Experiences Of Stakeholders Research Articles

Views and experiences of migrants and stakeholders involved in social and health care for migrants in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had major and potentially long-lasting effects on mental health and wellbeing across populations worldwide. However, these impacts were not felt equally, leading to an exacerbation of health inequalities, especially affecting vulnerable populations such as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Aiming to inform the adaptation and implementation of psychological intervention programmes, the present study investigated priority mental health needs in this population group.MethodsParticipants were adult asylum seekers, refugees and migrants (ARMs) and stakeholders with experience in the field of migration living in Verona, Italy, and fluent in Italian and English. A two-stage process was carried out to examine their needs using qualitative methods including free listing interviews and focus group discussions, according to Module One of the DIME (Design, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation) manual. Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analyses approach.ResultsA total of 19 participants (12 stakeholders, 7 ARMs) completed the free listing interviews and 20 participants (12 stakeholders and 8 ARMs) attended focus group discussions. Salient problems and functions that emerged during free listing interviews were discussed during the focus group discussions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ARMs struggled with many everyday living difficulties in their resettlement country due to social and economic issues, revealing a strong influence of contextual factors in determining mental health. Both ARMs and stakeholders highlighted a mismatch between needs, expectations and interventions as factors that may hamper proper implementation of health and social programmes.ConclusionsThe present findings could help in the adaptation and implementation of psychological interventions targeting the needs of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants aiming to find a match between needs, expectations, and the corresponding interventions.Trial registrationRegistration number 2021-UNVRCLE-0106707, February 11 2021.

Considerations for the design of overdose education and naloxone distribution interventions: results of a multi-stakeholder workshop

IntroductionOpioid overdose epidemic is a public health crisis that is impacting communities around the world. Overdose education and naloxone distribution programs equip and train lay people to respond in the event of an overdose. We aimed to understand factors to consider for the design of naloxone distribution programs in point-of-care settings from the point of view of community stakeholders.MethodsWe hosted a multi-stakeholder co-design workshop to elicit suggestions for a naloxone distribution program. We recruited people with lived experience of opioid overdose, community representatives, and other stakeholders from family practice, emergency medicine, addictions medicine, and public health to participate in a full-day facilitated co-design discussion wherein large and small group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic approaches.ResultsA total of twenty-four participants participated in the multi-stakeholder workshop from five stakeholder groups including geographic and setting diversity. Collaborative dialogue and shared storytelling revealed seven considerations for the design of naloxone distribution programs specific to training needs and the provision of naloxone, these are: recognizing overdose, how much naloxone, impact of stigma, legal risk of responding, position as conventional first aid, friends and family as responders, support to call 911.ConclusionTo create an naloxone distribution program in emergency departments, family practice and substance use treatment services, stigma is a central design consideration for training and naloxone kits. Design choices that reference the iconography, type, and form of materials associated with first aid have the potential to satisfy the need to de-stigmatize overdose response.

Integrating Environmental and Social Dimensions with Science-Based Knowledge for a Sustainable Pesticides Management—A Project of Lombardy Region in Italy

Achieving a change towards the sustainable use and management of pesticides requires a multiple perspective approach that combines traditional knowledge, experience of different local stakeholders, scientific expertise, and context-specific data to provide useful and understandable information for the target farmers. In this paper, the incorporation of the information on environmental and social dimensions into a “science-based” pesticide management practice is presented as an example of a replicable multidisciplinary approach. This approach depicts the importance of the context-specific scenario analysis and of the involvement of farmers starting from their practices and their knowledge. A diverse range of engagement initiatives have been adopted to consult, inform, and involve the community. Tools as target guidelines of good practices, self-evaluation checklists, and a user-friendly indicator that considers social, environmental, and territorial parameters of the specific area, gained a lot of interest and trust and have proven to be useful in disseminating the methodology of environmental risk assessment to farmers, supporting and assisting them in the comparison of different phytosanitary strategies at farm scale to identify weaknesses in their current pesticide management at farm level and to find corresponding corrective actions. The experience also highlighted the importance of the role of properly trained and informed advisors.

Traumatic Brain Injury Intensive Evaluation and Treatment Program: Protocol for a Partnered Evaluation Initiative Mixed Methods Study.

