphéres de vie du travailler. On peut alors s'interroger sur la perception de l'optimalité qu'ont les professionnels de la réadaptation quant à leur propre niveau de participation, conciliant plusieurs sphéres de vie et les facteurs qui influencent cette participation. But: Explorer la perception de l'optimalité de la participation sociale chez des professionnels de la réadaptation et les facteurs identifiés par ces derniers comme l'influençant. Méthode: Étude qualitative d'orientation phénoménologique auprés de treize professionnels de la réadaptation à l'aide d'un guide d'entrevue composé de questions ouvertes. Les données recueillies ont été enregistrées sur bande audio et transcrites intégralement (verbatim) suivi d'une analyse de contenu. Résultats: Les participants, majoritairement des femmes (12/13) étaient âgés de 31 à 44 ans et avaient entre un et trois enfants dont l'âge variait de 7 mois à 12 ans. L'optimalité de la participation est perçue comme: la possibilité (ou non) d'accomplir ses activités significatives tout en prenant en charge ses différentes responsabilités. Parmi les cinq facteurs environnementaux perçus comme ayant une influence (l'aspect financier, le soutien du conjoint, le temps, la flexibilité des horaires au travail et la structure familiale) la structure familiale apparait comme déterminante du possible et influence ainsi grandement les attentes individuelles.Conclusion: La conciliation travail-famille est un phénomène complexe qui gagne à être étudié dans sa globalité plutôt qu'en silo. / Introduction: Optimal social participation, which is the ultimate goal targeted by rehabilitation professionals for their clients, can be defined as perfect congruence between an individual's expectations and reality. Work-family dynamic requires balance between the different spheres of a worker's life. This raises questions about the perception that rehabilitation professionals have regarding their own optimal social participation, reconciling various life spheres, and the factors influence this participation. Purpose: To explore the perception of rehabilitation professionals regarding their optimal social participation, and the factors they identify as influencing this participation. Method: Qualitative study with a phenomenological orientation among 13 rehabilitation professionals using an interview guide consisting of open questions. The data was audio-recorded and transcribed in full (verbatim) followed by content analysis. Results: Participation were mostly women (12/13) aged 31 to 44 years having one to three children aged from 7 months to 12 years old. Optimality of participation is perceived as the ability (or not) to carry out important activities while fulfilling one's various responsibilities. Of the five environmental factors perceived to have an influence (financial aspects, spousal support, time, flexible work schedule, and family organization), family organization appears to be a determinant of possibility and thus greatly influences individual expectations. Conclusion: Work-life balance is a complex phenomenon that should be studied holistically rather in a siloed mode.

Les médecins de famille, les pédiatres, les chiropraticiens et les physiothérapeutes sont parmi les professionnels de la santé les plus susceptibles de rencontrer des patients atteints d’une scoliose idiopathique adolescente. Les recherches démontrent que certaines lacunes existent à l’égard des connaissances acquises, par ces professionnels, dans le domaine musculosquelettique, incluant la scoliose. De plus, il ne semble pas exister d’informations sur le niveau de connaissances et la démarche clinique de ces professionnels en matière de scoliose, bien que les bonnes pratiques actuelles dictent une détection hâtive de cette condition pour en optimiser la gestion thérapeutique. Les objectifs de notre étude visaient donc à évaluer les connaissances ainsi que les aptitudes en matière de démarche clinique des professionnels les plus susceptibles à traiter des patients atteints d’une scoliose idiopathique adolescente. À l’aide d’un questionnaire semi-structuré, 51 professionnels de la santé ont été interviewés. Parmi ces professionnels recrutés par l'entremise de leur ordre professionnel respectif, on retrouvait 21 médecins de famille, 10 pédiatres, 10 chiropraticiens et 10 physiothérapeutes. Les entrevues évaluaient les connaissances en matière de signes cliniques, de facteurs de risque, de démarche clinique et de processus référentiel vers les soins spécialisés. De plus, les préférences des professionnels à l’égard des guides de bonne pratique ont été abordées. Parmi les professionnels interviewés, 59 % étaient des femmes, 43 % étaient âgés de moins de 40 ans et la moyenne d’années de pratique était de 20,3 ans. Les résultats démontrent qu’il existe des lacunes à l’égard des connaissances des signes cliniques et des facteurs de risque : moins du tiers des professionnels interviewés pouvaient mentionner au moins 2 signes cliniques et 31 % d’entre eux ne pouvaient se souvenir des facteurs de risque associés à la scoliose idiopathique adolescente; les médecins de famille étaient les moins connaissants dans ces domaines. De plus, en présence d’une mise en contexte nécessitant une référence urgente en soins spécialisés, 70 à 90 % des professionnels auraient référé le patient en dépit du fait que seulement 38 à 60 % d’entre eux considéraient cette situation comme urgente. Près de 40 % des professionnels mentionnaient qu’ils seraient inconfortables à gérer un patient atteint d’une scoliose. Néanmoins, la majorité d’entre eux reconnaissaient qu’il existe un problème en ce qui a trait à l’accessibilité aux soins spécialisés en orthopédiatrie. Presque la totalité c’est-à-dire, 98 % étaient favorables à la production de guides de bonne pratique et les accueilleraient positivement dans leur pratique quotidienne. Les conclusions de cette étude ont montré qu’il existe des vides en matière de connaissances de signes cliniques et de facteurs de risque de progression de la scoliose idiopathique adolescente; ces lacunes ont particulièrement été remarquées chez les médecins de famille. La majorité des professionnels reconnaissent l’importance de référer les conditions urgentes en soins spécialisés. Néanmoins, tous semblent souligner des difficultés dans ce processus référentiel. Une meilleure collaboration interprofessionnelle semble prometteuse en ce qui concerne la gestion de patients atteints d’une scoliose idiopathique adolescente. / Family physicians, peadiatricians, chiropractors and physical therapists are among health professionals most likely to encounter and treat patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Research shows that there are gaps in musculoskeletal knowledge among professionals but no studies assess knowledge of scoliosis among professionals most likely to treat patients with scoliosis. Best current practice dictates that early detection of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis leads to better decision-making