Attitudinal Issues Research Articles

A comparative analysis of policies addressing rural oral health in eight English-speaking OECD countries.

Oral health is fundamental to overall health. Poor oral health is largely preventable but unacceptable inequalities exist, particularly for people in rural areas. The issues are complex. Rural populations are characterised by lower rates of health insurance, higher rates of poverty, less water fluoridation, fewer dentists and oral health specialists, and greater distances to access care. These factors inter-relate with educational, attitudinal, and system-level issues. An important area of enquiry is whether and how national oral health policies address causes and solutions for poor rural oral health. The purpose of this study was to examine a series of government policies on oral health to (i) determine the extent to which such policies addressed rural oral health issues, and (ii) identify enabling assumptions in policy language about problems and solutions regarding rural communities. Eight current oral health policies were identified from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Validated content and critical discourse analyses were used to document and explore the concepts in these policy documents, with a particular focus on the frequency with which rural oral health was mentioned, and the enabling assumptions in policy language about rural communities. Seventy-three concepts relating to oral health were identified from the textual analysis of the eight policy documents. The rural concept addressing oral health issues occurred in only 2% of all policies and was notably absent from the oral health policies of countries with substantial rural populations. It occurred most frequently in the policy documents from Australia and Scotland, less so in the policy documents from Canada, Wales, and New Zealand, and not at all in the oral health policies from the US, England, and Northern Ireland. Thus, the oral health needs of rural communities were generally not the focus of, nor included in, the oral health policy documents in this study. When the language of concepts related to rural oral health was examined, the qualitative analysis identified four discourse themes related to both causality and solutions. These ranked discourse themes focused on service models, workforce issues, social determinants of health, and prevention. None of the policies addressed the structural economic determinants of unequal rural oral health, nor did they specifically assert the rights of children in rural communities to equitable oral health care. This study documented the limited focus on rural oral health that existed in national oral health policies from eight different English-speaking countries. It supports the need for an increased focus on rural oral health issues in oral health policies, particularly as increased oral health is clearly associated with increased general health. It speaks to the critical importance of periodic analysis of the content of oral health policies to ensure that issues of inequality are addressed. Further, it reinforces the need for research findings about effective oral health care to be translated into practice in the development of practical and financially viable policies to make access to oral health care more equitable, particularly for people living in rural and remote areas.

Exploring the Dynamics of Volunteer and Staff Interactions

The quality of the relationships between volunteers and paid staff can have far‐reaching consequences for organizations that utilize volunteer programs to support service delivery. We utilize a mixed methods case study design to explore volunteer and staff perceptions of their mutual interactions within a large library system in the southeastern United States. We consider which areas of these interactions might be vulnerable to conflict. Our findings suggest that conflict is likely to arise due to communication problems, behavioral or attitudinal issues, perceptions of job vulnerability, divergent expectations, lack of trust, and workflow integration hurdles. We argue that to avoid these tensions and promote effective service delivery, staff members must have appropriate training and preparation to interact successfully with volunteers.

Designing of body donation awareness campaign – A prototype to address attitudinal and ethical related issues

Designing of body donation awareness campaign – A prototype to address attitudinal and ethical related issues

When Cooperation and Compromise Fail: Distrusting and Denigrating the Moral Character of Those Who Disagree

AbstractPeople tend to view adversaries with dissimilar opinions as irrational, biased, and negatively motivated. However, when adversaries show honest attempts to compromise evaluations should become more positive. Unfortunately, the evidence presented here does not support this idea. Across five studies using different attitudinal issues perceivers believed dissimilar attitude targets were negatively motivated, untrustworthy, and less moral compared to similar attitude targets. Further, moral character judgments mediated the relationship between attitude target and trust. Fortunately, the strong association between motives and morality provided an opportunity to intervene. Those explicitly told that an attitude target held positive rather than negative long‐term motives evaluated those with dissimilar and similar attitudes positively. Discussion focuses on the importance of these findings for theory and public policy.

