Development Of Support Networks Research Articles

Personalised app-based information for patients with breast cancer: A pilot study to assess the efficacy and usability of the Answers 4 Cancers app.

e13796 Background: While most Irish oncology patients (pts) report searching for information online, they encounter challenges finding accurate, illness-specific information and understanding the content. Irish oncology pts typically use international online resources due to limited dedicated Irish sources. Information from the clinic is often poorly retained, with up to 40-80% immediately forgotten. Following the development of a successful patient information podcast, Answers 4 Cancers, we launched an app providing personalised patient information to address this resource gap. To our knowledge, this is the first app for oncology pts incorporating individual patient onboarding by healthcare professionals to provide tailored patient-specific information. Supportive self-management with app-based information has been shown to save nursing hours, improving burden on resources, and is aligned with the goals of the Irish National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. Aim: To assess the usability of our app and its efficacy in providing relevant and useful information to pts. Methods: Pts with early stage breast cancer receiving (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, with or without immunotherapy, at 2 Irish cancer centres, were enrolled in a pilot study. Pts downloaded the app and met with a specialist nurse who onboarded the pt and streamlined the information in the app based on their individual diagnosis and treatment plan. Information available on the app is curated from reliable sources and includes mental health and sexual wellbeing resources, clinical trials information, and personalised information on diagnosis, chemotherapy regimen, planned surgery and adjuvant treatments. Pts completed an online questionnaire, which included components of the System Usability Scale, ≥1 week following app download. Results: 13 pts were enrolled and received access to the app. All pts were female. The median age was 45 yrs. Median length of time from app download to questionnaire completion was 21 days. 7 pts (54%) completed questionnaires. 100% (7/7) of patients reported that they would like to use the app frequently, felt more confident in their treatment plan after using the app, and would recommend the app to other pts. 100% (7/7) of pts found the app easy to use and found all the information in the app relevant to their treatment plan. Recruitment is ongoing. Conclusions: This pilot study confirms that an app with a personalised platform is feasible and beneficial to Irish cancer pts and may be applicable to other health jurisdictions. We plan to progress our app as a national project to support the goals of the National Cancer Strategy and facilitate empowering pts to take an active role in their care. Next phases of development include symptom tracking and in-app communication between pts to develop support networks, and assessing the impact of the app on nursing time saved.

Resources, relationships, and resilience: The psychosocial experiences of women with lower limb absence during pregnancy and postpartum

BackgroundThere is limited research on the unique needs of women with lower limb absence (LLA) during pregnancy and postpartum. The lack of information can negatively impact women's physical and emotional experiences. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to explore the psychosocial experiences of individuals with LLA through the pregnancy and postpartum periods, and to provide information to women and health care providers (HCPs) on what they can expect. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 women with LLA who had been pregnant in the previous 10 years. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsParticipants experienced uncertainty due to a lack of information and limited resources related to pregnancy and LLA. While most women had strong support networks including family, other mothers with LLA and HCPs, some women faced stigma or judgement from HCPs and people in their social networks. Some women had periods where they struggled mentally due to a temporary loss of independence. Despite these challenges, they demonstrated tremendous resilience and noted that their ability to adapt helped them to navigate the difficulties they experienced in the perinatal period (PNP). ConclusionThere is an immediate need to fill the ‘information gap’ about pregnancy and LLA. We recommend the development of support networks, informational guidelines, and further education for HCPs to better support women with LLA through the PNP. Further research is warranted to gain a better understanding of the mental health experiences of women with LLA in the PNP.

Young care-experienced parents build confi dence in developing support networks

Young care-experienced parents build confi dence in developing support networks

Unveiling the power of neutral and inclusive language in tuberculosis prevention and care.

Language plays a crucial role in shaping discourses and responses related to disease, particularly tuberculosis (TB). Stigmatising language and attitudes surrounding TB can lead to discrimination and marginalisation of affected individuals, creating barriers to seeking proper diagnosis and treatment. The terminology used to describe TB-affected individuals can be disempowering and criminalising, reinforcing an "othering" of those affected. To combat this, engaging with TB-affected communities is essential to co-construct a neutral and inclusive vocabulary that respects the dignity of individuals and fosters empathy and support. Thus, an inclusive language approach empowers affected individuals as active participants in their health management, encouraging open communication and the development of support networks. By adopting a neutral and inclusive language system, healthcare providers and communities can work together to remove unnoticed hurdles and align with the World Health Organization's TB care and prevention goals.

