Interview-based Study Research Articles

The Power of Digital Communication in Scaling Remote Engineering Teams: An Interview-Based Study on Cultural Diversity and Challenges in Telecommuting

The Power of Digital Communication in Scaling Remote Engineering Teams: An Interview-Based Study on Cultural Diversity and Challenges in Telecommuting

Physician awareness of fluid volume administered with intravenous antibiotics - a structured interview-based study.

Fluids administered as drug diluents with intravenous (IV) medicine constitute a substantial fraction of fluids in inpatients. Are physicians aware of fluid volumes administered with IV antibiotics for patients with suspected infections? Does addressing this lead to adjustments in 24-hour fluid administration/antibiotics? This cross-sectional interview-based study was conducted in three emergency departments. Physicians were interviewed after prescribing around-the-clock IV antibiotics for ³24 hours to patients with suspected infection. A structured interview guide assessed the physicians' awareness, considerations, and practices when prescribing IV antibiotics. The 24-hour antibiotic fluid volume was calculated. We interviewed 100 physicians. The 24-hour fluid volume administered with IV antibiotics was 400mL (interquartile range: 300-400). Totally, 53% of physicians (n=53) were unaware of the fluid volume administered with IV antibiotics. 76% (n=76) did not account for the antibiotic fluid volume in the 24-hour fluid administration. 96% (n=96) indicated that they would not adjust prescribed fluids after receiving information about 24-hour antibiotic fluid volume administered for their specific patient; no comorbidities associated with fluid intolerance was primary reason for not adjusting prescribed fluids/antibiotics. 79% (n=79) opted for visibility of fluid volumes administered with IV antibiotics in the medical record. The majority of physicians were unaware of fluid volumes administered as a drug diluent with IV antibiotics. The majority chose not to make post-prescribing adjustments to their planned fluid administration; they regarded their patient as fluid tolerable. The physicians opted for visibility of fluid volumes administered as diluents during the prescribing process.

Examining Communication Patterns in a Construction Setting: An Interview-Based Study

Examining Communication Patterns in a Construction Setting: An Interview-Based Study

Leaders’ experiences of embedding a simulation-based education programme in a teaching hospital: an interview study informed by normalisation process theory

There is limited research on the experiences of people in working to embed, integrate and sustain simulation programmes. This interview-based study explored leaders’ experiences of normalising a simulation-based education programme in a teaching hospital. Fourteen known simulation leaders across Australia and North America were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis sensitised by normalisation process theory, an implementation science theory which defines ‘normal’ as something being embedded, integrated and sustained. We used a combined social and experiential constructivist approach. Four themes were generated from the data: (1) Leadership, (2) business startup mindset, (3) poor understanding of simulation undermines normalisation and (4) tension of competing objectives. These themes were interlinked and represented how leaders experienced the process of normalising simulation. There was a focus on the relationships that influence decision-making of simulation leaders and organisational buy-in, such that what started as a discrete programme becomes part of normal hospital operations. The discourse of ‘survival’ was strong, and this indicated that simulation being normal or embedded and sustained was still more a goal than a reality. The concept of being like a ‘business startup’ was regarded as significant as was the feature of leadership and how simulation leaders influenced organisational change. Participants spoke of trying to normalise simulation for patient safety, but there was also a strong sense that they needed to be agile and innovative and that this status is implied when simulation is not yet ‘normal’. Leadership, change management and entrepreneurship in addition to implementation science may all contribute towards understanding how to embed, integrate and sustain simulation in teaching hospitals without losing responsiveness. Further research on how all stakeholders view simulation as a normal part of a teaching hospital is warranted, including simulation participants, quality and safety teams and hospital executives. This study has highlighted that a shared understanding of the purpose and breadth of simulation is a prerequisite for embedding and sustaining simulation. An approach of marketing simulation beyond simulation-based education as a patient safety and systems improvement mindset, not just a technique nor technology, may assist towards simulation being sustainably embedded within teaching hospitals.