What factors influence successful recruitment of siblings of individuals with first episode psychosis to e-health interventions? A qualitative study.

BackgroundRecruitment to clinical research studies can prove complex. This is particularly true of mental health research, given factors such as confidentiality, capacity and consent, or when attempting to recruit family members as opposed to service users themselves.AimThis study investigated the challenges experienced and strategies employed in the recruitment of siblings of people with first episode psychosis using Early Intervention in Psychosis Services (EIPS) in England.MethodsAs part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an e‐health intervention for siblings, we conducted a process evaluation study whereby semistructured interview was undertaken with clinical and research staff involved in recruitment of siblings. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsTwelve participants from six EIPS were interviewed. Data analysis revealed seven key themes: (i) limited comprehensive family data available; (ii) data governance and consent issues; (iii) organizational factors; (iv) convoluted recruitment methods; (v) concerns about service users' opinions; (vi) fluidity in siblings' needs and expectations; and (vii) strategies to enhance recruitment.ConclusionsRecruitment challenges identified in this study concerned administrative, organizational, process and attitudinal issues. These are similar to other studies recruiting mental health service users as well as family members. Failure to recruit to target implies that studies are underpowered to detect potential statistically or clinically meaningful changes. Future studies should establish how best to enhance family inclusiveness in clinical practice and research.

La implicación del docente en los ambientes educativos mediados por tecnologías / Involvement of the teacher in technology-mediated educational environments

La presencia de tecnologías de información y comunicación en las instituciones educativas de nivel superior originó que las formas de acceso al conocimiento se modificaran, las instituciones ofrecen alternativas de formación distintas y los docentes y aprendices participan jugando roles diversificados que parecen depender del contexto o el escenario educativo, impactando en el desempeño de los actores del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje. En este sentido, el objetivo del presente escrito es dar a conocer desde un enfoque sistémico cómo ha sido la implicación del docente en los ambientes educativos mediados por tecnologías. El fundamento epistémico de este trabajo es la Teoría General de Sistemas a través del Enfoque Sistémico. La investigación se llevó a cabo bajo un paradigma de investigación mixto (cuantitativo-cualitativo). En la etapa cuantitativa se identificaron las acciones que describen la implicación del docente en el ambiente, a raíz de la relevancia de estos datos se procedió a una fase cualitativa donde se profundizó la información obtenida y se dio cualidad a los datos, explicando sus porqués. Desde la perspectiva teórica con que se abordó la investigación se determinó la necesidad de observar integralmente el fenómeno de la implicación docente en los ambientes educativos mediados por tecnologías, los resultados indican que dicha implicación contempla cuestiones cognitivas, actitudinales, pedagógicas y comunicacionales, los factores tecnológicos marcan las acciones docentes pero pesan más sus creencias, disponibilidad y competencias digitales. Para los docentes este tipo de ambientes son una manera de flexibilizar los procesos educativos, aunque dan mayor importancia a la presencialidad.

Psychotherapy with a language interpreter: considerations and cautions for practice

We examine the extent to which psychotherapy can be successfully conducted with the aid of an interpreter. We propose that, even if we assume idealistic levels of training on the part of the interpreter and the therapist, and openness on the part of the client, there are still many challenges inherent in interpreter-assisted therapy. We focus on some of the characteristics common to client experiences of effective psychotherapy, as well as the characteristics and habits of effective therapists, and show how the insertion of an interpreter into the therapeutic relationship could affect both. Where the literature provides, we also note steps which could be taken to minimise the harmful impacts and maximise the positive contributions which the therapist–interpreter–client dynamic could yield. In South Africa, where informal interpreters play the invaluable role of facilitating essential communication between psychotherapists and their clients, it is imperative that informal interpreters, and clinicians working with interpreters, are aware of some of the complex issues at play in interpreted interactions. The issue of interpreting in mental health care is commonly addressed only in regard to the question of the competence of interpreters; we suggest that attitudinal and skill issues are equally important for clinicians. We conclude that successful therapy with an interpreter necessitates a consideration of the dynamic interaction between all parties involved.

