Quality Of Experiences Research Articles

Lack of agreement between radiologists: implications for image-based model observers.

We tested the agreement of radiologists' rankings of different reconstructions of breast computed tomography images based on their diagnostic (classification) performance and on their subjective image quality assessments. We used 102 pathology proven cases (62 malignant, 40 benign), and an iterative image reconstruction (IIR) algorithm to obtain 24 reconstructions per case with different image appearances. Using image feature analysis, we selected 3 IIRs and 1 clinical reconstruction and 50 lesions. The reconstructions produced a range of image quality from smooth/low-noise to sharp/high-noise, which had a range in classifier performance corresponding to AUCs of 0.62 to 0.96. Six experienced Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) radiologists rated the likelihood of malignancy for each lesion. We conducted an additional reader study with the same radiologists and a subset of 30 lesions. Radiologists ranked each reconstruction according to their preference. There was disagreement among the six radiologists on which reconstruction produced images with the highest diagnostic content, but they preferred the midsharp/noise image appearance over the others. However, the reconstruction they preferred most did not match with their performance. Due to these disagreements, it may be difficult to develop a single image-based model observer that is representative of a population of radiologists for this particular imaging task.

Partners’ overwork and individuals’ wellbeing and experienced relationship quality

ABSTRACTIn this paper, using high quality data from the Work, Family, and Health Network in a sample of IT workers in the US (N = 590), we examine whether partners’ long work hours are associated with individuals’ perceived stress, time adequacy with partner, and relationship quality, and whether these relationships vary by gender. In addition, following the marital stress model, we investigate whether any negative correlation between partners’ long work hours and relationship quality is mediated by time adequacy or perceived stress. We find that women partnered to men who work long hours (50 or more hours per week) have significantly higher perceived stress and significantly lower time adequacy and relationship quality compared to women partnered to men who work a standard full-time work week (35–49 hours). Further, the increased stress associated with being partnered to a man who overworks, not lower time adequacy, mediates the negative relationship between overwork and relationship quality. Conversely, we find that men partnered to women who work long hours report no differences in stress, time adequacy, or relationship quality than men who are partnered to women who work a standard full-time work week.

An empirical analysis of green convention attendees' switching intentions

ABSTRACTThis study aims at proposing to test a research model to gain a better understanding of the relationships among the dimensions of experiential quality, green experiential satisfaction, green alternative attractiveness, green service fairness, green variety-seeking, and green switching intentions. The study's findings are based on structural equation model analysis of a convenience sample of 650 attendees at the 13th International Green Building and Energy-Savings Exhibition 2016 in Chongqing, China. The results of this analysis contribute to the services marketing theory by providing additional insights into green switching intentions, the dimensions of experiential quality, green experiential satisfaction, green alternative attractiveness, green service fairness, and green novelty-seeking. The study's results will assist green convention management in developing and implementing market-orientated service strategies to increase the dimensions of experiential quality and green experiential satisfaction, enhance green alternative attractiveness, green service fairness, and green novelty-seeking, and decrease green switching intentions.

What drives experiential loyalty? A case study of Starbucks coffee chain in Taiwan

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the dimensions of experiential quality and examining the interrelationships among experiential quality, experiential satisfaction, perceived value, experiential trust and experiential loyalty using a multi-dimensional and hierarchical model as a framework perceived by coffee chain customers.Design/methodology/approachThe data used in this study were based on a sample of 428 customers at Starbucks in Taipei City of Taiwan. Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.FindingsThe findings reveal that there are four primary dimensions and 13 sub-dimensions of experiential quality in a coffee chain. In addition, the results indicate that affective quality is identified as the most primary dimension of experiential quality perceived by coffee chain customers. Experiential quality significantly influences perceived value and experiential trust, respectively. Also, experiential satisfaction is influenced by perceived value, experiential quality and experiential trust. Furthermore, experiential satisfaction and experiential trust are determinants of experiential loyalty.Originality/valueThis is the first study identifying experiential quality, experiential satisfaction, perceived value, experiential trust and experiential loyalty in the context of coffee chains.

The Emergence of Visual Awareness: Temporal Dynamics in Relation to Task and Mask Type.

