Focus Group Method Research Articles

Exploring staff experiences of formulation processes in a secure children’s home

Purpose This study aims to explore experiences of the Framework for Integrated Care's team formulation process within a secure children’s home in northern England, from the perspective of care and education staff. Design/methodology/approach Four focus groups were facilitated, with a total of 25 participants. The focus groups discussed a number of key areas, including: staff experiences of team formulation; the usefulness of the process; the wider impact of the process; and ways the formulation process could be developed. The data set was analysed using Rapid Qualitative Analysis (Hamilton, 2013). Findings Six overarching themes and a number of accompanying subthemes were developed. The six themes were: (i) new ways of understanding; (ii) enabling communication; (iii) young person should be at the centre; (iv) practical considerations; (v) developing accessibility: a systemic lens; and (vi) developing the focus. Practical implications Ten implications for practice within secure children’s homes and wider establishments are outlined. These relate to various aspects of the formulation process, including the preparatory work, meeting attendance, the focus of the formulation and dissemination. Originality/value Research within the context of secure children’s homes is expanding and has included the direct involvement of young people. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study utilising a qualitative, focus group method to consider the experiences of team formulation from the perspective of the wider care and education staff team in a secure children’s home.

한국 간호대학생의 일본병원 임상실습 경험에 관한 포커스그룹 연구

Objectives This study attempted to explore the experiences of Korean nursing students in clinical practice in Japanese hospitals. Methods Focus group interviews, field notes, and practicum diaries of 14 Korean nursing students who participated in clinical practice in a Japanese hospital after the end of the first semester of their third year were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Data collection took place during the month of July 2018. Results Four themes and nine sub-themes were extracted from the study participants' clinical practice experiences in Japanese hospitals. The sub-themes of ‘strengthening nursing competence’ were various basic nursing practice opportunities, specialised geriatric nursing experiences and establishing an ideal nursing image, while the sub-themes of ‘growth through meaningful relationships’ were improving self-esteem through interaction with nurses and bonding with patients across language barriers. The sub-themes of ‘increased interest in global nursing’ were improved understanding of healthcare cultures in different countries, motivation to learn foreign languages and work abroad, and the sub-themes of ‘challenges of being a foreign trainee’ were limitations due to language and cultural differences and difficulties due to different practice settings. Conclusions The clinical practicum experience in Japanese hospitals was an opportunity for the participants to grow as competent nurses by experiencing the advanced nursing culture and diversity of clinical practice. This study provides basic data and implications for nursing practitioners, educators, and students on future clinical practicum in Japanese hospitals.

‘Are you ready for a little chat?’1: Creating and developing WhatsApp group chats as a digital research method

AbstractThis paper explores how social media ‘group chats’ were developed and applied as a digital research method. Group chats were created using the social media platform WhatsApp to investigate issues regarding Eurovision Song Contest fan practices and their intersection with the expression of sexual identity. I argue that group chats advance our understandings of traditional focus group and remote research methods in geography. Group chats do this by providing opportunities to conduct remote research with multiple groups of people. They are also mobile, temporal, provide additional digital tools for users to express their identity, and help to improve data capture and understanding of social processes. This research highlights the benefits and disadvantages of using group chats as a digital method in terms of their organisation, delivery, data collection and analysis. Benefits include that they are mobile and instantly accessible, they can co‐ordinate groups of people who are geographically disparate, they can take place over a period of time rather than being a ‘one‐off’ event, they remove the barriers of face‐to‐face communication that produce social anxiety, and they enable the capture of multidimensional forms of data, including images, text and GIFs. Disadvantages include missing out on and recontextualising data when absent from a group chat temporarily, and limited data output from and dynamism between participants who were unavailable for long periods. I explore how applying group chats as a digital research method challenges and blurs the distinctions between the personal, the researcher and the researched, and how they can also be reaffirmed in direct messaging spaces where participants flirt with the researcher. Lastly, this paper considers the future potentials of using group chats and social media platforms, like WhatsApp, to understand the socio‐digital practices around live music events.