Attitudes Toward Domestic Violence and Corporal Punishment Among Former Soviet Union Immigrants in Israel.

The study regards attitudes of Russian immigrants in Israel toward wife abuse and corporal punishment. The sample consisted of 1,028 participants, based on a multistage cluster sampling. The study used a questionnaire related to immigration, acculturation, and attitudinal issues. The findings indicate a dual-causal model, in which corporal punishment attitudes contribute to wife abuse attitudes and vice versa. However, the effect of attitudes supporting corporal punishment was stronger than the effect of wife abuse attitudes, indicating that the attitudinal system as a precursor of violent behavior is already merging the two types of violence.

Early Childhood Inclusion in Israel

This article describes conceptual aspects, current policies and practices, and research representing the Israeli perspective regarding early childhood inclusion (ECI) at preschool ages (3–6 years). We review legislative, historical, attitudinal, philosophical, practical, empirical, and cultural issues regarding ECI in Israel. Finally, we focus on several major topics and challenges that call for further discussion and intervention, along with suggestions for future directions to enhance ECI in educational settings with regard to policies, research, training, and practices.

Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Health Services among Women with Disabilities

Women with disabilities experience significant disparities in accessing breast health services. Many studies have focused on barriers, but few have explored facilitators to improving breast health services. This study used a participatory-research approach involving women with physical, mobility, sensory, and developmental disabilities to explore facilitators and barriers affecting the access and quality of breast health services. Findings confirmed commonly cited barriers including attitudinal, environmental, financial, and structural issues but also identified multiple facilitators such as enhancing accessibility of breast health facilities and equipment, improving information sources, and increasing training of health professionals. Findings from this study can be used in improving breast health services among women with disabilities by targeting not only the removal of barriers but also the increase in proven facilitators.

Cross Sectional Attitudes of Public Sculpture Matrix in Southwestern Nigeria

Public outdoor sculpture practice in the Southwestern Nigeria entails different types of attitudes. These attitudes are discernable from the stage of commissioning of work, its conceptualization to the display and uses in the public sphere generated diverse fundamental, constant technical issues. Some are explicitly alluring while others are absurd, fleeting and injurious to the practice. However, whatever attitude advanced in the public outdoor sculpture practice, it has not been discussed cross sectionally. The inadequate scholarship attention on the attitudinal issues in outdoor sculpture certainly created art historical gap apt to make the study of contemporary Nigeria art incoherent. Apparently, attitudinal studies certainly involve psychological measurement - a type of instrument that does not required descriptive survey. For this reason, the study was based on qualitative methods. The study categorised various attitudes in outdoor sculpture practice in the studied area into pre-unveiling, unveiling and post unveiling stages and critically examined them. Some attitudes in the practice of the art were observed to be stimulant for advancement; invariably others are clearly incongruous to the spirit of typical Yoruba societal value orientation in orderliness, therefore degrading and detrimental to the development of the outdoor sculpture in the public sphere. Keywords: Art patron; cross sectional attitude; outdoor sculpture; post-unveiling; pre-unveiling; public art; Southwestern Nigeria; unveiling.

Sanitation Practices and Policies in India: Exploring Determinants and their Interlinkages

India, one of the emerging economies of the world, is plagued with preva-lence of inadequate and poor sanitation facilities. Unhealthy hygiene practices and menace of open defecation still persist in the country which seeks to be counted as one of the superpowers. While some of the poor countries of the world fare better than India in terms of sanitation, it becomes essential to look beyond economic factors to understand the problem. The problems are manifold and appear in many dimensions. While sixty percent of popula-tion does not have access to toilet facilities, the instances of non-utilisation of existing toilet facilities are also reported. The non-utilisation of existing toilet facilities may range from planning related concerns to attitudinal issues. The planning or policy related concerns stem from problems related to maintenance of toilets, lack of plumbing and drainage facilities, lack of water and sewage systems etc. To understand these problems and the efforts to address them, critical evaluation of sanitation policies is needed. Sanitation policies and perceptions of masses towards sanitation practices can be complementary factors for cost of access to sanitation facilities. This paper seeks to look into the factors affecting inadequate sanitation facilities from a broader point of view focussing on policy and practices. The paper utilises secondary sources and a case study to unravel the factors and their interlinkages.

