Interview Data Research Articles

Parenting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study.

This qualitative study is aimed at describing parental feelings, their readiness during discharge, and their needs while their infant is in the neonatal intensive care unit. The study was conducted with the parents of infants being monitored in a neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 30 in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 parents. This qualitative study was carried out using the Gadamerian-based research method. After parents were informed about the study, written and verbal consent was obtained from them. The content analysis of the interview data resulted in six themes: 'sense of trust and cocoon effect, anxiety and conflicting emotions, parent-infant bonding and breastfeeding, fear of providing care, readiness/unreadiness and support needs and recommendations'. Parents often feel anxious and fearful about harming their vulnerable infants, with added stress surrounding their ability to provide care and the discharge process.

"It Was Never-Ending…": Investigating Gambling Harm Reported by Affected Others.

Gambling-related harm can extend to family members, friends, and communities, however few population-representative studies explore affected other (AO) attributable harm measured with direct reference to gambling. Moreover, no study has employed the full 68-item Gambling Checklist for AOs to investigate harm according to the domains of harm outlined in a recent comprehensive harms taxonomy. Using data from a subsample of 197 AOs identified via a population-representative sample of 5000 respondents from the Fourth Social and Economic Impact Study of Gambling in Tasmania, this study employed a mixed-method design aiming to: (1) quantitatively estimate the rates of AO harms across each domain of harm; and (2) qualitatively analyse semi-structured interview data in a subset of 20 AOs to explore their lived experience of these harms. Overall, emotional/ psychological harm was the most commonly reported (90.36%, 95% CI: 85.32%, 93.79%), followed by relationship harm (75.63%, 95% CI: 69.10%, 81.17%), financial harm (60.91%, 95% CI: 53.87%, 67.53%), health harm (58.67%, 95% CI: 51.59%, 65.41%), work or study harm (32.63%, 95% CI: 26.29%, 39.68%), and other harm (19.17%, 95% CI: 14.18%, 25.40%). The qualitative narratives revealed the interconnected vulnerabilities experienced by AOs across the broad domains of harm. The findings emphasise the importance of targeted interventions, public health promotion, and comprehensive support services to address the diverse harms to AOs. Key areas for intervention include psychological and emotional support, financial guidance, and raising awareness to facilitate early detection of stress-related health conditions, with collaboration between services crucial for developing integrated support systems.

Digital Divide in Cybersecurity

The digital gap actively determines how people obtain varying degrees of access to technological resources, educational opportunities, and job opportunities, specifically within cybersecurity. Research explores digital divide patterns in cybersecurity populations by analyzing unequal opportunities related to cybersecurity education, job opportunities, and security protection levels. This study combines demographic analytics and interview data to reveal how socioeconomic standing, racial background, gender identities, and regional locations simultaneously shape cybersecurity accessibility and workforce take-up. The data reveals systemic obstacles between low-income citizens and minority groups while closing access to awareness regarding entry into cybersecurity roles. The study ends by suggesting policy and educational outreach reforms that might eliminate digital inequalities.

Key Factors Affecting Consumers' Purchase Intention in Live Streaming E-Commerce

Live streaming e-commerce is a new mode of shopping that has been introduced over recent years. Understanding the factors affecting consumers' purchase intention is becoming increasingly critical. The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical analysis of consumers' purchase intention in live streaming e-commerce. An inductive qualitative approach was followed. Using the research method of interview, twenty-eight consumers were selected as research samples to explore what factors affect consumers' purchase intention. The interview data was analyzed using a thematic analysis method. The results of this research contain a categorization of seven different key factors, namely streamer's credibility, product evaluation, platform design, price promotion, perceived value, live interactivity and service integrity, together with the interrelationships between them. This study contributes to the literature of live streaming e-commerce, consumer purchase intention and marketing by bridging three disciplines and provides a constructive insight into live streaming e-commerce merchants.