Alcohol and other drug continuing care for young people: identifying helpful program mechanisms

ABSTRACT ‘Continuing care’ refers to the provision of co-ordinated care and support overtime. Currently, little is known about continuing care programs for young people who complete alcohol and other drug treatment. This paper analyses data from an interview-based study that aimed to identify the generative mechanisms underpinning an innovative continuing care program for young people. Researchers recruited 11 current and former program clients aged 17 to 25 years and nine program staff. Analysis identified five generative mechanisms of the program that supported participants to manage their substance use over the long term, namely person-centred counselling; relationship stability; safety and inclusion; situated mode of ordering continuing care; and organizational memory. Participants reported that the best continuing care for young people is holistic, includes regular and sustained contact, employs an innovative approach to intervention, establishes links with community services and other support structures, and provides care within a safe, person-centred, and situated framework.

Prevalent Parental Practice Toward Drug Storage and Disposal.

Introduction The environment, healthcare services, and public safety can all be directly impacted by improper drug storage and disposal practices. It is unknown whether parents store drugs at home in accordance with recommended storage guidelines, despite the fact that storage conditions are strictly regulated and monitored at every stage of the drug supply chain prior to drug dispensing. Therefore, it is crucial to dispose of medications properly and store them at home to avoid the consequences. Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the drug storage safety measures used by parents to prevent unintentional drug poisoning in children. Methodology A structured questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional, interview-based study on home medication storage, attitudes, and disposal practices between October 2023 and January 2024. We recruited parents who visited primary healthcare centers or pediatric clinics using a convenience sampling technique. Results All of the 353 returned questionnaires were valid for data entry and analysis. The mean age of the parents was 35.1 ± 11.9 years old and more than half of them 229 (64.9%) have bachelor's degrees. The majority of drugs (271, 88.6%) were stored in the fridge, followed by bedrooms (26.8%). The medication classes that were stored the most frequently were analgesics (92.2%) and antihistamines (62.1%). The majority of parents (214, 69.9%) kept medications above adult eye level, even though only 28% did not keep them in safe and secure locations like locked drawers or boxes. Eighty percent (80%) disposed of unwanted medicines by throwing them in the trash, and only 10 (2.8%) returned them to the pharmacy. Conclusions Drug storage at home encourages self-medication, which has a number of negative effects. Over time, there has been an increase in the use of medications due to a rise in people's health-seeking awareness and behavior on a global scale. Therefore, this study may be used as a guide by national policy-makers for pharmaceutical disposal and storage management. Moreover, it might help in raising public awareness of the importance of pharmacists in the society and the safe handling and storage of medications at home.

Concepts of lines of therapy in cancer treatment: findings from an expert interview-based study

ObjectiveThe concept of lines of therapy (LOT) in cancer treatment is often considered for decision making in tumor boards and clinical management, but lacks a common definition across medical specialties. The complexity and heterogeneity of malignancies and treatment modalities contribute to an inconsistent understanding of LOT among physicians. This study assesses the heterogeneity of understandings of the LOT concept, its major dimensions, and criteria from the perspective of physicians of different specialties with an oncological focus in Germany. Semi-structured expert interviews with nine physicians were conducted and evaluated using qualitative content analysis.ResultsMost interviewees agreed that there is no single definition for LOT and found it difficult to explicate their understanding. A majority of experts stated that they had already encountered misunderstandings with colleagues regarding LOT and that they had problems with deciphering LOT from the medical records of their patients. Disagreement emerged about the roles of the following within the LOT concept: maintenance therapy, treatment intention, different therapy modalities, changing pharmaceutical agents, and therapy breaks. Respondents predominantly considered the same criteria as decisive for the definition of LOT as for a change in LOT (e.g., the occurrence of a progression event or tumor recurrence).

Exploring the role of digital tools in rare disease management: An interview-based study.