One aspect of consciousness phenomena, the temporal emergence of visual awareness, has been subject of a controversial debate. How can visual awareness, that is the experiential quality of visual stimuli, be characterized best? Is there a sharp discontinuous or dichotomous transition between unaware and fully aware states, or does awareness emerge gradually encompassing intermediate states? Previous studies yielded conflicting results and supported both dichotomous and gradual views. It is well conceivable that these conflicting results are more than noise, but reflect the dynamic nature of the temporal emergence of visual awareness. Using a psychophysical approach, the present research tested whether the emergence of visual awareness is context-dependent with a temporal two-alternative forced choice task. During backward masking of word targets, it was assessed whether the relative temporal sequence of stimulus thresholds is modulated by the task (stimulus presence, letter case, lexical decision, and semantic category) and by mask type. Four masks with different similarity to the target features were created. Psychophysical functions were then fitted to the accuracy data in the different task conditions as a function of the stimulus mask SOA in order to determine the inflection point (conscious threshold of each feature) and slope of the psychophysical function (transition from unaware to aware within each feature). Depending on feature-mask similarity, thresholds in the different tasks were highly dispersed suggesting a graded transition from unawareness to awareness or had less differentiated thresholds indicating that clusters of features probed by the tasks quite simultaneously contribute to the percept. The latter observation, although not compatible with the notion of a sharp all-or-none transition between unaware and aware states, suggests a less gradual or more discontinuous emergence of awareness. Analyses of slopes of the fitted psychophysical functions also indicated that the emergence of awareness of single features is variable and might be influenced by the continuity of the feature dimensions. The present work thus suggests that the emergence of awareness is neither purely gradual nor dichotomous, but highly dynamic depending on the task and mask type.

Raising the alarm: Individual differences in the perceptual awareness of masked facial expressions

A theoretical concern in addressing the unconscious perception of emotion is the extent to which participants can access experiential properties of masked facial stimuli. Performance on a two alternative forced choice (2AFC) task as a measure of objective awareness was compared with a new measure developed to access experiential phenomena of the target-mask transition, the perceptual contrast-change sensitivity (PCCS) measure in a backward-masking paradigm with angry, happy and neutral facial expressions. Whilst 2AFC performance indicated that the targets were successfully masked, PCCS values were significantly higher in the happy-neutral face condition than in the angry-neutral face and the neutral-neutral face conditions (Experiment 1). Furthermore, objective measures of awareness were more readily displayed by individuals with high trait anxiety, whereas individuals with low trait anxiety showed greater access to the experiential quality of happy faces (Experiment 2). These findings provide important insights into the methodological considerations involved in the study of non-conscious processing of emotions, both with respect to individual differences in anxiety and the extent to which certain expressions can be successfully masked relative to others. Furthermore, our results may be informative to work investigating the neural correlates of conscious versus unconscious perception of emotion.

Hospital Medicine Resident Training Tracks: Developing the Hospital Medicine Pipeline.

Hospital medicine (HM) is rapidly evolving into new clinical and nonclinical roles. Traditional internal medicine (IM) residency training likely does not optimally prepare residents for success in HM. Hospital medicine residency training tracks may offer a preferred method for specialized HM education. Internet searches and professional networks were used to identify HM training tracks. Information was gathered from program websites and discussions with track directors. The 11 HM tracks at academic medical centers across the United States focus mostly on senior residents. Track structure and curricular content are determined largely by the structure and curricula of the IM residency programs in which they exist. Almost all tracks feature experiential quality improvement projects. Content on healthcare economics and value is common, and numerous track leaders report this content is expanding from HM tracks into entire residency programs. Tracks also provide opportunities for scholarship and professional development, such as workshops on abstract creation and job procurement skills. Almost all tracks include HM preceptorships as well as rotations within various disciplines of HM. HM residency training tracks focus largely on quality improvement, health care economics, and professional development. The structures and curricula of these tracks are tightly linked to opportunities within IM residency programs. As HM continues to evolve, these tracks likely will expand to bridge clinical and extra-clinical gaps between traditional IM training and contemporary HM practice. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2017;12:173-176.

A Study of Experiential Quality, Equity, Happiness, Rural Image, Experiential Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intentions for the Rural Tourism Industry in China

ABSTRACTThis study aims at examining the interrelationships among experiential quality, equity, happiness, rural image, experiential satisfaction, and behavioral intentions for the rural tourism industry in China. The data used in this study were based on a sample of 694 rural tourists staying in Sansheng Flower Town of Chengdu, indicating that the proposed model fits the data. The result of this study will assist rural tourism management in developing and implementing market-orientated service strategies to increase experiential quality and equity, and enhance the image and experiential satisfaction of rural tourists in order to generate favorable intentions to return or revisit the same rural village.