The role of festival volunteers in supporting rural community development: a psychological ownership perspective

ABSTRACT Given the limited research that recognizes volunteers as significant workforce assets and sources of human capital in rural communities, this study investigated how rural festival volunteers’ motivation, psychological ownership, and community involvement impact their support of community development. A sample of 373 volunteers from 12 rural festivals in Iowa, Michigan, and Kansas revealed significant relationships among variables that foster community support. In particular, three motivation factors – value, social, and enhancement – were found to significantly influence psychological ownership, which sequentially influenced community involvement and support. This study provides unique insight into volunteers’ roles in rural communities, highlighting psychological ownership as a significant mediating factor from a community capitals perspective. Results suggest that rural festival organizers should be advised to collaborate with community developers to attract and motivate volunteers. These entities may be most successful in rural community development by fostering a strong sense of psychological ownership, building community involvement, and developing support networks among rural festival volunteers.

'If you want something to happen, you have to do it yourself': Understanding rural Australian's perspectives of health volunteering.

Rurality is associated with poorer health outcomes and access to health services, yet a strength of rural living includes community cohesion indicated by high rates of volunteering. While volunteerism is an effective means to target health needs in resource-restricted contexts, research on volunteerism to address rural Australian health needs is limited. This research aimed to explore rural adults' perspectives of volunteerism in local activities and programs that had a direct health related benefit (health volunteering). Eight people from the Murray Mallee region of South Australia participated during April 2021, ranging in age from 32 to 75 years. Participants were invited to one-on-one interviews that occurred via a phone call or teleconference meeting, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim to facilitate thematic analysis. Seven main themes emerged. Participants identified that (1) health volunteering takes many forms, (2) health volunteering affords local ownership and accessibility, (3) health volunteers have particular skills and values, but also (4) gain social benefits and learn new skills. Rural health volunteering was also associated with (5) a variety of personal costs, and (6) there are several environmental barriers and (7) facilitators to rural health volunteering that should be considered when designing health programs. Results provide insight into how rural communities can enhance the development and application of volunteering roles to support health volunteering. SO WHAT?: Including local champions, reducing the financial burden and developing support networks for volunteers are practical suggestions to enhance levels of volunteering for health in rural settings.

Quality of Life and Emotional Health of Stroke Survivors and Caregiver After Stroke Camp (P11-5.031)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To assess the impact of stroke camp on stroke survivors and caregiver emotional health and quality of life. <h3>Background:</h3> Stroke survivors and caregivers, “stroke unit”, face untold hurdles. Physical disability can limit quality-of-life leading to depression. Following acute care and rehabilitative epoch, “stroke units” have little opportunity for shared experiences with other similar units. Stroke camps were developed to share solutions for problems encountered by “stroke units” and to develop support networks. Stroke camp’s effect on stroke survivors and caregiver is incomplete. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Stroke survivors and their caregivers registered for stroke camp completed a Beck’s Depression Inventory within the month prior to and the month following camp. An SSQOL (stroke patients) or SF-36 questionnaire (caregivers) were also completed. “Stroke units” not participating in camp were used as controls. <h3>Results:</h3> 28 participants were enlisted; 7 stroke survivors attending camp along with their 7 caregivers and 7 “stroke units” declining camp. Completion rate was suboptimal especially in “stroke units” not attending. The camp did not have a statistically significant effect on BDI or QOL for survivors although higher QOL and lower BDI scores were seen. Caregivers’ emotional health fared best with reduction in BDI approaching significance (p= 0.07). Demographic analyses revealed that stroke survivors with higher education had a significantly higher quality of life than those with lower levels (p&lt; 0.05). Gender and race had no effect on outcomes. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Stroke units face multiple hurdles that can profoundly affect quality-of-life and emotional health. Stroke camps developed to improve these within “stroke units” insignificantly improved the emotional health and QOL of stroke survivors and even more so their caregivers. This pilot study’s design should be applied to a larger sample size powered to conclude with a high certainty whether stroke camps assist “stroke units” willing to participate with QOL and emotional well-being. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Zaheer has nothing to disclose. Mr. Langston has nothing to disclose. Prof. Fowler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hanna has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for MCG part of Hearst Health Network. Dr. Hanna has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Attorney General State of Ohio.