THE USE OF ANIMATED VIDEOS IN IMPROVING CHILDREN'S KNOWLEDGE IN TEETH BRUSHING

Animated videos that are currently widely used in everyday life can provide great benefits for the field of dental and oral health related to how to brush teeth properly. Based on interview data with 10 fifth grade students, it is known that 7 students do not know how to brush their teeth properly, how long to brush their teeth, and the time to brush their teeth. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of using animated videos in increasing knowledge in how to brush teeth of fifth grade students of SDN 1 Nibong, North Aceh Regency. The type of research used Quasi Experiment using pre-post test with One group Design. Data collection by interview, questionnaire and intervention. The sample in this study amounted to 43 students. Data analysis used Statistic Paired T-Test. The results showed an increase in the value of students' knowledge before being given dental health education with animated videos in the less good category, namely 28 (65.1%) and students' knowledge after being given dental health education with animated videos was in the good category, namely 43 (100%). The conclusion is that there is an influence before and after being given dental health education with animated videos on knowledge of how to brush teeth with a P value of 0.000 <0.005. It is recommended that students improve their understanding of dental and oral health related to brushing techniques that are in accordance with health standards.

Entrepreneurial Mindset and Neuroscience: The Role of Electroencephalography in Measuring Risk-taking, Creativity, and Decision-Making

Entrepreneurial skills such as risk-taking, creativity, and decision-making are essential for fostering innovation and business success. However, measuring students' cognitive engagement and learning effectiveness in entrepreneurship education remains challenging. This study investigated the correlation between electroencephalography (EEG)-measured attention levels and entrepreneurial skills among university students enrolled in an entrepreneurship course in Indonesia. A one-group pretest-posttest experimental design was employed, where students’ attention scores, learning achievements, and engagement levels were recorded over five class meetings using portable EEG headsets. The results indicated a significant positive correlation between EEG-measured attention levels and creativity scores. Furthermore, students’ risk-taking and decision-making skills significantly improved after participating in EEG-monitored learning activities. Learning engagement was strongly correlated with learning satisfaction, suggesting that EEG-based feedback enhanced students’ focus and motivation. Qualitative interview data further confirmed that real-time visual feedback from the EEG monitor helped students regulate their attention and improve their learning experience study demonstrated that EEG technology can serve as an effective tool for enhancing entrepreneurial learning by providing real-time insights into cognitive engagement. The findings suggest that integrating EEG into entrepreneurship education could improve students' creativity, decision-making, and overall learning satisfaction. Future research should explore EEG applications in different educational settings and with larger sample sizes to further validate its effectiveness.

Community College Transfer Admission and Articulation in a Selective STEM Major: How University Faculty, Staff, and Administrators Contribute to Hypercompetitive and Convoluted Transfer Processes

ABSTRACT Drawing on interview data from 20 faculty, staff, and administrators across five universities, this study identifies how university agents shape community college transfer pathways into highly competitive computer science majors. Applying the concept of street-level bureaucracy and using phenomenological methods to center the meaning making of university decision makers, the findings reveal how university agents create hyper-competitive admissions processes to manage capacity constraints. Other findings show how departments prioritize faculty autonomy when setting transfer requirements, leading to inconsistent requirements across university transfer destinations, despite state- and system-level policies designed to streamline transfer admission and articulation. I further discuss how university faculty and administrators make decisions that lead to extended bureaucratic procedures for processing transfer students’ credit articulations, placing burdens on students and departmental staff. Implications focus on the importance of creating a shared sense of responsibility among university actors for facilitating transfer student success and other strategies for universities to build more accessible transfer pathways into STEM majors.

An Action Research on the Utilization of Formative Assessment Components in Online Environments in Science Education

Purpose: This research aimed to identify the utilization status of formative assessment components by teachers and analyze the process of addressing the problems encountered in these components. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was designed considering Stringer's (2007) model supporting the collaborative action research process. Weekly action cycles were planned with teachers during the research. Data collection tools for the study included video recordings (classroom observations), teacher interviews, researcher field notes, lesson plans, planning and reflection meetings with teachers, and meetings with the validation committee. Data analysis in this research was conducted using descriptive analysis and constant comparative analysis. Interview and observation data, along with lesson plans, were analyzed by the researcher after each action cycle, based on the 'formative assessment classroom observation form' created, to determine the extent to which each teacher used formative assessment components in their lessons. Data were also shared with the validation committee to complete evaluations related to formative assessment components for each teacher. Upon examining the development of teachers' formative assessment components, it was observed that two teachers reached expert levels in all components, while one teacher reached an expert level in all components except for peer assessment. Findings: Factors generally influencing the use of formative assessment components by teachers, based on the findings of this study, included teachers' instructional beliefs and attitudes, collaboration and adequate support, time, experience, and standardized tests, as well as teachers' educational philosophies and their utilization of online learning environments. The findings of the study were discussed in relation to the literature, and various recommendations were provided to practitioners to contribute to the use of formative assessment in classroom practices and to researchers aiming to improve teachers' formative assessment practices. Highlights: Factors generally affecting the use of formative assessment components by teachers can be stated as teachers' pedagogical beliefs and attitudes, collaboration and adequate support, time, experience, and centralized exams, teachers' educational understanding, and their use of online learning environments.