Contributions from Christian ethics and Buddhist philosophy to the management of compassion fatigue in nurses.

The aim in the article is to demonstrate how insights from Christian ethics and Buddhist philosophy can make contributions to the management of compassion fatigue. There are already helpful resources available that provide principles, tips, and practical guidelines for self-care. The approach here is centered on attitudinal, ethical, and philosophical issues. From the Christian tradition, the ethical principle of "equal regard" is employed. Equal regard is the notion that agape (disinterested, universal love) requires of a people that they love others neither more nor less than they love themselves. When the ethical principle that a nurse operates out of in her everyday life is self-sacrifice, self-care is much less likely to be set as a personal priority. From the Buddhist tradition, the principle of compassion with equanimity is engaged. The Buddhist ideal is opening oneself to the pain of the other while maintaining calmness or stillness of mind. It is contended that inculcation of this skill means that a nurse can be exposed to suffering without running down their store of compassion.

Tele-Psychiatry: After Mars, Can we Reach the Unreached?

Byline: Suresh. Math, Sydney. Moirangthem, Naveen. Kumar Mars Orbiter Mission, India's first interplanetary mission to planet Mars, was a grand success and placed India in the elite club of space explorers on 24 Sept 2014. [sup][1] However, medical care has not reached the unreached population despite such advancement in the field of information technology. In an effort to bridge this gap, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) initiated an ambitious Telemedicine Pilot Project in the year 2001 which was implemented in several States across India. [sup][2] However, the following decade showed that telemedicine was not able to deliver the intended objectives and has not reached its full potential. This article focuses on the issues, challenges and suggestions for telemedicine in India. Telemedicine Technology: Telemedicine is defined as the delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health-care professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases, injuries, research and for continuing education of health care providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities. [sup][2] In simple words, telemedicine can enable primary care doctors/para-clinical staff to perform the function of specialist doctor's tasks under the supervision of the specialist through telemedicine. When compared with conventional health care, telemedicine saves time, is economical and reduces the effort to the rural patients, as they are not required to travel long distances for obtaining specialist consultation and treatment. [sup][3] Patient acceptance, clinical outcome, safety and satisfaction has been found to be similar to the conventional face-to-face consultation and care, [sup][4],[5] In spite of the above advantages telemedicine in India is haunted with number of issues [sup][6] discussed below. Implementation factor: Telemedicine was implemented with the objective of reaching the unreached. However on analysis of the telemedicine network across India, it could be easily concluded that, telemedicine network are well-connected between tertiary care centre (medical colleges) and secondary care centres (district hospitals) only. Primary health care centres are not yet included in the telemedicine network, hence it falls short of reaching the goal of 'reaching the unreached'. Man power issues: Telemedicine was imposed on the existing, already over-burdened medical staff without providing additional man-power. In one of the study from Karnataka, 76% of the doctors reported they were already busy in their conventional work, 20% were not ready to wait for teleconsultation and 4% did not want to seek help from the nodal centres. [sup][6] Telemedicine should become part of the health system and needs to be considered as a separate department with dedicated medical staff, supporting and technical staff. Attitudinal issues: The biggest challenge continues to be the human mindset to keep the homeostasis as the norm and providing obstacles for the change. Doctors at the district hospitals have the mind-set of ' I am also a specialist, then why should I ask for opinion?' , ' It is not my business to ask for opinion' and ' What will patient think of me, if I ask for opinion from other doctor, they may think that I am not competent '. This issue needs to be addressed by educating the doctors and providing incentives in implementing telemedicine. [sup][6] Technical difficulties: Poor (satellite/broad band) connectivity, lack of uninterrupted power supply, faulty maintenance of equipments and absence of dedicated noise free space are some of the technical challenges faced in effective delivery of telemedicine services. Logistic Challenges: After tele-consultation, it was found that prescribed medicines were not available, well-equipped laboratories were not there and radio-diagnostic facilities were not there in the client (remote) centre, which hampered the quality of telemedicine services. …

