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In 1982, a new model of psycho-educational assessment, called the Initial Assessment and Consultation Approach (IAC), was introduced into the Education Clinic of the Division of Specialised Education at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). It has continued to be used in the new Emthonjeni Centre at WITS University. The IAC assessment model was developed in response to criticisms and limitations of existing assessment practices. It represents an approach that is client oriented, in that it encourages consultants and clients to arrive together at their own decisions. Key to the model is a joint problem-solving approach, where the concept of the client’s control, consent and commitment are imperative. The aim of this study was to explore student consultants’ perceptions of the IAC model of assessment. More specifically, the study explored the perceptions of the effectiveness of the IAC as a tool for psycho-educational assessment; the student consultants’ opinion regarding the model and lastly past students’ use of the IAC approach at internship sites or places of work. The results of the study were qualitatively examined through the use of thematic content analysis, which provided rich description participants’ opinions. The sample consisted of forty respondents. Information letters were distributed to all participants and data was gathered through the use of an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was structured specifically to elicit the participants’ perceptions of the IAC model of psycho-educational assessment. The results indicate that the IAC is perceived as an effective approach to psycho-educational assessment, by student consultants at WITS University, and many of the principles of the approach are continued to be adopted by past students at their internship sites or places of work.

This thesis examines the relationship between the forestry industry and indigenous Sámi peoplein northern Sweden, focusing on institutional mechanisms for resolving land-use conflictsregarding forest logging on reindeer herding lands. Sámi reindeer herding communities andforestry companies have overlapping usage rights, making Swedish forests a common poolresource. Clear-cut forestry is damaging the reindeers’ access to lichen and the long-termsurvival of traditional reindeer herding, creating a need for effective Sámi influence in localforest decision-making. This study analyzes the recently reformed institutional framework forparticipatory planning and consultations, as well as participants’ experiences of Sámi influence.Interviews were conducted with three Sámi RHCs, two Sveaskog employees and one ForestAgency official. The theoretical framework draws from literature on co-management, commonpool resources and free, prior and informed consent to analyze Sámi space for influence. Resultsshow that the changes in regulations and practices have enabled RHCs space to withdrawconsent to specific logging plans under specific conditions, but influence is still limited. TheForest Agency has not consulted RHCs despite the new law, indicating continued difficultiesfor Sámi people to influence logging decisions on a local level. The main contribution of thisstudy is showcasing remaining barriers and positive developments based on original empiricalinterview material.

Sweden has a high rate of unintended pregnancies (UP) despite being a rather open society regarding sexual health education. New technology provides new possibilities to improve access by providing contraceptive consultations online, but will that lower the rate of UP? Very few studies have been done on the people working with the young women to find out what can be done to improve the quality of the contraceptive counseling. That is why this study involved two midwives practicing at a youth center at an early stage of the design process. Cultural Probes was used as method to better understand what needs midwives experience in their daily work. Three key findings stating the needs of the midwives were knowledge, missed appointments and trust. In addition, a service evaluation was done to investigate when and how midwives and young women interact. Making the contraceptive consultations available online with a digital care provider would make it more accessible for the young women and the results of this study do not contradict that hypothesis. However, availability is not the sole influencing factor on contraceptive usage. This study shows that encouragement for young women to seek general knowledge and information about contraceptives prior to the consultation is an important factor