The traumatic brain injury (TBI) Intensive Evaluation and Treatment Program (IETP) is an innovative modality for delivering evidence-based treatments in a residential, inpatient format to special operational forces service members and veterans with mild TBI. IETPs provide bundled evidence-based assessment, treatment, referral, and case management in concordance with the existing guidelines for mild TBI and commonly co-occurring comorbidities. To date, there has been no formal characterization or evaluation of the IETP to understand the determinants of implementation across the system of care. The goal of our partnered evaluation initiative (PEI) with an operational partner, the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation National Program Office, is to facilitate the full implementation of the IETP across all 5 Veterans Health Administration TBI-Centers of Excellence (TBI-COE) and to inform minimum standards while supporting the unique characteristics of each site. This IETP partnered evaluation will describe each of the 5 TBI-COE IETP services and state of implementation to identify opportunities for adaptation and scale, characterize the relationship between patient characteristics and clinical services received, evaluate the outcomes for participants in the IETP, and inform ongoing implementation and knowledge translation efforts to support IETP expansion. In alignment with the goals of the protocol, ineffective treatment components will be targeted for deimplementation. A 3-year concurrent mixed methods evaluation using a participatory approach in collaboration with the operational partner and TBI-COE site leadership will be conducted. Qualitative observations, semistructured focus groups, and interviewing methods will be used to describe IETP, stakeholder experiences and needs, and suggestions for IETP implementation. Quantitative methods will include primary data collection from patients in the IETP at each site to characterize long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction with treatment and secondary data collection to quantitatively characterize patient-level and care system-level data. Finally, data sets will be triangulated to share data findings with partners to inform ongoing implementation efforts. Data collection began in December 2021 and is currently ongoing. The results and deliverables will inform IETP characterization, evaluation, implementation, and knowledge translation. The results of this evaluation seek to provide an understanding of the determinants affecting the implementation of IETPs. Service member, staff, and stakeholder insights will inform the state of implementation at each site, and quantitative measures will provide options for standardized outcome measures. This evaluation is expected to inform national Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Office policies and processes and knowledge translation efforts to improve and expand the IETP. Future work may include cost evaluations and rigorous research, such as randomized controlled trials. DERR1-10.2196/44776.

Stakeholder Experience Evaluating Whole-School Practice Designed to Improve Educational Outcomes for Autistic Students

AbstractTeam participation in whole-school action research can assist the educational reform required for autistic students. Little is known about the experience of school community stakeholders engaged in the first stage of an implementation science process: evaluation of current practice. This study was designed to explore stakeholder experience and knowledge gained following a process of evaluation of whole-school practice related to the education of autistic students. A collective case study was employed across two Australian secondary schools, with team meetings designed to provide an opportunity for the self-evaluation process to take place and the data for the study to be generated. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the dialogue between participants during focus group discussions with each team. Findings are represented through six themes that provide insight for future practice. Both stakeholder teams reported that the evaluation process was a positive experience to engage in and resulted in a strengthening of knowledge about good practice for autistic students. Findings provide encouragement to other school teams engaging in a similar process; however, future teams may need to feel ready for this work and might benefit from the structure of a wider action-research cycle aligned to implementation science processes.

Promoting Emergency Response for Homeless Service Agencies: Field-Based Recommendations from Two Municipalities in Nova Scotia, Canada

The fast unfolding of the global COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the homeless sector by triggering tremendous challenges for individuals experiencing homelessness (IEHs) and related service agencies. This quick-response research project qualitatively collected time-sensitive data from the IEHs and service stakeholders (SSs) experiences, challenges, efforts, and suggestions during the first wave of COVID-19 in the two most populated municipalities in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, namely, Halifax Regional Municipality and Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Through analyzing and synthesizing the standpoints from both IEHs and SSs, this technical note presents recommendations, addressing the practical challenges that IEHs have been confronting during COVID-19 and systemic issues in which homelessness is rooted. These recommendations will assist community-based agencies in improving their emergency response capacity, better serving IEHs in COVID-19 in particular, and supporting other vulnerable and marginalized populations in future extreme events in general.