The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Leaders’ Performance in the Context of Early Education Institutions

Early education leaders need to embrace transformational leadership styles that promote growth and achievement to contribute to the success of the entire community. Research in this area is necessary because, according to conversations with school inspectors, the leaders of early education institutions in Romania need an adequate understanding of leadership styles, as seen by the lack of professional development courses available. Our research aimed to assess the impact of transformational leadership style on early education leaders' success as measured by operational indicators such as effectiveness, satisfaction, and extra effort. In this study, we employed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQX5) and focus group method. To determine the dominating style of the leaders in the study, correlations, regressions, and the Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. The findings indicate a connection between transformative leadership and a growth mindset that characterizes leaders. These aspects lead to high effectiveness and stimulate the individual towards continuous personal and professional development. We can conclude from the investigation that the outcomes of the leader's behavior are closely related to their leadership style and growth mindset.

KAKO PODRŽATI P2P POSLOVANJE U EKONOMIJI DIJELJENJA: RAZUMJETI GENERACIJSKE RAZLIKE U MOTIVACIJI KUPACA U POTICANJU POTRAŽNJE ZA NEISKORIŠTENOM IMOVINOM

This study explores the potential of generational segmentation as a strategy for enhancing the efficiency of peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms within the sharing economy. It focuses on how marketing messages can be tailored to stimulate demand across different generations (Generation X, Y, and Z) for idle assets within this economy. A mixed approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis was used. Data collection was conducted in two phases. The first phase, involved the collection of qualitative data. For this purpose, exploratory research using the focus group method was used. The second phase involved quantitative data collection using an online questionnaire. To obtain responses from respondents of different generations, snowball sampling was used. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis test, PCA and Welch ANOVA were used for data analysis. This research identified two significant motivational factors (opportunistic/user and social) and discovered generational differences in these motivations. These findings suggest that P2P platforms can leverage generational segmentation to refine their marketing communications, thereby gaining a competitive advantage and supporting business growth. It delves into the implications of these results for customer acquisition and retention strategies within the sharing economy, offering insights that could bolster the performance of P2P businesses. By harnessing the power of generational segmentation, P2P platforms can enhance their marketing effectiveness, stimulate the growth of the sharing economy, and contribute to sustainability.

Implications of Computational Thinking in the Initial Training of Future Primary and Pre-School Teachers

In an increasingly digitised society, the development of computational thinking has become essential for everyone. Computational thinking is defined as a process of breaking down a problem into steps that are simple enough to understand, identifying solutions that can lead to automation. New generations should have the opportunity to develop this skill from early childhood, so future teachers need to develop the skills to create innovative learning contexts. This study explores the need for initial training of students majoring in elementary and early childhood education to create learning contexts that facilitate the development of students' computational thinking. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used to identify future teachers' perceptions of the need for initial student training to build the skills required to design learning settings that aid the advancement of computational thinking in toddlers and students. In terms of qualitative methods, the focus group method was used, discussing with students based on the questions How would you describe the concept of computational thinking? Can computational thinking be included in the teaching process? What types of activities could be carried out? As quantitative methods of data collection, a questionnaire survey was used, applying a questionnaire consisting of 24 items. The results showed that the introduction of a course based on computational thinking can significantly influence the way future teachers teach.

