Group Discussion Meetings Research Articles

Which stakeholders should be addressed to promote Geriatric Medicine among healthcare professionals, educationalists and policy-makers in European countries? – the PROGRAMMING COST 21,122 action experience

BackgroundGeriatric Medicine (GM), concerned with well-being and health of older adults, can play a crucial role in the alignment of healthcare systems to the needs of the aged populations. However, countries have varying GM development backgrounds. The goal of PROGRAMMING- COST 21,122 Action is to propose the content of education and training activities in GM for healthcare professionals across various clinical settings, adapted to local context, needs, and assets. Defining relevant stakeholders and addressing them on both an international as well as a country-specific level is crucial for this purpose. In this paper we are describing the methods used in the PROGRAMMING Action 21,122 to map the different categories of stakeholders to be engaged in the Action.MethodsThrough conceptualizing a model for stakeholders by literature research, and online discussion group meetings, a synthesis for the potential stakeholders was defined as a template, and pilot applications were requested from participant countries.ResultsThere were 24 members from 14 countries (6 males/18 females) of multidisciplinary professions involved in this study. A model for the list of stakeholders to be addressed was developed and, after seven online discussion meetings, a consensus framework was provided. Invited countries completed the templates to pilot such operationalization.ConclusionOur framework of stakeholders will support the research coordination and capacity-building objectives of PROGRAMMING, including the participation into the assessment of educational needs of healthcare professionals. Identified stakeholders will also be mobilized for purposes of dissemination and maximization of the Action’s impact. By defining and mapping multidisciplinary stakeholders involved in older people’s care specific to countries, particularly where GM is still emerging, GM tailored educational activities will be facilitated and optimally targeted.

The talk debrief experience: Intervention in prehospital personnel care during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This study focused on the TALK Debrief Experience in the prehospital personnel (n = 1521) of a western Spanish healthcare region during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The study aimed to apply the TALK clinical debriefing intervention to out-of-hospital clinical staff during pandemics; identify their emotions, thoughts, coping strategies, and solution proposals; determine their demands for improving well-being and coping ability; and disseminate valuable knowledge for addressing trauma in similar situations. The study employed a qualitative methodology within a participatory action research (PAR) framework, conducting group discussions (n = 375) and employing the TALK clinical debriefing method as the guiding framework for the sessions. The discussion group meetings were facilitated by psychologists (n = 67) who had received training in this intervention technique. Various emotions were identified during the sessions, including fear of contagion, lack of control and security, work-related stress, and ethical dilemmas. Proposed solutions and coping strategies addressed increased security measures, promotion of social distancing, stress and anxiety management, and clarity in procedures and provision of protective equipment. The study also highlighted additional demands such as the need for clear information, psychological support, and changes in work practices like reducing strenuous shifts. In conclusion, despite study limitations, such as the lack of long-term follow-up, it emphasized the importance of comprehensively addressing well-being and working conditions during health crises.

Animal bites management in Northern Iran: Challenges and solutions

ObjectivesAnimal bite is considered a serious social, economic, and health risk for societies with poor animal bites and population management. The objective of this study was to propose a model for animal bites management in Golestan Province. MethodsThe present study is a multi-method study conducted quantitatively and qualitatively. First, as a cross-sectional study, the animal bites in Golestan Province and the country were calculated and their trend was predicted. Secondly, in the qualitative study (content analysis), the challenges, barriers, and methods of animal bite control were extracted through conducting semi-structured interviews and focused group discussion meetings. Finally, the model of animal bite management was developed and it was confirmed by Round Delphi. The data were analyzed via content analysis using MAXQDA18. The participants in this study consisted of university professors, managers, and executive officers involved in animal bite and rabies control plans. ResultsThis study revealed that the animal bite in Golestan Province had an upward trend, as in the country, and dogs were the main cause of bites (90%). The obstacles and challenges of current animal bites control program in eight areas were expressed by the participants. Also, the animal bite management model, which was obtained from the data of different stages of this study, included nine fields and 41 sub-fields. The fields of the animal bite management model included: providing a cultural package, resolving barriers to animal population control plans, wide coverage of dog vaccination, passing and enacting preventive laws, attracting financial support, constructing standard equipment, providing proper medical services, enhancing inter-departmental coordination, and controlling rabies in the wild. This model was confirmed in a Delphi round. ConclusionOur study indicated that Golestan Province with an average bite higher than twice the country's average is one of the leading provinces in this regard. Thus, revising the animal bite and animal population control plans in this province is necessary. The model designed in this study can be used as a practical guide by policy makers and officials to manage animal bite and related consequences in this province.