Implementation of Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) in Public Schools: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Research Design

The concepts of Circular Economy (CE) and Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) implementation are related to various qualities that may influence school stakeholders' participation in this program. This study investigated school stakeholders' awareness of Circular Economy (CE) concepts and the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) in public schools. In order to uncover the relationship between these factors and relate stakeholders' experiences to their quantitative findings, convergent parallel mixed-methods research was used. The sample contained 370 respondents. The Awareness of Circular Economy Concepts Scaled Questionnaire (ACCESQ) and the Implementation of Solid Waste Management Program Scaled Questionnaire (ISWMPSQ) were modified for use as quantitative instruments, furthermore, for qualitative research, a validated interview guide was employed. For the quantitative analysis of the two factors, the weighted mean was utilized, and to identify the shape, direction, and strength of the relationship between the two variables, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, or Pearson “r” Coefficient was calculated. Moreover, the qualitative data was also analyzed using thematic analysis. Stakeholders' familiarity with Circular Economy (CE) ideas and the progress made on the Solid Waste Management Program were strongly correlated in every measure. Positive correlations were discovered between their encounters and the adoption of Circular Economy (CE) ideas and SWMPs. The results showed that climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution were all integral parts of sustainable waste management plans (SWMPs) for reusing, reducing, recycling, collecting, treating, and disposing of garbage. The more people understand CE principles, the more likely it is that the SWMP will be put into action, and the more closely the experiences of stakeholders will match the quantitative findings.

The extractive industry and expectations of resource benefits: does CSR promote community well-being?

Purpose This paper aims to examine the effects of extractive activities on the well-being of local communities and assesses stakeholder expectations of resource benefits and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of oil companies in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a qualitative approach based on an exploratory research design to investigate the opinions and experiences of stakeholders in the growing oil and gas industry in Ghana. Findings The empirical findings demonstrate that entry negotiated agreements and local content requirements in the offshore oil industry have minimal benefits because of the lack of linkages with the economies of local communities. Additionally, the nature of CSR practices within the extractive industry is directly traceable to the resource governance arrangements and plural logics in Ghana’s institutional context. Research limitations/implications This study only provides insights into natural resource governance and CSR issues in offshore oil and gas projects. Thus, the findings are not generalisable to the entire industry, including onshore drilling, which have other sustainability issues. Practical implications This research highlights the gap in natural resource management in Ghana and the effects of community expectations on CSR practices in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, this study posits the significance for including compliance requirements for improving the well-being of host communities in entry negotiated agreements and local contents. Originality/value By highlighting the nuanced issues in natural resource management within the oil and gas industry in Ghana, this paper makes significant contributions to the CSR and sustainability literature.

Understanding Barriers Along the Patient Journey in Alzheimer's Disease Using Social Media Data.

We speculated that social media data from Alzheimer's disease (AD) stakeholders (patients, caregivers, and clinicians) could identify barriers along the patient journey in AD, and that insights gained may help devise strategies to remove barriers, and ultimately improve the patient journey. Our sample was drawn from a repository of social media posts extracted from 112 public sources between January 1998 and December 2021 using natural language processing text-mining algorithms. The patient journey was classified into three phases: (1) early signs/experiences (Early Signs); (2) screening/assessment/diagnosis (Screening); and (3) treatment/management (Treatment). In the Early Signs phase, issues/challenges derived from a conceptual AD identification framework (ADIF) were examined. In subsequent phases, behavioral/psychiatric challenges, access/barriers to health care, screening/diagnostic methods, and symptomatic treatments for AD were identified. Posts were classified by AD stakeholder type or disease stage, if possible. We identified 225,977 AD patient journey-related social media posts. Anxiety was a predominant issue/challenge in all patient journey phases. In the Screening and Treatment phases combined, access/barriers to care were described in 16% of posts; unwillingness/resistance to seeking care was a major barrier (≥ 75% of access-related posts across all stakeholders). Commonly identified structural barriers (e.g., affordability/cost, geography/transportation/distance) were more common in patient/caregiver posts than clinician posts. Among Screening-related posts, imaging/scans were commonly mentioned by all stakeholders; biomarkers were more commonly mentioned by patients than clinicians. Treatment-related concerns were identified in 17% of stakeholder-specified posts that named pharmacological agents/classes for the symptomatic management of AD. This descriptive analysis of out-of-clinic experiences reflected in AD social media posts found that unwillingness/resistance to seeking care was a key barrier, followed by structural barriers to health care, such as affordability/cost. Insights from the lived experiences of AD stakeholders are valuable and highlight the need to improve the patient journey in AD and ease patient and caregiver burden.