Er mere meditation relateret til større behandlingseffekter? – Empirisk baserede anbefalinger til en mere kontekstuel meditationsforskning og interventionspraksis

Meditation is increasingly applied in health promotion and clinical interventions although the influence of meditation during multimodal interventions is unclear. Even among meditation-based interventions (MBI), theories and recommendations concerning meditation vary substantially. Our primary purpose is to discuss from an empirical base if MBI-participants’ amount of meditation practice is a substantial factor for the treatment effects. We investigate this especially by reviewing MBI-research on dose-effect relationships between meditation and outcome changes, and neuroimaging studies of meditators and MBI-participants. The clinical evidence shows that participants’ amount of meditation practice is not consistently related to treatment effects. Neuroscientific studies support this notion, since previous meditation practice has not been consistently or specifically related to structural or functional neural measures for MBI-participants or experienced meditators. The inconsistent dose-effect findings, however, do not lead us to discard meditation as a potentially important aspect of psychosocial interventions. Previous research is methodologically criticizable due to a lack of active control groups, studies investigating the importance of meditation as a function of participant characteristics, and qualitative studies of the experienced significance or quality of the meditation practices. In addition, meta-syntheses of qualitative studies of processes of change during MBI do conclude that meditation is experienced as effective, but in complex, systemic interactions with other treatment aspects. More complex models concerning the significance of meditation practices for different participants and clinical areas are thus needed. We present a contextual, functional and pragmatic approach to the application of meditation and provide recommendations for future research and practice.

Investigation of the chemical markers for experiential quality evaluation of crude aconite by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

J. Sep. Sci. 2016, 39, 4281-4289 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201600567 Aconite, called tiger and wolf drug, is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its strong cardiac effect. In the past, the toxins extracted from aconite were used as arrow poisons to kill animals, hence the name "wolf's bane." To a certain extent, the wolf represents the medicinal characteristics of aconite: fierce, wild and intractable. The cover picture shows, besides the wolf head as the main element, a flow chart of our study and summarizes the main topics of our article.

PHS72 - Evaluating The Experiential Quality of Older People's Community Care: A Concept Mapping Approach To Instrument Design

PHS72 - Evaluating The Experiential Quality of Older People's Community Care: A Concept Mapping Approach To Instrument Design

Investigation of the chemical markers for experiential quality evaluation of crude aconite by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Many foods and herbs are experientially classified into different commodity grades in commercial circulation. Regarding the hypertoxic herb aconite, large samples are considered to be of better quality. However, this experiential classification lacks a scientific basis. In this study, we focused on the quality diversity among different grades and studied it using the minimum lethal dose assay and a novel ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry method. Toxicity assay result suggested grade I aconite had the lowest toxicity (p < 0.05). Using this method with partial least squares-discriminant analysis, we discovered nine chemomarkers, including neoline, songorine, fuziline, mesaconitine, talatizidine, dexyaconitine, talatisamine, hypaconitine, and fuzitine. Considering their toxicity and activity, we found the levels of toxic ingredients hypaconitine, dexyaconitine, and mesaconitine in grade I were lower than those in grade II (p < 0.01), while the levels of efficacy ingredients songorine, talatisamine, and neoline were the highest in grade I (p < 0.01). Further study demonstrated that the quality variation was associated with plant tissue development and toxic ingredient distribution law. Our results provide scientific evidence for the experiential quality evaluation of aconite, and it will be of great utility for other foods and herbs.

The relationships between the factors affecting perceived service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions among theme park visitors

Theme parks have many contributions to their destination, local and regional economies, tourism, etc. If they meet the changing demands of theme park visitors, more satisfied and revisiting visitors are acquired. This study attempted to determine the dimensions that influence theme park visitors’ perceived service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. In this context, this study aims to analyze the dimensions of servicescape and experiential quality and determine the influence of these dimensions on visitors’ service quality perception, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. The data of this study were collected through a questionnaire applied to 301 visitors of a theme park operating in the city of Istanbul. Descriptive statistics and the factor analysis were used for analyzing the data obtained, and path analysis was utilized for testing of the theoretical model. Study results revealed that “communicative staging” was the variable which best represented the dimension of servicescape, while “surprise” was the variable which best represented the dimension of Experiential Quality. There is also a significant relationship between the dimensions of “servicescape” and “experiential quality”, on the one hand, and “perceived service quality”, on the other. Finally, a significant relationship was found among “perceived service quality”, “satisfaction” and “behavioral intentions”. In general, this study contributes to the managers of the tourism and leisure industries.