The case for transitional services and programs for older adults reentering society: a narrative review of US departments of correction and recommendations

PurposeOlder adults who are or have been incarcerated constitute a growing population in the USA. The complex health needs of this group are often inadequately addressed during incarceration and equally so when transitioning back to the community. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the literature on challenges older adults (age 50 and over) face in maintaining health and accessing social services to support health after an incarceration and to outline recommendations to address the most urgent of these needs.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a narrative literature review to identify the complex health conditions and health services needs of incarcerated older adults in the USA and outline three primary barriers they face in accessing health care and social services during reentry.FindingsChallenges to healthy reentry of older adults include continuity of health care; housing availability; and access to health insurance, disability and other support. The authors recommend policy changes to improve uniformity of care, development of support networks and increased funding to ensure that older adults reentering communities have access to resources necessary to safeguard their health and safety.Originality/valueThis review presents a broad perspective of the current literature on barriers to healthy reentry for older adults in the USA and offers valuable system, program and policy recommendations to address those barriers.

Bot Monitoring Jaringan Pada BMT Mentari Lampung Timur Menggunakan Mikrotik Dan API Telegram

Network notifications are very much needed by the network technical team. In addition, network notifications function to provide information to the technical team to find out the current condition of the server or router which is under the supervision of the technical team so that if the server is down, it can be handled quickly. The research method used is DIO Network Lifecycle. DIO Network Lifecycle is a network design method or commonly referred to as a network service life cycle designed to support network development. The research phase begins with design, implementation and operation. The research output produced is in the form of BOT monitoring of the BMT Mentari Lampung Timur network using Mikrotik and the Telegram API.

Using the "Coach Approach": A Novel Peer Mentorship Program for Pediatric Faculty.

Developing support networks allows for a sense of collegiality, camaraderie, and peer support that many faculty lack. While traditional faculty mentoring can provide support and retention,1 enhance academic productivity,2 and accelerate promotion,3 certain limitations – such as bias and value alignment expectations - exist.4 At least half of all academic medicine faculty report never having worked with a mentor,4 suggesting lack of available expertise as a particular barrier especially in smaller subspecialty divisions within academic departments.

SUPPORT OF INFORMAL CARERS FOR PEOPLE AFTER A STROKE WITH CROWDSOURCING AND NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING

For a long time, both professionals and the lay public showed little interest in informal carers. Yet these people deals with multiple and common issues in their everyday lives. As the population is aging we can observe a change of this attitude. And thanks to the advances in computer science, we can offer them some effective assistance and support by providing necessary information and connecting them with both professional and lay public community. In this work we describe a project called “Research and development of support networks and information systems for informal carers for persons after stroke” producing an information system visible to public as a web portal. It does not provide just simple a set of information but using means of artificial intelligence, text document classification and crowdsourcing further improving its accuracy, it also provides means of effective visualization and navigation over the content made by most by the community itself and personalized on a level of informal carer’s phase of the care-taking timeline. In can be beneficial for informal carers as it allows to find a content specific to their current situation. This work describes our approach to classification of text documents and its improvement through crowdsourcing. Its goal is to test text documents classifier based on documents similarity measured by N-grams method and to design evaluation and crowdsourcing-based classification improvement mechanism. Interface for crowdsourcing was created using CMS WordPress. In addition to data collection, the purpose of interface is to evaluate classification accuracy, which leads to extension of classifier test data set, thus the classification is more successful.

Producing Child-Centered Interventions: Social Network Factors Related to the Quality of Professional Development for Teachers of Autistic Students

Autistic students benefit from child-centered goals that align with evidence-based practices (EBPs) that meet their individualized needs, however, most teachers are not trained in how to implement autism-specific EBPs. The challenges do not lie with teachers alone. Professional development (PD) providers, such as district or regional autism experts who train and coach teachers on how to implement autism-specific EBPs, face barriers accessing the needed supports to conduct high-quality PD and lack experience with individualizing their methods for training and coaching teachers. When PD providers have networks of professional support, they can potentially gain access to resources to provide successful individualized coaching for teachers. No research has measured the impact of the social networks of PD providers on their performance as coaches in classrooms for teachers of autistic students. To test the hypothesis that social network resources can impact the performance of PD providers who coach teachers how to use EBPs for their autistic students, we conducted social network analysis with PD providers. Findings suggest that network factors were associated with the self-reported performance for PD providers. PD providers who have more people in their networks who were autism EBP experts, as well as more people in their networks who supported them with how to individualize their PD efforts to specific teachers or districts, had higher performance as teacher coaches. We discuss future research about how to support network development for PD providers and policy implications.

Understanding the Implications of Peer Support for Families of Children With Neurodevelopmental and Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review.