While digital tools, such as the Internet, smartphones, and social media, are an important part of modern society, little is known about the specific role they play in the healthcare management of individuals and caregivers affected by rare disease. Collectively, rare diseases directly affect up to 10% of the global population, suggesting that a significant number of individuals might benefit from the use of digital tools. The purpose of this qualitative interview-based study was to explore: (a) the ways in which digital tools help the rare disease community; (b) the healthcare gaps not addressed by current digital tools; and (c) recommended digital tool features. Individuals and caregivers affected by rare disease who were comfortable using a smartphone and at least 18 years old were eligible to participate. We recruited from rare disease organizations using purposive sampling in order to achieve a diverse and information rich sample. Interviews took place over Zoom and reflexive thematic analysis was utilized to conceptualize themes. Eight semistructured interviews took place with four individuals and four caregivers. Three themes were conceptualized which elucidated key aspects of how digital tools were utilized in disease management: (1) digital tools should lessen the burden of managing a rare disease condition; (2) digital tools should foster community building and promote trust; and (3) digital tools should provide trusted and personalized information to understand the condition and what the future may hold. These results suggest that digital tools play a central role in the lives of individuals with rare disease and their caregivers. Digital tools that centralize trustworthy information, and that bring the relevant community together to interact and promote trust are needed. Genetic counselors can consider these ideal attributes of digital tools when providing resources to individuals and caretakers of rare disease.

Voices from the Workplace: Exploring Communication Practices in an Engineering Firm through an Interview-Based Study

Effective communication is crucial for organizational success. This study explores communication practices within an engineering firm, to understand how communication models impact project dynamics and stakeholder relationships. We adopted a qualitative approach, conducting face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with employees and executives. The firm’s unique approach to construction projects makes it an ideal case study for understanding how communication influences this field. This research aims to unravel the communication culture within the firm, including formal and informal communication channels, and how these practices affect workplace stability and effectiveness using communication models from past researchers, such as Organizational Culture Theory, the Transactional Communication Model, and the Interactive Communication Model. The findings can help reshape communication strategies in construction, fostering better stakeholder relationships and project success. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on communication in engineering workplaces by providing insights into communication practices and their impact on an organization's efficiency and stakeholder dynamics.

What recovery domains are important following a total knee replacement? A qualitative, interview-based study

ObjectivesTo explore people’s views of recovery from total knee replacement (TKR) and which recovery domains they felt were important.DesignSemi-structured interviews exploring the views of individuals about to undergo or who...

Leveraging liminality: how the interim manager’s liminal position facilitates knowledge transfer to client organizations

Purpose With the rise of the gig economy, management positions are increasingly staffed with flexible labor, so-called interim managers. They plunge into organizations for a limited period, operating in a liminal position as partly insider, partly outsider. Although several contributions to their client organizations are acknowledged, it is unknown how the interim manager’s knowledge from previous assignments is made useful in the new context under these particular working conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how the interim manager’s knowledge is transferred to the client organization while operating from a liminal position. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents an interview-based multiple case study of six interim assignments where knowledge transfer is considered a social and context-dependent process. Findings The findings unveil the multifaceted nature of the liminal position, which consists of task orientation, time limitation, political detachment and cultural distance. These facets contribute to knowledge transfer in terms of new shared understandings and joint interests, which in turn might create new practices that augment continuous knowledge-sharing patterns. Originality/value The results contribute to the research on flexible work arrangements by shedding light on how the liminal position, predominantly depicted as an obstacle for the individual, might facilitate knowledge transfer. Through the process of knowledge generation, it is shown how a short-term engagement might enable the organization to increase its knowledge over time.

