Group Concept Mapping Research Articles

Identifying patient-valued outcomes for use in early phase trials of ocular surface disease interventions

BackgroundPatient-reported outcomes (PROs) can be used to evaluate the impact of dry eye symptoms (DES) on daily life. Early-phase clinical trials provide an opportunity to evaluate PRO strategies. Existing measures identified through systematic review omitted important concepts that mattered to patients. The aim of our work was to develop a conceptual map of DES and assess the relative importance of identified concepts. MethodsWeb-based group concept mapping software was used to develop a conceptual map. This semi-quantitative mixed-methods approach consists of three stages 1) statement generation, 2) thematic sorting, 3) rating of statements for importance [1 (not important), 2 (important), 3 (very important)] and relevance [1 (not my experience), 2 (sometimes my experience); 3 (definitely my experience)]. Thirty-nine participants were recruited from two UK-based patient support groups (British Sjögren's Syndrome Association, PemFriends). Three withdrew, two for health reasons and one struggled with the web-based format. Results125 statements and six thematic clusters were generated. The Environmental Impacts cluster scored highest for importance (2.45), followed by Pain and Discomfort (2.35), Eye Treatments (2.32), Daily Impact (2.07), Psychosocial Issues (1.78) and Miscellaneous (1.78). Mapping statements against existing PRO measures confirmed a number of important missing issues including the impact of ‘UV levels’ (2.50), hot dry weather (2.33), the temporal aspects of pain (2.64), and issues with night-driving (2.59). ConclusionsGroup concept mapping identified important issues for people living with DES not currently captured by existing PROs, highlighting the need for additional PRO items to be considered for use in clinical trials.

Copenhagen Diabetes Consensus (CODIAC) 2021: User involvement in diabetes care, prevention and research.

User involvement is pivotal for health development, but there are significant gaps in our understanding of the concept. The Copenhagen Diabetes Consensus on User Involvement in Diabetes Care, Prevention and Research (CODIAC) was established to address these gaps, share knowledge and develop best practices. A literature review of user involvement was undertaken in diabetes care, prevention and research. Moreover, a Group Concept Mapping (GCM) survey synthesized the knowledge and opinions of researchers, healthcare professionals and people with diabetes and their carers to identify gaps between what is important for user involvement and what is being done in practice. Finally, a consensus conference discussed the main gaps in knowledge and practice while developing plans to address the shortcomings. The literature review demonstrated that user involvement is an effective strategy for diabetes care, prevention and research, given the right support and conditions, but gaps and key challenges regarding the value and impact of user involvement approaches were found. The GCM process identified 11 major gaps, where important issues were not being sufficiently practised. The conference considered these gaps and opportunities to develop new collaborative initiatives under eight overall themes. User involvement is effective and adds value to diabetes care, prevention and research when used under the right circumstances. CODIAC developed new learning about the way in which academic and research knowledge can be transferred to more practice-oriented knowledge and concrete collaborative initiatives. This approach may be a potential new framework for initiatives in which coherence of process can lead to coherent outputs.

Use of Adolescent "Community Researchers" to Address Obesity Among Mexican Immigrant Families.

Background: Mexican-American immigrants have a disparate prevalence of overweight/obesity, and obesogenic illness. One approach is to train immigrant adolescents as "community researchers." Aims: (1) Design a program to train community researchers to address obesity among Mexican immigrant families and (2) identify the key components of a successful program. Methods: The content included an overview of community research/citizen science; obesity and food insecurity; study design and data collection and analysis for nutrition and physical activity. The students concluded by analyzing the results of group concept mapping (GCM) activities. Results: Post-session class discussions reflected an increased understanding of weekly topics. Analysis of GCM data suggests that members of the Mexican immigrant community may use emotional eating as a way to manage structural stigma, eventually leading to truncal obesity, T2DM and increased cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: Adolescents of Mexican heritage can have a major impact in promoting healthy lifestyles in their communities.