Parental perceptions of information needs and service provision for children with developmental disabilities in rural Australia

Purpose: Rural Australians comprise a third of the population. However, there are relatively few research studies that have focused on issues for children with developmental disabilities in rural regions. In particular, there is very limited research that gives voice to parents regarding challenges faced by them due to their location in rural regions. Methods: This article is based on the qualitative component of a mixed-methods study undertaken in rural settings. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 17 parents yielding 30 h of information rich taped data. Thematic analysis techniques were used to identify major issues. Results: Three core themes emerged from analysis of the qualitative data regarding information and support needs: an ongoing lack of timely and relevant information about disabilities and support services; inadequacies in interactions with service providers particularly doctors and allied health staff; and considerable challenges and barriers to access and use of health services. Conclusions: Within the constraints of limited rural service provision, there are still opportunities for considerable improvements, through focussed in-service training to narrow the information gap, improve provider-client interaction around attitudinal issues and uptake of tele-health to minimise the long waiting times and the need to regularly travel long distances to access services and setting up online support groups.Implications for RehabilitationThere is limited information on challenges faced by parents of children with developmental disabilities in rural Australia.The challenges around lack of information about support systems available add to parental stress as does limited experience, frequent staff turnover and poor attitude of many service providers.There is a need to improve rural service provision. Feasible options within resource constraints include focussed in-service training to narrow the information gap, improve provider-client interaction around attitudinal issues, and uptake of tele-health services.Setting up of parent-professional support groups as well peer support groups using digital technologies will help reduce the sense of isolation for rural carers and minimise impediments related to travelling long distances.

Chinese versus UK marketing students' perceptions of peer feedback and peer assessment

The objective of this research is to explore UK and Chinese students' perceptions of peer feedback as well as assessment for coursework conducted in groups during the course of their studies at a large UK Business School. Elements of Hofstede's cultural dimensions were used to develop a theoretical framework for this study. An abductive approach was taken using systematic combining where interviews with UK and Chinese students were integrated with academic literature to ascertain general perceptions towards peer feedback and assessment. From these interviews four attitudinal issues were extracted – how comfortable students are with an assessment mode, how important they find the mode, fairness of the assessment mode, and how useful they find the mode. A survey was then distributed to final year marketing students and their perceptions of these issues were assessed. These results were subsequently presented to separate focus groups for their insights into the survey outcomes. The principal findings of the study are that there are cultural barriers to fair and consistent formal peer assessment of group work involving heterogeneous populations, particularly pertaining to collectivist/individualist backgrounds as exemplified in this study.

Struggling Against Like-Minded Conformity in Order to Enliven SEAR: A Call for Passion

This paper reflects upon the behavioural and attitudinal issues of scholars within the community of social and environmental accounting research (SEAR) and seeks to stimulate debate by discussing our views on how this scientific community operates. The paper calls for passion and appeals to the emotions of SEAR individuals through a discussion on how to challenge current structures. More specifically, we address like-minded conformity as a threat to the future cohesion and health of SEAR. Thus, instead of blaming solely the Blue Meanies (Gray and Laughlin [2012] use ‘Blue Meanies’ as a metaphor for those factors which invade the world of scholarship, reflection, collegiality and enquiry. These Blue Meanies, which destroy the very essence of scholarship, include numerous modern phenomena, such as performance measurement, career mindedness, journal rankings and citation indexes. [Gray, R., and R. Laughlin. 2012. “It Was 20 Years Ago Today: Sgt. Pepper, Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Green Accounting and the Blue Meanies.” Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal 25 (2): 228–255]), we call for passion and appeal to individual responsibility. Overall, we argue for greater emphasis on the human and passionate elements of research as a way to curb the effects produced by catalysts of conformity. We maintain that this will enhance not only mutual respect and good scientific conversation but also the relevance and innovativeness of SEAR.