Career reorientation during the Covid-19 pandemic: Evidence from fresh graduates of Indonesian colleges

This research aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the career reorientation of fresh graduates at Indonesian universities. This study is necessary to determine the changes in attitudes and perceptions of recent graduates as they seek employment, as measured by indicators of psychological quality, gender, and spiritual level. Three Focus Group Discussion meetings were held to achieve the best results, and questionnaires were distributed to 85 resource people. Furthermore, an interpretive analysis model was used to describe the differences in job attainment experienced by respondents before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the study's findings, several changes occurred in the career orientation of fresh graduates from various universities in Indonesia before, during, and after COVID-19. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, fresh graduates had a strong career orientation, as evidenced by their high absorption of job opportunities. Unlike the results of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on new graduates' careers is significant, affecting mental and physical health as well as social interactions.Keywords: Career reorientation; Fresh Graduates; Higher Education; Human Resources; COVID-19

Economic Implication of Human - wildlife conflict in Lupande Game Management Area – Mambwe District, Eastern Province

Purpose: The study aimed at establishing the economic loss caused by Human - wildlife conflict amongst small scale farmers and government. To achieving the purpose, the research was mainly guided by three objectives. To estimate the economic value of damage in agriculture, to estimate the economic value related with control by killing of problematic animals and effectiveness of response strategies in addressing Human - wildlife conflict.
 Methodology: The study utilised descriptive research design where primary data was collected from key informants by applying semi-structured interview guide using convenient sampling. Purposive sampling during focus group discussion meetings using focus group discussion guides was administered in Human - wildlife conflict hot spot areas. The researcher further used secondary data to gain more understanding and gather adequate information about the area of study. Therefore, 70% of the affected households from Department of National Parks and Wildlife Human - wildlife conflict SMART raw data was used. Subsequently, Descriptive Statistics, using averages and totals to analyse quantitative data, was used while qualitative data was analysed using Content and Thematic Analysis.
 Findings: The summary of the results showed that economic damage in agriculture was quite enormous affecting farmers with K180, 317.00 being the highest in the damage range of 25-50 percent. Regarding the estimation on economic value related with problematic animal control by killing, it was established that the government of Zambia incurred huge revenue loss amounting to K 4,318,049.86 if such animals or trophies were sold. On the effectiveness of response strategies, the majority of the participants stated that few measures were put in place to solve Human – wildlife conflict. In Zambia, several researchers and scholars have reviewed Human – wildlife conflict phenomena. However, there has been no study that has sought to establish economic implication on small scale farmers and revenue loss to the government through control by killing of problematic animals. This study therefore seeks to fill this knowledge gap looking at estimation of economic implications of Human – wildlife conflict in the study area.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The results of this study could influence formulation of appropriate mitigation measures and policies for wildlife conservation and revenue recovery from controlled by killed of such animals in Zambia.

ACTION RESEARCH AS A FUNDAMENTAL PRACTICE FOR MOROCCAN EFL TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The current study sought to discover how Moroccan EFL teachers used action research (AR) to advance their professionalism and provide more educational opportunities for their students. Four EFL teachers took part in the study as research participants, which employed a qualitative case study methodology. By encouraging them to take part in AR workshops, group meetings, and an AR project, the research participants were given assistance in comprehending the steps of AR. Through group meeting discussions, interviews, observation, and recording, several data sources were gathered. According to the results, all teacher participants gained valuable knowledge regarding their teaching methods and students' academic progress. The results also demonstrated that participating in AR had inspired participants to be more thoughtful and given them the tools to do research in their own classroom. Despite the study's encouraging and positive findings, instructors' personal needs and motivations for doing action research to evaluate their instruction ultimately determine if it is successful. Since this study also emphasises the significance of collegial dialogues in strengthening teachers' practise, appropriate support should be given to instructors to enable them to conduct AR, including group discussion meetings. It is legitimate to suggest that Moroccan educational or institutional leaders provide instructors the freedom to take the initiative and use action research to further their professional development