Challenges Faced by Jesuit Worldwide Learning Students: Piloting a Mixed Methods Investigation

In 2017 a Creighton University Global Initiative grant provided 20 scholarships in its online B.S. in Leadership Studies for Jesuit Worldwide Learning graduates of the Diploma in Liberal Studies. In 2018-19 the first cohort of scholarship students living in Afghanistan and Jordan were enrolled at Creighton University (CU). In spring 2019, three Creighton University students collaborated with two of the co-authors to develop and to implement a research project to explore barriers faced by Jesuit Worldwide Learning students enrolled in Creighton’s B.S. program. The purpose of this project was to test if Group Concept Mapping, a mixed methods research approach integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, combined with the analysis of narrative course evaluations and interview texts with students, faculty, and staff adopting the Grounded Theory approach can lead to insights that further our understanding of barriers and struggles faced by Jesuit Worldwide Learning students and their instructors, can help strengthen institutional gaps in international learning, and can be used for a future study. The process and the results strongly suggest that the methodology is indeed appropriate to systematically study this or a related research question.

Diyabet Bilgi Düzeyinin Artırılmasında Kavram Haritası ile Geleneksel Anlatıma Dayalı Öğretim Yönteminin Karşılaştırılması

Purpose: This study aims to compare the effects of the traditional and concept mapping methods on knowledge levels of the nursing students on diabetes. Methods: This pretest posttest semi-experimental study was conducted on 56 second grade nursing students randomly assigned into two groups of 28 people. The intervention group was taught through concept mapping method, while the control group was taught using traditional method. Categorical variables were compared by using chi-square test whereas the age of the participants was evaluated by using t-test. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon test, Mann Whitney U test or Friedman test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the pretest scores of the intervention and the control groups on diabetes knowledge (p=0.941). However, following the lectures, median values of the intervention group was statistically significantly higher than the control group (p=0.001). Comparison of the scores obtained by the concept mapping and traditional learning groups from the pretest, second test and final test showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). Conclusions: In achieving th elevel of nursing students’ learning in Diabet, it seems that the concept mapping method was more effective than the traditional method. In conclusion that concept mapping as the educational method could encourage a group of nursing students knowledge of diabetes, which might ultimately result in beter nursing care quality.

A group concept mapping and ethnographic study of intensive care rehabilitation culture.

Early physical activity and physical rehabilitation are advocated in the critical care unit for patients recovering from critical illness. Despite this, there are still many factors associated with implementation of early physical rehabilitation into routine critical care and practice. One such factor that has been consistently identified is unit culture, yet there is little understanding of how or why the culture of a critical care unit impacts on implementation of early rehabilitation. To develop a detailed understanding of the cultural barriers and enablers to the promotion and implementation of physical activity and early mobilization in National Health Service (NHS) critical care units in the United Kingdom (UK). A mixed-methods, two-phase study incorporating online group concept mapping (GCM) and ethnography. GCM will be conducted to provide a multistakeholder co-authored conceptual framework of rehabilitation culture. Ethnographic observations and interviews will be conducted of culture and behaviours in relation to the implementation and promotion of early physical activity and rehabilitation in two NHS critical care units in the North East of England. The results of the Group Concept Mapping and ethnographic observations and interviews will be triangulated to develop a contextual framework of rehabilitation culture in critical care. This study will provide a detailed understanding of barriers and facilitators in relation to providing a positive rehabilitation culture in the critical care unit.

Perception of smart sustainable cities: a conceptual framework development using group concept mapping method

Perception of smart sustainable cities: a conceptual framework development using group concept mapping method

Evaluating the Impact of a Paediatric Burn Club for Children and Families Using Group Concept Mapping

Access to burn camps and clubs is cited as an essential element for children following a burn injury. In the Northern Regional Burns Service, this takes the form of a club run by a multidisciplinary team, offering residential camps and family day trips. In this service evaluation, Group Concept Mapping was used to evaluate the perception of the club by staff, children and families. Opportunistic sampling was used to seek responses to the following prompts: “The challenges for children and families after a burn injury are…” and “The role of The Grafters Club is…”. The results indicate that participants perceived the club to be effective at addressing body image and confidence issues for the children but highlighted an unmet parental expectation that the club would also facilitate the sharing of experiences, normalisation of emotional reactions, and processing of guilt and other psychological distress for parents. When taken concurrently with pre-existing evidence in the literature base, it is proposed that a club model of psychosocial support for children and families could provide an accessible and informal opportunity for parental support that may be less subject to barriers perceived with traditional formal psychological support.