in order to improve the quality of contraceptive counselling. / Trots Sveriges relativt öppna samhälle gällande sex och sexualundervisning så har vi en väldigt hög frekvens av oönskade graviditeter. Ny teknik möjliggör att hålla preventivmedel konsultationer online vilket leder bättre tillgänglighet, men frågan är om det räcker för att sänka frekvensen oönskade graviditeter? Väldigt få studier har gjort på barnmorskorna som jobbar med de unga kvinnorna för att får reda på vad mer som kan göras för att höja kvaliteten på preventivmedelsrådgivningen. Därför har denna studie, i ett tidigt stadie av designprocessen, involverat två barnmorskor praktiserande på en ungdomsmottagning. Cultural Probes användes som metod för att bättre förstå vilka behov barnmorskor upplever i deras dagliga arbete. Det främsta resultatet summeras i tre teman: kunskap, missade besök och förtroende. Dessutom utfördes en serviceutvärdering av hela kundresan för att ta reda på när och hur barnmorskor och unga kvinnor interagerar. Genom att möjliggöra preventivmedelsrådgivning online genom digital vård så skulle tillgängligheten förbättras för de unga kvinnorna och denna hypotes är inget som denna studie motsätter sig. Men tillgänglighet är inte den enda faktorn som påverkar användandet av preventivmedel. Denna studie visar att uppmuntran till att få unga kvinnor att söka kunskap och information om preventivmedel innan själva besöket är en viktig del som skulle kunna förbättra kvaliteten på preventivmedelsrådgivningen

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Objective: Increased prenatal care satisfaction is associated with positive clinical and business outcomes. Despite a link between pre-visit preparation interventions and patient satisfaction, little is known about the development of digital pre-visit interventions to improve prenatal patient satisfaction. Methods: A two-phase approach was employed. In the first phase, a mixed-methods survey was deployed to establish determinants of patient satisfaction, to identify unmet patient needs, determine current preparation practices and determine what visit patients felt the least prepared for. A convenience sample of 87 prenatal patients completed a self-administered survey on a tablet within 4 weeks of their estimated due date. In the second phase, a combination of participant interviews and staff workshops followed a Design Thinking methodology to co-design a prototype intervention to help patients prepare for their visit. Results: Of the participants surveyed, 94.1% reported feeling satisfied with their prenatal care. Visit preparedness was found to be a statistically significant predictor of overall satisfaction. Preparedness was lowest in early pregnancy and for primigravida patients. Patients reported a mismatch between high informational needs and low visit frequency in early pregnancy. To fulfill their information needs, participants conducted frequent research on their pregnancy, often using digital resources such as websites, peer-forums, mobile applications and social media. Participants reported low satisfaction with system characteristics of their care, citing the wait time needed to see their provider, time spent in the waiting room and a lack of flexibility in appointment scheduling as pain points in their care. Utilizing a Design Thinking approach, a prototype digital on-boarding package was co-developed with patients and clinic staff. Conclusions for Practice: Implementation of a digital on-boarding package for patients ahead of their first visit has the potential to fulfill informational needs and set expectations for their care journey, which in turn can increase preparedness and satisfaction. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Satisfied patients are more likely to have better health outcomes, are more likely to provide a positive review about their care provider and are less likely to pursue malpractice claims. One possible way to make patients more satisfied is to better prepare them for visits with their doctor. This study explored the current pregnancy experience of patients at an obstetrics clinic in Niagara and combined patient and staff input to come up with potential ways to help them prepare. Most patients were satisfied with their care, especially ones who said they felt well prepared for their visits. Patients in their first pregnancy felt least prepared for their visits. Patients in early pregnancy shared that they had many questions and that they wished they could have seen their physician earlier. To help patients, a digital on-boarding package was designed to answer patients’ questions and connect them with trustworthy resources.