Impact of National Culture on the Transfer of Leadership Training

ABSTRACTOrganisations invest heavily in leadership training with the hope that managers will become better leaders. However, the success of these investments depends on the extent to which managers apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) they have acquired during their training to their job. Without this transfer, leadership training is ineffective. Despite extensive research on training transfer, there is a notable gap in understanding how national culture influences this process. This research aims to examine the impact of national culture on managers' ability to transfer leadership KSA in light of Hofstede's cultural theory. To achieve this, the focus group method was employed to gather qualitative data from 14 managers in Jordan; seven males and seven females. Thematic and narrative analyses confirmed the impact of national culture on training transfer. The six cultural dimensions have influenced the transfer of leadership training and, to a certain extent, shaped managers' organisational behaviour, regardless of gender. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of how deeply ingrained cultural values and practices can either facilitate or impede the application of new knowledge and skills in the workplace. For instance, high power distance in Jordanian organisations hinders initiative‐taking and training transfer, while collectivist values facilitate teamwork and knowledge sharing. High uncertainty avoidance poses challenges in handling new situations, and a focus on short‐term goals reflects a lower long‐term orientation. Additionally, the narratives illustrate varying experiences and outcomes of leadership training transfer, influenced by the interplay of characters, setting, and cultural context. These insights have significant implications for designing and implementing leadership training programmes in culturally diverse settings. Practical recommendations include fostering supportive leadership, implementing mentorship programmes, developing recognition and reward systems, and incorporating change management components. By integrating these findings, organisations can enhance the effectiveness of leadership training and achieve a better return on investment.

Barriers and Enablers in Prehospital Pediatric Analgesia

Objectives Children make up 5–10% of emergency medical services (EMS) transports and are at risk for under-recognition and under-treatment of pain. Prior studies have identified enablers to pediatric analgesia including EMS pediatric analgesia education, agency leadership support, the availability of assistive guides and having positive relationships with online medical control. Prior barriers identified were intravenous (IV) line insertion pain, caregiver concerns, difficulty assessing pain, pain medication safety concerns, unfamiliarity with pediatrics, unwanted attention from authority figures and perceived superiority of hospital care. This study’s objective was to evaluate enablers and barriers to prehospital analgesia for children presenting with traumatic pain after the introduction of intranasal (IN) fentanyl into EMS protocols. Methods Focus groups with EMS clinicians were used to elicit perspectives on pediatric analgesia. EMS clinicians discussed transports of children in pain, decision-making regarding analgesic administration, available resources to treat pain including EMS protocols, patient and family reactions, and ways to improve pediatric oligoanalgesia. Themes were explored until thematic saturation was reached using a deductive approach with open-ended yet structured questions. Results Enablers for pediatric analgesia included longer transports, desire to stabilize the patient, vital signs or injuries suggestive of severe pain, and clinician comfort with and availability of IN pain medication. Barriers to analgesia included concerns that the child was not stable enough for pain medication, avoiding masking symptoms prior to hospital arrival, lack of pediatric experience, lack of access to opiates in some ambulances, poor suspension in ambulances causing difficulty with IV access, patient refusal for an IV, caregivers’ discomfort with opiates and caregivers’ lack of knowledge of available prehospital medications. Focus group themes identified were that there was a lack of experience with pediatric patients, medical control was a helpful resource and training that approximated real-world situations was important. Conclusions New enablers for pediatric analgesia identified were longer transports and EMS clinician comfort with IN pain medications. While many barriers to pediatric analgesia persist, new barriers identified were poor suspension in ambulances causing difficulty with IV access and caregivers’ lack of knowledge of available prehospital medications. Additional EMS pediatric training and experience may improve pediatric oligoanalgesia.

The development of the National Council for Osteopathic Research - Research Network (NCOR-RN): A qualitative focus group study of osteopaths’ views

BackgroundPractice Based Research Networks (PBRNs) are groups of clinicians working with academic organisations to conduct research that answers questions relevant to clinical practice. A PBRN for osteopathy in the UK would be a suitable approach for the National Council for Osteopathic Research to achieve its mission statement of ‘developing a culture of research’. ObjectiveWe aimed to explore osteopaths’ views on the utility of creating a PBRN and to identify barriers and facilitators to their involvement in a PBRN. MethodsFocus groups were conducted as part of a free CPD day advertised nationally to all osteopaths to collect qualitative data. A reflexive thematic analysis framework was used to develop themes from the data. ResultsForty osteopaths took part in 5 focus groups conducted at three locations around the UK. Six themes were developed describing the utility, barriers, and facilitators to developing a PRBN for osteopathy: research experience, finance and time, developing osteopathy, insecurity and identity, integration into practice, and PBRN organisation. ConclusionsOsteopaths perceived a PBRN had the potential for increasing the evidence base for osteopathy, enhancing the status of the profession, and improving patient care. Various barriers and facilitators to their involvement with a PBRN were identified.