Synthesizing the effects of green experiential quality, green equity, green image and green experiential satisfaction on green switching intention

Purpose This study aims to fill a conceptual gap by identifying the dimensions of green experiential quality and empirically examining the interrelationships among green experiential quality, green equity, green image, green experiential satisfaction and green switching intention. A multi-dimensional model is used as a framework to synthesize the effects of green experiential quality, green equity, green image and green satisfaction on green switching intention of green hotel customers. Design/methodology/approach The data used in this study were collected from a sample of 535 customers staying in one green hotel of Taipei City, Taiwan. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis. Findings The findings support a multi-dimensional model consisting of four dimensions (interaction quality, physical environment quality, access quality and administration quality) to conceptualize and measure perceived green experiential quality. Perceived green experiential quality significantly influences green equity and green image, which, in turn, result in green experiential satisfaction. Green switching intention is influenced by green experiential satisfaction and green image. However, outcome quality is not a component of perceived green experiential quality, which, in turn, insignificantly results in green experiential satisfaction. Green image plays a role in moderating the relationship between green experiential quality and interaction quality, outcome quality, access quality and administration quality. Practical implications To increase green experiential quality and green equity, enhance green image and green experiential satisfaction and decrease green switching intention, the finding of this study will help green hotel management to develop and implement market-oriented service strategies. Originality/value This is the first study to synthesize the effects of green experiential quality, green equity, green image and green experiential satisfaction on green switching intention in a green hotel setting.

Developing the next generation of quality improvers: An evaluation of a region wide structured support quality improvement training programme

Introduction Despite an increasing and widespread understanding of the importance of quality improvement in healthcare, medical students and junior doctors receive variable training in improvement methods. The South West Foundation Doctor quality improvement programme attempted to equip junior doctors with the skills to develop and improve healthcare services. Methods A questionnaire-based evaluation was undertaken of a cohort of first-year doctors who took part in a 9-month quality improvement educational intervention. The study was conducted across a whole training region with some of the hospitals running the quality improvement educational intervention and one acting as the natural control cohort. A previously validated questionnaire was sent out at the start and end of their first year. Results In questions related to attitudes to all domains of quality improvement first-year doctors consider it an important part of their role as doctors to improve the quality of healthcare. However, they do not think they are equipped with the skills to do this improvement. During their first year as doctors, these self-reported skills increased dramatically in the hospitals that took part in the programme but not in the single hospital that did not run the programme. Conclusion First-year doctors consider improving the quality of healthcare to be an important part of their job. This can be contrasted to their self-reported skills related to quality improvement when they start their first year. In hospitals that run a structured, supported experiential quality improvement programme, these self-reported skills increase statistically significantly.

Synthesizing the effects of experiential quality, excitement, equity, experiential satisfaction on experiential loyalty for the golf industry: The case of Hainan Island

Abstract There is a conceptual gap in the services marketing literature, as to date there has been no published empirical research on experiential quality, excitement, equity, experiential satisfaction and experiential loyalty for the golf industry. This study attempts to fill the conceptual gap by identifying the dimensions of experiential quality and empirically examining the interrelationships among the experiential quality dimensions, experiential quality, excitement, equity, experiential satisfaction and experiential loyalty. A multidimensional and hierarchical model is used as a framework to synthesize the effects of experiential quality, excitement, equity and experiential satisfaction on the experiential loyalty of golf tourists. Statistical support is found for four primary dimensions and 13 subdimensions of experiential quality for the golf industry. The hypothesized paths between the higher order constructs—experiential quality, excitement, equity, experiential satisfaction and experiential loyalty—are confirmed. The analysis results contribute to the services marketing theory by providing additional insights into experiential loyalty, experiential satisfaction, equity, excitement, experiential quality, and the dimensions of experiential quality. The results of this study will also assist golf management in developing and implementing market-oriented service strategies to increase experiential quality and excitement, enhance equity and experiential satisfaction, and create experiential loyalty.