Background: Families are integrally involved in day-to-day caregiving of children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities (NDID). Given the widespread and increasing prevalence of children with NDID and the impact of family caregiving on psychological, social, and economic implications for both the child and family, understanding and supporting these families is an important public health concern.Objective: We conducted a scoping review on peer support networks to understand their implications on families. Considering increasing prevalence of NDID's, understanding the implications of existing networks is critical to improve and nurture future support networks that can complement and reduce the burden on existing formal support systems.Design: A comprehensive search of multiple databases was conducted. Articles were screened by two reviewers and any disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. We explored existing research on parent-to-parent peer support networks, which included networks that developed informally as well as those that involved a formal facilitator for the group interpersonal processes. There were no limits on the study design, date and setting of the articles. We included all research studies in English that included an identifier for (i) “peer support networks,” (ii) “children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities” and (iii) “family caregiver outcomes.”Results: We identified 36 articles. Majority of the studies were conducted in North America, and were face to face networks. They included families of children with a wide range of NDIDs. Relevant information extracted from different studies highlighted peer support network characteristics and development process, needs of family caregivers attending these networks, factors affecting caregiver participation and the impact of peer support networks on family caregivers. These networks represent a way to strengthen family caregivers, developing resilience and social interactions. Family caregivers sharing similar experiences support one another and provide critical information to each other. Although results are encouraging, future studies incorporating improved study designs are needed to better evaluate the effectiveness of peer support networks. Furthermore, studies where peer support networks develop organically while the child is supported are warranted.Conclusion: Although results obtained are encouraging, our findings support the need for further research studies of peer support networks with better designs and more detailed description of the factors involved in the development.

A realist synthesis of websites containing content on perfectionism: Are the descriptions and advice empirically supported?

BackgroundPerfectionism is a risk factor for depression and anxiety and is increasing in young people. It is important to understand the information that youth are exposed to about perfectionism on the internet and what may be required to make this more helpful in terms of accessing empirically supported descriptions and advice.MethodsThis research used novel methodology to investigate content about perfectionism on websites by conducting a realist synthesis of the definitions of perfectionism, and the degree to which websites contain empirically supported strategies and recognise the advantages and disadvantages of perfectionism. The results were presented to people aged 18 to 24 (N = 18) with a lived experience of anxiety/depression for feedback.ResultsThe search yielded 992 websites, 266 of which were included in the synthesis; only one met the criteria for excellent quality with most (56%) judged as moderate. The feelings, thoughts, and behaviours that accompany perfectionism were commonly described, and strategies included identifying cognitions and developing alternatives, moving from self-criticism to self-compassion, normalising mistakes, adjusting goals, receiving practical support, and strategies for procrastination. The young people wanted further emphasis on depression and anxiety as consequences of perfectionism that contributed to a vicious cycle. They identified interventions were difficult, with greater levels of support needed.ConclusionsWhile most websites contained empirically supported information, the quality needs to improve, and further information needs to be provided on the links with anxiety and depression. Interventions for perfectionism need to have more focus on helping young people develop support networks.

Clinicians' perceptions of the Australian Paediatric Mental Health Service System: Problems and solutions.

Despite substantial investment by governments, the prevalence of mental health disorders in developed countries remains unchanged over the past 20 years. As 50% of mental health conditions present before 14 years of age, access to high-quality mental health care for children is crucial. Barriers to access identified by parents include high costs and long wait times, difficulty navigating the health system, and a lack of recognition of the existence and/or severity of the child's mental health disorder. Often neglected, but equally important, are clinician views about the barriers to and enablers of access to high-quality mental health care. We aimed to determine perspectives of Australian clinicians including child and adolescent psychiatrists, paediatricians, psychologists and general practitioners, on barriers and enablers within the current system and components of an optimal system. A total of 143 clinicians (approximately 35 each of child and adolescent psychiatrists, paediatricians, child psychologists and general practitioners) from Victoria and South Australia participated in semi-structured phone interviews between March 2018 and February 2019. Inductive content analysis was applied to address the broad study aims. Clinician-identified barriers included multi-dimensional family factors, service fragmentation, long wait times and inadequate training for paediatricians and general practitioners. Rural and regional locations provided additional challenges but a greater sense of collaboration resulting from the proximity of clinicians in rural areas, creating an opportunity to develop support networks. Suggestions for an optimal system included novel ways to improve access to child psychiatry expertise, training for paediatricians and general practitioners, and co-located multidisciplinary services. Within the current mental health system for children, structural, training and workforce barriers prevent optimal access to care. Clinicians identified many practical and systemic ideas to improve the system. Implementation and evaluation of effectiveness and cost effectiveness of these ideas is the next challenge for Australia's children's mental health.

