Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: To conduct a scoping review of studies involving healthcare professionals as study subjects and to describe the methods used, identify the topics researched, and describe the rationale and limitations of using healthcare professionals as subjects. Methods: The study was a scoping review of research utilizing health professionals as study subjects. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in several databases. Two investigators independently screened studies, collected data, and met to resolve discrepancies. Results: Sixty-five studies met the eligibility criteria. Forty-six percent of the studies evaluated cardiovascular events, 25% evaluated cancer, 9% examined ophthalmic events, 5% examined cognitive issues, and 17% miscellaneous topics. Of the 65 studies, 88% were prospective cohort studies. Questionnaires were utilized as the data collection method in 59 studies (91%). Physicians were the primary study subject in 30 studies (46%) and nurses in 20 studies (31%). No study included in the sample identified pharmacists as study subjects. A total of 41 studies (63%) did not list rationales or limitations to utilizing health professionals as subjects. Of the 24 studies that did discuss rationales and limitations, the most frequently cited advantage was reliable self-reporting (38%). The most common limitation to generalizability was high socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Questionnaires were the most common method used to collect data. Physicians were the most often studied health professional. High reliability of data reporting was a common rationale in using health professionals as subjects. The lack of studies utilizing pharmacists as subjects demonstrates an opportunity that should be further evaluated.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Healthcare professionals (HCPs) have a primary role to play in the detection, assessment and spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). An improvement of their related knowledge, attitude and practice concerning pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting is vital. The objective of the study was to determine whether or not pharmacovigilance training, provided by a Pharmaceutical Company, would improve HCP’s perceptions and adherence to pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting. A quasi-experimental research design was used. A total of 44 HCPs participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group that received pharmaceutical training intervention; and a control group that did not receive any training. Using a self-administered questionnaire before and after the training intervention assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting displayed amongst the HCPs.

A two-stage study was conducted which examined role strain and its correlates among technical professional employees in team settings in 14 companies in the United States and Canada. A questionnaire was constructed based on the results of interviews with engineers and managers, and the analysis of simple plot data.

Introduction Air ambulances transport patients to their home country or to centres of medical excellence when they are critically ill or injured. From stranded hikers to cancer patients, individuals worldwide use air ambulance transport when they need care that cannot be provided in the country or area where they are situated. Aim The overall aim of this study was to explore the challenges experienced by health care professionals during air ambulance transport of patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Research method A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, exploratory design was used. The study was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 was the planning of the questionnaire, Phase 2 was the pre-testing of the questionnaire and Phase 3 was the execution phase in which the questionnaires were distributed, and data were captured and analysed. Results The researcher used the data generated from the questionnaires to indicate short falls within air ambulance transport services in sub-Saharan Africa. Conclusion The researcher made recommendations in order to increase the level of air ambulance services in sub-Saharan Africa. / Dissertation (MCur)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Nursing Science / unrestricted

Burnout in healthcare professionals (HCPs) can negatively affect HCPs’ health and the overall functioning of the healthcare system. Of great concern is the negative effect of HCP burnout on psychological, cognitive, and work-relevant functioning. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to decrease burnout in HCPs and preliminary evidence suggests they may improve work-relevant outcomes. However, the literature is limited by methodological issues and generalizability concerns. The current pragmatic trial investigated feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of Mindfulness for Interdisciplinary Healthcare Professionals (MIHP) using a partially randomized, waitlist-controlled, crossover design [intention-to-treat sample: 22 in the mindfulness group (MG), 26 in the control group (CG)] on psychological, cognitive, and interprofessional measures. The present study also included an explanatory aim evaluating mindfulness practice time and practice quality as mediators of change. Within-group changes were assessed with the combined crossover data for mediation and three-month follow-up analyses. Finally, the present study explored the perceived effects of MIHP and how MIHP had its effects using a grounded theory approach. Results found mixed evidence for feasibility and acceptability. Small to large effects were found for the MG on outcomes of burnout, perceived stress, and mindfulness. These effects were present with groups combined and remained at the follow-up. No effect of MIHP was found on cognitive or interprofessional outcomes. Practice time and quality were not significant mediators of main effects. A grounded theory model is proposed for how MIHP may exert its positive effects within the context of healthcare.

This research investigates the interaction process between building clients and construction professionals. The context of the interaction is the first meeting between the parties to discuss a potential construction project. The objective of the research was to determine whether clients, with differing levels of construction experience, and construction professionals, from different disciplines (architects, quantity surveyors, consulting engineers and contractors), exhibit distinctive interaction characteristics, both in terms of how they interact and the subject matter of their interactions. In order to test a number of hypotheses about the interactions an experimental procedure was developed. This involved arranging a series of interviews between the different client types and the construction professionals. 44 interviews were conducted with each one being recorded and then transcribed. Additional data was collected in the form of participant questionnaires and personality tests. Transcripts were coded using systems developed for this investigation, using measures of nature of interaction and subject matter. Processing and analysis of the data was conducted using ethnographic computer software and programs written specifically for this research project. A database was created from the interview data which allows selective retrieval of segments of interviews. The database comprises of approximately 215,000 words, with 58,000 codes assigned to text segments. The results of the analysis are presented in both quantitative and qualitative forms, and show that there are significant differences in the interactions. In interviews between inexperienced clients and professionals the professionals make the greater contributions, dominating the clients. There is a reversal of the roles when experienced clients interact with professionals, with the clients assuming the dominant position. In addition the results show that in interviews between inexperienced clients and professionals, the four professional disciplines emphasis different factors. All professionals raise issues relating to primary factors such as time, cost and quality. However, the discussion of other building factors was more specific to a particular professional discipline. Finally, the research also concluded that the element of personality differences in interviews was an influential factor in determining whether their outcome was perceived as successful by the participants.