Perspectives on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness from brain injury: group concept mapping study across clinic, research, and families

BackgroundAn effective healthcare system depends on clinic, research, and patient/relatives interactions. Such interactions may at their core be challenged by misalignments of concepts and the practices that constitute them. The concept of consciousness and what is experienced and understood as signs of consciousness in patients with severe acquired brain injury is one of these potential areas of misalignment. Different perspectives and experiences of consciousness are challenging the delivery of care and the high-stake decision-making process on the potential withdrawal of treatment. The enhanced uncertainties call for reflections on how key stakeholders perceive and identify consciousness in current clinical encounters and practice.MethodsThe study empirically explores the actual experiences and conceptions of consciousness concerning patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) from the perspectives of researchers, health professionals, and relatives of patients, to understand the challenges of the diversity of understandings of consciousness. Engaging the stakeholders by employing Group Concept Mapping methodology, the study developed a situated conceptual map, which reflects nuances and the importance of perspectives on and signs of consciousness.ResultsTwenty-seven participants contributed to the generation of ideas, 14 took part in the structuring of statements and 10 took part in the validation meeting to interpret the cluster rating map. A total of 85 unique statements were identified and organized into six clusters: (1) Presence, (2) Intentional Activity, (3) Experience of self, (4) Participation in Social Interaction, (5) (Repeated) Response, and (6) Unspecific Reaction. The conceptual mapping demonstrates an extensive overlap in perspectives on consciousness among participants, prioritizing signs that are observable at the bedside.ConclusionsThe study provides a first step toward a future framework for the difficult process of decision-making concerning a segment of patients with DoC. The study highlights the importance of repeatable signs of consciousness observed at the bedside and the patient’s ability to participate in social interactions, while also considering the importance of non-clinically observable signs of consciousness.

Domains of professional fulfillment for pediatric hospital medicine: A concept mapping study.

We know little about how pediatric hospital medicine(PHM) physicians conceptualize their professional fulfillment (PF). The objective of this study was to determine how PHM physicians conceptualize PF. The objective of this study was to determine how PHM physicians conceptualize PF. We performed a single-site group concept mapping (GCM) study to create a stakeholder-informed model of PHM PF. We followed established GCM steps. For brainstorming, PHM physicians responded to a prompt to generate ideas describing the concept of PHM PF. Next, PHM physicians sorted the ideas based on conceptual relatedness and ranked them on importance. Responses were analyzed to create point cluster maps where each idea represented one point, and point proximity illustrated how often ideas were sorted together. Using an iterative and consensus-driven approach, we selected a cluster map best representing the ideas. Mean rating scores for all the items in each cluster were calculated. Sixteen PHM physicians identified 90 unique ideas related to PHM PF. The final cluster map described ninedomains for PHM PF: (1) work personal-fit, (2) people-centered climate, (3) divisional cohesion and collaboration, (4) supportive and growth-oriented environment, (5) feeling valued and respected, (6) confidence, contribution, and credibility, (7) meaningful teaching and mentoring, (8) meaningful clinical work, and (9) structures to facilitate effective patient care. The domains with the highest and lowest importance ratings were divisional cohesion and collaboration and meaningful teaching and mentoring. Domains of PF for PHM physicians extend beyond existing PF models, particularly the importance of teaching and mentoring.

A Competency Framework for Health Research Ethics Educational Programs: Results from a Stakeholder-Driven Mixed-Method Process.