Exploring pregnant women's current level of nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and readiness for dietary change during pregnancy

International impact studies have identified a positive association between the initiative and breastfeeding trends however in Australia BFHI struggles to gain momentum with 19% of facilities currently accredited. Australian studies have identified several impediments: a misunderstanding of the initiative’s aims, a discord with practice and organisational attitudinal issues. Critics have recommended redirecting any proposed funding as the initiative has not proven its applicability to the Australian context. This poster discusses the social context in which feeding practices occur and explores the state of evidence on which the Baby Friendly Health Initiative is founded. The weight of evidence supportingbreastfeeding is reconsidered tocritique thecurrent stateof knowledge onwhich breastfeeding promotion activities are based. The challenge of successfully developing and reporting breastfeeding indicators is also examined. The impact of breastfeeding is then explored in order to examine the relationship between breastfeeding and BFHI practices.

Clinical nurses' perception of continuing professional education as a tool for quality service delivery in public hospitals Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the perception of nurses on various aspects of continuing professional education (CPE). A mixed method design (quantitative/qualitative) was adopted. A self-explanatory, semi-structured questionnaire was validated and used to collect data in addition to unstructured interview. One hundred and fifty nurses were selected through stratified random sampling from two hospitals in Calabar, Nigeria and served as participants. Participants generally perceived CPE as valuable and worthwhile and participated because it is mandatory and helps them to retain their jobs. The content of CPE were perceived to be more relevant for clinicians than for nurse educators; clinical skills and quantitative research methodology were adequately covered while evidence-based practice, attitudinal issues, nursing theories and patient safety were inadequately covered. CPE was perceived to be fragmented without gaining points, follow-up monitoring and evaluation after CPE which make it difficult to objectively assess the influence of CPE on quality of care. It is recommended that nurse leaders in Nigeria should develop online CPE modules for nursing, and allocate points to them so that participation may contribute to career progression. Effective monitoring and evaluation systems should be put in place to assess impact of CPE on staff competence and patient outcomes.

Professor - intensificação do trabalho e o uso da voz

OBJETIVO: Identificar, por meio de relatos de professores do Ensino Fundamental, condições que interferem, direta ou indiretamente, no seu desempenho vocal e nas circunstâncias do seu trabalho. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa realizada com oito professoras da rede municipal de ensino de São Paulo, em cinco sessões de grupo focal. Os temas disparadores foram: o que é ser professor/a na atualidade, violência e saúde dos professores. As sessões foram gravadas e transcritas, os conteúdos analisados e organizados em categorias e subcategorias, dentro de quatro tópicos: voz, trabalho, violência e inclusão escolar. RESULTADOS: Os professores necessitam falar muito para garantir atenção e resultado do trabalho; trabalhar conteúdos comportamentais e atitudinais; resolver e negociar conflitos; administrar a violência na sala de aula; controlar situações e acalmar as crianças. Há uso intenso e contínuo da voz para outras situações, além da aula. "Gritar" e "falar alto" foram associados a competir com o ruído interno e externo à sala de aula, à quantidade de alunos e a exercer controle imediato sobre imprevisibilidades. A desorganização da rotina (interrupções constantes) sobrecarrega os professores, física e mentalmente. As crianças do programa de inclusão escolar acentuam esses problemas. CONCLUSÃO: A nova regulação das políticas educacionais reestruturou a atividade docente, sobrecarregando e intensificando seu trabalho, precarizando condições laborais e interferindo na sua organização. O professor é solicitado cotidianamente ao uso intenso da voz para resolver situações distintas - além de ministrar a aula - sem possibilidade de descanso e em condições adversas, resultando no adoecimento do corpo e da mente.