Qualitative Descriptive Study Research Articles

Integrating family caregivers in older adults' hospital stays: a needed cultural shift.

This study aimed to examine perceived barriers and facilitators to caregiver inclusion in the hospital care of older adult family members or friends through the perspectives of (1) hospitalized older adults, (2) caregivers of a hospitalized older adult, (3) healthcare clinicians, and (4) policymakers. This qualitative descriptive exploratory study utilized semi-structured interviews with N = 24 participants and was analyzed using a framework method. Eight codes arose that were categorized into four domains guided by the Social Ecological Model. Individual-level factors were determined both for the caregiver and for the clinician. Relationship-level factors were revealed pertaining to communication style and method. Hospital-level factors included hospital environment and resources. Societal-level factors included healthcare climate and policies. Findings indicated that hospital workflows and policies inadequately support family caregivers. This study highlights potential solutions to caregivers' integration into hospital workflows.

Kainuun sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon kuntayhtymän ja kuntien hallinnon toimijoiden kokemuksia yhteistyöstä COVID-19-pandemian aikana integroiduissa sosiaali- ja terveyspalveluissa

Kainuu Social Welfare and Health Care Joint Authority’s and municipalities’ administration actors’ experiences of collaboration during COVID-19 pandemic in integrated social and health services This qualitative descriptive study aimed to describe social and healthcare and municipalities’ administration actors’ experiences of collaboration during COVID-19 pandemic in integrated social and health services. A systems theory was applied as a theoretical framework. The data were collected in thematic interviews of eight actors in Kainuu between November 2021 and February 2022. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Seven main categories were formed: 1) experience of the history of collaboration, 2) roles and leadership in collaboration, 3) interactive collaboration, 4) effective collaborative process, 5) challenges of collaboration, 6) coherent and interactive communication and 7) structure of collaboration. Integrated social and health services are perceived as a resource of collaboration in a crisis because there are not many boundaries between organizations.

Nursing preceptors’ attitudes towards the applicability of the five-minute-preceptor-model in practical nursing education: A qualitative descriptive study

Objective: The “Five-Minute-Preceptor Model” (5MP) is a teaching method that is especially useful for teaching students in clinical training and strengthens the clinical reasoning skills of nursing students. Despite its acclaimed utility in clinical environments, there is a notable paucity of research on this model, particularly from the standpoint of nurse preceptors. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the views of the nurse preceptors towards the applicability of the 5MP in precepting nursing students.Methods: Adopting a qualitative descriptive design, this study involved 15 problem-centered interviews conducted in February 2022. The participants were nurse preceptors employed at a hospital in Southern Austria. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed. Data analysis was performed through qualitative content analysis following Kuckartz's methodology.Results: The qualitative content analysis yielded five main categories, further delineated into 14 sub-categories. Nurse preceptors generally had a positive attitude towards the applicability of the teaching method. They expressed it as practicable, supportive, and enhancing for their preceptorship. However, the universal application in every nursing setting and situation as well as the applicability in lower training levels was questioned by the nurse preceptors.Conclusions: The findings suggest that the 5MP is a viable teaching method for precepting nursing students. While some limitations in its adaptability to diverse settings and situations were identified, several participants noted the method's inherent flexibility for customization. Further research is required to extensively evaluate its effectiveness across varied nursing environments.

Exploring staff experiences and perceptions of patient-perpetrated violence in hospital settings: A qualitative study.

To explore hospital staff experiences and perceptions of patient-perpetrated violence. Descriptive qualitative study. Twelve semi-structured interviews (June-August 2022) were held with a diverse sample of hospital nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, security and a non-clinical manager. The framework approach was used to organise and analyse data, using Attribution Theory as a theoretical lens. Three themes were identified: violence as (un)predictable, violence as (un)preventable and the cumulative toll of violence. In making sense of why patients become violent, participants described different 'types' of aggressive patients and variably attributed behaviours to situation, disposition or a combination of both. Regardless of perceived causal factors, staff overwhelmingly appeared to view violence as predictable. Participants also reflected on the wider structural problems underpinning violence, frequently alluding to their sense of relative powerlessness to initiate change. The cumulative toll of violence was a common thread, with staff describing their acquisition of 'resilience' and reflecting on its role in their responses to escalating situations. Many hospital staff are resigned to the inevitability of violence. The concept of staff 'resilience' following violence is not unproblematic, having the potential to serve as a guise for acceptance and as an additional variable for which staff are held accountable. When designing strategies, organisations should ensure that accountability for violence reduction is distributed across multiple levels. This study makes a novel contribution by exploring the perspectives of multiple staff groups working across diverse hospital settings, and adds to a sparse literature on this subject in the UK. Efforts to address violence against healthcare staff need to be power-conscious, ensuring that accountability is distributed across multiple levels. This study is reported in line with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ). No patient or public contribution.