Breastfeeding experiences of COVID-19 survivor multipara mothers during pre- and post-COVID-19: a comparative phenomenological study

AimThis study aims to explore the experiences faced by survivor of COVID-19 multipara Jordanian breastfeeding mothers.MethodThis study employed a qualitative phenomenological design to explore the breastfeeding experiences of COVID-19 survivor multipara mothers in Jordan during the post-COVID-19 period. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling through social media platforms, community postings, and word of mouth. Data collection occurred between January and March 2024 via guideline interviews conducted during the early postpartum period. A total of 20 multiparous breastfeeding women were interviewed until data saturation was reached. Thematic and content analysis was applied to transcribed interview data using NVivo software, with themes identified through iterative coding and consensus among researchers to ensure reliability and depth of insight.ResultsThe study identified five themes: breastfeeding experience during the post-COVID-19 period compared to pre-COVID, breastfeeding women’s thoughts about vaccination effects on their milk, types of barriers/challenges women experienced while breastfeeding during the post-COVID period compared to pre-COVID-19, receiving any education regarding breastfeeding during the post-COVID-19 period, and suggestions to improve the breastfeeding experience compared to pre-COVID-19.ConclusionThis study offers valuable insights into the breastfeeding experiences of multipara mothers in Jordan who survived COVID-19 and continued to breastfeed during the post-pandemic period. The findings highlight a range of physical, psychological, and social challenges that these mothers faced, including changes in milk supply, concerns about vaccination, emotional distress, and limited support systems. Despite these obstacles, many mothers demonstrated resilience and a strong desire to continue breastfeeding.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Unveiling digital service readiness: exploring customer and manufacturer organizational perspectives in digital service innovation

PurposeThis research aims to explore service readiness when offering new digital services (DS) in business-to-business (B2B) contexts, examining the dimensions and interdependencies between customer organizational readiness and manufacturer organizational readiness in digital service innovation (DSI).Design/methodology/approachA qualitative single-case approach is used, focusing on an illustrative example to develop comprehensive insights. Through this approach, the study explores the perspectives of manufacturers and their customers, offering an in-depth understanding of organizational readiness for digital services (DS). The interview data were collected from one manufacturer and two customers.FindingsThe study uncovers the multifaceted nature of DSI, introducing a novel concept termed “digital service readiness” (DSR). By examining the interdependencies between customer and manufacturer organizational readiness, the research identifies critical dimensions that influence digital service innovation strategies and collaboration in DSI. The insights gained from the study provide valuable knowledge for the effective implementation of digital services in B2B organizational contexts.Originality/valueThe relevance of this research is highlighted by the observation that B2B firms are advancing with the adoption of DSI, despite not being adequately prepared from an organizational perspective. This study contributes to the DSI literature by introducing the concept of “digital service readiness” (DSR) and exploring its organizational dimensions and interdependencies from the perspectives of both customers and manufacturers. Finally, a theoretical model accompanied by a set of propositions is introduced.

Mixed teff (Eragrostis tef, Poaceae) cultivation and consumption among smallholder farmers in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