Educational programs are integral to building health research ethics (HRE) capacity, but no outcomes framework exists to guide them. We empirically developed a competency framework for health research ethics education-the Framework for Research Ethics Studies Competencies and Outcomes (FRESCO)-using mixed methods, including group concept mapping and a survey of international experts. FRESCO includes seven competency domains: (1) Foundational Knowledge; (2) Laws, Regulations, Guidelines, and Policies for Research Oversight; (3) Ethical-Issue Identification, Analysis, and Resolution; (4) Engagement, Communication, and Advocacy; (5) Lifelong Learning, Education, Research, and Scholarship; (6) Coordination, Stewardship, and Responsiveness in HRE Systems; and (7) Impartiality, Honesty, and Responsibility. These domains are detailed in 27 subdomains. Survey respondents rated FRESCO's relevance to HRE highly. FRESCO can be adapted and implemented in educational programs to refine recruitment and selection processes, educational and assessment methods, and performance measures to ensure that HRE educational programs have their intended effects.

Conceptualizing Indigenous strengths-based health and wellness research using group concept mapping

BackgroundIn recent years public health research has shifted to more strengths or asset-based approaches to health research but there is little understanding of what this concept means to Indigenous researchers. Therefore our purpose was to define an Indigenous strengths-based approach to health and well-being research.MethodsUsing Group Concept Mapping, Indigenous health researchers (N = 27) participated in three-phases. Phase 1: Participants provided 218 unique responses to the focus prompt “Indigenous Strengths-Based Health and Wellness Research…” Redundancies and irrelevant statements were removed using content analysis, resulting in a final set of 94 statements. Phase 2: Participants sorted statements into groupings and named these groupings. Participants rated each statement based on importance using a 4-point scale. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to create clusters based on how statements were grouped by participants. Phase 3: Two virtual meetings were held to share and invite researchers to collaboratively interpret results. ResultsA six-cluster map representing the meaning of Indigenous strengths-based health and wellness research was created. Results of mean rating analysis showed all six clusters were rated on average as moderately important.ConclusionsThe definition of Indigenous strengths-based health research, created through collaboration with leading AI/AN health researchers, centers Indigenous knowledges and cultures while shifting the research narrative from one of illness to one of flourishing and relationality. This framework offers actionable steps to researchers, public health practitioners, funders, and institutions to promote relational, strengths-based research that has the potential to promote Indigenous health and wellness at individual, family, community, and population levels.

Comparison lecture and concept map methods on the level of learning and satisfaction in puerperal sepsis education of midwifery students: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundEducation and training about emergency cases are necessary for different medical groups such as midwives. Teaching puerperal sepsis is important for midwives. The teaching method is one of the challenges of the educational system in universities. This study was conducted to compare lecture and concept map methods on the level of learning and satisfaction in puerperal sepsis education of midwifery students.MethodThis semi-experimental study was conducted in 2022 at Ardabil Nursing and Midwifery School on 50 midwifery students. Students randomly were placed in lecture and concept map teaching groups. To collect data, a 23-question satisfaction questionnaire and a 15-question test taken from the WHO books on the management of puerperal sepsis were used to check students' knowledge and learning. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and independent and paired t-test SPSS software.FindingsThe average learning score of the students after teaching in the concept map group was 10.28 ± 1.90 and the lecture group 9.20 ± 1.70, the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.04). The average satisfaction score in the concept map group was 107.92 ± 4.46 and in the lecture group 105.68 ± 6.84, this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03).ConclusionThe teaching of puerperal sepsis with the concept map method had a greater effect on the learning and satisfaction of midwifery students. Therefore, it is recommended to use this educational method.

An Exploration of Critical Care Professionals' Strategies to Enhance Daily Implementation of the Assess, Prevent, and Manage Pain; Both Spontaneous Awakening and Breathing Trials; Choice of Analgesia and Sedation; Delirium Assess, Prevent, and Manage; Early Mobility and Exercise; and Family Engagement and Empowerment: A Group Concept Mapping Study.