Exposure to secondary traumatic stress and its related factors among emergency nurses in Saudi Arabia: a mixed method study

BackgroundEmergency department (ED) nurses are exposed to the risk of secondary traumatic stress (STS), which poses a threat not only to nurses’ health and psychological well-being but also adversely affects the execution of their professional duties. The quality and outcome of their nursing services are negatively affected by STS.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to comprehensively investigate the prevalence and intensity of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) among Emergency Department (ED) nurses. It aims to identify and analyze the socio-demographic, occupational, and psychological factors that influence the severity and variation of STS experienced by these nurses.MethodsThe study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach, including two phases. Phase 1 employed a cross-sectional study design, utilizing a convenience sample of 181 nurses to explore the levels of STS and the factors associated with it. Following this, Phase 2 was structured as a qualitative descriptive study, which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with a purposefully selected group of ten ED nurses. Data collection took place at three major hospitals in Saudi Arabia during the period from January to June 2022.ResultsA total of 181 participants were included in the study. The mean STSS score reported by the nurses was 51 (SD = 13.23) out of the maximum possible score of 85, indicating severe STS among ED nurses. Factors associated with an increase in the levels of STS among ED nurses included being female, older in age, married, possessing higher education and experience, having a positive relationship with colleagues, receiving organisational support, and dealing with a higher number of trauma cases. Several themes emerged from the qualitative interviews including: ED Characteristics: Dual Impact on STS, Emotional Resonance and Vulnerability, Personal Life Stressors, The Ability to Cope, and Social Support.Conclusion and implications for practiceFuture strategies and interventions targeting STS should be prioritized to effectively manage its impact on ED nurses. It is crucial to develop targeted interventions that address the specific factors contributing to STS, as identified in this study. Additionally, these findings aim to enhance awareness among nursing administrators, managers, and supervisors about the critical factors associated with STS. This awareness is essential for accurately assessing and developing interventions that mitigate STS among nursing staff.

Tedong (Buffalo): Symbol of Nobility, Humanity, and Entertaiment in Funeral Ceremony in The Indigenous Torajan, Indonesia

In the sociocultural life of Toraja people, buffalo are not ordinary animals. If some people in Indonesia make buffalo as farm animals only, then in Toraja, Indonesia, buffalo as a symbol of social status, humanity, and entertaiment. This is in line with the purpose of this research is to reveal the value of the Tedong (Buffalo) in funeral ceremony. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. Data in this study gained in funeral ceremony. Data is collected through observation techniques, records, interviews, and documentation. The results of the research indicated that tedong (buffalo) in the funeral ceremony is as a marker of a person's nobility. The nobility or social status sign is determined by how many buffalo are sacrificed, which is in line with ritual utterance in rambu solo’ that is pronounced by Tominaa. The more tedong (buffalo) the sacrificed, the higher the social status of one. Conversely, the fewer tedong (buffalos) are sacrificed, the lower the social status of one. In addition, tedong (buffalo) also marks the sense of humanity that looks through the activities of Mantaa Duku'. The value of Buffalo as entertainment seemed in the activity of Ma’ pasilaga tedong.

Religio-cultural facilitators and barriers in decision-making on organ donation: The experiences of families of brain-dead patients in Iran

This study aimed to explore the experiences of families of brain-dead patients regarding religio-cultural facilitators and barriers in decision-making for organ donation. This is a qualitative descriptive study, in which a total of eighteen families of brain-dead patients were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. After recording and transcribing the interviews, concepts were extracted using conventional content analysis. The main theme was entitled “religio-cultural facilitators and barriers in decision-making on organ donation” and consisted of four main categories, including two facilitators of “life-giving culture” and “life-giving sacredness” and two barriers of “decision-making skepticism” and “opportunity-burning religiousization”. Therefore, cultural and religious issues require further attention and a more realistic and logical cultural and religious perspective toward organ donation should be created at the societal level.

