Substance abuse among university students is increasing globally. Nigeria, with her peculiar class of university students who are younger than global average is not left out. This paper reports a qualitative Intervention research that utilized narrative inquiry instrument to explore the interface of substance abuse issues, disciplinary dilemmas and family involvement at a private university in Nigeria. This research identified challenges and concerns amongst administrators, parents, students and student support services staff. Primary Socialization and Critical theories formed the theoretical backdrop for the research. The participants in the study were members of administration and disciplinary committee (n=10). Parents (n=10), students (n=20) and student support staff (n=10). The findings showed early onset of substance abuse at an average age of 17, which coincides with the average of entry into Nigerian universities. Alcohol and Marijuana was the most preferred drug of choice. 50% of the student participants had family history of substance abuse involvement and 80% was alcohol use. Parental responses such as reduced levels of trust, strained relationships and withdrawal of support and privileges were motivators for students to engage in treatment. Implementation of institutional disciplinary measures for involvement of student with substance abuse such as suspension or expulsion was also indicated as motivators to engage in treatment and maintenance of sobriety, however both parents and students identified the provision of services such as drug screening, counseling and family conferences as having long term impact on staying sober. Both parents and students recommended strict monitoring measures to reduce the incidences of substance abuse on the university campus. The Nigerian cultural value and above global average of parental involvement was a strength that informed the recommendation for a collaborative approach between the university and families of students involved with substance abuse. The responses of university administrators indicated struggles between service and disciplinary responses. The study concluded by proposing a model of approach with practice guidelines for a collaborative approach between the university and families of students involved with substance abuse. Collaborative „junctions‟ with parents were delineated without compromising the institutional policy on substance abuse. / Social Work / D. Phil. (Social Work)

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) é uma doença crônica altamente prevalente, que pode ser controlada com tratamento farmacológico. Para tal, recomenda-se aplicar as melhores evidências clínicas por meio da utilização de guias de prática clínica (GPC) de alta qualidade. No entanto, o processo de desenvolvimento de GPC requer recursos humanos e tempo, sendo a adaptação uma opção para reduzir a duplicação de esforços e adequar o GPC para uso local. O objetivo deste trabalho foi sintetizar as recomendações de GPC para o tratamento farmacológico da HAS. Aplicou-se o método de adaptação ADAPTE, realizando as duas primeiras fases: Configuração e Adaptação. Na fase de Configuração, o Grupo CHRONIDE realizou o planejamento e registrou a pesquisa no Próspero. Na fase de Adaptação, realizou-se uma revisão sistemática. Os critérios de eligibilidade foram: GPC que continham recomendações para o tratamento farmacológico da HAS em atenção primária, publicados em inglês, português ou espanhol, no período de 01/01/2011 a 31/12/2016. Em 31/11/2017 atualizou-se GPC incluídos. Para a determinação da qualidade destes GPC, três avaliadores, de forma independente, aplicaram o Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II). Dos 37 GPC avaliados, 6 foram considerados de alta qualidade (escore 60% ou mais no domínio Rigor de desenvolvimento do AGREE II). As recomendações destes foram extraídas e incluídas nas matrizes. Os GPC apresentaram divergências em suas recomendações. As divergências mais relevantes foram as recomendações mais rigorosas do GPC de 2017 da American College of Cardiology e American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), que trouxe metas terapêuticas e níveis pressóricos para indicação de farmacoterapia mais baixos que os demais. A maioria dos GPC recomendou o uso de diuréticos tiazídicos como farmacoterapia de primeira linha para tratamento da HAS e contraindicou o uso combinado de inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina e bloqueadores dos receptores de angiotensina II. Portanto, em uma discussão para adaptação local de recomendações, um dos pontos principais, além da questão do acesso aos medicamentos, seria adotar ou não os paramêtros mais rigorosos do GPC 2017 ACC/AHA. / Arterial hypertension is a high prevalent chronic disease that can be controlled with pharmacologic treatment. For such, is recommended the use of the high clinical evidences presented in high quality clinical practice guidelines (CPG). However, the guideline development process requires time and capable human resources, which transform the adaptation to an option to reduce a duplication of efforts and to adapt the CPG to local use. The objective of this work was to synthesize the recommendations of CPG for the pharmacological treatment of arterial hypertension. The ADAPTE method was applied, using 2 steps: Configuration and Adaptation. In the Configuration step, the CHRONIDE group carried out the planning and the method was registered in Prospero. In the Adaptation step a systematic review was performed. The eligibility criteria were: CPG containing recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of arterial hypertension in primary care, published in English, Portuguese or Spanish, from 01/01/2011 to 12/31/2016. On 11/31/2017 it was updated the GPC included. To determine the CPG quality, 3 independent reviewers, assessed the CPG using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool. Of the 37 evaluated CPG, 6 were considered to being as high quality (score 60% or higher in the domain \" Rigour of Development \"). The recommendations were extracted and included in the matrix of recommendations. The CPG has presentes differences in their recommendations. The most relevant divergences were the further rigorous recommendations described on CPG 2017 of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), which brought therapeutic goals and blood pressure levels lower for pharmacotherapy than the others recommendations. The majority of CPG has recommended the use of thiazide diuretics as first-line pharmacotherapy for the treatment of arterial hypertension and has contraindicated the combined use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. Therefore, in a discussion for local adaptation of recommendations, one of the main points, apart from the issue of access to medicines, would be to adopt or would not be adopt the futher rigorous parameters of GPC 2017 ACC/AHA.