Rural Poverty and Its Dimensions: Evidences from North-West Region of Pakistan

This paper analyzed the cause of poverty in rural areas of North- Western region of Pakistan. Poverty in rural areas of Pakistan is still considered as big dilemma and absolute hurdle to the development, by considering this issue this study was carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province opting mix method approach. One (01) district from each of the four (04) agro-ecological regions of the province was selected purposively. The targeted study districts were Peshawar, Mansehra, D.I. Khan and Swat. From each study district, 100 respondents (rural residents) were randomly selected and personally interviewed. Total sample size of the study was 400 respondents for the collection of quantitative data. Additionally, focus group discussion meetings were also conducted for collecting qualitative data. A pretested interview schedule was used for the collection of quantitative date while an interview guide was used for qualitative data. Descriptive analytical techniques were used for quantitative data and content analysis method was used for qualitative data. Findings conclude that only 13.12% of the total area is cultivated by majority the rural population of the province. Financial constraints, derivation of basic needs, homelessness and facing discrimination were regarded as the attributes of poverty by the respondents. Limited access to income generation opportunities was regarded as the root cause of poverty with mean value of 4.86/5.00 followed by limited access to education (4.76/5.00). Lack of access to basic livelihood necessities (mean value=4.88) and basic human right (mean value=4.82) were regarded as most popular materialistic and non-materialistic impacts respectively of poverty in rural areas of the province. This deprivation in the province causes poverty and leads to the involvement in illegal and unethical activities by the rural residents specifically. Ending their deprivation in actual and eroding the sense of deprivation is the only solution that can be achieved by the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) without any discrimination.

Perceptions from nurses, surgeons, and anesthetists about the use and benefits of the surgical checklist in a teaching hospital

ObjectiveTo assess attitudes and perceptions from nursing staff, surgeons and anesthetists about compliance, utility, and impact on patient's safety of the surgical checklist in a teaching hospital. We also aimed to identify improvement opportunities for strengthening the usefulness of the checklist in the operating theater. MethodsWe carried out a questionnaire-based an observational cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was distributed to operating room staff, including nursing staff, surgeons, and anesthetists. In addition to the information about surgical checklist, We also collected information regarding years of experience in the operating theater. Fisher's exact was used to compare proportions in each statement. Group discussion meetings with key professionals were held to jointly assess the results, propose improvement actions, and evaluate their feasibility. ResultsThe overall response rate was 36.2% (131/362). Nursing staff was perceived as the most supportive group in the use of surgical checklist. A 64.3% of surgeons considered that using the checklist prevented adverse events vs 84.2% and 85.7% among anesthetists and nurses, respectively; p=0.028. Junior staff showed a supportive attitude toward the use of surgical checklist, considering it as a tool that gives them confidence. We ended up with a list of improvement actions aiming at strengthening the surgical checklist reliability and compliance. ConclusionsThe perception of the surgical checklist usefulness as a tool to prevent adverse events was moderate among surgeons, but well appreciated by junior staff. Nursing staff were especially critical regarding compliance and support by other professionals. To reinforce the usefulness perception of the surgical checklist it is needed to increase the involvement of all professionals, especially senior staff and surgical leaders.