The aim of this thesis is to develop a method to predict consultation durations in a digital primary care setting and thereby create a tool for designing a more efficient scheduling system in primary care. The ultimate purpose of the work is to contribute to a reduction in waiting times in primary care. Even though no actual scheduling system was implemented, four machine learning models were implemented and compared to see if any of them had better performance. The input data used in this study was a combination of patient and doctor features. The patient features consisted of information extracted from digital symptom forms filled out by a patient before a video consultation with a doctor. These features were combined with doctor's speed, defined as the doctor's average consultation duration for his/her previous meetings. The output was defined as the length of the video consultation including administrative work made by the doctor before and after the meeting. One of the objectives of this thesis was to investigate whether the relationship between input and output was linear or non-linear. Also the problem was formulated both as a regression and a classification problem. The two problem formulations were compared in terms of achieved accuracy. The models chosen for this study was linear regression, linear discriminant analysis and the multi-layer perceptron implemented for both regression and classification. After performing a statistical t-test and a two-way ANOVA test it was concluded that no significant difference could be detected when comparing the models' performances. However, since linear regression is the least computationally heavy it was suggested for future usage until it is proved that any other model achieves better performance. Limitations such as too few models being tested and flaws in the data set were identified and further research is encouraged. Studies implementing an actual scheduling system using the methodology presented in the thesis is recommended as a topic for future research. / Syftet med denna uppsats är att utvärdera olika verktyg för att prediktera längden på ett läkarbesök och därmed göra det möjligt att skapa en mer effektiv schemaläggning i primärvården och på så sätt minska väntetiden för patienterna. Även om inget faktiskt schemaläggningssystem har föreslagits i denna uppsats så har fyra maskininlärningsmodeller implementerats och jämförts. Syftet med detta var bland annat att se om det var möjligt att dra slutsatsen att någon av modellerna gav bättre resultat än de andra. Den indata som använts i denna studie har bestått dels av symptomdata insamlad från symptomformulär ifylld av patienten före ett videomöte med en digital vårdgivare. Denna data har kombinerats med läkarens genomsnittliga mötestid i hens tidigare genomförda möten. Utdatan har definierats som längden av ett videomöte samt den tid som läkaren har behövt för administrativt arbete före och efter själva mötet. Ett av målen med denna studie var att undersöka som sambandet mellan indata och utdata är linjärt eller icke-linjärt. Ett annat mål var att formulera problemet både som ett regressionsproblem och som ett klassifikationsproblem. Syftet med detta var att kunna jämföra och se vilken av problemformuleringarna som gav bäst resultat. De modeller som har implementerats i denna studie är linjär regression, linjär diskriminationsanalys (linear discriminant analysis) och neurala nätverk implementerade för både regression och klassifikation. Efter att ha genomfört ett statistiskt t-test och en två-vägs ANOVA-analys kunde slutsatsen dras att ingen av de fyra studerade modellerna presterade signifikant bättre än någon av de andra. Eftersom linjär regression är enklare och kräver mindre datorkapacitet än de andra modellerna så dras slutsatsen att linjär regression kan rekommenderas för framtida användning tills det har bevisats att någon annan modell ger bättre resultat. De begränsningar som har identifierats hos studien är bland annat att det bara var fyra modeller som implementerats samt att datan som använts har vissa brister. Framtida studier som inkluderar fler modeller och bättre data har därför föreslagits. Dessutom uppmuntras framtida studier där ett faktiskt schemaläggningssystem implementeras som använder den metodik som föreslås i denna studie.