Substance abuse among university students is increasing globally. Nigeria, with her peculiar class of university students who are younger than global average is not left out. This paper reports a qualitative Intervention research that utilized narrative inquiry instrument to explore the interface of substance abuse issues, disciplinary dilemmas and family involvement at a private university in Nigeria. This research identified challenges and concerns amongst administrators, parents, students and student support services staff. Primary Socialization and Critical theories formed the theoretical backdrop for the research. The participants in the study were members of administration and disciplinary committee (n=10). Parents (n=10), students (n=20) and student support staff (n=10). The findings showed early onset of substance abuse at an average age of 17, which coincides with the average of entry into Nigerian universities. Alcohol and Marijuana was the most preferred drug of choice. 50% of the student participants had family history of substance abuse involvement and 80% was alcohol use. Parental responses such as reduced levels of trust, strained relationships and withdrawal of support and privileges were motivators for students to engage in treatment. Implementation of institutional disciplinary measures for involvement of student with substance abuse such as suspension or expulsion was also indicated as motivators to engage in treatment and maintenance of sobriety, however both parents and students identified the provision of services such as drug screening, counseling and family conferences as having long term impact on staying sober. Both parents and students recommended strict monitoring measures to reduce the incidences of substance abuse on the university campus. The Nigerian cultural value and above global average of parental involvement was a strength that informed the recommendation for a collaborative approach between the university and families of students involved with substance abuse. The responses of university administrators indicated struggles between service and disciplinary responses. The study concluded by proposing a model of approach with practice guidelines for a collaborative approach between the university and families of students involved with substance abuse. Collaborative „junctions‟ with parents were delineated without compromising the institutional policy on substance abuse. / Social Work / D. Phil. (Social Work)

There is an identified problem with patients receiving suboptimal pain management at a hospice agency in the northwestern United States. At this agency, undertreatment of pain is prevalent. Evidence indicates that this may be a result of a lack of guidelines, education, and knowledge of appropriate prescribing. Known barriers to the correct prescription and administration of potent opioids in the hospice setting include prevailing beliefs, knowledge, skills, and attitudes, all of which can impact care negatively. Contextually, hospice principles mandate patient comfort and caregiver involvement in continuous quality improvement, which includes adequate and informed pain management. Moreover, hospice metrics demand requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes for optimal care, including pain management at the end of life. The Academic Center for Evidence-Based Practice (ACE) star model was used to guide the development of an evidence-based, guideline-supported educational program that will improve pain management at the hospice agency when implemented. The purpose of this project was to use transdisciplinary expertise and team collaboration to develop the program and then to conduct a formative and summative evaluation utilizing experts to prepare the guidelines and process for implementation. Ten experts reviewed the guideline, the educational materials, the process, and the evaluation plan and conducted reviews using the AGREE II tool. The panel of experts agreed within the 6 AGREE domains. Future implementation of this guideline, translation process, and evaluation tool will impact social change through the empowerment of the clinical staff, patients, and caregivers to provide the best pain control and comfort at end of life, a vulnerable time for all patients.