Factors Determining the Adoption of Strategies Used by Smallholder Farmers to Cope with Climate Variability in the Eastern Free State, South Africa

This study was undertaken to understand the smallholder farmer’s perception of the effects of climate variability, their adaptation strategies to cope with climate variability and factors determining the adoption of their adaptation strategies in the eastern Free State Province of South Africa. Adaptation strategies were grouped into two categories, i.e., traditional adaptation strategies and scientific adaptation strategies. Traditional adaptation strategies consisted of practices that require minimal technical expertise and less external inputs such as changing from crops to livestock, crop diversification, increasing land under production, changing crop type and water harvesting. Scientific adaptation strategies consisted of practices that require additional external inputs, labour, and some level of technical expertise such as changing crop variety, improving soil fertility and soil conservation. Data were collected from 391 smallholder farmers using a structured household questionnaire and were verified through focus group discussion meetings with key informants. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistics, frequency analysis and a binary logistic model. Results indicated that the majority of smallholder farmers perceived that climate change had triggered food-related impacts in the study area and had adopted at least one adaptation strategy. This study showed that awareness and knowledge were the key factors that determined the adoption of traditional adaptation strategies in the study area. The adoption of scientific adaptation strategies was additionally determined by the availability of external financial investments. It is recommended that the promotion of traditional practices should focus on raising awareness of climate change and adaptation strategies while the promotion of scientific practices additionally requires the provision and accessibility of financial institutional support and incentives.

Advancing Cognitively Demanding Tasks in Undergraduate Classrooms: Using Graduate Student Discussion Groups & the Task Analysis Guide in Science (TAGS) as Leverage

With increasing focus on active learning in college classrooms, many institutions of higher education are redesigning introductory laboratory classes to provide more active-learning opportunities for students and to more authentically recreate the practices of scientists. These classes are primarily taught by graduate teaching assistants (GTAs), who often lack the pedagogical training necessary to plan for and support students' intellectual engagement in rich science tasks that require deep engagement in the practices of science and the core disciplinary ideas. We believe that graduate student discussion groups can provide an opportunity to encourage and equip GTAs with pedagogical knowledge and skills to select and use cognitively demanding instructional tasks. In this article, we describe our planning and facilitation of one such meeting with a group of GTAs about the relative cognitive demands of various laboratory activities. We propose that regularly scheduled meetings of discussion groups like this can help build learning communities among GTAs. We provide strategies to support GTAs' professional development and help them think critically about the tasks they use in their classes. In particular, we highlight the importance of the cognitive demands of tasks for engaging students in active and rigorous opportunities for science learning.

Assessment of the effect of communication skills training on communication apprehension in first year pharmacy students – A two-year study

IntroductionThe purpose of the study is to assess the impact of a communication skills course on communication apprehension (CA) in two cohorts of first-year (P1), first quarter pharmacy students over a consecutive two-year span. MethodsThe personal report of CA (PCRA-24) was administered at the beginning and completion (pre-post) of a skills-centered communication course to two cohorts of P1, first quarter pharmacy students over a consecutive two-year period. The delivery of the communications course was redesigned during this timeframe based on post-course analysis data and student feedback to incorporate opportunities for students to engage in active learning activities throughout the course. ResultsResults of the study revealed a statistically significant reduction of total CA in both cohorts. Cohort 1 had significant reduction of CA in all four measured domains: group discussion meetings, interpersonal communication, and public speaking. Cohort 2 had significant reduction in two of the domains (group and meeting). ConclusionsOverall, this study indicated that the format of this P1, first quarter communications course had a positive effect on student CA. In addition to the data collected for this research project, post-course evaluations and student comments indicated an overall positive reaction to the design and delivery of the course material, active learning assignments, and assessments.

Putting It on the Table: Towards Better Cultivating Medical Student Values

Medical teachers, like many others in higher education, need to help some students cultivate values essential to good practice. However, there is a paucity of evidence-based practical advice about how to exactly do this. While several educational methods are widely accepted as generally useful for such a purpose, specific pedagogical guidance is lacking. Teachers still need to know how to effectively develop values in the classroom. As part of an existing curricula with teaching methods already understood to be useful, we pursued the development of specific classroom strategies to more effectively cultivate medical students’ values. We undertook a year-long action research project with six experienced medical teachers. Data included group discussion meetings, semi-structured interviews, observations and interpersonal process recall of each teacher’s classroom practice. Participant teachers developed an understanding of values as highly sensitive, in the sense of their relation to an individual’s sense of self. This understanding explained, in part, the challenges teacher participants had experienced in teaching values. From this understanding, participants developed a specific discourse to help one another understand and describe effective values teaching; one of cultivation, placing in sight and of moving a student from where they started to another place. A specific two-part pedagogy was then developed from this discourse: to avoid engendering negative emotion in the student and to implicitly value or ‘believe in’ the student as a person. Results have implications for teacher pedagogy and development, and in nominating who might best teach values. Further research should focus on the finer points of language and developing a more specific understanding of how teacher ‘caring’ might help cultivate values.