A qualitative exploration of nursing master's research supervision in a private higher education institution

BackgroundCompleting a Master's thesis is crucial for earning a master's degree and showcasing students' academic and professional skills. However, the process is often challenging owing to its solitary nature and the complexity of its supervisory relationships. PurposeThis study aimed to explore the experience of Nursing Master's Research Supervision and its impact on their thesis journey. DesignExploratory descriptive qualitative research design. Setting and participantsThe study was conducted at a private nursing institute in Islamabad, Pakistan, from January 2022 to May 2022. The study included 12 students enrolled in the Masters of Science in Nursing program. MethodsFocus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted online, using a semi-structured guide. Students were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were analysed using manual content analysis through a collaborative approach. Rigor was ensured using Lincoln and Guba's trustworthiness criteria. SRQR reporting guidelines were used. ResultsThe study explored graduate students' thesis supervision experiences and discovered six influential categories: “Expectations from Supervisor”, encompassing preceding knowledge and teaching perceptions; “Supervisor Accessibility”, involving physical access and cooperation; “Adverse Supervision Experience”, detailing challenging interactions; “Supervision Meeting Management”, addressing problem-solving and scheduling; “Assistance and Support”, covering collaboration, software, and resources; and “Suggestions”, offering guidance on thesis write-up and research committee roles. ConclusionThe study elucidated students' expectations about supervisor expertise, access difficulties, negative experiences, and the need for clear guidelines. Improved communication, defined roles, and increased support for thesis writing and assessment are crucial for satisfactory supervision. Further investigation of supervisors' viewpoints is advised.

Future of Jordanian traditional media in light of AI: A qualitative study

The research aims to investigate the prospective implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on traditional media, and to elucidate the conceptualization of AI within the discourse of media professionals, governmental and private media stakeholders in Jordan, alongside media scholars and IT experts. Employing the focus group method, a specialized interview tool distinguished by its purpose, design, and procedures, two distinct cohorts were engaged: media practitioners and officials on one hand, and academics and experts on the other. The investigation revealed the absence of a universally agreed upon terminology concerning AI, attributable to its nascent nature and rapid evolution. Notably, AI, leveraging its diverse and highly proficient tools, demonstrates significant potential for transformative impacts across various facets of the media landscape. These encompass the facilitation of exceptional content production, the empowerment of journalists to express their creative capacities, and substantial reductions in time, labor, and procedural overheads in media product development. Concurrently, the integration of AI within media environments is anticipated to pose formidable challenges to existing institutional frameworks. Additionally, the imperative of curriculum development in academic institutions, both public and private, is underscored to acquaint students with AI methodologies.

Professional and personal development of newly-qualified teachers as a factor in sustainable development of the region

Introduction. The article is devoted to the problem of newly-qualified teachers’ professional development. The aim of the study is to identify the difficulties of novice teachers during their adaptation in educational settings of the region and to substantiate the ways to improve the quality of initial teacher education in the system of continuous teacher education. Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the study consists of contextual biographical and cluster approaches. The contextual biographical approach involves studying teachers’ professional biographies in the system of continuing education, taking into account complex external conditions. The cluster approach defines the principles of interaction between various stakeholders within the regional community in order to ensure the sustainable development of the regional educational system. In order to achieve the research goal, the following methods were used: theoretical (analysis of scholarly literature, comparison, generalization) and empirical (online questionnaire, focus group method, method of independent expert assessments). Results. Based on the analysis of scholarly literature, the authors provide their definition of professional and personal teachers’ development as a basic component of their professional development during the period of initial teacher education and at the initial stage of professional development. The authors argued that the main difficulty of novice teachers during the adaptation period is their interaction with various subjects of the educational process at school - students and their parents. The article substantiates the necessity of creating a regional educational cluster as an effective mechanism for improving the quality of initial teacher education at different stages of continuous teacher education. Conclusions. Based on the authors’ idea about professional and personal development of teachers as a basic component of their professional development in the initial period of their working life, the study reveals the main difficulties of novice teachers during their adaptation in educational settings of the region, overcoming of which requires changes in the system of psychological, teacher and methods education at universities and colleges. As an effective mechanism for improving the quality of teacher education, the authors substantiated the idea of creating a pedagogical scientific and educational cluster in the region, which unites the participants of the territorial educational community interested in providing the regional education system with highly qualified teaching staff.