Developing support networks for successful implementation of innovative education-al programmes: the case of “evidence-based practice in nursing” continuing education programme in Greece

Developing and evaluating programmes of continuing education in nursing proved to be a challenging and yet a complex task. Nurse educators and evaluators confront a number of demanding issues regarding the development and implementation of continuing education programmes. Exploration of peers’ and stakeholders’ experience in programme development and evaluation appeared to be a valuable source of knowledge in the field. The aim of the present paper is to share the experience of planning and evaluating the stage of developing support networks during the implementation of an innovative continuing educational programme in nursing. Throughout the development and evaluation of different programme stages, several issues evolved that attracted programme planners’ attention. Development of support networks, group dynamics and communication appeared to be of critical importance for the successful implementation of continuing education programmes in nursing.

Experiences and needs of social support among Thai adolescent fathers: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Thailand's adolescent pregnancy rate is the second highest in Southeast Asia. Thai expectant fathers are faced with a concurrent dual developmental crisis: being a teenager and becoming a father. They have many problems and the need for social support. The purpose is to find out the problems and needs of social support. The researcher performed a qualitative study with 20 expectant adolescent fathers and analysed with content analysis. The results can be grouped into five themes: (1) do not have enough money; (2) unemployed and need a job; (3) had no parenting skills and need more information on how to take care of their child; (4) stressed during the transition period and need psychological support; and (5) shunned by society because people often look down on adolescent fathers. Adolescent fathers suffer from a lack of support in many areas of life. If adolescent fathers receive more support from their social networks, they will be more able to manage their transition into fatherhood, provide for their newborns and care for their domestic partners. Our data may guide policymakers in developing support networks, mentoring programs and basic caregiving training as standard services in hospitals’ care for first-time adolescent fathers in Thailand.

The Psychological and Social Effects of COVID-19 Outbreak and its Coping Strategies: An Overview and Personal Reflections

The prevalence of COVID-19 has had a negative impact on psychological and social aspects such as anxiety and fear of spreading the virus, lack of social activities, family conflicts, boredom and stress. To meet these challenges, it is possible to use various strategies to reduce their negative impacts like relaxation, selfcontrol, problem solving, cognitive reconstruction, social support network development.

Beyond associations: emerging spaces of self-organization among vendors in Zambia

ABSTRACT Collective organizing represents one way in which street and market vendors in urban sub-Saharan Africa advocate their interests and strive towards more inclusive urban policies. Several studies have shown both the opportunities vendors associations may have for vendors as well as their pitfalls. This paper contributes to this discussion by addressing how vendors have used the platforms of a national organization of vendors associations to develop support networks across space of importance for their daily work. Through conducting semi-structured interviews with vendors and vendor representatives in Zambia, this paper examines these connections that have emerged between individual vendors located in different urban areas in Zambia. The paper adopts an assemblage approach to show the work that is needed, and how different social and material aspects are involved in the production of these connections. The results indicate that vendors rely on these connections in their everyday lives to discuss challenges and solutions related to their working environments and to explore business opportunities, and that mobile phones contribute to these new emerging spaces for self-organization. Results are discussed through relating these assemblages of vendors to the spaces organized and managed by vendors associations.

How do we support walking prescriptions for type 2 diabetes management? Facilitators and barriers following a 3-month prescription.

INTRODUCTION Prescribing physical activity is an inexpensive method to promote patients' long-term health, but determinants of adherence with physical activity prescriptions are seldom considered. AIM To identify facilitators and barriers experienced by adults with type 2 diabetes when prescribed regular walking. METHODS Participants were prescribed a regular walking routine that met current physical activity guidelines for type 2 diabetes management for a period of 3 months. Pre- and post-intervention questions considered participants' self-rated health and physical activity amount. Thematic analysis of recorded interviews held after the 3-month prescription identified barriers and facilitators to adherence for participants. RESULTS Twenty-eight adults (aged 60±9 years, body mass index 32.3±4.0kg/m2, HbA1c 59±16mmol/mol) participated in the 3-month intervention, providing 7 years of lived experience. Self-rated health (14%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7-22%) and time spent walking (+11 min/day; 95% CI 4-18 min/day) increased following the prescription. Major themes motivating participants were: establishing a walking routine; the support of their family members; observing health benefits; and being monitored by a health professional. The greatest barriers were associated with walking in the evening and included feelings of insecurity in the dark or a preference for sedentary behaviour. DISCUSSION A prescription to walk increased time spent in physical activity and self-rated health in adults with type 2 diabetes. Health-care professionals can support walking prescriptions by promoting facilitators and reducing barriers to prescription adherence. Practical solutions to barriers include identifying alternative physical activity opportunities within the house or advice to develop support networks to provide company while walking.