Implemention of a Laboratory Information System in Zimbabwe

Objective: Understand the challenges that exist in the Zimbabwe health systems, that could be addressed through the integration of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).Understand key aspects for consideration when selecting and adapting a LIMS in a resource limited setting.Showcase improvements in laboratory information management processes following adoption of a LIMS.Introduction: Zimbabwe's National Health Laboratory Services faces multiple challenges related to inadequate financial support and skilled human resources, insufficient infrastructure, and inefficient tracking of clinical samples collected by health facilities. The slow turnaround time and poor management of the sample testing process, as well as delivery of results remain critical challenges. Compounding these problems further is a manual system for tracking large volumes of samples. This laborious and time-consuming process is inefficient for management of high amounts of incoming medical samples, frequently resulting in incomplete and inaccurate data. Additionally, health facilities are unable to monitor clinical samples and results in transit, leading to misplaced samples and missing results. Furthermore, although the laboratory service runs on a tiered network system - with lower level laboratories referring surveillance samples to higher level laboratories, processing of samples is not fulfilled promptly. The solutions to these challenges are divergent - sometimes even pointing in different directions. To this end, the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has identified and integrated a LIMS to improve tracking of samples from the time of collection through results delivery.Methods: Our methods included an environmental needs assessment, user requirement analysis, followed by a LIMS customization and integration. The overarching aim has been to integrate the electronic open source BIKA LIMS into Zimbabwe’s national health information systems (HIS), to improve laboratory information management.The user requirements gathering exercise, included focus group discussion meetings with potential LIMS users, and direct observations, to guide the establishment of LIMS specifications. The needs assessment focused on the system functionality. Specifically, it investigated those aspects that would improve the ability: to track clinical samples such as creating and activating an ‘alerting’ capability when results are not reported within the set turnaround time; for users to see lists and counts of clinical samples at various testing levels; to uniquely identify samples received in the laboratories. Guided by these requirements, an environmental scan of off-the-shelf and open source LIMS platforms was conducted to identify a few options for the Zimbabwe context. Primary factors for shortlisting included: an existing community of practice for support; interoperability; customizability and configurability; and local awareness of the platform. In a LIMS national user’s meeting, involving relevant levels of the health system (Laboratories, Central, Provincial and District hospitals), a review of LIMS platform options was performed to narrow down selections. It evaluated the extent to which the user requirements (Workflow, equipment interface, result management, inter-operable, quality control, and stock management) were being met. Based on the evaluation, a single system (LIMS) was selected, adopted and adapted for use at six representative laboratories, including Zimbabwe’s National Microbiology Reference Laboratory.On-Site classroom and desk-side training, for knowledge transfer to local LIMS users, characterised the implementation phase. Local champions were identified from laboratory technicians and equipped to offer first line support. Both on-site and remote support was provided to LIMS users. The monitoring phase is ongoing, using interview guides and LIMS user meetings to understand challenges and ways to improve the system.Results: A LIMS was successfully customized and integrated into Zimbabwe’s national health information system infrastracture in six regional laboratories, to improve overall laboratory information management, timeliness of reporting and quality control. Since its full implementation between 2013 and 2017, average turnaround time for results improved significantly from 10 to 21 days in 2013 to only 3 days in 2017. Data quality improved; the number of untested clinical samples reduced from an average of 6 in 100 in 2013, to average of less or equal to 1 in 100, in 2017 . Also, there have been observed improvements in Zimbabwe's laboratory information management workflow and results reporting. High user satisfaction and increased LIMS use have led to the demand for LIMS expansion to additional laboratories. The LIMS has also managed to reduce the time required to produce disease notification reports.Conclusions: LIMS are proving to be an effective method for tracking samples and laboratory results in low resource settings like Zimbabwe. LIMS has provided an efficient way for record, store, and track timely reporting of laboratory data, allowing for improved quality of data. Overall, LIMS has increased efficiency in laboratory workflow and introduced the ability to adequately track samples from time of collection.