BackgroundIndigenous cropping systems were often developed with a focus on resilience. For example, farmers in many parts of the world have traditionally grown crop varietal mixtures to mitigate risks of crop failure due to drought, pests, and disease. However, crop varietal mixtures are threatened by policies encouraging farmers to plant homogenous, single-variety cropping systems, which are more vulnerable to increasing climate variability. Teff is one of the indigenous staple crops of Ethiopian origin cultivated throughout the country for multiple purposes. Farmers continue to cultivate diverse varieties of teff, as well as a varietal mixture known as sergegna teff. We assessed farmers’ knowledge and practices related to sergegna teff in the northern highlands of Ethiopia to understand its advantages as well as threats to its continued use.MethodsResearch was conducted in six kebeles (sub-districts) of Kalu and Tehuledere districts of South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia, situated in warm moist lowlands and tepid and cool mid-highlands. Data were collected through structured surveys with 304 randomly sampled interviewees, semi-structured interviews with 36 purposively sampled key informants, six focus group discussions, guided field tours and market surveys. Varieties of teff in standing crop fields were assessed within 5 m × 5 m random plots at the seed-setting stage. Data analysis included cross-tabulation of survey and interview data, descriptive statistics, and hierarchical clustering.ResultsTeff dominates the farm fields in the six study kebeles. Altogether, 13 distinct varieties, including farmers’ varieties (landraces) and breeders’ varieties, were recorded. Fifty-three percent of survey respondents reported active cultivation of sergegna teff variety mixtures. The same proportion asserted preference for varietal mixtures over pure brown or white varieties on account of nutritional benefits and non-food domestic functions. The varietal mixture was also top-ranked by key informants for drought and disease resistance, resilience, and ecological elasticity. Households reported utilizing the varietal mixture in various types of food and selling at local markets. Most respondents (53% of those who reported cultivating sergegna teff in 2023) indicated using sergegna teff to prepare leavened and unleavened foods, including injera, dimeso, kita, anebabero, serebat, porridge and gruel.ConclusionFarmers express that the ongoing cultivation and use of sergegna teff boost production and enhance resilience and economic returns. These perspectives should be considered in initiatives promoting single breeder’s varieties, which risk supplanting traditional crop varietal mixtures. Further study, alongside proactive conservation, and scaled-up efforts of institutions concerned with food security, biodiversity conservation, and inclusion of ILK are needed.

Differences in overdose rates by gender at supervised consumption services: an explanatory sequential mixed methods study

Background Gender differences have been reported regarding patterns of drug use associated with opioid use disorder. In this study, we aimed to identify if gender trends exist in local supervised consumption sites (SCS) overdose data and to understand reasons for gender differences in overdoses from the perceptions of SCS healthcare professionals. Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted at a single SCS. We analyzed 35,777 total visits by SCS clients and interviewed five SCS staff. We assessed overdose rates and naloxone administration, oxygen administration, and emergency medical services (EMS) called. We used Braun and Clark’s reflexive thematic analysis for interview data. Results Among the clinic visits, the frequency of overdoses across the total number of SCS visits was 662, with similar frequency for males and females. When comparing rates of oxygen administration, naloxone administration, and calling EMS, the frequency of all three interventions was higher for males compared to females. Participants attributed these discrepancies to physiological differences between genders and different gender norms that influenced behavior in the SCS. Conclusion Gendered differences impact how men and women utilize and receive SCS care. Staff can be aware of these trends when supporting clients in SCS. No clinical trial registration

"We Live in Different Chicagos": Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Neighborhood Affiliations of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men as Drivers of HIV Risk.

Racial disparities in HIV are well-documented and pervasive, particularly impacting Black young men who have sex with men (YMSM), and are not explained by differences in individual risk behaviors. The Network-Individual-Resource (NIR) Model of HIV Transmission and Prevention (Johnson et al. in AIDS Behav 14:S204-S221, 2010) suggests that focusing on the broader network-level environments of YMSM holds strong promise for identifying social-contextual factors that may drive these racial disparities. Empirically, numerous studies have demonstrated links between neighborhood-level factors and HIV risk among YMSM (Bauermeister et al. in J Sex Res 54:446-464, 2017). This mixed-methods study aimed to characterize racial differences in the broader contexts (i.e., neighborhood affiliations) within which YMSM meet their sex partners, which may in turn shape HIV risk. Using an innovative explanatory sequential design, multilevel network and geospatial data from an existing longitudinal cohort of YMSM in Chicago were visualized (Phase 1) and subsequently used to guide interviews with a subsample of participants in the broader parent study (Phase 2). Grounded theory was used to analyze interview data, leading to the identification of several salient differences in Black, White, and Latino YMSM's neighborhood-level affiliations, including racial segregation and resource inequality, White spatial insularity, profound Black-White segregation, and Black and Latino neighborhood bridging. From a network perspective, these racial differences in neighborhood-level affiliations have strong potential to help explain the disproportionate burden of HIV among Black YMSM. Findings highlight the importance of attending to the social context within which individual risk behaviors take place and underscore the importance of broader structural change to address racial disparities in HIV.