Words and Images Matter: Perspectives on Suicide, Mental Health Concerns and Alcohol and Other Drug Use Depiction.

The way in which topics like suicide, mental health concerns and alcohol and other drug use are communicated matters. It has the potential to have either a positive or negative impact on people and communities, particularly those with a lived experience of these concerns. This article draws on the findings of a qualitative study designed to explore the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders on the imagery and language used to depict suicide, mental health concerns or alcohol and other drug use. The focus group method was used as a form of participatory action research to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences and views of those who use or are impacted by language and imagery about suicide, mental ill-health and AOD use, including those with lived experiences of these topics. A series of 10 focus groups were created in February and March 2022 with media and other professional communicators; people identifying as having a lived experience of suicide, mental ill-health or alcohol and other drug use; mental health and suicide prevention sector professionals; and people from priority populations (n = 49). From these focus groups, principles were developed as well as exemplars of helpful and less helpful depictions. Rather than prescriptive or static rules, the participants indicated that safe representations require an ongoing engagement with the principle of "do no harm". A positive conclusion arose-that words and images have the potential to promote help-seeking, challenge stigma or stereotypes and create change.

SDGs-centric approach to strategic planning of community development

The research of the community growth and the formation of strategies for their development in the context of an approach focused on achieving sus­tainable development goals have been conduc­ted. The problems of the sustainable community deve­lopment and their crucial understanding of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at all levels of management have been considered. The research is based on the hypothesis that taking into account the features of the Central Development Center approach to the strategic planning of the community development in Ukraine will lead to the improvement of sustainable development indicators at the current stage of the community growth and the sustainable development of Ukraine. Such research methods were used, as: assessment of qualitative, quantitative and social indicators, as well as methods of positional analysis, focus groups, diagnostic interviews, ex­pert assessments, measurement and comparison, system analysis and modeling. The basic concepts and components of sustainable development were analyzed. It has been proposed to define the features of the Central Development Center-cen­tered approach to the strategic planning of com­munity development. The role of intersectoral cooperation between local authorities, business and civil society in the context of achieving the SDGs was considered in detail. The article focuses on the integration of environmental, social and economic aspects into strategic planning, and ex­plores the problems and challenges faced by communities in implementing these approaches. The importance of building the institutional capa­city of communities for the effective imple­men­tation of the SDGs and their adaptation to the changing conditions of the post-war period was sepa­rately emphasized. Recommendations were given for improving the methods of monitoring and evaluating the SDGs achievement at the local level. It is substantiated that only in the presence of a high-quality strategy, joint efforts and mutual understanding of all stakeholders it is possible to achieve the goal of "rebuilding better than it was". It was emphasized that the reconstruction of the country should be carried out by joint efforts, on the basis of transparency, innovation and strategic vision. The leadership role of communities in the Ukrainian post-war reconstruction was defined, the significance of state regional policy and the Road Map adoption of decentralization, as well as the consideration of the need to achieve the sustainable development goals in communities, were revealed. The ranking of the sustainable deve­lop­ment goals for the communities of Vinnytsia was carried out

Promoting social-inclusion: Adapting and refining a school participation and connectedness intervention for neurodiverse children in UK primary schools