Implementation of the evidence for the improvement of nursing care to the critical patient\u2019s family: a Participatory Action Research

BackgroundThere are many descriptive studies regarding the needs of the family, as well as those regarding nursing care aimed directly at family members. However, there is no widespread application of such evidence in clinical practice. There has also been no analysis made of the evolution of patterns of knowing during the act of improving clinical practice. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to understand the change process aimed at improving care to critical patient’s families, and to explore the evolution of patterns of knowing that nurses use in this process.MethodsQualitative study with a Participatory Action Research method, in accordance with the Kemmis and McTaggart model. In this model, nurses can observe their practice, reflect upon it and compare it with scientific evidence, as well as define, deploy and evaluate improvement strategies adapted to the context. Simultaneously, the process of empowerment derived from the Participatory Action Research allows for the identification of patterns of knowing and their development over time. The research will take place in the Intensive Care Units of a tertiary hospital. The participants will be nurses who are part of the regular workforce of these units, with more than five years of experience in critical patients, and who are motivated to consider and critique their practice. Data collection will take place through participant observation, multi-level discussion group meetings and documentary analysis. A content analysis will be carried out, following a process of codification and categorisation, with the help of Nvivo10. The approval date and the beginning of the funding were December 2012 and 2013, respectively.DiscussionThe definition, introduction and evaluation of care strategies for family members will allow for their real and immediate implementation in practice. The study of the patterns of knowing in the Participatory Action Research will be part of the theoretical and practical feedback process of a professional discipline. Also, the identification of the construction and evolution of knowledge will provide decision elements to managers and academics when choosing strategies for increased quality.

Educação intercultural e formação de professores em contexto espanhol para alunos imigrantes

Resumo Este trabalho convida à discussão sobre a relação entre a educação intercultural e a formação de professores em contexto multicultural e multilíngue. Partimos do fenômeno das migrações, que tem ocupado lugar de destaque no cenário mundial e, do mosaico cultural decorrente desse fenômeno, surgem conflitos de ordem política, ideológica, religiosa, étnica, cultural, dentre outros. Investigamos o papel da escola e dos professores em meio ao cenário estabelecido e temos como objetivo apresentar os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada em contexto espanhol, com professores que recebem alunos imigrantes que, em sua maioria, não sabem o idioma local e precisam aprendê-lo para integrar-se ao ambiente escolar, assim como à sociedade em que estão inseridos. Para tanto, a metodologia utilizada seguiu os princípios da pesquisa mista, utilizando as abordagens qualitativa e quantitativa, de paradigma interpretativista, para a análise dos dados obtidos por meio de questionários e transcrições de reuniões dos grupos de discussão. A coleta foi realizada com professores que atuam nas Aulas Temporales de Adaptación Lingüística (ATAL) situadas na provincia de Cádis, dentro da comunidade autônoma da Andaluzia, na Espanha. Os resultados evidenciaram a demanda, por parte dos professores, darealização de ações pedagógicas orientadas para a formação com base na educação intercultural, indicando que as discussões sobre essa temática são importantes para a construção de uma escola que promova e entenda o encontro com o outro como parte das relações interculturais.

Implementing extreme weather event advice and guidance in English public health systems.