Multi-leader Multi-follower Stackelberg Game Based Dynamic Resource Allocation for Mobile Cloud Computing Environment

Emerging mobile cloud computing (MCC) technology offers great potential for the mobile terminals to support running highly sophisticated applications. However, supporting such applications needs efficient resource management from cloud servers and mobile terminals. Moreover, the resource management technologies based on quality of experiences (QoE) can meet the demand of end users in a better way than those based on quality of services. In this paper, we address the resource management problem of MCC network with an acceptable QoE. Based on multi-leader multi-follower two-stage Stackelberg game model, the proposed scheme maximizes the utility function of MCC networks. Considering the scenario in which the cloud servers and mobile terminals are selfish to maximize their own interests, the network performance is greatly affected by their greediness. To achieve better network performance, control decisions are coupled with one another. Utility function considers not only the spectral efficiency and user satisfaction in the mobile terminal but also the pricing information in the cloud. Our proposed scheme can obtain a well-balanced performance between mobile terminals and cloud servers. In addition, the existence of Nash equilibrium in the proposed scheme is investigated. Theoretically, the maximum and minimum selling prices of bandwidth are deduced. Simulation results show that the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and our proposed scheme outperforms equal allocation scheme in terms of the user satisfaction and network revenue.

Defining Population Health Management: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Population health management (PHM) has increasingly been mentioned as a concept to realize improvements in population health and quality of care while reducing cost growth (the so-called Triple Aim). The concept of PHM has been used in various settings and has been defined in different ways. This study compared the definitions of PHM used in the literature in order to improve the understanding and interpretation of the concept of PHM. A scoping literature search was performed for papers published between January 2000 and January 2015 that defined PHM. PHM definitions were summarized, focusing on: (1) overall aim, (2) PHM activities, and (3) contextual factors. Eighteen articles were retrieved. The overall aim was defined in terms of health (N = 14), costs (N = 8), and/or quality of care (N = 10). Definitions varied regarding the description of PHM activities, though all definitions contained elements in common with disease management and health promotion. Data management, Triple Aim assessment, risk stratification, evaluation, and feedback cycles were less likely to be mentioned. Contextual factors were scarcely brought forward in the definitions. Moderate variations were found across definitions in the way PHM was conceptualized. Frequently, essential elements of PHM were not specified. Differences in conceptualizations of PHM should be taken into account when comparing PHM initiatives that are working toward improvements in population health, (experienced) quality of care, and reduction of costs.

EXQ: measurement of healthcare experience quality in Malaysian settings

Purpose The customer experience quality (EXQ) cannot be measured by using traditional tools to investigate service quality. There is a need to use new tools to directly measure EXQ from a customer perspective. The current study aims to contribute in this domain of knowledge and validate EXQ scale by linking it to marketing outcomes of satisfaction, loyalty and word of mouth in Malaysian private healthcare settings. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected data from 330 randomly selected Malaysians, visiting private hospitals in the city of Kuala Lumpur. The data analysis is performed by confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling – SEM – procedures. Findings The results reveal that two dimensions of EXQ scale moments of truth and peace of mind are highly valued by customers. Furthermore, the EXQ perceptions significantly contribute to satisfaction and loyalty. In a mediating relationship, the customer satisfaction is found to be a positive and significant variable. Practical implications Healthcare marketing policymakers should emphasize on recruitment of frontline staff – individuals with strong interpersonal skills and expertise who are able to create a memorable customer service experience. Originality/value The study is an original contribution to the existing body of knowledge – generally in services marketing literature and specifically in the field of healthcare marketing with a focus on customer experience in a developing country context of Malaysia.

The dark side of home: Assessing possession ‘clutter’ on subjective well-being

This research investigates a “dark side of home,” created when the experiential quality of home is compromised by ‘clutter,’ defined as an overabundance of possessions that collectively create chaotic and disorderly living spaces. Based on relationships among constructs largely developed by phenomenologists, we conceptualize psychological home as a reflection of one's need to identify self with a physical environment. Clutter was proposed as an antagonist to the normally positive benefits and consequences of home for subjective well-being. An online survey was conducted with a population of U.S. and Canadian adults. A structural equation model was used to test hypotheses. Findings reveal that place attachment and self-extension tendencies toward possessions positively contribute to psychological home. Clutter had a negative impact on psychological home and subjective well-being. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of how meanings of home are both cultivated and undermined by individuals' place-making efforts.