BackgroundEducation systems on an international basis have experienced an increase of neurodiverse students in mainstream schools. Such students can experience a deficit in school connectedness which restricts inclusive participation. In My Shoes is an intervention programme developed in Australia to support the inclusion of pupils with autism in primary school settings. This study aimed to adapt this programme for delivery in UK primary schools and widen it to encompass all neurodiverse pupils. MethodsFocus groups of key stakeholders (Pupils, Parents, Teachers and Senior Leaders) explored and shared perspectives on the In My Shoes programme with regard to adapting and refining it for delivery in UK primary schools. Focus group data were analysed using a thematic approach. ResultsFive themes emerged from the data focusing upon materials, curriculum, context, duration, and whole-school approach. Linking the intervention to the PSHE curriculum for delivery was a key finding. ConclusionsAll key stakeholder groups found the programme beneficial to school connectedness and participation. They contributed to adaptations necessary to widen intervention to encompass all neurodiverse children and for deployment in UK primary schools. The biggest endorsement came from the pupil groups that were most enthusiastic about the intervention, who demonstrated an understanding and a relation to the concepts of the programme. Following revisions to the materials and adaptations suggested by stakeholders, a small feasibility study will be conducted with neurodiverse pupils and their typically developing peers across mainstream year 4 and year 5 classrooms (age 8-10 year olds) in the UK.

Household Economy and its Relation to Household Head and Women: A Study Among the Tangkhuls in Kangpokpi District, Manipur

The household economy is the collective sociocultural of managing resources and economic activities within households or families. A household economy is a fundamental unit of analysis in anthropological studies of economic systems, as it provides insights into how people manage their livelihoods within different cultural contexts. The present study attempted to investigate the relationship between household income and the role of household heads and women in income generation in the context of the Tangkhul of Kangpokpi District, Manipur. Using a mixed methods approach, including surveys, interviews and focus group discussions, the study examines the economic practices of households engaged in shifting cultivation and how household heads and women contribute to income generation. The finding reveals the significant contribution of women to household economic activities and the interplay between gender roles and household heads in the Tangkhul community. The Tangkhul is a patriarchal society, although women enjoy substantial freedom and play an important role in family and community life. The study highlights the need for a more detailed understanding of economic practices and the role of gender in shaping household income in rural communities. The insight gained from this research can inform policies and interventions aimed at livelihood and reducing poverty in rural areas.

“I’m committed, not addicted.”: College students’ identity and communication about vaping

Objective Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon, and trends in social vaping behaviors are developing. The current study describes and explains how communication surrounding vaping shapes different aspects of a college student’s identity. Participants Twenty-seven male and female college students at a large Midwestern university were recruited to participate in five focus groups. Methods Focus group findings were interpreted through the lens of the communication theory of identity. Results College students’ communication of identity was manifest in the personalization of vaping devices, selling vaping devices as a relational activity, the social aspects of vaping addiction, the facetious language surrounding vaping, and perceptions of vaping tricks as “cringe.” Conclusions The findings revealed narrow perceptions of acceptable identities for users of vaping devices. Participants avoided labels of “being addicted” and leveraged discursive strategies such as humor, facetious language, othering, and re-framing behavior to fit a desirable identity.

Skip The Dip For Urinary Tract Infection in over 65s. A National Initiative To Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing In Older Persons

Abstract Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common reason for antibiotic use in older persons in residential care. Dipstick urinalysis for UTI is an ingrained practice. Inappropriate use of dipstick urinalysis can lead to inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, contributing to adverse effects and antimicrobial resistance. The ‘Skip the Dip for UTI in over 65s’ quality improvement initiative (QI) aims to raise awareness of best practice for diagnosis and management of suspected UTI to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. It supports implementation of national guidance stating dipstick urinalysis is not recommended for assessment of evidence of UTI in people 65 years and over. Methods Focus groups with nursing staff in older persons residential care facilities (OPRCFs) identified barriers and facilitators for implementing national guidance on dipstick urinalysis for UTI. Supporting resources developed included a resident leaflet on UTI, staff handbook and webinar recording, hosted on www.antibioticprescribing.ie. Antimicrobial pharmacists delivered workshops on improving assessment of suspected UTI in the HSE OPRCFs from September 2023 to March 2024. Monthly monitoring of antibiotic use for UTI was established in all 119 HSE OPRCFs. Surveys to establish dipstick urinalysis practice in the OPRCFs were administered in March 2023 and March 2024. Results A baseline survey in 2020/21 indicated 98% HSE OPRCFs (133/135) performed dipstick urinalysis for residents with symptoms of UTI, reducing to 53% (57/107) in March 2023, and 24% (25/103) in March 2024 following this QI. Prevalence of antibiotics for treatment of UTI in the HSE OPRCFs decreased by 38%, from a baseline of 2.6% (114/4,446 residents) in 2020/21, to 1.6% (66/4,222 residents) in March 2024. Conclusion The ‘Skip the Dip for UTI in over 65s’ QI has resulted in a change in practice, with the majority of HSE OPRCFs now reporting dipstick urinalysis is not performed for UTI assessment, with a considerable reduction in antibiotics prescribed for UTIs.