Extreme weather events (EWEs) can significantly impact on mortality and morbidity in the UK. How EWE guidance is disseminated and applied across health and social care systems, at the local, operational level, is not well understood. This exploratory study develops tools and resources to assist local stakeholders to cascade national 'all weather' EWE guidance across local systems. These resources are also used to evaluate the local interpretation and implementation of this advice and guidance within three local authority areas. In total, five discussion group meetings were held and 45 practitioners took part in the study. A thematic analysis was conducted. The main themes emerging from the analysis related to awareness of PHE guidance for EWE preparedness, data sharing feasibility, community engagement, specific conditions in remote rural areas and capacity of frontline staff. The relative difficulty in finding where the study 'best fits' on local stakeholders' agendas suggests that year-round and preparedness planning for EWEs may not have been considered a high priority in participating areas. This study adds to the relatively limited evidence internationally concerning the practical implementation at local level of national adaptation advice and guidance and potential barriers to achieving this.

Listening

In this paper we reflect on the kind of listening that happens in research whilst taking part in a keep fit group and getting sweaty, that pushes us to ask an interviewee ‘Are you alright?’ and haunts us when the project is over. This is the kind of listening that weaves through, around and beyond what is immediately heard, including the unspoken, the articulateness of objects and the listening that comes through participating. The paper stems from a project concerned with how people live, experience and manage cultural diversity and ethnic difference in their everyday lives in urban England. Divided into two sections, the first part introduces our methods that included participant observation, interviews and repeat in-depth discussion group meetings. The second section reflects on our experiences of listening whilst doing, explores feelings that mediate listening and considers the time involved in listening.

Principles of risk management in surgery departments

Objectives: Surgical procedures aim at preserving human life and improving life quality. However, there are many poten- tial risk sources that can cause serious harm to patients. For centuries, managers believed that the technical competence of the surgeon is the only key to a successful surgery. But over the past decade, risks have been considered in terms of process-based safety procedures, teamwork and inter departmental communication. This study aims to determine how the process-biased surgical risk management should be done in terms of project management tool named activity breakdown structure (ABC). Methods: This study was conducted in two stages. First, literature review and meeting with professors was done to de- termine principles and framework of surgical risk management. Responsible teams for surgical patient journey were then involved in subsequent meetings to develop the process-biased surgical risk management. This study is a qualitative research in which the inductive approach is used on focus groups. Sampling was performed to achieve representative- ness through intensity sampling biased on experience and seniority. Context analysis of interviews and consensus themes extracted from focus discussion group meetings discussion was the analysis tool. Results: We structured the patient journey process in five main phases, 24 activities and 108 tasks. Then, the responsible teams were involved, and the transposition and allocated places for performing were chosen. Because of their importance, some activities and task themes such as patient identification and records review were repeated in each phase. Conclusions: Risk management of surgical departments is significant as this is typically the hospital facility with the both the highest cost and revenue. Communication between the surgical team and other clinical teams outside the surgery department through process-biased perspective could improve the safety of patients.

A Prefatory Note on Polanyi’s “Forms of Atheism”

A Prefatory Note on Polanyi’s “Forms of Atheism”

Knowledge of Sericulturists on Organic Farming Practices in Chickballapur District

A survey on the knowledge of sericulturists on adoption of organic farming practices in Chickballapur district of Karnataka revealed that majority (44.16%) of the sericulturists had low knowledge about organic farming practices followed by medium (35.83%) and high (20.00%) knowledge, respectively. With respect to the recommended individual organic farming practices, majority of sericulturists had correct knowledge about application of FYM (88.33%) and use of Ankush (82.50%). None of the sericulturists (100%) had correct knowledge about use of Tank silt, Seri-VAM, Seri-nematoguard, FYM + Neem Cake +Marigold intercrop in mulberry and use of Nysolynx thymus to control uji pest. Only negligible percentage of sericulturists had correct knowledge about use of Seri-bioguard (0.83%), Sunhemp as green manure (1.67%), Seri-mildew guard (1.67%), Seri-comporich (2.50%) and Azatabacter biofertilizer (2.50%). Out of 11 variables studied, four variables viz., family size, land holding, area under mulberry and social participation had positive and significant relationship with knowledge of sericulturists. All these variables have explained only 72.60 per cent variation in knowledge of sericulturists. Hence, it is necessary to intensify extension activities like group discussion meetings, training programmes, field visits, demonstrations etc., to enhance the knowledge of the sericulturists on organic farming practices. This will result in desired level of adoption of organic farming practices among sericulturists.