How consequences of colorectal cancer treatment are managed: a qualitative study of stakeholder experiences about supportive care and current practices

PurposeColorectal cancer (CRC) survivors experience treatment-effects such as symptoms and functional impairments. There is limited evidence about how these are managed and what services or supports are available in the community. We aimed to identify current practice and available supports for managing consequences of treatment from clinician and CRC survivor perspectives.MethodsThis qualitative study, informed by an interpretivist constructionist paradigm, included semi-structured interviews. Clinicians with experience of treating CRC patients and adult CRC survivors were recruited across Australia. Interviews explored experiences about problems experienced after CRC treatment and how these were managed. Data collection and analysis, using thematic analysis, was iterative whereby emergent themes during analysis were incorporated into subsequent interviews.ResultsWe interviewed 16 clinicians and 18 survivors. Survivors experienced a range of consequences of treatment amendable to support including allied health, information, and self-management. Barriers to support access included clinicians’ worry about patient out-of-pocket expenses, long waitlists, lack of awareness about existing supports, and perception no therapeutic options were available. Healthcare professionals with expertise in CRC were often difficult to identify outside of cancer settings. Survivorship care could be improved with individualised timely information and identification of pathways to access healthcare providers with expertise in managing consequences of CRC treatment within primary care.ConclusionsTo improve CRC survivor lives posttreatment, routine assessment of consequences of treatment, individualised care planning involving relevant healthcare professionals, access to supportive care when needed, and improved information provision and engagement of a range of health professionals in follow-up care are needed.

Transforming Learning to Online Education 4.0 during COVID-19: Stakeholder Perception, Attitude, and Experiences in Higher Education Institutions at a Tier-III City in India

Higher education institutions worldwide had to quickly pivot to delivering online classes as the COVID-19 pandemic set in. This disruption brought into focus institutional preparedness to ensure academic continuity, faculty proficiency in the use of ICT, and student readiness to adapt to an online-only model suggested in Education 4.0 framework. The Education 4.0 framework emphases to use advance technology and tools to transform education system. It was initially envisaged that the online-only model of education will at best be a stop-gap arrangement. However, as the pandemic continues unabated across India, the education community needs actionable data to fine-tune its online delivery model, to ensure its effectiveness, and retain its value perception in the eyes of the stakeholders. This is a critical aspect as evidence suggests that the initial high level of online engagement is petering out due to overexposure, mental saturation, and fatigue among both the students and faculty members. This research paper examines the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of stakeholders involved in online education from Jammu, a Tier-III city in India. The study asserts that real “value creation” in an online mode can happen when all the stakeholders are equally motivated and working together. Institutions need to prioritize value delivery, support faculty members, provide the needed resources, and set clear expectations.

Design considerations in the activation of a temporary playspace for children and families: perspectives of council, architects and designers

ABSTRACT Child-friendly cities are places that support opportunities for children’s play and community connection in safe urban environments. A dominant practice in urban planning and design has been to separate people and their activities spatially (i.e., residential zones, learning zones, play zones) and this coincided with the remaking of cities around private vehicular travel which together necessitated carving out safe spaces for children play. This has meant that children’s play has been geared towards permanent equipment in fenced-off playgrounds or more formal educational settings. However, the inclusion of temporary play spaces in cities to support community engagement in the local environment is growing to combine urban design, play and community wellbeing initiatives. This paper documents the experiences of stakeholders of a temporary play space in an inner-city suburb of an Australian city. This work includes key perspectives of the architects and designers and local council members to evaluate how a 12-week activation of a temporary play space came into being and what can be learnt from this collaboration.