Exploring the Perceptions of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, Working in the Acute Hospital Setting, of Communication of Older Adults' Rehabilitation

Abstract Background As the ageing population continue to rise with this comes an increase in `geriatric syndromes' such as gait, balance or cognitive issues as well as the implications of frailty. Hospitalisation amongst older adults can often see risks such as deconditioning, delirium and losing independence. The role of rehabilitation for older adults becomes key to restoring one’s ability to live independently but can often be impacted by medical or cognitive status, communication and resources within the acute hospital setting. Issues such as uncertainty around goals or abilities as well as lack of resources can mean terms such as `rehabilitation potential' can impact on communication of rehabilitation. Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists frequently communicate with patients, their families and carers as well as the wider multidisciplinary team about older adults’ rehabilitation. Methods Focus groups were conducted among physiotherapists and occupational therapists, who worked in acute hospital settings in Ireland, to explore their perceptions of communication of older adults' rehabilitation. Results Nineteen therapists were recruited across five focus groups, which identified a number of themes around communication of older adults’ rehabilitation. Participants reported on communication strategies such as building rapport and using meaningful goals with older adults' rehabilitation. Participants discussed the rehabilitative journey through the acute setting and the impact of 'rehabilitation potential', resources as well as cognitive and medical status on communication of rehabilitation. Further training on communication were highlighted by participants as an area for future development. Conclusion Communication plays a key role in older adults' rehabilitation and can often be complicated by resources, time and pressures of the acute hospital setting. Multidisciplinary training could play a role in addressing how communication can enhance older adults' rehabilitation.

Clinical supervision, a reflective intervention to support new graduate nurses and midwives enhance their person-centredness: qualitative evaluation

Person-centred care is an international healthcare priority. Strategies are needed to support nurses and midwives to understand the meaning of person-centredness and support them to embed this philosophy into practice. Clinical supervision has been proposed as a strategy to support this but requires more evidence. The aim of this research was to evaluate a newly developed model of clinical supervision, underpinned by person-centred practice theory, to enhance the person-centred practices of new graduate nurses and midwives. Design: Qualitative study (embedded within a mixed methods study) using focus groups Methods: Group, online clinical supervision (named C.A.R.E.) underpinned by the Person-centred Practice Framework was provided to 103 new graduate nurses and midwives once per month for one hour, over six months. The researchers used [Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Thematic analysis; A practical guide. SAGE]. Thematic Analysis to analyse data. Results: Twenty one participated in the qualitative evaluation. Four themes were identified (1) Person-centredness in Action (person-centredness experienced and delivered by the new graduates) (2) Enhancing the Transitioning Toolkit (professional and personal growth as an outcome of reflection and learning together) (3) The Transitioning Environment (care environment and C.A.R.E. environment) and (4) Challenges to C.A.R.E. (team and organisation, and personal). Conclusion: This supportive safe space allowed new graduates to explore their and other’s practices, in relation to person-centred practice theory. Through sharing their experiences, they increased their knowledge and confidence to incorporate new learning into their own practice. This clinical supervision model underpinned by the Person-centred Practice Framework provides person-centred benefits to the new graduates, patients and families. However, without organisational support the benefits will not be realised.