“I could not find the strength to resist the pressure of the medical staff, to refuse to give commercial milk formula”: a qualitative study on effects of the war on Ukrainian women’s infant feeding

IntroductionDuring emergencies, breastfeeding protects infants by providing essential nutrients, food security, comfort, and protection and is a priority lifesaving intervention. On February 24, 2022, the war in Ukraine escalated, creating a humanitarian catastrophe. The war has resulted in death, injuries, and mass internal displacement of over 5 million people. A further 8.2 million people have taken refuge in neighboring countries, including Poland. Among those impacted are infants and young children and their mothers. We conducted a study to explore the infant feeding challenges and needs of Ukrainian women affected by the war.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative descriptive study involving in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 75 war-affected Ukrainian mothers who had at least one infant aged less than 12 months at the time of the interview. Eligible mothers were either (1) living as Ukrainian refugees in Poland, having crossed the border from Ukraine on or after February 24, 2022, when the war started (n = 30) or (2) living in Ukraine as internally displaced persons or as residents in the community (n = 45). All interviews were audio-recorded (either transcribed or had responses summarized as expanded notes) and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis using a two-step rapid analysis process.ResultsParticipants in Ukraine who wanted to initiate breastfeeding right after birth faced opposition from healthcare workers at maternity hospitals. Ukrainian refugees who gave birth in Poland faced language barriers when seeking breastfeeding support. Half of the participants in Ukraine received commercial milk formula (CMF) donations even if they said they did not need them. Most respondents stated that breastfeeding information and support were urgently needed.ConclusionOur data suggests that healthcare workers in Ukrainian maternity hospitals require additional training and motivation on delivering breastfeeding support. In addition, lactation consultants in maternity ward are needed in Ukraine, and interpretation support is needed for refugees to overcome language barriers. There is a need to control the indiscriminate donations of commercial milk formula and to ensure that complementary foods and commercial milk formula are available to those that need it. This study confirms the need for actions to ensure infant and young child feeding (IYCF) support is provided during emergencies.

Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) Approach to Material on the Characteristics of Two-Dimentional Figures Using the Reog Ponorogo Performance in Elementary Schools

: It is critical to approach mathematical education correctly. This is because many students believe math is a tough subject to learn. This problem arises because many teachers teach mathematics in abstract terms. This is a qualitative descriptive study using Graveimeiijeir's design research method. The research was designed to prove the truth of the allegations made in the learning trajectory or HLT (Hypothetical Learning Trajectory) and their impact on students' understanding by applying the RME (Realistic Mathematics Education) approach to the material on the characteristics of two-dimensional figures, with Reog Ponorogo performance media and worksheet serving as a guide for student activities. This study was conducted on class 3B students at MI Ma'arif Darul Ulum Pondok. The research topic is a 6-student group in a classroom. The research stages included preparation, execution in the classroom, and data analysis. Based on this research, it can be seen that the stages of learning activities using the RME approach are based on the stages contained in the iceberg theory, namely, stages of real-world situations (situations), models that describe problem situations (model of), models for solving problems (model for), and formal mathematics stages using Reog Ponorogo performance media can make it easier for students to understand material regarding the characteristics of two-dimensional figures.

How the knowledge shared using social media is taken up into health professions education practice: A qualitative descriptive study.

Social media may promote knowledge sharing but what users do with the new knowledge and how it may influence practice remains to be known. This exploratory study used a social constructivist lens to understand how health professions educators and researchers integrate knowledge from social media into their respective practices. We purposively sampled health professions educators and researchers using the hashtags #MedEd, #HPE, and #HealthProfessionsEducation on Twitter/X. We obtained informed consent, conducted interviews via videoconference, and engaged in multiple cycles of deductive and inductive coding and analysis. Participants identified as educators and researchers (n = 12), as researchers (n = 1), or as educators (n = 1) from Canada (n = 8), the United States (n = 3), and Switzerland, Ireland, and China (n = 1, respectively). Eight participants actively used social media (i.e., creating/posting original content); six participants indicated passive use (i.e., reading/retweeting content). They discussed the importance of crafting a consumable message and social media identity to streamline the content shared. Social media's accessible, non-hierarchical nature may facilitate knowledge-sharing, whereas the potential spread of misinformation and technological requirements (e.g., internet access, country-specific restrictions on platforms) present barriers to uptake. Participants described using knowledge gained from social media as teaching tools, new research methodologies, new theoretical frameworks, and low-risk clinical interventions. Previous research has demonstrated how social media has empirically been used for diffusion or dissemination rather than as an active process of evidence uptake. Using knowledge translation frameworks, like the Knowledge to Action or Theoretical Domains frameworks, to inform social media-based knowledge sharing activities in health professions education is recommended.