Mixed-methods group concept mapping over 8 months using an online method. Participants provided strategies in response to a prompt about what was needed for successful daily ABCDEF bundle implementation. Responses were summarized into a set of unique statements and then rated on a 5-point scale on degree of necessity (essential) and degree to which currently used. Sixty-eight academic, community, and federal ICUs. A total of 121 ICU professionals consisting of frontline and leadership professionals. None. A final set of 76 strategies (reduced from 188 responses) were suggested: education (16 strategies), collaboration (15 strategies), processes and protocols (13 strategies), feedback (10 strategies), sedation/pain practices (nine strategies), education (eight strategies), and family (five strategies). Nine strategies were rated as very essential but infrequently used: adequate staffing, adequate mobility equipment, attention to (patient's) sleep, open discussion and collaborative problem solving, nonsedation methods to address ventilator dyssynchrony, specific expectations for night and day shifts, education of whole team on interdependent nature of the bundle, and effective sleep protocol. In this concept mapping study, ICU professionals provided strategies that spanned a number of conceptual implementation clusters. Results can be used by ICU leaders for implementation planning to address context-specific interdisciplinary approaches to improve ABCDEF bundle implementation.

A consensus approach: Understanding the support needs of women in Newport West, Wales, to participate in breast screening.

Breast screening is an effective way to improve the early detection of breast cancer and reduce mortality. Unfortunately, low uptake of screening is often reported. This study aimed to explore the support needs of women residing in Newport West, Wales, to participate in breast screening. Group Concept Mapping, a structured participatory consensus approach, was used as the method. Participants completed three activities either online or offline: brainstorming to generate statements, sorting statements into themed categories; rating statements for perceived importance and accessibility (easy to get). Thirty-seven participants from seven ethnic groups took part. Sixty-three statements (items of support) were generated and sorted into seven conceptually similar clusters (themes) (Trusting that I will be respected; Reassurance about my experience; Accessibility and convenience; Practical support; Addressing cultural diversity; Information tailored to individual needs; Raising awareness and understanding of breast screening). The 'Trusting that I will be respected' cluster was rated most important, while the 'Practical support' cluster was rated least accessible. Some disparity between responses was found based on ethnicity, language, disability and previous attendance of breast screening. Women require a range of support to participate in breast screening. The results highlight the importance of ensuring women feel and are respected, instilling trust in the staff performing the screening, offering reassurance about positive experiences of breast screening and providing practical support, especially individualized/targeted support for people who do not speak and/or read English and those with a disability. The public contributed to the development of the information sheet, consent form, recruitment and data collection method.

Exploring actors' perceptions of the precision agriculture innovation system – A Group Concept Mapping approach in Germany and Switzerland

Precision Agriculture Technologies (PATs) promise to enhance productivity and foster sustainability. However, attempts to explain the low adoption of PATs, particularly in Europe, lack attention to the role of shared understanding of PATs among actors in the development and diffusion of this innovation. To uncover what could guide the emergence of a collective understanding of PATs, we explore how the actors comprising the nascent innovation system perceive PATs and how they perceive possibilities for influencing the precision agriculture innovation system. We utilize the mixed-method approach of Group Concept Mapping to uncover (in)congruences in relation to PAT perceptions of farmers from Germany and Switzerland vis-à-vis other stakeholders in the innovation system. We found that negative perceptions of the economic and social aspects of PATs are a source of discrepancies among the actors. Conversely, positive perceptions of the prospective value propositions of PATs seem to be a point of coherence. We argue that the maturity of the innovation system thus depends on the further alignment of such perceptions as well as the realization of the innovation's value proposition. Both practitioners and policymakers could strengthen the innovation system of PATs, with the help of intermediaries, through aligning perceptions of challenges and value propositions.