regarding optimal course of management. The objectives of our study were to evaluate basic knowledge and the management skills of professionals most likely to encounter adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. We developed a semi-structured questionnaire and interviewed 51 health professionals. Among these professionals, who were recruited through their professional regulatory board registries, were 21 family physicians, 10 peadiatricians, 10 chiropractors and 10 physical therapists. The interview assessed knowledge of clinical signs and risk factors, management options, including referral to specialized care. We also discussed preferences and acceptability of clinical guidelines in regard to scoliosis. Among interviewed professionals, 59 % were female, 43 % were under 40 and mean years of practice was 20.3. Our results demonstrated gaps in knowledge with respect to clinical signs and risk factors. Less than a third of professionals were able to mention at least 2 clinical signs and 31 % were unaware of any risk factors associated with scoliosis progression. Family physicians appeared least knowledgeable in these areas. When presented with a situation where urgent referral was indicated, 70 – 90 % said that they would refer the patient although only 38 – 60 % rated this case as urgent. Close to 40 % of professionals indicated that they would not be comfortable doing the follow-up of a patient with a scoliosis. Nevertheless, the majority felt that accessibility to specialized care was a problem. Almost all (98 %) mentioned that the development of clinical guidelines would positively affect their daily practice. In conclusion, our study shows that knowledge gaps exist among professionals regarding clinical signs and risk factors of curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Most professionals recognize the importance of referring urgent cases to specialized care although there may be problems with access to peadiatric orthopedic specialists. Interprofessional collaboration may be a promising approach to improve management of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Health Studies / M. P. H.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:39:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Joely Helena Roscito Bento.pdf: 3753280 bytes, checksum: 27c604f94eaad69b7d2de703dcf477d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-11-07 / Home care represents, in the health care setting, a less costly type of medical assistance model than the traditional approach and it holds the promise to alleviate both physical and psychological suffering of the patience and his relatives. However, the crude reality that home care professionals face involves working thru very challenging issues, what can be a stimulus to persevere or a reason to abandon this approach. To shed some light on these issues is the essential task of this study. Always looking from the health professional standpoint, its goal is to clarify certain aspects of the interaction of the multidisciplinary team and the relatives of chronic patients: the relationship that the team establishes with the family, the perceptions of the members of this team of family interactions with the patient and some general aspects of their own work in a home setting. It was verified that home care services had their genesis at the same time of hospitals and scientific medicine and this fact was determinant to establish the physician as the beholder of knowledge and power over the health politics of the XVIII century. This study shows the implications of these past facts in the present relationship between the physician and other multidisciplinary professionals and the chronic patient families. Several existing concepts of home care and the way this service functions in health institutions were also analyzed, highlighting the important influence of the symbolic meanings of getting sick in the relationship of the health professionals with the patient family, besides other particularities of this close contact that can be verified when the chronic character of the sickness is established and at the time of the death of the patient. This study refers to a qualitative survey conducted on a home care provider. Two questionnaires with open questions were answered by a multidisciplinary team in the beginning and the end of a home assignment. This team also participated on group sessions. The conclusion was that the way the professional gives meaning to the sickness and its context and, in this task, the individual and the cultural dimensions interpenetrate themselves defines the quality of his/her interaction with the rest of the home care agents / O atendimento domiciliário representa, no cenário da saúde, um modelo de assistência hospitalar menos dispendioso que o tradicional e com a promessa de amenizar o sofrimento físico e psíquico do paciente e seus familiares. Porém, a realidade com a qual o profissional da saúde se depara demanda enfrentar desafios de tal modo impactantes, que podem tanto reforçar a sua decisão de permanecer nesse contexto quanto motivar o seu abandono. Lançar luz sobre esses desafios é a tarefa essencial deste estudo. Ele se propõe, sempre pela perspectiva do profissional da saúde, a esclarecer os seguintes aspectos da interação entre equipes multidisciplinares e familiares de doentes crônicos: a relação que essas equipes estabelecem com as famílias, a percepção dos integrantes dessas equipes sobre a relação da família com o doente e sobre aspectos gerais do próprio trabalho realizado no domicílio. Verificou-se historicamente que o serviço de atendimento domiciliário deriva do surgimento do hospital e da medicina científica e que esta foi determinante para que o médico se instituísse como detentor do saber e do poder sobre as decisões relacionadas às políticas de saúde do século XVIII. Este estudo aponta as implicações destes fatos do passado na relação atual do médico com outros profissionais de equipes multidisciplinares e com as famílias de doentes crônicos. Os vários conceitos existentes de assistência domiciliária e o modo de funcionamento deste serviço em instituições de saúde são também analisados, ressaltando-se ainda a importante influência dos significados simbólicos do adoecimento na relação dos profissionais com os familiares do doente, além de outras particularidades dessa convivência quando se estabelece a cronicidade da doença e quando ocorre a morte do paciente. Este estudo foi realizado por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa em uma instituição provedora de assistência domiciliária. Dois questionários com perguntas abertas foram respondidos no início e no final do trabalho por uma equipe de profissionais, que participou, ainda, de sessões de grupo operativo. Concluiu-se que a maneira de o profissional da saúde significar a doença e o seu contexto e nessa tarefa, as dimensões do individual e do cultural se interpenetram define a qualidade de sua interação com todos os demais agentes do atendimento domiciliário