Factors associated with clinical nurse’s mental health: a qualitative study applying the social ecological model

BackgroundThe prevalence of burnout, depression, and anxiety among Chinese nurses was 34%, 55.5%, and 41.8% respectively. Mental health problems have significant impacts on their personal well-being, work performance, patient care quality, and the overall healthcare system. Mental health is influenced by factors at multiple levels and their interactions.MethodsThis was a descriptive qualitative study using phenomenological approach. We recruited a total of 48 nurses from a tertiary hospital in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. Data were collected through focus group interviews. Audio-recorded data were transcribed and inductively analysed.ResultsFour major themes with 13 subthemes were identified according to the social ecological model: (1) individual-level factors, including personality traits, sleep quality, workplace adaptability, and years of work experience; (2) interpersonal-level factors, encompassing interpersonal support and role conflict; (3) organization-level factors, such as organizational climate, organizational support, career plateau, and job control; and (4) social-level factors, which included compensation packages, social status, and legislative provision and policy.ConclusionsOur study provides a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted factors influencing nurses’ mental health. Recognizing the interconnectedness of individual, interpersonal, organizational, and social elements is essential for developing targeted interventions and comprehensive strategies to promote and safeguard the mental well-being of nurses in clinical settings.Trial and protocol registrationThe larger study was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2300072142 (05/06/2023) https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=192676.Reporting methodThis study is reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

"Current", "heated rods", and "hot vapour": why patients refuse radiotherapy as a treatment modality for cancer in northern Sri Lanka.

Significant proportions of patients either refuse or discontinue radiotherapy, even in the curative setting, leading to poor clinical outcomes. This study explores patient perceptions that underlie decisions to refuse/discontinue radiotherapy at a cancer care facility in northern Sri Lanka. An exploratory descriptive qualitative study was carried out among 14 purposively selected patients with cancer who refused/discontinued radiotherapy. In-depth semi-structured interviews were transcribed in Tamil, translated into English, coded, and thematically analyzed. All participants referred to radiotherapy as "current" with several understanding the procedure to involve electricity, heat, or hot vapour. Many pointed to gaps in information provided by healthcare providers, who were perceived to focus on side effects without explaining the procedure. In the absence of these crucial details, patients relied on family members and acquaintances for information, often based on second or third-hand accounts of experiences with radiotherapy. Many felt pressured by family to refuse radiation, feared radiation, or felt ashamed to ask questions, while for others COVID-19 was an impediment. All but three participants regretted their decision, claiming they would recommend radiation to patients with cancer, especially when it is offered with curative intent. Patients with cancer who refused/discontinued radiation therapy have significant information needs. While human resource deficits need to be addressed in low-resource settings like northern Sri Lanka, providing better supportive cancer care could improve clinical outcomes and save healthcare resources that would otherwise be wasted on patient preparation for radiotherapy.

Family caregivers of children transitioning hospital to home receiving nasogastric feeding: descriptive qualitative study.

Nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is used for children unable to tolerate adequate nutrition orally to sustain growth and development. This vulnerable population is at risk of gaps in care because they often lack a medical home due to the transitional nature of the technology. This study explores perspectives and challenges of family caregivers (FCs) of children requiring NGTs transitioning from hospital to home. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with FCs at the Hospital for Sick Children and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Research ethics approval was obtained (SK REB# 1000064641, CHEO REB# 19/133X). Written informed consent was obtained. Thirteen interviews revealed FCs feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable with first communication of the NGT but learned to manage NGTs with training and virtual care support over time. Initial transition home was described as challenging due to physical, emotional, and financial strain associated with constant management of NGTs. Our study describes the importance of emotional support and additional time for decision making during initial communication to FCs of their child's NGT need, and access to specialized healthcare professionals after transitioning home. Future programs should focus on personalized education and psychosocial support for FCs of children with NGTs at home. This study delves into the challenges faced by family caregivers (FCs) of children requiring nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding when returning home from the hospital. There is a pressing need for more time for FC decision-making and emotional support during the initial communication of the need for an NGT for their child. In addition, FCs require ongoing 24/7 support including access to healthcare professionals specialized in NGT care after the initial transition home. The study highlights the need for personalized education and psychosocial supports for FCs of children with NGTs to improve their experiences at home.