“More than just a walk in the park”: A multi-stakeholder qualitative exploration of community-based walking sport programmes for middle-aged and older adults

ABSTRACT In spite of the large-scale growth of walking sport (WS) programmes globally, limited research has explored the experiences of the key stakeholders involved in such programmes (i.e. decision-makers, facilitators, and players). We aimed to explore stakeholder experiences of community-based WS programmes to better understand the appeal of such sport options for middle-aged and older adults, and propose tentative recommendations for the feasibility and sustainability of these types of programmes. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 stakeholders who were involved with WS programmes in Australia as decision-makers, facilitators, and/or players. Data were analysed with reflexive thematic analysis. Four key themes pertaining to the WS experience were identified – ‘a renewed lease of life’, ‘navigating ageing stereotypes’, ‘tension between organisational demands and players’ needs’, and ‘WS facilitators as catalysts of success’. Specifically, we found that WS participation enabled a positive ageing discourse for middle-aged and older adults. WS players had to negotiate stereotypes that, at times, were perceived as participation barriers. We also noted some tensions between the demands of sport organisations and the needs of middle-aged and older adults regarding sport participation. Finally, we also noted the importance of the facilitators’ role in increasing accessibility of, and long-term participation in, such programmes. We suggest that to offer feasible and sustainable community-based WS programmes across Australia, incompatibilities across various stakeholders’ perspectives need to be addressed.

Bandhan Bank’s Strategic CSR: Building Knowledge and Experience of Rural Microfinance

The current study looks at the case of Bandhan Bank as a case of strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR). Bandhan Bank Ltd.’s five flagship CSR programmes (THP, BHP, BEP, EUP and BFLP) target the diverse needs of communities in the poorest of poor and underprivileged segments and give them a valuable experience of an improved lifestyle are discussed in detail. The three significant strategic forces, viz., embedded culture of risk-taking, more robust connection with stakeholders and regular honing of internal capabilities, further shape the experiences of CSR stakeholders. These eventually became responsible and loyal customers of the bank.

PD34-01 DEVELOPMENT OF A PATIENT-CENTERED RESEARCH AGENDA FOR KIDNEY STONE DISEASE: ELICITATION AND REFINEMENT OF RESEARCH THEMES

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023PD34-01 DEVELOPMENT OF A PATIENT-CENTERED RESEARCH AGENDA FOR KIDNEY STONE DISEASE: ELICITATION AND REFINEMENT OF RESEARCH THEMES Jonathan Ellison, Hunter Beck, Bryan Clintsman, Casey Dauw, Kathryn Flynn, Kim Hollander, Dirk Lange, Kristi Ouimet, Carswell Ouimet, Kristina Penniston, Charles Scales, Nayan Shah, Katherine Sheridan, Samantha Siodlarz, Ryan Spiardi, Kristen Whitmore, Mike Witt, and Greg Tasian Jonathan EllisonJonathan Ellison More articles by this author , Hunter BeckHunter Beck More articles by this author , Bryan ClintsmanBryan Clintsman More articles by this author , Casey DauwCasey Dauw More articles by this author , Kathryn FlynnKathryn Flynn More articles by this author , Kim HollanderKim Hollander More articles by this author , Dirk LangeDirk Lange More articles by this author , Kristi OuimetKristi Ouimet More articles by this author , Carswell OuimetCarswell Ouimet More articles by this author , Kristina PennistonKristina Penniston More articles by this author , Charles ScalesCharles Scales More articles by this author , Nayan ShahNayan Shah More articles by this author , Katherine SheridanKatherine Sheridan More articles by this author , Samantha SiodlarzSamantha Siodlarz More articles by this author , Ryan SpiardiRyan Spiardi More articles by this author , Kristen WhitmoreKristen Whitmore More articles by this author , Mike WittMike Witt More articles by this author , and Greg TasianGreg Tasian More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003327.01AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Conducting high-quality comparative effectiveness research for kidney stone disease is resource intensive. Therefore, priority should be given to initiatives with greatest potential to impact patients and their caregivers. Setting research agendas with patient and caregiver engagement can ensure future trials address questions that reflect patient priorities. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods stakeholder engagement program using web-based surveys and focus groups. We recruited English and Spanish speaking stakeholders aged 12 years and older from Urology clinics and through social media. Self-identified stakeholder groups for kidney stone disease included patients, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians. Survey materials and interview guides were co-created with a core group of patient, caregiver, advocate, clinician, and researcher stakeholders. Focus groups were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Results from surveys and transcripts of focus groups were reviewed by three reviewers to extract themes for future trials. RESULTS: Survey group participants (n=70) were 80% patients and caregivers; focus group participants (n=20) were 79% patients and caregivers. Participants in both were 64% female. Patient and caregiver stakeholder experiences included: 32 (35%) with stone passage, 29 (32%) with surgery, and 21(23%) with stents. Researchers and clinicians included adult urologists (6), adult nephrologists (2), pediatric urologists (7), and other specialty areas (4). Prevention (28), surgical outcomes (18), and customizing care to key subgroups (10) were the three most common thematic elements from survey responses. A saturation grid from focus group sessions indicating a priori (7) and survey- or focus group-generated themes (6) is shown in the Figure. Thematic saturation was reached after 7 focus groups. CONCLUSIONS: By creating a patient-focused kidney stone research agenda, we identified 6 de novo themes. Stakeholder elucidated themes included patient-centered concepts such as vulnerable or underrepresented populations, shared decision-making, and disease burden. Future work will translate identified research themes into research topics for stakeholder-based prioritization. Source of Funding: Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e920 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Jonathan Ellison More articles by this author Hunter Beck More articles by this author Bryan Clintsman More articles by this author Casey Dauw More articles by this author Kathryn Flynn More articles by this author Kim Hollander More articles by this author Dirk Lange More articles by this author Kristi Ouimet More articles by this author Carswell Ouimet More articles by this author Kristina Penniston More articles by this author Charles Scales More articles by this author Nayan Shah More articles by this author Katherine Sheridan More articles by this author Samantha Siodlarz More articles by this author Ryan Spiardi More articles by this author Kristen Whitmore More articles by this author Mike Witt More articles by this author Greg Tasian More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Leveraging Community Resources and Local Expertise to Build a Safe Learning Environment for K-12 Students During COVID-19: A Field Experience.