This research investigates the interaction process between building clients and construction professionals. The context of the interaction is the first meeting between the parties to discuss a potential construction project. The objective of the research was to determine whether clients, with differing levels of construction experience, and construction professionals, from different disciplines (architects, quantity surveyors, consulting engineers and contractors), exhibit distinctive interaction characteristics, both in terms of how they interact and the subject matter of their interactions. In order to test a number of hypotheses about the interactions an experimental procedure was developed. This involved arranging a series of interviews between the different client types and the construction professionals. 44 interviews were conducted with each one being recorded and then transcribed. Additional data was collected in the form of participant questionnaires and personality tests. Transcripts were coded using systems developed for this investigation, using measures of nature of interaction and subject matter. Processing and analysis of the data was conducted using ethnographic computer software and programs written specifically for this research project. A database was created from the interview data which allows selective retrieval of segments of interviews. The database comprises of approximately 215,000 words, with 58,000 codes assigned to text segments. The results of the analysis are presented in both quantitative and qualitative forms, and show that there are significant differences in the interactions. In interviews between inexperienced clients and professionals the professionals make the greater contributions, dominating the clients. There is a reversal of the roles when experienced clients interact with professionals, with the clients assuming the dominant position. In addition the results show that in interviews between inexperienced clients and professionals, the four professional disciplines emphasis different factors. All professionals raise issues relating to primary factors such as time, cost and quality. However, the discussion of other building factors was more specific to a particular professional discipline. Finally, the research also concluded that the element of personality differences in interviews was an influential factor in determining whether their outcome was perceived as successful by the participants.

Orientation – The researcher, under the supervision of Dr Mark Bussin sought to explore and understand the factors that influence skilled professionals to accept expatriate assignments. Research purpose – identify predominant factors that motivate skilled professional to accept or decline expatriate offers and understand the impact that age has on the priority of these factors. Motivation for the study – There is little research that has been done thus far that identifies the factors that motivate skilled professionals to accept expatriate assignments and the impact that age may have on the priority of these factors. Research design, approach and method – The researcher used an exploratory qualitative research approach and, more specifically, semi structured interviews. Main findings – Career, family and geographic location appear to be key motivational factors for skilled professionals to accept expatriate assignments. There is also an increasing importance being given to the presence of a comprehensive company policy with regard to expatriate assignments which gives the skilled professional a sense of comfort when making the decision. In addition age does not appear to influence the factors that motivate skilled professionals to accept an expatriate assignment however importance to various factors may change dependent on age and position in career at the time of making the decision. Practical/managerial implications – As a result of globalisation which is currently a very prevalent influence on the economic environment, there is an increased need for skilled professionals to accept expatriate assignments in multi-national companies. It is therefore important for employers to understand what motivates skilled professionals to accept these expatriate assignments. Contribution/value-add – Although this study is explorative and descriptive, it suggests that if management at multi-national companies are aware of the factors that motivate skilled professionals to accept expatriate assignments, they stand a better chance of being able to fill positions appropriately if they are able to meet the needs of the skilled professionals. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Abstract Introduction and Background: Euthanasia has expanded significantly around the world over the past years. The debate concerning euthanasia has focused on the legalization, complex issues faced by the medical team, and perspective on assisted dying. Euthanasia known as assisted suicide is a deliberate medical procedure of intentionally withholding treatment or withdrawing life-support measures to end the life of a suffering patient. Purpose Statement: To define euthanasia and its background as well as discuss the psychological and moral effects that surround the subject. Literature Review: Five articles were selected. Quantitative and exploratory qualitative studies were obtained from existing literature, collection of data and statistics from relevant publications, peer-reviewed analysis, and original research papers with a focus on psychological and moral effects on participating, healthcare professionals. Findings: Participation in euthanasia can have significant emotional and psychological impacts on participating healthcare professionals which can lead to long-term personal and professional effects. Some are unsupportive of this practice while some were supportive of it. Conclusion: Despite the importance of this topic to medical practice, there are limited studies on addressing the psychological and moral impacts of euthanasia on participating healthcare professionals. Future research needs to explore how health professionals are negatively emotionally affected by their involvement in assisted suicide

Mental health concerns are presented in primary care settings regularly, yet a majority of these issues go undetected or are misdiagnosed by primary care physicians (PCPs). This may be due to a lack of mental health training for PCPs during their medical education. Over time, medical school curricula have evolved to include mental health training in order to bridge this gap in the healthcare system and to more readily identify patients in need of mental health services. The current study investigated AMA-accredited medical school curricula from universities across the US and US territories (N = 170) who train physicians in primary care, family medicine, or other generalist tracks. Data on mental health training were collected from the public websites of each school. Results showed that most universities indicated at least some type of required mental health training (85.3%), which were either didactic or experiential in nature. Although this result appears encouraging, further examination reveals that this training was most often limited to only one 4-week psychology-related course and a 6-week psychiatry rotation. Overall, many universities indicated at least one required course (N = 95), and most universities reported a required psychiatry rotation (N = 135). Moreover, only 12.9% of the sample reported having at least both didactic and experiential training required. The implications of this are varied. First, PCPs often have only a short amount of time with their patients, reducing their ability to fully assess both medical and mental health. A lack of exposure to mental health needs may lead to missed opportunities for intervention and improvement in patient health. Second, it is important for mental health professionals to work closely with PCPs in primary healthcare settings in order to improve rates for detection and treatment of mental health problems. In addition to improved patient outcomes, having mental health professionals integrate within primary healthcare can serve to decrease the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment, as well as reduce long-term healthcare costs. This can also increase access to care for those individuals who are unable to see a mental healthcare provider, especially in rural areas. Finally, overall health may improve in relation to better mental healthcare, since medical and mental health have been consistently shown to significantly influence one another.