Patient Perspectives on a Decision Aid for Lupus: Insights and Future Considerations.

Systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. A decision aid (DA) for lupus was developed and implemented in 15 rheumatology clinics throughout the United States. This study explored the experiences of patients who viewed the DA to understand how patients engage with and respond to the lupus DA. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 24 patients during May-July 2022. Patients recognized the value of the lupus DA, providing general knowledge about lupus and different treatment options. However, patients expressed a desire for more comprehensive lifestyle information to better manage their condition. Another theme was the importance of having multiple formats available to cater to their different needs, as well as tailoring the DA to different stages of lupus. This study contributes to a broader understanding of how to provide patient-centered care for lupus patients by offering practical insights that can inform the development of more effective, patient-centric health-information technologies for managing chronic diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Overall, this study underscores the significance of optimizing both the information content and determining the appropriate delivery of the tool for its future sustainability.

Exploring the role of psychological factors in diabetes management for people experiencing housing instability: a qualitative descriptive study of providers’ perspectives across Canada

ABSTRACT Psychological factors, such as mental health and cognition, are significant contributors to diabetes management, especially for those experiencing housing insecurity. Our aim was to explore the role of psychological factors in diabetes management for people experiencing housing instability from the perspective of providers. We designed a qualitative descriptive study that consisted of a secondary analysis of semi-structured interviews with a range of health and social care providers from programs that addressed the needs of people with diabetes who were also experiencing homelessness. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Ninety-six participants completed semi-structured interviews. We identified four themes that showed (i) experiences of stigma and trauma influence clients’ relationships with providers and their diabetes care seeking behaviors, (ii) immediate psychological safety concerns are generally given priority over diabetes in the client’s care, (iii) substance use can create challenges when trying to manage diabetes and lead to diabetic emergencies, and (iv) varying cognitive abilities and social supports compromise a client’s ability to complete self-management tasks. We conclude that providers have a nuanced understanding of psychological factors and the challenges they create for clients with diabetes experiencing housing insecurity.

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Nursing Home Residents', Families', and Staff's Perceptions of Bioethical Principles: A Qualitative Study.

In this study, we employed a pre-interview survey and conducted interviews with nursing home staff members and residents/family members to understand their perceptions of whether the COVID-19 restrictions fulfilled obligations to nursing home residents under various principles, including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and privacy. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with staff members from 14 facilities, and 20 with residents and/or family members from 13 facilities. We used a qualitative descriptive study design and thematic analysis methodology to analyze the interviews. Findings from the pre-interview survey indicated that, compared to nursing home staff, residents and their families perceived lower adherence to bioethics principles during the pandemic. Qualitative analysis themes included specific restrictions, challenges, facility notifications, consequences, communication, and relationships between staff and residents/family members. Our study exposes the struggle to balance infection control with respecting bioethical principles in nursing homes, suggesting avenues for improving processes and policies during public health emergencies.

An investigation into the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, and fidelity of implementation strategies for birth companionship in Tehran: a qualitative inquiry on mitigating mistreatment of women during childbirth

BackgroundA birth companion is a powerful mechanism for preventing mistreatment during childbirth and is a key component of respectful maternity care (RMC). Despite a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of birth companions in enhancing the quality of care and birth experience, the successful implementation of this practice continues to be a challenge, particularly in developing countries. Our aim was to investigate the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, and fidelity of implementation strategies for birth companions to mitigate the mistreatment of women during childbirth in Tehran.MethodsThis exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted between April and August 2023 at Valiasr Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Fifty-two face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of women, birth companions, and maternity healthcare providers. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis, with a deductive approach based on the Implementation Outcomes Framework in the MAXQDA 18.ResultsParticipants found the implemented program to be acceptable and beneficial, however the implementation team noticed that some healthcare providers were initially reluctant to support it and perceived it as an additional burden. However, its adoption has increased over time. Healthcare providers felt that the program was appropriate and feasible, and it improved satisfaction with care and the birth experience. Participants, however, highlighted several issues that need to be addressed. These include the need for training birth companions prior to entering the maternity hospital, informing women about the role of birth companions, assigning a dedicated midwife to provide training, and addressing any physical infrastructure concerns.ConclusionDespite some issues raised by the participants, the acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, and fidelity of the implementation strategies for birth companions to mitigate the mistreatment of women during childbirth were well received. Future research should explore the sustainability of this program. The findings of this study can be used to support the implementation of birth companions in countries with comparable circumstances.