To share the experiences of stakeholders in a school district's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially related to supporting the district in the reopening process and sharing key decision points, challenges, facilitators, and overall lessons learned that may be applied to future emergencies. A descriptive study of participants' experience that included (1) a content analysis of policy documents and recommendations that were developed and published by key stakeholders and (2) interviews with stakeholders in the school system that were coded to identify patterns and themes. Remote interviews conducted over Zoom. Participants live or work in Brookline, Massachusetts. Fifteen qualitative interviews were conducted with school committee members, principals, members of school leadership, school nurses, school staff, parents, advisory panel members, and physicians collaborating with the school district. Whether patterns and themes related to challenges, solutions, and recommendations for future management of public health emergencies in the district could be identified. Challenges experienced during a school district's response included staffing burdens, changing scopes of services, the difficulty of successfully enforcing social distancing, addressing staff and family fears, meeting informational needs, and limited resources. Multiple interviewees shared that they felt there should have been a greater emphasis on mental health in the district's response. Successes of the response included the creation and implementation of a consistent communications system, recruiting volunteers and mobilizing the community to address critical needs, and effective technology expansion and usage in schools. Leadership and community collaboration were essential to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to strategies used to enhance coordination and communication and relay information across the community.

Managing end-user participation for the adoption of digital livestock technologies: expectations, performance, relationships, and support

ABSTRACT Purpose End-user participation is often encouraged to promote the uptake of Digital Livestock Technologies (DLTs). However, managing participation during DLT development can be challenging. We explore how participation decisions can impact end-users’ engagement and attitudes towards the process, before suggesting strategies for improved management of the participation process. Methodology We explored the experiences of end-users (e.g. farmers and farm assessors) and other stakeholders (e.g. developers, researchers, industry) involved in the development and testing of DLTs on UK farms, using semi-structured, in-depth interviews (N = 31). Findings Participation can help develop technologies that better align with users’ needs, promote learning, and encourage feelings of ownership. However, participation can be a double-edged sword. Inadequate levels of involvement, management of stakeholder relationships and expectations, and available support can negatively impact end-users’ engagement and attitudes. Practical implications Our study highlights the importance of understanding how management decisions during the participatory development of DLTs can influence the engagement and attitudes of end-users towards the process. Theoretical implications The study contributes to the participation literature in agriculture and demonstrates the importance of using a critical lens to avoid making normative assumptions that participation necessarily promotes uptake in a linear, uncomplicated fashion. Originality/Value Participation is seen as key for technology adoption. However, the potential downsides of participation have received less attention in relation to the engagement of end-users in the process.

Stakeholder engagement in European brain research: Experiences of the Lifebrain consortium.