Cognitive impairment and its impact on employment: A qualitative interview-based study involving healthcare professionals and people living with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundCognitive impairment can considerably impact the work life of people who have multiple sclerosis (MS). Cognitive symptoms are associated with an increased likelihood of unemployment, changes in employment and decreased working hours. This qualitative interview-based study aims to gather real-word experiences and perspectives from both people living with MS and healthcare professionals, to explore how cognitive symptoms are experienced in the workplace, how their impact is addressed, and what can be done to support people in managing and minimizing this impact on employment. MethodsSemi-structured, one-to-one interviews were conducted with people living with MS who experience cognitive symptoms, and with healthcare professionals working in MS care. Participants were recruited from a healthcare market research agency based in the United States. The data obtained from the interviews were subsequently analysed using a Grounded Theory method, in order to identify the core themes that form the basis of this paper. ResultsA total of 20 participants (n = 10 people living with MS; n = 10 healthcare professionals) from the United States were interviewed. Overall, 9 themes were identified from the raw data, which were grouped into three core themes describing the perspectives and experiences reported by both people living with MS and healthcare professionals: (1) The implications of cognitive symptoms on work; (2) Challenges in addressing cognitive impairment and its impact on work in MS care; (3) Strategies and support for managing the impact of cognitive symptoms. ConclusionThe real-world insights of PwMS and HCPs gained from this qualitative study show that a multi-faceted approach to addressing cognitive impairment and its impact on the employment of PwMS is required. Workplace adjustments can range from self-implemented changes to changes put in place by employers to accommodate the various ways in which cognitive symptoms may impact a person's work. This study provides valuable information on how people living with MS can be affected by cognitive symptoms in the context of their employment; furthermore, that preparing early when possible and maintaining a proactive approach to managing their impacts on work are important for maintaining a good quality of life.

Adding experiments to the classical survey-interview mix: A three-method design for supporting micro-to-macro explanations in sociology

The aim of this programmatic article is to spell out a three-method design for supporting micro-to-macro explanations based on social mechanisms. In this design, the experimental method is called on to strengthen the explanatory basis of the common survey-interview mix, against the background of growing interest in causal inference and experimentation across the social sciences. The proposal is articulated through the specific problem of the contribution of discrimination (micro process) to the generation of inequalities in mental health (macro outcome) between culturally stigmatized and non-stigmatized groups (macro predictor). The article motivates the research problem and the three-method design, offering a detailed discussion of the limitations of survey-based measures of perceived discrimination. Drawing on the literature on mixed methods, the relationships between the survey, the interview-based study and the field experiment are analyzed in terms of triangulation, development, and complementarity. The broader applicability of the proposed three-method design is illustrated with examples from the distinct fields of civic engagement and labor market inequalities.

“We’re sinking”: a qualitative interview-based study on stakeholder perceptions of structural and process limitations to the Canadian healthcare system

BackgroundDespite longstanding efforts and calls for reform, Canada’s incremental approach to healthcare changes has left the country lagging behind other OECD nations. Reform to the Canadian healthcare system is essential to develop a higher performing system. This study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the views of Canadian stakeholders on structural and process deficiencies and strategies to improve the Canadian healthcare system substantially and meaningfully.MethodsWe conducted individual, ~ 45-minute, semi-structured virtual interviews from May 2022 to August 2022. Using existing contacts and snowball sampling, we targeted one man and one woman from five regions in Canada across four stakeholder groups: (1) public citizens; (2) healthcare leaders; (3) academics; and (4) political decision makers. Interviews centered on participants’ perceptions of the state of the current healthcare system, including areas where major improvements are required, and strategies to achieve suggested enhancements; Donabedian’s Model (i.e., structure, process, outcomes) was the guiding conceptual framework. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and de-identified, and inductive thematic analysis was performed independently and in duplicate according to published methods.ResultsThe data from 31 interviews with 13 (41.9%) public citizens, 10 (32.3%) healthcare leaders, 4 (12.9%) academics, and 4 (12.9%) political decision makers resulted in three themes related to the structure of the healthcare system (1. system reactivity; 2. linkage with the Canadian identity; and 3. political and funding structures), three themes related to healthcare processes (1. staffing shortages; 2. inefficient care; and 3. inconsistent care), and three strategies to improve short- and long-term population health outcomes (1. delineating roles and revising incentives; 2. enhanced health literacy; 3. interdisciplinary and patient-centred care).ConclusionCanadians in our sample identified important structural and process limitations to the Canadian healthcare system. Meaningful reforms are needed and will require addressing the link between the Canadian identity and our healthcare system to facilitate effective development and implementation of strategies to improve population health outcomes.