Nurses’ perceptions of discharge planning implementation: A descriptive qualitative study

Background: Discharge planning is crucial in hospitals to ensure continuous patient care, thereby preventing re-admissions or complications. However, its implementation still requires improvement due to various obstacles and variances in nurses’ perceptions. Objective: This research aims to explore nurses’ perceptions regarding the implementation of discharge planning. Methods: This study is a descriptive qualitative research involving 14 participants selected through purposive random sampling. Data was collected from April to June 2023 through in-depth interviews, with notes taken and recordings made for transcription. Data analysis was conducted using the Colaizzi method. Results: Participants exhibited a good understanding of discharge planning, yet disparities emerged in their perceptions regarding ten key themes: knowledge, goals, and benefits; organizational aspects in implementation management; activity mechanisms; methods and media employed; implementation steps/flow; implementation content; particularly notable was the theme of implementation timing; evaluation processes in implementation; availability of specialized formats and documentation procedures/format completion; and encountered implementation categories and room-related obstacles. These themes emerged as significant areas needing attention based on the research findings. Conclusion: Nurses’ perceptions regarding the implementation of discharge planning have not been optimized due to constraints imposed by hospital management policies and room management, differences in nurses’ perceptions and attitudes towards implementation, and factors related to patients and their families.

Membangun Kesehatan Mental Generasi Alpha: Urgensi Konseling dalam Mengatasi Tantangan Bullying di Era Sosial Media Melalui Komunikasi Empati

This research aims to determine the urgency of counseling in overcoming the challenges of bullying in the era of social media through empathetic communication. This research is a qualitative-descriptive study with a phenomenological approach to observe and describe natural phenomena that occur in the alpha generation in the social media era. Research data was obtained from bullying cases on social media, as well as from journal articles and other relevant literature. Analysis of this research data involves data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The validity of the research data was carried out using triangulation testing. The results of this research show that building the mental health of the Alpha generation through counseling is essential in the modern era filled with technology. Counseling creates a safe space to share experiences and feelings, helping them manage technological stress and social pressure. Addressing bullying in the age of social media requires empathetic communication, approaching the perpetrator with tact, providing positive support, and creating a safe place to talk. This can form a culture that is friendly, and supportive, and teaches the values of diversity and respect for others. Counseling and empathetic communication are not only solutions to psychological problems and bullying, but also a strong foundation for the mental and emotional well-being of the Alpha generation in an ever-changing world.

Evaluating the new family medicine internship programmes in the Western Cape, South Africa

Background: In 2021, South Africa introduced a new 6-month internship in family medicine and primary care. This study aimed to assess the new rotation at district health facilities in the Western Cape.Methods: A descriptive survey of interns and supervisors, as phase-two of an exploratory sequential mixed methods study. Questionnaires were developed from a descriptive exploratory qualitative study. Data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results: Questionnaires were completed by 72 interns (response rate 21%) and 36 supervisors (response rate 90%), across 10 training programmes. Interns felt more independent (97.2%), confident (90.3%) and resilient (91.6%). They learnt to manage undifferentiated and chronic conditions (91.6%), to refer patients (94.3%) and conduct procedures (77.8%). Most interns were not exposed to community-based services (68.0%) and continuity of care (54.1%). Supervision was mostly adequate during the day (79.1%) and afterhours (80.6%). Many interns reported no structured teaching programme (41.7% – 55.6%). Most supervision was from medical officers and registrars. Supervisors saw interns as valuable members of the clinical team (100.0%), who required extra support and administration (42.5%). The majority of interns (75.0%) and supervisors (72.7%) thought the rotation was the right length and the best preparation for community service (67.6%).Conclusion: The rotation met most expectations of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Programmes need to improve exposure to community-orientated primary care, public health medicine, palliative and ongoing care. Supervision and orientation of interns needs improvement.Contribution: This is the first evaluation of the new family medicine internship programme in South Africa.