Stakeholder engagement remains scarce in basic brain research. However, it can greatly improve the relevance of investigations and accelerate the translation of study findings to policy. The Lifebrain consortium investigated risk and protective factors influencing brain health using cognition, lifestyleand imaging data from European cohorts. Stakeholder activities of Lifebrain-organized in a separate work package-included organizing stakeholder events, investigating public perceptions of brain healthand dissemination. Here, we describe the experiences of researchers and stakeholders regarding stakeholder engagement in the Lifebrain project. Stakeholder engagement in Lifebrain was evaluated through surveys among researchers and stakeholders and stakeholders' feedback at stakeholder events through evaluation forms. Survey data were analysed using a simple content analysis approach, and results from evaluation forms were summarized after reviewing the frequency of responses. Consortium researchers and stakeholders experienced the engagement activities as meaningful and relevant. Researchers highlighted that it made the research and research processes more visible and contributed to new networks, optimized data collection on brain health perceptions and the production of papersand provided insights into stakeholder views. Stakeholders found research activities conducted in the stakeholder engagement work package to be within their field of interest and research results relevant to their work. Researchers identified barriers to stakeholder engagement, including lack of time, difficulties in identifying relevant stakeholders, and challenges in communicating complex scientific issues in lay languageand maintaining relationships with stakeholders over time. Stakeholders identified barriers such as lack of budget, limited resources in their organization, time constraintsand insufficient communication between researchers and stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement in basic brain research can greatly benefit researchers and stakeholders alike. Its success is conditional on dedicated human and financial resources, clear communication, transparent mutual expectations and clear roles and responsibilities. Patient organizations, research networks, policymakers and members of the general public were involved in engagement and research activities throughout the project duration.

Stakeholders’ Perceptions and Experiences of Animal Assisted Interventions for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Background: Dementia is a priority public health issue globally. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) lead to low quality of life (QoL) for people living with dementia and can also cause distress amongst their caregivers. To date, the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for dementia have had limited. Animal assisted intervention (AAI) has become a popular non-pharmacological therapy and psychosocial intervention, and can have positive effects on mood, social behavior, physical activity and QoL of people living with dementia. The factors influencing the delivery of AAI remain underexplored. The aim of this review is to synthesize qualitative research regarding stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences of AAI for people living with dementia in community settings. Methods: We will systematically search nine databases/platforms. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles, abstracts and full texts; the process will be reported following PRISMA guidance. Data from included studies will be extracted according to a specifically designed form. Three reviewers will independently appraise the methodological quality of studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program qualitative checklist. We will analyze data following thematic synthesis. GRADE-CERQual will be applied to assess confidence in the findings. The research team will engage in reflexivity throughout all review stages of process through regular meetings/discussions. A Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributor will be included to oversee and provide advice on the QES process. Discussion: AAI is a potentially valuable for improving mood and reducing BPSD for people living with dementia. However, the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders and factors influencing the implementation of AAI for people living with dementia are not clear. This qualitative evidence synthesis will significantly contribute to the evidence base. It will identify factors and recommendations for AAI guidance, and have clinical and social implications of improving the well-being of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Facilitators and barriers to the delivery of palliative care to patients with Parkinson’s disease: a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders using the socio-ecological model

ObjectivePalliative care (PC) can improve the quality of life of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and their carers. However, the impact of PC services on patients with PD remains unclear. This research was conducted to identify the barriers and facilitators influencing PC services for patients with PD based on the Social Ecological Model (SEM) framework.MethodsThis research was conducted through semi-structured interviews, employing SEM to organize themes and identify potential solutions across multiple levels.ResultsA total of 29 interviewees (5 PD clinicians, 7 PD registered nurses, 8 patients, 5 caregivers, and 4 policy makers) completed the interviews. Facilitators and barriers were identified according to the levels of the SEM. Several facilitators were identified, i.e., (1) individual level: the critical needs among PD patients and their relatives and the desire for PC knowledge among health professionals; (2) interpersonal level: social support; (3) organizational level: the investments towards systematization of PC; and nurses are the bridge between patients and doctors; (4) community level: the convenience of community services; and hospital-community-family-based services; (5) culture and policy level: existing policy.ConclusionThe social-ecological model proposed in this study helps illuminate the complex and multilevel factors that may influence PC delivery to PD patients.