‘The boots will be on the coffin!’: multiple meanings of ageing for older people playing walking football

Abstract A narrative of decline dominates the ageing process in the Global North. At the same time, older people have shared more positive stories of ageing, particularly with respect to their leisure practices. I explore this tension by drawing on an interview-based study with people playing walking football in the United Kingdom. My contention is that older people express multiple meanings of ageing that disturb deficit-focused cultural scripts of later-life, albeit in ways that can be fraught with tensions and contradictions. First, I explore how older people cultivate an alternate identity departing from assumptions of loneliness and degradation, with walking football providing an opportunity to develop friendships and a sense of belonging. Second, older people emphasise their own (good) health and the embodied demands of walking football, yet in doing so, can reinforce ageist discourses by distinguishing themselves from the inactive and isolated (older) other. Third, older people reflect on their current and future involvement in walking football in positive ways. However, through attending to the temporal character of their experiences, I show how, whilst older people express a desire to continue participation, this is threatened by the realities of their ageing bodies in ways that align with deficit framings of later-life. I conclude by calling for recognising the multiplicity of older people's experiences and exercising caution about reproducing over-simplistic and sweeping celebrations of ageing.

Returning through Front or Back Door

The article reports the results of an interview-based study exploring how internationally educated Ph.D. degree holders re-integrate into research environment in Kazakhstan and how the process of reintegration varies depending on the country of study. We found that returnees from non-Western countries experience greater challenges than returnees from the Western contexts. Applying the concept of “legibility” we reveal that the variation in the experiences is the result of operation of a legibility sorting mechanism used by the state in valuation of the quality of doctoral education of two formerly colonial academic systems – the post-Soviet and the Western one, which compete as they exert neo-colonial claims on the academic system in Kazakhstan. The state uses foreign degree recognition mechanism as a heterogeneity producing system signalling the stakeholders the desired perception of the value of the different degrees. The differentiation in the experiences results from the sorting.

Patient and relative experiences of the ReSPECT process in the community: an interview-based study

BackgroundThe Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) was launched in the UK in 2016. ReSPECT is designed to facilitate meaningful discussions between healthcare professionals, patients, and their relatives about preferences for treatment in future emergencies; however, no study has investigated patients’ and relatives’ experiences of ReSPECT in the community.ObjectivesTo explore how patients and relatives in community settings experience the ReSPECT process and engage with the completed form.MethodsPatients who had a ReSPECT form were identified through general practice surgeries in three areas in England; either patients or their relatives (where patients lacked capacity) were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, focusing on the participants’ understandings and experiences of the ReSPECT process and form. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThirteen interviews took place (six with patients, four with relatives, three with patient and relative pairs). Four themes were developed: (1) ReSPECT records a patient’s wishes, but is entangled in wider relationships; (2) healthcare professionals’ framings of ReSPECT influence patients’ and relatives’ experiences; (3) patients and relatives perceive ReSPECT as a do-not-resuscitate or end-of-life form; (4) patients’ and relatives’ relationships with the ReSPECT form as a material object vary widely. Patients valued the opportunity to express their wishes and conceptualised ReSPECT as a process of caring for themselves and for their family members’ emotional wellbeing. Participants who described their ReSPECT experiences positively said healthcare professionals clearly explained the ReSPECT process and form, allocated sufficient time for an open discussion of patients’ preferences, and provided empathetic explanations of treatment recommendations. In cases where participants said healthcare professionals did not provide clear explanations or did not engage them in a conversation, experiences ranged from confusion about the form and how it would be used to lingering feelings of worry, upset, or being burdened with responsibility.ConclusionsWhen ReSPECT conversations involved an open discussion of patients’ preferences, clear information about the ReSPECT process, and empathetic explanations of treatment recommendations, working with a healthcare professional to co-develop a record of treatment preferences and recommendations could be an empowering experience, providing patients and relatives with peace of mind.