Segregation har på senare tid blivit ett ämne som allt mer diskuterats inom den svenska politiska debatten. Regeringen har arbetat fram en strategi för att motverka en ökad segregation, med vision att minska klyftorna och skapa ett tryggare Sverige. En aspekt som regeringen fokuserar på är att öka demokratiseringen i planeringsprocesser, där ett tillvägagångssätt för att öka medborgarinflytande är medborgardialoger. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vilken roll medborgarinflytande har i planeringsprocessen, för att öka demokratiseringen i samhället, med fokus på delaktighet i segregerade områden. Då framtidens invånare är dagens ungdomar, kommer studien vidare att titta specifikt på ungdomars delaktighet i stadsplaneringsprocesser. Vi har valt att basera vår studien på två frågeställningar; Hur ser medborgardeltagande respektive medborgarinflytandet ut i segregerade områden? Hur ser ungdomars deltagande i planeringsprocesser ut idag och vilka initiativ tas för att öka deras inflytande? För att kunna besvara våra frågeställningar har vi valt att göra en litteraturstudie baserat på tidigare forskning kring medborgardeltagande och segregation, samt en fallstudie av stadsplaneringsprojekt Järvalyftet. Vi har även valt att hålla intervjuer för att samla empiriskt data, dessa utförda med Moa Tunström, Nazem Tahvilzadeh och Sofia Wiberg. Utifrån studien kan det konstateras att begreppet segregation per definition, inte är ett problem. Problemet ligger i konsekvenserna som följer, däribland diskriminering och arbetslöshet. Studien pekar på att det finns ett medborgardeltagande i de segregerade områdena, men i lägre utsträckning än i områden med invånare av en högre socioekonomisk klass. En slutsats baserad på Järvalyftet är att medborgardeltagande inte nödvändigtvis behöver leda till medborgarinflytande. Det är vid övergången mellan deltagande och inflytande som missförstånd kan uppstå, då medborgarna och involverade aktörer kan ha olika uppfattning om medborgarnas inflytande. Ett ökat intresse hos ungdomar gentemot stadsplanering måste skapas för att öka deras inflytande. Genom att öppna fler forum där de uppmuntras att uttrycka sina åsikter om planeringsfrågor, ökar både intresse och engagemang. / Segregation has recently been a subject of matter in the political debate. The government has been working on a strategy to actively work against increased segregation, in hopes of reducing the gap and creating a safer Sweden. One particular aspect that the government is focusing on is to increase democratization in the planning process, where one approach to increase the public participation is through citizen consultation. The purpose of this study is to examine what part public participation plays in the planning process in order to increase the democratization of society, focusing on segregated areas. Further, since today's young adults are the inhabitants of the future, the report will also analyze this generation’s participation in urban planning processes. The study aims to answer the below two questions; What is the extent of public participation and public influence in segregated areas? What is the extent of young adults participation in the planning process today and how can the engagement be encouraged throughout the planning process? In order to answer the questions posed we have decided to carry out a literature study based on previous research about public participation and segregation, as well as a case study about the city planning project Järvalyftet. We have also chosen to hold interviews to collect empirical data, these with Moa Tunström, Nazem Tahvilzadeh and Sofia Wiberg. A significant conclusion which is drawn is the fact that the term segregation per definition is not a problem, but rather that the problem lies in the negative consequences that follow. The study implies that there is an existing public participation in segregated areas, but not in the same extent as in areas with a higher socioeconomic class. Another conclusion based on Järvalyftet, is that public participation doesn't necessarily lead to public influence. Misunderstanding can occur in the transition between public participation and public influence, since citizens and involved stakeholders have different ideas about public influence. An increased interest among young adults towards urban planning needs to be created to increase their influence. By opening more forums where they are encouraged to express their opinions on planning issues, both interest and commitment will increase.

