Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Ottawa, 2007. / Copyright date: 2008. Includes bibliographies.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Ottawa, 2008. / Includes bibliographies.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Ottawa, 2008. / Includes bibliographies.

Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Ottawa, 2007. / Copyright date: 2008. Includes bibliographies.

This mixed method research evaluates corporate image theory and its impact on assets of brand equity. It consists of a single case study of a CFL franchise coming back to a market that has experienced two failed franchises. The first phase involved the collection of archival material and the execution of semi-structured interviews. Through content analysis, four higher order themes emerged: the importance of Football Tradition, the need for a new Sport Facility, and the importance placed on both Identity and Brand Awareness. These themes denoted the importance of history and tradition for a franchise making its debut in a new, yet pre-existing market. The second phase involved survey research via an online method. Demographic data was compiled and analyzed to understand the various market segments that this franchise should be targeting as future fans. The findings suggest that this team should find a new name and a new logo.

Objective: To investigate and describe how an acute care, multi-site teaching hospital implements a new technology called the Automated Medication Dispensing Cabinet (ADC) that will be used by nurses. Design and methods: Qualitative, descriptive, single-case study method using the Ottawa Model of Research Use as a framework to guide data collection and analysis. The project was evaluated from the beginning, through the planning stages until a cabinet vendor was chosen. Results: A multidisciplinary committee was created to implement the ADCs across the organization. Clinical nurses, the intended users, were not directly involved in the implementation; usability testing was not done; they were not prepared for all the needed training costs and no evaluation was planned. Conclusions: An implementation framework was not used to guide the ADC project and several key area surrounding implementation were missed. Recommendations were made to improve future implementation projects in heath organizations.

Over the past few decades, research into public perceptions of crime has largely focused on how mass media consumption shapes beliefs about crime. Substantially less research has been dedicated to exploring the potential influence of alternative sources of information, and even less attention has been devoted to exploring the spatiotemporal aspect of perceptions of crime. This thesis combined Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and structured interviews in order to explore the narratives about crime constructed by three sources: (1) the Ottawa Police Service, (2) the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, and (3) residents of Ottawa. Eight participants were taken on a walking tour interview, and their responses were compared to two maps depicting the geographies of crime presented by the Ottawa Police Service and the Ottawa Citizen. It was found that the places participants believed to be criminal ones were poorly maintained and dirty, were populated by large numbers of homeless individuals, had little to no commercial space, were geographically close to other areas of the city believed to be criminal spaces, and were poorly lit. The three construction of the spatial distribution of crime in Ottawa shared many common features (such as a focus on the Byward Market area as highly criminal) while remaining distinct in their presentation of certain types of spaces (such as the newspaper’s presentation of homeless shelters as highly criminal spaces). Ultimately, this thesis explores three distinct narratives about the geography of crime in Ottawa through the use of a unique mixed methods design that provides an alternative way of interpreting data most commonly analyzed through deductive or quantitative means.

Altered mental status (AMS), a common and serious entity in elderly Emergency Department patients, is not well recognized by physicians. Our prospective cohort study evaluated the implementation, by nurses and physicians, of the Ottawa 3DY Scale, a cognitive screening tool. We enrolled 260 patients (60.0% female, mean age 83.7). Screening rates were: overall - 78.3%; physician - 51.8%; and nurse - 64.2%. Interrater reliability was 0.65. Physician and nurse sensitivity was 78.9, 84.6% and specificity was 39.4, 54.2%, respectively, compared with the Mini-Mental State Exam. Patient living situation, educational level, triage location, hospitalization, admission location and 30 day mortality were associated with AMS. Implementation of the Ottawa 3DY Scale increased screening for AMS in elderly Emergency Department patients. It was feasible, sensitive, specific and had good interrater reliability. Use will lead to increased identification of cognitive impairment and ultimately result in improved care and outcomes in this vulnerable patient population.

Situé au cœur de la capitale fédérale, Ottawa, le quartier de la Basse-Ville était originellement un bastion francophone. Au cours des cinquante dernières années, ce quartier a subi plusieurs changements qui se rapportent à ceux d'une gentrification. Entre autres, une nouvelle population, plus anglicisée, éduquée, occupant des professions à meilleur revenu s'y est installée. Cette étude cherche à voir si les francophones de la Basse-Ville Ouest d'Ottawa forment toujours une communauté et si oui, sur quels fondements elle se repose. À partir des résultats obtenus des soixante-sept personnes qui ont participé à notre enquête par questionnaire, l'analyse révèle qu'une communauté existe toujours, bien que les bases sur lesquelles elle est construite ont évolué. L'étude révèle aussi que certaines caractéristiques telles que l'identification linguistique, le statut de propriété et la durée de résidence jouent un rôle dans le degré d'appartenance à la communauté. Le passage de cet ancien village francophone à un quartier urbain n'a tout de même pas fait oublier à ses habitants l'héritage de la Basse-Ville.

Background: In Canada, Aboriginal women are disproportionately impacted by HIV and are tested later in disease progression, resulting in poorer health outcomes and increasing the risk of onward transmission. Methods: Using purposive sampling, 13 self-identified Aboriginal women participated in in-depth, qualitative interviews exploring women’s experiences with HIV testing and their ideas for improving the process. Thematic analysis was conducted in conjunction with constant comparison to identify emergent themes and to direct future interviews and analyses. Results: Women identified several barriers to HIV testing converging on the subjects of insufficient knowledge of HIV and HIV transmission, lack of perceived relevance of HIV testing, unwillingness or inability to confront the need for testing, and judgment from self and others regarding engagement in HIV-related risk-behaviours. The women also described their acceptable and unacceptable testing experiences, presented recommendations for increasing HIV testing uptake, and suggested ways to create the ideal testing experience. The findings demonstrate a clear need for stronger engagement of Aboriginal women surrounding their HIV-related testing needs and increased access to educational opportunities, culturally appropriate care, and initiatives aimed at reducing societal stigma around HIV.