Between regional cooperation and strategic reorganization: An examination of the change in perceptions in Japanese security policy

ABSTRACT With Japan’s new connectivity initiative, the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, alongside several previous doctrines, Tokyo has started to shift its regional security policy focus towards democratic states in the Asia-Pacific. Qualitative case studies on bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific assess these changes as reflecting a more proactive security policy initiated under the Abe administration (2012–2020). While Tokyo’s security policy towards Southeast Asia has certainly changed both qualitatively and quantitatively since 2012/2013, explaining this change by referring solely to Prime Minister Abe’s foreign policy agenda falls short. Rather, Japan’s new strategy is the result of a change in perceptions among executive officials in the foreign and defense ministries that had already been initiated in the 2000s. This study looks at this development and examines the role of the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan (Kantei), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and the Ministry of Defense (MOD) in initiating the change and assesses Japan’s Pacific strategy through an interview-based qualitative case study. Using the concept of “foreign policy analysis” and based on official publications and interviews with representatives of the MOD, the MOFA, and Kantei advisors, this study expands the qualitative aspect of existing research and shows that the origins of this new regionalism are found primarily in the changing perceptions of executive officials. It also points to the importance of analyzing administrative executives at the interface among Kantei, the MOFA, and the MOD, which can shed new light on the reasons behind Japan’s regional strategy shift.

MDMA-assisted dialectical behavioral therapy for borderline personality disorder: A qualitative study of mental health clinicians

AbstractIn 2021, the final series of phase 3 clinical trials looking at MDMA-AT for treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found that 71.2% of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) full-dose participants no longer met criteria for PTSD. MDMA-assisted therapy is not US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in treating borderline personality disorder (BPD), and while PTSD is quite different from BPD, it is possible that some of the beneficial effects of MDMA-assisted therapy may be applicable in treating BPD. Interviewing two clinicians utilizing dialectical behavioral therapy treatment and two MDMA-assisted therapy clinicians was one way to examine the phenomenology of MDMA-assisted therapy with BPD individuals in a thoughtful manner. An exploratory, qualitative, interview-based study assessed clinicians' perspectives of MDMA-assisted therapy and BPD and increased our understanding of underlying therapeutic mechanisms and processes and the role of pharmacological factors in these treatment modalities, optimizing treatment context, and leading to improved clinical responses and patient recovery. The codes generated unique perspectives of the participants revealing a chronological narrative which included three phases of treatment.

‘You certainly don’t get promoted for just teaching’: experiences of education-focused academics in research-intensive universities

ABSTRACT Changes in drivers of academic roles within higher education institutions globally have resulted in increased proportions of academics in education focused (EF) posts. International and UK research suggests that EF academics can experience dissatisfaction with career progression and the perceived value of their work, including those in research-intensive universities. Previous UK research was conducted prior to the introduction of the TEF which has altered the landscape. Therefore, it was timely to examine the current experience of EF academics in research-intensive universities through a theoretical lens to understand barriers and facilitators to career progression. This interview-based study used two theoretical frameworks, Feldman and Ng’s Framework for Career Mobility, Embeddedness, and Success and Kanter’s theory of Power within organisations to explore the experiences of 43 EF academics across 12 research-intensive UK universities. Four contract types were identified, some of which allowed promotion. Three broad themes were derived from the data, including (1) Lack of agreement on the definition of education-focused academic roles, (2) Level of value and appreciation of educational expertise and the impact on education-focused academics, (3) Career development opportunities for education-focused academics. Recommendations to further enhance the experience and career progression for EF academics in research-intensive universities further include; ensuring transparency in recruitment into EF posts as to whether career development is possible within that post, the need to continue the sector-wide discussion on the definition of EF roles that recognises the complexity and diversity of activity and continued work to value and recognise appropriately educational expertise.