Motivations for choosing "home" as one's preferred place of death: A scoping review.

While dying at home is often described as desirable, to our knowledge, no reviews have focused specifically on people's reasons for wanting to die at home. This review describes the breadth of what is known about motivations, attitudes, ideas, and reasons underlying the decision to choose "home" as one's preferred placed of death. This review was guided by a scoping review methodology following a five-stage approach including: (1) identify the research question, (2) identify relevant studies, (3) select studies based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, (4) chart the data, and (5) summarize and report the results. Seventeen articles were identified that met inclusion/exclusion criteria and discussed motivations underlying people's desires to die at home. Thirty-five percent of studies were from Canada (n = 6/17), 29% were from Europe (n = 5/17), and 29% were from Asia (n = 5/17). Most studies (n = 11/17) used methods that involved collecting and/or analyzing interview data from participants, while the remaining studies (n = 6/17) used methods that involved administering and analyzing surveys or questionnaires. Characteristics of participants varied, but most commonly, studies included people with advanced illnesses who were nearing death (35% of studies, n = 6/17). Motivations for choosing a home death included desires to preserve a sense of self, factors relating to interpersonal relationships, and topics such as culture, religion, socioeconomic status, living situation, and lived experience. The many interconnected reasons that lead people to choose a home death vary, as individuals have a range of motivations for choosing to die at home, which are highly influenced by contextual and cultural factors. Ultimately, this review will provide a comprehensive description of factors which may inform end-of-life planning, highlighting needs to be considered when planning the preferred location of a death.

Evaluating ChatGPT in Qualitative Thematic Analysis With Human Researchers in the Japanese Clinical Context and Its Cultural Interpretation Challenges: Comparative Qualitative Study.

Qualitative research is crucial for understanding the values and beliefs underlying individual experiences, emotions, and behaviors, particularly in social sciences and health care. Traditionally reliant on manual analysis by experienced researchers, this methodology requires significant time and effort. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, especially large language models such as ChatGPT (OpenAI), holds promise for enhancing qualitative data analysis. However, existing studies have predominantly focused on AI's application to English-language datasets, leaving its applicability to non-English languages, particularly structurally and contextually complex languages such as Japanese, insufficiently explored. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, strengths, and limitations of ChatGPT-4 in analyzing qualitative Japanese interview data by directly comparing its performance with that of experienced human researchers. A comparative qualitative study was conducted to assess the performance of ChatGPT-4 and human researchers in analyzing transcribed Japanese semistructured interviews. The analysis focused on thematic agreement rates, interpretative depth, and ChatGPT's ability to process culturally nuanced concepts, particularly for descriptive and socio-culturally embedded themes. This study analyzed transcripts from 30 semistructured interviews conducted between February and March 2024 in an urban community hospital (Hospital A) and a rural university hospital (Hospital B) in Japan. Interviews centered on the theme of "sacred moments" and involved health care providers and patients. Transcripts were digitized using NVivo (version 14; Lumivero) and analyzed using ChatGPT-4 with iterative prompts for thematic analysis. The results were compared with a reflexive thematic analysis performed by human researchers. Furthermore, to assess the adaptability and consistency of ChatGPT in qualitative analysis, Charmaz's grounded theory and Pope's five-step framework approach were applied. ChatGPT-4 demonstrated high thematic agreement rates (>80%) with human researchers for descriptive themes such as "personal experience of a sacred moment" and "building relationships." However, its performance declined for themes requiring deeper cultural and emotional interpretation, such as "difficult to answer, no experience of sacred moments" and "fate." For these themes, agreement rates were approximately 30%, revealing significant limitations in ChatGPT's ability to process context-dependent linguistic structures and implicit emotional expressions in Japanese. ChatGPT-4 demonstrates potential as an auxiliary tool in qualitative research, particularly for efficiently identifying descriptive themes within Japanese-language datasets. However, its limited capacity to interpret cultural and emotional nuances highlights the continued necessity of human expertise in qualitative analysis. These findings emphasize the complementary role of AI-assisted qualitative research and underscore the importance of further advancements in AI models tailored to non-English linguistic and cultural contexts. Future research should explore strategies to enhance AI's interpretability, expand multilingual training datasets, and assess the applicability of emerging AI models in diverse cultural settings. In addition, ethical and legal considerations in AI-driven qualitative analysis require continued scrutiny.