Due to physical, cognitive and emotional impairments, many individuals are unemployed or under-employed following a traumatic brain injury. The research evidence links the rigour of a vocational evaluation to future employment outcomes. Despite this link, no specific guidelines exist for vocational evaluations. Using the research evidence and a diverse panel of clinical and academic experts, the primary objective of this doctoral research was to develop an inter-professional clinical practice guideline for vocational evaluation following traumatic brain injury. The objective of the guideline is to make explicit the processes and factors relevant to vocational evaluation, to assist evaluators (i.e. clients, health and vocational professionals, and employers) in collaboratively determining clients’ work abilities and developing recommendations for work entry, re-entry or vocational planning. The steps outlined in the Canadian Medical Association's Handbook on Clinical Practice Guidelines were utilized to develop the guideline and include the following: 1) identifying the guideline’s objective/questions; 2) performing a systematic literature review; 3) gathering a panel; 4) developing recommendations; 4) guideline writing; 5) pilot testing. The resulting guideline includes 17 key recommendations within the following seven domains: 1) evaluation purpose and rationale; 2) initial intake process; 3) assessment of the personal domain; 4) assessment of the environment; 5) assessment of occupational/job requirements; 6) analysis and synthesis of assessment results; and 7) development of evaluation recommendations. Results from an exploratory study of the guideline’s implementation by occupational therapists in their daily practices revealed that clinicians used the guideline to identify practice gaps, systematize their evaluation processes, enhance inter-professional and inter-stakeholder communication, and re-conceptualize their vocational evaluations across disability groups. Statistically significant improvements were also noted in clients’ participation scores on the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory–4 following guideline use. This guideline may be applicable to individuals with TBI, clinicians, health and vocational professionals, employers, professional organizations, administrators, policy makers and insurers.

Due to physical, cognitive and emotional impairments, many individuals are unemployed or under-employed following a traumatic brain injury. The research evidence links the rigour of a vocational evaluation to future employment outcomes. Despite this link, no specific guidelines exist for vocational evaluations. Using the research evidence and a diverse panel of clinical and academic experts, the primary objective of this doctoral research was to develop an inter-professional clinical practice guideline for vocational evaluation following traumatic brain injury. The objective of the guideline is to make explicit the processes and factors relevant to vocational evaluation, to assist evaluators (i.e. clients, health and vocational professionals, and employers) in collaboratively determining clients’ work abilities and developing recommendations for work entry, re-entry or vocational planning. The steps outlined in the Canadian Medical Association's Handbook on Clinical Practice Guidelines were utilized to develop the guideline and include the following: 1) identifying the guideline’s objective/questions; 2) performing a systematic literature review; 3) gathering a panel; 4) developing recommendations; 4) guideline writing; 5) pilot testing. The resulting guideline includes 17 key recommendations within the following seven domains: 1) evaluation purpose and rationale; 2) initial intake process; 3) assessment of the personal domain; 4) assessment of the environment; 5) assessment of occupational/job requirements; 6) analysis and synthesis of assessment results; and 7) development of evaluation recommendations. Results from an exploratory study of the guideline’s implementation by occupational therapists in their daily practices revealed that clinicians used the guideline to identify practice gaps, systematize their evaluation processes, enhance inter-professional and inter-stakeholder communication, and re-conceptualize their vocational evaluations across disability groups. Statistically significant improvements were also noted in clients’ participation scores on the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory–4 following guideline use. This guideline may be applicable to individuals with TBI, clinicians, health and vocational professionals, employers, professional organizations, administrators, policy makers and insurers.