Tänk dig att du läser lokaltidningen och slår upp en artikel om att ett häkte ska byggas i Sollentuna. Några sekunder senare inser du att det långt gångna förslaget innebär att det placeras mittemot ditt sovrumsfönster. Hur skulle du reagera? För snart 15 år sedan föreslog Kriminalvårdsstyrelsen ett nytt häkte i Sollentuna. Sollentuna kommun utredde då möjligheten att placera Häktet på samma mark som Turebergsskolan då fanns på. Idén var att skapa ett stort rättscentrum i ett centralt område. Planprocessen fick stor medial uppmärksamhet, till stor del på grund av att boende på intilliggande Malmvägen kände sig överkörda. Samtidigt deltog relativt få invånare i den formella planprocessen. Syftet med uppsatsen var att undersöka hur Sollentuna kommun arbetade med medborgardeltagande för 15 år sedan och huruvida det har skett en förändring. Det gjordes genom att undersöka två projekt i Malmvägenområdet; Häktet och Malmparken. Dokument från Sollentuna kommuns arkiv, tidningsartiklar och intervjuer användes. I det senare projektet undersöktes även Sollentuna kommuns hemsida och sociala mediekanaler. Slutsatsen blev att kommunen följde PBL och praxis och att ingenting sticker ut med deras arbete under planeringen av Häktet. Samtidigt verkar det vara ett av problemen för de boende, eftersom de ständigt efterfrågade mer information och fler utredningar. Att planera i ett bostadsområde där valdeltagandet är markant lägre än i andra delar av Sollentuna kräver förmodligen ytterligare ansträngningar, främst från politikernas sida. Tilliten till kommunen verkar vara låg i området och minskade sannolikt när kommunägda Sollentunahem valde att avbryta renoveringarna i det slitna miljonprogramsområdet. I arbetet med Malmparken genomfördes en medborgardialog som främst ledde till positiva reaktioner från invånarna, även om det i några svar är tydligt att tilliten till kommunen fortfarande är bristande för vissa. Sollentuna kommun har tagit ett krafttag i arbetet med medborgardeltagande, men missar delvis att kommunicera den ambitionen till de invånare som gärna besöker hemsidan och sociala medier för information om deltagande. / Imagine reading the local newspaper and finding an article regarding a jail being built in Sollentuna. A few seconds later you realize the proposal means it will be placed right in front of your bedroom window. How would you react? Almost 15 years ago Kriminalvårdsstyrelsen proposed a new jail could be built in Sollentuna. The municipality of Sollentuna therefore investigated the possibility of placing it on the same location as Turebergsskolan. The idea was to form a big legal center in a central area. The planning process received a lot of attention from the media, mostly because tenants from nearby Malmvägen felt trampled on. At the same time few residents participated in the formal planning process. The aim with this thesis was to examine how the municipality of Sollentuna handled the question of citizen participation 15 years ago and if their take on it has changed. It was carried out by investigating two projects located in the area Malmvägen; the Jail and Malmparken. Documents from the archives of Sollentuna municipality, newspaper articles and interviews were used. For the latter project Sollentuna municipality’s webpage and social media channels were analyzed. The conclusion was that the municipality of Sollentuna followed the recommendations listed in PBL and common practice. There was nothing unusual regarding the planning of the Jail. Simultaneously that seemed to be the problem for the residents, since they constantly requested more information and further investigations. To plan physical changes in a residential area where significantly fewer people participate in elections than in other parts of Sollentuna probably calls for further effort, foremost from the politicians. The confidence for the municipality of Sollentuna seems to be low in the area and probably decreased when the municipally owned Sollentunahem terminated the ongoing renovations of the worn down “Million program” area. During the planning of Malmparken a citizen dialogue was carried out, that mostly led to positive reactions from the residents. Although it is clear the confidence for the municipality of Sollentuna still is lacking for some people. The municipality of Sollentuna has taken vigorous efforts regarding including citizens in the planning process, but partly misses to communicate this ambition to those residents who gladly visits their website and social media in search for information about participation.

English is used as a lingua franca to communicate when interlocutors' do not share a first language (DeBartolo, 2014). This is prominent in academia, where teachers and students in international exchange programs communicate daily in English as a lingua franca (ELF). Previous research suggests that ELF speakers in this context use discourse markers (DM) as a pragmatic strategy to support their output and maintain a comprehensible discourse. However, most previous studies only used small corpora for qualitative analysis. This thesis adds to preceding research by combining qualitative and quantitative analysis of new data from an ELF corpus previously not used from this perspective. The context of the study is ELF spoken between students and teachers during academic consultation hours and possible pragmatic strategies in their use of the DMs yeah, okay and so. The analysis shows frequent use of DMs for both groups, but, perhaps due to the speaker roles, they favour different ones. For example, teachers use the function to explain and elaborate fourfold to students, this supports the nature of teacher exposition. Conversely, students' most frequently used functions indicate an active listener role, such as signalling receipt of messages. The results from this study indicate that, in an academic ELF context, teachers and students frequently use these DMs as pragmatic strategies to support their output and indicate attentiveness.