Patient and Clinician Perceptions of a "People-Like-Me" Tool for Personalized Rehabilitation after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Qualitative Interview Study.

The author team developed a decision support tool to help physical therapists address the varied expectations and recoveries of the total knee arthroplasty (TKA) population. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' and clinicians' perceptions and experiences with the tool during rehabilitation after TKA. The tool was piloted in 2 outpatient physical therapy clinics. An in-depth semi-structured interview was conducted with patients who underwent TKA and were exposed to the tool during rehabilitation, and with clinicians who used the tool with patients after TKA. Two members of the research team coded the interview data using a descriptive content analysis. Sixteen patients and 10 clinicians were interviewed. Four common themes were identified: (1) expectations: most patients and clinicians felt the tool provided patients with valuable feedback for managing recovery expectations; (2) motivation: patients and clinicians felt the tool motivated patients to participate in rehabilitation by providing positive reinforcement and/or a form of competition; (3) influence on practice: some patients and clinicians indicated that the tool helped guide treatment decisions or provided opportunities for patient education, but most felt it did not influence clinical decision making; and (4) clarity and comprehension: the majority of patients understood the tool's "take-home" message, however, some patients and clinicians felt the use of percentiles, line graphs, and medical jargon decreased patients' clarity and comprehension of the tool. Overall, participants reported that the tool helped to shape patients' expectations for postoperative recovery and increase patient motivation to participate in rehabilitation. Participants had mixed perceptions on how the tool influenced clinical care. Finally, participants identified some limitations in patient comprehension of the tool, which will inform future revisions to the tool to accommodate varying levels of health literacy. A clinical decision support tool that provided individualized projections of TKA recovery was helpful to patients and clinicians during TKA rehabilitation to set expectations and increase patient motivation. Revisions to the tool and how it is implemented may enhance its future utility and potential to impact clinical practice.

Satisfaction with client–therapist interactions among sexuality and gender diverse youth in urban and regional Western Australia

Evidence suggests that the prevalence of clinically significant psychological distress among sexuality and/or gender diverse youth (SGD-Y) in Australia is almost triple that of the general population, and greater still for regional SGD-Y. Further, at least 30% of SGD-Y who receive professional mental health support are unsatisfied with this care, discouraging service engagement. This research explored the satisfaction of urban and regional SGD-Y with client–therapist interactions. Participants were 13 SGD-Y aged 15–24 from urban and regional areas of Western Australia who received professional mental health support in the last year. Using a social constructionist approach, participants’ satisfaction was explored via semi-structured interviews, conducted via video-conference, phone call, SMS, and email. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied inductively to verbatim interview data. Satisfaction stemmed from service aspects that fostered SGD-Y’s confidence to openly express themselves with therapists, organized across three themes: safe therapeutic settings, experiences of inclusive support, and congruency of perspectives. Among our sample, regional SGD-Y appeared to experience inequitable access to socially safe in-person and online client–therapist interactions. Service aspects supporting SGD-Y’s social safety may encourage SGD-Y’s open expression with therapists, enabling self-determined therapeutic experiences.

Qualitative study of spousal emotional experiences of taking care of dying patients

BackgroundSpouses caring for cancer patients in the terminal phase often grapple with significant physical distress when faced with the impending death of their partners. Regrettably, the personal emotions and mental health challenges of caregiving spouses are commonly overlooked. This study utilized qualitative research methodologies to delve into the emotional experiences of spouses as they provide care to dying patients.MethodsUtilizing a phenomenological research approach, this study employed purposeful sampling to select 11 spouses of patients in the terminal phase of cancer who were hospitalized at Taizhou Hospital in Zhejiang Province from June 2024 to August 2024. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted to understand the caregiving experiences of spouses during the end-of-life period. The interview data were organized and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. We followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.ResultsThe study collectively extracted 3 main themes and 12 subthemes: (1) positive and negative emotional experiences (including deep gratitude, valuing the time spent together, a shift in life’s priorities, contemplation of the essence of life and a transformation in life philosophy, a sense of helplessness and confusion about life and death, emotional exhaustion, feelings of loneliness and helplessness, and heart’s inability to endure); (2) caught off guard by the changes (leading to death anxiety and a state of high alert, panic-stricken and fearful); and (3) the pain of parting, piercing to the heart and soul (deep attachment to the spouse, the sorrow and pain of parting).ConclusionDuring the process of caring for patients at the end-of-life stage, spouses may experience a range of negative emotions, which can threaten their mental health. Medical staff should pay attention to the well-being of patients’ spouses while providing care to dying patients. They should offer psychological support and care tailored to their spouse’s actual situation, establish a supportive care system, enhance caregiving abilities, and alleviate grieving emotions.