Integrating higher degree education with practice: exploring the value proposition of executive MBA apprenticeships

PurposeThe study aims to explore how the collective representations of stakeholders associated with an Executive MBA (EMBA) apprenticeship are conceptualised, and what value elements are perceived as relevant for personal, professional and organisational development.Design/methodology/approachForty stakeholders participated in a mixed methods-based group concept mapping (GCM) approach, representing the tripartite relationship of an EMBA apprenticeship. This approach allowed the deconstruction and shared understanding of the value proposition of higher degree apprenticeships.FindingsAnalysis identified seven conceptualised value clusters around an eight central cluster “Professional Development”. Two regions of meaning were identified: the personal dimensions of apprentices and their contribution within and to their organisation. Findings showed that a work-based designed curriculum improves confidence and communication skills and that much of the value proposition is personal and self-managed by the apprentices. The tripartite relationship was shown to be incomplete and inconsistent, particularly regarding mentoring and reflective practice.Practical implicationsThe pandemic has brought about significant changes in business practice. This study identifies several areas for improving higher degree apprenticeship pedagogy in readiness for the new business landscape, as well as identifying limitations of the tripartite relationship.Originality/valueThe study addresses a gap in the literature by exploring the value proposition an EMBA apprenticeship programme. The interrelatedness of cluster concepts has identified value elements missing from previous apprenticeship delivery. Deconstructing the senior leader apprenticeship enables educators to redesign and refine models of engagement for improving the apprenticeship experience.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Magnetic Resonance-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Painful Bone Metastases in Europe, A Group Concept Mapping Study.

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) is an innovative treatment for patients with painful bone metastases. The adoption of MR-HIFU will be influenced by several factors beyond its effectiveness. To identify contextual factors affecting the adoption of MR-HIFU, we conducted a group concept mapping (GCM) study in four European countries. The GCM was conducted in two phases. First, the participants brainstormed statements guided by the focus prompt "One factor that may influence the uptake of MR-HIFU in clinical practice is...". Second, the participants sorted statements into categories and rated the statements according to their importance and changeability. To generate a concept map, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis were conducted, and average ratings for each (cluster of) factors were calculated. Forty-five participants contributed to phase I and/or II (56% overall participation rate). The resulting concept map comprises 49 factors, organized in 12 clusters: "competitive treatments", "physicians' attitudes", "alignment of resources", "logistics and workflow", "technical disadvantages", "radiotherapy as first-line therapy", "aggregating knowledge and improving awareness", "clinical effectiveness", "patients' preferences", "reimbursement", "cost-effectiveness" and "hospital costs". The factors identified echo those from the literature, but their relevance and interrelationship are case-specific. Besides evidence on clinical effectiveness, contextual factors from 10 other clusters should be addressed to support adoption of MR-HIFU.

Identifying and prioritising the key components of a Quality Improvement Network for allied health professionals and psychological therapists: a group concept mapping project

IntroductionDespite growing enthusiasm for quality improvement (QI), the complexities of modern healthcare continue to create gaps in our ability to consistently deliver the most effective and efficient care for patients,...

Priority skills for equity-focused, evidence-based cancer control in community-based organizations: A group concept mapping analysis with academics and practitioners.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) are important equity-promoting delivery channels for evidence-based interventions (EBIs). However, CBO practitioners often cannot access needed support to build EBI skills. Additionally, the capacity-building literature is hindered by inconsistent definitions, limited use of validated measures, and an emphasis on the perspectives of EBI developers versus implementers. To address these gaps, we explored commonalities and differences between CBO practitioners and academics in conceptualizing and prioritizing core EBI skills. We utilized Group Concept Mapping, a mixed-methods approach connecting qualitative data (e.g., regarding the range of critical EBI skills) and quantitative data (e.g., sorting and ranking data regarding unique skills) to create conceptual maps integrating perspectives from diverse participants. A total of 34 practitioners and 30 academics working with cancer inequities participated in the study. Participants nominated 581 core skills for EBI use, and our team (including practitioners and academics) identified 98 unique skills from this list. Participants sorted them into conceptual groups, yielding five clusters: (1) using data and evaluation, (2) selecting and adapting EBIs, (3) connecting with community members, (4) building diverse and equitable partnerships, and (5) managing EBI implementation. The ordering of importance and presence of skill clusters were similar across groups. Overall, importance was rated higher than presence, suggesting capacity gaps. There are helpful commonalities between practitioners' and academics' views of core EBI skills in CBOs and apparent capacity gaps. However, underlying patterns suggest that differences between the groups' perceptions warrant further exploration.