The Learn Together programme (part B): evaluating co-designed guidance to support patient and family involvement in patient safety incident investigations.

Expectations of patient and family involvement in investigations of healthcare harm are becoming conventional. Nonetheless, how people should be involved, is less clear. Therefore, the "Learn Together" guidance was co-designed, aiming to provide practical and emotional support to investigators, patients and families. To longitudinally evaluate use of the Learn Together guidance in practice-designed to support patient and family involvement in investigations of healthcare harm. A 15-month process evaluation took place across five sites, following 29 investigations in which the Learn Together guidance was used. Sites comprised two mental health and two physical health hospital Trusts, and an independent maternity investigatory body in England. Longitudinally, 127 interviews were conducted with investigators, patients, families, staff, and management. Interview and observational data were synthesized using Pen Portraits and analyzed using multi-case thematic analysis. The guidance supported the systematic involvement of patients and families in investigations of healthcare harm and informed them how, why, and when to be involved across settings. However, within hospital Trusts, investigators often had to conduct "pre-investigations" to source appropriate details of people to contact, juggle ethical dilemmas of involving vs. re-traumatizing, and work within contexts of unclear organizational processes and responsibilities. These issues were largely circumvented when investigations were conducted by an independent body, due to better established processes, infrastructure and resources, however independence did introduce challenge to the rebuilding of relationships between families and the hospital Trust. Across settings, the involvement of patients and families fluctuated over time and sharing a draft investigation report marked an important part of the process-perhaps symbolic of organizational ethos surrounding involvement. This was made particularly difficult within hospital Trusts, as investigators often had to navigate systemic barriers alone. Organizational learning was also a challenge across settings. Investigations of healthcare harm are complex, relational processes that have the potential to either repair, or compound harm. The Learn Together guidance helped to support patient and family involvement and the evaluation led to further revisions, to better inform and support patients, families and investigators in ways that meet their needs (https://learn-together.org.uk). In particular, the five-stage process is designed to center the needs of patients and families to be heard, and their experiences dignified, before moving to address organizational needs for learning and improvement. However, as a healthcare system, we call for more formal recognition, support and training for the complex challenges investigators face-beyond clinical skills, as well as the appropriate and flexible infrastructure to enable a receptive organizational culture and context for meaningful patient and family involvement.

Perspectives of Asian Foreign-Educated Nurses on Career Advancement in the United States: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

This study aimed to understand what influences career advancement among Asian foreign-educated nurses who have obtained an advanced degree in nursing in the United States. Asian nurses represent one of the largest racial minority groups within the U.S. registered nurse workforce. The perspectives of Asian nurses regarding career advancement have been less explored. The participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. A semistructured interview was conducted with 11 Asian foreign-educated nurses. NVivo software was used for interview transcription and data management. Data analysis followed the steps of the conventional content analysis method. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used to ensure quality. Five main themes were developed from the data: opportunities to advance in position and education, career advancement indicating personal and professional growth, a strong inner drive and motivation for career advancement, the influences of family and culture, and the need for time and other resources. The main themes described perspectives, such as opportunities for advancement in position and education. The challenges with time, financial need, communication, and discrimination were discussed. Understanding the perspectives is crucial to ensure a supportive work environment and improve career advancement opportunities. Financial support and flexible work schedules are crucial for Asian foreign-educated nurses seeking career advancement. Policies and procedures related to paperwork processing and mandatory prerequisites for enrollment to advance nursing education need to be revisited. Nursing leaders and administrators should consider improving policies to facilitate equal opportunities for career advancement.